Batman: Detective Comics #1083 – Ram V, Alex Paknadek, Writers; Javier Fernandez, Robbi Rodriguez, Artists; Dave McCaig, Patricio Delpeche, Colorists
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: We’re entering the final act of Ram V’s Detective Comics run, and the end of Batman’s journey through the realm of the underworld. Now he’s back to Gotham—but not the same one who left. Is this Barbatos’ influence? Is it the several weeks he spent in the desert with Talia, recovering? It’s not clear, but Ram V revels in the ambiguity. The scenes in the desert, including some surprising developments with the body of a fallen Orgham, give this story an epic feel that reminds me quite a bit of events in the recent Dune movie. But this is a Batman with a clearer sense of mission than he’s had in some time, and an enemy to destroy. And to do that, he’s going to have to return to Gotham and reunite his old allies.
I’m glad to see Jim Gordon get some major page time here, with Jim being the first one Batman seeks out when he returns. Since the loss of Alfred, Jim is probably Batman’s longest-running human connection and I think he might be gearing up to for a return to the role he’s most known for—especially with Montoya feeling more and more confident in the role of the Question. Other people aren’t quite so at ease with Batman—such as Selina, who senses that something feels off. But it’s the Orghams that are paying the most attention, and Batman’s declaration of war escalates this story in a big way. Fantastic story, with Javier Fernandez’ gritty art being perfectly suited to a city at war.
I have to say, as amazing as the main story was, the backup gave it a run for its money. Alex Paknadel and Robbi Rodriguez follow up on Cassandra Cain as she tries to fill Batman’s shoes—only to encounter Lady Shiva in a battle with the Arzems’ most brutal minions. The fight scenes in this story are fantastic—no surprise, since Rodriguez drew the competition’s most electric comic in a long time—and the take on the bond between mother and daughter is the best I’ve read in a long time. Can we give a Batgirls title to this creative team next?
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
