Batman: Detective Comics #1086 – Ram V, Alex Paknadel, Writers; Stefano Raffaele, Lisandro Estherren, Artists; Lee Loughridge, Patricio Delpeche, Colorists
Ray – 9/10
Ray: As we get closer to the end of Ram V’s run, the Orghams are ready to make their move—setting up a fake war for Gotham that places them firmly in control, unleashing a new warrior designed to threaten the elites of Gotham. This fake claim of desiring revolution will place the Orghams in danger, and let Gotham rally to their defense. It’s a dramatic plot reminiscent of how fascist governments often keep power—but Batman and Gordon are getting closer to the truth. There’s a great segment with the unstable villain Ten-Eyed Man that really drives home how Batman is smarter now, willing to work with anyone who can help, but it’s a segment with Two-Face and Harvey Dent that packs the most emotional weight.
But unfortunately, there’s one segment in this that really doesn’t quite work. It features the return of Joker’s Daughter, a mostly forgotten Lobdell creation who has sort of been subsumed by the sensation that was Punchline. She’s reformed now, boarding with an old couple and working to regain her mental stability. There’s just one problem—Joker wants her back and essentially sets her up in a very gruesome way (animal lovers should not read this) to force her back over the end. And it seems to work—she’s back in the mask by the end of the issue, and I’m a little puzzled by where this is going to go from here. There are so many great stories in this series that I don’t know where another plot threat will fit in this late.
The backup by Paknadel and Listherren continues the pattern of giving great solo stories to some of Gotham’s rogues—and this issue it’s Two-Face in the lead. He’s about to execute a henchman who stole from him, but Harvey Dent might have other ideas—he wants the goon to get a fair trial, and so one is conducted, entirely in Two-Face’s head. The result is a compelling look at how Harvey still manages to battle against his counterpart’s evil, and how the two might be finding an equilibrium.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
