Batman: Detective Comics #1092 – Tom Taylor, Writer; Mikel Janin, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Tom Taylor has been building a dark mystery in a few issues of this series, with a predatory agency targeting juvenile delinquents and targeting them for their blood. Batman and Robin lost another victim last issue when they put Kai up in a hotel room – only for him to immediately be found. Of course, Batman has an edge of his own – he’s been getting a mysterious treatment from childhood friend Scarlett Scott, who has developed a way to naturally extend life and enhance both Bruce’s physical and mental abilities. This has led to a faster and stronger Batman – but one who is increasingly starting to wonder where these gifts come from. The connection between the two seem almost too obvious, and with Taylor at the helm, I’d be surprised if there wasn’t an extra twist to things. And that twist may come in the form of Scarlett Scott herself – who Bruce is becoming especially close to.
I’m usually a bit suspicious whenever a new romantic interest is thrown into Batman’s world – he has a few who will always stick around and there are major complications with, and the new ones tend to either heel-turn, die, or simply disappear after a while. Things move a little too quickly between the two, but there are some more interesting reveals about Scarlett this issue – including the fact that she might be indulging in her own supply, and that the drug might not be able to help everyone the same way. Scarlett almost feels like she has to be a red-herring villain given the reveal at the end, but that doesn’t mean the tension isn’t high as Bruce gets deeper and deeper into her web. This run has been strong so far, with great characterization for Bruce in particular, but given how fast out of the gate Taylor went on Nightwing, everything that’s going on here almost feels like an appetizer.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
