Another stellar issue from the team of John Layman and Jason Fabok after last issue was to be expected and thankfully they did not disappoint. Hopefully this streak continues month after month and we may just have one of DC's foremost duos on our hands. Read Full Review

Layman delivers a good, old-fashioned, thoughtful Batman story. The ambition isn't amazing, but the execution is very well done. Read Full Review

The This continues to be a favorite of mine, but this issue did hit a bump or two with the reveal of who Merrymaker was. I've been reading John Layman's Chew a lot recently, and know he sort of plays the long game with his stories, while giving you bite size (no pun intended) stories through out, but with something like Batman, I feel one needs to emphasize the face story a bit more, due to the nature of the character, while that long, and probably more fulfilling, B plot (Emperor Penguin) runs its course. Regardless, still a fun issue and did nothing to shake my confidence in this team. Read Full Review

So as I mentioned this was yet another fun issue in what is turning out to be a great run this new creative team are putting together. If you want to read good Batman stories, as well as seeing some top drawer art, then I highly recommend this series. Obviously the main Batman book is kicking ass all over the place right now, but who can ever have too much Batman? Read Full Review

Unlike much of the endless teasing, Bat-Family bickering, and grotesque nature of Death of the Family, the Merrymaker storlyine involves Batman doing a bit of old fashioned detective work and using his brains to take down another threat to Gotham City. Worth a look. Read Full Review

Ultimately, Batman: Detective Comics #17 addresses most of the problems with issue #16 and provides a solid, well-assembled look at the Joker's legacy with the ne'er do wells of Batman's kingdom. Read Full Review

Overall it's a decent issue, just a little TOO predictable to make it exciting. Enjoy it, but don't begin reading it thinking it's going to be a mindblower. Read Full Review

Issue #17 was far too predictable to really be fully enjoyed but it's still a well drawn issue that ties up all of Read Full Review

Plain and simple: Batman fans are spoiled right now when it comes to comic books. Between the work of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, Gregg Hurwitz and Ethan Van Sciver and the work of Layman and Fabok here, there are plenty of ways to get a Batman fix. The real problem is there is simply so much good Batman material right now that some lesser lights are certain to be ignored. At least they'll be ignored in favor of comic books with good storytelling and fantastic art, like "Detective Comics" #17. Read Full Review

While this issue didn't have a great deal to offer beyond the strong visuals, I'm hoping the end of Death of the Family backdrop will allow Layman to tackle his Emperor Penguin material more directly next month. Read Full Review

Detective Comics #17 was a major bummer. I was looking forward to a more gripping mystery story instead of an obvious bit of filler. Read Full Review

While not being terrible, it wasn't a "wow" either. Any positive remarks towards the issue are mostly for it's great art. Hopefully next month's shows readers a more serious and less "Scooby Doo" Batman. Read Full Review

Detective Comics #17 seemed very rushed and the plotline didnt seem to affect any other developments for any main characters or recurring storylines. The Death of The Family plot wasnt really impacted by any events in this issue. Hopefully, the Detective Comics writers can give The Merrymaker a second chance in a story that is much more pivotal. Read Full Review