Detective Comics #22

Writer: John Layman Artist: Jason Fabok Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: July 3, 2013 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 15 User Reviews: 8
7.9Critic Rating
8.4User Rating

Meet The Wrath! In Gotham City, hes the anti-Batman, and the body count is about to shoot through the roof! And in the backup story, Man-Bat makes a startling discovery!

  • 10
    WhatCulture - Matt Grazel Jul 4, 2013

    Detective Comics #22 is another piece by Layman and Fabok that readers will enjoy. Detective Comics has been so consistent and reliable since Layman and Fabok took over that it is one of the top two Batman comic books. The issue is an example of what makes Batman an appealing character to read about in comics. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Batman-News - Andrew Asberry Jul 4, 2013

    This was a terrific first chapter with a great new villain (I say new, but he's been around since 1984 or so without much success), action (could've used more detective work but I'm sure that'll come later), a police force that doesn't feel one dimensional, and absolutely tremendous artwork. The only flaws I found at all noticeable were a somewhat sluggish pursuit by Batman in one of the action scenes, a potentially obvious villainous identity, and a back-up that didn't add to or enhance the main story. In the end I think it's the best bat-title of the day and a must buy, especially for those who have been eager to give Detective Comics a chance as this is a new reader friendly comic. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Comics Are Not Dead - Comics Are Not Dead Jul 5, 2013

    The backup story is very good as well, this time around. Clarke seems to be going back to the darker style he had with the backups in the main Batman series, and Layman sets up a complex mystery here. And when the culprit is revealed in the very last panel, you won't believe who it is.  Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - Lan Pitts Jul 3, 2013

    Detective Comics #22 might not have a lot of Wrath action in it as the cover might have promised, but what it does have is Layman still proving he's one of the best DC has to offer, with Fabok close behind. While this is just the beginning of something big, the unlimited potential is staggering. Be prepared. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    IGN - Melissa Grey Jul 3, 2013

    Fabok's art is heavy on the gritty realism we've come to associate with Gotham, and it's complemented by Emilio Lopez's atmospheric colors. The book's almost cinematic aesthetic is everything we could ask for in a modern Bat-book -- and it's a perfect match for Layman's increasingly dark narrative. Read Full Review

  • 8.7
    Analog Addiction - Tony Couto Jul 5, 2013

    Detective Comics #22 takes cues from the successful film adaptations, and in doing so, allows the realistic grit of those interpretations shine through in this series. Read Full Review

  • 8.6
    Nerds On The Rocks - Josh Raj Jul 3, 2013

    Overall, we are not really told who is behind the mask, but there are hints. I hope this story goes on for a bit and allows time to build because it seems to be very interesting and have potential. Again the art was beautiful and I really enjoyed the prologue. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Jul 3, 2013

    Unfortunately comics need to sell a promise on their cover to get people to purchase them. This cover seems to suggest we're getting a ton of Wrath, but instead we're getting an intro to a longer story. Don't expect much Wrath when you crack this issue open. Those of you who have patience should dig this story. By all accounts Layman knows what he's doing and we're in for a wild ride. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    DC Comics News - Tyler McGoff Jul 11, 2013

    The good definitely outweighs the bad in this issue. Wrath is positioned to be a great foil for Batman, and Im looking forward to seeing how this develops over the next several issues. John Laymans writing has me hooked, and with Jason Fabok bringing the Dark Knight and Gotham to life like no one else, I am happy to be hooked on this title. Layman and Fabok continue to give us an exciting and excellent take on Batman and Detective Comics. Four out of five. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Gotham Spoilers - Gotham Spoilers Jul 3, 2013

    From the start of John Layman and Jason Fabok's Detective run, they've been toying around with familiar concepts and freshening things up as they go, and this issue is no different. Bringing in the Anti-Batman is right up the alley this creative team lives in, and I'm excited for it, despite my issues with the colors and general quick pace of the story. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    ComicList - Brandon Borzelli Jul 4, 2013

    Detective Comics is a great Batman book to pick up. It doesn't have the deep look at the character that you might find in Batman Incorporated or Batman. Instead the comic book is giving us the day-to-day Batman dealing with the regular problems that he faces in Gotham all the time. It's basically the Batman book to pick up if you like your Batman to stay away from the sprawling epics. It's a consistently good read. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comic Book Resources - Greg McElhatton Jul 3, 2013

    "Detective Comics" #22 has a nice start to the Wrath story, and I'm curious to see where it goes and to learn more about this character. But the Man-Bat story is where the pay dirt is being struck. If only all back-up stories were this much fun. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Weekly Comic Book Review - Minhquan Nguyen Jul 5, 2013

    It's never a good sign when the back-up feature is a better draw than the main attraction, but unfortunately Layman takes a rather formulaic route to deliver his latest plot. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comic Spectrum - Shawn Hoklas Jul 16, 2013

    For readers who may not be familiar with the Wrath, this issue should get you excited for what comes next. For those readers who are, the backup story may be a better reason to keep following this storyline. Overall, the introduction of the Wrath works, it's just a little too obvious in the way it does so. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Razorfine - Alan Rapp Jul 12, 2013

    Although it opens up new possibilities and challenges for Batman, I'm not sold on this storyline (or either Caldwell or Wrath). The comic also offers another less than great Man-Bat back-up story that takes up way too many pages and reveals that Francine Langstrom (to no one's surprise) is actually the Man-Bat attacking the streets at night. Anytime DC wants to dump this story would be fine with me. Hit-and-Miss. Read Full Review

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