Detective Comics #1018

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi Artist: Scott Godlewski Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: January 1, 2020 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 15 User Reviews: 27
8.0Critic Rating
7.8User Rating

+ Pull List

In the aftermath of "City of Bane," the Dark Knight has found himself cold, alone, and missing one of the very foundations of his life as both Bruce Wayne and the Batman. But personal problems will have to wait-a mysterious series of deaths have been peppered throughout Gotham and it seems an element of the supernatural is at play in the form of a monstrous pagan spirit. Can Batman silence the demons within to stop the killing? Or will this silent night be for keeps?

  • 10
    DC Comics News - Matthew Lloyd Jan 4, 2020

    Tomasi continues his stellar run as Detective Comics #1018 takes us to the Christmas season with some great character work. He makes some great lemonade out of the lemons he's given with Alfred's death while presenting a great classic Batman. Along the way, Tomasi sets the stage for an interesting mystery with some Viking invaders! Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Jan 1, 2020

    An example of how Batman comics can subtly draw you in with character and detective work. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz Jan 3, 2020

    Tomasi knows how to keep the book moving and keep the various characters interesting. The art by Godlewski is a nice surprise and a perfect fit. I am not sure where this is all going but I am definitely very interested. Read Full Review

  • 8.2
    GWW - Deron Generally Jan 1, 2020

    Scott Godlewski delivers some awesome art in this issue. There are some brutal visual moments throughout and the action looks amazingly fluid and full of detail. Read Full Review

  • 8.2
    Word Of The Nerd - Brent Jackson Jan 1, 2020

    It is Christmas in Gotham, and it is about as good as a Christmas in Gotham City gets: brutal murders, a new villain mucking about, and Batman trying to save the day. For a new reader, Detective Comics #1018 is a great jumping-on point. I have been loosely following the "City of Bane" story. If you know nothing about that you can still pick this up and enjoy. Though I was hoping for a one-shot Christmas story, the start of the new story arc did scratch my Christmas itch. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Dark Knight News - Steve J Ray Jan 1, 2020

    Horrible grizzly murders, a new killer with an agenda and Batman at his sleuthing best. We get all of this plus some Terrific art and wonderful dialogue. Detective Comics #1018 is a keeper, and I cannot wait to see how the story progresses. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Watch - Tyson Yurai Jan 9, 2020

    This issue of Detective Comics has a lot going for it - an interesting storyline, fantastic art and colors, as well as a new and VIOLENT enemy. Peter J. Tomasi has been having fun with this series and the freedom of stories hes been able to tell and this is a stunning example of that. After months of Doug Mahnke on art, Scott Godlewski is an excellent choice for the darkly cheery story. Im absolutely anticipating the next issue of this one. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - David DeCorte Jan 3, 2020

    DETECTIVE COMICS #1018 is a snappy, engaging mystery story. It's probably one of the high points of Tomasi's run on the series thus far. Definitely worth picking up. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Jan 1, 2020

    This issue isn't one of Tomasi's best, mainly because the villain seems more of a gruesome placeholder than a genuine threat, but the character work is strong and I'm looking forward to how Tomasi and Tynion work together to evolve Batman's world. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Kabooooom - Matt Morrison Jan 1, 2020

    All in all this one will please most Bat-fans, though little about it stands out. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBook.com - Christian Hoffer Jan 1, 2020

    While not filled with earth-shattering revelations or teases at the next big plotline, I enjoyed Detective Comics as an isolated look at Batman's current state of mind and his new status quo without Alfred. Read Full Review

  • 7.7
    Weird Science - Joey Casco CSW/CSS Jan 1, 2020

    It appears that we've got a Viking waging a war on Christmas! Making everybody say "God Jul" instead of "Merry Christmas" in the name of the sun goddess Sl! Pretty cool! I like that Bullock is heading the GCPD and the art is great buuuuuut... although it's nice seeing Titus and Ace playing together and Bruce actually giving them some attention, there are moments that don't fit this particular issue and take you out of the mood that's being set. It could have done without those, saved them for another day, and instead use the space to add more of the creepy stuff that was done so well. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Batman-News - Casper Rudolph Jan 1, 2020

    This is an entertaining issue. I just think it could've been better had some of the scenes been longer and others shorter or cut entirely, because now it feels like it's just a collection of individual moments that don't really mesh well together. I also don't think that the creative team has given me an actual reason to care about the villain and what he's doing yet. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    But Why Tho? - Mateo Guerrero Jan 1, 2020

    Detective Comics #1018 sets the stage for a supernatural story of Holiday Horror. Infused with good holiday cheer and cozy warmth, this first chapter shows us the kinder face of Gotham. Those are two distinctly different flavors of storytelling, creating a tonal mismatch that keeps Batman Detective Comics #1018from finding its footing. Still, this issue has me ready for scary ghost stories and tales of Christmases from long long ago. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    The Batman Universe - Donald Townsend Jan 1, 2020

    Tomasi brings his passion for history and emotional-driven storytelling here, and Detective Comics is better for it. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    DSMister Jan 2, 2020

    Once again, we are back to the classic Tomasi runs, and boy do they come in hot!

    This time, we see Batman trying to find out who's butchering several people on Christmas trees, and evidently, it's not Calendar Man. It's actually this pagan Viking dude who's been worshiping the sun a bit too much. We see Bullock taking up a lot of Batman's crap ever since Gordon went insane from the Batman who Laugh's toxins reaching him. We also see the extent of toil that Alfred's death makes on Bruce, as he plays with Titus and Ace.

    Overall, a very solid arc, and I can't wait to see what'll happen in the next issue!

  • 8.5
    Spacey Medicine Feb 6, 2020

    This was a perfectly pleasant read and I have no real complaints.

  • 8.5

    There is something perfect about Christmas in Gotham, whenever it happens.

  • 8.5
    EDiakota Jan 4, 2020

    "... Damn it, Alfred... Damn it all to hell... "
    - BRUCE WAYNE

  • 8.5
    Amazing Psycamorean Jan 3, 2020

    I had a lot of fun with this one. Yes, it's nothing groundbreaking, but it's Batman being Batman and that's kind of enough after so many years of something else.

  • 8.5
    M1sf1r3 Jan 1, 2020

    Prelude:
    Time for a Christmas themed issue of Detective Comics.... on New Year's Day.

    The Good:
    I do like the Christmas theme, even if it's a week too late.

    Love the detective work in this issue.

    The Bad:
    Nothing of note.

    Conclusion:
    A Christmas themed detective story that's already interesting. I'm looking forward to the next part.

  • 7.5
    DarePool53 Jan 5, 2021

    Solid but unspectacular. Intriguing mystery brewing, accompanied by glimpses into Bruce's mental state following all the recent events.

    Didn't love every panel but still thought the art was good overall.

  • 7.5
    Simon DelMonte Jan 2, 2020

    A pretty good story, though it hits the usual beats that a Tomasi Batstory hits. I like the cops being friendly with Bats (a side effect of six months of Bane running Gotham?) But as someone who doesn't read either Batman or Batman/Superman, I feel like I am walking in in the middle of things. I know Alfred is dead, and I know Jim Gordon has taken leave of his senses. But their absence still seems abrupt. And really, the best Gotham can do is Bullock? Where's Maggie Sawyer?

  • 7.0
    egonnn244 Jan 2, 2020

    "Gotham's Largest Natural Christmas Tree"

    A decent issue.

    It starts pretty well, then falters a bit near the end, but it seems that maybe Tomasi is starting to get his groove back. It certainly feels as if the creative shackles had been taken off him.

    Of course the fallout from the "City of King" is present in the book, comic book continuity after all, but I think Tomasi is handling it rather well. Though, I will miss his Alfred's sharp wit.

    Side note: I am also really happy that ever since Rebirth DC is constantly using the same Batmobile model. I really like this one, it looks like the ones from Batman TAS and The Killing Joke rolled into one.

  • 6.5
    Eren Esirci Sep 26, 2020

    Tomasi bu sayıda birkaç şeyi birden ele almak istemiş fakat her birine azar azar değinilme durumu hiç birine yetmemiş. Bunların olması gerektiği gibi olmamasının yanı sıra tüm bu değinmek istediklerinin fazlalığı yüzünden ana soruna da odaklanılamamış. Bu sayı için fazla bir şey söylemek istemiyorum fazla beğendiğim söylenemez ama belki arc ilerledikçe toparlayacaktır. Bilemem.

  • 6.5
    Darkseid24 Jan 1, 2020

    This issue was good, but nothing special. It also was kind of rushed.
    I liked the Christmas theme& you could see how much Alfreds loss means to Bruce, even so that wasnt the main topic of this comic. It was also great, that Catwoman wasnt in this issue& that Tomasi ignores her. Hope Tomasi& Tynion will spare us with that Batcat nonsense in future issues as well. I am still so sick of this ship thanks to Kings run.
    However the villain in this issue is boring so far& nothing much happens.
    The art is nice though.

    + LikeComments (6)
  • 10
    Rocker97 Jan 7, 2020

  • 9.5
    Watchtower022 Jan 4, 2020

  • 8.5
    cincyfan Dec 3, 2020

  • 8.5
    tonpas1989 Jul 6, 2020

  • 8.5
    Grifter Jan 4, 2020

  • 8.0
    Brideshead Jul 17, 2021

  • 8.0
    BlueAndEvil Jul 14, 2020

  • 8.0
    Jason The Dude Feb 1, 2020

  • 8.0
    sebastianorellana95 Jan 18, 2020

  • 8.0
    Dorival Jan 13, 2020

  • 8.0
    RhubarbSaber Jan 2, 2020

  • 7.5
    Justin Ray Jan 2, 2020

  • 7.0
    Adsun22 Jun 28, 2021

  • 7.0
    myconius Jun 19, 2021

  • 6.0
    Marvelll Jul 28, 2020

  • 4.0
    OracleJack May 8, 2020

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