The only real flaw to this issue is its inability to be quickly absorbed by casual readers. The mythology James Tynion IV has woven at this point is too vast for that. Thankfully, the artwork is fantastic, meaning established fans of this series will have another great issue to look forward to. Read Full Review

This issue is yet another five star instalment in what is rapidly becoming a five star run. I urge everyone to pick up the trade paperbacks of this series, of which Vol. Four "Deus Ex Machina" has just been released. Read Full Review

More than anything, I'm impressed that I've come to care about what happens to Clayface. I'm also impressed that Tynion has crafted such a great relationship between Basil and Cassandra Cain. The other members of the bat-team are his allies and they want to help him, but Cass is the only one who is truly his friend… a choice she made to actively care, to be good to him. Time will tell what choice Clayface makes. Read Full Review

Well paced issue that balances action and character work well. Read Full Review

This book doesn't get the attention of King's book, but it's one of the best Bat-runs in years. Read Full Review

Buy as this has become not your normal clever scheme by the villains story, but a well-orchestrated takeover, by some seriously lethal rogues. Read Full Review

Detective Comics (2016-) #972 is one of the most exciting comics that I've read in some time; Tynion's pacing is impeccable and thus, putting this book down is nearly impossible. From the first through the last, Detective Comics (2016-) #972 is wild ride that'll leave readers eager for Issue #973. Read Full Review

James Tynion IV brought another excellent story and the artwork of the series has been extraordinary. Read Full Review

Fall of Batmen has played out in a way that it seems hard to imagine the book not undergoing some massive changes in the end. I like that Tynion is making this a meaningful battle not just for Gotham, but for the integrity of the team Batman assembled. Read Full Review

I love the dark direction this story is taking and I'm really enjoying watching the team working with each other. There are some great interpersonal moments that I'm enjoying as a reader. Read Full Review

Detective Comics #972 begins shattering the Belfry team, and it looks like it may never be able to recover. Its a compelling and heartbreaking tale, and its worth a read. I definitely recommend it. Read Full Review

It has finally come. The day I've been dreading, the fall of Clayface. From the beginning, Clayface has been that character that I kept my eye on, hoping that he could amend his demons and become a full part in the Bat-family. But sometimes the past won't let you move forward and that is what has happened to Clayface. Not only has Clayface fallen, but the team as a whole; you can start to see that not everything is going as planned. It's odd to say that the Victim Syndicate might have won this round, and in a very big way. Read Full Review

I like Clayface. Given his abilities, you can tell all kinds of varying stories with him: creepy, action based, espionage. With his potential as a villain, and seeing him let loose in this issue the way he does, it kinda just made me want him back as a full fledged villain. I know we are all rooting for Clayface to be reformed since empathizing with his plight has been one of the key elements of Tynion's run. And, at this point, not letting him achieve that goal would be a real let down since the character has put forth so much effort to change his ways. So, I'm fully torn. I do genuinely feel sorry for Clayface, but at the same time, I just want to see him go on a rampage. Read Full Review

One of the big reasons that James Tynion IV's run on this title is so good is that he has really strong takes on the new team of Gotham City heroes. And that's why it's so disconcerting to see the characters seemingly acting well outside of the personas that Tynion has established. Read Full Review

After a longwinded and preposterous script from Tynion last issue, this one was a big improvement. Multiple panels of people talking to each other for many pages was kept to a minimum. The battles were exciting and fun to read. Characters like Red Robin and Batwoman evolved more naturally as they moved farther down more dangerous paths. Things are picking up and the arc appears to be heading toward hopefully a satisfying climax. Read Full Review

And the art does well framing the action. The art team has drawn a beautiful comic. Read Full Review

Miguel Mendonca provides strong pencils " a bit more suited to the characters and action he's assigned than Joe Bennett, and Diana Egea's inks complement his lines much better than Bennett's inker did. Jason Wright's colors are rich and vibrant, though not perhaps as moody and atmospheric as the book initially boasted under Adriano Lucas coloring Eddy Barrows and Brad Anderson coloring Alvaro Martinez. Rumor has it that Barrows's last issue on Detective will be this month's Annual, highlighting Clayface's past, and if so, he will be missed. Read Full Review

This storyline just keeps building to greater and more exciting heights! Can't wait to see it all come crashing together. Read Full Review

For those hoping for Clayface to continue being a good guy, this issue will have you twisting and turning in your seat.  While the overall story does stall here, James Tynion gives loyal readers a well earned and very emotional moment that almost is worth getting this issue for by itself.  While the Clayface situation is still up in the air, I am still holding out hope for Dr. October's cure to make everything work out in the end. Read Full Review

Tynion has finally given me something to care about with Clayface's heel turn, but he doesn't delve into the other dangling plot threads as much as I would have liked. The Victim Syndicate just needs to go away, but the art is really fantastic. Read Full Review

This ongoing is the best there is for the rebirth era. I feared this issue, but liked it very much.
And I think Clayface is right with Tim when he tell that is paranoia will make us despite him.
I find very nice both time Batman face him. And I like seen cassie succeed where the other fail without arming him.
But there is the end with a uncontrolled claycface. I'm torn about that ending.

Cover - I take the variant cover. Love it & well connected to part of the story. 2/2
Writing - The best writing. With a good use of the cast. A very interesting development each issue. What more do you want ? 3/3
Arts - The art is really good. Maybe the coloring make some panel a little off. 3/3
Feelings - I would not understand that you didn't even try it ? 2/2 more

This was my favorite DC issue of the past few months. It seems that some of the strings that JTIV set up months ago are being tied up, and I like it! Also, the art is terrific. I much prefer Mendonça’s art to Barrows’.

The pulse in Gotham has reached a frenzy in the latest Detective Comics. Control is slipping away from Batman and his team of vigilantes, and even his own teammates might be responsible for some of the craziness. I feel like I've got a decent idea where the overall story is heading, but Tynion and his team of artists are weaving an interesting tale right now. Small marks against the issue for style more than substance. I just can't shake a feeling of doom as the Belfry unwinds with Tim in the middle.

The one thing that really stands out here is the art. It's just gorgeous and the Clayface design is really hitting a homerun here. The bold lines really make everything pop out and a treat to look at. On the story side of things, Detective is probably one of the most consistent series with cool story elements, plenty if characters development and enough action to keep readers interested. This is pretty much the same here except we witness what could be the point of no return for one of Batman's allies. The only problem with the whole series is that there are so many characters that some of them become mere tools to the story's benefit. Still a good read and worth the 2.99 price tag.