Detective Comics #976

Writer: James Tynion IV Artist: Javi Fernandez Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: March 14, 2018 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 19 User Reviews: 32
8.2Critic Rating
8.1User Rating

+ Pull List

"BATMEN ETERNAL" part one! With his team completely shattered, Batman must confront Red Robin about the future of their partnership...if there even is one!

  • 10
    Dark Knight News - Steve J Ray Mar 16, 2018

    I don't know how James Tynion IV is going to end his extraordinary tenure on Detective Comics. I've honestly enjoyed his run on this book more than any, since the heady days of Grant, Wagner and Breyfogle. Read Full Review

  • 10
    DC Comics News - Shean Mohammed Mar 16, 2018

    This storyline takes a look at how each Bat Family member can function without each other, and is definitely worth the read! Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Matthew Mueller Mar 14, 2018

    The journey is nearing its end, but it looks like Detective might have saved the best for last. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Big Comic Page - Dave MacPhail Mar 26, 2018

    Detective Comics continues to be one of the best books DC is putting out there and this is in no small part due to the time and dedication to the writing that Tynion brings. All of the characters are fleshed out and their motivations are laid bare for us all to see, and it really brings the reader on bored and gives them reason to care about the events as they unfold. As always this continues to be at the top of my pile each month and I am excited to see what happens next. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Mar 14, 2018

    If this first part is any indication, Batmen Eternal will be a fitting conclusion to Tynion's terrific run that's ending far sooner than many Bat fans would like. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Mar 14, 2018

    This run hasn't gotten the hype of King's run, but it's a great run that has delivered excellent storyarcs for some of the Bat-family's best characters. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Bleeding Cool - Joshua Davison Mar 15, 2018

    Detective Comics #976 is another dark yet absorbing entry into this series. Tynion is raising the stakes as his run nears its conclusion, and the past few installments have been especially good. This one comes highly recommended. Check it out. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    GWW - Deron Generally Mar 13, 2018

    I continue to be impressed with how dense this story is getting and all of it works. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Watch - Justin Cooper Apr 1, 2018

    The thing about Detective Comics that usually separates the stories from the Batman title is that it involves a lot less action and more reasoning band problem solving, sprinkled with some emotional Character development. This is no exception, and we get to delve a bit more into the teams and especially the relationship with Batman and Tim Drake. In many ways, he was his best pupil, a great detective mind, and he understands the empathetic goals and vision of Batman better than even Bruce sometimes. What I think is that this divergence is leading to a huge Heel Turn and the making of a spectacular story. It's my secret hope that we see Tim as the Villain that he became in "Batman Beyond Return of the Joker", a tragically twisted version of Batman's former sidekick. Who can say what's in store for the Red Robin, especially with all the future knowledge at his fingertips? Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Batman Universe - Ian Miller Mar 14, 2018

    Tynion starts off his final arc with a solid foundation of action and emotion as Kate Kane and Tim Drake each reaching a turning point in their journeys. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Pop Culture Uncovered - soshillinois Mar 14, 2018

    Javier Fernandez may not have been on this book from the beginning, but he slips into this issue like a glove. A large chunk of the issues emotional nuances owe a great deal to his character acting. From Casss muted sorrow, to the poor emotional communication between Tim and Bruce. Then of course theres something as simply visceral as Batwoman and the crew beat up dudes in owl suits.John Kaliszs darker colors help to convey the mood in that regard. Its a near-perfect issue of whats turned out to be a very thrilling run. One hopes Tynion will continue to write these characters in some form, but this is hardly a bad note to go out on. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - C.K. Stewart Mar 15, 2018

    This is Tynion's last arc on the series, and it's shaping up to be a good one " it will be interesting to see how this week's developments shake out. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    AIPT - Eric Cline Mar 14, 2018

    Attention to character in the wake of the Bat-family's splintering makes this an enjoyable, if transitional, issue. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    On Comics Ground - Luis Cruz Mar 14, 2018

    The future for the Bat-family looks like a dark one, one that Tim of the future warned about. With the Bat-family all shattered and new factions taking over, Batman will have a lot on his hands to handle alone. We can all see where this is heading towards, but with Ulysses Armstrong popping up and telling Red Robin of the possession he has from Tim Drakes dark future, anything can happen. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Mar 17, 2018

    The aftermath of Tynion's biggest storyline continues to spiral out of control, but I wish he had the time to really delve into his characters instead of just moving on to more comic books tuff. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Hussein Wasiti Mar 14, 2018

    This is an alright issue. The story is interesting enough since Tynion is leaving the book soon, but the art isn't very good. Fernandez isn't a good fit for the book at all and I wish Tynion's closing arc just looked better. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Batman-News - Brandon Mulholand Mar 15, 2018

    All in all, it's got some good parts, but a pretty rocky start to the arc if you ask me. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Kabooooom - Matt Morrison Mar 15, 2018

    While not as friendly to new readers as his previous opening issues for new story lines on Detective Comics, this first chapter of Batman: Eternal continues to develop James Tynion IV's understated redevelopment of the Batman Family for the Rebirth era. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Weird Science - Jim Werner Mar 14, 2018

    This is the beginning of the end of James Tynion's run on Detective Comics and while it was setup heavy, some of what we got was interesting enough.  Unfortunately, the art was awful and in a run that has had some of Rebirth's best art, that was very disappointing. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Jon Comics Mar 17, 2018

    Riveting. By far one of the best series of DC Rebirth if not the best.

  • 10
    SloboSOY Mar 15, 2018

    I will again tell the pleasure it's to read Tynion IV & that I will miss him.
    I'm more & more convinced it's a batman scheme all along to put Batwoman, Azrael & Batwing in the Colony to overthrow them.
    I'm deeply touch by Cassandra missfortune & I don't know what to think of Timothy.
    The reference about "Wendy the werewolf stalker" is really nice for such a Peter David/Todd Nauck Young Justice's fan as me (YJ Issue 33-34). I will never understand why this title didn't sell more.

    Cover - The variant ... Nice & somewhat related. 2/2
    Writing - I love how Tynion IV use each character. 3/3
    Arts - Beautiful panel like always. There is only a Splash Page that was hard to read (The one where Azrael & Batwing want more

  • 9.0
    Superheroes for Hire Mar 16, 2018

    Great to see all the characters progressing as the Gotham Knights fracture. Not sure what this last arc of Tynion's run will hold for Batman and his family, but this series continues firing on all cylinders as we race toward the climax. I am most curious about the direction Tim is heading, but it makes for good conflict with Batman. Great art as always by Javi Fernandez. Detective Comics has had the best and most consistent art since Rebirth.

  • 8.5
    Agent.Shawl Mar 28, 2018

    Good solid read. I wish the book would've had more of a 'This is gonna be big' feel, but all in all I enjoyed the overall story. Although some may dislike the art, I rather like the style (though there was a few pages where it seemed a bit off).

    The conflict within the bat family's ranks is interesting to me and I have a great time seeing how it is played out so well on the pages. Bat Woman's separation is not permanent, and I'd almost be willing to bet that Batman is in on some future event that will take place within her new team.

  • 7.5
    daddyT Mar 15, 2018

    I really dislike the art, but the story continues to be compelling. the Cassandra part OMG. the Tim part sucks but owell it can't be perfect. the Batwoman part might be interesting too!

  • 7.0
    Caped-Comic-Reviews Mar 17, 2018

    this final story arc with the current writer is kicking off in quite average manner,but still a good story in here regardless, the art however is pretty trash in my option, definitely brings the quality of the whole book down

  • 7.0
    Bloodraven Mar 14, 2018

    Solid issue. Not a fan of the art though. I’m looking forward to see how the storyline plays out over the next few issues.

  • 7.0
    Dispatchdcu Mar 14, 2018

    Welcome to the Oblivion Bar where the first round is on me and the pretzels are free! Be warned: like the pickled eggs at the bar, this issue is going to get SPOILED rotten.

    We open with Cassandra in a flashback fighting with Clayface to free kids from what appears to be some type of slave trade. She was talking with Leslie Tompkins about the last time she felt happy and that was what came to mind for her. Cassandra ended her session by basically saying she’s nervous that the Gotham Knights may just kill her. It was actually a very good scene and well drawn. Best part of the issue by far.

    We move on to Bruce talking to Tim about shutting down the Gotham Knights and only calling them in when he really needs them. Ti more

    + LikeComments (1)
  • 7.0
    Nihilist Mar 14, 2018

    Things started to move forward after Clayface's death and initial collapse of the team resulted by it. New arcs are set up and some characters take new, lonesome paths, but overall the issue did not feel like either an end of the old, or a beginning of something new. It's a connective tissue between what was, and what will be, meaning as an element of series, it's necessary and welcomed, but as a standalone issue, however, it lacks its own identity.

  • 10
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  • 10
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