Detective Comics #981

Writer: James Tynion IV Artist: Eddy Barrows Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: May 23, 2018 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 21 User Reviews: 30
8.6Critic Rating
8.6User Rating

+ Pull List

"Batmen Eternal" finale! This is it - the unbelievable conclusion of James Tynion IV's Batman epic! It's the last stand of the Gotham Knights, fighting a monster they helped inspire... and a destiny they won't accept! What will become of the greatest crime-fighting team Gotham City ever saw?

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Matthew Mueller May 23, 2018

    It has something for every fan who's followed the Gotham Knights on their crazy journey, and we're so glad we had the chance to enjoy it. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Dark Knight News - Steve J Ray May 25, 2018

    Next month sees the return of Deacon Blackfire in a tale by acclaimed writer Michael Moreci. While I'm sad to see James Tynion leave this book, I know that the next six issues, at least, are in safe hands. I look forward to Mr. Moreci's tale, and the five issue arc by Bryan Hill, featuring Black Lightning! Read Full Review

  • 10
    The Batman Universe - Tony Hammack May 23, 2018

    Tynion will surely be missed, but Detective Comics has a great foundation to build on. I am ready to read Bryan Hill's arc starting in Detective Comics #983. Read Full Review

  • 10
    DC Comics News - Shean Mohammed May 23, 2018

    This arc is sentimental without being too much, so definitely check out this issue! Read Full Review

  • 10
    Big Comic Page - Dave MacPhail May 23, 2018

    James Tynion IV may be departing the book now but he has left behind a legacy that he can be proud of. He has also left some very big shoes to fill and I hope the next writer is up to the challenge. The series has been a consistent highlight in DCs comic book line and a masterclass on how to write a team book, and this issue is a fitting end to the current story and a heartfelt farewell from the talented creative team that made it a reality. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield May 23, 2018

    This final issue, divided between the conclusion of the showdown with the OMACs and a powerful epilogue that wraps up the character arcs of the entire team, is probably the best issue of the series. It's a celebration of the Bats, of Gotham, and of the best in everything Batman represents. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles May 23, 2018

    Thanks to advance solicitations we know the next step for some characters, but others have a more wide open path. I'm looking forward to seeing what Bryan Hill does when he starts his run on the book. Tynion and Barrows definitely end their stint on a high note that is a must read for fans. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - Justin Partridge May 24, 2018

    The Bat-Family is a collection of special men and women, but this run of Detective Comics and the characters it assembled will always hold a special place in the heart of this era of the DCU. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Pop Break - Marisa Carpico May 23, 2018

    Not every DC book weathered Rebirth well in fact, its safe to say it was a rough time for most of the imprints books. However, Detective Comics remained solid and exciting from the get go and writer James Tynion IV deserves most of the credit. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    AIPT - David Brooke May 23, 2018

    A strong conclusion that's more about new beginnings. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Graphic Policy - Logan Dalton May 24, 2018

    James Tynion concludes his run on Detective Comics with smiling, hugs, and the simple refrain that maybe one should take things one day at a time instead of coming up with complex algorithms and plans for the future. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    ComicBuzz - Tony Thornley May 24, 2018

    This run is going to be a seminal run in the history of Detective Comics. Im so sad to see it end, but I cant wait for whats next. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez May 24, 2018

    James Tynion did an excellent job wrapping up his run on this series with Detective Comics #981. Tynion did a lot of great character work throughout this issue as every major character involved in "Batman Eternal" got their time to in the spotlight. How Tynion leaves Batman, Red Robin, Batwoman, Stephanie Brown and Cassandra Cain gives future writers a lot of room to make them even stronger characters. If you haven't checked out Tynion's Detective Comics run and are a Batman fan than I highly recommend checking out all the trade collections of his work on this series. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Multiversity Comics - Elias Rosner May 24, 2018

    Conclusions and goodbyes are difficult but the whole creative team made it look effortless, despite a few artistic stylizations that dont quite work. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills May 26, 2018

    James Tynion's Detective Comics run comes to an end with a grand finale and a bunch of solidly enjoyable goodbyes for all his characters. Quality comics. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Bleeding Cool - Joshua Davison May 26, 2018

    Detective Comics #981 brings a touching, satisfying, and visually stunning end to James Tynions saga of the Gotham Knights and the Belfry. Each character gets a conclusion, and its far more uplifting than one may expect from a Batman-centric title. This one earns a recommendation for sure. Give it a read. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - C.K. Stewart May 23, 2018

    Skip this one if you're a little behind " I can't emphasize enough how thorough Tynion is in tying things up " but know that once you dive in, the journey and the destination will be equally satisfying. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Hussein Wasiti May 23, 2018

    I have overall negative feelings about this run but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the final few pages of this story. I’m ready for this book to move on to better things. The art is mostly nice too. Read Full Review

  • 6.8
    Weird Science - Jim Werner May 23, 2018

    Tynion started off Rebirth with a unique book that was one of the standout titles, but as I read this finale, it felt like he had grown tired of it all and so have I. I can't wait to see what he will do over on his Justice League Dark book, but I also can't wait to get excited about reading Detective again. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Sequential Planet - Frdric Bentley May 27, 2018

    Detective Comics #981 does its job, yet it is difficult to praise much else. It feels lacking in terms of story, and the art is jarring at times. It still serves as a solid a conclusion to Tynion IV's run. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Batman-News - Brandon Mulholand May 25, 2018

    The finale to Tynion's run on Detective Comics isn't anywhere near being a home run. It skips far too much stuff in order to fit it all in, has far too many conveniences, and rushes or straight up ignores some of the character resolutions. Given all that, when you do hit the good parts, and there are a few, it's pretty great. This one does end up being a real mixed bag, filled with greatness right alongside severely lacking moments. Unfortunately, those lacking moments do edge out the good stuff a little too much to call this a worthwhile conclusion. It's passable, but hardly ideal. Read Full Review

  • 10
    cincyfan Sep 3, 2020

    Tremendous issue

  • 10
    Fearless0610 May 26, 2018

    Best Batman run ever. That's all I have to say

  • 10
    SloboSOY May 24, 2018

    It's the end ... And what beautiful ending ... I knowed that Clayface was alive (Even if we only see a glimpse of him).
    I like the Tynion IV run & this is a perfect ending. A pull away the toy and let other free to use them. But he also give Cassy, Tim & Steph a new road, that I hope will be used. One hell of a run finish here, and I have to thanks Tynion IV for showing that a Batman book can be a book after those he have close to him (Well He is present most of the time, but Cassie, Tim, Azrael, Kate & Batwing have a very good spot in there).

    Cover - I take the variant ... Beautiful, with the presence of Batman under gotham. And we see some of that in this story. 2/2
    Writing - Just very very good. Not perfect because t more

  • 10
    axdn May 23, 2018

    I really great farewell to a great run , I'm really gonna miss Tynion's Detective Comics run

  • 10
    KFuqua May 23, 2018

    Sad to see Tynion's run end. He has produced the best Bat-book going for quite some time and now I fear that Detective will suffer and be as boring as Batman.

  • 9.0
    daspidaboy Mar 21, 2024

    As a whole, I can understand why people prefer James Tynion IV's Detective Comics run compared to his Batman run. This run aimed really high and tried to be ground-breaking, and for the most part it succeeded. I did have fun reading this, and how Tim Drake wants Batman to be more eternal and last forever. I like the Bat family dynamic, and this is in my opinion the Definitive Detective Comics run.

    I was one of hte few people who enjoyed James Tynion IV's Batman, but after comparing the two. This is the better Batman run. Most of the things wrapped up nicely, and while the story is kind of repetitive of an evil shadow organization having ties to the Bat family happening every arc, I had a blast.

  • 9.0
    Superheroes for Hire Jun 30, 2018

    This issue brought a fun, satisfying, and dare I say charming end to the Gotham Knights plot line which began 2 years ago in Detective Comics. It also was a satisfying conclusion to the Batmen Eternal story, with some great character growth and launching points for all the characters going forward. The art was a little inconsistent at times, but I still love Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira most out of all the current run's art teams. Vibrant colors from Adriano Lucas make the complete package. The concluding vignettes were a little cheesy and overly sentimental, but like I mentioned before, they brought some charm and closure to this run's many Rebirth era plot lines. Now let's see where this series goes next!

  • 7.0
    Bloodraven May 25, 2018

    Tynion’s run on the series had many high and low points but overall I enjoyed his run on Detective. His final issue was a bit of a let down though. It’s was very predictable but still fairly entertaining.

  • 7.0
    Nihilist May 23, 2018

    Tynion's Detective Comics run has got its ups and downs, but contrary to many other series, it had a beginning and a proper end - everything led to this point, to finally conclude and go forward. I don't feel sad, nor I already miss Tynion's writing - the way this issue is designed makes me more interested in what's to come, looking in the future with a smile. It's an end of a chapter, and honestly, I can't wait to see what's ahead of us.

  • 6.5
    Dispatchdcu May 23, 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.

    Well, that’s a wrap. I don’t read solicits because I don’t like to be spoiled. But if there was a time for Tynion to leave, and I heard he is at some point, it’s now. The issue ends like a movie would end with everyone going their separate ways and splitting off to find themselves. Do you want me to summarize? That’s easy! Stephanie shows Tim what really happened in the future and it helps Tim break free, break from the chaaaaiiiiiinnnnnn. He just had to Hold on for one more day....

    In the future, Bruce was dying from radiation and Kate more

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