Finally to wrap things up on why I loved this issue so much is the artwork. This comic was beautiful from front to back and really does an amazing job setting the tone of this story. It was dark and gritty yet also came to life with color when it needed too. The variant cover to this issue just looks stunning with Batman back in his old suit. There is honestly nothing about this issue I can mark off for, so from me this issue is easily 5 Stars! Read Full Review

Detective Comics #988 draws on Batmans more recent troubled past while bringing the character back to the basics. Its a truly heartfelt story about the Worlds Greatest Detective that any fan can jump right into and immediately enjoy! Read Full Review

I'm going to praise Stephen Segovia one more time. His work here is exemplary. I hope he stays on this title or on a Batman related title for some time to come. His work is just excellent. This is a good, solid issue from the creative team. Read Full Review

Detective Comics continues to be the place for fans of Dark Knight action to go, but James Robinson also gives us detective work, smart interactions and a bit of feelings as well.  I hope Robinson keeps it up because this issue is a great start and proof positive that a hurt Batman can still do his job and a humanized Caped Crusader can still punch bad guys in the face.  Imagine that! Read Full Review

After Bryan Hill's very strong arc, I was concerned Robinson wouldn't be able to keep the title's momentum going. This issue proved there's nothing to be worried about as Detective Comics is in good hands with the new creative team. Now it's just a matter of seeing how this mystery murder unfolds with the world's greatest detective on the case. Read Full Review

Batman goes back to basics in Detective Comics #988 and returns, humbly, to being Gotham City's greatest detective. Writer James Robinson takes over the reins here and does a fine job in creating a more traditional Batman story, so if you've had enough of the multiverse shattering events, or, just need a break from them, this one's for you. Read Full Review

I'm starting to fall for the idea of Bruce showing actual emotion in this recent issue, he's becoming more of a reserved, don't talk about issues kind of person and we are being shown how that can be a detriment to someone in general. Whether it throws you off your game, makes you lash out, or cut yourself off from your loved ones depression can affect us all. Even the coldest heroes need to get it all out, we are very lucky to live in a time where we can see the Batman be able to actually process his tragedy and not just take in out on the face of crime in Gotham. Read Full Review

With the Outsiders on their way"out, James Robinson blows the manhole cover off the grimy streets of Gotham with this literally burning arc-opener. If you like mysteries, if you like mayhem, if you like mid-tier villains making of muck of things, this is a story-opener that's sure to please. Read Full Review

Onething I am uncertain is included in the back-to-basics approach is a simplematter: shaving. There was a time when the Bruce Wayne persona was as importantas the Caped Crusader. Toward this end, Bruce presented an appearance of beingthe clean cut corporate head hes supposed to be. But more recently, Batman hasbeen seen with facial stubble, and I cant say it serves him well. Is it anindicator for his emotional state? Perhaps. But mostly it just makes him looksloppy, and not in a charming Don Johnson way. I blame Ben Affleck for this,but even he was clean shaven more often than not. Read Full Review

Detective Comics takes a major shift back to its roots with this latest run, and it remains to be seen if that will be for the better, but it's off to a solid start. Read Full Review

All in all, the issue is fine. It tells a neat, self-contained story which adds a little more texture to Batman which we may or may not have needed. The idea of 'no simple murders in Gotham City' makes perfect sense, and Robinson executes the concept enjoyably. Segovia's art is on point, but unlike the large cast leveraged in On the Outside or even the last self-contained story way back in #982 (which went full-on psychological horror), Deface the Face doesn't feel like it has that same hook beyond being a Batman story. Sometimes, that's enough. Read Full Review

The art was amazing. I really loved the way Segovia rendered the characters, especially Batman. There were some great details in the art and an excellent use of shadow throughout. Read Full Review

James Robinson's writing career has been one of hit and miss for me, with the high poing being his run on JSA and his lowest being on JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA. Using that as the scale, DETECTIVE 988 falls somewhere in a comfortable middle. Read Full Review

This first issue is a very fast-paced story where very little happens, as Batman tries to distract himself from his recent matrimonial disaster by throwing himself into solving a single murder. The references to the wedding trouble feel a bit awkward as if it doesn't really work to have anyone but Tom King write this story. Alfred's dialogue, in particular, feels off in places. Read Full Review

No, this was not the auspicious return I was expecting. I've tried to be as diplomatic as I can, because these are hugely talented individuals. I'm really hoping that this issue was just a hiccup, and that the rest of the arc will improve. I hate being negative, but I have to be honest. Read Full Review

Come for the art, skim over the story. The solicits describe Segovia as a "rising star", and I think that might honestly be the case here. His work is fantastic, and worth looking out for. Read Full Review

Hopefully, Robinson is able to clean up the dialogue a bit before the next issue. Read Full Review

Detective 988 sees Batman working solo to solve a murder mystery (aside from witty commentary from Alfred). This seems like a simple case that has Jim questioning why Batman is involving himself; but with all the chaos currently in Batman’s life, he needed to reset. As Batman stated, “Bottom Line This is a Mystery and I’m a Detective”. Of course, no murder is simple as Batman so eloquently told Commissioner Gordon; and a larger plot revealed itself by the end of the issue.

There was nothing really exciting about this book; it was just Batman getting back to basics. However based on how the comic ends, big things are in store for the Dark Knight.

I was dreading this because of his Wonder Woman, but this is some of James Robinson's best work as of recent.

Robinson did a nice job with this story. He work on bruce still hurt by Catwoman's decision. He plant a very nice seed for old & now enemy (The fireflies) and putt a ending that was very interesting. But the end don't succeed to hide the fact this story wasn't enough after the last run to make me hocked again.

Cover - Nice & in link 2/2
Writing - I think it's something missing to be perfect. I don't know why. Maybe I'm botherhed by the presence of the Fireflies or that we don't know who shot the man for now. 2/3
Arts - The art is impressive except for the fighting part. Like if he follow a guide like a good student but not take risk. The flame, the smoke or the Sky remplace background, eating it like gangrene. That sad because some panel are wonderfull. 2.5/3
Feeling - I don't think I will come back. 1/2
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The first thing I've noticed while reading this issue is its different tone, compared to Bryan Hill's take on the series. This Batman seems more talkative and personal, which even Jim Gordon sees. And while it's not a bad change by any means, I wonder if it'll affect other representations of the Bat appearing in other series, whether it's Scott Snyder's Justice League or Tom King's Batman. Especially the latter, known to feature small amount actual text at least usually.

Also, what must be mentioned, it'd be nice to know whether this issue is a soft new start, or a direct continuation of the Karma arc, tied to it and trying to continue what it established. It ma be too early to judge, after all none of the Bat Family side characters appeared, but as of now, that's my main question that's most likely won't go away til the next issue.

Overall, I recommend this one. It's a good beginning for a new arc, and while it feels and reads differently to other Bat comics on the market right now, it's still enjoyable, and most definitely has potential. more

Overall, a good story. It lost points for misuse of “you’re” instead of “your” on page 29. Gordon to Batman: “I’m sure you’re (sic) presence is needed elsewhere.”

It should read either: “you’re needed elsewhere” or “your presence is needed elsewhere.”

from a base of 6, this gets a rating of: 6.
+1 because: the art was definitely above average.
-1 because the dialog was just bad.

Pure mediocrity

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• myconius

myconius - Sep 12, 2018

true!

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