/995.jpg)
/997.jpg)
/996.jpg "Detective Comics #996")
this run has been really good so far. all i can say is, Tomasi had better get a nice long stay on Detective Comics.
Detective Comics #996
| Writer | Peter J. Tomasi |
| Artist | Doug Mahnke |
| Cover Price | $3.99 |
In the catacombs under Paris, Henri Ducard is not going to sit and wait for the death that's coming for everyone who helped to train Batman...he's going to wrestle it to the ground and put a bullet between its eyes! Good plan-but what if it just gets right back up? Can even Batman save him then?
CRITIC REVIEWS
Back to Top-
10
DC Comics News - Matthew Lloyd
Jan 16, 2019This issue gets Tomasi's run headed in the right direction with some solid detective work which filled out the plot, putting Batman in motion to find his adversary. Now that it's clear to the Batman the purpose of these attacks, it is also clear to the reader that it is a celebration of those who have helped developed the Dark Knight into the man he is. It proves to be interesting as these characters are explored in the run up to Detective Comics #1000. Read Full Review
-
10
Impulse Gamer - Jeremy Carr
Jan 18, 2019It wasnt just the story in this issue that made it remarkable but also the art: this team of artists really brought this story to life with the action sequences. I absolutely enjoyed this issue and look forward to what Tomasi and the team have lined up next for us as we continue the countdown to issue #1000. This is easily a 5 star issue and I encourage everyone to pick it up. If you are not caught up on the what's happening so far, go back and grab the others. Youll want to enjoy this full story. Read Full Review
-
9.6
Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz
Jan 21, 2019Detective Comics #996 is an amazing chapter in the storyline leading up to issue # 1000. Tomasi and Mahnke are creating a great and interesting story. I have no idea who's behind this plot but I can't wait to see. The only thing that is hard is the wait between issues. Read Full Review
-
9.6
You Don't Read Comics - Rick Lopez
Jan 23, 2019This Dynamic Duo deliver yet another incredible chapter to this ever growing mystery, leaving readers floored with the jaw dropping ending. As the series approach the milestone issue, Tomasi and Mahnke continue to prove their weight in gold as they create an all new modern classic. With anticipation running high, this series continues to push the envelope with a character nearly a century old. Read Full Review
-
9.5
Batman-News - Elena Carrillo
Jan 16, 2019Three issues into the "Mythology" arc has Batman retracing his past to prevent certain mayhem in the future. But this is no sentimental mosey down memory lane: destruction and death is following our caped crusader wherever he goes. Solid rapid-fire writing and a dreamy art team of Mahke, Mendoza, and Irwin make this book a must buy! Read Full Review
-
9.5
Comic Book Corps - Tom Zimm
Jan 16, 2019Detective Comics has been injected with new energy since the change in creative teams. Tomasi utilizes Batman's extensive gallery of character to make this story feel grounded in the lore yet mysterious and fresh. Read Full Review
-
9.2
GWW - Deron Generally
Jan 15, 2019Doug Mahnke's art is astounding. There is so much beautiful detail in every panel that one can get lost in the visuals. Every scene, especially the action scenes, is rendered with attention to details. A visually stunning issue. Read Full Review
-
9.0
Dark Knight News - Steve J Ray
Jan 16, 2019Comics are great entertainment, but this series has gone back to being way more than just 20 pages of bullets, bombshells and biceps. I am genuinely concerned, not just for Batman, but for everyone around him. Someone out there wants to destroy him, and everyone that made him. I'm eagerly anticipating issue #997, and Mister Miracle! Read Full Review
-
9.0
Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles
Jan 16, 2019Tomasi begins to give Batman some more clues as he chases another lead. Hopefully, Tomasi is setting this mystery up in a way that readers can piece it together as well instead of some randomly thrown adversary. This arc has been rock solid so far and as we get closer to issue #1000 the momentum is growing. Read Full Review
-
8.7
Comic Watch - Nicholas Osborn
Jan 21, 2019Detective Comics #996 isnt afraid to delve into Batmans past as we look towards issue #1000. Tomasi, Mahnke and the rest of the team have a momentous story that succeeds on many different levels. Unfortunately, it could be a bit intimidating for those less familiar with Batmans complex history. Read Full Review
-
8.5
Weird Science - Joey Casco CSW/CSS
Jan 16, 2019This book has become a must-read since Tomasi took over. I have no idea where this is going but I can't wait to find out. Read Full Review
-
8.1
Black Nerd Problems - Mikkel Snyder
Jan 16, 2019The Mythology arc truly lives up to its name. There are a lot of deified entities in play that encompass different aspects of a complex universe and some take a little more to process than others. Detective Comics #996 drinks deep from the well of Batman knowledge, and I think it's okay if you're overwhelmed given how Bats is probably feeling right now. Read Full Review
-
8.0
AIPT - David Brooke
Jan 16, 2019A good issue that mixes Batman's past into the narrative. Watch as Batman fights humans, monsters, and his past! Read Full Review
-
8.0
The Brazen Bull - Charlie Chipman
Jan 16, 2019Detective Comics #996 successfully builds momentum and keeps the story moving, at a breakneck pace, toward Issue #1000. Read Full Review
-
8.0
Comic Book Bin - Philip Schweier
Jan 16, 2019Ive beenenjoying this storyline, as much as two chapters will allow. It has distilledBatman down to his comfortable basics, much like Batman: The Animated Series once did. I am hopeful this trendcontinues for the foreseeable future, making one of DCs flagship charactersaccessible to all. Read Full Review
-
8.0
On Comics Ground - Travis Tucker
Jan 16, 2019Pick this issue up, and each of the other two issues leading up to #1000 it's gearing up to be one for the ages. Read Full Review
-
8.0
Monkeys Fighting Robots - David DeCorte
Jan 19, 2019DETECTIVE COMICS #996 is great overall. There are a couple of hiccups here and there, but they're minor flaws. What works here really works well. Read Full Review
-
7.7
Sequential Planet - Pashtrik Maloki
Jan 16, 2019I enjoyed Tynion's Batfamily-centric vision of the series, but this more mystery and detective-centric take is more up my alley. And it lives up to the title a bit more, for sure. Read Full Review
-
7.0
Razorfine - Alan Rapp
Jan 23, 2019While Batman knows what the attacks have in common there's still the question of why. Why attack those who helped Bruce Wayne years ago? What's the point (other than to create one very pissed-off Batman)? Worth a look. Read Full Review
-
6.0
Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield
Jan 16, 2019Tomasi's run is definitely ambitious so far, but I'm not sure it's worth what it's costing the Bat-family as a whole. Read Full Review
-
6.0
Comics: The Gathering - Brian Renninger
Jan 16, 2019Overall, we still have a decent Batman book here, and there’s still plenty of time for them to hit us with some crazy twists on our way to issue #1000. With how this issue ended and whom they are likely to bring into the mix, I have high hopes that we’ll see something special in the coming issues. Oh yes, I’m still on board, despite the fact that classic Batman characters seem to be rushed in front of the editorial crosshairs. Read Full Review
-
6.0
The Batman Universe - Tony Hammack
Jan 16, 2019This issue does not have Bruce address Leslie's death and Alfred's stabbing, which I think is a travesty. Also, the plot seems to moves too quickly, jumping from location to location with no true substance. Despite the criticisms, this issue had a lot of good moments. I did enjoy it. However, this is the weakest issue in Tomasi's run. Read Full Review
-
6.0
ComicBook.com - Matthew Mueller
Jan 16, 2019The mystery at the center of this remains compelling, though at times there is too much filler. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS
Back to Top-
10
I thought this was really great. I had a ton of fun reading this. The pacing is great and so is the art. I like seeing Batman be a detective and I like that this mystery is actually slowly being unfolded. I hope Tomasi stays on Detective for a while, since his Batman is so refreshing after so much of the current Batman run and previous Detective Comics being regulated to sub-par Batman stories, or a team book. Also, maybe Damian can be alright again. Teen Titans just ruined everything Tomasi was trying to do and Super Sons is really suffering from a lack of plot. So having him interact with Batman as a supporting character might be just what the character needs. I've got high hopes for this series.
+ Like • Comments (18)• Likes (4) -
10
I just reviewed Batman #62 from Tom King and it's almost surreal how different the take on the Batman character is in this series. Whereas Tom's Dark Knight almost feels ineffectual and weak, Tomasi's Batman feels like one of the toughest and capable bastards you'll ever run into. It's really striking especially reading both books back to back. This issue follows Batman in the aftermath of a brutal takedown of his rogues in Arkham. I really wish we could have got to see the fight but I'll give the omission a pass because this issue is generally awesome. The rest of the issue remains focused on Bruce's investigation of the attack on Alfred in his home and the murder of Leslie Thompkins in the previous issue. The comic takes Bruce aro more
-
9.5
Incredible. Tomasi has my full attention on this series already.
-
9.0
Another fantastic issue. I really liked the detective stuff in this issue. I felt a lot of tension and a sense of mystery unlike anything else I read in a while. The part with Henri Ducard was great and unexpected, Damian being in this issue was also a great touch and the ending have me intrigued. Combine all of this with Mahnke's top-notch art and you got yourself one of the best comic books available right now.
-
9.0
Wow! I underestimated Tomasi!
-
8.5
Batman is called the world's greatest detective for a reason, we know that, but we rarely have an opportunity to see his detective, forensic and investigative skills being put to proper use. Usually his comics are following the basic patternn: hero gets defeated by a villain who uses their weaknesses against them, then hero learns from their mistakes and overcomes their weaknesses to finally defeat the villain in the last, final fight. That's a classic trope, and I don't have anything against it, but as I said, we rarely see Batman using his unique skill set in step 2: overcoming his weaknesses. Most of the time that comes naturally - he makes a plan we don't know about, executes it and gets the upper hand against the villain. That's it. To more
+ Like • Comments (14)• Likes (4) -
8.5
While the artwork on Damian is eh ok and seeing Two-Face even tho in Detective Comics, he shouldn't be here, issue was still amazing! Thank you Tomasi! My hopes of Bruce and Damian rekindling their relationship are going up! The mystery behind the villain is quite a mystery indeed. Although the cliffhanger really was only a cliffhanger for the scene not a cliffhanger for next issue so really didn't feel anything for when it ended.
-
8.0
"Your lack of merry makes you so scary" Another solid issue of Detective Comics with a truly delightful opening page in Arkham. Pete Tomasi wastes no time, and after assuring us that Alfred will be fine, he sends Batman to France to continue his investigation. The Dark Knight doesn't wander or walk around like in the fog. He knows exactly what to do and how to do it ("a few basic disguises is all you need") and I love it. This all leads us to an amazing action scene in the catacombs under Paris. The art shinies at this moment. The arena is small, the battle is brutal and chaotic, and ends with a bang. And there is just something inherently cool about Batman fighting with a sword. Definitely worth a read. The art and the dialog more
-
8.0
an alright issue. Tomasi's first two issues of this run came out of the gate really strong, this one started a lot slower. it needed to make up for the lack of story from the more action and suspense based storytelling from the previous issues. it's still a good issue though. still was cool seeing Batman actually being a detective. even though i understand why it needed to be there, wasn't crazy about the reminder of the current relationship issues between Bruce and Damian, though i did like that Damian dropped everything and came to Alfred's aid. i also enjoyed Tomasi's callback to his first arc on New52 Batman & Robin.
-
8.0
Overall I liked this issue, but I'm still sad about Leslie's death. One of the good things in this issue is, that Batman actually is doing some detective work here& is even dressing up as other people than Batman like in the good old days. The monster he fought is kind of pretty weird, but also quite disturbing on the other side. However I didn't like how he beat up the villains at the beginning of the story. While this totally fits Batman ( so no complain to Tomasi) I cant believe Gotham police is just dealing with this. Beating up helpless people, even so they are criminals& actually mentally ill shouldn't be tolerated by police. Not even Gordon can excuse that. So while it's good to see a more psychopatic Batman again, I think this shou more
-
8.0
A touch too busy - Gotham, Paris, Korea, New Mexico, boom! - but great to look at and lots of funs, or at least intrigue.
-
8.0
THE GOOD: -I liked the art, but it was a step down from the first two in my opinion. -Glad to see Tomasi making ties to his Batman and Robin run. It added to this issue nicely. -I still think the characterization is spot-on here. I especially found Henri Ducard to be a great character in this issue. -That creature from issue one's appearance was just perfect. Bizarre and memorable. Apparently Mahnke and Tomasi heard the criticism that the creature looked too bland in the first issue, because they have really amped it up, in a good way. -That line about the people who made Batman being unmade really resonated with me. I liked it a lot. I also liked that they didn't force a splash page on it, the line was powerful enough al more
-
8.0
I'm interested in seeing where this is going, but I sometimes don't like the dialogue.
-
6.5
You know Tom King often stretches one issue into three? Well this felt like two or three crammed into one. Maybe some will enjoy that, a throwback to '70s plotting, but it felt rushed and disjointed. Mahnke's linework appeared more rushed as well, potentially a function of so many characters and plot, leaving little room for detail. But my issue is the dialogue, which felt clunky. Good ideas with disappointing execution compared to the past two issues, but of course I am still on-board with where this is going. Biggest highlight? Reading HaHaNoraSoColdMarryMeBreakYou was a lot of fun!
+ Like • Comments (9)• Likes (2) -
10
-
10
-
10
-
9.5
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
7.5
-
7.0
-
7.0
-
6.0
2025 In Review:
