"Elegy" part 1 of 4! A new era in the history of DETECTIVE COMICS begins as Batwoman is unleashed on Gotham City! Marked by the blood-red bat, Kate Kane is a soldier fighting her own private war one that began years ago and haunts her every waking moment. With a script by Greg Rucka and breath-taking art by JH Williams III, you've never seen anything like this!Featuring the debut of a new co-feature starring The Question written by Rucka! Odds against you? Alone and nowhere to turn? Willing to fight, but you don't know how? When you're searching everywhere for an answer, sometimes all you need to do is ask the right Question. Renee Montoya a more
There's a lot of (well-deserved) talk and hype surrounding Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's work on "Batman & Robin." I have to say, though, "Detective Comics" #854 has raised the bar significantly for everyone involved. "Detective Comics" #854 is easily one of the best single issue comics published this year, and I don't say that lightly. Fantastic from start to finish, I cannot wait for the next issue. Read Full Review
What's Not-So-Good: Towards the latter half of the issue, it started to feel like a bit of a quick read. Honestly though, it's so good that when I finished, I immediately wanted to re-read it. Read Full Review
With a lead-feature that'll have fans talking for years to come and a back-up that promises to add considerable value to an already precious read, Detective Comics #854 is worth every penny of its $3.99 cover price. Go buy it. Read Full Review
Disappointment over the cofeature aside, the actual Batwoman related story was just about as good as I could have possibly hoped. I don't say this often, but you almost owe it to yourself to buy it for the art alone. The excellent and engaging story is only going to be a bonus to Williams's art. Read Full Review
Both stories were really good, but they both felt a bit like I was only getting the first 15 minutes of an hour-long program. When we’re talking about an eight-page story, that’s awesome, but not so much for a full-length tale. But as I said, it’s a fine introduction that comes highly recommended. I will definitely be back next month. Read Full Review
Again, as much as I hate to admit it, being a Bruce Wayne/Batman fan, Detective Comics new protagonists debut pretty strongly at the hands of Rucka, Williams III, and Hamner. It will be interesting to see where these characters go, and how they develop over the course of their run as headliners. They both were pretty strong leads in 52, but taking the reigns of one of DCs longest running titles is a whole different ballgame. Well see how many innings they last. Read Full Review
$3.99 on a monthly basis is a lot to ask of a reader, but I think the current set up in Detective Comics (and in Batman: Streets of Gotham) may be the closest I’ve seen to making it worth it. Visually, the book is amazing and stories are off to a decent start. Next to Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s Batman and Robin, this is the Bat-Book to get. Read Full Review
A great relaunch that I hope maintains it's intensity. Read Full Review
The strongest bits of writing in the book are the character-driven elements. I like that Ruckas turned Kanes father into an ally in her mission. The writer also opts to add a little something to Batwomans arsenal of weapons, and thats her sexuality, though not in an overt way as weve seen with such characters as Catwoman or Power Girl. Read Full Review
Finally, The Question feature is another examination of the drug-related problem of sex slavery--a popular theme in superheroine comics these days. I don't know if the divergent threads will link together, or if Renee and Kate are meant to become an item again. However, this issue is very good start in making Batwoman a character rather than a stereotype. Read Full Review
One thing that might make readers hesitate to buy the issue is the increased price tag. However, you get a pretty decent package for your $3.99. In addition to the enjoyable 24-page lead story, there's an eight-page backup story (or "Second Feature") starring The Question by Rucka and artist Cully Hamner. Whilst I'm not a particular fan of the character--and the first chapter of this story didn't do anything to really grab my attention--I know that some readers are, and it's laudable to see DC attempt to provide an outlet for their secondary characters, even if it has to be as a backup feature in another book. Read Full Review
There is another panel that seems to show movement--the first panel of page four. However, that panel is essentially static since it's actually showing Batwoman pressing her boot against the chin of the man whose point of view we had in the last panel of the previous page. She is pinning him back against the wall with her extended left leg and boot as she stands motionless while balancing on her other leg. Read Full Review
I went into Detective Comics expecting to really be let down seeing as how Paul Dini is no longer writing the series. I came out on the other side quite surprised at how much I enjoyed the issue. Putting a female lead in one of the biggest selling comic titles of all time was a real gamble for DC, but it pays off in a solid issue that earns 4 out of 5 stars. Read Full Review
As I said a good start to the new direction of Detective Comics. Rucka has me interested in reading more stories about Batwoman and J.H. Williams art was amazing here. Some great work in this issue. Read Full Review
The Question investigates the disappearance of an illegal Mexican immigrant that leads her to a sex slave video porn operation. Read Full Review
I think I'd be happier with a $2.99 price tag and just the Batwoman story. Even then, though, if it weren't for Williams I don't know that there'd be anything to keep me coming back for the next issue. Read Full Review
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