Avanvolk's Profile

So ends Ram V's run on Detective Comics. While I can't say the ending was perfect, it was more than satisfactory. It was a deeply poetic and satisfying conclusion to a thoughtful, incredibly written story about facing one's demons, coming to terms with the dark things that we carry with us from our past but that make us who we are, and finding hope and strength in persevering in the face overwhelm ing odds, both from without and from within. Ram V is one hell of a writer, and this run is just another item on his already impressive resume.

The art from Guillem March these last couple issues was good, but if I'm honest I would've loved to see Rafael Albuquerque come back or maybe have Evan Cagle (who absolutely KILLED it on covers for the series) draw the last issue. That would've been a really cool touch that could've added a layer of depth to the story. But oh well, for what it was, it was still really excellent.

I will not understand the hate this run got. Probably my 2nd favourite Batman run of all time, behind only Snyder and Capullo.more

A really good penultimate issue. Batman and his allies are fighting back with a vengeance, and the evil that sought to excise the shadows from Gotham and then rule over it is finding out that there is one particular Shadow in Gotham that will not be so easily vanquished. Ram V's epic run is coming to a close, and while part of me feels like the climax to this story doesn't quite live up to the inc redibly high standards set earlier on while Batman still battled his demons, another part of me understands that the journey is as important as the destination, and everything about this run so far has been perfectly executed that I can't be too upset if the ending isn't quite what I'd expected. I imagine it's not for the characters in our story either.more

There was a lot of action in this issue, which is fun, but it's not what I've loved about Ram V's run. It didn't have the depth or intelligence that I've come to expect and appreciate so much. It wasn't bad by any means, but it didn't have the same feel. The art was also just pretty good this issue, which sounds like a weird critical comment, but when we've been treated to art ranging from incredi ble to breathtaking going back to the start of the run, "pretty good" feels like a massive step down, no disrespect to Stefano Raffaelle.more

Even the slower issues are still solid.

Batman's new suit looks sick. This was another good issue, although I'll be honest, the scene where Batman drove a motorbike around Blackgate prison's yard with a jerry can of leaking gasoline attached to the back by a rope and then drew the bat symbol on the ground with it all while getting shot at by guards, was just...it was just plain dumb, okay? Ram V is brilliant, but that was just dumb. Oth er than that, it was great. The conversation between Selina and the Joker was awesome. Backup story was alright.more

It was an okay ending. Didn't live up to the high expectations I had after the first issue, but it was a quick, enjoyable read.

Holy crap...what a freaking plot twist!!

Another great issue, but I didn't expect anything less. I loved that we got to see a little more of Bruce's post-desert recovery in the form of a flashback, but that we didn't linger in the past longer than necessary. Batman's return was perfect, falling back into his old rhythms while no doubt cooking up a plan to take down lady Orgham. The ending was a brilliant cliffhanger too. I am honestly re lieved we haven't gotten any Joker up till this point, not because he's not the best Batman villain of all time (because he indisputably is), but because not every Batman run needs to feature a major showdown with the Clown Prince. I'm significantly intrigued as to what Catwoman is doing going to the Joker, especially since it seems to be based on her promise to never let Bruce fall again. So eager to see what next issue has in store.
This issue also had yet another incredible backup, this time from Alex Paknadel, who joins the already stellar lineup of writers this run has boasted with a beautifully written short focusing on Cassandra Cain. What a cool little story to illustrate Batgirl's attempts at keeping her mentor's legacy alive while also staying true to herself. I loved it.more

He's baaaaack! I'm actually so glad they decided to bring Batman back to Gotham so quickly after his jaunt through the desert. Three issues was plenty of time for Bruce to go through what he did and have his mind and spirit heal, so I'm thrilled we're not spending any more time on his recovery and we're instead jumping straight back into things. That being said, I also really loved the desert stuf f. It dove into the deeper parts of what makes Bruce the Batman and why he does what he does, and I thought it did it very, very well. It was poetic, poignant, and hopeful. The art, once again, was amazing, and the backup was fantastic too. This Detective Comics run has been nothing short of spectacular.more

A step down from issue #1, but still very entertaining. Like I said in my review of the first issue, this concept isn't new, but the way it's being executed here feels fresh and inventive. And, as always, Remender's writing is just so good.

Flawless. Riccardo Federici is an incredible talent. Just stunning artwork. I also finally put it together that Bruce's journey through the wilderness is, yes a parallel to that story that was told about the man who crossed the desert to his lover, but also to Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Bruce's "temptations" that are depicted here are visceral and horrifying, and I think the i magery is an absolutely brilliant way to show Bruce not just fighting the Azmer, but wrestling with his purpose and mission in Gotham. What is it all for? What is he truly hoping to accomplish in his city, and what lengths will he go to to achieve it? I also think Gotham and its citizens forgetting the Batman because of the reality engine is such a cool idea. It's cool to see some people holding onto the fading memory of the Bat even while everyone else around them only remembers a hole or a shadow where something used to be. So freaking cool, man. And the backup here was incredible once again.more

I'm not gonna lie, I expected to like this cause it's Rick Remender and he rarely misses, but I didn't expect to like it THIS much. That was absolutely thrilling in the most wonderfully bonkers way possible. The concept isn't entirely original, but it was executed so well that I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The scene of the gigantic robot guy freaking out while he accidentally kills thousands of people was horrifyingly awesome. The writing was super sharp, the art was great (though I'll admit, in a few panels during the fighting it was a little hard to tell what was going on). But overall, this was a stellar opening issue that's got me totally hooked.more

This was a mostly satisfying conclusion to an entertaining run. I feel like I was expected, as a reader, to be more emotional reading this, but I just couldn't get there. I liked the characters, but I don't think I was made to care about them enough for this ending to pack that much of an emotional punch. It was happy, and I'm glad with how things played out, but I don't know...it just felt like t here was something missing that prevented this series from really resonating with me on a deeper level. Maybe others will have a different experience and that's awesome. For me, it was a good-not-great series overall that I am glad I read but that won't end up among my favourites.more

I don't know...this one didn't pack the punch I wanted for a penultimate issue. The jokes didn't land for me, the pacing seemed weird, and certain plot points were pretty predictable. Hoping for a good ending in the finale.

I feel like this series didn't need to be this long. A lot of it is just stretching out stuff that's already been done. Should've probably wrapped up after last arc.

Okay, this was a MAJOR step up. Genuinely laugh-out-loud funny at times, some really impactful emotional moments for our main characters, and one truly fantastic full page wraparound action sequence that was absolutely incredible work from Hayden Sherman. Honestly, Sherman's work throughout most of this series has been pretty sketchy (literally) and really hasn't showcased his talent much, but thi s issue was a lot closer to much of his recent work that is FAR better. It's too bad this quality wasn't there at the beginning, but a lot of artists' styles evolve and change as a long series drags on, and that's certainly been the case here. I'm glad we're finally getting a better picture of his skill.more

The art seems to have improved here. A lot more detailed than Sherman's work earlier in the run.

The main story dipped in quality just slightly as Bruce gets back on his feet, though that's to be expected. It's the classic lull after a big fight or a severe injury where the hero needs time to recover physically and mentally from his near death experience. I'm confident Ram V knows what he's doing. He's more than earned my trust with this run.
The art from Riccardo Federici was absolutely breathtaking. Reminds me of the great Esad Ribic, except better. I thought it was a curious choice to have scenes of Renée Montoya doing her Question investigation interspersed with Batman's journey through the desert, but oh well.
The backup was absolutely phenomenal. Dan Watters is an incredible talent and he needs to be a bigger name than he is.more