Detective Comics #1066

COMICON

‘Detective Comics’ gothic horror story moves into the next act as the caped crusader is multiple steps behind his newest foes, relying on the help of an old ally as another sometimes ally falls further into darkness. Everything about this storyline is just working as the creative teams are firing on all cylinders, bringing a greatly needed depth, realistic energy, and energetic focus to many of the elements that make up Batman’s world that we’ve seen so many times over the decades.

But Why Tho?

I love the breakdowns taking place. Characters are disintegrating as they try to exist in whatever Gotham is about to become. It seems, for now, like only the Orghams can own contentment. Batman is behind the proverbial eightball. Two-Face is a pawn without and within. Gordon is just skirting by. And we haven’t even gotten to the terror the city’s new villain family will release. The air of change and its stressful weight is well handled in this book. I love these storylines and hope they continue to sizzle on every new page to come.

Lyles Movie Files

This was probably the most eventful installment of the Gotham Nocturne Act 1 arc. Writer Ram V has kept this storyline progressing without feeling like it’s been stretched out long since it stopped being entertaining. (..) Detective Comics keeps its melody humming along through this Nocturne arc and there’s no need for an intermission yet.

The Super Powered Fancast

The Story: Ram V is crafting an consistently intriguing and engaging mystery in this arc and I love the build up as well as the evolution of the characters within it. There are unknown elements that make me excited for the threat building within this story and I like not knowing where the story will go next. The story feels fresh, new and vibrant. The Art: Reis delivers some brilliantly dark and detailed art that perfectly captures the emotion and tone of the story. You feel the darkness the same way Bruce does throughout and I love it.

Geek Dad

Simon Spurrier and Hayden Sherman return for a second chapter of their Two-Face story, and it’s as bizarre and surreal as it gets. This time, we get a better look at Harvey Dent’s youth and where the start of his descent into madness began. Oddly, this seems to give him a completely different backstory than the recent Mariko Tamaki one-shot did, but it’s still compelling as we see him as a meek boy pushed to horrible acts long before he gets scarred. Sherman’s colorful, grotesque art is a great fit for a story as thorny as this one.

Comic Watch

It’s the second part of Ram V’s opening arc on Detective Comics, and it doesn’t look like he’s planning on slowing down anytime soon. He’s bringing in some fresh faces to Gotham, and looks like he’s got some macabre plans for Batman, and the rest of the dark underbelly of the city. I hope to be as in love with his take here as I was during his run on Catwoman and JLD.

Batman-News

Ram V again does a great job giving readers a compelling story full of characters I just want to see more of. Harvey Dent is the highlight this issue, and honestly I’d read a whole arc dedicated to him at this point. His struggle is a big part of the reason I’m enjoying this series so much as he battles with himself on just what he should do. The larger plot points like Arzen’s destruction of Arkham Asylum, and Batman’s continuing investigation are equally well written and structured in a way that keeps the world and pacing feeling natural and bright. If you want solid storytelling this series is a must to pick up.

Weird Science DC Comics

Detective Comics #1066 takes a few steps forward to reveal the Orghams are up to something shady, and Gael is also up to something shady. What's that shadiness? You'll have to wait for another issue. However, the art is simply gorgeous, and Ram V's execution in what you're reading is interesting enough to keep you invested.

ComicBook.com

Detective Comics #1066 kicks off the next arc of Ram V's epic Batman tale, with some of the haunting terror of the previous arc taking a back seat to a more customary Batman story. The Orgham family has established themselves within Gotham while running their more shady business in the backdrop of the series. The tone change is a bit jarring, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing. Every good horror story needs some air to be most effective, and I'm assuming what this chapter brings.

The Batman Universe

Story 1: After the four-issue Overture, Ram V’s Batman Opera “Gotham Nocturne” starts Act 1, as Batman meets the Orgham Prince Arzen. Though solicits say, “Bruce sees potential in the boy,” that seems a lot more definite and clear than the actual meeting in the comic. Though Ram V continues to provide intensely emotional scenes, especially when illustrated by master artist Ivan Reis, returning to the title after providing excellent issues for Mariko Tamaki on this title, so much of what is happening continues to be protean, unformed, as we don’t know all of the plans the Orghams have. The distinctly nasty methods of their henchman Gael, the werewolf who uses demonic power to control Gotham’s villains, indicates that Batman will have his work cut out for him, but the plot moves pretty slowly, with a lot of what’s going on a mystery to the reader as well as to Batman. Perhaps when the whole story is completed, Ram V’s structure and the character motivations will be clear, but for now, we’re trapped in a haze of guesses. Thankfully, the emotional reactions created by the art and V’s strong writing continue to hold interest. Story 2: Simon Spurrier and Hayden Sherman’s “A Tale of Three Halves” reaches its midpoint, continuing the trippy, literally mind-bending tale of Harvey and Two-Face fighting the demon Azmer possessing them. The things Harvey is getting up to are pretty horrific, despite Two-Face mocking them as “vanilla,” especially when rendered by Sherman’s vivid, disturbing pencils and coloring by the great Nick Filardi in garish reds, blood-washed concrete and shadow. Spurrier’s poetic impulse pokes through consistently, a nice touch to a grotesque story. The piece seems to be setting up for Ram V’s Two-Face showcase issue coming up, with a nice bit of coordination.

Dark Knight News

Detective Comics #1066 finally proved that sometimes trying to be the smartest book on the shelf can be harmful to a title. Next issue, I’d love to see Batman being a bit more Batman. The art was great, though!

Batman on Film

Detective Comics is interesting. Every once and a while, I can say, “buy this one for the art.” But even as good as Reis is, you can skip this one. It’s more supernatural than I was hoping; the backup is not holding up its end of the deal. It’s a bit of a bummer, man.