Detective Comics #1069

AIPT

Detective Comics #1069 is an exceptional chapter in Ram V’s run on the series. The operatic themes are still present, especially in the opening, while there is an interesting commentary on Gotham, Batman, and more throughout. Add in the incredibly well-done first chapter in a three-part backup story, and you have an all-time great issue of Detective Comics. Detective Comics is a series that has something to say, and does so in a vivid and rich new way.

But Why Tho?

Detective Comics #1069 is platinum superhero storytelling twice over. This double team has renewed my love of Gotham City and its madhouse cast—rock on. You all, stop dodging this. Yes, Batman is too hyped. But this story is about way more than just him. If you love great comics, get this one and drop extras on unsuspecting criminals where you live.

You Don't Read Comics

Ram V focuses the story on the extended ensemble outside of Batman. Jim Gordon gets a rather clever close-up that peers a little further into his psyche while the subtle complexities of Commissioner Montoya get a bit clearer. Gordon comes across with greater intricacy than Batman, and Montoya has the kind of heroic conviction that could easily be at home in its own series. It’s refreshing to see crime drama filling out in and around the edges of a multi-millionaire with a bat fetish. Gotham City truly is a strange and compelling place. It’s nice to see Ram V casting the panels firmly in the direction around the edges of Batman. (...) Seriously: just get rid of Batman in Detective Comics. Gotham City is a lot more interesting. Two-Face. Commissioner Montoya. Jim and Barbara Gordon. They’re all a lot more interesting than Bruce...and he’s got more than enough titles already. Ram V shows great potential for the city to exist on its own without Batman. There certainly is a hell of a lot going on without him. Montoya and Gordon would be more than enough to hold down the title of Detective Comics. Ram V has found a hell of a lot of life inhabiting the corners of Batman’s world. It would be nice to see a single title linger there in the corners of the panels for an extended period of time.

Geek Dad

Ram V has been building his Detective Comics run slowly, with a simmering plot of Batman going up against something even he might not be able to beat—an ancient, powerful family looking to reclaim Gotham, and armed with more money, power, and killer instinct than he could ever hope to have. (...) Dexter Soy takes over as lead artist for this issue, with some brilliant double-page spreads early on. (...) Ram V might be one of the few writers who can manage to infuse a sense of urgency and uncertainty into stories featuring the world’s top superhero. (...) Then there’s the Spurrier/Wijingaard backup, which takes us back to Mr. Freeze’s underground lair as he experiments on “perfecting” the cryogenic process he used on Nora. The story is told from the perspective of an unfortunate middle-aged woman who was captured for the experiment, as she aimlessly tries to convince Freeze to free her before being put under—but as she slips into the cold, she’s greeted by a horrifying surprise. Wijingaard’s surrealist art, recently seen on the horror book Home Sick Pilots, is a perfect fit for the eerie story.

Comic Watch

Detective Comics #1069 is a solid follow up to the explosive events from the previous issue. With tight writing and excellent art, this issue resets the board and its pieces in the operatic game for control of Gotham. (...) V’s writing never feels dull and the art is still phenomenal. I particularly love a full page spread of Batman soaring over Gotham as the page is split in two different styles and colors. It’s a wonderful image and could only be accomplished through this medium. (...) The artists for this issue are Dexter Soy and Steffano Raffaele with colors by Adriano Lucas. While this is the first time they are the art combination for this run, they certainly are setting their own wonderful standard. Designing the main cover is art by Evan Cagle. Every cover done by Cagle has felt like its own art piece and this issue is no different. The subtle additions included are reminiscent of renaissance art. It feels classical and modern at the same time. In addition to the great continuation of the main story, readers will get part of of a Mr. Freeze focused back up story written by Simon Spurrier with art by Caspar Wijngaard and letters by Arianna Turturro. I have enjoyed the back up stories in this run and Absolute Part I is a great addition to the smaller stories that have been included. (...) The emphasis on discovery and refocusing—infused with more characters becoming involved—makes this issue an enjoyable read after an epic blow out from last month’s issue. Furthermore, the back up story is well done in its narrative around Mr. Freeze. Fans of this run will definitely enjoy this issue as it sets the stage for what is coming next.

The Super Powered Fancast

The Story: Ram V crafts a darkly entertaining story in this issue. There is a great emphasis on Batman as a character in this issue and there is some great psychological evaluation of the character at play both with the character and with the characters around him. I really enjoyed the dark menace of Two-Face in this issue and how his other personality is exerting itself. The Orgrham storyline is getting interesting as well and I look forward to seeing what happens next. The Art: All three artists deliver beautiful visuals throughout the issue. I love the dark, brilliantly detailed pages and panels.

ComicBook.com

Detective Comics #1069 continues the Orgham takeover of Gotham, although it seems like Batman and his allies are finally taking notice and beginning to understand the conspiracy attempting to take the city from under them. Ram V is taking readers on a wild ride, although the comic is hurt somewhat by using a team of three artists who can't quite fit inside a cohesive style. The back-up story by Simon Spurrier and Caspar Wijngaard seems to finally address the mysterious song that's been present throughout the "Gotham Nocturne" story, bringing in yet another paranormal element to the forefront.

Dark Knight News

Detective Comics #1069 is yet another terrific issue and an improvement of the issues that came before. This story’s really starting to form, but we still don’t know what the Orgham’s grand design is. I’m sure it will be a terrifying thing! (...) Detective Comics #1069 is a strong issue. Great art, great writing. This finally feels like part of a bigger plan!

Comics Nexus by Inside Pulse

An action-packed, page-to-page, main story and back-up satisfying read. The art was also great, but its the character moments between the action that really worked well. I am intrigued.

Batman-News

This issue is another example of good character work. Batman’s relationship with Jim Gordon, and the various other figures highlighted through this run gain depth through the issue. However, while Ram V does an excellent job building his characters and their interactions, the narrative feels like it’s really struggling to keep up its momentum. While I’m really enjoying this series, and think it’ll work well in a trade format I would also like to see it pick up the pace a little more in upcoming issues.

The Batman Universe

In the fourth installment of the first act of Gotham Nocturne, Ram V brings in a major development in his complex opera – the Bat-Family. Not only does Batman have support from Jim Gordon (as before), Barbara Gordon and Cassandra Cain make major appearances that promise more to come, much to the delight of any Bat-Family fans who have been waiting for Ram V to use the tools available against such a huge and insidious threat like the Orgham family and their demonic allies. The art team of primarily Dexter Soy (perhaps best known for his work on Red Hood and the Outlaws and Batman and the Outsiders in the Rebirth era), Stefano Raffaele and Miguel Mendonca proves an excellent artistic mesh with previous series artists Ivan Reis and Rafael Albuquerque – thick, painterly lines, dramatic and bold renderings of character designs. Adriano Lucas’s colors also help maintain a strong continuity of look with Dave Stewart’s past work on this run, full of dark, bloody reds, angry yellows, and pale blues, reflecting the elegiac tone of the story Ram V is playing.

Weird Science DC Comics

Detective Comics #1069 is another slow, complex, ponderous entry in an arc that appears to need direction or sense of momentum toward an eventual goal. The art is spot-on for a dark, grim thriller, but the glacial pacing and overwritten text need to come together in a story that will hold your interest.

Lyles Movie Files

Gotham Nocturne’s first act, Grand Design, is now in its fourth part and it’s starting to feel a little like writer Ram V is dragging the story out. There’s not much of significance playing out this issue or at least enough to propel the story forward. (...) V is joined this issue by artists Dexter Soy with Stefano Raffaele and Miguel Mendonca. The art is solid through Soy’s pages but the handoff isn’t as seamless. Adriano Lucas’ color work is captivating while letterer Ariana Maher gets to creatively layout the dialogue. It’s about time for the Nocturne to make good on the potential shown earlier. That won’t be achieved by too many slower paced installments like this issue.