Connect with us
'Detective Comics' #1023 review
DC

Comic Books

‘Detective Comics’ #1023 review

It’s Batman vs. Batbot (and Joker) in ‘Detective Comics’ #1023.

We’ve nearly reached the final showdown between Two-Face and Batman, but with the prelude to “Joker War” still developing, Detective Comics #1023 reveals Batman is in big trouble. This issue offers a tantalizing battle that fans of the bat-cop Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo Batman story won’t want to miss, plus Court of Owls goodness!

This issue reads like a love letter to what Snyder and Capullo have done. It not only opens with Joker cracking open tombs of the Court of Owls, but has Batman face off against the blue robo-Batman suit Jim Gordon once wore. It’s an easy way to give a nod to recent Batman stories, and I suspect most fans will think it’s super cool.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

Don’t worry, the fan service is awesome thanks to Brad Walker’s pencils and Andrew Hennessy’s inks. His style is in-your-face, dynamic, and truly unique. He’s one of the best in the business and I dare you to read this and not think so, too. Colors by Brad Anderson help nail Joker’s duds, the Court of Owls lair, and the robo-bat suit too. When Batman gets pummeled by the Batbot it’s intense as they rush right towards us, or when Walker draws us into a fight manage across the city the double page layout will have you linger for ages. This is one of the best-looking books out this week.

Detective Comics #1023

Brad Walker draws a hell-ah good Joker.
Credit: DC Comics

The story is just so-so. It’s all visually arresting and action-packed, but when you put this book down you’ll realize there isn’t a lot to it. Joker is given quite a bit of page time to ham it up, which is fun, but it also slows the pace down. The big action sequence between Batman and the Batbot is exciting as hell, but again, it runs on for so long it inhibits development in this issue. Between the opening and Batbot, action is a pointless pit stop that takes too long to move forward. It’s nice to see more conflict and other villains in the book, but it adds very little. You could argue it’s the detective part of Detective Comics, but ultimately, there is very little detective work here.

I also had trouble reading the lettering when Batbot is talking since the light pea green they used for the bubble doesn’t give the white text inside it much contrast. Rob Leigh’s letters elsewhere are great, with a lot of good emphasis and pace throughout (especially Joker’s scenes), but the green bubbles are unfortunate.

Detective Comics is one of the cleanest and most visually appealing comics on the stands today. Walker, Hennessy, and Anderson are delivering an action-heavy superhero book with a dynamic range that’s intense, gripping, and in-your-face good. The visuals deliver, and I recommend picking it up just to see them, even if the plotting runs on too slowly.

'Detective Comics' #1023 review
‘Detective Comics’ #1023 review
Detective Comics #1023
Detective Comics is one of the cleanest and most visually appealing comics on the stands today. Walker, Hennessy, and Anderson are delivering an action-heavy superhero book with a dynamic range that's intense, gripping, and in-your-face good.
Reader Rating0 Votes
0
The visuals are stunning, dynamic, and in-your-face
The Joker scene may run long but the voice of Joker is great
Certainly a fan-service issue for those who loved Snyder/Capullo's run
The entire book is really made up of three scenes, with the opening scene running long, and the middle scene being an overly long pit-stop
7
Good

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1 I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1

‘I Heart Skull-Crusher!’ #1 review: Apocalyptic squad goals

Comic Books

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024 Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Comic Books

New DC Black Label 'Zatanna: Bring Down the House' out June 25th New DC Black Label 'Zatanna: Bring Down the House' out June 25th

New DC Black Label ‘Zatanna: Bring Down the House’ out June 25th

Comic Books

DC Preview: Action Comics #1063 DC Preview: Action Comics #1063

DC Preview: Action Comics #1063

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup