In Detective Comics #1036, the mystery unfolds as Batman continues to delve deeper into Sarah Worth’s murder. After the big reveal in Detective Comics #1035, Batman’s quest to unpack what truly happened that fateful evening is pushed to new levels. But with a new mysterious killer also plaguing Gotham, all tension builds as Batman conquers the hell brewing above and beneath the city streets.
Tamaki’s writing beautifully captures the loss of innocence in Gotham. In between the murder investigation, new crime groups surfacing, and a mysterious plague slowly wiping out citizens, Tamaki places Batman in one of his most complicated situations yet. It’s also refreshing to see Bruce navigate accusing assumptions from fellow Gotham neighbors, all while unpacking the truth behind Sarah Worth’s murder.
Tamaki further adds to the excitement of Detective Comics #1036 by bringing the Huntress into the issue, who perfectly complements Batman’s brooding demeanor with her dry, matter-of-fact dialogue even during the most intense encounters. Bellaire’s contrast of black and purple against Batman and Huntress is a wonderful combination, while Mora’s art continues to prove issue after issue that he wholly captures the aesthetic of Batman perfectly.
Mora also captures the eerie, grotesque anatomy of several enemy threats in Detective Comics #1036, including The Penguin and Clayface. Whether it’s their sinister, lurking presence or the fear in an innocent man’s eyes, Mora portrays a scale of emotions vividly.
Detective Comics #1036 also does a great job of connecting story threads across Infinite Frontier #0 and even way back in Detective Comics #981. Tamaki’s tight, cohesive storytelling continues to add deeper layers to the world-building of Detective Comics. If you enjoyed Future State: Dark Detective, Detective Comics is a series you can’t afford to sleep on.
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Speaking of cohesion, Tamaki’s threads even across the Huntress backup story are evident, following directly from the backup story in Detective Comics #1035. The Huntress continues to avenge the death of her friend Mary Knox, this time pursuing the sources behind the senseless violence. Gotham’s rising crime wave isn’t just linked to out-of-this-world antagonists. Sometimes, violence comes from those who are right in our doorsteps. As the Huntress targets one of Mary’s past hurts, Tamaki does an excellent job building on Huntress’s character development, portraying her as a loyal friend, even with her flaws.
Bellaire’s colors continue to highlight certain motifs throughout the backup. And while Henry does a good job capturing the Huntress and her action sequences, the change in art style between Mora and Henry can feel a little jarring, interrupting the flow of the story.
Detective Comics #1036 quickens the pace as more lingering threats start piling onto our Dark Knight. With Tamaki’s strong worldbuilding, Mora’s fantastic art, and Bellaire’s vivid colors, Detective Comics is a book worth following.
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