Things are heating up in Detective Comics #1072, with confrontation around the corner and Gotham in danger once again. Ram V’s magnum opus continues to reveal new secrets, put Batman in a tight corner, and integrate a large portion of the Bat Family. Can the heroes stop an attack already in motion in this latest chapter?
One could surmise the main story in this issue is the slow build toward major confrontations. Much of this story focuses on Nightwing, Cassie, Batman, and Oracle doing what they can to prevent loss of life or an attack. The tension builds as we see each character interact with threats or discover unfortunate things like empty cages. The heroes are a step behind, which is uncommon for Batman.
Batman does get the edge at one point as he faces some threats he’s seen before. Ram V shows us you can’t pull the same trick on Batman more than once with some clever twists to stop a werewolf and another enemy.
Nightwing and Cassie also have moments to show off their agility and fighting ability. On some scale, these fight scenes feel like they’re biding their time for real plot progression, but if you like action, you’ll dig it. Another minor quibble common with serial superhero comics is that the cover doesn’t match the story, but it happens all the time.
Ivan Reis and Stefano Raffaele share art duties, capturing the blazing lights of Gotham with beautiful cityscapes. There’s a vividness to the art throughout that harnesses mood and atmosphere very well. In the fight scene between Batman and two threats, there’s a cool layout design showcasing the different moves of Batman. It hones in on his small wins that show the war isn’t won easily but in tactical steps. The device under Gotham is wickedly detailed and a showstopper moment.
The gang’s all here.
Credit DC Comics
Dan Watters and Stefano Raffaele kick off a new backup story called “Things That Must Die.” It’s a compelling look at Prince Arzen. He learns his father has died and soon obsesses over a tree that is dying that he and his father planted. It’s an interesting story that reads like a fable. Can or even should the boy try to keep the tree alive? What must he do to keep it from wilting, and does that mean destroying and killing other things? There’s a lesson in there that tells us about the boy’s nature but also builds towards a cliffhanger that appears to have another lesson in it.
This story opens with a full-page splash of the eye and tongue of his father, so it’s without a doubt his dad is dead. Raffaele captures that grotesque sight well, as well as the prince’s innocence. Continuing threads from previous issues, you’ll feel invested in the tale being spun here.
Detective Comics #1072 is an exciting bridge issue with a backup straight out of a classic fables tale. Combining action, detective work, and thought-provoking storytelling, Detective Comics is as good as ever.
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