When he took over with issue #1,062 in July 2022, Ram V set to turn Detective Comics into a “gothic opera.” And along the way, thanks to his efforts and the work of artists like Guillem March, Riccardo Federici, and Ivan Reis (among many others), Detective Comics has reached a recent-history peak both in terms of storylines and general artistry. But all good things must come to an end, and Ram V has departed with the recently-released Detective Comics #1,089.
But just who will follow up such a brava performance? How about Tom Taylor and Mikel Janín, who officially debut with October’s Detective Comics #1,090. That issue kicks of the “Mercy of the Father” arc, which revisits the “the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne [that] changed Gotham forever.” More specifically, it addresses an idea, object, factoid, and/or person that’s been “lying in wait to strike at Batman ever since that fateful night in Crime Alley.” While this run of Detective Comics still has almost everything to prove, they’re aiming for the highest skyscraper in Gotham with a tale that’ll supposedly “rattle the very foundations of the Dark Knight.”
Detective Comics #1,090 is due out October 23. (The FOC is Monday, September 30.) To get a better idea of their run, we fielded both Taylor and Janín some vital queries via email. The pair touched on taking over for Ram V and company, their interest in revisiting the Waynes’ murder, highlights from this arc, and even their long-term plans for Detective Comics.
Detective Comics #1,090 variant cover by Dan Panosian. Courtesy of DC Comics.
AIPT: Detective Comics’ last team (led by Ram V) did some really great things story-wise. What was your take on that overarching “gothic opera,” and do you feel any pressure to do something similar or something totally different?
Tom Taylor: Ram knows he’s one of my favorite writers in this industry, and the artists he worked with across his run created a haunting, beautiful work. I don’t feel any pressure to create something similar, because Ram’s voice and his ideas are so unique that I don’t think I could.
That said, I think anyone would feel a bit of pressure taking over such a famous book in Detective Comics, especially in the 85th year of Batman.
But we’re not following Ram’s work. Instead, with “DC All In,” we’re aiming to create a brand new jumping-on point and a story that can be shared with any Batman fan.
And every Batman fan will be blown away by the art of Mikel Janin.
Mikel Janín: I agree it was great, not only story-wise, but artistically — the covers by Evan Cagle, everything was so good. Have to say our story is very different, in tone and appearance.
When you’re following such a brilliant run, the best option is not looking back at it, but just look forward and do your thing, so the readers will find a different run, and hopefully as compelling and exciting as the previous one.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
AIPT: What was the collaborative process like between the two of you, especially considering you’ve both created for pretty much every part of the DCU?
TT: Mikel and I have wanted to work together forever, but this is the first time the stars have aligned to allow that to happen. I’m a big fan, so working together has mostly been me writing a script that I know he’ll draw the hell out of. Most of my notes to Mikel are just loads of praise followed by exclamation marks. I think we’re both equally excited about this story and this opportunity.
MJ: Honestly, it’s been pretty straight forward thus far. We both are seasoned professionals at this point, and are 100% committed to this book. We have been wanting to work together for a while, and now we have this opportunity, with the biggest character in comics, and all this excitement surrounding the “All In” initiative. So it’s been really easy, Tom is a great guy and a tremendous writer, and we both love to add as much as possible to the book, we think on names, small details, designs, whatever that can make the story go a bit further.
AIPT: Tom, you’re coming off that massive Nightwing run. Does that influence what you do here, or are there any lessons you’ve taken for this next project?
TT: Honestly, writing the “son” (Dick Grayson) for so long has given me new thoughts on the father. The times I’ve written Dick and Bruce together in Nightwing have been a joy. And I’ve found new ways to portray Batman as a good, supportive dad, in a way I wasn’t sure would ever fly in continuity. I’d love to continue that. But Bruce certainly isn’t Dick. They are very different people and they lend themselves to very different stories.
Finding Batman’s voice and thoughts and drive, and challenging Bruce Wayne, has been key, especially to this first story.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
AIPT: The solicitations indicate a return to the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne (with some new secret). Why is that specific moment still compelling, and how do you do something new with it?
TT: Knowing I was taking over Detective Comics was a very big deal for me. I spent much longer than I often do to brainstorm and find the right story. There are probably more Batman stories than any other superhero, so I spent weeks looking for something new, something that mattered.
I was excited when this idea struck me, and for all the implications it had, but I truly wasn’t sure DC would let me do this.
I’m so glad DC threw their support behind this idea. I think it will have readers talking.
MJ: It’s always exciting touching the big points of the Batman mythos. I think Tom has hit the bullseye with this approach, diving in the past to bring some major themes to current times, all in a natural way, that feels true and rooted on who Batman is.
AIPT: Can you tease any cool moments or important insights in this story?
TT: I really can’t tease too much without spoiling things. But there is a new villain, there are young criminals being murdered across Gotham, and Bruce Wayne, as well as Batman, will be challenged by something new. What I will tease is, something big will be revealed in the last panel of our first issue.
MJ: I really love what we are doing! There’s some mystery, some crime, there’s some detective stuff. You know, the morgue, street chases, investigation. We have Batman and Robin classic action, and many surprises! One of the best things is when I’ve shown some pages and told the story to my kids or their friends, they aren’t usually much into comics (specifically the ones I’m working in — haha), but they all have been genuinely excited and surprised and wanting for more!
Courtesy of DC Comics.
AIPT: How long can we expect the Taylor-Janín team to work together? Could this be an extended run?
TT: I’d love to be on Detective Comics for a long time, and I’d especially love to work with Mikel for as long as he’ll have me.
MJ: Yes, please, I hope so. I’m all in for a long run, three years at least. Hopefully more!
AIPT: Is there anything else you want to add about Detective Comics, Batman, DC, comics, life itself etc.?
MJ: Tom and I are enjoying this book so much, and I think it shows. We really hope readers will share our excitement. Also, it’s the first time I’m coloring my pages in a regular title, and I think it brings an extra layer to my work. Even if I’ve worked with some of the very best colorists in comics, it always felt like I was doing half the work. I’m very happy of how the art is turning out with that added consistency.
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