Comic Review: Detective Comics #935

I love a Batman Family comic. For years I was way more interested in the ancillary characters of the Batman universe – Robin, Batgirl, the GCPD – than I was in the Dark Knight himself. When the concept for what Detective Comics would be post-Rebirth was first announced, I was definitely interested. What I wasn’t prepared for, though, was how enjoyable it would end up being. Detective #934 established the cast of characters and the idea of a looming threat to all of them, and two short weeks later Detective Comics #935 expands on its foundation with some solid character work and action.

The issue kicks off with a ‘danger room’-type sequence for heroes-in-training Red Robin, Spoiler, Orphan, and Clayface that goes completely off the rails. Throwing the characters into the middle of a battle right away gives writer James Tynion IV a chance to display the dynamics between them; indeed, those dynamics are what their trainer, Batwoman, is interested in understanding. This may be the second issue of the run, but it’s the first chance we’ve gotten to see these characters acting together as a team, and it’s a smart move to kick that interaction off with a scene like this one before splitting the characters off for quieter, out-of-costume moments. Tynion IV also does a great job of teasing out the mysteries of the series, beyond who the new threat to our heroes might be. There are secrets in the group, and they should make for some great drama when they’re finally revealed.

On the art side, Eddy Barrows’s work is generally strong, if not outright great. His characters are distinct and emotive, his page layouts dynamic and interesting. In particular his Batman is a hulk of a man, neck like a tree trunk, barrel-chested and immediately imposing. Barrows also sprinkles what appear to be painted character shots throughout the issue that make for a nice juxtaposition with the traditionally drawn panels around them. They’re an interesting choice that help visually break up some of the more dialogue-driven sequences. There was only one point in the issue where it felt like Barrows stumbled, in a scene where teenaged Tim Drake, removing his Red Robin costume, appeared to have the head of a teenager and the upper body of a fully-grown adult football player. But that was one blip in an otherwise great-looking issue.

Detective Comics is a very entertaining Bat-family book, with great characterization and solid artwork. As the mysteries of the series come to bear it will be interesting to see how Batman and his partners deal with their inevitable revelation and fallout. I have a hunch about one of them that could be potentially devastating for one of the characters, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.