Comic Review: Detective Comics #982

Detective Comics #982

DC Comics

Writer: Michael Moreci

Artist: Sebastian Fiumara

You know what I really love about a good Batman story? No not punching the lights out of some weirdo’s, not big epic shots of him standing cool over Gotham.

It’s when it’s a nice condensed story of Batman being a detective and a hero. That’s exactly what writer Michael Moreci has given me and I couldn’t be happier.

Now I’ve been following Detective Comics under Tynion’s wing with excitement and enjoyment at his big scale arcs with an interesting fun team dynamic and cool villain, but there comes a time where I just want to read about Batman saving a random guy in Gotham and just being a good man in hellish place. This issue really just made me happy, despite the fact it was about a demonic cult kidnapping a little boy.

It’s obvious that this is a filler issue, separating the conclusion of Tynion’s run from new head writer Bryan Hill. It’s something the series needs, a well-deserved breather from the high intense octane action to whatever surprises Hill has in store with us. The story focuses on two important things in a Batman story: Gotham and Bruce. The whole theme of ‘Does Batman actually make a difference to Gotham’ is brought up and focused on as Batman is against the clock in saving a little boy. Now I was never a massive Deacon Blackfire villain myself, he always seemed more Constantine than a Batman rogue but his evil presence was certainly interesting to read about here.

Batman has gone through some serious crap this run: future sidekicks become dark reflections, uncontrollable AI, and death. It’s understandable if the character is a little run down here. Batman works when he’s at his lowest only to rise up stronger than ever.

The art this issue is good and fitting for the story. Supplied by artist Sebastian Fiumara, it really gives the vibe of the demonic aura that Batman was facing, as well as a sense of tiredness and brokenness. The second page actually gives a good representation of how the ‘superstitious and cowardly’ lot view the dark knight. We see stunning visuals of both Gotham’s underbelly as well as the beautiful shot of the doomed city.

Overall, this is a decent filler issue showing how good Batman can be for his city, no matter how hopeless it can feel. It was nice to see him be a detective and saving a little boy (who I might add has my name, so you now that was fun) giving the reader a breather before we set off on his next adventure under the new creative team. I am looking forward to the future of Detective Comics, let’s hope it’s a good one.