I havent’ read an issue of Detective Comics in a while, so while I visited the bunker Rokk threw me an issue to try out. I know Paul Dini from his solid work on the animated series and like Batman comics in general, so I’m hoping this will be a good read. Let us find out
Creative TeamWriter: Paul Dini
Penciler:Dustin Nguyen
Inker:Derek Fridolfs
Art Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10Synopsis: Bruce Wayne attends a fashion show, when it is held up by the Mad Hatter and his Wonderland Gang. Numerous thefts later, by pairs of storybook clad villians, eventually lead Batman to the Mad Hatter’s lair, where he finds the Mad Hatter being held and mind controlled by Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Once they are caught and sent to jail, the issue ends with Hatter mentailly controlling them to fight and kill each other.
CommentsThe Good: The story is a solid, done in one mystery, with good bits of characterization of Batman and the villians. The writer, Paul Dini plays very fair, leaving clues throughout the story that might let one solve the mystery. Even the combat scenes offer a window into the Batman’s thought process, and provide some light humor. The art is solid, and sells both the atmostphere and the action well. The Bad: The only drawback to either the art or the story (and why this review is so short) is that it is, while well constructed, less than memorable. It stands up very well as a single episodic story, but lacks the depth or impact an ongoing title needs to have. Overall: Satisfying single issue story with all of the classic elements of Batman. Nothing groudbreaking, but solid episodic work done well.
