A Fear Never Forgotten: Reviewing ‘Detective Comics’ #1084

Top up drinks or snacks, get a stretch in, and prepare yourselves as Batman’s gothic opera enters its third act. Refreshed, rejuvenated, and demon free (mostly), the dark knight has returned to the streets of Gotham and is ready to reclaim his city.

Ram V, Javier Fernandez, Dave McCaig, and Ariana Maher are turning up the heat for the “Gotham Nocturne” in Detective Comics #1084. Accompanying this main story is a backup one brought to life by Alex Paknadel, Robbi Rodriguez, Patricio Delpeche, and Steve Wands.

I could read Ram V’s version of Batman all day and night for years to come. A series that finds that delicious sweet spot of having important things to say wrapped up tightly in a blanket of pure comic book goodness. Where we can battle demons, discuss mental health and the effects of aging. Then throw in ancient families, reality engines, and the power of Batman’s fearsome visage. Embodiment of that little bit of column A, little bit of column B type of sentiment.

Not a single bit of this combination of flavors feels off, or overused. Just a sweet orchestral production that tickles all the fancies.

Here we get to see Batman make his presence felt in the city that was made to forget him. A put together, in his element Batman, bouncing off Jim Gordon and Question (Renee Montoya) in the best way possible. Love the Bat/Gordon relationship so much in this run. It works better now that Jim is not a cop but a private eye.

Oh, damn the moment that the caption stated “They knew his name once” followed by Batman out loud saying “You knew my name once” …chills. Just chills.

Also, I love that we get the flashbacks to where Bruce/Batman ended up after the end of the last issue before his return here. Having it be him actually regaling Gordon with the tale as he seeks out a rooftop to watch the sunrise was the chef’s kiss. Just so many choices that are made in this run that make for iconic moments or beats but are organic to the character.

Fernandez artwork is perfect for this part of the story. It’s got that really dark gothic vibe this run has been built upon. Simultaneously, it feels epic and heroic on such a prolific scale. Those opening panel choices alone had me hooked. Just close up building tension and emotion shots that leads right into a big Batman return reveal.

Adding McCaig’s colors enhances every bit of this. Plenty of dark swathes and shadows that embrace everything on the page. Only shrinking in the face of the bolder vibrant strokes which highlight those heroic tones I mentioned. So many yellows, blues, and other colors dominate at times. Then in other places the colors are more neutral and grounded to create a really familiar tangible landscape.

Time and time again, Maher delivers something special. Taking the letters from something that is loud and ominous or horrific in one issue and turning up the positivity in the next. She makes the transition work so well here, capturing all the energy of this next chapter and letting words sing. All those energetic SFX that bring moments to life, alongside caption boxes that are catered to characters in some cases.

Cassandra Cain has been a fixture of this run, in big to small amounts, but her getting her own backup definitely had me giddy. Paknadel has such a good handle on her character here, tapping into her often more stoic nature. How she can out Batman the Batman, because it’s been part of who she is long before she put on the symbol (as she reminded us in a previous issue). Anytime we get a moment (and fight) between Cass and Shiva, I’m here for it.

It captures every bit of that complicated relationship and showcases how this time Cass’ mistrust was actually misplaced since Shiva is doing an act that pays off during the first story’s flashback.

Rodriguez has a very kinetic style of artwork, with just enough exaggeration, that helps the story flow. Bringing in a very hazy sort of appearance to the whole thing to really play up the night aspect and making it even grittier in some respects. Dropping in a touch of a rough nature for this story that has that exact tone through and through. Taking advantage of this are Delpeche’s colors which stick to very heavy dark tones with little flashes of the lighter and brighter tones here or there.

I love the appearance of Cass’ caption boxes, so formal and to the point, just like her character. It gives them a different flavor than the dialogue on the page, and it just works. Wands taps into the energy of these characters and takes their less than verbose styles into account.

Detective Comics #1084 is now available from DC Comics.