Beneath The Masks Of Lies: Reviewing ‘Detective Comics’ #1086

Deconstructing characters, getting to their very core, before building them back up is a tried-and-true trope in superhero comic books. Some of them stand far above others, both in execution and outcome.

Through and through this Ram V led era of Detective Comics is at the top of the list, an instant classic to be enjoyed and discussed for years to come. With an end in sight, Ram V, Stefano Raffaele, Lee Loughridge, and Ariana Maher bring all the pieces together with issue 1086. Included is another character-focused back-up from the team of Alex Paknadel, Lisandro Estherren, Patricio Delpeche, and Steve Wands.

While it’s quite common, I’m not sure I can recall a better case of the triumphant heroic resurrection than this series. We watched as Ram V took Bruce Wayne and Batman, as well as multiple of his rogues, apart piece by piece while carefully examining each piece with deep scrutiny. Marking them up, capturing the good and the bad, before slowly putting it all back together almost exactly as he found them in the first place.

Not quite though.

This is a Batman that feels whole for the first time in a very long time. Cognizant of what he has, what he means to the city, and what his mission should be. So, in a way, this character is being left better than he was found. Took the toy and polished it up so that whoever picks it up next feels like it’s shiny and new even with its deep history.

Damn, I just love comic books when they are like this.

Those deep relationships, most importantly between Batman and Gordon and Two-Face and Batman, are so so good. These levels of respect and the tragic circumstances around so much of it. Focusing on how Batman’s Rogues are mostly made up of people with relatable trauma or tragic circumstances, opposed to those like the Joker who are just pure evil.

Speaking of which, the non-existent presence of the clown villain till this very end makes his appearance richer. Since most Bat books have overly used him the past few years.

Visually, Raffaele has such a perfect style for this story. It’s rough and heavy, but also very light and full of hope. Allowing us to feel the darkness that is meant to be paramount to Gotham’s very existence, while truly feeling that Batman and family have turned a brighter corner. So much depth and intricate detail, sometimes wiped away for a lesser look for impact or focus on specific elements. Allowing the setting to be a character of its own, everything feeling larder than life.

Hell, the shot of Batman, Batgirl, Azrael, and Nightwing leaping off a building is one that I want framed on my wall right now. I could look at that all day long.

A color palette which pulls naturally from both sides of the scale is simple for Loughridge. Heavier darker almost gloomy tones speak to the inherent darkness of the city that needs to be returned. Splashes of brighter vibrant tones bring the hopeful feelings higher, highlighting the unnatural and more fantastical parts of this world we love so much.

A delicate very thorough touch helps the voices reach authentic and easy to discern levels. While bringing more of a fun energy to everything. All things that are just part of what Maher always brings to the table. Those moments where we see Batman getting deep with friends and allies, even with old friends, feel authentic and drip with emotive energy because of how Maher presents them. Knowing when to bring out the toys for adding more visual juice to words and when to just let them stand naked and true.

Two-Face has gotten a lot of focus in this run, both in the main stories and backups. Truly some of the best work overall that has been done with the character in quite some time. We get more of that with the backup.

Seeing Paknadel really play with the divided Harvey Dent and Two-Face we’ve seen feature prominently in all these stories. Two sides that are now on a bit more even playing field than they once were. Still using their legal knowledge to wage a battle amongst themselves, with the life of a desperate young man in the mix.

Just such a solid little story and I hope that this version of Harvey/Two-Face sticks around beyond this overall run.

Everything has a very heavy gritty feeling here under Estherren’s pen, with Delpeche adding some very watercolor-like colors. Characters feel authentic with just a bit of exaggeration, with some rougher tough edges thrown in since it’s a crime story. All of the color palette choices are subdued and very toned down, with flashes of things a bit more to highlight particular moments or feelings.

Wands is very much an MVP of backup stories for this series, having been working on them for quite some time. Even before this run began. Taking everything that the writers came up with dialogue or caption wise and giving it such great life. Little flairs which keep the voices of Harvey and Two-Face distinct, both in the real-world space and within their mind. Love the red that has become standard for Two-Face’s dialogue, just so striking and fitting.

Detective Comics #1086 is now available from DC Comics.