Gotham’s Reckoning– Reviewing ‘Detective Comics’ #1087

The end is nigh for Gotham’s gothic opera. Fire, ice, and madness are plaguing the city as the Bat returns. All roads have been leading to this point as enemy and ally alike rise to the occasion.

Detective Comics #1087 continues an ultimate exploration of the vigilante and his city as Ram V guides his massive story toward its climax. Joined by Christian Duce, Stefano Raffaele, Luis Guerrero, and Ariana Maher. It features a backup from Dan Watters, Francesco Francavilla, and Steve Wands.

Across the twenty-six issues of this run to date (counting the annual), there have been a bevy of wonderful artists that have come and gone. Part of that is likely publisher related as most books don’t get to keep artists beyond an arc or two, if they are lucky, these days. That being said, whatever the reason, it has worked for the book.

Here we get two contrasting, yet complimentary styles from Duce and Raffaele.

One is a smoother affair while the other is inherently rough in texture. Showcasing the various facets of Gotham, the shiny smooth looking exterior obscures the tougher underbelly.

Raffaele has been on the book for quite some time. Really nailing the very dark, detailed, and sharper edge that should come with Gotham. A city plagued by dark elements, trying to claw its way toward the light somehow.

Duce is no stranger to Bat things, as I first encountered his artwork over on the short-lived, I Am Batman series. It has some feelings that resonate with more superhero related things with the smoother and lighter feeling it brings.

Both are master plotters when it comes to planning panel placement. Shifting the entire focus or shape of what is happening. From close ups to really dynamic distance shots, all of them chock full of depth, weight, and firm perspective.

Both art styles enjoy the coloring work of Guerrero, who finds the perfect space between the two styles. Keeping things very heavy and dark in most cases, playing off the darker tone of the city and the story alike. Allowing plenty of vibrant bright colors, be it those that are part of a character or as filters around them, to pop on the page at times. Gotham is a vibrant and thriving place with its own personality, both dark and colorful. All of that is easily captured in the palette choices being made here.

What Ram V has achieved with this series will be celebrated and studied for years. Even eighty years into the character’s existence, he found a way to tell a story that is very much epic and wide but also Batman distilled down into his very essence. Finding threads left unpulled or ignored for both the main character but his allies and his foes as well. Giving us some of the best Two-Face, Mister Freeze, and more stories that we’ve had in quite some time.

Even here near the end, we’re still seeing things fleshed out and developed. Each moment feels authentic and natural because it’s clear how we got to these moments. Every step that was taken along the way naturally builds on each other, leaving a clear trail now that we’re nearing the end. Reading it month by month has been awesome but reading it all in one will be a whole new just as awesome experience.

Turning back to visuals, one consistent language across the pages for quite some time has come from Maher. Who has such a great eye for lettering alongside a very creative style. Infusing all the words with such power, authenticity, personality, and every big of emotional energy possible. Weaving in different fonts, bubbles, and colors to heighten things visually but also add to those powerful tones.

Watters, Francavilla, and Wands have all contributed at varying levels to parts of this run. Chiefly through some of the backups that have been a staple of the series for a few years.

Recently Watters was revealed as the upcoming new Nightwing writer, and we get a glimpse of that here as Batman’s first partner shows up. Azrael, a character Watters has written in a couple series, and Batgirl (Cassandra Cain) are here as well. As the trio are out in the city saving lives during the time of the main story. It’s a serious, but also highly fun bit as Nightwing and Azrael hash out some trust issues and the past.

Here we see references to Knightfall and other stories. Watters handles this the way a writer should, as a guidepost reference rather than an in-your-face or anchor situation. One doesn’t have to know these events to still get something out of the conversation. It just works. Also the whole bonking thing…freaking golden humor.

I love the style of Francavilla which feels so horror-tinged and extravagant even when it’s for stories that are not horrific. It’s rough, sharp, bold, colorful, and whimsical at the same time. Really giving any story this out of our world sort of feeling while still having a grounded aspect to it. Characters are lifelike, and the backgrounds go from tons of depth to vivid splashes of color.

If Maher has been bringing visual identity word wise for much of the main stuff, that is where Wands stands for the backups. Giving every bit of dialogue punchy energy, and enough visual flair that we perfectly feel and hear character voices along the way.

Detective Comics #1087 is now available from DC Comics.