It’s A Family Affair — Reviewing ‘Detective Comics’ #1093

Ever buy a new pair of shoes that just feels really tight, rubbing on the heel and pinching the toes? Given enough time and wear those same shoes will loosen. Eventually, they’ll be so comfortable that you’ll wonder why they were even an issue in the first place.

Why is there a question about shoes kicking off a Batman comic book review? That’s easy. This new run of Detective Comics from Tom Taylor, Mikel Janín, and Wes Abbott is that new pair of shoes.

Don’t worry, I’m going to elaborate.

Previously, there was the run led by Ram V that just felt so good and fitting from the beginning. It was that dream pair of shoes that you just sink your feet into and feel heavenly. Unfortunately, all things have to end and that comfortable shoe was no more. A new pair of shoes from the same brand was there at the store and seemed like it would at least do the job.

Pushing past the first pains and second pains, walking around day after day (or months in this case), and just giving it a chance to breathe has paid off

That’s not to say that my quibbles with some of the ways that Taylor kicked off this run are fully gone. There are some beats and all too obvious connections going on, and the whole secret origin connection element feels pointless still. Around that though, well, the series actually kind of has grown on me. Like those second choice shoes that are at least easy to wear now.

One fact I will never quibble, Taylor writes not only a pretty darn great Bruce Wayne/Batman, but a great Bat-Family dynamic. He hits those beats of a more well-adjusted, actually likeable, but still driven Bruce. There’s a great back and forth and connections to his children, wards, and allies. They aren’t afraid to get their help to protect all the children here rather than trying to hold it all down solo. We like a more mature and dynamic Batman.

Batman is a character that fits into so many different story type molds. From horror, to noir, to bold action, to so many others. Each type of story has an art style that really resonates with that particular vibe. Janín’s is perfect for this sexy action focused type of Batman story.

The visuals are so slick with rapid kinetic energy, allowing everything to feel so fluidly in motion. This gives all of the characters and locations plenty of weight and presence upon the page. Emotional energy is fully ingrained into the page as the facial expressions and body language are practically screaming at us. In a good way.

One of the biggest pieces to how well things move is the paneling choices, shifting things around to befit the given moment or situation. From close-ups to wide shots, to panels sliding over other panels, and added borders and gutter space usage, everything flows with a logic and boldness to the delivery. Really allowing the whole endeavor to appear like it could bounce off the page at any moment.

Also, as I mentioned above, it just oozes a kind of sexiness. I mean just look at all these characters.

I can’t forget to mention the choices in coloring that he makes as well. Sticking to a very dark and heavy color palette with a lot of very vibrant striking tones in the mix. This really allows Gotham and these characters to have that big superhero fantastical energy with a touch of gritty realism. No two spaces feel exactly alike because they have their own lighting and color energy, just like any spaces that we visit or inhabit in the real world.

Helping the Bat-family dynamic sing is the word delivery from Abbott. He is so good at his craft and being able to take the particular style of Taylor’s words and elevate it all. Abbott gives it space to grow, flow, and breathe at all times, spreading across the page to dance between other visuals, keeping our eyes moving constantly to take everything in.

The right bits of personality and emotional energy drop right into the words, while letting some flashiness come into play with some of the lettering with shifts in font or bubbles or overall colors.

At this point, the shoe that felt like it might not be the one at first is fitting like a glove. I can’t wait to keep walking and see what the future holds.

Detective Comics #1093 is now available from DC Comics.