After reviewing a comic that gave me a headache, I am glad I can cleanse my palette with a much easier comic to follow that knows how to actually tell a story. That comic is Detective Comics.
With the newest issue coming out this week, I felt it good for us to review what happened last month as readers pick up the next installment of Batman v. The Penguin. Unlike a lot of my fellow reviewers on the web, I actually liked this newest installment. The story starts off with Bruce reeling from his previous encounter with the Dollmaker and the Joker. He is still wondering as to what happened to the Joker. He is thinking how he and the other Gothamites want answers. The opening action where he finds himself is at a Joker rally akin to the Occupy movement occurred across the nation. However this time, it is “End the Bat.” He tries to chase someone who he suspects of being the Joker. As he makes his way through the crowd of lunatics, they tell him he is at the wrong rally. However, they eventually catch onto the fact he is actually the real Batman, and they try to take him down. When Bruce finally gets away from them, he is too late. He finds a mere mask with possible DNA for him to take but also finds a token for theIceberg Lounge. Meanwhile, Charlotte is on her way to the Iceberg as well. Bruce never showed up for her date, and she decided to go out for her VIP night. As she gets ready on her friend’s boat for the big night, she decides to dress up, and do some undercover reporting. In the background, a Penguin is keeping an eye on her.
The backup revolves around Catwoman working with Hugo Strange’s son to rip off a game of Russian roulette. They succeed, and Hugo revels on how his son is like him; how he will continue to make him his son.
Tony Daniel keeps the greatness going. He continues the mystery of what happened to the Joker but, at the same time, is moving the plot forward by digging into a new plot with the Penguin and Charlotte’s past. His artwork is also amazing. He is one of my favorite artists, and continues to churn out great art. All in all, it is not what the first arc was but it also is not a bad start either. People need to give this man a break…….
MAIN STORY: A-.
BACK-UP: B.
OVERALL: B+.
