Detective Comics #1074: What Consumes the Great Detective

Detective Comics #1074 is back in full swing from the recent Knight Terrors event. With Gotham on fire from the recent explosion at the Orgham Family event, this issue directs its attention to Batman and his internal struggles for a poignant and compelling read.

The issue kicks off with the cops arresting a suspect outside of the complex that recently exploded in central Gotham. The suspect gives his perspective about what happened, painting Batman as a menace while trying to lead the cops away from the fact that he works in a mini drug factory. It’s a great kick off in the theme of perception and the humor is subtle enough to give a brief chuckle right before it veers into the depths of Batman’s mind.

Written by Ram V, this issue takes on a similar concept of asking who Batman is, the impact he has made, and whether or not it’s worth it. What I appreciate is how V has taken his own spin on this type of story by not asking if Batman is making a difference, but if the darkness inside of him is consuming him more than he realizes. It’s a welcomed spin on character analysis of Batman and is a great focus of this issue.

Dustin Nguyen joins the series for this issue and the next and his art truly shines throughout the pages. What particularly works is his design of haunting panels of core characters being consumed by a monstrous Bat. Combined with colors from John Kalisz, and this issue is dark and mesmerizing. While on the topic of art, Evan Cagle returns to the covers for a twisted image that fits well into the themes of this issue. Aside from the story, Cagle’s covers are always what I look forward to and I was happy to see Cagle back in this creative spot.

In addition to the core story, readers get a back up story from Dan Watters (writer), Hayden Sherman (artist), and Triona Farrell (colors). It’s a creepy return of the Ten Eyed Man and fitting for the dark tones of this issue. The story is well done and the art reminds me of early DC Black Label works that have an edgy grit to the crime story.