DC Comics Detective Comics #951 By Avi Weinryb March 1, 2017 - 23:25 Publisher(s): DC Comics Writer(s): James Tynion IV Artist(s): Christian Duce Colourist(s): Alex Sinclair Letterer(s): Sal Cipriano Cover Artist(s): Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira & Adriano Lucas; Variant by Rafael Albuquerque Lots of interesting twists and revelations in this tight, action-packed issue. The League of Shadows has turned up in Gotham, led by Shiva, to cause Batman a lot of trouble. With Batman framed for a major crime a significant danger on the loose, and Orphan (Cassandra Cain, a one-time Batgirl) in a state of vulnerability, there’s a lot to juggle. Plus Batwoman’s father continues to be incarcerated by the Bat-team and has plenty to say about it. Drama! This issue has the familiar feel of a solid Batman comic from the 1990s. The Dark Knight follows up on a lead only to walk in on a dying man and the cops bursting in, pinning the blame on ol’ Bats. Some on-screen news anchors get hit by what appears to be Joker-style laughing gas. An overly talkative villain comes to town and unleashes a wave of danger. It just has a nostalgic vibe to it, leading me to believe that it’s tapping into something deeper -- cutting to the marrow of what makes a Batman comic fun with just the right mix of tasty ingredients. Characterization is strong. Batman especially, is a dynamic being. He is on a mission, speaking into via radio with Batwoman and suggests taking Orphan out to see a new ballet show. He knows she’d enjoy it and wants to make her life more bearable. He cares about the people on his team and is able to be as much Bruce Wayne as he is Batman. Some have theorized that Batman wears Bruce Wayne as a mask, rather than the other way around. This moment suggests that there is no distinction and he is all at once - a unique creature in his own right. He’s fully costumed, in the midst of a mission, and he’s thinking about how, as Bruce Wayne, he can support the welfare of a friend. Action sequences and moments of dialogue are all visually engaging, with strong art permeating the book. Characters are very expressive. Creative use of light helps shape the tone in scenes. Panels are strongly composed and laid out. Skillfully illustrated and expertly written, this issue is a well-crafted addition to the Bat-canon. © Copyright 2002-2020 by Toon Doctor Inc. - All rights Reserved. All other texts, images, characters and trademarks are copyright their respective owners. Use of material in this document (including reproduction, modification, distribution, electronic transmission or republication) without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.