Review: Detective Comics #958





“Intelligence,“ Part One

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artists: Álvaro Martínez (Pencils) Raül Fernandez (Inks)

 Review by Steve J. Ray
After the excellent one-off character piece that was issue #957 Detective Comics is back into the thick of the action, with “Intelligence,“ Part One.
After defeating Jacob Kane’s mercenaries, Lady Shiva’s League Of Shadows and Ra’s Al Ghul, Batman and Team ‘Tec have their sites set on making sure they stay beaten. New recruits Azrael and Batwing are chilling with Batwoman at a basketball game, when a figure from the past emerges with a deadly warning for the future.
Once again James Tynion IV is sowing the seeds for the next big epic. This chapter has plenty of action, but in typical Tynion fashion, not at the expense of the character moments. We learn more of Luke Fox’s technological prowess, uncover parts of Azrael’s abusive past with the Order Of St. Dumas, and see Orphan performing Shakespeare with Clayface. I love this series!
Last issue, we were treated to some beautiful art by Carmen Carnero, and this time around the visuals are very different, but just as great. Once again, I will confess to not being familiar with the art of Álvaro Martínez, but his work with inker Raül Fernandez is a joy to behold. The action scenes are sizzling, but the character moments are poignant and delivered with depth and emotion. This art team is certainly one to watch!

Faith, No More

It seems that the mysterious Order that raised and brainwashed Jean-Paul Valley has unleashed their ultimate weapon; a creature that is a one person inquisition. While we learn of this imminent threat we are treated to some great writing and art from the creative team. Messers. Martínez’ and Fernandez’ handling of the pages dealing in Azrael’s origins is absolutely terrific. An exchange between Bruce and Alfred at the Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge is vintage Tynion and classic Pennyworth:
Bruce: This was a bad idea. I should have come in the other way.
Alfred: Bruce, I think we both agreed that the conversation would go better if you came to her as an old friend, not as your intimidating alter-ego.
Bruce: I need these answers, Alfred.
Alfred: This schoolboy anxiety is simply adorable.
Priceless.

Conclusion

Detective Comics keeps delivering great entertainment issue after issue. Consistently brilliant scripts, impressive new artists delivering equally impressive visuals and yet another “We should have seen that coming” denouement. Issue #958 receives another well deserved:

Images courtesy of DC Entertainment
(Article originally published on the Dark Knight News website on June 16th 2017)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thought Bubble 2024 convention & festival dates announced

Image
Article by Steve J. Ray Thought Bubble  is, without a doubt, the UK’s best entirely comic-based convention and art festival. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the show for the last three years, and have been anxious to see what’s in store this year. Well, the wait is over, as the team behind the event has announced the Thought Bubble 2024 convention & festival dates. THOUGHT BUBBLE ANNOUNCES 2024 COMIC CONVENTION & FESTIVAL DATES ACCLAIMED COMIC ART CONVENTION AND FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE ACROSS YORKSHIRE THIS NOVEMBER THOUGHT BUBBLE FESTIVAL LEEDS & ACROSS YORKSHIRE 11 -17 NOVEMBER 2024 THOUGHT BUBBLE COMIC CONVENTION HARROGATE CONVENTION CENTRE 16 & 17 NOVEMBER 2024   https://www.thoughtbubblefestival.com “Thought Bubble is the place to be. This is the show where everyone feels and is treated like family” –  Dark Knight News “Thought Bubble is the most important comic convention around” –  Popverse Returning to the Harrogate Convention Centre,...
Read more

Mystic Muses: A D&D Podcast

Image
Article by Philip Clark An all queer cast. An all femme ensemble. A non-binary Dungeon Master. Throw in some quality story-telling and role playing too, this sounds like a whole lot of fun! If any of the previously mentioned things has piqued your interests, then I implore you to check out Mystic Muses. You can find this wonderfully crafted podcast where you can find all your other favourites including Spotify. There are currently four episodes out. Episode 0 is the prologue and character introductions, and I have to say it is very well put together! The intro to each episode is cleverly crafted, with the players and DM each sounding off a sentence to bring us into the game space. Speaking of bringing us into the game space, Adam, the talented DM sets the scene for the story very nicely. A descriptive, yet concise introduction to the environment gives both the players and audience a vibe of what we're in for. Then come the delicious character introductions that give vivid descripti...
Read more

Fantastic Universes Interview: Madison, Matthew and Macsen Lintz From 'The Walking Dead'

Image
Interview panel led by Steve J. Ray, with a gathering of Comic/TV Media Journalists. I've spoken to some amazing people over the last couple of years; writers, artists, costume designers, and actors from some of my favorite TV shows. It's no secret that I'm a huge comic-book fan, and one of the TV series that's based on and inspired by a comics title - but has gone on to be so much more - is The Walking Dead . At a recent Comic-Con in London, I had the great opportunity of leading a panel where some fellow journalists and I spoke with Madison, Matthew and Macsen Lintz, three siblings who played Sophia and both iterations of Henry on the show. The eldest, Madison Lintz (born 1999) played Sophia Peletier - Carol's daughter - in the first two seasons. She's also well known for playing Maddie Bosch in the Amazon series Bosch . She started acting at the age of six, filming commercials and voice-overs. Matthew (born 2001) took over the role of Henry from ...
Read more