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DETECTIVE COMICS #857


Price: $3.99
iFanboy Community Pick of the Week Percentage: 7.9%

Reviews

UserAddedSpoilers
J4K309/25/09NoRead Review
Jeff Reid09/24/09YesRead Review
robbydzwonar09/23/09NoRead Review
akamuu09/22/09NoRead Review
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Avg Rating: 4.4
 
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Comments

  1. Avatar photo MacAoidh says:
    September 21, 2009 at 2:51 pm

    It’s late! 😉

  2. Avatar photo miyamotofreak says:
    September 21, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    No it isn’t. It’s been almost exactly one month.

  3. Avatar photo Zeppo says:
    September 21, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    This is probably the book I most look forward to. The story is solid, and the art is amazing. I think I’d love this if it was a silent book.

    I’m not a fan of the co-feature, but I’d never read anything about the Question before, and it just doesn’t appeal to me. I’ll probably drop this when Batwoman becomes the co-feature, because £4 for ten pages doesn’t make sense to me, but at the moment I am loving this book. I’m excited to see where this arc ends, and very excited for the origin next arc.

     

  4. Avatar photo drakedangerz says:
    September 21, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    He was joking.  It initially appeared in DC’s solicits to ship the week after the previous issue.  An error no doubt, but still.

    I am quite entertained by this story, and by The Question backup.  Hope the first arc finishes off strong

  5. Avatar photo PraxJarvin says:
    September 21, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    Should be good. More dancing, please.

  6. Avatar photo Zeppo says:
    September 21, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    @Prax, that dancing scene was very inventive. For a second I was annoyed that the super hero antics interupt it.

    I except a lot of new and interesting layouts this issue, and if Rucka is to be believe JHW’s art style will change again for the next arc!

  7. Avatar photo drakedangerz says:
    September 21, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    @Zeppo-Why don’t you like the co-feature?  Is it just because you don’t know or care for the character?

  8. Avatar photo Zeppo says:
    September 21, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    @drakedangerz

    You’ve hit the nail on the head. The Question doesn’t appeal to me. I think it’s gotten better as it goes, issue 3 was a great action sequence, with great art work. I just can’t connect to the character.

    I have no feelings towards Rene(?), and there is no real character moments I’ve been able to lach on to, it’s a lot of fight sequences that make a loosely connected story. Maybe when she’s the main focus of the book I’d be able to get more out of it, but I’d miss Kate too much.

    I don’t like to complain, so I’ll focus on what I like about the main story. Batwoman’s arc is personal, it’s about her, this cult want her dead. Her feelings about that are at the front of the story. I haven’t connected with the Question in the same way, she wants to help the lost girls, but her motivations aren’t as clear to me. Is she the same race as them, does she share their background? It’s not for me. Is there something about the character I’m not aware of that would make me get into it more? 

     

  9. flapjaxx says:
    September 21, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    @Zeppo: I think the Question just wants to help people, period, no matter their race…

    Damn this title has awesome covers.

  10. Avatar photo drakedangerz says:
    September 21, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    @Zeppo-I can understand not really being into it.  If you have yet to have any involvement with the character, then this probably isn’t the best way to get introduced to her.  I feel there hasn’t been much character development for her, so that makes it harder for new readers to connect.  I love the story, but can see that being an issue.  And from what I can tell, she just wants to help people, these ones just happen to be hispanic.

  11. Avatar photo Zeppo says:
    September 21, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    I hope I haven’t offended anyone with the "race" comment. I’m sorry if I have. I didn’t mean anything negative by it, but without knowing anything about the character I was searching for some motivation for her actions.

    The plot reminds me a lot of the movie Taken, which I love, but as that was a father/daughter relationship at the heart of the story I found it easy to relate to. Is there a good book out there that would give me a better understand about why the Question is a hero. I know 30 different places I could read about Peter Parker learning the "power and responsibility" lesson, but not a clue where to find a good character peice about the Question.

  12. Avatar photo drakedangerz says:
    September 21, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    I am deeply offended.  So much so that I plan on sueing you for mental anguish

  13. Avatar photo stuclach says:
    September 21, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    Is the co-feature switch happening next arc or do we get another Batwoman arc?

    I have enjoyed this generally, but the story isn’t as fun as I would like.  It feels less important than it should.  That may be because I have no real connection to the character.

  14. Avatar photo Zeppo says:
    September 21, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    I don’t have any money…my wage goes directly to my girlfriend and my local comic shop. If I had any left, you’d be welcome to it.

  15. Avatar photo Zeppo says:
    September 21, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    @stulach,

    I think Batwoman remains at the front for the next seven issues. A 3-Part origin, and a five part finale. Then the Question takes the main stage, while the artists on Batwoman have a swap, and give them chance to get caught up. I think Jock is taking over from JHW.

  16. Avatar photo stuclach says:
    September 21, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    @Zeppo – Thank you.

  17. Avatar photo Patman2 says:
    September 21, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    God thats a beautifal cover

  18. Avatar photo JMS74 says:
    September 21, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    So far so good with this Batwoman run.  I had severe doubts I was going to care for the character, but I think there have been a lot of developmental moments throughout this arc to keep me interested in what’s going on and in Batwoman as a character.

    Doesn’t hurt that the art is unique and quite brilliant, either.

  19. Avatar photo ScorpionMasada says:
    September 21, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    I’m dropping this book after this issue. The story isn’t appealing to me.

    I love Rucka. I love Renee. I love J.H. Williams. I like Batwoman. I followed this whole thing from Gotham Central, 52, Crime Bible, Final Crisis Revelations . . .

  20. Avatar photo miyamotofreak says:
    September 21, 2009 at 6:42 pm

    I wonder if this book will FINALLY get a cover of the week this time.

  21. Avatar photo Ruo21 says:
    September 21, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    Excited that we get another arc after this with JH, but starting to wonder what will be worst: losing JH on Detective, or Quitely on B&R.

  22. edward says:
    September 21, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    @ScorpianMasada: really? wow. That’s a lot of time and cash invest into Kate and Renee.

     

    I’m going to second Zeppo. The co-feature just seems like a little bit of fluff to me. i like the more invloved, serious stories in comic. The Question co-feature just seems way too surfacey. 

  23. Avatar photo ScorpionMasada says:
    September 21, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    The Question story isn’t grabbing me either. It is too action heavy with not enough development so that I care.

    Time and cash on worthwhile stories versus time and cash on subpar stories.

    That is the call we all have to make.

  24. Avatar photo KickAss says:
    September 21, 2009 at 9:07 pm

    Meh.

  25. Avatar photo Diabhol says:
    September 21, 2009 at 9:58 pm

    I love this book. I can’t wait to buy the trade.

    I wish I could get more Batwoman *and* more Question, though; I feel like I’m not getting enough of both.

  26. Avatar photo OttoBott says:
    September 22, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    I was dropping this book until I realized this was the last in the arc. Lovely title, great writing, beautiful art; I’ll keep up with the trades from now on unless I start hearing otherwise.

  27. Avatar photo drakedangerz says:
    September 22, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    @OttoBott-You have nothing but complements, so why drop it?  Just prefer to read it in trades?

  28. Avatar photo OttoBott says:
    September 22, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    @Drake – Yeah. It’s a gorgeous book but the storytelling is so decompressed to me that it feels like it’s over as soon as it starts. The Question backup is nice, and does a good job of fleshing out a $3.99 book but I probably wouldn’t buy it if it wasn’t included with the main title. Just a lot of bread for a monthly read. Trade-waiting will be a little kinder to my budget, I think.

  29. Avatar photo kwisdumb says:
    September 22, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    Best book in comics right now.

  30. Avatar photo Zeppo says:
    September 23, 2009 at 7:48 am

    @kwisdumb – you are correct, sir!

  31. Dietz82 says:
    September 23, 2009 at 10:27 am

    Love the art and the story. Not a fan of the back up. MORE BATWOMAN, by JH Williams !!

     

  32. Avatar photo Mustbedamned says:
    September 23, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    J.H. where have you been all my life!?

  33. Avatar photo Tamaran says:
    September 23, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    The most gorgeously illustrated book of the year. And the writing is pretty good, too. And agree with Sietz82, ditch the backup and give us more Batwoman!!!

  34. Avatar photo PraxJarvin says:
    September 23, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    This issue was awesome. Amazing layouts. Most beautiful book on the market. I didn’t think the back-up was as good as it had been. Most likely my POTW, but I haven’t read everything yet. 5/5 

  35. Avatar photo stuclach says:
    September 23, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    Best issue of the arc.  The backup was even excellent.  Wow.

  36. Avatar photo drakedangerz says:
    September 23, 2009 at 10:31 pm

    I enjoyed the art, duh, but the pacing was off.  It was just all moving a bit too fast for my taste.  Still, 5/5 from me.  Loving both stories, interesting possible revelation about Alice, guessing that will play into the origin arc coming up.

  37. Avatar photo WadeWilson says:
    September 23, 2009 at 10:53 pm

    WOW.

    I’m not over-stating when I say this is one of the best looking comics I’ve ever seen (this whole arc). The story is high quality also, but the art is really the star of the show here. Awesome work. The panel layouts are off the meat rack, real jaw droppers. 5/5.

    @drakedangerz- There is an origin story coming up? Next arc? I hope so, because even though I’m loving this book, it’d be good to know who the hell Kate really is!

     

  38. Avatar photo drakedangerz says:
    September 24, 2009 at 12:06 am

    @Wade-I’m pretty sure it’s the next arc.  And I think the next issue is the one that Rucka kept saying in interview will make us shout "THIS is J.H. Williams?!?!" Implying that it will look drastically different than it does now.  I’m excited

  39. Avatar photo stuclach says:
    September 24, 2009 at 8:28 am

    @drakedangerz – That sounds incredible.  I look forward to seeing it.

  40. Avatar photo ProjectX2 says:
    September 24, 2009 at 8:57 pm

    I don’t know how to describe this comic in words. JHW3 makes every other comic look like shit.

  41. Avatar photo flakbait says:
    September 24, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    This was so great. I loved the action scenes. The ending was surprising I guess, but I think it didn’t have the impact it would have if we actually had some background on Kate and her family. Once the trades hit we’ll have to tell people to read this one after the origin.

    Speaking of which, I’ll be switching to trades after this issue. It’s too pretty to keep boxed up in my closet.

  42. Avatar photo DarkKnightJared says:
    September 25, 2009 at 1:07 am

    Love it–definately some of the best stuff DC’s publishing right now. While I had an inkling through the solicitations, the little twist at the end was a definate "holy crap" moment. Definately a perfect time to get into the origin!

    As for people not getting Renee and not connecting to her, I heartily recommend 52. One of the stories in it is hers, and it’s the introduction of Kate Kane as Batwoman and we see her connection with Renee. I’d also check out The Question: Books of Blood.

  43. Avatar photo Zeppo says:
    September 25, 2009 at 7:51 am

    Just had to say I loved this issue. The art is always five star, but this week the story joined it. The plot was so building over the arc, but worth it for this issue.

    There aer two lines that haunted me all night after reading. I don’t want to spoil it, but Kate’s admiration and devotion to her fatehr is at first heart warming, but when you think about it, heart-breaking given the "twist".

    I am on board now for the long haul with his book.

    The question back-up was slightly improved. But really her hoping a face is nothing compared to the action Kate gets up to.

  44. edward says:
    September 25, 2009 at 10:07 am

    So i’m guessing Alice and kate are twins, something… great

    When you think about it they are very similar to Sugar and Spice. Two-Face’s hench-women from whatever terrible schumaker Batman movie they were in

  45. Avatar photo ScorpionMasada says:
    September 25, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    Haven’t read it yet, but it sounds like people are digging on the story and not just the art.

    If the story blows me away, I’ll consider the book redeemed (in my eyes) and pick up the next arc.

  46. Avatar photo ScorpionMasada says:
    September 25, 2009 at 11:14 pm

    Wasn’t into the story. Last couple issues with cliche dialogue and a story that is a bit boring.

  47. Avatar photo Urthona says:
    September 27, 2009 at 1:05 am

    I’m with you ScorpionMasada.  Story wasn’t terribly compelling.  But the art is sooo good that it carries the story.  How about that panel with Batwoman fading into the upside down Alice.  Wow.

    Alice is a great character design, btw.

    I don’t think the problem with the Question is Renee, the problem is just what some have said, too action heavy, Question is better when there is lots of moral ambiguity.

  48. Avatar photo WadeWilson says:
    September 27, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    My PotW! Look at the comic glow with pride at winning such an amazing honor.

  49. Avatar photo PozrDu says:
    September 28, 2009 at 10:52 am

    After she chatted on the computer, what did Renee put in her pants?  Were those chucks?  Did she use them?

    Kate packed up that cool foldup boomerang, & she used that

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