Pick of the Week

August 10, 2011 – Detective Comics #881

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Avg Rating: 4.9
iFanboy Community Pick of the Week Percentage: 40.9%
 
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Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by JOCK and FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
Cover by JOCK

Size: 40 pages
Price: 3.99

You’ve got to stick the landing. All the set up and planning, and wonderful starts, surprises, and pretty pictures aren’t going to matter at all if you don’t stick the landing. Detective Comics #881, apparently right under the wire, did just that.

It was just a little over a year ago, chatting in the DC booth that Scott Snyder told me that he’d landed Jock for his upcoming Detective Comics series. I don’t even remember if he’d been announced as the writer yet, but from that first conversation, it was clear that he had exceptional affinity for the characters, and a clear vision for what the book would be, from top to bottom. It was great news, and I couldn’t tell anyone. We’re talking about one of the best up and coming writers in comics, teamed with my favorite interior artist, doing a version of Batman in Detective Comics that sounded exactly like what I wanted.

Basically, there was a lot of room to screw it up.

But that’s not what happened. From the first issue, to this one, we saw a wonderful run on Detective Comics, as Snyder, Jock, and Francesco Francavilla teamed up to really get into the history Dick Grayson, Jim and Barbara Gordon, and Gotham City itself, in a way I haven’t seen in quite some time. As a whole, it was a symphony of plotting and character work, bringing everything together at the last minute, with insignificant moments coming back to light, and tying up in one neat bundle. More than that though, throughout the run, I was impressed by the incredible thoughtfulness given to the portrayal of these characters, which was enhanced by having Bruce Wayne out of the way. His shadow is enormous, and when these characters were allowed to breathe and be explored without him there, they shone as much or more than any others in DC’s stable. It didn’t hurt that Snyder was playing directly off the events of Batman: Year One, which might be the best, and most grounded Batman story ever told. Yet it was done with care, much more than just name checking and fan service. James Gordon was dragged out of the mothballs, made real, and he took the stage with vigor, standing shoulder to shoulder with boogeymen like The Joker.

There was a frantic energy in this issue, which was fitting. There was a lot to get done and not much time to do it. The story skirted the edge of helpful coincidence which can often bog down a mainstream superhero story, and replaced that with careful plotting and the planting of narrative seeds to be revealed at just the right time. My eyes opened wide when James explained that he was involved with The Joker’s visit to Barbara’s back in The Killing Joke, and then a sighed with relief to find that wasn’t really the case. I was up and down on pincushions, and then at just the right moment, the hero shows up, but not after Barbara Gordon has her moment in the sun. In a sort of non-patronizing fashion, Dick didn’t show up to save her. She did fine on her own, and made her choices. Dick showed up in time to save everyone else. Basically, when turning these pages, I just kept thinking “yes, yes, yes!” because it was all working. This team of talented artists delivered. They stuck the landing, and gave us the sense of an ending, instead of more questions. There is little more satisfying than that when you read ongoing superhero comics.

I don’t have much more to say about the creative team assembled here. I do know that I really like all of the people involved, and none of them let me down for a single page. If you pay attention to Snyder, Jock, and Francavilla on Twitter, you’ll see them continually cheering each other on, and you get a sense of incredible pride in their work. They knew they had something special. They knew they had the team to get it done, and they knew it would take fans by surprise, leaving a lot of smiles along with the genuinely creepy vibe the story created. For some reason, it worked to switch back and forth between the two artists, who aren’t all that stylistically similar. For some reason, it worked that the big bad in this story wasn’t the Joker, but just one guy, who was very determined, very smart, and quite psychopathic. The reality of that threat coincided with the reality that these artists brought to the table. These guys aren’t there to draw alien laser fights. These guys are there to draw people, being human, and being kind of awful. Jock’s Batman cowl is rumpled and textured. Francavilla drew some of the best talking head pages I’ve seen in ages. Snyder knew what material to give them, and in the end, the total package was a complete success.

Things are changing, and the time for this book is over. I really have an affinity for Detective Comics over Batman, in terms of titles, but now with Snyder moving over to the latter, we’ll have to see what sort of changes are in store. Maybe it will be fun to see him tackle a different kind of Batman story. Greg Capullo is certainly a different type of artist. This is just the beginning for Snyder’s career, but this is an arc we’re going to look back on for a good long while, as one way to do it right. When you think of it that way, I’m sad to see it ending, but it certainly has me excited for what may come.

Josh Flanagan
Scott Snyder’s not paying us. I swear.
josh@ifanboy.com

Comments

  1. I agree with this review all the way. It was definitly bittersweet to see such a magnificant arc end. Despite owning all the issues I can’t wait to get this in trade as well.

    One thing I’m going to throw out there. Did anyone else feel a little amped up tension BECAUSE of the relaunch next month? That characters could die, etc? 

  2. Good review was curious if anyone knows what number issue this whole arc started on

  3. crap nvm i see the first issue part highlighted  in the article answers my question my mistake

  4. @Neeks  Yeah, 11 issues.

  5. Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!  A perfect Batman story, which is one of my favourite things in the world.

  6. One thing that is amazing about this run is how specific the timing had to be for it to work. This story doesn’t work with Bruce and it doesn’t work with Dick as Robin or Nightwing, in my opinion.  It wasn’t just these three great creators and their obvious talents, but it had to be them in a year where Dick was Batman, in Gotham City, in Detective Comics. You can plan to make something good but great requires something beyond control.
     

  7. Good review.

    I really enjoyed this issue, I gave it a 5 but…..it wasn’t my POTW. I think because this issue was essentially a big summary of how James is integral to the previous arcs it didn’t make it absolutely perfect for me. It didn’t hamper the fun of the issue, but to be a giant recap issue didn’t make it Pick for me.

    Hellboy: The Fury #3, I’m sure josh will agree, Duncan Fegredo drew the fuck out of it with Dave Stewart coloring the fuck out of it too. Easily my POTW because of the amazing art. 

  8. Or to make it clearer:

    James was pretty much a James Bond villain by revealing his entire plot from beginning to end. In turn giving the heroes more then enough time to stop him while he’s monologing.

    That was my biggest problem (should’ve pointed that out in the first comment). 

  9. It has been a great run the new batman book by snyder and capulo is one of the few new dcu books im ordering great way to end the run.

  10. Not at all surprised. Looking forward to reading this tomorrow.

  11. Great review Josh and nice pick up on Synder’s use of Moore’s Killing Joke history during his DET run. I believe it was last issue when Gordon is telling Barbara to watch out, the Joker is loose and may be coming for them. Barabra says something like, “this time I’ll be ready.”

    love it

    Speaking of Barabra, what’s your feeling on her walking again?

  12. Thank you Snyder, Jock and Francavilla. This was a great end to an amazing run. I loved the opening, the repitiion of Dick’s “black pin” speech from the first issue. I loved the whole arc. The lines about Gotham being a reflection or creation of your nightmares, the Joker dialogue “so you can’t hurt me, only my sick sick Bat can.”, the crowbar being sold at he auciton, the stone cold creepiness of James, I loved it all. Rich, rich storytelling.
    I’ll miss this a lot.

  13. Heh, when I saw that this was indeed the POTW, I got a sense of justice and relief that all was right in the universe.

    I’ve haven’t been as big on this run as some people, but I still think it’s damn solid overall, and the final issue was a good conclusion.

    Nice review, Josh.

  14. ****SPOILER*** 
    So it ends with a possibility that a good batch of babies will grow up to be psychopaths! The day is saved, well maybe not…
    reboot: The day is saved! 

  15. @TheAskanison  I totally felt more tension because of the reboot.  I totally thought they would whack someone. 

    It was a FANTASTIC issue.  This creative team was awesome.  I can’t wait for the eventual trades/HCs that will collect this run.  I will display them proudly as some of the best Batman comics I own.

  16. That. Was. Awesome. For my money, that 11 issue run was the definitive Dick Grayson story (and an excellent all-around Batman story, as well.) The story and art were both incredible the whole way through. I’m really hoping DC gives it some fancy deluxe hardcover treatment when it comes time for it to be collected.

  17. @LucasEwalt  
    It is. 🙂

  18. Just finished the issue. Loved it. Already planning (and really looking forward) to re-read the whole run this weekend! POTW, indeed.

  19. An excellent finale for an excellent arc. Good stuff.

  20. A great end to a classic comic book run. I loved how the story art flipped between Jock and Francvilla. I also loved how the James Jr. character dovetailed so ‘neatly’ with Bruce’s arch nemesis. Also, kudos to Scott Snyder for the mirroring of Dick’s narrative from the the start of this arc, “black pin” indeed. Well done all around. Mind you: aside from Morrison’s story, Snyder and company’s run has garnered the most favorable fan and critical praise. Solid reasons the Bat family of books are one of the least tinkered with set of books going forward. These eleven issues should read extremely well when collected.

    Most notable: the (hidden) snarl on the cover and the panel of Grayson’s Batman holding the fading Barbara Gordon just before the story’s real climax [father vs. son]. His love is still strong.

    My deep and heart-filled thanks to Francavilla’s coloring for tying this whole issue together. Top shelf, my brother.

    POTW & Five stars all around. This is how it should be done every month.

  21. last panel was fucked. up. 

  22. I’m not sure if Jim ment he was joking the entire story or just the ‘Killing Joke’ reference but:

    The possibility that Jim put his own son in a cell next to Joker could be the worst thing a parent could do. (Whether in real life or in fiction) What did Jim expect by doing that? I get it he wanted to ‘scare straight’ his son but….Next to Joker? He’s just asking for it. 

  23. I ment James in the first sentence and not Jim. Damn lack of edit button!

  24. I just read an article on IGN that says MARVEL is better than DC.  Does MARVEL have anything like this?  If they do let me know so I can pick it up!!

  25. Great pick, great issue, great review!

  26. Really gutted I missed out on this run and was late to the party. Sounds like I’ll definitly be picking up the paperback whenever it will be released.

  27. @GunnerAsh  to offer another side of the story, i didn’t really get into that heavily. I thought the idea of Gordan’s son returning as a super-crazy serial killer was a little heavy handed. I mean, come on.  Some of the structure of the stories was super weak, not leaving the reader with a great sense of fulfilment after each issue and even though Francavilla’s art was fantastic, Jock issues just seemed half finished.

    And there was the weird disconnect between Dick being Batman and not Bruce. The issues are framed in a weird way because they had fit in with Batman Inc.

  28. Just occurred to me that the only reason I jumped on Detective last winter was the Talksplode Josh did with Scott Snyder. Thanks, iFanboy!

  29. @edward  That is very off topic. 

    @TheNextChampion  While he did monologue, they USED it, and used it so well.  

    @josh    Only 11 issues? damn it just felt so much bigger than that. Hope this gets a nice trade harcover, would love to have it on my shelf.

  30. Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

    @ed209AF  That hardcover is due out in late November/early December. 

  31. @PaulMontgomery  Please tell me we will be able to get it as one single hardcover. 11 issues isn’t too long for a collection but I have a few runs around this length I am pissed I had to buy (at least initially) as only two books. *COUGH* Thor The Mighty Avenger *COUGH*

  32. *SPOILER-ISH*

    I did notice something odd close to the end of the issue. Barbara had two knives in her legs, right? Jr. pulls out one. Barbara sneaks away and he comes after her. She then stabs him with the second knife, right? Then we see Barbara crawling on the floor but with a knife still in her leg.

    Oops?

    There were also a couple of panels that looked out of order on the bridge scene. First we see Jr. hanging on for dear life. The next panel has him flipping over the rail.

    Oops?

    Regardless, this was the best book of the week.

  33. @TheAskanison  I’m gonna guess it’ll be 2. #881 was an extra sized issue. I’m sure it was originally a 12 issue arc. But who knows?

  34. @TheAskanison  It will probably be two hardcovers, but recognising that the first two arcs were dealt with in five issues…who knows.

  35. Hell yeah. Read this last night, and was just so, so thrilled with the finale. Snyder & co. really delivered. I think what I really loved about this final issue is that we really got to see — as someone mentioned above — that this is DICK’s story as Batman. I really like the triangle formed between James, Barbara, and Dick, and they way they sorta form a true “next generation” under the shadow of the bat — A true sense of legacy. I dug that we got to see James step up as Dick’s own personal Joker, his own dark reflection (dick’s empathy vs. James psychopathy — a version of the old Order/Chaos of Bruce and the Joker). I think we now understand the meaning of the “Black Mirror,” and I’m thrilled that all the pieces are sewn neatly into place in this finale. Great end to a great run.

  36. This run has to be collected, one of the best Batman stories I have ever read. http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=20113

  37. Sorry for the accidental post ^^. I was going to ask if anyone knew if the second part of the story would be published because the http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=20113 hardcover is only 871-877.

  38. @ed209AF  Well your right, it’s what Snyder is best at.

    I’m not saying what James was saying was bad or anything. It was still fun to read. I’m just saying, a nitpick if you will, that he clearly had no problems losing his train or thought while his sister was getting away. Also it was like, 6 straight pages of monologing which was a bit much.

  39. @horrorofsorts  Of course it will.

  40. I thought the colouring was such a sickening contrast. all those horrible greens, purples and oranges. looked so lurid, but worked so well in displaying the psychotic side of James. The colours pointed to joker all along and I didn’t realise until the end. fantastic. 

  41. Thank Gawd Ron didn’t have the pick..I don’t think he reads this.  

  42. Unbelievable arc, glad i got on board for this series! A thanks to Jock, FF, and Snyder for a really good batman story! If you havent read this pick up the hardcover even if its in two seperate Volumes (which blows goats) Just a solid take on a character (Bruce or Dick) thats so close to us all!

  43. I heard on Twitter that the hardcover was gonna be the entire 11 page run but who knows for sure?  

  44. This was great. As was most of Snyder & Jock/Francavilla’s run. Sucks that it’s over.

    Question. Does anybody know if Snyder’s story was affected any by the New 52 launch? I mean, was he forced to truncate a larger story and cut to the chase here? After reading an interview with Bryan Q. Miller, that definitely was the case for him with Batgirl. He had to gloss over a bunch of stuff he had planned and truncate his story to get in his ending. Even if that was the case with Snyder, he still pulled it off like gangbusters. I just can’t help but wonder if this was all he had planned for his overall James Gordon story.

    • I believe Snyder said (on the Ifanboy video show if im not mistaken) that this is how and when this story was intended to end other than doing a oversized issue here instead of 2 issues, so they can start Sept at #1. So maybe we lost a few pages but i honestly liked the pace of this issue.

      One quick correction, Josh calls Detective the second longest running American comic. It is actually the longest. Detective started in 1937 over a year earlier than Action. Action has higher numbering, because for a while Detective was a bimonthly book and Action became Action Comics Weekly for a year which added 40 more issues to its numbering, but Detective has made up much of that ground due to several bi-weekly runs, Issues with lateness on Action. and several times when Action has been on hiatus like during the Man of Steel mini and the Death of Superman storyline.

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