“Detective Comics” #878 was a phenomenal book in nearly every regard. Not only did it feature stellar writing and a picture-perfect tone, but it packed one of the most jaw-dropping endings you’ll find. So naturally I had high expectations for issue #879. But even with Scott Snyder’s amazing ability to construct a story and put together great dialogue, this solid issue wasn’t what I was expecting.

I’m running out of adjectives to describe how great Snyder’s run has been on this book. This issue is tightly written and structured just like the previous books and carries that signature Snyder dark tone. Throughout the book there are dual stories being pushed forward. One features Jim Gordon trying to either satisfy or silence his suspicions about his son James, Jr. The other features the Joker being moved within the walls of Arkham Asylum. Neither feel connected at first but as the book progresses there grows a disturbing, almost macabre congruency. Snyder flourishes with dark material and it’s evident here but I have to say I was expecting a little more. This story certainly relates to the shocking end of the previous book but only from a distance. Maybe it’s just my impatience but I was hoping it would have been dealt with more directly this issue.

My biggest gripe with this book is the art. While I’m not the biggest fan of Francesco Francavilla’s work, it’s not his pencils that bothered me. I really disliked the colors particularly the saturated oranges, pinks, and reds. I understand the intent behind using them but for me they did more to distract than to set a tone. Some colors were effective especially on the final few pages, but I really wished they would have toned them done a little. The pencils are simple but perfectly fitting and if not for the colors the art would almost match the high quality of the story.

Scott Snyder’s run on “Detective Comics” is destined to be a classic one. Sadly it feels like the great ideas he has for the book will be some of the bigger casualties of the DC relaunch. This is another fine issue and one that leaves me itching for the next book. You definitely should be reading this series.