Books : Batman: Detective

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Paul Dini strikes Gold!
Despite not having long story arcs (think mini stories within a tradepaper back), it harkens back to the charm and great story telling of Dini's (and Timm's) old Batman animated series. My favorite story would be Riddler's, and his little partnership with Batman. Honestly, it's cute in a manly way without being too cheesey. Only Dini can pull that off and for that, I applaud him.

Rating:

- a decent collection
I liked the stories but I didnt care much for the art. If you need a Batman fix pick this up.

Rating:

- A BIT UNEVEN BUT OVERALL VERY GOOD
Batman: Detective isn't your usual trade paperback. The six issues of Detective Comics collected here don't represent a single story arc but rather, it presents six stand-alone stories that call upon Batman to use the skills that have made him the world's greatest detective. In another twist, the stories feature some of Batman's greatest foes including The Riddler, The Penguin, Poison Ivy, and the Joker, but rather than battling these arch foes, Batman actually has to aid them...with one notable exception we'll get to in a moment.

In the opening tale, members of Gotham's high-society are falling victim to crime by a gang masquerading as blue bloods themselves. A new villain named Façade is in town and Batman needs to track him down before he can commit further crimes. This was the weakest story in the book. A new, uninteresting villain barely caused Batman to break a sweat.

"E. Nigma, Counseling Detective" finds the Riddler going straight by opening his own detective agency. In his first case, he helps to prove that Bruce Wayne did not commit the murder of former girlfriend Karrie Bishop. Just when the Riddler thinks he's nailed the case, Batman ups the ante with his own detective skills.

In "Stalked" Poison Ivy is attacked in her Arkham Asylum cell by a monstrous form of plant, which she cannot control. Batman takes her to the Batcave for safe-keeping but in searching her former hideout, finds a DVD which repulses he and Robin. Ivy developed a new form of carnivorous plant that slowly dissolves its victims. But somehow this plant maintained the souls of its victims and they've come looking for revenge on Ivy and anyone trying to help her. Solid story although it involved little detective work by Batman in keeping with the overall theme of the book.

The Penguin is also attempting to go straight in "Night of the Penguin" but his new venture may be short-lived as he's endanger of being wiped out in a high-stakes poker game. Batman suspects that Mr. Zzz is cheating and enlists the aid of Zatanna to find out how. A light story, filled with a lot of humor...particularly from Bruce Wayne's date for the evening at the Grand Opening of Penguin's new lounge. Lets just say she bears more than a slight resemblance to Paris Hilton...particularly in the dumb blonde department.

The best story in the book is actually the odd story out in terms of the detective motif and Batman barely makes an appearance. In "Slayride" Robin is being pursued by gun-toting thugs and gets a ride from a passing motorist...The Joker! Robin awakes bound and gagged with the Joker at the wheel of a Soccer mom's van (mom and dad are dead in the back seat!). During this maddening ride to Hell, Robin watches helplessly as the Joker runs down innocent pedestrians and shoots a fast food restaurant Manager when they can't get his order right. Can't say as I blame him for that one...

The stories were written by Paul Dini and Royal McGraw, with art by Don Kramer, J.H. Williams III, Joe Benitez, and Marcos Marz. The book is a little uneven and some stories, particularly the Joker story is an odd fit. One gets the sense that it was included only to round the book out with six stories.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

Rating:

- A solid Batman collection
This collection of Batman stories suprised me by how much strength is in each chapter/issue. Mr. Dini carries over his excellent writing style from the animated series and excels at not dragging out a story too long. The only running storyline deals with the Riddler and it doesn't hasten the self contained shorts. Also the art plays well by having each artist's style compliment the story accordingly. This would be a great gift for a fair weather Batman fan or a newcomer to the genre, easily accessible and fun.

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