Detective Comics #1

I'm quickly realizing that the Batman books are haunted by the dread specter of Continuity. The first New 52 issues are all on their own timescale, though eventually after the first couple arcs resolve they will synch up. Detective Comics seems to take place a little earlier than the others, as the Joker has yet to actually be captured. Still he's racked up an impressive body count in that time, 114 murders over six years in unheard of for a serial killer...at least in the real world. It pales in comparison to some of Joker's exploits in the old DC universe though.

The comic opens in media res with Batman attempting to track down the Joker, who is currently about to go under the knife of a horribly stitched-up surgeon. Joker doesn't like it though, as he was expecting someone else. The two fight, Joker kills him, and as he's dying the guy thanks Joker and says he's one of his biggest fans. Batman breaks in and tries to catch the Joker, but the Joker was (of course) ready and hurls a duffel bag sized firebomb at him to cover his escape. As the building is engulfed in flames, a young girl starts crying for help and Batman is forced to slow down and rescue her.

The police burst in at the worst possible time and somehow don't see the girl, instead attacking Batman who is forced to fight them. Batman realizes this is pointless and so leads the police on a chase past the girl so they slow down to rescue her, and get out of the no doubt further booby-trapped building. As a helicopter opens fire on Batman, Commissioner Gordon starts yelling about what idiot made Batman a priority target. Apparently it's the mayor.

A brief interlude with Alfred making polite suggestions about Bruce's romantic life (including his unhealthy relationship with Catwoman, nice) while Bruce brushes him off and continues researching the Joker. He then goes to talk to Commissioner Gordon at the Bat-signal and they talk about what a complicated relationship Batman has with the cops. Batman wants to talk to the girl from before, but Gordon says no and that she already told them where to find Joker. Batman does a disappearing act, and goes to provide backup for the police.

Of course it's a trap, and the entire building explodes with police inside. Batman doesn't let the explosion phase him, instead finding the one person in the crowd who is not looking (other than himself), and a running fight ensues. The Joker attempts to gas a train, but Batman evacuates everyone and goes after him. Slowed down by the toxins, he gets a few knives for his troubles, gets a joy buzzer shock, and eventually manages to tackle the Joker through a warehouse roof. His inner monologue shouts "Never again! NEVER AGAIN!" Which makes me wonder about Jason Todd in the new version, though he might be referring to Batgirl.

He beats Joker unconscious, and next scene he's nearly catatonic and getting ready for his first trip to Arkham. Sending him to normal prison is discussed, but apparently Dr. Arkham has enough clout to overrule the police. Intriguing. However, he's not alone in his cell, nor is he truly catatonic. He meets with someone called the "Dollmaker" and berates him for sending one of his "family members" last time. The dollmaker is a big fan which is why he's doing this for the Joker.

The final panel is...okay, it's the Joker's face. Not his head, his *face*. Pinned to the wall as he and Dollmaker discuss "rebirth." Ugghh

As an introduction to the Joker, this seems like a decent one. He's got his jokes and his props as you'd expect. He uses knives like the Nolan version too, seemingly taking the best of several versions. That's what makes the last panel so shocking, disturbing, and, I have to say, effective. Other Joker fans might be offended by this. However, to me it really makes me want to see more. I do personally love new interpretations of my favorite characters, and the Joker is initially set up so familiarly, only to turn out something totally different really makes me want to read the rest.

This title does really live up to its name. I glossed over a lot of detective work here, because that doesn't make for a very compelling review. On the other hand, it does make fora pretty compelling lead. One thing that bothers me however is the bus full of nuns...I mean, the little girl. A little girl in a building with the Joker and Dr. Vahzilok (I sincerely hope you get that reference), who gives the police a lead to a trap? Yeah, not suspicious at all. Hope this one is dealt with later.

Batman being at odds with the police is probably a good decision that they no doubt will back away from after a while. Having Gordon and, of all people, Bullock as the only cops on Batman's side makes it more compelling and clearer why he remains in the shadows. Though, given the less antagonistic relationship he had with the police in the later Batgirl comics, I can pretty much assume this isn't going to stand forever. Le sigh.

This comic is a good read, but a lot of it leaves you afterwords. Just look at the shortness of my recap. The only thing that will stick with you afterwords is the final panel, which will no doubt be in your nightmares for a while. Because nothing really jumps out as good enough for a higher score, nor bad enough for a lower, I'm gonna give it a 3/5