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Batman Post-Crisis #164
Batman: Detective
Don't miss this all-new collection of mystery stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #821-826 written by Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series)! The Dark Knight faces the Riddler, the Penguin and Poison Ivy as well as brand-new villains while pushing himself to the limit to solve crimes.
141 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2007
10 people are currently reading
1720 people want to read
About the author
Paul Dini
726 books716 followersPaul Dini is an American television producer of animated cartoons. He is best known as a producer and writer for several Warner Bros./DC Comics series, including Star Wars: Ewoks, Tiny Toon Adventures, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman/Superman Adventures, Batman Beyond and Duck Dodgers. He also developed and scripted Krypto the Superdog and contributed scripts to Animaniacs (he created Minerva Mink), Freakazoid, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. After leaving Warner Bros. In early 2004, Dini went on to write and story edit the popular ABC adventure series Lost.
Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)
During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.
The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.
In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.
He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.
Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.
Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.
In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".
In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.
Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi
Paul Dini was born in New York City. He attended the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California on an art scholarship. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he earned a BFA degree in creative writing. (He also took zoology classes at Harvard University.)
During college, he began doing freelance animation scripts for Filmation, and a number of other studios. In 1984, he was hired to work for George Lucas on several of his animation projects.
The episodes of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon that were written by Dini have become favorites amongst the show's fans over the internet, although despite this as well as contributing to interviews on the released box sets of the series, Dini has made no secret of his distaste for Filmation and the He-Man concept. He also wrote an episode of the Generation One Transformers cartoon series and contributed to various episodes of the Ewoks animated series, several of which included rare appearances from the Empire.
In 1989, he was hired at Warner Bros. Animation to work on Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, he moved onto Batman: The Animated Series, where he worked as a writer, producer and editor, later working on Batman Beyond. He continued working with WB animation, working on a number of internal projects, including Krypto the Superdog and Duck Dodgers, until 2004.
He has earned five Emmy awards for his animation work. In a related effort, Dini was also the co-author (with Chip Kidd) of Batman Animated, a 1998 non-fiction coffee table book about the animated Batman franchise.
Dini has also written several comics stories for DC Comics, including an acclaimed oversized graphic novel series illustrated by painter Alex Ross. (A hardcover collection of the Dini and Ross stories was published in late summer 2005 under the title The World's Greatest Superheroes.) Other books written by Dini for DC have featured his Batman Animated creation Harley Quinn as well as classic characters Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel and Zatanna.
Best known among Dini's original creations is Jingle Belle, the rebellious teen-age daughter of Santa Claus. Dini also created Sheriff Ida Red, the super-powered cowgirl star of a series of books set in Dini's mythical town of Mutant, Texas. Perhaps his greatest character contribution is the introduction of Harley Quinn (along with designs by Bruce Timm) on Batman: The Animated Series.
In 2001 Dini made a cameo appearance in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back during the scene in which Jay and Silent Bob wear ridiculous looking costumes for a film being directed by Chris Rock, in which Dini says to them "you guys look pretty bad ass".
In 2006, Dini became the writer for DC Comics' Detective Comics. That same year, he announced that he was writing a hardcover graphic novel starring Zatanna and Black Canary. In 2007, he was announced as the head writer of that company's weekly series, Countdown. Paul Dini is currently co-writing the script for the upcoming Gatchaman movie. Dini is also currently writing a series for Top Cow Productions, based in a character he created, Madame Mirage.
Paul Dini is an active cryptozoologist, hunter and wildlife photographer. On a 1985 trip to Tasmania, he had a possible sighting of a Thylacine. He has also encountered a number of venomous snakes, a Komodo Dragon and a charging Sumatran Rhi
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
September 12, 2017
Love how Paul Dini applied his "Batman: The Animated Adventures" self-contained episodes formula to the comics media here, but the result is a mixed bag swinging from mediocre (Dr Phosphorus' issue) to absolute masterpiece (the Joker kidnappin'Robin/Tim Drake in the awesome "Slayride" christmas special, a 5+++ stars one).
Dini is quickly becoming one of my most favourite Batman authors ever... and I was reading all the Joker's quotes with Mark Hamill's voice! XD
September 10, 2022
This was so good omg, Dini really lives up to the title of the comic and does Detective stories really well and shows how well he knows these characters.
We have Batman facing off against so many foes but its some mystery or case which we get to see like him going against some villain Facade and the mystery there or solving a murder case that also brings in the Riddler and I think there's a big arc coming with him and then whats going on with Ivy as she is being hunted by another villain "Harvest" and we see how Batman will even save his foe, something with Penguin and when he gets robbed almost how Batman saves him!
My fav one was the stuff with Dr Phosphorus and we get to see how the villain originated and its one of those stories that makes you think if the villain is even bad like life may have pushed him to be that or its other evil people and its a story with moral choices and all and make the readers think which was so awesome!
Plus the final story with the Joker and how Tim saves the day and you really get to see him being pushed to the edge and wow its so well done, I am shocked the lengths Joker tested him and Dini does well to write Tim as the Robin before Damian takes over and gives him one heck of an adventure!
Its one of my favorite volumes easily and shows a story from all sides and you get to witness the crazy world of Batman and all that in between with solid art and you will have a good time reading it for sure! I highly recommend it!
We have Batman facing off against so many foes but its some mystery or case which we get to see like him going against some villain Facade and the mystery there or solving a murder case that also brings in the Riddler and I think there's a big arc coming with him and then whats going on with Ivy as she is being hunted by another villain "Harvest" and we see how Batman will even save his foe, something with Penguin and when he gets robbed almost how Batman saves him!
My fav one was the stuff with Dr Phosphorus and we get to see how the villain originated and its one of those stories that makes you think if the villain is even bad like life may have pushed him to be that or its other evil people and its a story with moral choices and all and make the readers think which was so awesome!
Plus the final story with the Joker and how Tim saves the day and you really get to see him being pushed to the edge and wow its so well done, I am shocked the lengths Joker tested him and Dini does well to write Tim as the Robin before Damian takes over and gives him one heck of an adventure!
Its one of my favorite volumes easily and shows a story from all sides and you get to witness the crazy world of Batman and all that in between with solid art and you will have a good time reading it for sure! I highly recommend it!
April 20, 2025
2025 review: I liked this volume better this time around. the joker issue is amazing. the poison ivy one was more fun. Riddler issue worked for me too. the weakest was penguin and the first issue. overall solid 3 out of 5.
2016 Review: Uhhhh I didn't like this? Is that weird? Like I know people love Paul Dini for the animated Batman series but I don't find his Batman books all that fun. This is the third Batman book I read of his that I didn't like.
Basically, this is a bunch of stories of Batman doing his best hard boil impression of a detective. Solving cases while the Riddler tries to prove he's good and becoming a detective himself. We have the villains you'd always expect to see from Penguin to poison ivy to the infamous Joker. All working against Batman to push him to his limits to solve the case. Basically, it's a bunch of episodes of the animated TV show in Comic Format.
Good: I think fans of the animated show will feel right at home. Paul Dini's Joker is also solid and the story with him and Robin was the best in the collection by far. Also, the art is pretty solid.
Bad: All of these stories, aside from the Joker one, are really forgettable. I hated the Poison Ivy story almost enough to stop reading. I don't feel there's any stakes in any of these issues because it feels like a weekly cartoon episode so we know Batman will be fine. The dialogue never really captures Batman, least not for me.
Overall, it's okay. I'll admit I'm that oddball who never liked the animated series, so these just won't gel with me. So I think I'm the weird one here, but this was just okay at best. A 2.5 out of 5.
2016 Review: Uhhhh I didn't like this? Is that weird? Like I know people love Paul Dini for the animated Batman series but I don't find his Batman books all that fun. This is the third Batman book I read of his that I didn't like.
Basically, this is a bunch of stories of Batman doing his best hard boil impression of a detective. Solving cases while the Riddler tries to prove he's good and becoming a detective himself. We have the villains you'd always expect to see from Penguin to poison ivy to the infamous Joker. All working against Batman to push him to his limits to solve the case. Basically, it's a bunch of episodes of the animated TV show in Comic Format.
Good: I think fans of the animated show will feel right at home. Paul Dini's Joker is also solid and the story with him and Robin was the best in the collection by far. Also, the art is pretty solid.
Bad: All of these stories, aside from the Joker one, are really forgettable. I hated the Poison Ivy story almost enough to stop reading. I don't feel there's any stakes in any of these issues because it feels like a weekly cartoon episode so we know Batman will be fine. The dialogue never really captures Batman, least not for me.
Overall, it's okay. I'll admit I'm that oddball who never liked the animated series, so these just won't gel with me. So I think I'm the weird one here, but this was just okay at best. A 2.5 out of 5.
November 17, 2023
It's funny how a writer can impress so much in the TV industry, yet be unable to translate it onto the page. Dini is a fantastic writer - BTAS speaks for itself - but his a lot of his comic stuff just doesn't quite click. There's no real flow and the stories struggle to impress. Disappointing when compared to the rest of his portfolio, it is a miss for me, but seems to be a hit for the majority.
November 21, 2011
Detective collects five issues of Detective Comics that don't really have an overlying connection, other than that they were all written by Paul Dini. Fair enough. I hear "Paul Dini" and "Batman" used together in a sentence and I'm ready to sign up. And they're (mostly) fantastic, of course.
The collection kicks off with "The Beautiful People", which does something few Batman writers bother to do: it included Bruce Wayne as an integral part of Batman. It's good to remember the man behind the cowl sometimes.
The second and fourth stories I'd group together, because they both deal with the same subject: one of Batman's famous villains going straight. Or at least only slightly bent. Riddler has become a consulting detective (and he's not bad at it) and Penguin has sort of returned to his roots and opened up a nightclub. After all, the real money is in merchandising. It's a character arc that makes sense. If you're in it for the money, sooner or later you'll realize that you're not making any in Arkham.
The third story is... not as good. It's a Poison Ivy story, which starts off pretty good: Ivy is attacked by a plant she can't control. From that concept, it fizzles out a bit, and the responsible entity is... Well, it's not the best Bat villain ever.
"Slayride" ends the collection with a bang. Joker is a tough character to write for (Frank Miller can't seem to handle him, for example) but Dini has always done good by him. No exception here. Robin (version Drake) finds himself Joker's captive on a murderous joyride. Basically, it's Joker talking and Robin reacting. There's a fine line between darkly funny and terrifyingly sociopathic, and Joker dances all over that line. It's a brilliant story, hands-down the best in the book.
The collection kicks off with "The Beautiful People", which does something few Batman writers bother to do: it included Bruce Wayne as an integral part of Batman. It's good to remember the man behind the cowl sometimes.
The second and fourth stories I'd group together, because they both deal with the same subject: one of Batman's famous villains going straight. Or at least only slightly bent. Riddler has become a consulting detective (and he's not bad at it) and Penguin has sort of returned to his roots and opened up a nightclub. After all, the real money is in merchandising. It's a character arc that makes sense. If you're in it for the money, sooner or later you'll realize that you're not making any in Arkham.
The third story is... not as good. It's a Poison Ivy story, which starts off pretty good: Ivy is attacked by a plant she can't control. From that concept, it fizzles out a bit, and the responsible entity is... Well, it's not the best Bat villain ever.
"Slayride" ends the collection with a bang. Joker is a tough character to write for (Frank Miller can't seem to handle him, for example) but Dini has always done good by him. No exception here. Robin (version Drake) finds himself Joker's captive on a murderous joyride. Basically, it's Joker talking and Robin reacting. There's a fine line between darkly funny and terrifyingly sociopathic, and Joker dances all over that line. It's a brilliant story, hands-down the best in the book.
November 1, 2012
This is a collection of 6 Batman shorts, 5 of them written by Paul Dini, and featuring the usual roster of the Dark Knight’s favourite rogues: Joker, Poison Ivy, Riddler, and Penguin.
The book focuses on the detective side to Batman more than the action/superhero aspects. The stories show Bruce Wayne collecting clues through misdirection and acting, using his public persona of playful silly billionaire to extrapolate information from his targets, only to take them down as Batman.
To be honest most of the stories are forgettable, but Dini throws some interesting nuance into the familiar characters. He has Penguin exploiting his infamy through merchandise for his new club, and Riddler (after a bout with amnesia – I know) has become a private detective, so the stories don’t read as simply just cat and mouse but they’re still too brief to make much of an impact.
That said, the final story, a Christmas themed Joker story “Slayride” featuring Tim Drake/Robin kidnapped by the Clown Prince of Crime was fantastic. Nobody writes Joker better than Dini and he gives Joker a commanding performance in this story, striking the perfect balance between cold blooded insane killer and charmingly eccentric oddball. The best was when, mid-soliloquy, Joker decides he wants eggnog and heads to a drive-thru – but I’ll just leave it at that.
This isn’t the best Dini/Batman book out there (check out “Mad Love”) but it definitely has its moments and is worth looking up if only for the Joker/Robin story.
The book focuses on the detective side to Batman more than the action/superhero aspects. The stories show Bruce Wayne collecting clues through misdirection and acting, using his public persona of playful silly billionaire to extrapolate information from his targets, only to take them down as Batman.
To be honest most of the stories are forgettable, but Dini throws some interesting nuance into the familiar characters. He has Penguin exploiting his infamy through merchandise for his new club, and Riddler (after a bout with amnesia – I know) has become a private detective, so the stories don’t read as simply just cat and mouse but they’re still too brief to make much of an impact.
That said, the final story, a Christmas themed Joker story “Slayride” featuring Tim Drake/Robin kidnapped by the Clown Prince of Crime was fantastic. Nobody writes Joker better than Dini and he gives Joker a commanding performance in this story, striking the perfect balance between cold blooded insane killer and charmingly eccentric oddball. The best was when, mid-soliloquy, Joker decides he wants eggnog and heads to a drive-thru – but I’ll just leave it at that.
This isn’t the best Dini/Batman book out there (check out “Mad Love”) but it definitely has its moments and is worth looking up if only for the Joker/Robin story.
July 3, 2015
I'm a huge fan of Batman: The Animated Series (and all of the follow-ups) and much of that comes from the writing of Paul Dini. This volume contains 6 stories (5 from Dini) and all are one off adventures/mysteries/crimes, which as "simple" as they are, are still very enjoyable. Dini's Batman is the same here as in the show: singularly focused and dedicated and the consummate detective.
There is no over-arching story between the issues, but (jumping ahead a little) some elements of these stories carry forward and whether they will become important or not has yet to be seen. One example is that the Riddler has reformed and is now a private investigator.
Some solid reading and refreshingly satisfying in it's simplicity.
There is no over-arching story between the issues, but (jumping ahead a little) some elements of these stories carry forward and whether they will become important or not has yet to be seen. One example is that the Riddler has reformed and is now a private investigator.
Some solid reading and refreshingly satisfying in it's simplicity.
January 17, 2017
Seis historias autoconclusivas, cinco escritas por Dini y salvo una todas dibujadas por distintos artistas. Las historias son entretenidas, bien detectivescas y muy bien dibujadas. Un buen rato y no mucho más. Buenísimas las portadas!
August 7, 2011
BATMAN:DETECTIVE (4/5)
If I shared the opinion of many reviewers and called this collection "a mixed bag", it would be an insult. What we have here is five classic Paul Dini stories, all perfect examples of his ingenious style of writing. First published in Detective Comics 821-826, they mark the beginning of Dini's long run in the title.
The first story of this collection, entitled "The Beautiful People" and published in Detective Comics #821, is penciled by J.H. Williams and is nothing short of a masterpiece. Common crooks have been trained by an unknown criminal mastermind to pass for wealthy and respectable citizens. After infiltrating the joints of Gotham's elite they abduct rich aristocrats and make a fortune out of ransom. Batman, under the guise of playboy billionaire Bruce Wayne, spends his nights in various parties and clubs all over town, trying to locate the thieves while acting as a possible target.
This story speaks volumes about how well Dini knows the character of Batman. He explores something very few writers do (or at least do successfully); the relation between Batman and Bruce Wayne, presenting the latter not as a liability or even a facade but as a vital part of Batman’s personality. The man under the cowl in this story serves as a tool in the detective work that needs to be done and his help is invaluable. Meanwhile, Dini also uses the theme of this story to achieve his second goal and send a very clear message about his opinion on the high society of the so-called “upper class”. By the end of the story you will fully appreciate the irony of the title.
And let’s not overlook the artistic brilliance of J.H. Williams, a man who is possibly one of the most talented and sophisticated comic book creators in the trade. His edgy style further boosts an already powerful story and makes it a definitive tale in Dini’s anthology.
Hell of a way to kick off a run in DC’s top title.
The second story of this collection, entitled "E. Nigma, Consulting Detective", is essentially a status-quo establishing story. It officially promotes the idea of a reformed Riddler who makes a relatively honest living as an investigator, something that would last for almost three years. Unlike the majority of tales of its kind, this one isn't a dull front of a story that sends a message and does little else.
Dini writes an engaging mystery and offers more than a handful of scenes with Batman and Nigma investigating together as if the latter's criminal past never existed. Nigma's audacious nature opposed to Batman's bad-ass responses creates some absolutely hilarious dialogues, courtesy of Dini's acute sense of humor.
Penciller Don Kramer has some rather large shoes to fill as J.H. Williams' successor but he does a decent job. He offers detailed and visually beautiful drawings although he seriously lacks in areas such as facial differences between characters. Sometimes, it takes the clothing to tell apart one man from the other.
The third story is admittedly the weakest point of this collection and every reviewer's punching bag. Under the title "Stalked", it focuses on Poison Ivy after she is attacked by a plant-like creature while her latest stay in Arkham Asylum. Ivy is seriously freaked out since she can't control its attacker the same way she does with all plants. Batman offers to help and investigates the matter while detaining Ivy in Batcave.
The plot is not what you would call "predictable", but it could certainly be a little more developed. The new villain introduced is lame beyond words, something unaccustomed for a writer known for his outstanding villains. The upside is that the afore-mentioned sense of humor is present in this here story as well, though in a much darker, almost "black" form.
Guest penciller Joe Benitez offers overall unimpressive artwork, though his take on Poison Ivy is, to say the least, inspirational.
The fourth story once again offers the tale of the reformed villain turned enterpreuner. This time, the villain in question is none other than the Penguin who, in this "One Year Later" timeline has turned his back to his previous life of crime and embraced branding, merchandise and franchising, in where "today's big money" is.
The writer takes great advantage of Cobblepot's funny traits and elements and offers us a highly enjoyable to read story. Meanwhile, he achieves a number of goals whose effects appear in later storylines:
a) he successfully establishes the Penguin as a mostly clean reformed villain and Batman's source of information about Gotham's crime operations (under payment of course)
b) he introduces readers to Zatanna Zatara, a spellcaster and Batman's ally from the JLA. She will make a number of appearances in Dini's later stories
c) he also creates the character of Ivar Loxias, a magician who is Zatanna's friend and is bound to play a key role in future stories
Don Kramer is once again penciller for this story. His strong and weak points are basically the same with the previous one. Interesting way to draw Oswald Cobblepot as a much more handsome man than we are used to. Oh, what the hell, at least he got the noise right.
And finally, the last story. "Slayride", first published in Detective Comics #826. At this point, I'd like to make a statement. I know most people (especially the ones who have read Dini's "Mad Love") will burn my review for it but I don't care. I firmly believe this is by far the best Batman story Paul Dini has ever written.
This collection deserves its money just for this story alone (without wanting of course to lower the others). The plot is brilliant in its simplicity. Robin (Tim Drake), screws up royally in a mission to arrest some gangsters and ends up being hunt down by them. Everything goes south on him when a car stops by and a voice inside invites him to come in. Desperate to escape the gangsters, Robin gets in the car only to find the Joker in the driver's seat.
As the Joker himself admits, "Believe it or not, I couldn't have planned this in a million years!". The Joker takes advantage of the element of surprise and drugs Robin. When the latter comes to his senses, he is tied in the car and out on a ride with the Joker. What follows next is the epitome of masterful storytelling.
The story is told by Robin, who after being tied and gagged, has little else to do other than think. While he is trying to devise a plan to escape, he has to endure the Joker's torture and constant mind games. The way Dini scripts the Joker in this here story is one of the best I have ever seen. Nasty, sadistic and totally hilarious jokes are told one after the other as Robin's mental defenses slowly begin to fail.
Don Kramer's art is more than adequate in this story. The way he draws the Joker is creepy enough to further ameliorate this truly excellent story.
If I shared the opinion of many reviewers and called this collection "a mixed bag", it would be an insult. What we have here is five classic Paul Dini stories, all perfect examples of his ingenious style of writing. First published in Detective Comics 821-826, they mark the beginning of Dini's long run in the title.
The first story of this collection, entitled "The Beautiful People" and published in Detective Comics #821, is penciled by J.H. Williams and is nothing short of a masterpiece. Common crooks have been trained by an unknown criminal mastermind to pass for wealthy and respectable citizens. After infiltrating the joints of Gotham's elite they abduct rich aristocrats and make a fortune out of ransom. Batman, under the guise of playboy billionaire Bruce Wayne, spends his nights in various parties and clubs all over town, trying to locate the thieves while acting as a possible target.
This story speaks volumes about how well Dini knows the character of Batman. He explores something very few writers do (or at least do successfully); the relation between Batman and Bruce Wayne, presenting the latter not as a liability or even a facade but as a vital part of Batman’s personality. The man under the cowl in this story serves as a tool in the detective work that needs to be done and his help is invaluable. Meanwhile, Dini also uses the theme of this story to achieve his second goal and send a very clear message about his opinion on the high society of the so-called “upper class”. By the end of the story you will fully appreciate the irony of the title.
And let’s not overlook the artistic brilliance of J.H. Williams, a man who is possibly one of the most talented and sophisticated comic book creators in the trade. His edgy style further boosts an already powerful story and makes it a definitive tale in Dini’s anthology.
Hell of a way to kick off a run in DC’s top title.
The second story of this collection, entitled "E. Nigma, Consulting Detective", is essentially a status-quo establishing story. It officially promotes the idea of a reformed Riddler who makes a relatively honest living as an investigator, something that would last for almost three years. Unlike the majority of tales of its kind, this one isn't a dull front of a story that sends a message and does little else.
Dini writes an engaging mystery and offers more than a handful of scenes with Batman and Nigma investigating together as if the latter's criminal past never existed. Nigma's audacious nature opposed to Batman's bad-ass responses creates some absolutely hilarious dialogues, courtesy of Dini's acute sense of humor.
Penciller Don Kramer has some rather large shoes to fill as J.H. Williams' successor but he does a decent job. He offers detailed and visually beautiful drawings although he seriously lacks in areas such as facial differences between characters. Sometimes, it takes the clothing to tell apart one man from the other.
The third story is admittedly the weakest point of this collection and every reviewer's punching bag. Under the title "Stalked", it focuses on Poison Ivy after she is attacked by a plant-like creature while her latest stay in Arkham Asylum. Ivy is seriously freaked out since she can't control its attacker the same way she does with all plants. Batman offers to help and investigates the matter while detaining Ivy in Batcave.
The plot is not what you would call "predictable", but it could certainly be a little more developed. The new villain introduced is lame beyond words, something unaccustomed for a writer known for his outstanding villains. The upside is that the afore-mentioned sense of humor is present in this here story as well, though in a much darker, almost "black" form.
Guest penciller Joe Benitez offers overall unimpressive artwork, though his take on Poison Ivy is, to say the least, inspirational.
The fourth story once again offers the tale of the reformed villain turned enterpreuner. This time, the villain in question is none other than the Penguin who, in this "One Year Later" timeline has turned his back to his previous life of crime and embraced branding, merchandise and franchising, in where "today's big money" is.
The writer takes great advantage of Cobblepot's funny traits and elements and offers us a highly enjoyable to read story. Meanwhile, he achieves a number of goals whose effects appear in later storylines:
a) he successfully establishes the Penguin as a mostly clean reformed villain and Batman's source of information about Gotham's crime operations (under payment of course)
b) he introduces readers to Zatanna Zatara, a spellcaster and Batman's ally from the JLA. She will make a number of appearances in Dini's later stories
c) he also creates the character of Ivar Loxias, a magician who is Zatanna's friend and is bound to play a key role in future stories
Don Kramer is once again penciller for this story. His strong and weak points are basically the same with the previous one. Interesting way to draw Oswald Cobblepot as a much more handsome man than we are used to. Oh, what the hell, at least he got the noise right.
And finally, the last story. "Slayride", first published in Detective Comics #826. At this point, I'd like to make a statement. I know most people (especially the ones who have read Dini's "Mad Love") will burn my review for it but I don't care. I firmly believe this is by far the best Batman story Paul Dini has ever written.
This collection deserves its money just for this story alone (without wanting of course to lower the others). The plot is brilliant in its simplicity. Robin (Tim Drake), screws up royally in a mission to arrest some gangsters and ends up being hunt down by them. Everything goes south on him when a car stops by and a voice inside invites him to come in. Desperate to escape the gangsters, Robin gets in the car only to find the Joker in the driver's seat.
As the Joker himself admits, "Believe it or not, I couldn't have planned this in a million years!". The Joker takes advantage of the element of surprise and drugs Robin. When the latter comes to his senses, he is tied in the car and out on a ride with the Joker. What follows next is the epitome of masterful storytelling.
The story is told by Robin, who after being tied and gagged, has little else to do other than think. While he is trying to devise a plan to escape, he has to endure the Joker's torture and constant mind games. The way Dini scripts the Joker in this here story is one of the best I have ever seen. Nasty, sadistic and totally hilarious jokes are told one after the other as Robin's mental defenses slowly begin to fail.
Don Kramer's art is more than adequate in this story. The way he draws the Joker is creepy enough to further ameliorate this truly excellent story.
December 29, 2022
Este comic me ha gustado, pero es mas para pasar el tiempo, contiene varias historias de Batman, pero cumple con entretener un rato.
Le doy sin dudar 3 estrellas.
Le doy sin dudar 3 estrellas.
September 13, 2017
Six short standalone stories, with the initial two entries having first-person narration (akin to a 40's pulp fiction private eye paperback) and centered more on the investigatory aspect. The highlights were:
'The Beautiful People' - someone with inside information is robbing Gotham's 1%. The debut of a new villain called Façade.
'E. Nigma, Consulting Detective' - Riddler turns P.I., and forces his assistance (much to Bats' annoyance, natch) in a murder case involving a socialite.
'Night of the Penguin' - Penguin goes straight (yeah, right) and opens a casino / night club. Bruce Wayne suffers through a blind date there with a thinly-disguised Paris Hilton. Nice cameos by Zatanna and Lois Lane. I also thought Mr. ZZZ was absolutely hilarious.
'Slayride' - Joker serves up a whole lotta crazy (but would we expect anything less?) with a side of fries as he takes a kidnapped Robin on a disturbing ride from hell through the snowy streets during X-mas season. I'm ashamed for laughing when he struck the hapless pedestrians.
I thought the remaining entries, 'Stalked' (w/ Poison Ivy) and 'The Return of Dr. Phosphorus,' were not as good and slowed down the middle of the book.
'The Beautiful People' - someone with inside information is robbing Gotham's 1%. The debut of a new villain called Façade.
'E. Nigma, Consulting Detective' - Riddler turns P.I., and forces his assistance (much to Bats' annoyance, natch) in a murder case involving a socialite.
'Night of the Penguin' - Penguin goes straight (yeah, right) and opens a casino / night club. Bruce Wayne suffers through a blind date there with a thinly-disguised Paris Hilton. Nice cameos by Zatanna and Lois Lane. I also thought Mr. ZZZ was absolutely hilarious.
'Slayride' - Joker serves up a whole lotta crazy (but would we expect anything less?) with a side of fries as he takes a kidnapped Robin on a disturbing ride from hell through the snowy streets during X-mas season. I'm ashamed for laughing when he struck the hapless pedestrians.
I thought the remaining entries, 'Stalked' (w/ Poison Ivy) and 'The Return of Dr. Phosphorus,' were not as good and slowed down the middle of the book.
September 17, 2016
Des histoires sympa et intéressantes, mais pas le meilleur Batman que j'ai lu - et je n'en ai pas encore lu beaucoup. Par contre, j'ai beaucoup aimé tous les liens, les mentions ou les apparitions avec les autres personnages DC ^^ et Harley Quinn est intéressante dans ce volume !
July 9, 2019
Lee toda la reseña aquÍ: http://www.bauldelibros.es/resenas/ba...
A veces es más difícil destacar en obras breves que largas historias de varios números. Esta etapa de Paul Dini en Detective Comics demuestra que es posible crear grandes historias de superhéroes en pocas páginas. Un compendio de historietas autoconclusivas sobresalientes, perfectas para adentrarse en el mundo de Batman o para disfrutar del toque clásico detectivesco del Hombre Murciélago.
A veces es más difícil destacar en obras breves que largas historias de varios números. Esta etapa de Paul Dini en Detective Comics demuestra que es posible crear grandes historias de superhéroes en pocas páginas. Un compendio de historietas autoconclusivas sobresalientes, perfectas para adentrarse en el mundo de Batman o para disfrutar del toque clásico detectivesco del Hombre Murciélago.
April 2, 2022
This is classic Batman taken into modernity: self contained episodes, classic villains, lots of detective work, new appearances of old villains, amazing stuff. None in particular very remarkable, but overall this is what makes Batman so compelling.
July 20, 2021
A HQ possui diversas histórias fechadas que, de maneira geral, são boas e merecem a leitura. Uma ou duas que acabam sendo mais sem graça, mas no geral é uma boa HQ que compila várias histórias fechadas do Paul Dini.
July 17, 2022
Slayride gets 5 stars.
December 3, 2024
A good tale.
I appreciated the fact that the last part was Christmas themed as we’re in the holiday season.
3.5/5
Happy Reading, everybody!
I appreciated the fact that the last part was Christmas themed as we’re in the holiday season.
3.5/5
Happy Reading, everybody!
January 13, 2015
This trade contains Detective Comics issues #621-626.
Paul Dini, renown for his work on Batman: The Animated Series, brought his take on the character into the DCU "proper" with his work on one of Batman's flagship titles, starting with these six issues. While a bit hit or miss his stories made for good reads more often than not and presented interesting variations on established mythos as well as adding to it.
The issues here are all stand alone stories. The first highlights Dini's approach - in the spirit of the book's title Dini sought to emphasize Batman's detective work and deductive reasoning. A decent mystery with a logical solution and some nice red herrings. Even being a bit rushed I liked having an interesting story in a single issue.
The rest focus on well known members of Batman's rogues' gallery. The Poison Ivy story (823) was better in idea than execution, Penguin's (824) was good) and Dr. Phosphorus' (824) was kind of bland.
My favorites were the second and last. In 822 we get a (mostly) reformed Riddler trying his had at private detective and cooperating/competing with Batman to solve another good mystery.
And to close out the trade Robin gets blindsided into a confrontation with the most iconic of Batman's foes. There's a dangerous edge to the story and a lot of tension. Tim Drake is a favorite of mine so it was gripping watch him struggle so far out of his depth.
Overall a great collection. Even the stories that didn't quite work as well as I'd like generally had interesting ideas. Strong start for Dini.
Paul Dini, renown for his work on Batman: The Animated Series, brought his take on the character into the DCU "proper" with his work on one of Batman's flagship titles, starting with these six issues. While a bit hit or miss his stories made for good reads more often than not and presented interesting variations on established mythos as well as adding to it.
The issues here are all stand alone stories. The first highlights Dini's approach - in the spirit of the book's title Dini sought to emphasize Batman's detective work and deductive reasoning. A decent mystery with a logical solution and some nice red herrings. Even being a bit rushed I liked having an interesting story in a single issue.
The rest focus on well known members of Batman's rogues' gallery. The Poison Ivy story (823) was better in idea than execution, Penguin's (824) was good) and Dr. Phosphorus' (824) was kind of bland.
My favorites were the second and last. In 822 we get a (mostly) reformed Riddler trying his had at private detective and cooperating/competing with Batman to solve another good mystery.
And to close out the trade Robin gets blindsided into a confrontation with the most iconic of Batman's foes. There's a dangerous edge to the story and a lot of tension. Tim Drake is a favorite of mine so it was gripping watch him struggle so far out of his depth.
Overall a great collection. Even the stories that didn't quite work as well as I'd like generally had interesting ideas. Strong start for Dini.
January 26, 2023
This was... mostly good, I guess? I have been hearing from 10 years now how good Paul Dini's Batman run was, and I finally got around to starting it. I was not blown away, but it was competent, nice looking, and mostly fun. The stories are all done-in-one, which is uncommon in comics or the era, and the down-to-earth writing acts as a counterweight to Grant Morrison's mindf### contemporaneous run (which I loved, right up to the last Incorporated volume, but that's neither here nor there). I don't have any real complaints, aside from what seemed to me like excessive sexualization of Poison Ivy. I just didn't feel the book lived up to the hype, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth reading.
October 22, 2012
Fine set of mysteries for Batman to add up - fun way to play with our understanding of the great sleuther. Each story stands on its own, and for a guy like me who hasn't read any Batman stories (other than Morrison books) in decades, I'm pleased to report none of the major elements of each story requires any knowledge of Batman's worlds-deep backstories.
I had fun, and it was nice for a change not to have to invest in "the continuity" - just read for pleasure. This is my first encounter with Dini's writing, and I can see why he's admired.
The final tale was surprisingly tense, after the almost entertainerly pacing of the preceding chapters. Bravo.
I had fun, and it was nice for a change not to have to invest in "the continuity" - just read for pleasure. This is my first encounter with Dini's writing, and I can see why he's admired.
The final tale was surprisingly tense, after the almost entertainerly pacing of the preceding chapters. Bravo.
July 31, 2018
Esta colección de historias autoconclusivas escritas en su mayor parte por Paul Dini son en general excelentes, particularmente la última, que protagonizan Robin y el Joker. La originalidad en el enfoque es un soplo de aire fresco, con personajes clásicos vistos desde otra perspectiva y hasta algunos toques de humor, es una de las versiones de Batman y su mundo que más me han gustado de todo lo que he leído últimamente. Del arte se van encargando distintos ilustradores, que son todos buenos, siendo el que más me gustó J. H. Williams, es francamente increíble. En fin, un muy buen tomo, menos mal que hay otro más con más Paul Dini.
December 21, 2012
Solid outing featuring a number of stories all with one of the Rogues Gallery, including a new baddie. (Joker & Tim Drake, Penguin, Riddler (as detective), Ivy). Enjoyable enough but nothing really standout.
March 24, 2015
This novel collects 6 short Batman stories. All the stories were good but the last one (the joker story) stood out the most. it's also great to see J.H Williams work. I really missed his art on Batwoman. :(
January 17, 2021
Batman: Detective is a collection of semi-interconnect one-issue stories mainly written by Paul Dini. Batman: Detective collects six issues (Detective Comics #821–826) from the 1937 series run.
Batman: Detective has Bruce Wayne as Batman and his allies teaming up against well-known and unique foes. Villains range the gamut from the well-known Poison Ivy (Detective Comics #823) and The Penguin (Detective Comics #824) to first appearance villains in Façade (Detective Comics #821), Roxy Rocket (Detective Comics #822), Harvest (Detective Comics #823), Little Italy and Mister Zzz (Detective Comics #824) and the likes. Finally, the story entitled "Joyride" is an one-issue story (Detective Comics #826), which has Tim Drake as Robin kidnapped by the Joker during Christmas as the young bird tries to outsmart Batman’s greatest villain.
With the exception on one story (Detective Comics #825), which was penned by R0yal McGraw, the rest of the trade paperback is penned by Paul Dini. For the most part, it is written rather well. Dini is a master of done-in-one tales, which evokes the more self-contained Batman stories of the mid-nineties. Besides Tim Drake as Robin being a supporting character, a reformed Riddler working as a private detective is also working by Batman's side. These self-contained stories focus more on the detective side than the vigilante side of the narrative.
Don Kramer (Detective Comics #822, 824, and 826), J.H. Williams III (Detective Comics #821), Joe Benitez (Detective Comics #823), and Marcos Marz (Detective Comics #825) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part, the penciling styles of each artist meshed well with each other, which make the artistic flow of the trade paperback rather smoothly. It is a tad dated, but wonderfully depicted regardless.
All in all, Batman: Detective is wonderful collection of stories written by famed writer Paul Dini.
Batman: Detective has Bruce Wayne as Batman and his allies teaming up against well-known and unique foes. Villains range the gamut from the well-known Poison Ivy (Detective Comics #823) and The Penguin (Detective Comics #824) to first appearance villains in Façade (Detective Comics #821), Roxy Rocket (Detective Comics #822), Harvest (Detective Comics #823), Little Italy and Mister Zzz (Detective Comics #824) and the likes. Finally, the story entitled "Joyride" is an one-issue story (Detective Comics #826), which has Tim Drake as Robin kidnapped by the Joker during Christmas as the young bird tries to outsmart Batman’s greatest villain.
With the exception on one story (Detective Comics #825), which was penned by R0yal McGraw, the rest of the trade paperback is penned by Paul Dini. For the most part, it is written rather well. Dini is a master of done-in-one tales, which evokes the more self-contained Batman stories of the mid-nineties. Besides Tim Drake as Robin being a supporting character, a reformed Riddler working as a private detective is also working by Batman's side. These self-contained stories focus more on the detective side than the vigilante side of the narrative.
Don Kramer (Detective Comics #822, 824, and 826), J.H. Williams III (Detective Comics #821), Joe Benitez (Detective Comics #823), and Marcos Marz (Detective Comics #825) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part, the penciling styles of each artist meshed well with each other, which make the artistic flow of the trade paperback rather smoothly. It is a tad dated, but wonderfully depicted regardless.
All in all, Batman: Detective is wonderful collection of stories written by famed writer Paul Dini.
July 18, 2021
Antes que nada como siempre comenzare con lo malo, me sucedió como me sucede con varias historias de Dc Que las historias en si me gustaron, pero me falto una historia que las uniera a todas. Eso, y también que la primera historia fue un tanto lenta.
La historia de Hiedra Venenosa fue curiosa, fue divertido ver a Tim jugando con Hiedra en lo que esperaban a Batman intentando de adivinar las plantas hahahaa, aunque si fue bastante tétrico lo que ella hacía, lo que me sorprendió fue que lo mostraran de una forma tan gráfica. Y al menos esto le da capas a esta villana demostrando que ella es capaz de sentirse mal debido a las cosas que ella hace como se notó al final de su historia.
El Pingüino y el Acertijo, verlos como neutrales y no como villanos fue un soplo de aire fresco la verdad mas luego de Batman Silencio, me parece que es una continuación si bien no directa de ese cómic si que es bastante directa. Es como que siguen estafando y demás pero ahorita no a los civiles, sino que a otros criminales. La breve aparición de Zatana en la historia también estuvo buena así como la de este mago que ayudaba a el enemigo de turno a estafar en las cartas.
Por último tenemos la historia de Joker y de Tim Drake, no voy a negar que me sentí un poco asustado por Robin mas que nada debido a que tuve flashbacks debido a la muerte de Jason Todd, pero de todas formas me gusto como el se las ingenió y pudo salvar a los demás. Eso fue bueno a decir verdad. El hecho también de que Batman se sintiera orgulloso de Tim por enfrentarse al Joker y sobrevivir también fue algo bueno, se nota que Bruce evolucionó en ese aspecto.
La historia de Hiedra Venenosa fue curiosa, fue divertido ver a Tim jugando con Hiedra en lo que esperaban a Batman intentando de adivinar las plantas hahahaa, aunque si fue bastante tétrico lo que ella hacía, lo que me sorprendió fue que lo mostraran de una forma tan gráfica. Y al menos esto le da capas a esta villana demostrando que ella es capaz de sentirse mal debido a las cosas que ella hace como se notó al final de su historia.
El Pingüino y el Acertijo, verlos como neutrales y no como villanos fue un soplo de aire fresco la verdad mas luego de Batman Silencio, me parece que es una continuación si bien no directa de ese cómic si que es bastante directa. Es como que siguen estafando y demás pero ahorita no a los civiles, sino que a otros criminales. La breve aparición de Zatana en la historia también estuvo buena así como la de este mago que ayudaba a el enemigo de turno a estafar en las cartas.
Por último tenemos la historia de Joker y de Tim Drake, no voy a negar que me sentí un poco asustado por Robin mas que nada debido a que tuve flashbacks debido a la muerte de Jason Todd, pero de todas formas me gusto como el se las ingenió y pudo salvar a los demás. Eso fue bueno a decir verdad. El hecho también de que Batman se sintiera orgulloso de Tim por enfrentarse al Joker y sobrevivir también fue algo bueno, se nota que Bruce evolucionó en ese aspecto.
February 16, 2021
Eu estava bastante ansioso para iniciar minha leitura dessa Run do Paul Dini, e pelo menos esse inicio fiquei bastante decepcionado. Pelo histórico do Dini, achei que iria ver algo melhor.
Definitivamente, na minha opinião, não combinou todos esses capítulos únicos como se fosse episódios de um desenho, sei lá, parece que falta alguma coisa. Se a intenção fosse trazer algo da série animada, na minha opinião não foi um boa ideia, a série animada é muito boa e está lá como um desenho animado. Isso aqui é um quadrinho, são coisas diferentes.
No capítulo do Coringa quando o Robin entra no carro de um desconhecido pra fugir e o Coringa está dentro, fiquei tipo WHAT? Esse tempo todo atuando e aprendendo com o Batman, e o Robin faz uma coisa dessas?? Outra coisa que percebi nos capítulos foi um Bruce Wayne mais leve e soltando umas piadas bem de vez em quando. Errr... God please, No!!
Dos capítulos que Paul Dini escreveu aqui, o menos ruim é o capítulo do Coringa, mas o capítulo é basicamente um passeio com o Robin dentro de um carro. Muito meh.
Coincidentemente o capítulo desse compilado que mais gostei, foi o capítulo #825, e não foi o Paul Dini que escreveu.
Li todas as Runs do Batman da era moderna antes desse, e esse início do Paul Dini na minha opinião, é bem médio, mas eu esperava muito mais.
Definitivamente, na minha opinião, não combinou todos esses capítulos únicos como se fosse episódios de um desenho, sei lá, parece que falta alguma coisa. Se a intenção fosse trazer algo da série animada, na minha opinião não foi um boa ideia, a série animada é muito boa e está lá como um desenho animado. Isso aqui é um quadrinho, são coisas diferentes.
No capítulo do Coringa quando o Robin entra no carro de um desconhecido pra fugir e o Coringa está dentro, fiquei tipo WHAT? Esse tempo todo atuando e aprendendo com o Batman, e o Robin faz uma coisa dessas?? Outra coisa que percebi nos capítulos foi um Bruce Wayne mais leve e soltando umas piadas bem de vez em quando. Errr... God please, No!!
Dos capítulos que Paul Dini escreveu aqui, o menos ruim é o capítulo do Coringa, mas o capítulo é basicamente um passeio com o Robin dentro de um carro. Muito meh.
Coincidentemente o capítulo desse compilado que mais gostei, foi o capítulo #825, e não foi o Paul Dini que escreveu.
Li todas as Runs do Batman da era moderna antes desse, e esse início do Paul Dini na minha opinião, é bem médio, mas eu esperava muito mais.
October 2, 2025
Je sors du run de Morrison à la même période que celui de Paul Dini.
Enfin, de l'air, on respire, cela fait un bien fou.
On se retrouve à l'opposé : d'un côté, nous avons un mégalomane persuadé que Batman est un Bat-god tout-puissant et qui nous balance à la tronche toutes les références obscures qu'il connaît pour nous montrer sa connaissance parfaite, nous assène des Batman 666 remplis de références bibliques... Et de l'autre côté, nous avons quelqu'un qui sait raconter une histoire avec brio.
Pas besoin de 45 issues pour raconter une histoire dont même les historiens n'ont pas réussi à comprendre entièrement les tenants et les aboutissants. Une histoire. Une issue. Un début. Des rebondissements. Une fin.
C'est parfait, c'est d'une fraîcheur intemporelle.
Et qui plus est, nous avons des illustrateurs de talent ! L'issue de J.H. Williams III est une merveille de composition, et les couleurs, mon dieu, que c'est magnifique.
On est loin de la laideur de l'issue romanesque illustrée par de mauvaises CGI de l'époque de la PS2 de Morrison.
L'issue avec Pamela illustrée par Joe Benitez est très agréable, que ce soit dans la narration – bien que très simpliste – ou dans les visuels.
C'est du tout bon !
Enfin, de l'air, on respire, cela fait un bien fou.
On se retrouve à l'opposé : d'un côté, nous avons un mégalomane persuadé que Batman est un Bat-god tout-puissant et qui nous balance à la tronche toutes les références obscures qu'il connaît pour nous montrer sa connaissance parfaite, nous assène des Batman 666 remplis de références bibliques... Et de l'autre côté, nous avons quelqu'un qui sait raconter une histoire avec brio.
Pas besoin de 45 issues pour raconter une histoire dont même les historiens n'ont pas réussi à comprendre entièrement les tenants et les aboutissants. Une histoire. Une issue. Un début. Des rebondissements. Une fin.
C'est parfait, c'est d'une fraîcheur intemporelle.
Et qui plus est, nous avons des illustrateurs de talent ! L'issue de J.H. Williams III est une merveille de composition, et les couleurs, mon dieu, que c'est magnifique.
On est loin de la laideur de l'issue romanesque illustrée par de mauvaises CGI de l'époque de la PS2 de Morrison.
L'issue avec Pamela illustrée par Joe Benitez est très agréable, que ce soit dans la narration – bien que très simpliste – ou dans les visuels.
C'est du tout bon !
November 7, 2023
This collection features entirely standalone stories. Given the title and the content of the first few issues, I assumed they would focus on Batman's detective abilities, but that's really only true for the a small part of the book. The mysteries in said stories are generally very predictable but also enjoyable. The Riddler and Penguin both go straight(ish) in them (as a bonus, the Riddler's arc partially cleans up some of the idiotic nonsense from Hush), and it's interesting enough.
The detective pretense is then abandoned rather quickly for a standard and mediocre monster yarn starring Poison Ivy, and while most of the art in this book is unimpressive, the story after it even re-uses panels. Next-level lazy. Things seem to get back on the right track for a story starring the very cool and unique Doctor Phosphorus, a villain I've either never seen before or forgot about... then it ends in a way that reminds me of one of the Silver Age solo Human Torch stories where he constantly gets attacked with asbestos.
The final issue is a Joker/Robin tale and is the most intimate and high-quality of the bunch. It's the only one I could really see myself revisiting.
The detective pretense is then abandoned rather quickly for a standard and mediocre monster yarn starring Poison Ivy, and while most of the art in this book is unimpressive, the story after it even re-uses panels. Next-level lazy. Things seem to get back on the right track for a story starring the very cool and unique Doctor Phosphorus, a villain I've either never seen before or forgot about... then it ends in a way that reminds me of one of the Silver Age solo Human Torch stories where he constantly gets attacked with asbestos.
The final issue is a Joker/Robin tale and is the most intimate and high-quality of the bunch. It's the only one I could really see myself revisiting.
December 4, 2017
Batman Detective es un volumen bastante gordote, 368 páginas de historias sobre el mejor detective del mundo. Unas historias entretenidas, algunas muy buenas, otras algo más flojas. Pero siempre con un nivel medio notable.
Es un tomo bien dibujado, sin ningún capítulo que eche para atrás y con algunos que destacan sobremanera. Un acabado más que notable para acompañar a las historias.
Así pues, es un buen tomo para acercarnos a la figura de Batman desde tareas algo menos superheroicas y más de calle, con los villanos de siempre (y alguno nuevo) y un ritmo narrativo muy alto.
Como entrada y vista de la faceta de detective funciona muy bien, porque es precisamente eso: una vista muy pequeña a una trayectoria muy larga. Y como tal se le echa de menos el que funcione mejor una trama a largo plazo que una todos los capítulos, más que un reaprovechamiento de cabos sueltos (que es lo que termina sucediendo).
Con todo es una obra recomendable, pero tan recomendable como sería comprar la grapa del personaje a partir de ahora o seguir una colección al día. Gusta, pero falta algo más.
Es un tomo bien dibujado, sin ningún capítulo que eche para atrás y con algunos que destacan sobremanera. Un acabado más que notable para acompañar a las historias.
Así pues, es un buen tomo para acercarnos a la figura de Batman desde tareas algo menos superheroicas y más de calle, con los villanos de siempre (y alguno nuevo) y un ritmo narrativo muy alto.
Como entrada y vista de la faceta de detective funciona muy bien, porque es precisamente eso: una vista muy pequeña a una trayectoria muy larga. Y como tal se le echa de menos el que funcione mejor una trama a largo plazo que una todos los capítulos, más que un reaprovechamiento de cabos sueltos (que es lo que termina sucediendo).
Con todo es una obra recomendable, pero tan recomendable como sería comprar la grapa del personaje a partir de ahora o seguir una colección al día. Gusta, pero falta algo más.
May 25, 2019
A really great collection--not that I'm surprised with Paul Dini as the writer. I'd read a couple of these stories in previous collections ("E. Nigma, Consulting Detective" and "Night of the Penguin"), but the stories are so good, it's just as much fun to read them a second time. Every story in this collection (minus the last one which was more Robin-focused) give the reader plenty of classic detective mysteries as well as classic Batman action. I enjoyed that Robin actually had a strong role in these stories, too--especially the last one, where he was held hostage while the Joker went on a killing spree. In the end, he was able to beat him and keep from doing any more killing. A small victory, but a victory nonetheless. I haven't read as much Tim Drake Robin as I have the others, so I enjoy any chance I have to get to know him better. I also liked that this collection had some nice Bruce Wayne moments, too. Not a ton, but they were sprinkled in there so that it wasn't all "I'm Batman" all the time. In short: a nice balance with near-perfect storytelling.
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