What do you think?
Rate this book
Batman: Detective Comics by Mariko Tamaki Omnibus
1000 pages, Hardcover
Published August 19, 2025
About the author
Mariko Tamaki
381 books2,257 followersMariko Tamaki is a Toronto writer, playwright, activist and performer. She works and performs with fat activists Pretty Porky and Pissed Off and the theatre troupe TOA, whose recent play, A vs. B, was staged at the 2004 Rhubarb Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Her well-received novel, Cover Me (McGilligan Books) was followed by a short fiction collection, True Lies: The Book of Bad Advice (Women's Press). Mariko's third book, FAKE ID, is due out in spring 2005.
Mariko Tamaki has performed her work across Canada and through the States, recently appearing at the Calgary Folkfest 2004, Vancouver Writer's Festival 2003, Spatial III, and the Perpetual Motion/Girls Bite Back Tour, which circled though Ottawa, Montreal, Brooklyn and Chicago. She has appeared widely on radio and television including First Person Singular on CBC radio and Imprint on TVO. Mariko Tamaki is currently attending York University working a master's degree in women's studies.
[MacMIllan Books]
Mariko Tamaki has performed her work across Canada and through the States, recently appearing at the Calgary Folkfest 2004, Vancouver Writer's Festival 2003, Spatial III, and the Perpetual Motion/Girls Bite Back Tour, which circled though Ottawa, Montreal, Brooklyn and Chicago. She has appeared widely on radio and television including First Person Singular on CBC radio and Imprint on TVO. Mariko Tamaki is currently attending York University working a master's degree in women's studies.
[MacMIllan Books]
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 22, 2025
Batman is often used a vessel to reflect certain themes to our concurrent reality. these can range from social, political, and socioeconomic commentary of the world outside of Gotham, ie, our world. however,
Mariko Tamaki was not only acutely aware of this phenomenon, she raised the stakes- she had this detective comics run live within itself. this run isn't just a reflection of society, through Batman, it's told directly through Batman.
Tamaki centers the stories around the mayor of Gotham, an investigative journalist, and Batman (one who lives outside the law). Tamaki is able to convey the complexities of systemic factors directly through these. The mayor, the political arena, and governed by practical matters, compromise, and a touch of abuse of said power. Then, the investigative journalist who questions everything relentlessly, searching for the truth in already murky universe. And last, but certainly not least, Batman, the morally obscure hero. Is he any better than a journalist uncovering the truth? is the journalist any better if they have to bend the rules to reveal the truth? is the politician any worse for bending the rules for the common good?
these are such great questions that Tamaki asks in her script and saga of Detective comics. anyone and everyone should read this!
Mariko Tamaki was not only acutely aware of this phenomenon, she raised the stakes- she had this detective comics run live within itself. this run isn't just a reflection of society, through Batman, it's told directly through Batman.
Tamaki centers the stories around the mayor of Gotham, an investigative journalist, and Batman (one who lives outside the law). Tamaki is able to convey the complexities of systemic factors directly through these. The mayor, the political arena, and governed by practical matters, compromise, and a touch of abuse of said power. Then, the investigative journalist who questions everything relentlessly, searching for the truth in already murky universe. And last, but certainly not least, Batman, the morally obscure hero. Is he any better than a journalist uncovering the truth? is the journalist any better if they have to bend the rules to reveal the truth? is the politician any worse for bending the rules for the common good?
these are such great questions that Tamaki asks in her script and saga of Detective comics. anyone and everyone should read this!
February 25, 2026
When the omnibus of Mariko Tamaki’s Detective Comics run was announced, I was genuinely excited. I had read the first story arc back in the day and really enjoyed it, so having the whole thing nicely collected in one omnibus was great news.
My memory didn’t fail me, the first arc is genuinely very strong. We’re set right after Joker War, and Bruce is now poorer (though not exactly starving), moved out of Wayne Manor, and living in a more “hip” Gotham neighborhood inhabited by the city’s upper-middle class. With Wayne Manor gone, the Batcave is also out of reach, forcing the Dark Knight to operate out of small, makeshift “batcaves” in Gotham’s sewers. The premise of Batman being cut off from his near-limitless resources and having to be more inventive is genuinely refreshing.
The first arc revolves around a series of mysterious murders in Gotham, one of the victims being the daughter of a powerful Gotham figure, the literal giant, Roland Wrath. He’s presented as an important pillar of Gotham City, old money, highly respected — which makes it slightly amusing that in over 80 years of Batman publishing, we’re only just hearing about him now. I can accept it, but it’s still funny. Things get complicated when Bruce Wayne is seen with the supposedly deceased (and now “undead”) Sarah Wrath, making him suspect number one and the target of Roland’s rage. I won’t go into spoilers, but it’s an engaging story full of parasitic infections, anger, and revenge and what pleased me most is that Huntress plays a major role. I really like Huntress and I’m always happy to see her get page time. Tamaki writes her (and Bruce) very well, so I was satisfied.
After the first arc comes Arkham Tower. During this storyline, Batman leaves Gotham and the city’s protection falls to the Bat-Family, which I don’t mind at all. Detective Comics often leans into the Bat-Family, and that’s something I enjoy. The core premise is that the original Arkham Asylum was destroyed after Joker War, so a new skyscraper facility is built to house the patients. Under new leadership, everything appears to be miraculously better. But of course, nothing is as perfect as it seems. Without spoiling details, this part is noticeably weaker. The big reveal feels somewhat underwhelming, and the choice of villain behind it all feels a bit random. Though, squinting a little, I can somewhat understand his motivation after King’s run. Arkham Tower isn’t terrible, but it doesn’t reach the level of the first arc.
The final arc of the main run is a shorter Riddler story. It starts off quite promising. I was excited that Detective Comics might finally deliver a proper detective story, but unfortunately it gradually slips into forgettable mediocrity.
Beyond the main run, the omnibus includes the Future State miniseries. Future State as a whole was a massive mess across DC, but the Detective Comics portion is thankfully one of the better parts. I actually enjoyed this glimpse into a near dystopian future.
There’s also the One Bad Day one-shot focused on Two-Face, which could have been excellent if it weren’t so extremely predictable. A shame.
The biggest strength of the entire omnibus is undoubtedly the artwork. Dan Mora absolutely crushes it, every panel is a feast for the eyes. I also really like Victor Bogdanovic’s work, though he deserves a better inker. I’d definitely like to see more of his art in other comics.
Overall, the omnibus is a solid read, even if it gradually runs out of steam. It’s certainly not a bad run, and I did enjoy it overall. I’d rate it a strong 3 out of 5 stars.
My memory didn’t fail me, the first arc is genuinely very strong. We’re set right after Joker War, and Bruce is now poorer (though not exactly starving), moved out of Wayne Manor, and living in a more “hip” Gotham neighborhood inhabited by the city’s upper-middle class. With Wayne Manor gone, the Batcave is also out of reach, forcing the Dark Knight to operate out of small, makeshift “batcaves” in Gotham’s sewers. The premise of Batman being cut off from his near-limitless resources and having to be more inventive is genuinely refreshing.
The first arc revolves around a series of mysterious murders in Gotham, one of the victims being the daughter of a powerful Gotham figure, the literal giant, Roland Wrath. He’s presented as an important pillar of Gotham City, old money, highly respected — which makes it slightly amusing that in over 80 years of Batman publishing, we’re only just hearing about him now. I can accept it, but it’s still funny. Things get complicated when Bruce Wayne is seen with the supposedly deceased (and now “undead”) Sarah Wrath, making him suspect number one and the target of Roland’s rage. I won’t go into spoilers, but it’s an engaging story full of parasitic infections, anger, and revenge and what pleased me most is that Huntress plays a major role. I really like Huntress and I’m always happy to see her get page time. Tamaki writes her (and Bruce) very well, so I was satisfied.
After the first arc comes Arkham Tower. During this storyline, Batman leaves Gotham and the city’s protection falls to the Bat-Family, which I don’t mind at all. Detective Comics often leans into the Bat-Family, and that’s something I enjoy. The core premise is that the original Arkham Asylum was destroyed after Joker War, so a new skyscraper facility is built to house the patients. Under new leadership, everything appears to be miraculously better. But of course, nothing is as perfect as it seems. Without spoiling details, this part is noticeably weaker. The big reveal feels somewhat underwhelming, and the choice of villain behind it all feels a bit random. Though, squinting a little, I can somewhat understand his motivation after King’s run. Arkham Tower isn’t terrible, but it doesn’t reach the level of the first arc.
The final arc of the main run is a shorter Riddler story. It starts off quite promising. I was excited that Detective Comics might finally deliver a proper detective story, but unfortunately it gradually slips into forgettable mediocrity.
Beyond the main run, the omnibus includes the Future State miniseries. Future State as a whole was a massive mess across DC, but the Detective Comics portion is thankfully one of the better parts. I actually enjoyed this glimpse into a near dystopian future.
There’s also the One Bad Day one-shot focused on Two-Face, which could have been excellent if it weren’t so extremely predictable. A shame.
The biggest strength of the entire omnibus is undoubtedly the artwork. Dan Mora absolutely crushes it, every panel is a feast for the eyes. I also really like Victor Bogdanovic’s work, though he deserves a better inker. I’d definitely like to see more of his art in other comics.
Overall, the omnibus is a solid read, even if it gradually runs out of steam. It’s certainly not a bad run, and I did enjoy it overall. I’d rate it a strong 3 out of 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews