Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 2: Elixir

Batman: Detective Comics by Tom Taylor

by Tom Taylor, Lee Garbett (Artist), Mikel Janín (Artist)

A mystery takes Batman out of Gotham as he tracks down an immortality-focused cult called Elixir with the help of some unexpected allies!

In the pursuit of a mysterious, bloodthirsty cult, Batman finds himself stranded away from his home with only the help of some very unexpected allies! But what can someone like the Penguin really hope to add in the chase against the dangerous group known only as Elixir? And can Batman trust him long enough to accept his help? This plus the landmark issue #1100 of Detective Comics, featuring the work of some of Batman’s most iconic creative teams!

Collects Detective Comics #1097-1100 and Detective Comics Annual 2025.

Genres: Batman, Graphic Novels Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Comics

184 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 10, 2026

About the author

Once a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.

Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.

He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.

He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.

Reviews

[Frédéric · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this "Elixir" run turns out to be a big dud. I already didn't like the idea of a secret society with powerful ramifications blah, but the way it ends is really disappointing. Cardboard villains, a transparent pseudo-mastermind of mediocrity... And what a great idea to add Cobblepot because... well, yes, that's right, why?
Garbett's artwork isn't up to scratch, Loughridge's colours are dull... Nothing to save except the Annual - and I don't often say that about annuals - by Al Ewing and issue 1100, which are perfectly decent.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read via single issues. Tom Taylor has taken his exceptional work on Nightwing, and just continued on with his excellent storytelling. Along with Taylor's beautiful standalone story in #1100, there are 3 other stories which are also fantastic. especially Greg Rucka's The Knife and Gun Club!

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. Overall A 4 out of 5.

Basically, the first three parter is a wild team up featuring Batman, The Penguin (Oswald Cobblepot), and former detective Harvey Bullock. I know, I know, sounds crazy weird but it works.

The story centers on Bullock's private investigation into the dangerous Elixir cult, a group obsessed with immortality. When Bullock is abducted, Batman tracks the transport, only to find the hooded captive is actually The Penguin! Stranded together, Batman and The Penguin are forced to form a highly tenuous and uneasy alliance to find Bullock and take down the cult leader, Ambrose.

It's fun, Batman's a badass throughout, and Harvey has finally had some decent development. It feels like forever since we got this. I even like his subplot with his older cop partner.

But the real star of this collection is issue #1100. Each story is written by different writers (four different one shots) that all encapsulate Bruce so well. They show who Batman is, why he is the hero people look up to, and how hard it is to be that said hero. Great stuff.

[Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Сьогодні повертаємося до рану Тома Тейлора на Детективних Коміксах. З 1097 по 1098 номер відбувається сюжет Еліксир, у якому Бетмен проводить розслідування щодо організації з минулої арки з якою працювала Аксема. Крім самого Бетса за цю справу також береться Гарві Булок у якого свої рахунки з Еліксиром, і вони вирішують працювати разом. Також по ходу сюжету до цього тандему додається Пінгвін. Я от в минулому відгуку висловив припущення, що Еліксир будуть головними поганцями в рані, тож уявіть моє здивування коли виявилося що це не так і Бетс розібрався з ними за ці декілька номерів, нехай і залишивши невеличку кому на можливе продовження.

Я сюжетом більш ніж задоволений, він динамічний та досить цікавий, Тейлор доволі непогано попрацював з персонажем Булока, а взаємодія між трійцею геро... двійкою героїв та суперлиходієм так взагалі повеселити примудрилася. Крім того, мені сподобалося досить іронічне завершення сюжету та, розкриття того, що собою являє керівник Еліксиру.

От 1110 номер мені не сильно зайшов. Він є типу ювілейним, а тому має чотири різні історії, з яких мені сподобалися тільки дві. Перша це німа історія від Тейлора та Ханіна у якій Бетс та Ейс бет-собака допомагають німому (?) хлопцю знайти собачку, а також історія від Ґреґа Раки та Альваро Мартінеза у якому дві лікарки обговорюють те, що через Бетса у лікарню тепер потрапляють покалічені бандюки, а не гора трупів. З двох інших що мені не сподобалося це історії від Тамакі та Аманкея Нахюлпан і Дена Вотерса і Біла Сінкевича.

Щодо щорічника то його писав Ал Юінґ з малюнком від Стефано Рафаелла, Джона МакКреа та Фіко Оссіо. Сюжет розпочинається як убивство в закритій кімнаті, яке приводить Бетмена до Йорку, що в Англії де Бетсу доводиться зіштовхнутися як з містичними так і з науково фантастичними елементами. В результаті вийшла досить непогана і цікава історія.

Другий том Детективів вийшов хорошими, мені продовжує подобатися те як Тейлор працює з персонажами та сюжетами. Щорічник також вийшов досить непоганою історією на один випуск. Ювілейний номер звісно сподобався найменше, але навіть так у нього було дві хороші історії.

[Mik Cope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as individual issues. The solid writing by Tom Taylor continues as we see Batman Far From Gotham tracking down a secret organisation, then encountering a new villain in The Courage That Kills, which has a particularly gruesome beginning. Oddly, the TPB finishes mid-story here, but I'll keep on reading as the comics come out. In between, there's the anniversary edition, which is a bit of a mixed bag, of fair to middling quality.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 3 part Elixir story is alright. I feel like this story is just a pale imitation of Ra's al Ghul though. The real star here was #1100 with 4 stories by past creative teams about why Batman is who he is. Al Ewing does the annual with a locked room mystery that's pretty good.

[William Cherico · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love to see a Batman, Harvey Bullock, and Penguin team-up. Pretty straightforward Batman, but with some really fun dialogue and cool moments.

[Belfry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.25 stars

[Nathaniel Creative Freedom HQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the fun Batman story from volume one, another great Batman reading experience.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

EEEE!! Tom Taylor has crossed over from Nightwing to Batman, and the glory is absolutely happening here, too.

Taylor understands character—especially legacy characters—and it shows. This run leans into what makes Batman compelling right now: the balance between darkness and hope, the weight of responsibility, and the quiet humanity beneath the cape. There's a confidence to the storytelling that feels earned, not performative, and it's a joy to read Batman written with both emotional intelligence and narrative momentum.

What worked best for me was how natural Bruce feels in this version. The dialogue snaps, the pacing moves, and the character interactions land with clarity and intention. You can feel Taylor's Nightwing sensibility here—care for relationships, purpose behind action, and a belief that even Gotham's darkest corners don't have to be devoid of meaning.

This isn't a total reinvention of Batman, but it doesn't need to be. It's sharp, engaging, and delightful, especially if you've loved what Taylor has done elsewhere in the DC universe.

⭐ 4 stars — exciting, character-forward, and a very welcome era for Batman.