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.