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Detective Comics by Peter J. Tomasi
Batman: Detective Comics, Vol. 4: Cold Vengeance
Following the events of Detective Comics Vol. 3: Greetings from Gotham, Year of the Villain kicks into overdrive with an icy spin!
Victor Fries has only ever wanted one thing to bring his wife Nora back to life in a healthy body. Now, with Lex Luthor's aid, Victor's wish will finally come true. But how will Nora adjust to the new world she has missed? And how will Batman try to tear Victor's dream away from him?
Peter J. Tomasi (Adventures of the Super Sons, Superman, Green Lantern Corps) continues his acclaimed run on one of comics longest running series: Detective Comics!
This hardcover edition collects Detective Comics #1012-1017
Victor Fries has only ever wanted one thing to bring his wife Nora back to life in a healthy body. Now, with Lex Luthor's aid, Victor's wish will finally come true. But how will Nora adjust to the new world she has missed? And how will Batman try to tear Victor's dream away from him?
Peter J. Tomasi (Adventures of the Super Sons, Superman, Green Lantern Corps) continues his acclaimed run on one of comics longest running series: Detective Comics!
This hardcover edition collects Detective Comics #1012-1017
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2020
8 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. Tomasi
1,387 books469 followersPeter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 19, 2021
I think Tomasi's final arc on Detective was his best. In the Year of the Villain event, Mister Freeze finally resuscitates Nora with some help from Lex Luther. It' s a neat little Faustian bargain Tomasi conceives. Then Tom Taylor writes a single issue story about an orphan who runs away from the Martha Wayne orphanage. Finally, is a little yuletide story about a Norse cult.
Doug Mahnke draws the main story with about 12 different inkers. There are some off pages due to an inker or two that is anormal for Mahnke. Fernando Blanco and Scott Godlewski capably draw the two shorter stories respectively.
Doug Mahnke draws the main story with about 12 different inkers. There are some off pages due to an inker or two that is anormal for Mahnke. Fernando Blanco and Scott Godlewski capably draw the two shorter stories respectively.
May 22, 2021
Mister Freeze is kidnapping ladies who look like his beloved frozen Nora in a new attempt to resurrect her - and he does! But she’s not as he remembered…
Peter Tomasi continues his no-hitter streak with the dismal fourth volume of this Detective Comics run, Cold Vengeance. This is the storyline he teased sporadically in the last book and it’s an underwhelming and completely forgettable one. Freeze and Nora go on a crime spree until Batman stops them - it’s like an overlong kid’s cartoon and I was never entertained once.
Batman’s new Firebat suit is kinda cool though - I’ll say this about Tomasi: he gives Batman some interesting new Batsuits in his stories. Remember the Hellbat suit from his Batman & Robin run when Batman went on a jolly to Apokolips? Also, apparently Lex Luthor is doing something because he sends up this giant neon green light over the Gotham skyline but it’s unclear what it is. I guess we have to read one of the Superman titles to find out but I feel like if you’re not going to explain it, don’t put it in.
The one respite of not-crapness in the book is Tom Taylor/Fernando Blanco’s Detective Comics #1017. Orphans are going missing in one of Wayne’s orphanages so Batman and Robin investigate. It’s a more thoughtful, less cartoony and vastly more human story than Tomasi’s rubbish, that reminds Batman that Bruce Wayne is equally as important as his superhero alter ego. If only Taylor/Blanco had their own run of Detective Comics instead of Tomasi and Doug Mahnke stinking it up for book after book…
And then we’re back in the dregs for the worst story to close out this book: some pagan viking wants to do some ritual at Christmas. Two issues - two! - for something that should barely feature as anything more than a subplot. That’s how little Tomasi’s got to offer. Drivel.
Maybe pick this one up for the Taylor/Blanco issue if you’re a fan of either creator (or just get that standalone issue and ignore this book entirely), but otherwise Detective Comics, Volume 4: Cold Vengeance is another godawful addition to Tomasi’s unceasingly woeful run on this title.
Peter Tomasi continues his no-hitter streak with the dismal fourth volume of this Detective Comics run, Cold Vengeance. This is the storyline he teased sporadically in the last book and it’s an underwhelming and completely forgettable one. Freeze and Nora go on a crime spree until Batman stops them - it’s like an overlong kid’s cartoon and I was never entertained once.
Batman’s new Firebat suit is kinda cool though - I’ll say this about Tomasi: he gives Batman some interesting new Batsuits in his stories. Remember the Hellbat suit from his Batman & Robin run when Batman went on a jolly to Apokolips? Also, apparently Lex Luthor is doing something because he sends up this giant neon green light over the Gotham skyline but it’s unclear what it is. I guess we have to read one of the Superman titles to find out but I feel like if you’re not going to explain it, don’t put it in.
The one respite of not-crapness in the book is Tom Taylor/Fernando Blanco’s Detective Comics #1017. Orphans are going missing in one of Wayne’s orphanages so Batman and Robin investigate. It’s a more thoughtful, less cartoony and vastly more human story than Tomasi’s rubbish, that reminds Batman that Bruce Wayne is equally as important as his superhero alter ego. If only Taylor/Blanco had their own run of Detective Comics instead of Tomasi and Doug Mahnke stinking it up for book after book…
And then we’re back in the dregs for the worst story to close out this book: some pagan viking wants to do some ritual at Christmas. Two issues - two! - for something that should barely feature as anything more than a subplot. That’s how little Tomasi’s got to offer. Drivel.
Maybe pick this one up for the Taylor/Blanco issue if you’re a fan of either creator (or just get that standalone issue and ignore this book entirely), but otherwise Detective Comics, Volume 4: Cold Vengeance is another godawful addition to Tomasi’s unceasingly woeful run on this title.
July 5, 2021
This was a big read.
It starts with Freeze getting henchmen and abducting women who look like his wife and then she is free and he makes her like him aka Mrs Freeze and they have their own share of Gotham robberies and all until Batman comes in to stop them. But he won't go down as he has the Thermal bat suit which looks cool. Multiple clashes happen and then Nora betrays him as the thing Luthor gave him to resurrect her is twisting her mind and its a big clash and things will change forever between the bat and freeze.
And then there are stories where Batman searches for missing children from his shelter and that was such a human story and great one. Plus Batman vs Pagan cult who wanna summon a historic god but its something else.
Its a big volume with loads of stories with winter and falling snow as the background and reads so well and is fun and Batman vs Freeze and one of the best stories Tomasi has told and I enjoyed it thoroughly and the story at the end was weird but nonetheless cold winter and the excellent art was worth it!
It starts with Freeze getting henchmen and abducting women who look like his wife and then she is free and he makes her like him aka Mrs Freeze and they have their own share of Gotham robberies and all until Batman comes in to stop them. But he won't go down as he has the Thermal bat suit which looks cool. Multiple clashes happen and then Nora betrays him as the thing Luthor gave him to resurrect her is twisting her mind and its a big clash and things will change forever between the bat and freeze.
And then there are stories where Batman searches for missing children from his shelter and that was such a human story and great one. Plus Batman vs Pagan cult who wanna summon a historic god but its something else.
Its a big volume with loads of stories with winter and falling snow as the background and reads so well and is fun and Batman vs Freeze and one of the best stories Tomasi has told and I enjoyed it thoroughly and the story at the end was weird but nonetheless cold winter and the excellent art was worth it!
December 30, 2020
You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
Continuing the Year of the Villain DC comic book event, this latest volume in the Detective Comics series focuses on Victor Fries and his long-awaited dream revolving around his wife Nora. The day he learned of the rapidly deteriorating health of his beloved one, his heart started to melt but his mind searched for solutions, even if the means to his end meant crime and death of countless innocent lives. As he dreams for the day he finally finds a solution that could thaw her out from her cryogenic chamber and embrace a new life, Mr. Freeze has always tilted back and forth between reason and criminality as he patiently waited for the day to come when he might finally have what he has longed for for far too many years. Collecting issues #1012-1019, writer Peter J. Tomasi explores a story-arc that will thaw through Victor Fries’ conscious until he realizes the inevitable consequences of his actions.
What is Batman: Detective Comics: Cold Vengeance about? The story focuses on Victor Fries’ dream of bringing his wife Nora back to life, currently stuck in a cryogenic chamber at the mercy of his blinded love and passion for her past self. It is only thanks to a mysterious new substance procured by Lex Luthor that Victor Fries might finally see his dream come true. Unfortunately for him, his greatest wish comes with a surprise as Nora’s second chance at life sheds light on her own point of view on Victor Fries’ dreams of resurrection. This volume also collects a one-shot story about Bruce Wayne’s desire to help a runaway orphan while dealing with Gotham’s innumerable crimes as well as a grim two-part story where he goes up against a supernatural pagan spirit during the Holidays.
While writer Peter J. Tomasi’s story-arcs so far in his Detective Comics run have been subpar to anyone’s expectations, this latest story centered around Victor Fries turned out much more self-contained, semi-polished, and mildly interesting. The premise of seeing Mr. Freeze reunited with his wife Nora is supposedly an obvious terrain to explore over the past years but seems rarely rehashed but his latest take on it offers fans the chance to see Batman in a new suit of armor, Freeze and his wife going full-out Bonnie and Clyde, and Freeze having to look in an unusual direction for help when his plans implode. Unfortunately, the story remains superficially entertaining, to say the least, and plays out like a cartoon episode lacking any true emotional depth that would’ve been expected from this story. Luckily, writer Tom Taylor’s one-shot orphan story, as well as writer Peter J. Tomasi’s two-part pagan holiday story, offer much more bang (really, not that much, to be honest) for your buck by the end of this volume.
On the artistic front, it is safe to say that there is nothing exceptional accomplished throughout this volume but the final two-part story-arc presents Scott Godlewski’s artwork and it significantly stands out from the rest with its vibrant, clearly-defined, and solid artistic style. The rest of the volume remains decent enough to not warrant any complaints, mostly capitalizing on a harsher and rougher style that adds a certain grim tone to the overall story while colourist David Baron cleanly fills the pages with the usual tone and shading. As previously mentioned, the biggest surprise here remains Batman’s latest suit of armor to battle Mr. Freeze, a truly exciting visual spectacle that is sure to excite certain readers (especially younger ones) for its mere concept. Hopefully, this volume, a bit coerced by the recent DC event, is a promise of better stories to come in future volumes.
Batman: Detective Comics: Cold Vengeance is an unimpressive collection of stories especially centered around Victor Fries and his reacquaintance with his soulmate Nora.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
January 18, 2021
Another decent tale if nothing special.
Watching Freeze bring his wife back from the dead is a interesting idea. But the actual plot itself is just okay. Her going batshit crazy was kind of a lame idea. I feel like the idea of regret coming back to life would have worked better. The one off with Damien and Bruce working to find the orphans was a awesome tale, both sad and well done. Also the final tale of Bruce working with the police was decent too.
I personally enjoyed it enough to read it but wasn't wowed by anything here. Peter J. Tomasi is a great writer and his Batman and Robin run is legendary IMO one of my favorite Batman runs. But this is just okay.
A 3 out of 5.
Watching Freeze bring his wife back from the dead is a interesting idea. But the actual plot itself is just okay. Her going batshit crazy was kind of a lame idea. I feel like the idea of regret coming back to life would have worked better. The one off with Damien and Bruce working to find the orphans was a awesome tale, both sad and well done. Also the final tale of Bruce working with the police was decent too.
I personally enjoyed it enough to read it but wasn't wowed by anything here. Peter J. Tomasi is a great writer and his Batman and Robin run is legendary IMO one of my favorite Batman runs. But this is just okay.
A 3 out of 5.
December 26, 2020
Cold Vengeance is the Year Of The Villain arc for Detective Comics, which involves Mister Freeze resurrecting his wife Nora, who promptly goes on a crime spree, meaning Batman and Freeze must work together in order to stop her.
I know a lot of stories surrounding Freeze invariably involve his wife, but I feel like this has been done before? I'm pretty sure it hasn't, but it's such a familiar vein that I can't shake the feeling that I've seen it somewhere before. It's not BAD, but there's something off about the entire thing and I can't really explain why. It does look great though - Doug Mahnke's slick pencils are the perfect fit for an icy story.
Also included in this volume are the one-and-done Orphans story from last Christmas, which is from Tom Taylor and Fernando Blanco. This is a great little one-shot that reminds us all that Batman does have a heart beneath all that kevlar. Then Scott Godlewski joins Tomasi for the next two-parter which is also holiday themed, but a little more wrote and a little less jolly as Batman battles a pagan 'deity'.
This volume of Detective isn't bad - the supplementary issues are actually better than the main story, I think. Maybe if you've not read many Freeze stories before you won't get the same sense of deja vu that I had?
I know a lot of stories surrounding Freeze invariably involve his wife, but I feel like this has been done before? I'm pretty sure it hasn't, but it's such a familiar vein that I can't shake the feeling that I've seen it somewhere before. It's not BAD, but there's something off about the entire thing and I can't really explain why. It does look great though - Doug Mahnke's slick pencils are the perfect fit for an icy story.
Also included in this volume are the one-and-done Orphans story from last Christmas, which is from Tom Taylor and Fernando Blanco. This is a great little one-shot that reminds us all that Batman does have a heart beneath all that kevlar. Then Scott Godlewski joins Tomasi for the next two-parter which is also holiday themed, but a little more wrote and a little less jolly as Batman battles a pagan 'deity'.
This volume of Detective isn't bad - the supplementary issues are actually better than the main story, I think. Maybe if you've not read many Freeze stories before you won't get the same sense of deja vu that I had?
January 3, 2021
So far I havent really been that impressed with Tomasis run. This involved Victor Fries and his wife, who once revived goes on some crime spree. Victor and the Bat kinda join forces etx etc. It just doesn't feel overly original. The artwork is inpressive though, especially the pencil work. Hopefully the next arc kicks this into gear
January 5, 2021
Detective Comics Vol. 4 Cold Vengeance collects issues 1012-1019 by Peter Tomasi.
With the aid of Luthor tech, Mr. Freeze will finally able to "cure" Nora and release her from suspended animation. Before he takes a chance on Nora, Freeze has first kidnapped many young women across Gotham to test this new cure. Another arc contains a mysterious Norseman who is ritualistically killing citizens. Finally, there is a one-off issue by Tom Taylor about a missing teenager from Bruce Wayne's orphanage.
These were some great arcs. The arc about Nora was interesting and it is kind of shocking it hasn't been done before (if it has, I'm not aware of it). The arc with the Norseman was some cheesey holiday fun. I also really liked Tom Taylor's issue and would love to see more from him on a future Bat book. The art is all pretty strong here as well.
With the aid of Luthor tech, Mr. Freeze will finally able to "cure" Nora and release her from suspended animation. Before he takes a chance on Nora, Freeze has first kidnapped many young women across Gotham to test this new cure. Another arc contains a mysterious Norseman who is ritualistically killing citizens. Finally, there is a one-off issue by Tom Taylor about a missing teenager from Bruce Wayne's orphanage.
These were some great arcs. The arc about Nora was interesting and it is kind of shocking it hasn't been done before (if it has, I'm not aware of it). The arc with the Norseman was some cheesey holiday fun. I also really liked Tom Taylor's issue and would love to see more from him on a future Bat book. The art is all pretty strong here as well.
July 29, 2021
3.5 stars
April 6, 2021
In the entire history of the character, Mr. Freeze has had one criminal goal: make enough money to fund the research and development of the tech he needs to get his wife Nora Fries to be restored to life. You could say that it is the defining characteristic of who he is. What happens when his goal is achieved?
Highlights:
- Nora Fries returns to the living! His most recent experiment (using the DNA of Gotham women of similar type as Nora) has Victor finally developing the cure (once it was added to by Apex Lex as part of the Year of the Villain storyline) to Nora's cancer. Bringing her back to life has issues, as she has become more violent and power hungry. Ms. Freeze (complete with blue skin and cold gun skills) lets the power get to her head and leaves Victor. Even when Victor teams up with Batman, she gets the better of him and gets him landed in the cryo chamber to heal.
- A short story has Bruce investigating an orphanage that was started by his mother. Kids are disappearing. While it takes Batman and Robin to do some of the leg work, Bruce takes center stage to save the day on this one.
- Another short story, this time about Christmas time, and a villain who comes straight out of Viking myth. A cult is trying to do a sacrifice to awaken a Solstice demon...
Overall, a good Volume, but I am looking forward to seeing things get back to normal with Selina. Hoping after the Joker War, we get back to their unresolved drama.
Recommend.
Highlights:
- Nora Fries returns to the living! His most recent experiment (using the DNA of Gotham women of similar type as Nora) has Victor finally developing the cure (once it was added to by Apex Lex as part of the Year of the Villain storyline) to Nora's cancer. Bringing her back to life has issues, as she has become more violent and power hungry. Ms. Freeze (complete with blue skin and cold gun skills) lets the power get to her head and leaves Victor. Even when Victor teams up with Batman, she gets the better of him and gets him landed in the cryo chamber to heal.
- A short story has Bruce investigating an orphanage that was started by his mother. Kids are disappearing. While it takes Batman and Robin to do some of the leg work, Bruce takes center stage to save the day on this one.
- Another short story, this time about Christmas time, and a villain who comes straight out of Viking myth. A cult is trying to do a sacrifice to awaken a Solstice demon...
Overall, a good Volume, but I am looking forward to seeing things get back to normal with Selina. Hoping after the Joker War, we get back to their unresolved drama.
Recommend.
August 26, 2025
I do enjoy a Mr Freeze story, and the inclusion of Little Dancer by Degas and the artist capturing that sculpture so well was such a pleasant surprise. But my favourite part of this volume was easily the story set in Wayne Orphanages, easily worth another star on it's own.
December 20, 2021
I lot stronger than the last volume!
3.5 total rating.
Art:
Overall, I liked the art by Doug Mahnke in #1012-1016 except for some faces (Bruce's especially) which I found to be too scratchy from too much shading and crosshatching.
I loved the art and colors by Fernando Blanco & John Kalisz in issue #1017 Orphans, and I liked the art and colors in issues #1018 & 1019 by Scott Godlewski & David Baron.
Writing:
This was a much stronger Batman book than Batman: Detective Comics, Vol. 3: Greetings from Gotham. It felt like Tomasi was excited to write this one (the Freeze storyline he was building up to in Vol. 3) . You get that from all the little details, like the page above from #1012 where Bruce is listening to a police radio scanner.
"I can't find my old emails --they disappeared!" LOL
I also love that Batman used Alfred as a body double/actor/dead man to scare a perp into talking in #1013.
Love Alfred. <3
And Alfred in the Flash Mask. LOL!
Batman: "The entire Batcave, and that's the best mask you could find?"
Alfred: "Hrmm..." (＾艸＾)
I'm a big fan of Tom Taylor & loved issue #1017, so that didn't surprise me. I think he's a great writer & does Batman & the Batfamily well. <3
Story:
I'm super exhausted from trying to keep up with DC and all the stuff that happens off-page, so I just Googled why Harvey Bullock is acting Captain and left it at that . And I have no idea what Lex Luthor has been up to elsewhere & didn't even look into it.
Otherwise, the Freeze story (issues #1012-1016) feels pretty self-contained to Detective Comics...
Fries finally cures his wife! He has been driven by toxic, selfish love, and it's fascinating to watch as Norah is corrupted by Luthor's (it was Luthor, right?) serum.
The destruction of freezing/icing from Freeze and Norah (Mr. & Mrs. Freeze) is overwhelming & I loved the scenes of Bruce, Alfred & Lucius Fox working together in the Batcave in #1015 trying to create an antidote together. Of course, they don't have time to test it, so Bruce makes Alfred shoot him so he could try it out on himself first.
Lucius: "Exactly. I'll send for some animals, or we can use that cow off in the corner."
Bruce: "No cow." *Visual of Batcow eating hay in the corner of the frame.* LOL
Sadly (or not), the serum Luthor gave Fries messed up Norah's personality/brain and she goes off. She's leaving mountains of frozen and murdered people in her wake, but most importantly, she leaves Freeze. And, that's just unacceptable to him. (Ahem, toxic & selfish love.)
Freeze unexpectedly partners up with Batman, which is very cool. Batman has this really cool anti-Freeze suite that heats up and has an awesome red bat symbol as a visor that looks like his Hellbat suit (is it his Hellbat suit?).
Batman, Freeze & Norah are fighting it out at the Gotham Museum of Art (modeled after the Metropolitan Museum of Art, well, at least the Temple of Dendur is).
Batman is about to take her out when Freeze gets in the way.
Freeze: "Sorry, but incarceration isn't the answer, Batman. Norah can only get the real help she needs from me."
And Norah bats her cold blue eyelashes at Victor (so toxic) and then stabs him in the ear with a syringe and leaves him to die.
The storyline ends with Victor Fries in a cold/frozen state at Arkham just like Norah had been... completing what Batman called a vicious cycle.
I really liked the short issue #1017, Orphans by Tom Taylor. Lucius brings the case of a missing orphan, from the Martha Wayne Orphanage to Bruce's attention. Bruce calls Damian in to help him with the case.
This whole page is much. (So many feels.)
Batman: "Damian."
Damian: "You called. I was kinda shocked to hear from you, so I came. What do you want?"
Batman: "I know I've been... difficult to reach."
Damian: "That's one way to put it."
Batman: "And how would you put it?"
Damian: "I'd say you've retreated so far into an angry, brooding cloud that you are now more brood than man."
Batman: "A child from a Wayne orphanage is missing. His name is Miguel Flores."
Damian: "Do you know him?"
Batman: "No."
Damian: "So, you're okay to put in effort for some kid you don't even know, but not...
You know what? Forget it."
Batman: "I'm sorry I haven't had more time, Damian. The city is in danger. That requires my full focus. But it's getting colder, and somewhere, a scared child needs help."
Damian: "And you want me to find him because you're worried an already scared kid might not react so well to being chased by a giant bat. Sure. But we're going to talk about these orphanages. It's a bit disconcerting that you own whole buildings full of potential backup Robins."
:(
Miguel: "You're not...you're not scary. Not like they say."
Miguel: "I'm sorry."
Batman: "What for?"
Miguel: "My favorite... my favorite superhero is Superman."
Batman: "I'll let you in on a secret, Miguel... He's my favorite, too."
Both Robin & Batman smile. <3
Damian whispers to Bruce after he clocked the director in the face: "Um? You do realize you're not wearing a mask, right?"
Bruce whispers back: "It's not Batman's name on the building. It's the Wayne name. It's our name."
Bruce: "These are Wayne children. They're my responsibility. My children I've failed. We're going to track down every single missing child. And we're going to punish every single person who took them."
Damian: "Good."
Lucius: "Very good."
The last page of this story, Bruce, Lucius, and Damian, are at a rededication ceremony at the orphanage. Bruce has his hands on Damian's shoulders, and I think they are in a much better place as father and son than when this issue started. (That's some good & tight character writing from Taylor.)
For the last story (issues #1018 & 1019) Tomasi is back with a two-issue Christmas-Norse-Demon thing, which was fun but not that deep.
What I did like from this story is Batman trying to keep up his schedule. Lucius is helping him, but you can see him struggling . He goes home to play with Ace & Titus, but it's just so sad. :(
Bullock is being a little mean to Batman, but I like the response of the police on the scene of the grisly Christmas tree murders, "Evenin', Bats, go right on in and pick yerself a tree." LOL
Batman solves the murder mystery and now we're ready for the Joker War...
3.5 total rating.
Art:
Overall, I liked the art by Doug Mahnke in #1012-1016 except for some faces (Bruce's especially) which I found to be too scratchy from too much shading and crosshatching.
I loved the art and colors by Fernando Blanco & John Kalisz in issue #1017 Orphans, and I liked the art and colors in issues #1018 & 1019 by Scott Godlewski & David Baron.
Writing:
This was a much stronger Batman book than Batman: Detective Comics, Vol. 3: Greetings from Gotham. It felt like Tomasi was excited to write this one (the Freeze storyline he was building up to in Vol. 3) . You get that from all the little details, like the page above from #1012 where Bruce is listening to a police radio scanner.
"I can't find my old emails --they disappeared!" LOL
I also love that Batman used Alfred as a body double/actor/dead man to scare a perp into talking in #1013.
Love Alfred. <3And Alfred in the Flash Mask. LOL!
Batman: "The entire Batcave, and that's the best mask you could find?"
Alfred: "Hrmm..." (＾艸＾)
I'm a big fan of Tom Taylor & loved issue #1017, so that didn't surprise me. I think he's a great writer & does Batman & the Batfamily well. <3
Story:
I'm super exhausted from trying to keep up with DC and all the stuff that happens off-page, so I just Googled why Harvey Bullock is acting Captain and left it at that . And I have no idea what Lex Luthor has been up to elsewhere & didn't even look into it.
Otherwise, the Freeze story (issues #1012-1016) feels pretty self-contained to Detective Comics...
Fries finally cures his wife! He has been driven by toxic, selfish love, and it's fascinating to watch as Norah is corrupted by Luthor's (it was Luthor, right?) serum.
The destruction of freezing/icing from Freeze and Norah (Mr. & Mrs. Freeze) is overwhelming & I loved the scenes of Bruce, Alfred & Lucius Fox working together in the Batcave in #1015 trying to create an antidote together. Of course, they don't have time to test it, so Bruce makes Alfred shoot him so he could try it out on himself first.
Lucius: "Exactly. I'll send for some animals, or we can use that cow off in the corner."
Bruce: "No cow." *Visual of Batcow eating hay in the corner of the frame.* LOL
Sadly (or not), the serum Luthor gave Fries messed up Norah's personality/brain and she goes off. She's leaving mountains of frozen and murdered people in her wake, but most importantly, she leaves Freeze. And, that's just unacceptable to him. (Ahem, toxic & selfish love.)
Freeze unexpectedly partners up with Batman, which is very cool. Batman has this really cool anti-Freeze suite that heats up and has an awesome red bat symbol as a visor that looks like his Hellbat suit (is it his Hellbat suit?).
Batman, Freeze & Norah are fighting it out at the Gotham Museum of Art (modeled after the Metropolitan Museum of Art, well, at least the Temple of Dendur is).
Batman is about to take her out when Freeze gets in the way.
Freeze: "Sorry, but incarceration isn't the answer, Batman. Norah can only get the real help she needs from me."
And Norah bats her cold blue eyelashes at Victor (so toxic) and then stabs him in the ear with a syringe and leaves him to die.
The storyline ends with Victor Fries in a cold/frozen state at Arkham just like Norah had been... completing what Batman called a vicious cycle.
I really liked the short issue #1017, Orphans by Tom Taylor. Lucius brings the case of a missing orphan, from the Martha Wayne Orphanage to Bruce's attention. Bruce calls Damian in to help him with the case.
This whole page is much. (So many feels.)
Batman: "Damian."
Damian: "You called. I was kinda shocked to hear from you, so I came. What do you want?"
Batman: "I know I've been... difficult to reach."
Damian: "That's one way to put it."
Batman: "And how would you put it?"
Damian: "I'd say you've retreated so far into an angry, brooding cloud that you are now more brood than man."
Batman: "A child from a Wayne orphanage is missing. His name is Miguel Flores."
Damian: "Do you know him?"
Batman: "No."
Damian: "So, you're okay to put in effort for some kid you don't even know, but not...
You know what? Forget it."
Batman: "I'm sorry I haven't had more time, Damian. The city is in danger. That requires my full focus. But it's getting colder, and somewhere, a scared child needs help."
Damian: "And you want me to find him because you're worried an already scared kid might not react so well to being chased by a giant bat. Sure. But we're going to talk about these orphanages. It's a bit disconcerting that you own whole buildings full of potential backup Robins."
:(
Miguel: "You're not...you're not scary. Not like they say."
Miguel: "I'm sorry."
Batman: "What for?"
Miguel: "My favorite... my favorite superhero is Superman."
Batman: "I'll let you in on a secret, Miguel... He's my favorite, too."
Both Robin & Batman smile. <3
Damian whispers to Bruce after he clocked the director in the face: "Um? You do realize you're not wearing a mask, right?"
Bruce whispers back: "It's not Batman's name on the building. It's the Wayne name. It's our name."
Bruce: "These are Wayne children. They're my responsibility. My children I've failed. We're going to track down every single missing child. And we're going to punish every single person who took them."
Damian: "Good."
Lucius: "Very good."
The last page of this story, Bruce, Lucius, and Damian, are at a rededication ceremony at the orphanage. Bruce has his hands on Damian's shoulders, and I think they are in a much better place as father and son than when this issue started. (That's some good & tight character writing from Taylor.)
For the last story (issues #1018 & 1019) Tomasi is back with a two-issue Christmas-Norse-Demon thing, which was fun but not that deep.
What I did like from this story is Batman trying to keep up his schedule. Lucius is helping him, but you can see him struggling . He goes home to play with Ace & Titus, but it's just so sad. :(
Bullock is being a little mean to Batman, but I like the response of the police on the scene of the grisly Christmas tree murders, "Evenin', Bats, go right on in and pick yerself a tree." LOL
Batman solves the murder mystery and now we're ready for the Joker War...
May 15, 2021
Detective Comics: Cold Vengeance picks up where the previous volume left off and collecting the next eight issues (Detective Comics #1012–1019) of the 2016 on-going series and covers four storylines: "Freeze Frame", "Cold Dark World", "Orphans", and "Dead of Winter".
"Freeze Frame" is a one-issue storyline (Detective Comics #1012) and "Cold Dark World" is a four-issue storyline (Detective Comics #1013–1016) that has Victor Fries as Mister Freeze finally resurrects his frozen wife but, unexpectedly, has Nora take to a life of crime. The entire storyline is an interesting twist one's expectations, with Nora actually rejecting her husband and becoming an even more threatening villain than he ever was and it is up to Bruce Wayne as Batman to stop her.
"Orphans" is a one-issue storyline (Detective Comics #1017) that tells the story of Bruce Wayne uncovering a child trafficking operation within one of his own orphanages. "Dead of Winter" is a two-issue storyline (Detective Comics #1018–1019) which has a cult attempting to summon a Norse god but accidentally summoning a demon.
With the exception of one issue, which was penned by Tom Taylor (Detective Comics #1017), the rest of trade paperback was penned by Peter Tomasi. For the most part the trade paperback was written moderately well.
Tomasi has written an interesting adventure with a twist on expectations, with Nora actually rejecting her husband and becoming an even more threatening villain than he was. Taylor's story is a well-written executed story that shows Batman is more than just throwing punches. The final story has a fair amount of action and tension. However, it isn't nearly as interesting as the other stories in this book and, ultimately, feels pretty forgettable.
Doug Mahnke (Detective Comics #1012–1016), Scott Godlewski (Detective Comics #1018–1019), Jose Luis (Detective Comics #1015), Tyler Kirkham (Detective Comics #1016), and Fernado Blanco (Detective Comics #1017) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part the pencilers have distinct penciling styles, but complement each other well.
Mahnke's gritty and realistic take on Batman allows the tension and unease within the storyline to come through. Blanco takes over for a beautifully depicted story about a real world problem. Finally, Godlewski takes over for an imaginative mix of Gotham City and Norse mythology with an art style here is more stylized than it is in the rest of the book, which helps considering the less grounded nature of the story being told. Ultimately, the artwork in this book suits and enhances each story, which makes this a better book overall, despite the overall uneven flow of the trade paperback.
All in all, Detective Comics: Cold Vengeance is a mediocre continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
"Freeze Frame" is a one-issue storyline (Detective Comics #1012) and "Cold Dark World" is a four-issue storyline (Detective Comics #1013–1016) that has Victor Fries as Mister Freeze finally resurrects his frozen wife but, unexpectedly, has Nora take to a life of crime. The entire storyline is an interesting twist one's expectations, with Nora actually rejecting her husband and becoming an even more threatening villain than he ever was and it is up to Bruce Wayne as Batman to stop her.
"Orphans" is a one-issue storyline (Detective Comics #1017) that tells the story of Bruce Wayne uncovering a child trafficking operation within one of his own orphanages. "Dead of Winter" is a two-issue storyline (Detective Comics #1018–1019) which has a cult attempting to summon a Norse god but accidentally summoning a demon.
With the exception of one issue, which was penned by Tom Taylor (Detective Comics #1017), the rest of trade paperback was penned by Peter Tomasi. For the most part the trade paperback was written moderately well.
Tomasi has written an interesting adventure with a twist on expectations, with Nora actually rejecting her husband and becoming an even more threatening villain than he was. Taylor's story is a well-written executed story that shows Batman is more than just throwing punches. The final story has a fair amount of action and tension. However, it isn't nearly as interesting as the other stories in this book and, ultimately, feels pretty forgettable.
Doug Mahnke (Detective Comics #1012–1016), Scott Godlewski (Detective Comics #1018–1019), Jose Luis (Detective Comics #1015), Tyler Kirkham (Detective Comics #1016), and Fernado Blanco (Detective Comics #1017) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part the pencilers have distinct penciling styles, but complement each other well.
Mahnke's gritty and realistic take on Batman allows the tension and unease within the storyline to come through. Blanco takes over for a beautifully depicted story about a real world problem. Finally, Godlewski takes over for an imaginative mix of Gotham City and Norse mythology with an art style here is more stylized than it is in the rest of the book, which helps considering the less grounded nature of the story being told. Ultimately, the artwork in this book suits and enhances each story, which makes this a better book overall, despite the overall uneven flow of the trade paperback.
All in all, Detective Comics: Cold Vengeance is a mediocre continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
October 22, 2024
Lukewarm and cold on this one.
The first storyline follows the Freeze subplot from the previous volume. While I appreciate the relative irony you don't have to be a rocket scientist to guess how it's going to end and it's far too long. Four issues that feel like 5 instead of 3: moderately satisfying.
1 correct middle issue with an orphanage story that has the merit of being well illustrated by Fernando Blanco. Satisfying.
2 ridiculous issues with Vikings and monsters from outer-whatever. Not at all satisfying.
The first storyline follows the Freeze subplot from the previous volume. While I appreciate the relative irony you don't have to be a rocket scientist to guess how it's going to end and it's far too long. Four issues that feel like 5 instead of 3: moderately satisfying.
1 correct middle issue with an orphanage story that has the merit of being well illustrated by Fernando Blanco. Satisfying.
2 ridiculous issues with Vikings and monsters from outer-whatever. Not at all satisfying.
February 15, 2021
Dragged out storyline with a fairly fantastic (as in unbelievable) 'new' (if you think a mean-girl clone of an existing baddie is 'new') villain.
March 9, 2024
The Fries storyline added interesting elements to the mythos, I enjoyed the B Zero explanation.
The Tom Taylor issue was nice as you'd expect and the last two issues were fine.
Loved Mahnke's art, the other artists were nice.
The Tom Taylor issue was nice as you'd expect and the last two issues were fine.
Loved Mahnke's art, the other artists were nice.
October 13, 2024
Kreska - do połowy super potem zmiana rys
Historia - obie ciekawe 👀
Tempo - szybkie nie ma nudy
Epickie plansze - 🧐 no niee
W sumie to 3,5🌟
Historia - obie ciekawe 👀
Tempo - szybkie nie ma nudy
Epickie plansze - 🧐 no niee
W sumie to 3,5🌟
October 10, 2023
The majority of this GN involves Mr. Freeze. With the help of some nanotechnology from Lex Luthor, Freeze is finally able to ditch his helmet and revive his wife Nora. But when she's revived, she doesn't react the way he expects and soon it's up to Batman to help Mr. Freeze. The remaining issues also involve the cold, with one centering around missing orphans and two involving a story about a Norse god appearing in Gotham. The Freeze story is actually pretty solid, the other issues just fair. 3.5/5*
April 23, 2022
Peter Tomasi is completely unrecognizable in the main arc of this book. The plot, pace and character writing are all horrible, it was weird to see a man that knows how to write Batman completely forget how to do so. This is followed by a great Tom Taylor one-shot and the last two issue arc by Tomasi is again super messy, the art is a lot nicer here however. Overall this felt like the creative were either completely out of ideas or their hearts just wasn't into it, avoid if you can.
July 27, 2022
Peter Tomasi kontynuuje cykl o Batmanie-detektywie. Tym razem powieje chłodem, bo każda z trzech historii będzie miała związek z zimą lub zimnem.
W pierwszej znowu spotkamy Mr Freeza. Z pomocą technologii Luthora w końcu będzie on w stanie wybudzić i wyleczyć Norę, swoją żonę, która obecnie jest zamrożona w oczekiwaniu na lekarstwo na raka. Zrozpaczony Victor Fries chwyta się każdej możliwości. Obecnie testuje właśnie nowy preparat, jednak wyniki odbiegają do zadowalających. Jedynym wyjściem jest testowanie na obiektach wręcz identycznych jak jego żona. W ten sposób złoczyńca wciela w życie plan porwania kobiet odpowiadającym cechom Nory. Właśnie zniknięcia kobiet powodują, że Batman zainteresował się sprawą. Niestety Fries nie przewidział jednego: że lek może mieć poważne skutki uboczne, które wystawią na próbę jego miłość. Ta historia jest nieco przegadana, jednak czyta się ją z ciekawością. Niemniej widzę w niej sporo nieścisłości i przyspieszeń, co nieco odbiera radość z czytania.
Tom 4 Batman Detective Comics zawiera jeszcze dwie historie. Pierwsza to historia duetu Scott Godlewski – Peter J. Tomasi. Przedstawia przedziwny nordycki kult, który w Gotham stara się wskrzesić dziwne monstrum związanego z mitologią Wikingów. To dość pokręcona, jednak bardzo logiczna historia z fantastycznymi mrocznymi rysunkami, przywodzących na myśl sceny z serialu Stranger Things. Niestety nie ma tu klimatu tajemnicy czy grozy jaki był w przywołanym przeze mnie serialu. Ot, jest straszny, dobrze narysowany potwór i tyle. A to za mało.
Druga to one-shot Toma Taylora i Fernando Blanco. To bardzo bożonarodzeniowa historia o sierocińcu Wayne’ów. Okazuje się, że dzieją się tu dość niepokojące rzeczy i podopieczni wolą uciekać niż być ich częścią. By nie plamić honoru rodu Batman musi znowu wkroczyć do akcji. Choć jest to najspokojniejsza z wszystkich zamieszczonych w tomie 4 historii, wydaje się być najbardziej przemyślana. Pokazuje ludzką twarz Batmana, a to chwile, na które czeka się bardziej niż na kolejne spektakularne walki. Bruce Wayne jest równie ważny jak jego superbohaterskie alter ego.
Więcej na: https://www.monime.pl/batman-detectiv...
W pierwszej znowu spotkamy Mr Freeza. Z pomocą technologii Luthora w końcu będzie on w stanie wybudzić i wyleczyć Norę, swoją żonę, która obecnie jest zamrożona w oczekiwaniu na lekarstwo na raka. Zrozpaczony Victor Fries chwyta się każdej możliwości. Obecnie testuje właśnie nowy preparat, jednak wyniki odbiegają do zadowalających. Jedynym wyjściem jest testowanie na obiektach wręcz identycznych jak jego żona. W ten sposób złoczyńca wciela w życie plan porwania kobiet odpowiadającym cechom Nory. Właśnie zniknięcia kobiet powodują, że Batman zainteresował się sprawą. Niestety Fries nie przewidział jednego: że lek może mieć poważne skutki uboczne, które wystawią na próbę jego miłość. Ta historia jest nieco przegadana, jednak czyta się ją z ciekawością. Niemniej widzę w niej sporo nieścisłości i przyspieszeń, co nieco odbiera radość z czytania.
Tom 4 Batman Detective Comics zawiera jeszcze dwie historie. Pierwsza to historia duetu Scott Godlewski – Peter J. Tomasi. Przedstawia przedziwny nordycki kult, który w Gotham stara się wskrzesić dziwne monstrum związanego z mitologią Wikingów. To dość pokręcona, jednak bardzo logiczna historia z fantastycznymi mrocznymi rysunkami, przywodzących na myśl sceny z serialu Stranger Things. Niestety nie ma tu klimatu tajemnicy czy grozy jaki był w przywołanym przeze mnie serialu. Ot, jest straszny, dobrze narysowany potwór i tyle. A to za mało.
Druga to one-shot Toma Taylora i Fernando Blanco. To bardzo bożonarodzeniowa historia o sierocińcu Wayne’ów. Okazuje się, że dzieją się tu dość niepokojące rzeczy i podopieczni wolą uciekać niż być ich częścią. By nie plamić honoru rodu Batman musi znowu wkroczyć do akcji. Choć jest to najspokojniejsza z wszystkich zamieszczonych w tomie 4 historii, wydaje się być najbardziej przemyślana. Pokazuje ludzką twarz Batmana, a to chwile, na które czeka się bardziej niż na kolejne spektakularne walki. Bruce Wayne jest równie ważny jak jego superbohaterskie alter ego.
Więcej na: https://www.monime.pl/batman-detectiv...
March 15, 2021
Since the last full story arc in Detective Comics which introduced and featured the Arkham Knight ended, there were a few short self-contained-ish stories that were strung together. However, in the middle of all that, we saw Mr. Freeze working with Lex Luthor on something. In the context of this stretch of stories, it seemed like a strange addition. However, that seemingly random tease of a story was actually the setup for this story arc featured here in Volume 4 where Victor Fries has a new-new plan to rescue his young, beautiful wife from her cancer that he cryogenically put on hold until he could come up with a way to cure her illness. This is not a spoiler. This is basically Mr. Freeze's only motivation in life (canonically speaking)--and that is on display here. However, this story arc surprised me because it asked a question I never thought about... What does Nora Fries, who has been frozen in stasis for all these years, think about all this... It's a fascinating angle to a legacy rogue villain and it had me intrigued. This story was worth the price of admission.
The other story arc in this volume seemed to be a mix of mystery, horror, cultism and grifting that was equal parts horrifying, shocking, and strange. It has a very "narrative" end which technically resolves/ties up the story, but it's such a disturbing story that this kind of ending simply leaves me with a "feeling" like it's unresolved. Yet, for all my nit-picking, this structure may well be intentional and makes it a horrifying, yet intriguing, Batman story.
I'd say that this volume would not be too bad a place to pick up the Detective Comics storyline. If you missed the last volume, all you'd need to know is that Lex met up with Victor Fries at some point recently. Everything else is pretty much laid out here and can be picked up in the reading of this volume on its own. On a somewhat related note, it does seem that the events of Batman #77 (no spoilers here) come before chronologically before Detective Comics #1017, so you can be aware of that little detail.
The other story arc in this volume seemed to be a mix of mystery, horror, cultism and grifting that was equal parts horrifying, shocking, and strange. It has a very "narrative" end which technically resolves/ties up the story, but it's such a disturbing story that this kind of ending simply leaves me with a "feeling" like it's unresolved. Yet, for all my nit-picking, this structure may well be intentional and makes it a horrifying, yet intriguing, Batman story.
I'd say that this volume would not be too bad a place to pick up the Detective Comics storyline. If you missed the last volume, all you'd need to know is that Lex met up with Victor Fries at some point recently. Everything else is pretty much laid out here and can be picked up in the reading of this volume on its own. On a somewhat related note, it does seem that the events of Batman #77 (no spoilers here) come before chronologically before Detective Comics #1017, so you can be aware of that little detail.
April 14, 2021
Collects issues #1012-1019
This should have been a bigger story than what we got. Mr. Freeze has been trying to cure his wife Nora for years, and when he finally does it should have been a huge deal, but it really was just another day for Batman fighting weird supervillains. I liked Nora's ambivalence after being resurrected after so long. Mr. Freeze may have still been madly in love with her, but from her perspective his resurrection of her was just a selfish indulgence. When she finally gets around to seeing this new world, what does she do? Join her husband in a crime spree. This didn't make a lot of sense, other than to let Tomasi give Batman some detective work to do. Another thing that bothered me somewhat was that Nora was drawn more like a hulking athlete than a petite ballerina (especially since I assume she would be a bit emaciated after all that time in suspended animation). Nevertheless, this arc was more interesting than some of the world-ending events going on in Batman's own title, where things often get unbelievably out of hand and then resolved quickly via some deus ex machina. Here we see Batman (with Alfred's help) doing actual science and detective work.
The other stories in this volume are a mixed bag. The one-shot by Tom Taylor about a missing teenager from Bruce Wayne's orphanage is a strong character study. The two-parter about the Norse cult is silly, taking a weird supernatural turn late in the story and Batman essentially going, "well, these things happen; I can't explain it," probably never to be referred to again.
The artwork by Doug Mahnke is crisp. I wish the inkers had been more consistent, but overall it isn't bad.
This should have been a bigger story than what we got. Mr. Freeze has been trying to cure his wife Nora for years, and when he finally does it should have been a huge deal, but it really was just another day for Batman fighting weird supervillains. I liked Nora's ambivalence after being resurrected after so long. Mr. Freeze may have still been madly in love with her, but from her perspective his resurrection of her was just a selfish indulgence. When she finally gets around to seeing this new world, what does she do? Join her husband in a crime spree. This didn't make a lot of sense, other than to let Tomasi give Batman some detective work to do. Another thing that bothered me somewhat was that Nora was drawn more like a hulking athlete than a petite ballerina (especially since I assume she would be a bit emaciated after all that time in suspended animation). Nevertheless, this arc was more interesting than some of the world-ending events going on in Batman's own title, where things often get unbelievably out of hand and then resolved quickly via some deus ex machina. Here we see Batman (with Alfred's help) doing actual science and detective work.
The other stories in this volume are a mixed bag. The one-shot by Tom Taylor about a missing teenager from Bruce Wayne's orphanage is a strong character study. The two-parter about the Norse cult is silly, taking a weird supernatural turn late in the story and Batman essentially going, "well, these things happen; I can't explain it," probably never to be referred to again.
The artwork by Doug Mahnke is crisp. I wish the inkers had been more consistent, but overall it isn't bad.
January 11, 2022
Most of this volume is comprised of a story that relates to Victor Fries, aka Freeze, yet again attempting to revive his wife. However, there is a couple of unexpected twists and truns that makes it "fresh". It shows how talented a writer Tomasi is when he can write a story about such a one-note villain that still has a new twist. The way the story builds, and the character momments between Alfred and Bruce give it a special something that makes it very enjoyable. A nice self-contained story, mostly unhampered by whatever else is happenning in the DC universe.
Next, we get a Tom Taylor penned one-issue story. Its a nice read, and reminds us that Wayne is still very much in touch with his humanity, despite some writers attempting to turn him into a psychopatic un-social jerk.
To closeout the volume, we have a fun two-issue story, again penned by Tomasi, about a cult attempting to ressurect a norse deity. Again, there is a cool twist in it.
Artwork is mostly by Doug Mahnke, and he is great as allways.
Most people seem to dislike Tomasi's work on 'Tec, and are fawning oer Tynon's work on Batman. Honestly, I find this to be significantly superior. While people seem to be excited about Tynion's superficial, contrived, predictable and childish run, this suits my tastes alot more. Its low stakes, sure, but its so much more well written than the main title.
Next, we get a Tom Taylor penned one-issue story. Its a nice read, and reminds us that Wayne is still very much in touch with his humanity, despite some writers attempting to turn him into a psychopatic un-social jerk.
To closeout the volume, we have a fun two-issue story, again penned by Tomasi, about a cult attempting to ressurect a norse deity. Again, there is a cool twist in it.
Artwork is mostly by Doug Mahnke, and he is great as allways.
Most people seem to dislike Tomasi's work on 'Tec, and are fawning oer Tynon's work on Batman. Honestly, I find this to be significantly superior. While people seem to be excited about Tynion's superficial, contrived, predictable and childish run, this suits my tastes alot more. Its low stakes, sure, but its so much more well written than the main title.
January 21, 2021
Of all writers that have penned Batman for a significant amount of time and across multiple series I think Tomasi might be my favorite characterization. I think his Batman is so solid with such a bedrock voice that it bridges the gap between all the series he’s written Batman for.
That’s the initial reason I started pulling Detective comics and it’s no less true here.
A Mr. Freeze arc in year of the villain, a delightful issue penned by Tom Taylor, and a two parter cult murder mystery.
Doug Mahnke is on pencils throughout the freeze story mostly with a few inkers which can give his pencils different looks at different times. I love his pencils though.
The art is solid though the book and the story offend gives it big moments to showcase itself and breath from the words. It has a nice flow.
This is a very solid Batman read. With the qualifier that if you aren’t already a Batman fan I don’t think this one will change your mind as it is such a solid classic Batman voice as I mentioned in the first paragraph. This is the sort of characterization I expect most of the time in the best way.
I enjoyed the hell out of this collection and can easily recommend it to any Batman fan.
4 stars.
That’s the initial reason I started pulling Detective comics and it’s no less true here.
A Mr. Freeze arc in year of the villain, a delightful issue penned by Tom Taylor, and a two parter cult murder mystery.
Doug Mahnke is on pencils throughout the freeze story mostly with a few inkers which can give his pencils different looks at different times. I love his pencils though.
The art is solid though the book and the story offend gives it big moments to showcase itself and breath from the words. It has a nice flow.
This is a very solid Batman read. With the qualifier that if you aren’t already a Batman fan I don’t think this one will change your mind as it is such a solid classic Batman voice as I mentioned in the first paragraph. This is the sort of characterization I expect most of the time in the best way.
I enjoyed the hell out of this collection and can easily recommend it to any Batman fan.
4 stars.
January 16, 2022
Collects issues 1012-1019 of Detectives comics and continues Tomasi’s run.
The first story arc involves Mr Freeze bringing back his wife Nora using Lex Luthor’s serum (tying into the Year of the Villains event DC had going on at the time). A fun story arc that reminded me of a story used see in the silver age but with a modern edge to it. Batman’s thermal suit was cool to see.
I personally thought Tom Taylor’s single issue was the best of the lot. It tells a personal story of children being taken from a Wayne funded orphanage. Seeing both Bruce and Batman in action is always something I throughly enjoy. Anything involving children always sets Batman off and the stakes always feel personal. A well done one shot.
The next two issues were absolutely cosmic goofiness. A Norse ritual gone wrong that ends up summoning an elder god who kills the ritual goers 😅 it started off as a fun mystery but spirals very quickly. Very silver age styled and fun for a short two issue story.
The first story arc involves Mr Freeze bringing back his wife Nora using Lex Luthor’s serum (tying into the Year of the Villains event DC had going on at the time). A fun story arc that reminded me of a story used see in the silver age but with a modern edge to it. Batman’s thermal suit was cool to see.
I personally thought Tom Taylor’s single issue was the best of the lot. It tells a personal story of children being taken from a Wayne funded orphanage. Seeing both Bruce and Batman in action is always something I throughly enjoy. Anything involving children always sets Batman off and the stakes always feel personal. A well done one shot.
The next two issues were absolutely cosmic goofiness. A Norse ritual gone wrong that ends up summoning an elder god who kills the ritual goers 😅 it started off as a fun mystery but spirals very quickly. Very silver age styled and fun for a short two issue story.
December 24, 2021
It's been almost a year since I read the previous volume of this run. I guess I got Batman fatigue and needed a break. This turns out to be a good Christmas Eve read, with the Mr and Mrs Freeze arc as the main story, and a 2-part Christmas-adjacent story in 1018-1019. (I read this in single issues, so I *think* 1018-1019 is part of this TPB.)
The Mr and Mrs Freeze story is pretty good. The "female version of the hero/villain" thing is an old trope at this point, but it's done well enough here. The two-part "Dead of Winter" story is fun, but there's not much to it.
I like the way Tomasi writes Batman. Generally speaking, his Batman is competent, driven, and fairly self-contained, but not uncaring or unhinged. He's got stuff under control. I like that take on Batman more than some of the more over-the-top versions of the character.
The Mr and Mrs Freeze story is pretty good. The "female version of the hero/villain" thing is an old trope at this point, but it's done well enough here. The two-part "Dead of Winter" story is fun, but there's not much to it.
I like the way Tomasi writes Batman. Generally speaking, his Batman is competent, driven, and fairly self-contained, but not uncaring or unhinged. He's got stuff under control. I like that take on Batman more than some of the more over-the-top versions of the character.
June 21, 2021
A multi-part story with Mr. Freeze which finally deals with the whole issue of his wife, Nora. On one hand, it's nice to see this finally be resolved. On the other, it creates a change in the Batman mythos which can be hard for some of us long-timers. All the pieces pretty much make sense, albeit a little bit forced. You can see what's going to happen pretty quickly so at that point you just watch everything unfold. We'll see if this becomes long-term or not.
This also includes a one-shot by Tom Taylor, reminding Bruce there are other people in Gotham that need help.
Lastly, a two-parter about some ritualistic killings. Fairly routine, although in some ways it's nice to read a simple detective story that doesn't have this epic, status quo changing plot.
This also includes a one-shot by Tom Taylor, reminding Bruce there are other people in Gotham that need help.
Lastly, a two-parter about some ritualistic killings. Fairly routine, although in some ways it's nice to read a simple detective story that doesn't have this epic, status quo changing plot.
July 14, 2021
*Lots of reading + no time review = Knee-jerk reactions!*
Honestly, I've been really enjoying that last few Batman stories I've read. Top-notch writing and interesting ideas live up to the complexity we expect from a character dubbed "The World's Greatest Detective." This story actually saw Mr. Freeze reunited with his wife... and it going horribly wrong! I never thought about her becoming a villain, but that sort of betrayal, heartbreak, and tragic spiral were handled perfectly--leading to a Batman and Mr. Freeze team-up! Absolutely excellent, though I shouldn't be surprised: Peter J. Tomasi never disappoints.
Honestly, I've been really enjoying that last few Batman stories I've read. Top-notch writing and interesting ideas live up to the complexity we expect from a character dubbed "The World's Greatest Detective." This story actually saw Mr. Freeze reunited with his wife... and it going horribly wrong! I never thought about her becoming a villain, but that sort of betrayal, heartbreak, and tragic spiral were handled perfectly--leading to a Batman and Mr. Freeze team-up! Absolutely excellent, though I shouldn't be surprised: Peter J. Tomasi never disappoints.
January 27, 2021
Basic Plot: Mr. Freeze manages to revive his wife, but the results are not what was expected, and Batman enters the scene to help clean up the mess.
This story is very much the embodiment of "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." I almost felt sorry for Victor. Almost. The story was well crafted and a good addition to the Year of the Villain. It gives further clues that Luthor's offers are more dangerous than they seem. The pacing is good and the art is also good throughout. A very solid book.
This story is very much the embodiment of "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." I almost felt sorry for Victor. Almost. The story was well crafted and a good addition to the Year of the Villain. It gives further clues that Luthor's offers are more dangerous than they seem. The pacing is good and the art is also good throughout. A very solid book.
April 9, 2022
3.5 Stars
The main story is a Year of the Villain tie in starring Mr. Freeze. Needless to say, things do not go as Freeze planned and when the dust clears it looks like Batman may have a new member of his rogue's gallery. Or as Peacemaker would say, another member of his coterie of supervillains.
Then there's a pretty hard hitting one shot dealing with a missing orphan from one of Wayne's orphanages.
Finally the volume wraps up with a Christmas story dealing with monsters and a Norse cult.
Overall a decent run with nice art.
The main story is a Year of the Villain tie in starring Mr. Freeze. Needless to say, things do not go as Freeze planned and when the dust clears it looks like Batman may have a new member of his rogue's gallery. Or as Peacemaker would say, another member of his coterie of supervillains.
Then there's a pretty hard hitting one shot dealing with a missing orphan from one of Wayne's orphanages.
Finally the volume wraps up with a Christmas story dealing with monsters and a Norse cult.
Overall a decent run with nice art.
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