Robb Ghag reviews Detective Comics #22…
“Meet The Wrath! In Gotham City, he’s the anti-Batman, and the body count is about to shoot through the roof! And in the backup story, Man-Bat makes a startling discovery!”
‘Targeting the Shield’. The title says it all in this latest issue of Detective Comics. After the Man-Bat outbreak in issue 19, and the rise and fall (and rise again) of the Penguin, we begin this storyline where a new enemy emerges in Gotham City. And they’re targeting the Gotham City Police Department.
The consistent excellence John Layman has brought to the writing of Detective Comics, with intriguing backstories and new characters continues here. He’s managed to keep the reader engaged, which is very difficult to do when introducing new villains for the Dark Knight.
Jason Fabok’s artwork as usual is stunning, especially his backgrounds of Gotham City. Considering Gotham is a dark, rainy epicenter he’s able to switch gears flawlessly from the dark alleys to the highest skyscrapers.
Even though it is in a comic book setting, the murder of police is a very serious subject in any medium. Given the gravity of the situation, the Batman continues to fight for the side of justice while the rest of the GCPD is out looking for blood and revenge.
The backup story continues with Kirk Langstrom’s transformations into the Man-Bat and sheds some light onto his recent memory loss. Adding to that more questions arise about the relationship between him and his wife, Francine, and how she is involved with the recent Man-Bat sightings.
This book has again surprised and delivered a great opening for a new storyline.
Robb Ghag works for an Arts & Entertainment Brokerage in Toronto Canada. An Animation and Film school graduate, he specializes in Risk Management of Animation and VFX studios throughout North America.
Originally published July 8, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
