Tags
Batman, Batwoman, Brad Anderson, Cassandra Cain, Clayface, comics, DC Comics, DC Rebirth, Detective Comics #940, Detective Comics #940 review, Eber Ferreira, Eddy Barrows, Gotham, Gotham City, Jacob Kane, James Tynion IV, Orphan, Rafael Albuquerque, Raul Fernandez, Red Robin, Rise of the Batmen, Spoiler, The Colony
Detective Comics #940
Review by Paul Bowler
Batwoman confronts her father and Red Robin battles against impossible odds as the epic showdown with the Colony reaches its thrilling climax in Detective Comics #940, and it’s an issue destined to rock The Dark Knight’s world to the core. Batman, Batwoman and their new team of young heroes will soon face the chilling reality that, no matter the outcome, this battle to save Gotham may have already been lost…
For me, Detective Comics, with Batman and Batwoman fronting the team consisting of Spoiler, Red Robin, Orphan (Cassandra Cain), and super-villain seeking redemption Clayface, has been the highlight of DC Comics Rebirth and the new Bat-Books in general. From the moment it was announced, this titles concept and team structure, along with the inclusion of Clayface, captivated my imagination, and I love the dynamic that’s evolved between this fledgling superhero team as its evolved and learned to work together under Batwoman’s stewardship.
James Tynion IV ensures that Rise of the Batmen: Part 7 delivers a powerful finale for this first arc. I really like how Tynion has developed the bond between Bruce and Kate over the course of this storyline. Now they are forced to face the most challenging and difficult of circumstances, with Batwoman finally confronting her father’s treachery, as leader of the Colony and the one responsible for unleashing this army of Batmen and drone on Gotham, while Batman faces a desperate race against time to reach Tim at the old Wayne Tower.
Eddy Barrows gorgeous artwork for this issue of Detective Comics elevates the drama and tension to the max, with dynamic, almost cinematic page layouts. The scenes on and around the Colony Airship are spectacular, Barrows dazzles us with smashing action-packed moments of high drama as Batwoman’s fury spills over, but it is the moments where – having made himself the sole target of the drones – Red Robin makes his stand against this ultimate no-win-scenario that will truly have you on the edge of your seat. Eber Ferreira’s inks complement Barrows’ art brilliantly, enhancing the finer details and nuances of every scene, and the colors by Adriano Lucas meld with sublime grace to reflect the action and emotional beats of the story perfectly.
Detective Comics #940 is good, frustratingly good in fact, because to say more would completely spoil it. Suffice to say, James Tynion IV that pulled out all the stops for this one, its a master class in storytelling, plotting, and characterization. This issue has some of most powerful and emotional scenes that we’ve seen for a long time in a Batman comic. Barrows, Ferreira, and Lucas have also made this one of their most visually impressive issues so far. The emotional fallout from the cataclysmic events in Detective Comics #940 are conveyed in the most heartrending way, its moving stuff, and, needless to say, the ending will completely blow you away.
Rise of the Batmen has been a terrific start to Tynion’s run on Detective Comics. If this arc is anything to go by, I‘m sure Detective Comics will have become a must read Bat-Title for many fans, and now with the Night of the Monster Men crossover event about to begin, I can’t wait to see what Tynion and the whole creative team on Detective Comics have in store for us next!
Publisher: DC Comics / James Tynion IV
Art: Eddy Barrows / Inks: Eber Ferreira / Colors: Adriano Lucas
Letters: Marilyn Patrizio
Cover by: Barrows, Ferreira & Lucas
Variant Cover: Rafael Albuquerque
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Sci-Fi Jubilee 
Great issue. Really loving Detective at the moment. My fav Bat-book by far.
I agree, Detective Comics is getting everything right. Really like the story and art as well. The dynamic between the team is also good, and this issue really tests them to the limit. Glad you enjoyed the review and cheers for commenting 🙂
One of the many things I really liked about this issue is how it shows the Timothy Drake fight on the monitors while Batwoman is confronting her father. It allows you to choose which fight you pay more attention to visually, and it gives everything a more intense feel.
But yeah, it’s hard to talk about this comic’s story without spoiling it, and spoiling a comic this good should be a crime.
There was so much drama and tension in this issue, really good, and stunning art as well. Yes, this one is a difficult one to review without spoiling it, so always try hard never to do that. It can be a tricky balance sometimes, but hopefully I get it right.
Great review Paul, loving what DC’s Rebirth has had to offer thus far and Detective Comics (along with King & Finch’s Batman as well as the main Superman books) is certainly at the forefront. It’s also one of the more visually consistent titles but I think we’ve been lucky (at least, so far) that the twice-monthly schedule and rotating art duties has been handled and planned out pretty well (crosses fingers).
Have you read either of the Green Lantern titles? Think you’d enjoy those!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review. This was one of my fave DC book this week, Detective Comics has been of such a high standard since Rebirth, the team on this title are doing a great job. I quite like Kinng’s and Finch’s Batman as well, although its still not quite got the wow factor of Synder’s run, but its still good. The twice monthly schedule has worked ok so far, although a few of my friends have commented that its getting a bit expensive collecting DC comics now with 2 issues each month of their fave books. I haven’t read the new Green lantern titles, not a character I’d usually read, might check them out in trade later at some point tho.
Of course I totally agree about the cost issue, there are so many titles I want to read and very difficult to choose!
Yes, its the only downside to Rebirth and the monthly shipping IMOP. A lot of my friends would like to read more DC, but with two issues a month, it can work out expensive. It makes it so difficult to decide what to collected, which is a shame, as so man of the new DC Rebirth titles have been excellent.
Totally agree although the latest issue of Batman is the first Rebirth comic I haven’t actually enjoyed! Not holding out much hope for this ‘Monster Men’ crossover…
I’ve enjoyed Detective and All Star the most out of the new Bat Book. I wasn’t that excited by the first part of Monster Men crossover either tbh, it all seemed a little rushed and unfocused tbh. I wont bother with collecting all the parts in the other issues, except for TEC.