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Batman, DC Comics, Detective Comics #1006, Detective Comics #1006 review, Gotham, Horror, Kyle Hotz, Peter J. Tomasi, The Spectre
Batman Detective Comics #1006
Review by Paul Bowler
Dark, supernatural forces stalk Gotham in Detective Comics #1006 as the Spectre enlists Batman’s help in solving the mysterious disappearance of Jim Corrigan – the GCPD detective who is the host for the spirit of God’s Vengeance.
With this issue of Detective Comics writer Peter J Tomasi weaves a grim, suspenseful tale featuring the Spectre. This otherworldly character hasn’t featured prominently for a while now, so Kyle Hotz’s eye-catching cover immediately caught my attention, and I found myself instantly caught up in the gripping story within.
Tomasi quickly sets the tone by setting up a beguiling mystery for the Dark Knight when he is recruited by the Spectre after he can no longer feel Jim Corrigan’s presence. Though we are privy from the outset to Detective Corrigan’s ambush and abduction by bizarre green hooded cultists, who also murder his partner, we are still left just as much in the dark as the Spectre and Batman as to what has happened to Corrigan. The plot is skilfully crafted by Tomasi to keep us guessing every step of the way. From the striking opening scenes when Corrigan is attacked, through to Batman’s daunting initial rooftop encounter with the Spectre, and their eventual investigation of the gruesome crime scene the pace of this issue doesn’t let up for a moment.
The artwork by Kyle Hotz conjures up a wonderfully creepy atmosphere and gothic looking Gotham. Indeed, Hotz’s impressive work here in realizing Batman’s grim world reminded me a bit of Kelley Jones’ take on Batman, albeit in far more restrained in style, but still nevertheless equally as captivating if, like me, you are a fan of somewhat darker supernatural themed Batman stories and atheistics for the Dark Knight. The Spectre’s aforementioned rooftop recruitment of Batman is a big highlight, as is the gore soaked charnel house crime scene that serves as the primary focal point which drives much of the issues narrative. Similarly, the sombre color palette employed by colorist David Baron stylishly complements Hotz’s artwork to accentuate both the gritty and paranormal elements of Tomasi’s story perfectly.
It was great to see the Batman working alongside the Spectre in this issue and I thoroughly enjoyed this change of pace and tone following Tomaski’s Arkham Knight storyline. With its mysteriously compelling story by Peter J Tomaski and atmospheric artwork by Kyle Hotz Detective Comics #1006 is well worth checking out – especially if a decidedly stranger and more unearthly tale of the Dark Knight is your thing.
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Peter J Tomasi / Artist: Kyle Hotz
Colorist: David Baron / Letterer: Rob Leigh / Cover: Kyle Hotz
Sci-Fi Jubilee 
That is one of the best, moodiest, and most impressive Batman covers I’ve seen!
Its such an eye-catching cover and it really reflects the supernatural tone of the issue as well.
The Spectre is such a underused chraracter….I think he is simply too much for any one writer to handle because of who he is and what he represents…he can anything and its such a challenge to downplay The Spectre to a level where he needs human help for anything.
The Spectre has certainly been a very underused character in recent times, which is a shame I think, so I was especially pleased to see him team up with Batman in this issue of Detective Comics. I agree though, the Spectre does need a special kind of story for him to be involved because he is so powerful a character.
Good review Paul, I have to admit I’m not really ‘feeling’ Peter Tomasi’s run on Detective (the Arkham Knight arc was a bit underwhelming) – for me it lacks the overall power of Tom king’s work on the main Batman book, although I realise that’s subjective.
I thought this issue was okay and wasn’t all that impressed with the art, I wish they’d get Eddy Barrows back, I loved his work when James Tynion was writing.
If you like dark supernatural Batman, have you read the ‘Damned’ Black Label series that’s just wrapped up – it’s rather good and essential if you like the Joker graphic novel.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review. I think Tomasi’s run has yet to find its feet, and I also found the Arkham Knight story a bit pedestrian TBH. However, I’m no fan of King’s Batman, I stopped reading it ages ago. Actually, Detective is the only Bat Book I read now, I used to like Nightwing before all the awful Rick Grayson stuff happened. This issue of Detective was right up my street story and art wise as well, just right for the spooky story. Barrows was great on Detective wasn’t he? I wish they’d kept Tynion on Detective as well, it was really good then. I am warming to Tomasi’s run though, but I preferred his work on Superman. I’ve not read the Damned yet, but thanks for remining me about it. I’ll have to check that one out 🙂
Yeah, Tomasi’s Superman stuff was good but I much prefer Bendis’s current run on Superman/Action (Dan Jurgens tenure on Action was good too).
You’ll probably be glad to hear that Tom King leaves Batman with issue #85 then – although he’ll be writing a Batman/Catwoman series. I’m definitely going to stick with Detective and always will do, just hope I warm up to it a bit more…but yeah, would definitely love to see Eddy Barrows return – I think he could have lifted this story up a notch.
I must admit I haven’t really taken to Bendis’ run on Superman & Action Comics, I’ve tried a few issues here and there, but not been too impressed. I ain’t easy to please am I? LOL! I am looking foward to Bendis brining back the Legion of Superheroes though, I’ve always thought Bendis writes great team books. Yes, I’ll be pleased to see Tom King move on from Batman. I Have enjoyed his work on Mr Miracle and Vision, but his Batman just hasn’t been for me. Will be interesting to see which writer / artist team take over next.
I’m very interested to see who takes over from King on Batman, it’s moving back to a monthly publishing schedule (as with all DC titles.from next year) as well which it can only benefit from creatively. Shame you haven’t been able to get into Bendis’s Superman stuff – I’m really enjoying it (I’ve just reviewed the latest issue of Action), but hey, we all have different tastes and sounds as though you like some of his work – Legion should be interesting!
It will indeed. Will be a good move for DC Comics to go back to a monthly publishing schedule as well as it will give creative teams more time and scope to develop storylines better. It is a shame I haven’t yet enjoyed Superman or Action comics by Bendis, I was looking foward to him taking over. I do usually prefer his team books though, and his tweets about the Legion of Superheroes sound very promising indeed.
Yeah, I think you would need to be prepared to stick with the Superman books as things are clearly building and starting to pay off further on.
I might check out the new issue of Superman next week then, as I’ll also get Supergirl (been really enjoying that series and the space adventure),. There certainly seems quite a good vibe building around the Superman books atm.
I always have a soft spot for Batman supernatural tales. There’s something about the grounded and gritty hero that goes so well with the supernatural. Bonus points for this issue has to go for using the Spectre, we need to see more of him! Nicely written review, BTW.
I love a good supernatural tale for Batman’s adventure, they are so few and far between now though sadly. Think that’s why I enjoyed this issue so much. Also seeing the Spectre in this issue was great, we need that character to feature more in DC Comics. Cheers, glad you enjoyed the review, always fun to write about a spooky Batman story 🙂
This sounds like it’s worth checking out.
Tomasi’s run on Detective has been pretty good so far. I really liked the supernatural storyline in this issue, and the return of the Spectre. I’d certainly recommend it. Hope we get more Batman stories like this, makes a nice change for the Dark Knight.
I love the style of artwork. It feels vintage and modern at the same time.
So do I, the art in this issue is a great blend of styles and eras. It also really suits the more supernatural tone of this Batman story. and the cover is very eye catching too 🙂