Review – Detective Comics #980 (DC Comics)

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artwork: Scott Eaton (pencils), Wayne Faucher (inks), John Kalisz (colours)
Letters: Sal Cipriano
Release Date: 9th May 2018

Tim Drake leads the assault on the allies of the Bat while under the control of Ulysses and Brother Eye. Elsewhere, Batman and Batwoman team up in a desperate plan to stop the dark future Saviour envisioned from becoming a reality, only to realise that they can’t do it alone.

James Tynion IV has been putting the beatdown on the Bat-Family for the longest time but once again it is time for things to escalate, and this time our heroes are forced to endure some severe psychological warfare. Kate gets to witness the final moments of her betrayal as she leads the Colony on a search-and-destroy mission to the Batcave whilst Stephanie and Cassandra get a glimpse into an alternate timeline. Tynion tests the resolve of these battle-hardened crime fighters and the result is laid bare for all to see.

Scot Eaton delivers a visually striking book featuring Brother Eye-controlled OMACs with gleaming red eyes and matching Bat insignia. No less threatening is Tim as “Dark” Batman, leading his horde of cyber-zombie killers, with John Kalisz’s colours bringing them to life as shadow and crimson death. The result of Eaton and Kalisz’s union is a fast-paced and nightmarish sequence of events that really hammers home the threat level and imminent danger everyone is in.

The story is a smartly written one and it reaches out to legacy readers with nostalgia tipped tendrils as we see the previous continuity hinted at. Even without prior knowledge of what came before, the sequence towards the end is a powerful one and one that is likely to resonate with readers both old and new. The relative unease between the members of the Bat-Family is on full show with the cracks in their relationships never more apparent. However, they continue the fight and each piece of the machine does its job to startling effect.

The story is nearing its conclusion and knowing both the creative team and the antagonist there is likely to be fireworks before all’s said and done. It will be very interesting to see how the end of this tale effects the relationships of what was once an unbreakable team and their ability to stay together. The series continues to be an intense and thrilling high stakes adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Rating: 5/5.

[PREVIEW ARTWORK]