REVIEW: ‘Detective Comics,’ Issue #1070

Detective Comics #1070 from DC Comics is perhaps the creepiest comic on the stands. In the first story, ‘Gotham Nocturne, Act I,’ Batman might, at last, be getting his act together. Ram V continues to pen this macabre, gripping tale with darkly crafted pencils from Stefano Raffaele, diligent coloring by Adriano Lucas, and smart, pronounced lettering by Ariana Maher. Batman has been scraping rock bottom in his fight with the Orgham family. Now, he might be realizing who he is and what he needs to be just in time to unravel the mystery of what they’re trying to do to Gotham City.

This issue opens up where it left off last issue, with Solomon Grundy loose in the once-unknown bowels of Gotham as the citizens kidnapped by the Orghams attempt to break out. Grundy’s role here is impressive, and his look artistically is not gothic or dark, but a blend of gruesome and cartoonish. I like this. Grundy is a plant man, a construct and the animation style gives him a disturbing falseness that enhances his alienation. Meanwhile, Bruce is at his parents’ grave reevaluating himself.  This is a terrific scene involving good characterization, a little dose of Barbatos, and quality dialogue with the ever-present Arzen Orgham.

What follows is Batman coming to terms with change, evil, and some disturbing truths about the city he believes he serves. I have to say for all of the Gothic art, the darkness, the demons, the scariest thing about this storyline comes in this issue. It’s Gotham. Read it. The notes were playing it all along, but here, I feel this outdoes the weird Orghams. I hope this goes all the way, and just gets weirder. Raffaele’s art is a bit more sketchy but produces some gorgeous renderings. The cemetery, flashbacks, and more are soothing doses of meticulous ink, served graciously with ornate colors by Lucas, and the polished letters of Maher. This issue digs into things a lot so jump in here if you’ve been waiting for backstory and explanations.

After that helping of dark noir, the backup feature ‘Absolute’ reaches its midpoint. Trapped far beneath Gotham’s streets by the chilling Mr. Freeze, Annabel Mead is hearing a singing ghost and can’t escape. You’d think those were the worst of her problems, but no. Freeze wants to bathe her brain in literal absolute zero for reasons I won’t explain. There are some threads connecting Annabel’s plight with the weirdness of Gotham, plus other characters making moves that add to the oddities at play. Simon Spurrier keeps this tale going and they’ve got to be one of my favorite writers in comics these days. Caspar Wijngaard maintains icy, calm artistry with absorbing colors. Steve Wands triggers ellipses and dashes during this chaotic episode in style.

The degree of character immersion, the additions to the Gotham cast, and the overall depth these two stories attempt to reach are engaging. I cannot recommend Detective Comics #1070 enough. If you’re a fan of Batman, a Grundy lover, a Mr. Freeze fanatic, think the Orghams are the first great new villains in a long time, or realize how Gotham is an incredible character all on its own, then wait no more. Get. This. Issue. Heck, when you see Detective Comics #1070 go up for pre-order, save it to your wishlist.

Detective Comics #1070 is available wherever comic books are sold.