The World's Greatest Detective (and Storytelling!)
I grabbed my copy of Detective out of my box at the comic shop without a second glance. With all the New Kryptons and Blackest Nights out there, I've become a bit jaded as of late.
A week goes by and in between episodes of "To Catch A Predator" I figure i'll read a book. And then, well, then I see it. Denny O'Neil. So plainly put on the cover. And then I actually said out loud.
"Denny O'Neil wrote this. I will read it now."
First off, this story (titled "The Medallion")is not so closely linked to the Return of Bruce Wayne or any other overdone crossover in the comics mainstream. It's essentially a stand-alone story that further cements Dick Grayson's legacy as a real superhero, and heir to Bruce Wayne.
Secondly, this story has an incredible flashback dynamic that features Dick's "first" night out with Batman and their "first" encounter with The Joker. The art switches from Dustin Nguyen's gritty hardboiled pencils, to something from the 1940's-with a nod to Paul Dini/Bruce Timm's Joker design.
We see a retelling of that fateful night with Dick Grayson first met The Joker and how the case was unresolved. Years later, we see Dick in the mantle of The Batman and his desire to finish the case. No spoilers here!
What brought me into this book was Denny O'Neil. The man could write a PSA for cancer awareness and I'd be on the edge of my seat. But, this book is classic Batman detective story, but with Dick Grayson growing more into that mold as Gotham's Dark Knight. The dialogue is classic Batman, but with a twist. We know it is not Bruce Wayne, and the writing shows it. We see Dick Grayson learning to be Batman, and we see his approach to the case reflect that.
Another takeaway from this book is the art, as if the writing wasn't enough. The flashback to the "classic" case is a welcome treat to the store shelves theses days where art looks less and less genuine. It's a call back to what makes a crime-fighting story great, and that is great pacing, sharp dialogue and just enough action.
I'm sure you are reading more than 1 book a week, but you aren't, this should be your book for er-, last week. Its a great Bat-tale and one that can be read a year from now, or a year ago and still be relevant and necessary.
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