Batman: The Detective #5
DC Comics
Written by Tom Taylor
Art by Andy Kubert
Inks by Sandra Hope
Colors by Brad Anderson
Letters by Clem Robins
The Rundown: Batman and Squire work to save a group of civilians from a deadly enemy, and the origins of Equilibrium are revealed.
Batman and Squire connect with a surprising global organization and receive valuable information. Later the duo arrives in Belgium where they are met by a dangerous group of foes. Batman and Squire then engage in an all battle to save the lives of a large group of individuals. Afterwards, they seek out an old acquaintance of Batman, and gain insight on a powerful enemy. Finally, Batman has a stunning revelation and must decide how to proceed.
The Story: The penultimate episode of this series delivers in both content and action. Taylor does an excellent job with filling in the missing details of one of Batman’s deadliest enemies. I really appreciate the story telling in this issue as I am always interested in the motivations of villainy. And the events surrounding Equilibrium’s life are both relatable and heartbreaking.
However, I believe that my favorite part of the chapter was the piece regarding the European Alliance of the Bat. This fascinating organization is filled with potential and I hope that we see more of it in the future.
The Art: This is an exciting issue filled with combat scenes. Although the color palate heavily features blue tones, the hues change with the mood and location of the scene. The illustrations in this edition are intense and visually appealing.