Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: The Surrogate: Part 1 – Lost and Found
Written by: Andersen Gabrych
Penciled by: Pete Woods
Inked by: Cam Smith
Colored by: Jason Wright
Lettered by: Clem Robins
Assistant Editor: Michael Wright
Editor: Bob Schreck
Story Title: The Tailor: Part 3
Written by: A.J. Lieberman
Art by: Nathan Fox
Colored by: Giulia Brusco
Lettered by: Clem Robins
Assistant Editor: Nachie Castro
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
It’s a wonder that ‘Tec’s not a wreck!
The Batman titles have seen a lot of changes in the last year or two. Detective Comics has probably seen the most changes. Critically acclaimed writer Greg Rucka was followed by the equally acclaimed Ed Brubaker. Unfortunately, Mr. Brubaker’s run was cut very short due to behind the scenes reasons. Following Brubaker’s hasty departure a number of fill in stories led us to the point we are at now, the second issue by the new regular team of Andersen Gabrych, Pete Woods, and Cam Smith.
While this is the second issue by the new team, this issue marks their first multi-issue storyline. Last month’s tale served as an introduction of sorts to the new team and the direction they’re going to take the Dark Knight. While nothing special, the story served as a nice look into the relationship between Batman and the current Batgirl, while also tying it all in with Jason’s Todd death. Nothing that hasn’t been done before, but it was a pretty good story. A story that didn’t knock me off my feet, but it did allay my fears about relative newcomer Andersen Gabrych cutting his teeth with an iconic title.
Batman vs. Gangsta Rap
This new storyline follows Batman as he attempts to find the family of a woman clinging to life after being shot with a very “icy†weapon; further complicating matters is the woman’s unborn child. Batman is called into the situation by Leslie Thompkins. She’s a Wayne family friend that, if Alfred can be considered something of a father, would be the closet thing to a mother that Bruce Wayne has had since the tragic death of his parents.
Thompkins is a character that has been used a great deal in the last few years to very solid effect. She helps to humanize the Batman and remind us that there are still some vestiges of Bruce Wayne beneath that tragic veneer. Gabrych weaves some solid scenes into the narrative that show how the connection between Bruce and Leslie began right after his parents’ murder. While solidly presented, the material, much like last month’s bit with Jason Todd, does have a bit of that been-there-done-that feel to it.
The girl in question is actually the sister of a pop princess, who draws some aggressive repercussions from talking to a tabloid. Once again, I think the materials a bit hoo-hum as far as freshness is concerned, but as a whole it’s a fairly interesting beginning to the story. With any luck Gabrych will have a few twists and turns for us as the storyline progresses.
Robin‘s loss is ‘Tec’s gain!
Pete Woods really left his mark on Robin. He recently finished up a near four year run on the Boy Wonder’s title; a run of that length can be considered mammoth in this day and age. Detective Comics has long been the more realistic, gritty, true crime stories with Batman, and Woods style really works well translating that. He captures Batman in fine fashion and does a good job rendering the action. All told, a very solid early performance thus far by Woods.
“The Tailor†has reached its third part as the backup story in Detective Comics. Written by incoming Gotham Knights scribe A.J. Lieberman. This backup had a somewhat promising debut, but has really sunk to a boring tale about some grade “Z†villains. Hopefully Lieberman’s stories in GK will work out a little better than this tale has. I’m at the point where I want to see the space devoted to something better.
