Detective Comics #947 Review

Battyleaks

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez, Brad Anderson and Marilyn Patrizio
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: December 28, 2016

I was a huge fan of this book...right up until the Victim Syndicate showed up.  Sure, the Syndicate seemed pretty cool at first, but while I wanted to know more about these colorful villains and their master plan for revenge, it all seemed to be just setup for Spoiler to fly to coop.  The reason I loved this book at the start of Rebirth was the team and now James Tynion is dismantling it piece by piece right before our eyes.  So, does this finale of the Victim Syndicate arc tie everything together and make the Detective Team stronger going forward somehow?  Let's find out...


The issue opens right where we left off two weeks ago...with Spoiler pretty pissed off.  I get it, she has had a rough time of it lately, but she comes off way too bad here.  She depowers Batwing's suit, shocks the hell out of Batwoman and tears Clayface apart.  How, with an app...these kids with their phones nowadays!  Am I right?!?

After gassing poor Cassandra, Steph faces off against Batman.  After telling the First Victim to shove it (and punching him in the face!), she tells Batman that she agrees with the Syndicate and if he doesn't retire she will release every bit of information from the Belfry and the Batcomputer to the public.  Holy Wikileaks, Batman!!!

Of course, everybody doesn't just take of their masks and walk away.  Luke and Clayface tell Steph why they disagree with her plan of a "Better World" and after Batwoman does what every parent wants to do and makes Steph put down her phone, Spoiler declares herself #1 Bat Villain and leaves.

We then head to three days later and the Detective Team are in Arkham visiting the Syndicate.  Clayface has a really good scene with Glory and we find out that we may never find out who the First Victim is.  Boo!!!  We do find out who will be joining the Team and also see how Tim Drake's death has affected Batman.  Actually, this whole thing with the Victim Syndicate and Spoiler has combined with Tim's death to make it feel like Batman is going to change his game...hopefully for the better.

That's when we get to the cliffhanger and no matter what happened before it in this issue, this is what everyone will be talking about.  I don't want to spoil it in case you don't like that sort of thing, so I will black it out below.  Just highlight it if you want to read it.

Tim Drake escapes the cell that Mr. Oz put him in and gets out a distress signal before being imprisoned again.  Depending on where they actually are, there is a good chance that someone will get the signal and the rescue effort will be on.  We just have to wait and see, but Tim also is shocked when he leaves his cell and that is what really has my excited!  What isn't possible, Tim?  Tell me now!!!!

This was an okay issue with a crazy cliffhanger.  Like I said in my review for the last issue, I feel a bit cheated that the Victim Syndicate was just a veiled way to get Steph pissed and off the team.  I did like the personal moments with the characters, but not a whole lot happens.  As a side note...can Tynion find something for Cass to do?  I really like her character, but she's been standing in the shadows this whole run.

Alvaro Martinez does a good job on art.  I really don't have a whole lot to say about it except it kept the story flowing and never pulled me out of it while reading.  There wasn't a whole lot for him to do and he handled it well.

Bits and Pieces:

The Victim Syndicate arc is over and while it all felt like a setup for the book going forward, we do get a crazy cliffhanger that will have everyone talking down at the Five and Dime.  The Detective Team is getting smaller right before it expands and while I don't think it's an even trade, it will be interesting at least.  I am still a fan of Tynion's run, but I am starting to wane a bit.  I hope the next arc pulls me right back in.

7.0/10