Detective Comics #967 Review

Reunited

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez, Tomeu Morey, Jean Francois Beaulieu and Sal Cipriano
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 25, 2017

Detective Comics has been all about getting Tim Drake back into the DCU, but it's been a buy one, get one free type of deal with the Tim Drake of Tomorrow along for the ride.  Actually, he's more about making things right and that means killing Kate Kane.  That's where we left off last issue and where we are picking up here.  Is it any good?  Let's find out...


The issue opens with Bruce talking to Alfred about not solving the mystery of Tim Drake's disappearance...actually, he's more upset that he didn't know there was a mystery.  He begins to turn his sights on figuring out who was behind it all when the Bat Computer flashes Tim's distress signal and Bruce is off so fast, he could give Barry Allen a run for his money!

Tim has ended up in the hospital and after giving him the paddles, the doctors have to step away as Bruce Wayne comes in to claim his ward.  I wish I could say it was an emotional scene when Bruce hugs Tim, but for some reason it didn't hit me in the feels.  It does lead to what I am interested in, however, as Tim tells Bruce that Kate is in trouble.

We then head off to see Kate talking with Bette (Flamebird!!!) before she gets called away to the Belfry for a reunion with Tim.  Again, the scene should be emotional, but it kind of fell flat for me.  I think it's due to the fact that we knew from the very start that Tim wasn't dead so we never got invested in the pain that those around him felt.  Every time someone would miss him, I just thought it was only a matter of time before he came back and now he is.

There isn't much time for mushy stuff anyway as Tim tells the Detective Squad about his future self and the danger to Batwoman.  He also asks where Steph is which leaves the room feeling a bit awkward.  That is the cue to check in with Spoiler who is being watched by future Tim.

The issue continues with the Gotham Knights (that's their name and I know that Eric Shea will be so happy) preparing for the inevitable battle with Future Tim.  The best part of this, in my opinion, is Luke and Tim geeking out together as Clayface gets more and more confused.

We then see what Future Tim is up to...he is visiting Alfred at the Manor and this was my favorite part.  We are reminded that this is Tim and while he is up to no good here, he is still a very good guy whose life had taken a turn he didn't want it too.  Then he kind of throws that in the reader's face as he faces his brothers and then the whole Detective Squad to boot.

Speaking of brothers, the issue ends with Tim talking to Bruce about the computer program that creates his future and when we see it it's not a shock, but makes sense in so many ways.

This issue had such a huge moment in it...Tim Drake coming back to Gotham and meeting up with Batman and his family and friends.  So why didn't it feel bigger?  I had no emotions for what was going on and maybe it's because the characters didn't seem to have any either.  Especially Dick, Jason and Damian!  Because of that, this issue felt like pure filler before we get on to more important matters next issue.  It's a real shame.

I did love the art in this issue.  The character work was outstanding and everything looked fantastic.  I really like it when Alvaro Martinez is on this book and hope we get more and more of him in the future.

Bits and Pieces:

Tim Drake is back in town and while we've all been waiting for him to become reunited with his family and friends, it fell a bit flat.  The art was good, but in the end, this issue felt like filler and that's a real shame.

6.0/10