Batman: The Detective #6 Review

Written By: Tom Taylor

Art By: Andy Kubert, Sandra Hope, Brad Anderson & Clem Robins

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: November 30, 2021

Batman: The Detective #6 concludes the mini set in a near-future where Equilibrium sets out to kill everyone saved by Batman, focusing on her biggest target yet -- London. Can Batman, Ducard, and Squire stop her in time?

Was it Good?

When last we left Batman in this out-of-continuity (maybe) romp through Europe, we learned Equilibrium is a former student of Ducard's who went cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. Her goal is to become the living embodiment of Karma, born out of grief over her deceased family, with the goal of ending the life of everyone Batman saved to prevent those same people from hurting anyone else. Don't try to make sense out of it. It's crazy person talk.

Readers had to muscle through 5 issues of mystery to then be told Equilibrium's identity was completely unguessable and already known to one of the key players, Ducard. With all mystery out of the way, this finale focuses on a city-leveling plan from Equilibrium, and it winds up becoming formulaic. Batman is always 5 steps ahead of the main villain. Ducard even jokes about Batman's penchant for having an infinite number of contingency plans, and that's exactly how the plan is foiled. Not with a twist development. Not with a big surprise. But with a phone call.

Ultimately, we may get another villain out of this mini that gives Two-Face's obsession with fate a run for your money, but the journey to get here has a few cool moments (mostly due to Kubert's art) and not much else. While the story wraps well enough, the net effect is a largely forgettable romp through Europe that proves to readers that Batman is the best at what he does. If you already knew that, you'll get nothing new (or memorable) here.

Bits and Pieces

Batman: The Detective #6 ends this near-feature European Vacation with a little backstory on Squire, the reveal of Equilibrium's big plan, and a final conflict that ends with a phone call. Equilibrium has the potential to be one of Batman's better, crazier entries in his rogue's gallery, but this story won't be remembered for much else.

6.5/10