DC’s Batman line of titles has been the publisher’s greatest asset since the New 52, and it’s only gotten better in DC Rebirth. James Tynion IV’s Detective Comics quickly became one of the most intriguing Bat-books when he took over with issue #934, returning the book to its original numbering while giving it a conceptual overhaul that made it a team book spotlighting the many members of the Bat-family. Working with rotating artists Eddy Barrows and Alvaro Martinez (and co-writer Marguerite Bennett and artist Ben Oliver for last month’s “Batwoman Begins” story), Tynion IV has crafted a compelling series that juggles a large cast of characters with their own respective plot threads. After a little over half a year, the book has already seen major changes with the “death” of Tim “Red Robin” Drake and the retirement of Stephanie “Spoiler” Brown, and the shifting status quo has made for an unpredictable, exciting read.
Detective Comics hits a big milestone with next week’s issue #950, an oversize installment featuring three different stories illustrated by three different art teams. Martinez tackles an Azrael and Batwing tale with inker Raul Fernandez and colorist Brad Anderson, and Barrows teams with inker Eber Ferreira and colorist Adriano Lucas for a flashback spotlighting Red Robin’s relationship with his brooding mentor. The Azrael/Batwing story showcases the X-Men influence that has been prevalent throughout this run, introducing Bat-themed robots that attack vigilantes much like the mutant-hunting Sentinels in the X-mythos, and the art team brings a lot of spectacular action to the page as the heroes fight for their lives.
The most exciting thing about Detective Comics #950 is the reunion of artist Marcio Takara and colorist Dean White, who previously worked with Tynion IV on Batman And Robin Eternal. White is one of the best colorists in the business, and he brings remarkable texture and atmosphere to Takara’s rich linework. These pages showing Cassandra “Orphan” Cain shadowing a Gotham City ballerina are stunning, providing an exceptional sense of place while highlighting the grace of both women. All of the artists on this issue have remarkable talent, and readers can discover the full breadth of those skills when Detective Comics #950 goes on sale next Wednesday.