The last graphic novel collection of “Detective Comics” has hit bookshelves and comic book racks everywhere. “Batman: The Black Mirror” combines the last 10 issues (#671 through #681) of the epic “Detective Comics” title before the renumbering of the New 52 began. Some people may see this as nothing but a ploy to sell more books; others sadly see it as the end of an era.
“Batman: The Black Mirror” features three different stories all in one hardcover book. We get two stories featuring Dick Grayson as the Dark Knight detective and another interwoven tale featuring Jim Gordon in the spotlight. It’s a 288-page collection that’s topped off with a special section of cover sketches and character designs.
The first story is “The Black Mirror” and revolves around Batman using his detective skills and street smarts to the best of his abilities as he battle one of Gotham City’s oldest and strongest evils. The second story arc is “Hungry City.” It has Batman coming head to head with a new kingpin who is making a name for himself on the crime-ridden streets of Gotham.
Lastly, Jim Gordon comes face to face with his past, as his son James returns to Gotham City to start over after years of mental therapy and drug rehabilitation. Is he truly cured or does he still harbor feelings of resentment toward his family and friends that could bring out the worst in him again?
“American Vampire” creator/writer Scott Snyder does an excellent job of bringing the sleuthing and intrigue back to “Detective Comics” with these three stories. Snyder knows how to make things disturbing and mysterious while keeping a strong level of action driving the plot forward. He brings a level of sophistication and class to the title.
Artists Jock and Francesco Francavilla both tackle the artwork for “The Black Mirror.” There is a big difference in their styles. Jock has a more modern flavor to his work. Francavilla’s art has a pulpy, 1970s-Jack Kirby feel to it. Both styles fit their different stories fine and help add visual imagery to Snyder’s writing.
Fans of the Dark Knight “Detective” will find “Batman: The Black Mirror” quite satisfying. Dick Grayson was hard to get used to in the place of Bruce Wayne as Batman, but he quickly grew on me. I was somewhat sad to see him step out of the cowl and hand it back over to Bruce. This wraps up the first “volume” of “Detective Comics” with satisfaction. Although it’s not Bruce Wayne as Batman, everyone should try this collection.
For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:
Writer Gregg Hurwitz Gives Us History of ‘Penguin: Pain and Prejudice’
Writer Judd Winick Introduces Us to Africa’s Batwing
Geoff Johns Convinces Us Why Aquaman is Cool
Eric Shirey is the founder and editor of Rondo Award nominated movie and comic book news websites MovieGeekFeed.com and TheSpectralRealm.com. His work has been featured on Yahoo!, DC Comics, StarWars.com, and other national entertainment websites. Besides his three decades long obsession with everything sci-fi, horror, and fantasy related in TV and movies, Eric has what some would call an unhealthy love for comic books. This has led him to interviewing and covering legendary writers and artists in the medium like Geoff Johns, Scott Snyder, Steve Niles, Bernie Wrightson, and Howard Chaykin.