Batman: The Detective #4 - DC Comics

BATMAN: THE DETECTIVE No. 4, September 2021

Predominantly focusing upon Bruce Wayne’s “gruelling Interpol interrogation” for the “attempted murder of former mentor and teacher Henri Ducard”, Tom Taylor’s narrative for Issue Four of “Batman: The Detective” probably disconcerted many within the mini-series’ audience thanks to the plot’s perturbingly vulnerable portrayal of the crime-fighting billionaire. Indeed, it’s arguably hard to imagine a more trusting Caped Crusader than the one the Australian author depicts nonchalantly answering the authority’s threat-laced questions and overconfidently drinking the Police’s fizzy soda water; “I was hoping for something nice from the Champagne Region. But instead you’ve brought me sparkling disappointment.”

Delightfully however, once it becomes clear that the Dark Knight’s alter-ego has naively allowed himself to be detained by the murderous Equilibrium in a moment of misplaced conceit, this gripping grilling becomes even more exciting. The revelation that Wayne has been lethally poisoned by cyanide is really well-penned by the Victoria-born writer, and debatably creeps up upon the reader incrementally in precisely the same manner as it does the somewhat haughty, super-wealthy industrialist.

Equally as well delivered is Wayne’s plan to escape so grisly a demise, following his captors’ swift departure. Physically handcuffed inside a cell, his throat swelling and a large knife embedded in his right shoulder, the ‘old man’ follows his training to the letter by slowing his heartbeat and “lowering my metabolism”. Then, with the super-human effort of will the Batman is renowned for, the Justice Leaguer manages to break his bonds and flees to a chemist where he swiftly swigs down an antidotal cocktail of his own devising.

Adding plenty of apprehension to this comic’s ultra-tense atmosphere is Andy Kubert’s pencilling, which genuinely helps sell the sincere shock in Bruce’s eyes when he comprehends he’s been played for a profusely sweating fool by his merciless opponents, and is very likely to die at their hands within mere minutes. In addition, the American artist does a first-rate job of showing the Dark Knight’s more tender side when later inside his mobile headquarters he emotionally discovers the late Alfred Pennyworth has left him a toy dinosaur holding a giant coin as an affectionate reminder of the real subterranean Batcave beneath Wayne Manor.

Writer: Tom Taylor, Pencils: Andy Kubert, and Inks: Sandra Hope