Batman: The Detective #6 - DC Comics

BATMAN: THE DETECTIVE No. 6, January 2022

Whilst many Bat-fans may justifiably agree with “DC Comics” pre-publication claim that Tom Taylor’s overarching narrative for “Batman: The Detective” ultimately produced an “epic [mini] series”, there were probably a few readers of this final instalment who disagreed with the Burbank-based publisher’s belief that its sixth issue also successfully delivered a “stunning conclusion” to the Australian author’s storyline too. Indeed, considering all the utter mayhem the deadly Equilibrium have wrought upon the world during this title’s preceding chapters, the surprising simplicity of the Caped Crusader’s ultimate victory over the insane terrorist organisation could arguably be seen as something of a disappointment. Fortunately though, the fact Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego just has to hack into Charlotte Le Serf’s squadron of pre-programmed, death-dealing military drones in order to thwart her dastardly scheme to destroy London, doesn’t debatably detract from the rest of this twenty-two page periodical’s pulse-pounding plot.

To begin with, the Melbourne-born writer pens a seemingly tragic demise to Henri Ducard’s life at the hands of a truly ferocious Sullivan Petit, only to then have the titular character heroically save his former mentor in the very next panel. This sort of ‘last minute’ rescue genuinely helps make the comic an unputdownable read, but also helps demonstrate just how close to his upper limits the Dark Knight is actually being pushed by the well-financed criminal society. In addition, Batman’s sudden appearance alongside the likes of Knight and Squire on board a Thames ferryboat leads to one of this adventure’s most enjoyable rematches, as the costumed vigilante goes toe-to-toe with the gigantically-sized Sullivan for one last bout of fisticuffs; “Oh @#$%.”

Admirably supporting Taylor in all these sense-shattering shenanigans are Andy Kubert’s pencils, which do an incredible job of depicting the violence people like Le Serf can physically dish out when the situation calls for her. The woman’s single-handed rescue of her imprisoned henchmen against a gaggle of well-armed security guards during this comic’s opening really helps set a strong visual tempo for the rest of the book, and the American artist impressively manages to maintain this pace even during some of the more sedentary sequences, such as when Charlotte suicidally places a gun to her head when she realises her nemesis has just saved her life.

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