Detective Comics #987
Written by Bryan Hill
Pencils by Miguel Mendonça
Inks by Diana Egea
Colors by Adriano Lucas
Lettered by Sal Cipriano
Cover by Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira and Adriano Lucas
This cannot be Bryan Hill’s final issue with this title. Let’s say that again, Hill has to write this title again, and soon. The arc has been explosive and character driven throughout and explored everything about Batman as a leader and everything about the people that he is leading. In true investigative fashion Hill has taken a deep dive into how Batman and his team works and the dynamics that has come out from the shadows. All that being said, the story was as good as it gets as well. The hype was real and the hype should remain so that readers get to see where Hill could take more of this story.
The overall craftsmanship of the arc was spectacular. Hill has a plan for the story he wanted to tell and he told it. The arc did not have the filler that it did not need, it was clear and to the point and that was evident in the final issue. Throughout the entire arc, readers have been taken on a journey of self discovery by a number of characters and each of them felt compelling in their own way. Batman is a stubborn as ever, no real change their, yet Hill characterization still shows a miniature heroes journey from downtrodden and lost to victor by the end. Batman is the world’s greatest detective and that is the main focus of this title and this arc. Each member of Batman’s team has their own arc and story. From sitting on the sidelines to finally being able to bring their own traits to the table and sort of rebel a bit was a nice addition to this story. As great as all of that was, the shining star and character that was head and shoulders above the rest was Black Lightning. Everything that Hill put into this character was perfect. He represented the everyday humanity that this story needed and was compelling beyond the pages of this book. He is able to bring Batman down to a level that not many can, doing so by simply discussing uncomfortable character traits that Batman does not life to bring to the forefront. He is not from Gotham and that is his greatest strength. Being thrown into a new environment with new players is the best way to insert oneself and do things your own way. Hill set up a lot of nice things in this finale that hopefully will come to fruition down the road. An Outsiders book led by Black Lightning, for example, with Batman cameos included would be mighty fine indeed.
Miguel Mendonça again kills it with the pencils. The detail is terrific, the action feels as real as any out there today, and the characters are presented to perfection. Like Hill, Mendonça should be drawing more Batman soon, or DC could just put them on a book together for a long run if they would like. That would probably be a well received announcement, for sure. The art style is great throughout but it is the way that Mendonça presents Karma that sets this arc apart. Karma is a villain that does not need to be forgotten and that is due to a great back story that is brought to light with the creative genius of Mendonça. The inks, by Diana Egea, highlight every detail in the pencils. The colors, by Adriano Lucas, bring the art to life and elevate this vibrant story to wonderful heights.
In conclusion, what more can be said than this. These four creators need to get together again, for a longer run next time. This was some of the best story telling from not only a Batman aspect but a Bat-verse one as well. The characterizations and relationships work on every level and ground this book. The humanity that is presented in a book full of superheroes was consistent throughout and really gave the arc a nice thread to pull. Black Lightning and The Outsiders are fun all around and Batman it Batman. The voices of these characters are prevalent and important. This could be one of those story arcs that has lasting effects on Detective Comics for the years to come.
Cover: A
Script: A+
Pencils and Colors: A
Overall: A
Heroes At The Summit 