DETECTIVE COMICS #7

[ DISCO BATMAN SAYS BUY ] 

Batman has discovered the truth. He found it lodged in the Penguins tooth. It was near his pre-molar. Or was it on the right side of his roller? Which he normally houses in a booth. But then again why don't you read this tale, Written and Drawn by Tony Sally-Ann Daniels; and Published by DC Comics in April 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

'The Snake and the Hawk' is basically like a washing machine stuck on spin, because Batman and the gang go around and around and around, tossing up questions and answers to whoever will listen.

QUESTION: Can Batman save Charlotte, whilst at the same time prompting the police to infiltrate the Penguins Iceberg lounge / casino? ANSWER: Of course he can! Because with a little savvy, some help from Alfred, and the use of the Bat-sub, the Caped Crusader does whatever he can to save, infiltrate, and kick ass, like a mule with a stutter.

QUESTION: But what about Charlotte's evil twin-sister? Jill. Relating to her and Snakeskin's plan to kill the Penguin and then steal this pilfered cash?  ANSWER: No - I am afraid to say that this does not pan out too well for them. Snakeskin's assassination attempt blows up in his face. Whereas both Batman and the Penguins pupils suddenly turn up to stop Jill's heist.

QUESTION: Sh*t! Can it get much worse than that? Err - so-so really. Penguins pupils turn to pâté. Jill gets double-crossed. And Batman fit everything together just like the master detective he is.  

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

After Snakeskin attempted to kill the Penguin, I though it funny when the long nose plonk said to his cronies "Everyone see that? This man tried to kill me! Someone get me a handkerchief".

Well, it is nice to know that a super-villain takes care of his own personal hygiene, huh! Ha! 

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Personally speaking, there was quite a lot to like about this issue. Such as: (1) The Mayor Hadley revelation was a turn up for the books. (2) How Batman saved Charlotte was very innovative, and reminded me of an episode of 'House'. And (3) The plot twists at the end was a very nice touch too - a ploy in a ploy in a ploy - class.  

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

Aesthetically, this tale did come across is a very jumbled and top heavy fashion. Some of the scene's played out too fast for my own liking. Whilst other scenes felt more like exposition than personable revelations really.

Moreover, the beginning of this particular issue was a little too strained within its execution, and appeared like a 'and then, and then, and then' type of a narrative, where an introduction is concerned.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Although the Mayor Hadley revelation was the stand out for me in this story, as well as the spin at the end of it, I have to say that I did enjoy how Penguin came across as master manipulator within this tale, having the guile and the temerity to screw people over at the drop of a hat. Preferable his own, when someone is trying to kill him.

ART: Is it just me, or is artist, Tony (Sally-Ann) Daniel, starting to shift gears in his style of artwork? It's as though he has taken a departure from his Frank Miller style of artwork, and has now begun to delve into the territory of Jim Aparo and Neal Adams. Now please don't get me wrong, because I prefer this type of art much-much more - as it is slightly more ethereal and clean in the execution. Agreed?

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

HYPNOTIC: Now for this spectacle wearing sod, you need an actor who looks like that he can read your mind, and can sport a pair of specs as good the next man. What about Daniel Radcliffe from 'Harry Potter' fame? I've seen the way that he looks at Emma Watson.

THE VILLAIN WITH A GOLDFISH BOWL FOR A HEAD AND A TOP HAT: OK, I have to admit, I didn't catch this silly looking bad guy's name, and I cannot be bothered to do a google for it either. Still, what I have seen of the git so far, I think that you need an actor who is English, has a nice speaking voice, and would be someone you would not mind seeing get hit by Batman. Steve Coogan! Ah-haaa! 

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

Please Keep A Bathtub Handy Just In Case Your Get Stabbed In The Chest By A Shape Shifting Assassin. Well, Batman Isn't Always Around You Know!

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

Mainly because to the ending of this tale, this issue did kind of remind me of the Michael Caine / Steve Martin film 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' - a twist in a twist in a twist, right?

FINAL thoughts...

I am starting to like certain aspects about this series more and more as it progresses. For example, the art is starting to come across more uniform than before, and the story is starting to feel more like a story, rather than a selection of 'instances' cobbled together.

Nice one Tony, I kept the faith.

MARKS out of 10? 8