DETECTIVE COMICS #12

[ NOT SO SHOCKING PRICES ] 

What type of a name is Hugh Marder? It's very similar to 'huge murder'! Maybe that is a clue. To tell Batman what to do. With Robin and a ten-ton steel-girder. Possible -- yet entirely false. As told to me by the creative team of Tony S. Daniel, Szymon Kudranski, plus Publisher: DC Comics in September 2012. Though I could be wrong you know.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

I once had a mate at school who always got blamed for anything that went wrong nearby. If the bike-sheds caught fire - he'd get the blame. If someone pissed in the pool - he'd get the blame. If a nuclear reactor bust - yadda-yadda-yadda. Though do you know why he'd always get the blame? Because he did it - that's why. Just like someone in Bat-this tale called 'The Killer Inside'.

• Well, imagine if you will, the lives' of four individuals living in Gotham City, being changed because of an act of a madman.
• Like everybody's favourite cowl-loving vigilante, Batman, for example -- who has been doused by a dose of radiation.
• Or then there's Professor Manhart and Professor Smart -- one scared into a pact, whilst the other one is scared into hiding.
• Oh! And let's not forget Mister Toxic either. Or maybe should I call him Professor Hugh Marder? The crazy scientist come nuclear bomb who blows in more ways than one.

POW! Or maybe not.

Meanwhile, in the GCPD spooky back-up feature, Nancy the rookie cop gets the Bullock scared out off her, whilst a mysterious figure laughs in the background.

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

There were two segments of dialogue that I really did like reading in this issue. Firstly, I loved Harvey's 'Joker Story' in the spooky back-up feature; as that was just a blast to plough through. And secondly, I did find it amusing when Professors Manhart said to Professor Hugh Marder 'No one should have this kind of power. It's not natural. It can't happen' considering what he has done already, and that he also works in the field of nuclear fusion.

Ironic statement, isn't it?

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Apart from the Batman splash-pages (which I'll get to later), overall, I did like the stoic and persistent vibe that this adventure brought along with it. You see, in my opinion, never does a character come across as being too contrived or forced, yet...

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

... in the same breath, none of the characters had any personality to them either.

Shame really. To me, this story could have been so much more special and interesting if the exposition didn't sound like exposition. Honestly, some of the segments read like text out of a mathematics books, explaining why x did y to n, resulting in Zzzzzzzzz.  

Know what I mean?

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Last issue I found it very difficult to find something creative or innovative to say about the Batman part of the book, and that is why I had to focus on the back-up feature instead. And do you know what? The same can be said about this issue too.

Well, I did find it very original how Bullock did what he did to Nancy -- plus visa-versa. Not only have I never seen this in a comic book before, but I thought it very funny as well.

ART: There were about five Batman splash pages in this adventure that I really did love to look at. I found them all dynamic, classy looking, plus having that earthy yet vibrant tone which is fit for a seventies slanted caped crusader.  

Bravo buddy, Tony. All of these images were just amazing.

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

NANCY: I've always loved watching Pauley Perrette's depiction of lab-rat, Abby Sciuto, in cop-drama 'NCIS'. And I have always wanted to see her punch a fat man in the face too. Hmm? Are you thinking what I am thinking? Let her punch the face of...

BULLOCK: ... Cliff Parisi -- also known as 'Minty' in cockney-soap 'Eastenders'. Yeah. Why not. He deserves a slap after his cameo in 'From Hell' with Johnny Depp.

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

Radiation Can Cause You To Go Sterile. Whilst A Punch In The Face Can Cause You To Yelp 'Ouch'!

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

Conceptually this yarn is about a young professor who does harm to himself and those around him for the sake of science. Agreed? Therefore, I have no choice but to compare it to one of my favorite eighties films 'The Fly'.

Think about it for a moment. You know that it makes sense.

FINAL thoughts...

I am sure that you have heard the news by now that Tony Daniel is off this book and will soon be replaced by 'The Dark Knight' writer, Gregg Hurwitz. However, although I really do dig Gregg's work, I have to wonder if his take on this title would be any different than his take on 'The Knight'.

Well, 'Detective' is a detective book, right? And it needs to be more detective-like in nature, premise, and slant. Therefore the question remains, can Gregg do this or not?

Personally speaking, I think that he can. But I wouldn't bet my bottom dollar on it yet. No sir-re bob. Mister Hurwitz has only just started his journey into comic book writing, so I am not one hundred percent confident on his 'long term' capacities.

Yet. Ha!

MARKS out of 10? 7.7