DETECTIVE COMICS #37

[ ANARCHISTIC SALE ] 

Do you know what those crazy cats over at DC Comics decided to do when they heard the news Darwyn Cooke agreed to produce their cover art? Well, in December, 2014, Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato lit up a candle to honor this grand occurance. Lit it and then accidentally burnt down an aquarium by mistake. Silly sods.

To QUOTE Sid Vicious: 'Undermine their pompous authority, reject their moral standards, make anarchy and disorder your trademarks. Cause as much chaos and disruption as possible but don't let them take you ALIVE'.

THE STORY:

It's Christmas Eve in Gotham City. And as per usual most of the people living in this darkly hued metropolis are as happy as a pack of miserable looking monkeys on anti-depressants.

For instance, Bruce (Batman) Wayne becomes deterred when he discovers the fact that the Mad Hatter is a dirty f*cking pedo. Where as over at the GCPD Detective Yip becomes annoyed when she discovers that a number of strange symbols have been etched all over the city. 

Wait a minute! You do know what these symbols are, don't you? These are the symbols of anarchy, my friends. Plus the next one she and Detective Bullock spots is at the base of Wayne Tower, after they unearth a dead body, and before it.... 

BOOOOMM!

Oh, never mind.

THE GOOD:
With all due respect I'd say this was a pretty decent first chapter of 'Anarchy'. At the moment everything seems to be gradually taking shape where the tale is concerned. And even though I'm unable to judge it on its narrative merit -- because as I said, it is only the first chapter -- all in all I was very pleased following this issue.

Personally, there are two aspects about this adventure I loved the most. For a start I'm a big fan of Manapul's art-work, and I did like the way his seventies inspired layouts where complemented with a very sixties inspired color pallet. From my point of view the use of the purple and mauve color's really hit home the noir-ish vibe this plot had in spades. Plus I was also very pleased to see Anarchy's updated costume design paying some respect to what he wore before. 

And secondly, where the actual tale was concerned I did enjoy the evolving manner in which each of the main players were introduced into it -- i.e. first Anarchy got his scene, then Bruce got his scene, and then the cops got their scene. And I have to admit, I did warm up to the inter-personal relationship between the characters as well. However, the one thing about this issue I wasn't that keen on...

THE BAD:

...was the Mad Hatters inclusion.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to imply I didn't like his villainous antics or him as a bad-guy. It's just that I felt his inclusion added nothing to the overall plot except to give Bruce an excuse to mope around Wayne Manor, and talk about how Mad the Hatter truly is. 

THE MUSIC:

If you've checked out my quote you might have presumed I would have used a Sid Vicious song for my musical match-up. But no. I think that would be a bit too premature of me. So that is why I'm going to compare it to something else that's also a bit premature. McFly -- 'Obviously'.

THE COMPARISON:

I'm sure some of you are wondering why I'm about to compare this comic book to the Prince symbol provided. Well, in no uncertain terms they're both easy to look at, stylish in design, and conceptually are used to introduce something.

Although, one is a story and the other is a diminutive artist.

THE CONCLUSION:

At the end of this issue something is displayed on the side of Wayne tower. So just for fun -- I think -- can you guess what it is out of the following eight options?

1. The poster for the new Superman Vs Batman movie. 
2. Ten tons of deep fried watermelon. 
3. A picture of J-Lo's ass rubbing up against a baboon. 
4. The words 'I was here yesterday' in Klingon. 
5. A chalked piece of graffiti stating, 'The Juws are not the men to be blamed for nothing'.
6. The symbol of anarchy. 
7. A discount code for next years Black Friday / Cyber Monday sale. 
8. Simply the word... 'tosser'.

Nuff said.