DETECTIVE COMICS #50

[ SIGNALING A SALE ] 

Do you know what the difference is between Bat-Jim and a monkey? Well, Bat-Jim likes to solve crime, where as a monkey likes to crap and climb. Which reminds me, please check out the following comic book created by Peter Tomasi, Fernando Pasarin, and published by DC Comics, in March, 2016.

TO QUOTE James Thomson: 'Statues and pictures and verse may be grand, but they are not the life for which they stand'.

THE REVIEW:

At the start of this book we're presented with a scene where a pissed off Bat-Jim is talking to Harvey Bullock about the whereabouts of that damn pesky serial killer. They know his M.O. (He likes killing people and dressing them up as icons). They know about some of his motivations (These icons have a statue of themselves located somewhere in Gotham). And to a certain extent, they even have a good idea about his killing methods (Cutting out a bone from his respective victims, presenting them as if they were trophy's).

But this isn't enough. They still need to know where he is, physically, so they can actually stop him once and for all! Now a couple of pages into this book, both Harv and Jim luck out on getting any more information on these crimes when they interrogate a thug from the streets (Good scene). Moments later, however, their luck changes, care of the killers next victim: Namely. a dog, a cute dog made up to resemble a famous sled dog, called Baito. Or to be more specific about it, the dogs statue, which actually points them both in the right direction!

Yes. That's right, my friend. Lassie saves the day. And to me, this frivolous aspect is the only weak part to the overall story-line. The rest of it, amazing, full of adventure and action, but this aspect, no, not my cup of tea at all.

Of course I do mean this with all due respect. By in large Peter's tale is chock full of mystery and suspense, plus I did love those scenes where Jim and Harvey got together and basically had a little fun. I can't complain about Fernando Pasarin's artwork either. In my eyes his style of art is very nicely composed and full of character, and I can hardly fault the way in which he draws Batman -- Very Norm Breyfogle.

But, for a story to hinge on the notion that the heroes can find a serial killer just because Gotham's town planners can line up their statues in an orderly fashion, and then have those statues point to another one which somehow points in the right direction to where the serial killer is staying, sheesh, what is this? An episode of Columbo?

Wait a minute! That gives me an idea for later. For now though, overall this was a pretty solid issue of Detective Comics. The artwork was expressive and bold. The story-line had a few faults. And all in all, hey, it was good and I did like reading it, and I can hardly wait to see who Gordon goes to war with next month!

THE MUSIC:

Apart from being blonde, Nina Nesbitt is a singer, a real good singer, and once upon a time she sung a song that's very much at the center of this particular story-line. It's called, 'Statues'.

I wonder if you can guess who typed 'Statue Song' into Google? Yes. Guilty as charged.  

THE COMPARISON:

Do I have to write anything here? I already told you previously why I'm comparing this installment of Detective to an episode of Columbo. And trust me, this doesn't have anything to do with the state of Harvey Bullocks dirty raincoat. It's because of a resolution which I thought was a little bit too... errr... seventies inspired, Ha!  

THE CONCLUSION:

At the back of this book we are given an extra special supplementary section which, I admit, I did enjoy an awful lot. Each page, eleven in total, was drawn by a special guest artist to resemble a comic book cover of times past, complemented by a caption on each that unified the story as a whole. In essence, this second story is a prose piece, in which Batman tells Superman about some of the strange adventures he's been a part of. Although, to be fair, we don't really get to know this fact until the very last page!

Ops! I'm sorry about that. Spoilt that one for you, didn't I?

So, I tell you what; let's see if you can guess which page is real or not, out of the following eight scenarios. Could it be...

• Page One: Batman looking mean by Scott McDaniel.
• Page Poo: Batman cooking pancakes by Gordon Ramsey.
• Page Three: Batman and Robin in deep water by Frazer Irving.
• Page Betty: Batman twerking in Superman's face by Miley Cyrus.
• Page Five: Batman trying to rip of one of Black Masks 'Death Masks' by Chris Burnham.
• Page Sex: Batman Vs Wonder Woman Vs Power Girl Vs Catwoman by Ron Jeremy.
• Page Seven: Batman singing a duet with some 'nice boys' by Elton John.
• Page Hate: Batman fighting a Ghost on a horse by Carmine Di Giandomencio.

Nuff said.