Graphic Novel Reviews: Detective Comics 020

The Story
Batman discovers that Ogilvy has been behind everything and goes to face him. But the mutagen enhanced Ogilvy makes short work of Batman. Thanks to a rescue by Penguin, Batman is given a chance at a rematch and he takes the crime boss down. In Blackgate Ogilvy takes out "The Boss" and further enhances his reputation.

The Review
Well, this was a disappointment. I'd been enjoying the Emperor Penguin story quite a bit, he had the makings of being a long term antagonist for Batman. But instead of that happening, Ogilvy is taken out in a single issue, and his final plan isn't even close to interesting.

Graphic Novel Reviews: Detective Comics 019

The Story
In its most simple form, Batman fights to stop the contagion of Man-Bat virus. With the help of Doctor Kirk Langstrom the outbreak is brought under control. In the side stories we learn that Emperor Penguin has been using the outbreak as a cover for multiple robberies. In the other side stories we get to see the aftermath from the point of view of several different characters. We even get a story of Bane's failed attack on Gotham, with the promise of future developments in that storyline.

The Review
Good gosh this thing is massive! First of all, for those confused by the multiple stories shown in the table of contents, the first story (after the prologue that is) is a direct continuation of the main Detective Comics storyline. The other stories are all side stories that are connected to events in the main storyline, but through alternate perspectives.

Graphic Novel Reviews: Detective Comics 014-018

The Story
Batman confronts Poison Ivy, and discovers that she enthralled Clayface into doing her bidding. After dealing with this threat Batman is able to deal with the fallout of Joker's presence on the mentally ill of Gotham and the criminal. He confronts the League of Smiles and their leader the Merrymaker. Meanwhile, in the background, Ogilvy is using the chaos to make his move and take over the Penguin's empire, establishing himself as the Emperor Penguin.

The Review
While I think Emperor Penguin is a surprising level of camp for the much more serious tone that Batman books have taken in the past several decades, I have to confess that I am really invested in his story. The way it is woven through the entire book, taking advantage of the events of Death of the Family works really well.

Graphic Novel Reviews: Detective Comics 013

The Story
The night the Martha Wayne Wing of the Nevile community center is meant to be opened, the Penguin hires assassins to take out Bruce Wayne, and thugs to waylay Batman so he can't interfere with the assassination. Batman makes it to the dedication anyway, just in time to discover that the Penguin has bribed the chairman of the community center to rename the children's wing as the Cobblepot wing.

In the backup story Ogilvy and a newcomer to Gotham break into a bank and steal some codes. After the breakout the newcomer turns out to be too clever for his own good and Ogilvy murders him.

The Review
I'd heard that Detective Comics was picking up the slack, so I figured I'd give it a look see. After the supernatural vibe of Batman and Robin, it's nice to see a more down to earth kind of story where the focus is on regular crime and assassination, and motives that are driven by human motives.

Graphic Novel Reviews: Detective Comics 0

The Story

Bruce trains with Shihan Matsuda, a warrior monk of the himalayas, to take that necessary step to becoming the perfect warrior he needs to be to complete his mission. While there he struggles between banishing all light from him, or accepting it as a part of his whole. When his master is murdered by the girl Bruce had been developing feelings for his path is set.

In the second story Alfred fights against attempts from the Kanes to take over the Wayne fortune. He chases one of their representatives away, just before Bruce returns home with a plan.

The Review
The best part about the main Bat Book Issue Zeros is that together they tell a mostly complete story. They tell the entire story of Bruce's past and training. Overall it all ties together nicely, and while the horse is still dead during this entire rehash of Batman's past, I like the complete picture I'm given after having read all of them.