Detective Comics #33

This issue and story line puts the "detective" back in DETECTIVE COMICS. This issue may not be filled with tons of action or giant, blockbuster explosions, but what it does have is a compelling story that the reader will not be able to put down. Since the focus is primarily on Batman's process, the reader gets to see things through his eyes as he compiles clues. Believe it or not, it's riveting stuff and gives us a new look on this old character. Overall, I highly recommend this issue. Read Full Review

Buy it, duh. This is great Batman doing Batman things. I wish it had a few more sidekicks around doing regular sleuthing or helping out like they used to, but so far this is great stuff and you shouldn't miss it. Not one bit. You may need a bib to stop the drool. Read Full Review

The mystery that Manapul and Buccellato have crafted grows deeper and more complex with each successive issue. There are many elements in play which keep readers guessing as to what happens next. Detective Comics #33 finally starts provide readers with some answers as The World's Greatest Detective and Harvey Bullock cross paths and butt heads. Detective Comics #33 isn't the most groundbreaking or innovative issue, but it's still an incredibly well told, finely paced, and highly entertaining story that draws in readers page after page. Read Full Review

Detective Comics has sort of become like the current run on Green Arrow, with an excellent crafted story by the writer but it is only once joined with the artwork that make it stand out from the rest of the books on the shelf. Read Full Review

The Batman of Manapul and Buccellato's "Detective Comics" has a style distinct from the other Bat-books. Manapul and Buccellato's art is alive on the page throughout this issue, whether evoking danger with a car pulling up to an abandoned building or inducing excitement with pump-your-fist-in-the-air Bat-entrances. In the back of the book, six pages of bonus material shine the Bat-signal on how both artists worked together to create this issue. Judging by the way they work, it's very appropriate that, in the comic's credits, they are listed together as "storytellers". This book is a joint creation, and, like Batman and Alfred, Manapul and Buccellato collaborators of the highest degree. Read Full Review

A problem that persisted back during Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul's Flash run was their ability to finish off their stories as well as they started. After a cautious take off, the flight of Detective Comics under Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul has been a joyride. Now all that's left is for them to stick the landing. Fingers crossed that Icarus is the real deal. Meanwhile, Detective Comics #33 was another great Batman jaunt and one I can heartily recommend. Read Full Review

Throw in a cast of very interesting original characters and some much-needed diversity, and you have a Detective Comics run that is distinguishing itself very respectably from the many, many runs that came before. Manapul and Buccellato are amazingly talented storytellers. No doubt this arc will continue to deliver compelling surprises and gorgeous Bat punches. Read Full Review

With J.H. Williams no longer illustrating Batwoman, the franchise needed a new visual stunner in its ranks. Luckily, Francis Manapul is delivering the goods with Detective Comics. Each page is a sight to behold. Read Full Review

Manapul and Buccellato have delivered some very multi-layered characters for our enjoyment and some real solid detective work. Everything so far has been firmly grounded in reality, but it looks like things are about to get weird. I don't know what's going to happen but I hope they pull out a win for the finale. Read Full Review

In an issue packed with dialogue there isn't any segment that seems unnecessary. The story is constantly moving at a great pace and delivering big scenes. Batman looks angry, punches everything, but makes sure to find important clues along the way. Read Full Review

The art is characteristically gorgeous, particularly the use of light, and Manapul's knack for layouts gives the book a great sense of pace. While I've never disliked it, this is the first issue where I'm truly excited to see more of "Icarus" and with the finale right around the corner, Manapul and Buccellato couldn't have picked a better time to inspire that feeling in their reader. Read Full Review

The creative team of Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato didn't quite do it for me in the pages of The Flash, but they are certainly at home in Detective Comics, that's for sure. Read Full Review

Once again Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato are able to deliver a strong Batman story with gorgeous artwork. If I have one major nitpick its using the Christopher Nolan crutch of having other characters make important deductions before Batman (such as Alfred here). Let Batman be the Dark Knight Detective. Worth a look. Read Full Review

Ridiculously, incredibly talented, this whole team. And I'm really enjoying this story, along with the subtle family emotions each issue really seems to bring out. Read Full Review

Detective Comics #33 is missing the wow factor of recent issues, but it's still an above-average installment in this arc. Read Full Review

With "Batman" nearing the end of "Zero Year" and "Batman Eternal" focusing on several characters in the Batman mythos, "Detective Comics" #33 boldly shines its spotlight on the current day Batman himself. It's faithful to a sometimes-neglected aspect of the character and has a look that's unique but nicely suited to the Dark Knight also provides a story that's a good fit. Read Full Review

When this story began with the Detective Comics creative change to Manapul and Buccellato, I was really excited about the type of stories these two would offer this title.  Now we're only four issues in and I'm terribly bored.  I dig the fact that we're going after a more detective feel to the book than a simple Batman fights villain story, but it's taking it's sweet time to get nowhere.  We've got a designer super drug, a murder mystery, corrupt politicians, biker gangs, dudes that glow pink, a giant squid and Bullock kicking ass.  There should be enough here to keep me entertained, but maybe it suffers from too many things crammed into one story.  At least it looks great doing it. Read Full Review

Speeding Bullets

Jul 12, 2014

I enjoyed their work on The Flash ,but the story telling of Bucellato and Manapul are fantastic here. They've put the "detective" aspect front and center and down played the overly used gimmicky "gadget" angle. The way Bruce Wayne and Harvey Bullock have been crafted into the story is a breathe of fresh air and takes me back to the stories from the 1980's that I love. If this is the tone they plan on keeping this will be an iconic run. Visually the book is beautiful and still captures the noir "grim and gritty" look. If we get treated to the Scotland Yard,globetrotting Batman who made training both body and mind to fight crime I will be over the moon.

Geek Retaliation.net

Jul 09, 2014

Time for the book that punches everyone in the face, like an episode of Oprah but with violence! Batman was left in a tough spot last issue and has to fight his way out of rival gangs and cops to escape. This book does a great job of isolating Batman and really showing him in his element as a detective. We get a classic gang story that brings Batman back down to the streets and feels very akin to Frank Miller's Year One. When I make that comparison, I'm really not talking about the "dark" or "gritty" Batman, because we see a lot of those stories, but to really see one man take on real treats like drugs and gangs, it gets to the heart of the character more than colorful villains. Don't get me wrong, I love colorful villains, but to see Batman on the streets stopping gang violence and running from the police just makes me happy, and I am sure that I should get that checked out. Francis Manapul's art has quickly made this book one of my favorites at DC. Manapul's Batman is old school and intimidating, and the panels when Batman is in the shadows are just classic. The panel layout in this book is also fantastic. The story flows and is easy to follow, but still feels interesting and just pretty to look at. Panels where Batman is hanging upside down and searching for clues in a warehouse are just awesome. Brian Buccellato not only writes the book, but also does the colors for Manapul's art and they are one of the best teams out there. The colors used when Batman lurks in the shadows are beautiful, just really dark blues that almost blend to black. I had to laugh at the ending but I loved it none the less, and I am glad to see Batman's conflict with Harvey Bullock come to a head ... and then beat the shit out of each other!! Read more reviews at http://www.geekretaliation.net/ more