Detective Comics #995

Crap is about to go down. The writer of that other book should take note. This is how it's done. This is what a real 10 out of 10 looks like. I don't see how you could improve on this issue in any way. Read Full Review

This issue leaves fans on edge, as it is pure suspense, and more than puts Batman on notice. The story by Tomasi is smart, powerful, and brimming with intensity. The art by Mahnke and Mendoza gives fans a different look at the Dark Knight. Overall, a great issue that flips the tables on some characters and gives fans an angry and focused Batman. Read Full Review

Someone is opening up several cans of worms that I bet Bruce wants to keep closed. The walk through Arkham Asylum let's us eliminate several of Batman's Rogues gallery as suspects. The set up leads us to suspect one villain, but the end results of the story make us question whether it's actually that person. Batman's walk through Arkham Asylum brings us to the cell of"to be continued. Read Full Review

Tomasi and Mahnke prove time and time again to work incredibly well together, to say the least, and can expertly weave an epic memorable title after title. The long two standing Dc comics royalty knows these characters inside and out and working together create what hopes to be one of the best Batman runs in years. Read Full Review

Tomasi and Mahnke are a dream team. The writing and the art are of the highest caliber. I can't wait for the next issue. It will be on the top of my reading list for certain. It's amazing. Read Full Review

This arc has signaled an impressive debut for the new creative team who have quickly ushered in a thrilling and mysterious new era for Detective Comics. With the big #1000 milestone issue on the way the book s back to being a must-read for Batman and DC fans. Read Full Review

If you are feeling sour on recent Batman offerings elsewhere, Peter J. Tomasi has the cure for what ails you. And even if you're okay with the current state of Batman's world otherwise, this book ought to still surprise and delight you. Read Full Review

The gritty, beautiful art of Doug Mahnke is another factorthat makes this storyline engaging. There is masterful dramatic detail in thepanels and the pace of the story is complemented by the art.   Read Full Review

Detective Comics #995 continues a deadly new mystery weighing heavily on Batman with near-perfect execution from the creative team. The story is incredibly engaging, and the visuals are spectacular. Its a must read for any fan of the Worlds Greatest Detective! Read Full Review

A really great issue that hammers home the emotional toll Batman is going through. If you push this superhero far enough you're going to get your worst nightmare. Read Full Review

Will it bring the Bat-family together? Honestly I hope not. Thats kind of what the wedding storyline of 2018 seemed to do. Id prefer to see a character-building story featuring Bruce and almost no one else. The children " Dick, Barbara,Selina, et al - are grown with live and titles of their own. When they hit #1,000, theyll have their big moment. Until then, this is Bruces story, andshould remain so. Read Full Review

This arc is seriously hitting me where it hurts. Everyone is expectingDetective Comics #1000 to be spectacular, especially after the magical millennial anniversary issue of Action Comics, last year. 2018's issue stood alone, and while I'm sure that ‘Tec #1000 will also be accessible to everyone, the fact that this is the arc that is leading into it is very special indeed. It feels to me that Tomasi and his collaborators are tearing Batman down, from the inside out, only to make him even stronger moving forward. This is pure Mythology. Read Full Review

The build up to the #1000 milestone is drumming up to be a fascinating case study on Gotham's effects on mental health with a multilayered mystery bubbling below the surface. Right now, Tomasi still seems to be in the process of getting all of the pieces in place, but as a long-time fan I'm excited to see his exploration of Batman's duality. Read Full Review

An excellent second issue that builds on the mystery and leaves you wanting even more in the best way possible, enhanced by impeccable art. Read Full Review

Detective Comics #995 is an emotionally impactful issue featuring a gut-wrenching loss. Peter Tomasi does a fantastic job emphasizing how important Leslie Thompkins was in Bruce Wayne's life. This story was all wonderfully brought to life by Doug Mahnke's artwork as he hit on all the emotions Bruce was feeling and how intimidating Batman was at the end of Detective Comics #995. Read Full Review

Batman loses one person very dear to him in DETECTIVE COMICS #995, while another is nearly killed. Someone knows how to hurt Bruce Wayne, and it threatens to push him over the edge. This is a tense, mournful issue, ratcheting up the tension in the story. Read Full Review

What a gut-wrenching issue! So many feels… Read Full Review

Tomasi, Mahnke and team have something quite interesting brewing, even if it is still not obvious and fully fleshed out. Here's hoping more will be out in the open soon. Read Full Review

While plenty of fans will be turned off by the seeming darkness for darkness's sake of this story, Detective Comics is still a powerful and good-looking book. Read Full Review

The mystery of who is behind this is compelling, and Doug Mahnke's art is better than ever, but overall this issue left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Read Full Review

The first issue of Pete Tomasi's return to the world of Gotham was a competent, effective mystery that wasn't really going to get anyone talking. The second issue is definitely going to get people talking from early on, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Read Full Review

Linkush

Jan 02, 2019

"I WANT YOU ALL TO THINK OF THIS PLACE LIKE A CARNIVAL FUNHOUSE TONIGHT... EXCEPT THE ONLY MONSTER IN HERE WITH YOU... IS ME" Wow, this issue has it all. Badass batman, one of the most touching moments in a comic book I read in a while, gorgeous art and an interesting story. Pick this one up. I can't recommend it enough.

Psycamorean

Jan 04, 2019

I really enjoyed this issue a lot. It's just so well written and it made me care about the characters and the mystery is intriguing. And the art is great.

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myconius - Jan 4, 2019

it's SO good to finally have a quality ongoing Batman title again! ^__^

ohhaimark - Jan 4, 2019

This run has started off so very good. I agree with all of your points YourGreenMuse.

Psycamorean - Jan 4, 2019

Yeah, I love good Batman lol

Darkseid24 - Jan 4, 2019

The death of Leslie ruins it for me

Psycamorean - Jan 4, 2019

I thought it was well done

ohhaimark - Jan 4, 2019

Agreed. It was actually what really sold this issue for me personally.

Darkseid24 - Jan 4, 2019

I think it was very out of character for Leslie to approve Bruce’s life as Batman. In like every other comic she criticizes his violent methods& want a better life for him, so that ruined it for me. And overall no matter how „good“ a death is done, I don’t like it, if is a favorite character of mine. I hoe she’s not dead for real.

Darkseid24 - Jan 4, 2019

hope

ohhaimark - Jan 5, 2019

I've never been bothered by character deaths as long as they can make me feel. I've also never really known anything about Leslie Thompkins as I've never read that many Batman comics. That may have improved the issue for me.

myconius - Jan 5, 2019

as sad as i felt for Bruce to lose a friend and nurturing Mother-figure, i didn't feel all that close to Leslie Thompkins as a character to really miss her. we barely have seen her in stories in recent years. ...though i have a feeling this will all eventually be retconned.

Darkseid24 - Jan 5, 2019

I do, because Leslie was around a lot in Shadow of the Bat, No Mans Land, Post NML& War Games. I‘m never a fan of killing characters off, especially not my favorites. Not to mention, that Leslie also is in Gotham, even so she is a very different character there. I like her way more than Alfred.

myconius - Jan 5, 2019

i'm not a fan of killing characters off i comics in general. i just find it gimmicky and done solely just for the shock value. the characters are usually brought back anyway, so it makes the "death" pointless.

Darkseid24 - Jan 5, 2019

Agreed. . I hope Leslie isn't dead after all& comes back before the next DC reboots happens (whenener that will be). Sometimes it takes ages until a character comes back, think of Jason Todd or The Ventriloquist and Black Mask, it took years until they came back.

myconius - Jan 8, 2019

my guess is this death will stick for at while. at least until Detective 1000 passes. ..and i'm pretty sure this was all done as just a publicity stunt just to promote issue 1000. ...issue 995 has been pretty much sold out in every comic store i've been to. i'm just glad i got my copy when i did.

Darkseid24 - Jan 8, 2019

I hope this is one of these stories where Batman‘s ally comes back all crazy& he has to help her. I bought the physical copy just due to the variant cover.

I Review Comics

Nov 08, 2019

The difference between Peter Tomasi's Detective Comics and Tom Kings Batman is night and day. While I usually expect Tom King's Batman to be hit and miss. Peter's Batman is a beast. This comic picks up on the cliffhanger of the last issue. Leslie Thompkins unfortunately succumbs and dies after being infected by a modified Joker Toxin. The comic goes on from there and we get another devastating attack on Bruce's family a couple of pages later. From here we get one of the most badass Batman cliffhangers I've read in years. The sense of urgency is the greatest strength of this issue. Batman isn't moping or monologuing to himself. In Detective comics he's efficient, and getting shit done. Doug Mankhe and David Baron do a great job on art detail. Translating the urgency and desperation of the script to the page. I don't think the effects of the Joker Toxin has ever been more horrifying. The comic reads quickly but not too quick to feel cheated. There are no wasted panels. The book ends with an angry Batman seeking answers and there's nothing better than that. more

cincyfan

Oct 30, 2020

Wow! Now that was a tremendous book!! I somehow feel I’m not giving it a high enough score at 10/10. I found this issue to be both moving and very powerful. The artwork was also perfect! This is a fantastic issue!

ohhaimark

Jan 02, 2019

OH NO! LOOK OUT! IT'S SPOILERS! THE GOOD: -I'm loving Doug Mahnke's art. It is some of the best art I have seen in a Batman comic in a while. -Wow. Leslie Thompkin's death was great. Sorry, that sounded wrong. I mean, her death was really beautifully written, her last words just really hit hard, as does Batman's desperation to save her, along with the flashback pages. Dramatic, tender and touching. This issue really showed me the right way to put emotion into a Batman comic. This issue had me close to tears. -Seeing even Alfred react to Leslie's death was pretty touching as well. -Super great callback to Year One with Alfred ringing the bell. I dug that scene. -This issue shows how to correctly progress a mystery, with the Zorro thing that happened, something that this weeks Heroes in Crisis really let me down on. -Yes, I already mentioned the art, but the way Mahnke draws the rogues gallery was just super great. -Seeing the effects of Leslie's death on Batman as he visited Arkham was great, and shows that Tomasi truly knows how to accurately infuse emotion into a Batman comic. THE BAD: -My only complaint is that we could have gotten more of the detective Batman from the previous issue. more

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myconius - Jan 2, 2019

"Sorry, that sounded wrong" - - hahahaa! that's ok. i totally knew what you meant. such an exciting start. Tomasi usually takes a few issues to get going, but from my experience it's usually worth it. (((((SPOILERS)))))(((((SPOILERS))))) for the Death of Leslie Thompkins(((((END SPOILER)))))))) it really needed to take up most of the issue.

Darkseid24 - Jan 2, 2019

I think it was very out of character for Leslie what she told Bruce, because she never was fine with him being Batman& using violence against others. That felt pretty wrong to me& I’m really sad about her death. She was one of my favorite batfamily member.

myconius - Jan 2, 2019

it really depends on who's writing Leslie. more Silver & Bronze Age stories stories she was a very nurturing mother figure for Bruce. it was the more modern tales where they tried to pit her against Bruce's war on Crime. but i can really see why Tomasi chose to utilize the more warm version of Leslie in this particular story. if you recall from Tomasi's first issue of (2011) Batman & Robin, Bruce wanted to try to step away from all the darkness in his life.

myconius - Jan 2, 2019

"...from here on out, i'll be honoring their wedding anniversary and not their final night on this planet."

Darkseid24 - Jan 2, 2019

You are right,, but Leslie also was warm towards Bruce when she criticized him for being Batman. She did that since the late 80ies& throughout the entire 90ies until War Games, so I think it’s an inconsistency with her character. I‘ve actually never liked when Bruce did that, because revenge& hate always was part of his character. As for me I’m glad DC went back to Bruce’s dark side like in Hills Detective Comics story for example. However her death sucks so much.

myconius - Jan 2, 2019

it's all subjective i suppose? i don't mind Darkness in a Batman comic. it's why i'm attracted to the stories. but i really don't care to see Bruce completely consumed by it. i absolutely love the sequence in 52 when the Ten-Eyed tribe vanquished the darkness from him, as if it were poison. he was still the Dark Knight, but he was also running at optimum. very cool and calculated.

myconius - Jan 2, 2019

i was really thrown by Leslie's death. i really wasn't expecting Tomasi to do that. especially in his opener. but i was very pleased with how he handled Bruce's reaction towards it.

Darkseid24 - Jan 2, 2019

Yes, but I personally didn’t like New52 comics very much. Some of them were good, but there were so many bad stories. I prefer what we currently get over anything back then. I still hope it’s not true with Leslie, but yeah Tomasi wrote it well ( apart from her attitude towards Batman).

myconius - Jan 2, 2019

99.99% of New52 stories were trash! the only ONE series i absolutely loved was Batman Incorporated. and that was pretty much just a pre-new52 story with the cursed New52 veneer. Tomasi's B&R was decent. it was the best Batman title out of the relaunch. though it was not without it's out set of flaws. but i did enjoy that one best of all till Batman Inc showed up. i guess time will tell with Leslie. i really didn't think Tomasi would pull the 'death' card. especially with all the HiC misery.

Darkseid24 - Jan 3, 2019

I hope so, but he is just a mediocre writer for me. The Dark Knight and Gothtopia were my favorite New52 run/ story. Arkham War was ok, but had many flaws.

Comic Princess - Jan 4, 2019

Don’t think Batman Inc. was part of the New 52 lineup.

myconius - Jan 4, 2019

i honestly wish Batman Inc had not been part of the new52. it makes reading the tail-end Grant's run very jarring. but in Batman Inc #13 there was a really cringey line forced in with Gordon mentioning the 'Zero Year'. plus right after Damian died in issue #8 all the other Batman titles had their Robin Requiem.

Spiderbat

Jan 30, 2019

Great issue, I was choking up in parts.

Nihilist

Jan 02, 2019

Tomasi's takeover of the series was much needed, after James Robinson's bland and uninspired short adventure with it. The issue, despite not featuring much hard action, is pretty fast paced, especially its first half - I cought myself reading it at dangerous speed, being so invested in what was happening. Definitely worth picking up - we're near #1000, and the last straight leading to it looks just wonderful. Keep it up, Tomasi, we need you more than ever now, since Detective Comics under your guidance is the only good Batman comic out there.

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myconius - Jan 2, 2019

it's so good to have Tomasi writing Bruce again.

bucswin611

Jan 02, 2019

Oof. I really wanted a few more pages - Bruce's reaction to the traumas he is witnessing is compelling and makes me want to pick it up again in two weeks. Mahnke wasn't as A-plus as #994, but there was great visual storytelling here. Tomasi (so far) is committed to the ground-level detective angle, which should be a crowd-pleaser for many.

myconius

Jan 02, 2019

....and with this issue, now there really IS no hope in Crime Alley. it's GREAT to have Tomasi writing a Batman comic again. the plot(so far) might be a bit thin, but it really is INTENSE!! overall this comic shows that Tomasi is still one of the best Batman writers in recent years. this issue was a real page turner. and just as all hoe seems to be lost, we are given a slight bit before having it ripped away. ...and then another sucker punch to the gut. i really love Tomasi's voice for Bruce as well as Alfred. they feel completely in character. i like how Bruce seems mostly in control, even in the most dire situations. then when push comes to shove, Bruce rolls up his sleeves, puts on his ass kicking boots and gets to it. the ' Year One' nod with the bell was well done. i really liked the casual mention of Damian, but i could have totally done without the mention of Owls. Batman's demeanor throughout the issue . . . SPOT ON!!! the art looked a little bit rushed, but still very solid and very enjoyable. for all the minor hiccups, this is comic is easily a definite recommend. more

waltgator93

Jan 02, 2019

Issue started out good but went slightly downhill in a confusing way. The art was amazing! Cliffhanger definitely has me excited for new issue, shit is about to go down.

REYNARD

Jan 02, 2019

Once again, the Tomasi/Mahnke dream-team hits it out of the park! After only two issues, it's safe to say that Bats is finally in good hands again. The art and writing continue being solid. Leslie succumbs to the Joker venom, and Alfred is stabbed by a man in a Zorro outfit. Fun callback to Year One with the chair and the bell. Also enjoyed the reference to Damian's medical skills, as he apparently performed surgery on Bruce during the "Court of Owls" storyline. The mastermind behind this plot seems to be going after Bruce's former mentors, and his next target (according to the solicits) is none other than Henri Ducard. If you remember back in Tomasi's Batman & Robin run from the New 52, Henri's son, Morgan, fought the dyanmic d uo; ultimately being executed by Damian. We also know that Tomasi will be writing a story in Detective #1000 about the "Arkham Knight" from the video game series; possibly some connections there. The book ends with Batman going to Arkham in search of answers (though it's unlikely he will get any). Main problem with this book is its shorter length, which makes it feel like there's less plot progression. more

Perry_comics

Jan 05, 2019

Comic Book Review Scale (0-10) 0 -1 Story must keep me engaged: The story picks up right after the previous issue and then more death and then the ending cliffhanger made me say oh shit! 1-2 Must be able to Understand the Story: I'd recommend having the last issue read but the first page kind of recaps the previous issue 2-3 Visuals/Artwork must make sense and be consistent: artwork made sense and was the consistent only part that wasn't was when **spoiler** Alfred answered the door and was stabbed by "Zorro" in the first panel the full mage you clearly see "Zorro" with a big brimmed circular hat and the next page last panel you see him walking away with no hat on just what looks like a full head mask, I could be wrong but this was the only thing that stood out to me. 3-4 Visuals/Artwork must be able to tell the story: Very nice artwork and images alone could tell the story but towards the end, the wording is needed to help explain what possibly is going to happen next 4-5 Visuals/Artwork must be pleasing: The artwork is very pleasing love the last page could have been a variant cover 5-6 Cover Artwork: the main cover was nice and relevant think the variant was nice too the main cover was for the first half of the book and the varient ties in the ending and next issue 6-7 Keep the reader wanting more: definitely kept me wanting more and I want more give me the next issue already pretty good countdown issue to #1000 7-8 Catches me off guard (story/art): multiple times I was caught off guard as I'm sure Bruce was a cough off guard too 8-9 Makes me want to talk about it ( to people outside the comic community): don't think I'll be talking about this to anyone outside of my LCS 9-10 Re-readability: enjoyed the issue but I'm going to seal and probably won't ever read again more

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myconius - Jan 8, 2019

that line you said about "enjoyed the issue but I'm going to seal and probably won't ever read again" really resonated with me. these issues have been real page turners for me, but so far i've not been excited to revisit these issues yet. i mean i skim through them for a quick refresher before reading the next new issue, but i've not been compelled to actually give issue 994 a nice SOLID and thorough re-read since the very first time i'd read it. mostly i've just skimmed it for the art.

Spacey Medicine

Jun 03, 2019

The dialogue was a bit overwrought and I could use a little bit more chill, but I think the plot as a whole is so interesting.

egonnn244

Jan 02, 2019

"... a rapier..." I don't remember the last time, if ever, that I was scared of Batman after reading his comic. Well, the last couple of pages of this issue gave me chills. Those inmates are in for quite a nightmare. But first things first. SPOILERS!!! SPOILERS!!! SPOILERS!!! Peter Tomasi continues to weave his mystery and, unfortunately, dr Thompkins won't be there to see it solved. That shook Batman a bit. Fortunately, he didn't throw a childish tantrum, he just needed a minute. After that someone rings the bell at the manor's door. And it seems to be the star of the last movie the Waynes have ever seen. Got to give it to Alfred though. He is still able to tease Bruce even while having a hole in his chest. I have completely no idea where is this mystery going or who might be behind it (I hope it's not the Joker) but I am really excited to see it unfold. more

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myconius - Jan 2, 2019

very good review.

egonnn244 - Jan 2, 2019

Thank you.

myconius - Jan 2, 2019

you're welcome. :)

SloboSOY

Jan 04, 2019

The drama continue. In one hand Bat didn't save Leslie, in another Alfred seem to have lost is military training. The attacks puts Batman in a angry mind and we finish with a cliffhanger where he quotes Rorschach. So I'm not fond of the darkness in this story but maybe because a personal issue with my mother health darken my mind. Cover -I take the variant so related and beautiful. 2/2 writing - It's not what I look for, but Tomasi does a good job. 2/3 Arts - Gleason make awesome layout and panel. It's a pleasure to follow his story. 3/3 Feeling - Don't like it. 0/2

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ohhaimark - Jan 5, 2019

Super sorry to hear about this personal issue. Best of wishes for you.

myconius - Jan 5, 2019

hoping for the best for you and yours SloboSOY.

Simon DelMonte

Jan 06, 2019

I am subtracting points from a well assembled comic for killing off Leslie. It certainly seems a waste, if not an outright fridging. But otherwise, Tomasi continues to hit all the notes that King wants to hit and cannot. And the art is stellar.

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myconius - Jan 8, 2019

i also subtracted points for the needless and shameless killing of Leslie as well. it's a shameful waste of a character, that was done only for the notoriety. probably a mandate from editorial. ..."WE NEED MORE DEATHS! IT'LL BE SPECTACULAR!"

Darkseid24

Jan 02, 2019

This issue is well written, but overall I didn’t like it much. Leslie’s death seems pointless& I’m sick of DC killing characters off like that. She deserves better& I really hope she isn’t really dead. Leslie was quite out of character in this issue. She never approved of Bruce being Batman& always criticized him for choosing to be Batman. She questioned his violence against criminals, but didn’t call the police, because she loved him like a son, since he was a little boy. Therefore it really feels wrong for her character telling Bruce how proud she is on him being Batman. New52& also Rebirth unfortunately never did her character justice. So I really hope this isn’t the last time we see her. After Leslies death Batman goes to Arkham to find whoever is responsible. Beating up criminals, while in prison ( guess that’s what Batman is going to do next issue) isn’t out of character for him, but it makes him look rather cocky. How can Gordon justify tolerating Batman any longer? This issue is never boring, but I can’t praise it either. more

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myconius - Jan 11, 2019

you may not have to wait for a reboot/relaunch for Leslie's death to be nullified. ...next issue will have Henri Ducard, who was mentioned to be dead in Tomasi's Batman & Robin run. now he's back all the sudden.