So, what's the general consensus on Detective Comics since the reboot/relaunch?

[Manga4life]

For me, Detective Comics has been the strongest Batman title since DC rebooted/relaunched it's universe, there is just something about the storytelling and the interior art from Tony Daniel that makes me LOVE this title. Batman's self titled series is a very close second for me, but Detective Comics has been nothing short of a blast for me to read and I'm totally hooked on it, it's the first time since the really early 90's that I find myself really enjoying the book.

My question for everyone would be: What are others on the forums here thinking/feeling about Detective Comics? Enjoying it? Hating it? Buying it just because it's another Batman title and your addicted? Let's hear it! Personally, I loved the whole storyline about the Dollmaker and his cronies, it was really tight and I'm loving how other villains are being weaved into it all, it's just coming together so nicely and I am truly hoping that Tony Daniel doesn't leave this book anytime soon.

[TZDEKA]

I like the creepy buildup to whatever the Joker's planning, the Dollmaker family are a decent group of villains, and the art's pretty good. That's about it on the positive side for me.

[Reginleif]

I bought #1 and it was awful, it reminded me of everything wrong with Batman; boring tired Joker plot, excessive violence, grim dark = good story telling and just meanness.

[AiyokuSama]

This was the first title I gave up on. Daniel's writing just doesn't do it for me.

[Goose of Zur-En-Arrh]

At the onset I was really excited for Tec' when the New 52 was announced way back when. The idea of Daniel on art was and still is amazing, on writing....not so much.

The detractors and naysayers started to come out the woodwork as soon as issue #1. Initially I was a staunch Daniel defender, but as each issue came out I became more and more disappointed. The dialogue left something to be desired, so corny and the characterization of Bats was and still is so poor.

Daniel would introduce characters such as Dollmaker and leave their involmemt a loose end. Over time the detractors generally started to make sense. Poor dialogue, poor storytelling, except for the art which IMO is phenomenal, the book is really poor.

[U]["Looks like someone was taking a bath." "A bloodbath."/U]

Is there really anything else to say? To the OP, I'm very envious of you because you're enjoying this book. I wish I could say the same, and obviously it's selling very well so I don't foresee an artist/writer change up any time soon.

Sort of hypocritical here, but I'll continue to buy it monthly simply because it's Tec'. Just my 2 cents.

[Disco Pyg]

It's not a good book. There a few things it doesn't do too badly (the art is consistently great, for example) and it isn't flat out terrible or anything, but it is in no uncertain terms a badly written title. Keep Daniel on art and maybe have him co-plot the stories by any means but good lord do not keep him as the sole writer.

[MajorHoy]

For me, Detective Comics has been the strongest Batman title since DC rebooted/relaunched it's universe, there is just something about the storytelling and the interior art from Tony Daniel that makes me LOVE this title . . .

I think either people enjoy it or they don't.

I'm in the "WTF is this crap?!?" camp. But your experience may be different.

[jgiannantoni05]

Detective is one of the weakest IMHO, and perhaps the most disappointing considering the run length DC has allowed Daniel.

From my experience (and it is limited), I think people are buying Detective for the art mostly (and their love of the art colors their views on other aspects). I'm more a writing-focused person; I buy more for writing than art. Love both, but love writing more and writing quality mostly determines what I buy.


Snyder is just a much better fundamental writer. And it doesn't hurt that Capullo is doing great too.

Daniel belongs doing only art again IMHO.

[gma2darescue]

I read the first issue, then dropped it. Not so much because I didn't like it, but because I hadn't visited my shop for a few months after September (I was in college). When I had a huge stack of books, I had to make some cuts, and Tec was one of them.

[Knight of DC]

Let me first say that I am actually one of the few people that generally enjoyed Battle For The Cowl. It was a straightforward, yet enjoyable story. Life After Death was just...boring.

Regardless, I gave 'tec a go for two issues.

Meh. That's all really. Just meh. It also has the problem of following from Snyder's run on the book, which was a gold encrusted truffle of awesome.

[birdsinboxes]

great art but that was not enough to hold me. i lost track of what was going on because i found myself having trouble even getting through an issue. dropped it with issue 5.

its kind of amazing.... i used to HATE his art, but the whole drawing with his other hand thing really brought something cool out of tony, so i was initially psyched to have him drawing the new detective. maybe he needs to start writing with the other side of his brain :)

[Evidel]

It's bad, escpecially the dialogue which makes me cringe. Also, I forget what happened to the previous issues (that's maybe my attention span? Although, I don't have that problem with anything else I read :confused:)

[Jabare]

Personally, I think its terrible.

[gimpboy76]

It wouldn't be so bad if the story was more focused. It just seems like he's introducing more and more into it and I'm not sure there's going to be a payoff. Now reading the May solicit a new villain is introduced. I'm not sure if this is all leading up to something or if he's a kid w/ ADD jumping from one story to the next

[batGRRRl4ever]

I think that Detective Comics should be a rotating book of DC sleuths like Sue Dibny & Elongated Man:

http://cdn.comicartfans.com/Images/Category_2337/subcat_70535/MsTree_ElongatedMan_TBeatty.jpg

Or Sam Simeon:

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111204163442/marvel_dc/images/5/56/Detective_Chimp_DCAU_001.png

[Cavemold]

It's not to great but it's top seller. So somthing is being done right . The art is pretty decent.

[Super Robo Ape]

I don't really like the art on it, some of the characters in it just look plain odd & the writing is average at best. Unlike the thrilling Batman, DC has just not grabbed me at all, unless there is some improvement soon I think this will be the next 52 title I drop.

[agentsands]

To be honest, I only follow/buy it because it is "DETECTIVE COMICS." The story so far doesn't interest me much, and just like the others said, the writing can be bad at times. I love Daniel's art though. Overall, I think that the book is not THAT bad as some critics say, but it's not great either. I kinda wish DC would go the TDK route and assign a new writer, and then retain Daniel to co-plot and concentrate on the art.

[Mr. Holmes]

http://chzheroes.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/superheroes-batman-superman-untitled.png

I feel like not much else can be expressed as far as the writing on this book goes.

[Ginkasa]

It hasn't crossed into the "OMG I hate this" territory for me, but I also don't particularly like it. I kind of feel like Tony Daniel spends too much time trying to be a serious writer with stories that are Big Deals rather than just telling stories. He jams too many characters into his stories, for one. These are both new characters he's created or old characters that he's using to seemingly add legitimacy to his run. The stories also all seem to be reaching that Big Event status. It gets tiring and I wish he'd just tell a story without getting bogged down on those things.

Ironically, I first disliked Grant Morrison's run when it first started all those year's ago for similar reasons. He was able to eventually pull it off, though.

[Simbob4000]

http://chzheroes.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/superheroes-batman-superman-untitled.png

I feel like not much else can be expressed as far as the writing on this book goes.

It could be fun if it didn't seem to take itself so seriously, like bloodbath should be in big bold dripping blood font. Also the layout should be different, we shouldn't see the bathtub of blood until Batman thinks bloodbath.

[Flash Gordon]

I think that Detective Comics should be a rotating book of DC sleuths like Sue Dibny & Elongated Man:

YES!

Man, Detective Comics is just awful. I wonder who, at DC, read Tony Daniel's writing and said "Let's publish this, over any other Batman pitch!" Must be the same guy who wanted to get Rob Liefield to do three more books.

[UKComicFan]

I am enjoying Detective Comics very much; it's just a good, solid tale without any pretensions of "OMG! THIS WILL CHANGE BATMAN FOREVA!!!" nonsense. Sometimes, I don't want Batman to be changed forever in every single damn issue; I just want a good story unfolding before me. That's what Detective is giving me. I am enjoying the current storyline.

(Note - this is not the general consensus; most people hate it, but there's a small core of us that like it a lot!

[DragonPiece]

Not good in my opinion, I don't mind Tony's art, but his writing is terrible.

[The Red Deluge]

Good art, ordinary story, terrible covers (the last two have been Penguin related when he's barely been involved in the story yet).

[ForeverYoung8]

I dropped it after the first arc. Just couldn't get into it. I didn't like the writing, and I reeeeeaaaaallllyy miss his older style of art (The Third Batman, RIP, etc). I can't stand his new style.

It's too bad, because I really liked Battle For The Cowl (it was like a Michael Bay movie...pretty to look at, and fun if not deep) and Life After Death.

[Dr. Hurt]

At least Finch had the humility to admit that he needs help in writing and now his book is getting a good writer. I might even give it a try. And his book sells just as much as Daniel's so kudos to him for not just cashing in.

The funny thing is that DC allowed a writer of Daniel's caliber to write their namesake book, a major flagship in their arsenal. They shouldnt expect him to realise he isnt that good, they need to stop him themselves. But eh, maybe its for the best, so that we dont get bat overload. Its refreshing that there are so many other good books besides Batman and GL, so for me i'd rather have Animal Man or WW instead of another Batman book.

Besides, Morrison's book is coming in May anyway.

PS: Meanwhile Rucka and Waid are at Marvel because Bob Harras has a feud with them. Also, Liefeld got H&D cancelled and now he gets 3 books. Either DC wants an excuse to cancel them or...

[manfromspace]

One word... Underwhelming.

Although... I'm looking forward to these new villains that were hanging with Penguin last issue... Gas Man, Mr. Combustible, Hypnotic & whoever the other people were... they all looked kind of interesting, albeit cheesy... which I sometimes enjoy when it comes to new villains.

[El Sombrero]

I think it's horrible in terms of both writing and art. I've gone on enough about disliking the book so that will suffice for right now.

[Methalius]

It's one of the best sellers in all of comics yet it seems like the majority of posters seem to hate Daniels. I personally love it. Daniels art is freaking fantastic and it's been a fun read. Is the writing as prolific as Batman or Batman and Robin titles? No. Are the stories fun? Yup. I recommend it to everyone that doesn't have to have every book be the greatest story ever told.

[maxpower00044]

I don't hate it, but I don't love it. If it doesn't shape up by the end of this arc and changes aren't made, I'll probably drop it. Even the art, while good, tends to get static. I muh prefer Capullo and Gleason's art more than Daniels.

[Manga4life]

It's one of the best sellers in all of comics yet it seems like the majority of posters seem to hate Daniels. I personally love it. Daniels art is freaking fantastic and it's been a fun read. Is the writing as prolific as Batman or Batman and Robin titles? No. Are the stories fun? Yup. I recommend it to everyone that doesn't have to have every book be the greatest story ever told.

Wow, someone like me who actually enjoys the book! I'm surprised so many people dislike it, but I can see why some people would prefer Batman's self titled series over this one, I'm just glad people are being somewhat tasteful about it. Well, as I stated in the original post, I'm a fan and it's one of my favorite comics on store shelves, but I do respect that others may feel differently. I guess that's how the world turns. :)

[Blue Blazes]

It could be fun if it didn't seem to take itself so seriously, like bloodbath should be in big bold dripping blood font. Also the layout should be different, we shouldn't see the bathtub of blood until Batman thinks bloodbath.

its kinda like the csi intro when we see a dead body than grissom, or sinese or who ever makes a corny joke than cue music. after reading that page i hear the who in my head:biggrin: maybe daniels was watching csi at that time...

overall i enjoyed detective though.

[Manga4life]

What I kind of like about it is that fans of the old DCU can continue reading Detective Comics and not feel like it's a whole new series, but new fans to the book or to the "DCnU" can pick it up and feel like they are not bogged down with years of continuity and read this as if Batman has only been in business for a short period of time. It's kind of nice.

I personally am going into this book as if it's brand new and Batman is a new superhero, the way it's been written can give the impression that Batman doesn't have much experience chasing The Joker and that he's still a little new at the job while maintaining an air of expertise. It's really neat, I'm just totally in love with this book and the DCnU as a whole!

[Desaad]

I think there is a difference between a book that is badly written and a book that is light, or fun.

For instance, by no means was Bryan Q Miller's Batgirl a book that concerned itself with very heavy, weighty material. It was 'fun', but it was also SMART...witty and well paced and characterful.

Or a book can be a little stupid, but not be outwardly bad the way I see Detective. For instance, I would call Scott Lobdell's writing style to be unpolished at its best. It's wildly erratic in execution, with some scenes brilliantly put togethers, and others embarassingly expository. But it's fun, and it's not cringe inducing because the guy doesn't know how to put together words in a way that doesn't SOUND amateurish.

I don't know. It's a confluence of things. It's that Daniel is trying so damn hard to be literary, to be Frank Miller, dark and dreary and deadly serious, and he's not a good enough writer to do that in a compelling way. His characters aren't ever oging to be deeply introspective, because he's not capable of being deeply introspective, at least not on the page.

Just my opinion. Obviously sales disagrees with me and the 'majority' board opinion, so I don't see DC changing anything unless Daniel wants it to be changed. Between "Batman" and "Batman Inc", there are plenty of GREAT bat books starring Batman, plus some really solid ones like Batman and Robin and The Dark Knight (which promises to be solid after Hurwittz comes aboard).

[Jvan]

I liked the Dollmaker arc, but I gotta say the current Penguin one is a bit boring.

[Kiryu]

It's Batman-by-the-numbers. There is nothing exceptionally good or exceptionally terrible except for the dialog and Batman's inner monologue which is exceptionally terrible, imo. If you want a book to flip through and look at typical comics art roided up body-paint Batman hitting people in the face and saying badass cliches this is a title you'll love.

[MajorHoy]

I think that Detective Comics should be a rotating book of DC sleuths like Sue Dibny & Elongated Man:

http://cdn.comicartfans.com/Images/Category_2337/subcat_70535/MsTree_ElongatedMan_TBeatty.jpg

Why are you using an image of Ralph and Ms. Tree to suggest Ralph and Sue? :confused:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/82/MsTree21.jpg/200px-MsTree21.jpg

[manfromspace]

Also... and maybe it's just me not being able to remember previous issues very well... but I think between issue 4 and 5 it honestly felt like I skipped an issue.

[CrazyOldHermit]

Read the first issue when it came out. It was offensive to my eyes and brain. Haven't touched it since.

[manymade1]

http://chzheroes.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/superheroes-batman-superman-untitled.png



LOL I think this says enough. I personally stayed as far away from this book as I could after I read the 1st ish. Snyders Batman honestly makes this look like something written by Stephanie Meyer.

[JasonTodd428]

I'm enjoying it myself but then again it's been awhile since I was regularly reading any comics so that probably has an effect on how I'm looking at any comic I'm reading at the moment. There aren't very many people that seem to like it but still it is selling well despite that for some reason.

[Manga4life]

Personally, I don't read comics because I need a deep story that has to keep me on my toes, if I want a story like that then I'll read a novel. I love iconic characters in fun stories that are easy to read and offer art that creates a great image of the character, I love comics as a whole and I try not to over analyze when it comes to something as simple as a comic book. I'm loving Detective Comics and am not afraid to admit it, I'm a huge Tony Daniel fan and I couldn't be happier with this book, but I can understand why some would be if they're looking for something deep and rich. I just don't demand much out of my comics I suppose...

[ccoiv]

This is one of if not my favorite title on shelves at the moment. I think the writting could be better but i dont think Daniels is doing a disservice to Batman or any Bat legacy. There have been a few times where I have had to re-read a previous issue because I couldn't remember/follow the progression from one issue to the next. But as Manga4life said I dont read comics to keep me on my toes. I read them for entertainment.

[Captain Jim]

So, what's the general consensus on Detective Comics since the reboot/relaunch?

Short answer: there isn't one. Sales are outstanding, which suggest that many people like it. But it's one of the favorite targets of internet hate. I have to wonder where the OP has been that s/he felt the need to ask such a question (I cringe when I read thread titles like this.)

Anyway, for the record, I'm enjoying it a lot. The art is outstanding and the stories have been intriguing. Personally, I think Daniel is doing a significantly better job writing this book than he did Batman earlier (I dropped that one). He said early on that he was going to concentrate on Batman and Gordon rather than a large cast of characters, and I think this was a good move. I also like the way he's tying with the detective theme and keeping readers guessing rather than providing simple slug-fests.

[Jackson Brody]

I miss Catgirl.

And if you need me, I'll be taking a bath. A bloodbath.

[E. Wilson]

I stopped following the Daniels' title after "Eye of the Beholder", and while I agree with those who say that his art is better than his writing, I found his writing interesting, in a way. I thought that some of the ideas he brought to the table had potential (Jason Todd taking the Bat mantle by force, Black Mask war, Old Crime trying to return to Gotham), but the actual execution of those ideas seemed to be a bit beyond his skills to deliver.

[Jackson Brody]

In all honesty, I kind of liked his Life After Death story. Like E. Wilson said, lots of good ideas. But Detective isn't working for me.

[Badboy_Beavz]

Also, am I the only that noticed the Iceberg Casino's resemblance to the Sydney Opera House, but... made of ice... Not sure if I like...

[Dr. Hurt]

I miss Catgirl.

And if you need me, I'll be taking a bath. A bloodbath.http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/6903/129183238917519074.jpg

[Blue Blazes]

Also, am I the only that noticed the Iceberg Casino's resemblance to the Sydney Opera House, but... made of ice... Not sure if I like...

i noticed, and i liked it. but then again im not from australia like you and if it was say something similar to philadelphia (where im originally from) my opinion may differ.

[wxjunkie]

You could skip half the detective books of new 52 and not mss anything because the story is that pointless. Batman at its worst.

[Maestro]

both this book and "The Dark Knight" could use separate writers.

[MajorHoy]

both this book and "The Dark Knight" could use separate writers.

Why do people keep saying that about Batman: The Dark Knight?

Finch isn't the writer on the New 52 version!

(But it's still badly written.)

[Maestro]

okay! no need for the big font. I admit I only read the first volume, which wasn't too impressive

[suss2it]

Why do people keep saying that about Batman: The Dark Knight?

Finch isn't the writer on the New 52 version!

(But it's still badly written.)
I'm pretty sure he's been co-writing, or at least co-plotting it.

In fact DC has been crediting him as co-writer in some of the past solicits.

http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/11/14/batman-group-solicits-3/
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/12/12/131011/
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/09/19/batman-group-solicits/

[MajorHoy]

I'm pretty sure he's been co-writing, or at least co-plotting it.

In fact DC has been crediting him as co-writer in some of the past solicits.

http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/11/14/batman-group-solicits-3/
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/12/12/131011/
http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/09/19/batman-group-solicits/

Co-plotting, yes. But not co-writing.

I'm assuming co-plotting means you jointly discuss main ideas, but you don't have to write the story yourself before you draw it.

And I only have the first two issues, where he's only credited with co-plotting. (Couldn't deal with it after that.) I have no idea if the information for the solicits is correct or not; DC has frequently screwed those up.

[kevink31593]

I just removed Detective Comics from my subscriptions on comixology. I will go ahead and pick up issue 7, but that will be my last issue until a better writer takes over. I have been bored with Detective since the relaunch, I can barely recall what happened in the issues I've read. I've been buying Detective continuously since 1993, so this is a major step for me. I guess one good thing to come from the relaunch is that its made me feel less attached to certain titles and focus more on buying comics because they're good, and not just out of habit. I probably would have never even considered dropping Detective if the original numbering was still going.

[8diagrams]

The story has slowed down a bit but theres obviously somehting far greater if you consider the jokers skinned face plot point established right at the beginning.

Overall is a good book and an entertaining read for what it is. Im interested in seeing the story moving fwd.

[MajorHoy]

I just removed Detective Comics from my subscriptions on comixology. I will go ahead and pick up issue 7, but that will be my last issue until a better writer takes over. I have been bored with Detective since the relaunch, I can barely recall what happened in the issues I've read. I've been buying Detective continuously since 1993, so this is a major step for me. I guess one good thing to come from the relaunch is that its made me feel less attached to certain titles and focus more on buying comics because they're good, and not just out of habit. I probably would have never even considered dropping Detective if the original numbering was still going.

If you lasted with Detective Comics this long, shouldn't you maybe wait a couple more months until after the tie-in with the Court of Owls storyline from Batman? :confused:

[kevink31593]

If you lasted with Detective Comics this long, shouldn't you maybe wait a couple more months until after the tie-in with the Court of Owls storyline from Batman? :confused:

Detective isn't going to tie in with Court of Owls. I'm not getting all the Court of Owls stuff anyways; I'm only getting Batman, B & R, Nightwing, Batgirl, ASW, the Batman annual, and maybe BOP.

I figure Tec 7 is a good place to cut off, since it's the last issue before the price jump, plus it's the last issue that will be in the upcoming collection so it'll be a good stopping point reading wise.

[GunnerAsh]

I tried Detective Comics, gave it 3 issues, but it just wasn't for me. I felt Daniel concentrated on the gore and violence angle a bit too much and his Batman seemed too easy to defeat or get the best of. Snyder's Batman for me.