Posts: 1099 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Joined: 29.07.05
Posted on 10-04-2008 12:42
by Nathaniel Ruff (aka Binker on the forums)
DETECTIVE COMICS #843
Written by Paul Dini
Art by Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs
Cover by Nguyen
Edited by Mike Marts
PLOT:
A member of Gotham's underground threatens the livelihood of the DCU's resident magician, Zatanna! That is, until Batman decides to lend Zatanna a hand. Plus, an appearance by Scarface and the origin of the new Ventriloquist!
REVIEW:
So a quick recap: Detective 840 provided an epilogue to the whole "Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul" saga that I felt it kinda lacked. One of the things I didn't expect was Batman tranquilizing Ra's to the point where he is now a lunatic at Arkham now. What does this do to Batman/Ra's now? Who knows. But something will happen down the line, I guarantee it. As for #841, while the plot was interesting, I didn't care for it in the end. That's all I can say on those two missed issues. I didn't want to get these issues because of the art being drawn by the same guy who did the arc I didn't like in Superman/Batman. But I think he improved his artwork here. Either that or I got use to it. Oh, and I skipped #842 because...can I just say because I didn't care for the story? So with that out of the way, here is #843.
This issue brings back our new Ventriloquist and Scarface, and plus Misty-er....I mean Zatanna is back too. I guess since she's his favorite character and he married a real life version of her, we should've expected Zatanna appearances anytime during his run. This is her fifth appearance of her in this comic, y'know? But despite the Ventriloquist on the cover, even though there is an important moment with her later, I can't see this whole issue being mostly about her (and him). Instead, this issue does, and I believe, focuses more on Zatanna and Bruce, not so much Zatanna and Batman. I guess we've learned that there is no telling when an issue with a character along with another issue with the same character takes place because there is a bit of romance discussion between the two here, and Jezebel from Grant Morrison's current run on the Batman title isn't mentioned anywhere here. The talk these two have toward one another isn't something with more ties to Identity Crisis, but more along the way of referencing past issues with issues #833-834. Zatanna brings up the fact that Bruce spent the night on her side before he tracked down the Joker in that two-parter, which led her to believe he cared for her more than a friend. But Bruce's response is that anyone would do that, even friends. He does care for her, as we all know, but does he love her deep down? Well that's up to us, and Dini, to decide.
Overall, this was another issue of Paul Dini's Detective Comics that I liked. I want to see what he has planned for the concluding issue, but we all know it will be well-written. Oh wait! I forgot to mention the important part of the new Ventriloquist. Well, as we learn in this issue, her name is Peyton Riley, and even she doesn't like what she has become. How or what Bruce will do with her, maybe even help her, is up in the air. In any event, it will be answered with the next issue. By the way, it looks like Nguyen did improve his artwork. Unlike last time, where his women weren't quite as good, I couldn't stop looking at how cute and beautiful Zatanna looked. Looks like I was wrong thinking it would be bad with him as the artist on this book, which was why I didn't get those #840-841 the first time.
RATING: Yay
Next Issue: Batman/Zatanna vs. Scarface and Ventriloquist!
You don't get it, boy... this isn't a mudhole... it's an operating table.
(crack!)
And I'm the surgeon.
- Batman - The Dark Knight Returns
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