Detective Comics #936 Review

In Detective Comics #936, Batman is M.I.A., and it’s time for Batwoman to take the reins! But can she control a strike force that’s barely worked together … including unstable wildcard Clayface?

Detective Comics #936

Written by James T. Tynion IV

Art by Raúl Fernández & Alvaro Martinez

Colors by Alvaro Martinez

Published by DC Comics

Detective Comics is mainly focused around crimes in Gotham City, but Detective Comics #936 keyed in on Batwoman and her quest to become a genuine leader of this newly formed unit that Batman has assembled.

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Author James T. Tynion IV (Batman Eternal, The Woods, Batman) alongside illustrator Raúl Fernández (Mystique, Justice League: Generation Lost, Star Wars: Jedi vs. Sith) gives readers a great third chapter in the first arc of Detective Comics post-Rebirth with “Rise of the Batmen” Chapter Three.

The issue starts off with Batwoman, Katherine Kane, at a dinner with her former lover, Gotham City detective Renee Montoya. Kane is in the midst of spilling her guts to Montoya, leaving everything out in the open about her past and why she has always strived to be a leader. In the midst of her vent session, Montoya cuts her off because Montoya is tired of getting played and used when Kane feels that it is right for her. However, Montoya still feels love for her and leaves her with some words of wisdom.

After Montoya leaves, Kane receives an emergency signal from Red Robin urging her to get to the headquarters of this newly formed Bat group immediately. Once Batwoman arrives, Red Robin shows her the video of Batman getting defeated by highly-skilled military soldiers.

When Red Robin asks Batwoman what the next move is, she seems unsure of herself, but Red Robin assures her that Batman placed her as leader of this team for a reason. And, if Batman brought her into the fold, that means he has the utmost trust and respect for her.

Batwoman, feeling confident after that boost from Red Robin, decides to call on the rest of the team. And she decides to bring a new ally—her father, Colonel Jacob Kane.

In the past, Detective Comics has mostly centered around Batman and the troubles he faced by being a hero in a city that just won’t stay saved. It’s great that Tynion realized that highlighting Batwoman would be a great move for the series. Batwoman is not the most well-known or even the most famous member of the Bat family.

Giving Batwoman her story arc is not only good for her, but it proves that members of the Bat family can stand on their own without the looming shadow of the Dark Knight hovering over them.

Fernández provides excellent artwork for this story. One of the key takeaways from his illustrations is the facial movements that he has the characters make throughout the issue. The reader can see the confusion, pain, and anguish in Katherine Kane’s face. Also, the pure intensity of the beating that Batman took by the hands of these new militarized soldiers. The attention to detail is remarkable.

The second part of the issue is this new Bat team coming towards HQ. All of the members arrive swiftly at headquarters; even Colonel Kane makes it in a timely manner. The only member to not make it on time iss Orphan. Colonel Kane tries to reassure this new team that everything is going according to plan. When Red Robin gets too worried, he checks on the live cameras and realizes that Orphan is in trouble. That’s when the big reveal happens.

Batwoman’s father and decorated war hero Colonel Jacob Kane tells the team that this was all part of the plan. Suddenly, the Bat-quarters are filled with militarized soldiers ready to attack Batwoman’s team. Batwoman is hurt that her father would betray her trust like that and cannot understand why he would commit himself to the wrong side of the Law.

However, Colonel Kane believes that he is on the right side of the law. It’s Batman and his vigilante friends who are in the wrong. Outnumbered and outgunned, Red Robin calls on Clay Face to create the “play ball,” escape plan. The issue ends with Colonel Kane calming his soldiers and telling them that they do not need to go after Batwoman, she will eventually come back to them.

Wow, Tynion can sure tell a story. The second half of Detective Comics #936 was just as amazing as the first ten pages. The double-cross move that Colonel Kane performed on Batwoman and her team was very unexpected but highly appreciated.

Once again, Fernández proves that he is one of the best artists in the comic book industry with his illustrations. The fight scenes, the character interactions, and the perfect flow from page-to-page was magnificent.

The Bottom Line: Tynion is continuing to deliver an excellent story with Detective Comics. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see just how the team will react to Batwoman’s leadership. Because she’s not the best judge of character, her self-doubt may finally take hold of her. Also, more time highlighting Clayface would be great. He has a very complicated backstory, and readers will be looking forward to Tynion exploring it in later issues.

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