This is the third issue of Detective Comics to feature an entirely different style of Batman, and it opens where issue #42 left us. The new Batman facing off against three mercenaries without the mechanized suit.

I’ll be completely honest here, and say that I’m not a fan of the mechanized suit, so getting a glimpse of the new Batman in action was refreshing, but it reminded me just how much I miss Bruce Wayne wearing the cape and cowl. That being said, however, Brian Buccellato gives us an interesting foray into just how difficult it is to be Batman; whereas previously one man patrolled the city streets, solving and fighting crime with a support team that consisted largely of his butler, now we have a whole department struggling to fill the shoes of the original.

My misgivings about the mechanized Bat-suit aside, this story continues to explore a world without the vigilante hero Batman, and how the GCPD feel the need to fill the role with an officially sanctioned representative. For this Batman, it’s a job. He doesn’t have the same singular drive that Bruce Wayne had, and it shoes. Fernando Blanco‘s art work shows us in one scene just how much of a toll this activity is taking on the pilot of the mechanized suit; you can almost feel the weariness he feels as he drags himself back to his apartment.

The most interesting facet to this iteration of Batman continues to be (for me anyway) Harvey Bullock. I’m thoroughly enjoying seeing this new world through his eyes, and if I’m honest that’s pretty much the only reason I’m continuing to pick this up. Detective Comics #43 is a solid story set against a backdrop of a city that has lost it’s hero, and strives to fill that gap, but the comic itself seems like it’s merely treading water until Bruce Wayne eventually returns. Yes, it’s a decent comic book – and many may really enjoy it – but this wasn’t really for me. It was okay, but it wasn’t great.

Story: Brian Buccellato Artist: Fernando Blanco
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Read

Also posted on Ramblings Of A Comics Fan