The full scope of the Colony’s plans, and their mysterious leader, have all been revealed…so what’s it going to take to stop them? Believe us, you are not prepared for the last scene!

The teaser for Detective Comics #939 says you won’t be prepared for the last scene and while it’s not super shocking in a break the internet sort of way, it is a climactic ending that has me pumped for the next issue.

Writer James T Tynion IV masterfully builds tension throughout the issue to that last panel as team Batman scrambles to take on Kane and the Colony and do what they can to stop their plan and most importantly save lives. There’s one silly moment involving a phone call, but the dramatic tension is really awesome and handled well. The only knock I’ll give is that some things are foreshadowed early on in a trope-ish sort of way, and we’ll see how it all plays out next issue.

There is also some humor among that tension. Clayface continues to impress me with a character who is more than just a shapeshifting villain. This issue he has one of the most comedic moments so far and brings some levity to an issue filled with seriousness. It also takes a scene that seems really out of character and makes it really funny.

Even a scene between two hackers is presented in dramatic fashion that doesn’t use fancy words and phrases to make use think the characters are really smart and dueling through computers. It’s kept simple and by doing so realistic in some ways.

The art team of Eddy Barrows on pencils, Eber Ferreira on ink, and Adriano Lucas on color adds to Tynion’s tension with a look and coloring that enhances the mood. The use of some framing and panels helps with the focus and gives up close reactions by characters adding to the drama. It’s a good combination of art and story where one plays off the other.

The issue didn’t have the “holy shit” moment I expected from the teaser, but it does have an ending that’s really cool and not exactly where I thought things were going. Luckily we don’t have too long until the next issue and I can’t wait.

Story: James T Tynion IV Art: Eddy Barrows Ink: Eber Ferreira Color: Adriano Lucas
Story: 8.15 Art: 8.1 Overall: 8.15 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review