Detective Comics #1027 Review

Writers: Marv Wolfman, Mariko Tomaki, Greg Rucka + 

many more

Artists: John Romita JR, Brad Walker, Riley Rossmo

Rating: 6 of 8

Detective Comics #1027

If you measure somebody by the legacy they leave behind, then Bill Finger and Bob Kane must be two of the biggest people around. When they helped bring the Dark Knight to life all those years ago, could they have ever expected the impact and longevity he'd have? Yet, 1,000 issues later, (with Batman debuting in Detective #27) here we are.

Though there're some mixed tales in this celebratory issue, most of it really stands up really well, with some making a good case for why those writers would be a good fit regularly writing the Caped Crusader. Chief among these is Rucka's Rookie, a tale that hardly features the titular Dark Knight, but is perhaps all the better for it. Here, Rucka focuses on a young woman just starting a career in the GCPD, a job made all the more difficult by the corruption inside the force.

It's a surprisingly timely tale, given what's been going on with a number of officers in America, though regardless of your thoughts on that, it fits the rotten nature of Gotham perfectly. Yet another great example of how hard it can be to do right when there's so many around you determined to do the opposite, it alone makes the issue well worth a look.

Though Rucka's isn't the only tale to explore the city's corruption, with Kelly Sue DeConnick's Fore doing so remarkably well. It sees Bruce fighting a battle on two fronts: as himself, at a golf course, and as Batman, in various parts of the city. It shows just how well he's able to deal with a villain, without relying on his alter ego. Romita JR's art is smooth and consistently good throughout, showing just how much a difference a good inker like Klaus Janson makes. Like Rookie did for Rucka, Fore makes a good case for DeConnick taking on Batman in a more regular capacity.

The Master Class does similarly for Brian Bendis, as Batman and the Bat-family - Red Hood, Robin, Nightwing, Spoiler, Batgirl and Red Robin - investigate a dirty cop's decidedly messy end. Apart from the opening, which is filled with more quips than I'd like, the rest of it's pretty good and shows just how good Bendis can be with a mystery when he wants to be.

Matt Fraction's Many Happy Returns isn't as good as these tales, though Chip Zdarksky's art makes for some stirring moments, like Batman being hit by the Bat-signal's light as he meets Gordon, or the Joker standing alone in the middle of the road. Grant Morrison's Detective #26 is a good story, with Silver Ghost's name feeling like a nod to Adam West's Gray Ghost. His costume even reminds me of him, which definitely isn't a bad thing.

Given that and the title, it makes sense that it revisits the early days of crime fighting in Gotham, before there even was a Batman. It even revisits the titular Detective #27, showing readers the crueller version of the hero they know today, his words fittingly framed by sharp points. Artist Chris Burnham fills it with awe inspiring moments, especially early on, where he gives us a very striking Silver Ghost.

Meanwhile, Dan Jurgens' Generations: Fractured is underwhelming not due to it's quality, but simply due to how quickly it ends. Unlike most of the issue, it feels like it ends when the story's only getting started. With the nature of the story and the fact that it was originally meant to be part of something bigger, I can understand this, but as it is, I'm left wondering just where things go from here and whether it really fit this issue.

Fittingly, Tom King's Legacy shows us just what Batman wants his legacy to be and that, despite his enemies' hate, he ultimately doesn't feel the same way. It's lovely to see to see that, despite the darkness of his world, there's far more light in the Dark Knight than you might expect - and perhaps that is his legacy.

Overall, a very good issue and a fitting celebration for one of DC's darkest heroes. Even if you haven't been following Detective Comics, I highly recommend it.