Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Review: Detective Comics #987

By Philip Schweier
August 22, 2018 - 05:42

I believed last issue was the end of the Karma storyline, when it fact it was not. Instead, THIS issue is the end, as Batman faces an extremely deadly foe, with minimal back-up from his bat-team, and their leader, Black Lightning. I know, one would expect Batman to be the leader, but apparently Batman has other plans.

With Black Lightning and references to Markovia, I’d anticipated the return of the original Outsiders. I believe more than ever this story will lead to that, but I’ve had to accept a hard truth. Whatever the Outsiders were ended, pre-Crisis. And DC’s New 52 initiative has become the threshold for another generational shift. The entire DCU has been rebirthed, including the Outsiders, so forget what you think you know.

I wouldn’t mind so much if DC wasn’t so willing to completely discard its history, usually by applying revisionist history. The odd ret-con, sure, I can handle it if it makes sense. But sometimes DC Editorial will simply declare, “It’s always been this way,” when long-time fans know better.

So maybe Batman handing his team over to Black Lightning is a good thing, as it may bring the Caped Crusader back to his roots. The Outsiders has always been a haven for the homeless, the DC heroes who would otherwise be an answer to a Bronze Age trivia question. And if it breathes new life into them and leads to yet another CW show, well, it’s not as if I am required to watch.

Rating: 8/10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12