Detective Comics #800
DC Comics
Writer: Anderson Gabrych
Pencils: Pete Woods
Inks: Cam Smith & Drew Geraci
Colors: Jason Wright
Price: $3.50

Rating: 3 stars

Detective Comics #800 is an issue of revelations. Not only does it bring full circle the purpose of three months worth of War Games, but it takes Batman back to his core. No longer will the Dark Knight be surrounded by his adopted crime fighting family- War Games made sure of that. He is on his own again, and taking a more basic approach to crime fighting.

The beginning of the issue has Batman taking down some thugs dealing drugs. Wanted by Gotham City police, he must evade a black and white in pursuit of his profession. The issue also has flashbacks as Batman brings readers who weren?t there for War Games up to speed. Spoiler has died and Robin and Batgirl have moved to Bludhaven. Nightwing is laid up with a bullet wound to the leg as Alfred tends to him. Most poignantly, Oracle has left town, leaving Batman without the Intel he is so accustomed to having at his finger tips. In a startling move, Bruce burns an unexpected bridge. He is truly alone and has only his instincts and experience to back him up from here on out.

Writer Anderson Gabrych does a nice job of bringing things to a neat conclusion here. I couldn?t expect a better job of wrapping up three months worth of chaos. Gabrych lets the artists shine with splash pages and bold panels rather then cluttering it up with too much dialogue. Based on this issue, I am looking forward to seeing more of his work.

Pete Woods? art here is outstanding. Inked by veterans Cam Smith and Drew Geraci, his pencils have never looked tighter. I also have to give credit to colorist Jason Wright for bringing an extra punch to the art work with excellent shades and contrast. I would give this issue?s art an A plus.

I don?t know how I feel yet about this new, stripped down version of Batman. One of the things I have always enjoyed about the Batman titles is Bruce?s relationship with his crew. From his mentoring and acceptance of Tim Drake, to the nurturing he has given to Cassandra, I love to see the denial he goes through, and the pain of caring that is inevitable. I am willing to give the new direction a try to see what the editors and creative team have in mind, but am hoping for some interaction within the Batman Family from time to time.

Detective Comics #800 is quite a landmark. To celebrate the event by a return to the characters roots is somehow fitting if not a little sad. The events of War Game have truly changed the status quo, and the fall out of it will inevitably last for awhile. I am intrigued to see how the Bat titles handle the new supremacy of Black Mask and his cronies, and to see if Batman?s team comes back. Also sure to be a hot spot is the new attitude of the GCPD towards costumed crime fighters. It will hopefully be a surprising and fresh year of Batman in 2005.

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