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Geek Dad
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Batman: Detective Comics #1098
Batman: Detective Comics #1098 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: The secret society of Elixir has been running amok in Gotham – and they don't like their power challenged. Last issue saw Harvey Bullock investigating a series of murders by the immortality cult – but as soon as he got too close, he was hooded, thrown in a van, and is currently on his way to Polkolistan. Batman wastes no time chasing after his PI frenemy, but when he crashes the convoy, he doesn't find Bullock at all – he finds the Penguin, also kidnapped from Gotham by the same villains for not liking them horning in on his territory. This leads to a forced team-up between the two sworn enemies – not far off from Penguin regaining his power in Tom King's solo comic. It's very clear they don't like each other, but Batman isn't willing to leave someone behind and Penguin is willing to take any help he can get to escape a foreign torture den. Frenemies. Via DC Comics. As for Harvey Bullock, he's not in the initial convoy – he's already been taken to Elixir's inner sanctum, where a sadistic doctor is convinced he can make him talk. Bullock is always a fun character to follow – he's so stubborn he doesn't know what's good for him, but his blue-collar aesthetic means he can take self-confident villains by surprise at times. Eventually, the odd trio reunites and Batman has to figure out how he can get these two bickering idiots out of Pokolistan alive. The issue is overall a lot of fun, although it's 90% action and moves very fast. What makes it work is the trio of oil-and-water personalities who dominate it – and the story isn't done yet, with a tense cliffhanger. I'm wondering if the themes of immortality that have dominated this run so far are leading to pulling in the DCU's most famous immortal supervillain – who has obviously tangled with Batman many times before. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Batman: Detective Comics #1097 – Harvey's Case
Batman: Detective Comics #1097 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: Last issue saw the end of the first arc, as Asema was exposed and the corporation offering mysterious youth treatments saw itself demolished – along with Bruce's hope for an extended lifespan. But the threat is far from over, as Elixir was just a shadow corporation for the REAL Elixir – a secret cult of agents who have half of Gotham in hock to them. As the issue opens, they're cleaning up their old messes, so Batman seeks out an ally of his own – Harvey Bullock, who has been fired from the GCPD by Vandal Savage and is currently working as a PI. It turns out that Bullock has had dealings with Elixir before, encountering them when he was a rookie cop and nearly getting himself killed for asking too many questions. His partner, who knew the score, bailed him out – but Bullock has been seeking revenge for the murder he couldn't solve since his earliest days on the force. The cleanup crew. Via DC Comics. Bullock has always been one of Gotham's more interesting police officers, because he's a great view into the world of Gotham's more corrupt law enforcement systems. Bullock has always toed that line, not being afraid to engage in some vices while enforcing the law, but having some firm scruples. That can't be said for his former partner, who knew the ins and outs of getting along in Gotham. Now an old man, that partner is barely willing to share his secrets as Elixir starts making moves in the city again. There are some interesting parallels between Elixir and groups like the Court of Owls and the Orghams, but these villains seem to have a greater reach and a more efficient approach – and they waste no time targeting Bullock for looking too closely. As the issue draws to a close, Batman is on the trail of his friend – but winds up finding someone else entirely. Great stuff, building on the themes of the first arc and taking them global. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
