Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    DC

    Detective Comics 822: Dini on a Roll

    Stephen SchleicherBy Stephen SchleicherAugust 9, 2006Updated:January 4, 20084 Mins Read

    detective822picon.jpgThere’s no doubt about it, Paul Dini was born to write Batman. Keeping true to the title, Dini knocks another one out of the park in Detective Comics 822. This time Batman has competition as the best detective in town, when the Riddler hangs out his shingle. Will Batman be second best? Spoilers ahead.

    detective822.jpgDetective Comics #822: E. Nigma, Consulting Detective
    Writer: Paul Dini
    Artists: Don Kramer (p), Wayne Faucher (i), John Kalisz (c)

    You can tell Dini is having fun writing Batman. This issue kicks off with Batman foiling the theft of S.T.A.R’s Ion Rocket by none other than Roxy Rocket. As far as I know, this is the first appearance of the character in the normal DCU, and marks another character that has made the jump from Batman/Superman animated series to the book. It’s a great nod and let’s you know right away you’re in for another fun ride.

    Back at the cave, an alarm warns Bruce that there are people about and he quickly goes upstairs in normal garb to discover Edward Nigma, press in tow clearing Wayne of a recent murder. Of course Bruce Wayne was never a suspect, but the showboating by Nigma his attempt to show the world he has gone legit and using his mind to solve crimes instead of create them. The case in question is the murder of Karrie Bishop, who had been photographed with Bruce days earlier. Her uncle, a wealthy lawyer, hired Nigma, and he is hot on the case.

    Not one to sit on the sidelines, Batman jumps on the case, and through cross referencing finds her most recent boyfriend Greg Lanner – a ruffian who has been know to blow up when threatened. In no time Batman has Lanner hanging from the side of a building pumping him for information. Greg too has an alibi for the night in question, the bartender at a local bar.

    Heading back to his car, Batman runs into the Riddler…

    IMAGE REMOVED BY DC LEGAL DEPARTMENT

    Attempting to prove his superior intellect, the Riddler leads Batman down a secret corridor in the back of the Treasure Chest bar. The tunnel leads to an S&M club that Lanner frequented, that Nigma believes Batman knew nothing about.

    IMAGE REMOVED BY DC LEGAL DEPARTMENT

    Turns out Lanner has a bondage fetish, and came often to with Bishop and a brunette. Riddler hypothesizes Lanner could have slipped out of the club through another tunnel, and kept his alibi with the bartender in tact. Batman and Riddler head to Lanner’s apartment to further question him.

    When they arrive, the unlikely team is fired on from Lanner’s apartment. Unfortunately by the time Batman can get into the apartment, Lanner is dead; an apparent suicide, complete with a letter of confession. Nigma seems to think this proves he was right all along, but Batman thinks otherwise. Following a trail of blood to the trash vent, the detective finds a bloody scarf.

    Again, Dini does an excellent job of weaving a true who-done-it tale, and in order to find the killer, Batman must first find the man who impersonated Bruce Wayne in the photo at the beginning of the tale. The imposter in turn reveals the murderer – Sarah Morton. Morton, Sherman Bishop’s personal aide, killed Lanner and Karrie Bishop, and is on her way out of town when she receives a call on her cell phone. Batman on the other end reveals the how and why behind the murder, and the reader is lead to believe Batman is no where to be found. It’s only after the limo driver misses the airport exit is the reveal made. Batman, in disguise, has been driving the limo all along, making the phone call from the front seat. An over used moment, but one that works great in this story.

    Edward Nigma, on the other hand, is about to lose all the money made from the case, and at the last moment realizes he’s been had by the best detective in Gotham.

    Best Panel

    detective822_3.jpg

    I can gush on and on about Dini’s superb writing and ability to tell a tale that is logical and keeps the reader guessing. Had Dini lived during the height of pulp fiction, there is no doubt in my mind he would have been up there with the likes of Burroughs, Dent, and Gibson. Thankfully Dini lives in our time yet is able to channel the pulp story telling of yesteryear.

    Beyond the excellent storytelling, Kramer’s pencils are well done and his art reads like a movie. Faucher’s colors are excellent as well. With his rich colors, the mood is set for each location and seals the deal in an overall great issue.

    Detective Comics #822 receives 5 of 5 Stars.5stars.jpg

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleAfro Samurai
    Next Article Hellboy on Cartoon Network
    Stephen Schleicher
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Stephen Schleicher began his career writing for the Digital Media Online community of sites, including Digital Producer and Creative Mac covering all aspects of the digital content creation industry. He then moved on to consumer technology, and began the Coolness Roundup podcast. A writing fool, Stephen has freelanced for Sci-Fi Channel's Technology Blog, and Gizmodo. Still longing for the good ol' days, Stephen launched Major Spoilers in July 2006, because he is a glutton for punishment. You can follow him on Twitter @MajorSpoilers and tell him your darkest secrets...

    Related Posts

    Major Spoilers Podcast #1027: The Spider-Verse Podcast

    Read More

    Power Girl Special #1 Review

    Read More

    Bishop: War College #4 Review

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    7.3
    May 31, 2023

    Power Girl Special #1 Review

    6.7
    May 30, 2023

    Bishop: War College #4 Review

    6.0
    May 30, 2023

    Justice Society of America #4 Review

    6.0
    May 29, 2023

    Storm #1 Review

    7.7
    May 28, 2023

    Retro Review: Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #1 (May 1963)

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Quality Comix on Daredevil and Echo #1 Review
    • SomeGuy on Rocket Raccoon #1 Review
    • Karl G Siewert on Ms. Marvel makes the Ultimate Sacrifice
    • Jarmo on Arcade Kings #1 Review
    • Quality Comix on Batman Incorporated #8 Review
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    ComiXology Home Page">
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2022 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.