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In this review of Detective Comics #1089, Batman and the Orghams engage in their final battle, culminating in a musical showdown.
This Review Contains Spoilers
Detective Comics #1089Gotham Nocturne: Act III – Finale, Part 2Writer: Ram VArtist: Guillem MarchColors: Luis GuerreroMain Cover: Evan CagleVariant Covers: Guillem March, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Sebastian FiumaraRelease Date: September 25, 2024
Detective Comics #1089 begins outside the Reality Engine chamber, where Batman faces off against an army of Orgham foot soldiers while the azmer demon-possessed Orgham Queen charges towards him. He manages to hold his ground against her, and then Arzen Orgham, brought back to life by Talia, shows up with a mysterious box that incapacitates the Orgham soldiers and purges the demon from his mother’s body. Arzen then engages in a sword fight with his mother, as Nightwing and Cassandra Cain Batgirl rescue civilians from the chaos. Meanwhile, Jim Gordon seizes control of The Maestro’s music, breaks into the broadcasting building with help from Renee Montoya Question, and grants Oracle access to the studio to broadcast The Maestro’s music across the city, freeing them from the azmer demons. Oracle also exposes footage of the Orghams killing a police officer, eroding the citizens’ trust in their new rulers. Homemade batsignals light up the sky as snow falls all over the city.
Catwoman infiltrates the reality engine disguised as a guard and realizes that the only way to thwart the Orgham’s plan, orchestrated by Scarecrow, to instill fear in Gotham is by eliminating him. Batman forces Crane to confront his fears by projecting an image of Batman throughout the city, which has forgotten him.
Interlude for the backup, placed in the middle:
LuftpauseWriter: Dan WattersArtist: Christopher MittenColors: Triona Farrell
Freeze feels Gotham remembering Batman, recognizing the parallel between his own quest to save Nora and Batman’s quest to save Gotham. Two-Face senses a shift in reality and decides to head to Bludhaven after Gotham once again becomes Batman’s city. Ten Eyed Man creates chaos by scattering eyeballs while being pursued by the blinded Shavod, fearing Batman’s surveillance of a restored Gotham. Azrael, almost defeated by the Orghams, hears Batman’s call and regains his strength to break free. The entire city of Gotham joins in a collective song.
Resume the main story:
On the rooftops, Batman and Catwoman listen to the city’s song. Batman shares his reflections on his journey with Catwoman before leaping into a still-burning Gotham, content in his role as the city’s protector.
Analysis
Two years after its inception, Gotham Nocturne concludes in Detective Comics #1089. The legacy of this run remains uncertain, as it may be remembered as a cult classic akin to City of Crime, a beloved yet obscure gem cherished by a select few. Alternatively, it could follow the path of Hush, consistently reprinted as a showcase title for DC’s talent, or be forgotten like past runs on Detective Comics. Time will determine its fate, but personally, I believe it will fade into obscurity due to its convoluted plot and structural inconsistencies. Despite Ram V’s creation of compelling atmospheres and the consistent excellence of the artwork, the run struggles to maintain coherence and weight, evident in its reliance on multiple artists to conclude the story.
Overall, Ram V effectively ties up loose ends in Detective Comics #1089, with the defeat of the Orghams and the evolution of Batman’s allies and adversaries. However, the run’s narrative inconsistencies overshadow its surface-level resolution. The reliance on The Maestro as a deus ex machina to vanquish the azmer demons, the unresolved subplot of Joker’s Daughter introduced abruptly by Catwoman, and the lack of explanation for Selina’s infiltration of the Reality Engine detract from the overall coherence of the story. Additionally, abandoned plotlines such as the mysterious boy with Jim Gordon and the Earworm villain from previous backups remain unresolved, leaving significant gaps in the narrative.
Ram V incorporates familiar elements from other Batman runs into the finale, such as citizens illuminating the sky with batsignals reminiscent of Batman Eternal and Batman Endgame/Superheavy. The thematic repetition of Jonathan Crane as a catalyst for fear-induced chaos feels derivative just years after Fear State. Unlike Chip Zdarsky’s homage to Tom King’s City of Bane arc in Batman #152, Ram V’s references lack the depth and significance they should possess, either due to oversight or rushed execution.
A standout moment in the finale is Batman instilling fear in Crane, reminiscent of Batman Begins, cleverly tied to the storyline of erasing Batman’s memory from Gotham and subsequently using fear as a weapon. The repeated phrase “Look at me” reinforces Batman’s commanding presence and underscores the thematic cohesion of the story.
Guillem March’s artwork shines throughout the issue, capturing the grotesque transformation of the azmer demon-possessed Orgham Queen and Batman’s resolute determination to protect Gotham. The strategic placement of the backup story enhances the overall narrative flow, providing a cohesive reading experience that complements the main plot.
Backup Analysis
Dan Watters crafts a poignant conclusion for four characters in the backup story, reflecting on their responses to Batman’s broadcasted command across Gotham. The seamless integration of Freeze, Two-Face, Ten-Eyed Man, and Azrael’s reactions adds depth to the narrative, offering a moment of respite in the grand opera of Gotham Nocturne. Watters sets the stage for future storylines in Nightwing, hinting at Two-Face’s journey to Bludhaven and building anticipation for his upcoming work.
The cover art by Evan Cagle and variant covers by Guillem March, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, and Sebastian Fiumara showcase the diverse visual interpretations of the finale, each contributing to the thematic resonance of the story. While March’s artwork excels in capturing the essence of the characters and their struggles, the variant covers offer unique perspectives on the narrative, enriching the reader’s visual experience.
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Final Thoughts
In Detective Comics #1089, Ram V, with assistance from Dan Watters, concludes his Gotham Nocturne saga with a grand finale. The lasting impact of this run remains uncertain, as its evocative writing and artwork must contend with structural and conceptual inconsistencies.
Rating of the entire run… 2 stars.
Editor’s Note: You can find this comic and help support TBU by purchasing this issue digitally on Amazon or a physical copy through Things From Another World.
Final Thoughts
Ram V, with an able assist from Dan Watters, sends his Gotham Nocturne into the air with a big Finale. Only time will tell how we remember this run – whether the strong vibes of the writing and art can overcome the myriad incoherencies of structure and conception.
Rating of the entire run… 2 stars.