Detective Comics #15

The Dirt Nap

Detective Comics had a long less than impressive run in DCNU, but the team of Layman (writer) and Fabok (artist) have done a great job of turning the title around. Many have complained the Penguin is an overused character in the DCNU, and though I do not strictly disagree, I have been greatly enjoying this Penguin-centric story. Besides as I have said before, the true villain of the piece is Ogilvy, and the story will rise and fall on how Layman develops his character. Added to all of the story’s already full narrative, Death of the Family has come to visit Detective Comics, and it was revealed in Batman #14 that Joker has a mysterious plan for Oswald Cobblepot. Does the Clown Prince of Crime add to or take away from the story as we witness Penguin’s unfolding plight?

In this issue, Poison Ivy gets buried alive, Clayface remembers his time with Ivy then attempts to kill Batman, and Ogilvy makes his move.

Sympathy for Clayface?

It’s not every story that leaves you feeling sorry for that twisted ball of mud, but this issue certainly manages the feat. Clayface has been fooled by Ivy, and I couldn’t help but feel his pain. This certainly is not the first story featuring Basil Karlo to make him a sympathetic figure, but it is nice to be reminded that though fundamentally selfish and petty, Karlo is a villain capable of emotional depth. Clayface’s ability to be a physical threat to Batman like few others, his capability for blending in to any environment at will, and his fundamental emotional complexities make him my most wanted future Batman cinematic villain, and all those qualities that make him great come shining through in this issue.

Ogilvy the Crime Boss? Oy Vey!

As I predicted, Ogilvy is revealed to be the master manipulator of this plot. I looked forward to this being revealed, but I hoped it would be a long time coming. Ogilvy’s betrayal of the Penguin was practically inevitable, but it would carry much more weight if he had been a loyal thug for a couple of years as opposed to a couple of months. Granted, I know this long term planning is difficult to do, but having him turn traitor so quickly was something that I saw from a mile away, and I find it a little disappointing in the lackluster presentation of the development. From interviews, I know that Layman originally had an alternate plan for getting this story from point A to point B, but when Death of the Family popped up, it just presented an easy tool to move the story forward. I’m sure as a writer for a Batman title, you have to be able to roll with those sort of editorial changes, but I cannot help wondering if Ogilvy’s rise to power might have been a little more interesting than, “Joker kidnapped Penguin. Now I am in charge,” if that easy plot device had not been available.

I am also disappointed with the way the Ogilvy used his power. Again, the betrayal was practically inevitable, but what type of villain would Ogilvy become? There are so many potential options, yet Layman uses the most boring one and makes Ogilvy merely Penguin Jr. (not his actual title, but almost as bad) Disappointing.

The Ivy Agenda

This issue seems to be almost completely defined by its villains, but I do not mind that. Ivy played an interesting role in this issue as we learn more about her interactions with Ogilvy and Clayface. I do have to say that if I were trying to kill Poison Ivy, the last place I would put her is the ground. Granted, the death trap seemed solid, but still, it seems like there must be a better way…such as just shooting her in the head. Granted, this is one of those comic book clichés that pop up from time to time, but again, it is a little disappointing.

The Batman Agent Orange Action Figure!

I was just walking through the toy section at Walmart the other day while waiting for some prescriptions to be filled when I came upon the Batman action figure section of the toy department. I grinned when I looked at all the extravagant Batman costumes and gear that are nothing like what he actually uses in the comic books or even the cartoons.

Well, not so any more. Batman wears a costume in this which looks like it came right out of a toy box. Wow!

I was a little torn on what I thought about this outfit, but in the end, I decided I was cool with it. Why not give Batman a different outfit every once in awhile? It looked pretty cool.

Love in Bloom

Love in Bloom is the backup story, and if you did not feel sorry for Clayface in the first half of the story, you definitely will after this. It turns out that Ivy had actually been working on turning Clayface into her bodyguard for awhile now, and in the backup feature, you find out just how she was doing it. It was pretty interesting and connected emotionally, but it has one major flaw…(Spoiler) it ends on the verge of a fight. Clayface appears that he is about to tear in to Ivy and then we see “Fin?” Lame.

Death of Relevance

If you are thinking about buying this for the Joker tie in, don’t…at least not yet. It seems unlikely that anything important will happen in Death of a Family through this issue. In fact, I will summarize what happened regarding Death of a Family, and though I will spoiler warn you about this, you really will not be giving anything away if you read it.

(Spoiler) Penguin tells Ogilvy that Joker is forcing him to go to Arkham so he puts Ogilvy in charge of his operations.

Big whoop.

Ect.

The dialogue and art in this issue is very strong. The depictions of characters are all vibrant, interesting, and accurate. Fabok’s art looks excellent, and Andy Clarke looks great on the backup art as well.

This issue is missing two pages which is extremely peculiar. Why did DC shortchange those buying this four dollar book?

Conclusion 8/10

If you have been following Detective Comics, you definitely want to pick up this issue, but if you are just wanting to buy it for the tie in or are looking for a good jumping on point, this is not the book for you. It is not bad, but there are a bunch of little things that make this issue a disappointment when compared to the last two issues.

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