Detective Comics #999 By Peter J. Tomasi
Hmmm.... Interesting ending to this story line. Creative and not what I was expecting, that's for sure. Now I'm looking forward to finally reading #1,000. Detective Comics #999 Oh, my. That did NOT go where I thought it was going. And while some might think it was still a cheap trick, I enjoyed it for what it was. Detective Comics #999 I...have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, the it was all a simulation thing can be pretty lame. On the other hand, I'm glad this means Leslie and Alfred are okay. And I did like seeing how Batman is essentially decreasing the murder rate in Gotham each year. Detective Comics #999
I can already sense the eye rolls the end of this arch received from readers, but I liked it. I think it excellently encapsulates the inner turmoil Bruce faces every day he dons the cowl, and I also think it nicely humanizes his struggle. The epitaph at the end of this book strikes at the heart of all inner struggles, and I love how Tomasi simply leaves it there for our continual mental musings. On to 1000! Detective Comics #999 A gorgeous finish, a bit of a letdown yet not at the same time. We knew it all wasn't appeared to be, there was way too much at stake. But the explanation why was pretty well-written. Detective Comics #999 I’m not very big on the whole “it was actually a dream the entire time” plot so I’m not too thrilled by that. I was hoping that the monster would have been a result of the Arkham Knight fucking with Batman since he’s being “revealed” in #1000 but I guess not. Hopefully the arc that kicks off will be better. Detective Comics #999 My fear is that, one night when I need to be stronger, faster, and smarter, I won't be good enough.
There's a cost to wearing the cowl. Detective Comics #999 The finale was...a bit of a letdown only if you, as a reader, may have already guessed what the heck was going on all along. I may have my suspicions, but I was also hoping they'll be disproved. Sadly, they weren't.
Apparently, Bruce subjects himself to a psychological nightmare sequence for EVERY BIRTHDAY of his. And this is what it looks like; his loved ones dying over and over again so he could face the sacrifice he has to make to become the Dark Knight. Really, though. Every. Birthday. And people used to wonder why they cast Robert Pattinson in the role for the latest Bat-flick, when the original emo heartthrob vampire was not Edward Cullen but Bruce Wayne. That scene where he buries young Bruce in order to become Batman was bad enough, but really?
EVERY BIRTHDAY, BRUCEY? It doesn't nearly resonate, something I wouldn't expect from Tomasi, but even the seasoned Scott Snyder has his duds (TBWL being the latest one, in my opinion). What I can say about the closing chapter was that it provided us with very great scenes that involved Batman being confronted by his child-self. A tiny Bruce in Batman costume? It's cute and freaky all at once! I also like these particular pages below (and the one at the cemetery which I didn't bother to screenshot. Those were bittersweet panels if not morose).
I don't have anything else to say, really, except that even though the first two issues and the fourth had been great in building up the suspense and giving us some dark camp, the entire Mythology was simply not going to Peter J. Tomasi's finest work. I'm not even excited for the #1000 issue of Detective Comics, but you know, I'll be an optimist. It could get better. It has to!
RECOMMENDED: 7/10
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Detective Comics #999
The truth behind the gauntlet Batman has been forced to run—a violent odyssey that endangered the lives of everyone who made him who he is—is revealed at last...and the mastermind working to unmake the Batman must be seen to be believed! Is there a goal here beyond destruction? Will Batman emerge stronger...or with a mortal wound at the exact moment that his most dangerous challenge yet is on the horizon in next month’s DETECTIVE COMICS #1000? Detective Comics #999