The Light That Blinds (Detective Comics #1005 Comic Review)

Writer Peter J. Tomasi

Penciller Brad Walker

Inker Andrew Hennessy

Colorist Nathan Fairbairn

Letterer Rob Leigh

Cover Walker/ Hennessy/ Fairbairn

Last Issue

Batman and Robin are introduced to the father of the Arkham Knight. Explaining to the dynamic duo Astrid’s circumstances in life and her experiences with Batman. Her parents’ meeting as coworkers later turned lovers. Both doctors in the asylum. Her mother had a way with the denizens of the establishment that was outstanding in that she was loving, yet firm. Fast forward in the relationship, and little Astrid is almost ready to introduce her self to the world when pandemonium erupts in the sanitarium when a riot breaks out. An expecting Ingrid trapped inside, her husband literally batoning his way into the riot. Once he arrives, he finds his daughter Astrid had been born. Delivered by Joker and guarded by Grundy, Astrid was here, and as soon as her mother was able to hold her. A Batarang came in from behind the Clayface curtain and killed Ingrid.

This Issue

Bruce and Damien have come to Astrid’s stronghold, she has shored up her defenses for what she has planned. To get to her Bruce sends Damien after Arcane while he decides to push through the middle. The undead forest is very dense and isn’t thinning out. Bruce is having trouble. Just as he is trapped in the carrion bramble, Dr. Phosphorus shows up to turn up the heat. The dynamic duo is going to feel the burning light the Arkham Knight sheds if they are to stop her.

Thoughts

This issue kinda falls flat for me. Frankly, I’ve loved Tomasi’s handling of this character. The perfect opposite of Batman. The protector of the psychos Batman is constantly abusing. That core theme had me riveted when she was introduced. My issue here is this feels really anticlimactic. I will give it the credit it’s due for the ending. Knowing there’s more is definitely changing how I judge this issue. However, the entire plan she had felt like a half-cocked while also a rather generic endgame in her scheme. For someone who felt so revolutionary, I didn’t feel much revolution in the villain outside of origin.

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Travis Tucker

Born in Florida, dragged to California because of Internet dating. Comics have always helped me have a healthy escape when I was younger. As I got older my friends used me as their comic encyclopedia for random trivia. Now, I show my daughter all the stories and characters that helped me through, and being able to share my views on that through reviews is one of my favorite privileges.

@OnyxRevelation

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