From the beginning of Paul Dini's run on
DETECTIVE COMICS, the architect of all things Batman across every conceivable medium has done a fascinating job of world-building. It's as if he's been creating his own little corner of the Batman universe, and he admirably continues to maintain it even when big crossovers and events come along to knock the storytelling train off track.
Issue 4 of STREETS OF GOTHAM digs more deeply into the plans and arrangements being made by Gotham's underworld in the wake of Batman's disappearance and reemergence as someone else. Our tour guide through the dealings of these dregs is the Broker, a businessman who facilitates real estate deals with the city's worst. Need a hideout that suits your particular needs and perversions? The Broker is your man. Just don't ask him to get involved, because he doesn't want to know what you do in the dark corners he sells you.
But sometimes seeing just a little can be too much, and we share the Broker's glimpse of what Mister Zsasz has been up to since last issue. (It's pretty awful, not surprisingly.)
Highlights include the Broker's musings on what makes Zsasz different from the others, a line about a belfry that's instant gold, and a few pages dedicated to the harrying that Dick Grayson is heaping upon Hush since last issue. As always, Dini takes that extra step with the dialogue to create memorable scenes driven by the characters who inhabit them.
Also impressive are the lines and colors depicting a glimpse of Gotham's past. I won't ruin the timeframe, but it's rendered beautifully.
And I loved the ending. Doing the right thing feels good, even when it doesn't feel good. Check out the issue to see what I mean.
The Manhunter backup continues to be an A-1 firecracker, and in just a few pages we get some great scenes of Gotham's new District Attorney, Kate Spencer, being a bad-ass in both her business and super suits. The art by Jeremy Haun and colorist Mick Filardi continues to impress; pay special attention to the dueling reflections of Kate and the creepy Jane Doe on the title page. Excellent stuff. Not to mention another appearance by the Huntress.
I love this book because it reminds me so much of the Gotham City I miss. You know, the one with the real Batman in it. - John Bierly
