From DC COMICS: "Terror comes in threes! The nefarious Terrible Trio returns, only instead of being the hunters, they're the prey! And the only one who can save them from certain death is their deadly aversary — Batman!"

The story featured in the latest issue of DETECTIVE COMICS (#832) is titled “Triage.” Regular writer Paul Dini and artist Don Kramer sit this one out as Royal McGraw and Andy Clarke take their place, respectively.

The story involves the criminal group known as “The Terrible Trio” -- 3 dudes who wear animal masks (a shark, vulture, and fox) and commit crimes. Sounds cheesy -- like villains that Batman would encounter back in the goofy 50s. And low and behold, “The Shark, The Vulture, and The Fox” were first encountered by Batman and Robin in DETECTIVE #253, March 1958 (as well as an episode of the great BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES). Anywho…

It seems as if someone has an ax to grind with the Trio, as “Triage” commences with The Batman and Commissioner Gordon investigating the murder of the shark guy. Eventually -- due to The Batman’s detective work (Hey what did you expect from a comic book titled DETECTIVE?) -- we discover that that guy with vendetta goes by the name of “The Fourth Man.”

“The Terrible Trio...” “The Fourth Man...” Think there’s some connection here or what?

Overall, not bad for what is basically a filler story with 1950s cheesy bad guys. Although I will admit that they have been de-cheesed quite a bit for this story. It also is a one-shot’er, which I tend to like better than the multi-issue storylines.

Andy Clarke’s artwork is OK. If you are familiar with Mr. Clarke’s work, or read the recent “The Siege” 2-parter in DETECTIVE, you know what to expect. I will say that his Gordon is sort of goofy-looking, as he sports a semi-mullet and long sideburns.

And I got to comment on Simone Biachi’s cover, so here goes: The cover of #832 isn’t one of his best. I was like, “What the hell is Batman holding and why is he trying to snort it?”

If you are a regular reader of DETECTIVE like me, you are going to buy this, read it, and probably not feel as if you wasted your money. I sort of liked the homage to Batman's history.

On the other hand, this certainly isn’t one of those “run down to your comic book shop now and buy it” items. However, it’s certainly worth your time to read it off the rack when you do happen to be down there.