The pacing of this series is still a little odd, as each volume seems to end without the usual period I’ve come to expect from a mainline hero book. But that’s part of why it’s working for me so well, and I like how Ram V is using the Detective Comics title to tell a broader story about Gotham and its protector. Even the deeper lore at play and its slants toward a “destiny” angle—which usually isn’t my favorite approach, admittedly—has my interest. I appreciate how Ram V is developing a symbolic, fated tie between Gotham and Batman. I’m not sold on the villains yet, but I’m willing to wait and see where they go from here. Two-Face’s and, to a lesser extent, Mr. Freeze's involvement is great, though. I love how the backup stories from Si Spurrier—who is always reliable—add to their roles with additional context and insight. Solid stuff!

My only major gripe is the art, which is often great but, like most books these days, has so many guest artists that it never settles on a satisfyingly cohesive look. I like the elements at play—a gritty, almost noir-like style with fantastical flourishes—yet lack the linchpin I usually prefer. I can’t fault the book too hard, though, since it’s increasingly become the standard, and the pages are usually in the “good” category, if not above that.