162 Batman Detective Comics Vol 3: League Of Shadows

I wish they would just call this book what it really is.  Batman Family.  But Detective Comics needs to be around, so that's the title (by default, imho).

I think this is my favorite Batman book right now.  Batman isn't the main star.  There really isn't one.  It's the whole family instead.  This volume showcases Batgirl, er, um, Orphan more than any of the other characters.  It's nice to see more of the Rebirth version of her.  She's not too different from the Batgirl version, but all the history has been washed away and we're still figuring out what is still canon and what is new.

This volume is my favorite of the three so far.   The story feels so big that it couldn't possibly fit in this one book, but it does and it's all quality, no filler.  I don't think James Tynion gets enough recognition for what he does.  He's fantastic in what he writes and he's at the top of his game right now.  He makes me want more.

Batman Detective Comics Vol 3: League Of Shadows

Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist: Marcio Takara, Christian Duce, Fernando Blanco, Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira

DC Comics

097 Batman - Detective Comics Vol. 2: The Victim Syndicate

I'm continuing my love affair with this book.  I know it's Detective Comics, but it should be called Batman Family.  It's the type of book I'm really loving.  Batwoman has been charged with training the various Batman Family members.  They've formed a makeshift team.  They're just a lot of fun to watch.

The story this time around is the BatFam battles a new group of villains.  People who were caught in the crossfire of Batman and his rogue's gallery and left broken and victimized.  These victims are now superpowered and out to make Batman pay.

One of the team, still haunted by Red Robin's "death", ends up turning on the team.  I really hope this is all part of a bigger story arc for them and not a stupid editorial decision because I've been enjoying them in this book.

I'm anxious to see where this book goes next because it's been a fun read.

Batman - Detective Comics Vol. 2: The Victim Syndicate

Writer: James Tynion IV, Marguerite Bennett

Artist: Alvaro Martinez, Eddy Barrows, Ben Oliver, Al Barrioneuvo, Carmen Carnero, Raul Fernandez, Eber Ferreira, Scott Hanna, Julio Ferreira, Szymon Kudranski

DC Comics

033 Batman - Detective Comics Vol 1: Rise Of The Batmen

This is the third Batman book of the Rebirth era I've read (Batman and Nightwing were the other two).  This is my favorite of the three.  I think it was the most well written.  The story was interesting as hell and it was executed with perfection.  There were things about it that surprised me.  The major thing was Clayface.  When I read he was going to be a supporting character in the book, I instantly wrote it off as a bad idea.  I stand corrected.  I really liked his use here.  It was a well thought out move on James Tynion's part and I applaud him for it.

My one nitpick is the character of Orphan (formerly Batgirl pre-New 52).  Naturally her tenure as Batgirl never happened and we're starting all over again with her.  It's kind of annoying because I've been reading her adventures as Batgirl recently.  We've lost years of character development.  I'm also not totally sold on her costume.  It looks like something she found in Black Canary's closet of former costumes that she had to rework in a Project Runway showdown.  Like she took an old BC costume and tried to jazz up her old Batgirl costume.  She lost that challenge.

I'm surprised that this first arc had such a big life changing event for Batwoman, especially considering her new solo book is coming so soon.  I guess the fallout will be addressed there.

Another thing I like is although it's a Batman book, Batman is more a supporting character than a main one.  I like that he's letting Batwoman feel like she's an equal (even though he sees no one as an equal).  And I like the team dynamic.  If this book wasn't called Detective Comics, Batman Family would be a great name.

Batman - Detective Comics Vol 1: Rise Of The Batmen

Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist: Eddy Barrows, Alvaro Martinez, Al Barrionuevo, Eber Ferreira, Raul Fernandez

DC Comics