Batman: Dear Detective #1 is a book that is almost entirely made up of covers! Was that a good idea?
LEE BERMEJO FANS, REJOICE!
Look, many comics fans have wondered when (if ever) a comics company would release a comic that is all (or nearly all) covers. Well, DC recently released the aforementioned Dear Detective #1, and it is indeed almost entirely covers by Lee Bermejo.
For Bermejo fans, it’s been glorious. Not so much for those who want plot-heavy stories in their books.
Here’s the book’s description: “BERMEJO AND BATMAN: AN ICON DRAWS AN ICON. What happens when a comics art powerhouse meets one of the greatest, most exciting heroes of all time? One part prestige art book, one part compelling noir tale, this one-of-a-kind edition collects some of Lee Bermejo’s most jaw-dropping Batman covers woven together to tell a story that strikes right at the heart of the Dark Knight’s never-ending crusade.”
People paid the $7.99 price tag since it was in the prestige format normally associated with the Black Label imprint from DC.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Bermejo has drawn the Dark Knight. His graphic novel Batman: Noel is a particular favorite of mine, but he’s also known for Batman/Deathblow and Joker. I’ve enjoyed them all. I also appreciate his Luthor, Rorschach, Superman/Gen 13, and Global Frequency.
He has a gritty, noir art style that suits Batman very well. To me, it feels as if he’s drawing the Ben Affleck version of the The Dark Knight, which is my favorite. (Maybe it’s just me, but the current Batman actor, Robert Pattinson, feels more like Dick Grayson than Bruce Wayne. With all the activity that the hero goes through, he has to have a much more “significant” body type to survive.
He also does something that, when other Batman artists do it, turns me off. That’s showing Batman’s eyes through his mask. In Batman: The Animated Series, for instance, you only see white slits for his eyes. Granted, they change in size and scope in order to portray what the hero is feeling/thinking, but Bermejo does an excellent job of keeping it “real” while showing true emotion. Not everyone can do that!
The artist also showed Batman in various classic poses. He shows the Dark Knight scaling a wall (a la Batman ’66), holding a child in his arm to protect him, cradling Robin in his arms after he’s died, and at least two pages with several variations of the hero. He also is shown working alongside Robin and Batgirl.
As a Bat-fan, I always focus on the Dark Knight, but Bermejo also delivers some engaging pages without him. Instead, we see the Joker on several pages, a rogues’ gallery of several Batman villains, and a particularly interesting image of the Riddler, obviously inspired by the recent movie. And I also liked his Catwoman page.
WAS IT WORTH IT?
I’m a story guy for sure, and I have often pointed out in this column that I don’t usually buy art books. Writing is hard work, and not many people can really script an engaging story.
That said, there are certain artists that I follow when it comes to comics. Alex Ross, Greg Capullo, George Perez, Neal Adams, as well as classic creators like Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and Sal Buscema, just to name a few.
Their art takes my mind to places I haven’t been before, and I “buy” what they are selling when it comes to being transported to whatever they are portraying.
Bermejo is one of those great artists. I hear the leather crackle or the sound of a wire stretching while Batman is on it. It just works for me!
I know some folks who bought this book and were disappointed. Not me. I’d like it if they did several of these for my collection!
Could I have enjoyed more plot? Sure! But I was into the “Bermejo-verse” very happily, thank you!
TAKING A RISK
I do have to point out that I enjoy it when a comics publisher does something risky, like making a comic that’s very nearly an art book. Could they do that with a lot of the artists working today? I don’t think so. Bermejo was a perfect choice for this book. I might also buy something similar from the list of artists I mentioned previously. I won’t mention who I think should NOT be doing this!
I’ve been happy with most of DC’s recent “risky” behavior, such as the Catwoman book in which Batman is dead and has been for some time. I like seeing Selina Kyle in this unusual place, having to work on her own.
I think the Black Label imprint has been very successful for DC, and I hope it continues for years to come. Again, we’re going where no comic fan has gone before, if I can use that phrase.
So, I would put Dear Detective #1 as another successful attempt to stretch the genre somewhat. Even I, as someone who tends not to buy art books, had to buy it and enjoy it. Well done, all involved!
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