When he took over with issue #1,062 in July 2022, Ram V was on the verge of transforming Detective Comics into a “gothic opera,” and in the process, thanks to his efforts and the work of artists such as Guillem March, Riccardo Federici, and Ivan Reis (among many others), Detective Comics reached a recent high point in both story and overall artistry. But all good things must come to an end, and Ram V is gone with the recently released Detective Comics issue #1,089.
But who will follow such a bold performance? How about Tom Taylor and Mikel Janin? They’ll officially debut in October’s Detective Comics #1,090. That issue will kick off the “Mercy of the Father” arc, revisiting “the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne that changed Gotham forever.” More specifically, they’ll take on ideas, objects, factoids, and/or people that have been “lying in wait to ambush Batman since that fateful night in Crime Alley.” While this Detective Comics series still has a lot to prove, they’re taking on Gotham’s tallest skyscrapers with a story that will “shake the Dark Knight to his very core.”
Detective Comics #1,090 will be available on October 23rd (FOC on Monday, September 30th). To learn more about their series, we reached out to both Taylor and Janín via email with some key questions. They touched on taking over from Ram V and co., their interest in reinvestigating the Waynes murders, highlights from the series, and even their long-term plans for Detective Comics.
Dan Panosian’s alternate cover for Detective Comics #1,090. Courtesy of DC Comics.
AIPT: The last team of Detective Comics (led by Ram V) did a really great job story-wise. What did you think of that whole “gothic opera” thing, and do you feel any pressure to do something similar or completely different?
Tom Taylor: Lamb knows he’s one of my favorite writers in the industry, and the artists he’s worked with during his writing career have created haunting, beautiful work. I don’t feel any pressure to create something similar. Lamb’s voice and ideas are so unique that I don’t think I could.
That being said, I imagine there would be some pressure for anyone taking over such a well-known Detective Comics book, especially in Batman’s 85th anniversary year.
But we’re not trying to follow in Lamb’s footsteps. Instead, with DC All In, we aim to create an entirely new starting point and story that any Batman fan can share.
And any Batman fan will be blown away by Mikel Janin’s art.
Mikel Janin: I also think it was great not only in terms of story but also in terms of art. The cover by Evan Cagle, everything was so good. I have to say our stories are quite different in tone and look.
When you’re following a great series like this, the best option is not to look back, but to look forward and do what you have to do, so that readers will find a series that is different from what came before and hopefully just as engaging and exciting as the last.
Provided by DC Comics.
AIPT: What was the collaborative process like between the two of you, considering you’ve both produced nearly every part of the DCU?
TT: Mikkel and I have always wanted to work together, and now, for the first time, fate has finally brought it to fruition. I’m a huge fan of his, so working together has mostly meant I’ve written a script that I know he’ll be enthusiastic about. Most of my notes to Mikkel are just words of praise followed by exclamation points. I think we’re both equally excited about this story and this opportunity.
MJ: Honestly, it’s been great so far. We’re both seasoned professionals at this point and are 100% committed to this book. We’ve wanted to work together for a long time and now, with the biggest character in comics and all this excitement surrounding the “All In” initiative, we had this opportunity. So, it was a no-brainer. Tom is an amazing person and a great writer and we both love adding as much to this book as we can, with names, little details, designs, anything we can do to move the story a little further.
AIPT: Tom, you just finished that epic film, Nightwing. Did that influence your work here or did you take any lessons from that for your next project?
TT: To be honest, having written the “son” (Dick Grayson) for so long has given me new ideas about fathers. Writing Dick and Bruce together in Nightwing was fun, and I found a new way to portray Batman as a good, supportive father in a way that I wasn’t sure would work in continuity. I’d love to continue that. But Bruce is certainly not Dick. They’re very different characters and suited to very different stories.
Finding Batman’s voice, thoughts and drive and challenging Bruce Wayne was key, especially for this first story.
Provided by DC Comics.
AIPT: The callout features a return to the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne (with a new secret as well). Why is that particular moment still so compelling and how do you make it new?
TT: Taking over Detective Comics was a big deal for me. I spent a lot more time than usual brainstorming and searching for the right story. There are probably more Batman stories than any other superhero, so I spent weeks looking for something new and important.
When this idea came to me, I was excited about it and all the implications it had, but I really wasn’t sure if DC would let me do it.
I’m so happy that DC is backing this idea, I think it’s going to be a talking point among readers.
MJ: It’s always fun to touch on key points in the Batman mythos, and I think Tom hits the nail on the head with this approach, diving into the past and bringing major themes into the present, all in a natural way that feels authentic and rooted in the essence of Batman.
AIPT: Can you share some funny moments or key insights from the story?
TT: I can’t give away too much because it would be a spoiler, but a new villain will appear, young criminals will be killed across Gotham, and Bruce Wayne and Batman will face new challenges. What I will say is that the final panel of issue #1 will feature a big reveal.
MJ: We absolutely love what we do! There’s a lot of mystery, crime and detective stuff going on; morgues, street chases, investigations; the classic Batman & Robin action; and lots of surprises! The best part is, when I show a few pages to my kids and their friends and tell them the story, they are genuinely excited and amazed, even though they’re usually not that interested in comics (especially the ones I’m working on – lol), and they want to read more!
Courtesy of DC Comics.
AIPT: How long will the Taylor Janine team be working together for? Is it likely to be long term?
TT: I want to be with Detective Comics for a long time, and especially work with Mikel for as long as he’s willing to accept me.
MJ: Yes please. I hope so. I’m committed for the long term, at least three years, and hopefully longer!
AIPT: Is there anything else you’d like to add about Detective Comics, Batman, DC, comics, or life itself?
MJ: Tom and I have had a lot of fun with this book, and I think that comes across, and I really hope readers share our excitement. This is also the first time I’ve colored my own pages on a regular title, which I think adds a new depth to the work. Even though I’ve worked with some of the best colorists in comics, I always felt like I was only doing half the job. I’m very happy with how the art is coming together with that added consistency.
