DETECTIVE COMICS #881

The Face In The Glass

late September 2011

Written by Scott Snyder

Pencils by Jock and Francesco Francavilla

Inks by Jock and Francesco Francavilla

Cover by Jock

Synopsis

Commissioner Gordon and Batman have few leads to the whereabouts of James Gordon Jr., who  has kidnapped his sister, Barbara.  He has placed two knives in the femoral arteries of her legs.  Barbara remarks that she thought he was different, that he wouldn’t grandstand like all of the other villains in Gotham, but it turns out he just like everyone else.  He tells her that it isn’t about her.  Meanwhile, Batman is flying around the city, searching fruitlessly for Barbara.  Suddenly, the communicator in the batplane reveals James Jr., who gloats about how he planned everything that has happened.  And now, he plans to kill Barbara.  However, she has managed to crawl away.  He tracks her down, but she is waiting.  She stabs him in the eye and tries to get away.  He tracks her down again.  But Batman finds him, kicks him, and goes to help Barbara.  Junior tries to get away, but is found by the Commissioner, who shoots his son in the leg.  Twice.  Junior falls off the bridge, but his dad saves him from falling.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Excellent.  From start to finish, this was a wonderful, awesome finish to Snyder’s year-long run on the title.  This issue was disturbing, creepy and even a little frightening.  I loved the way Barbara defended herself and fought back.  I loved the way Dick came to the rescue, delayed only by the tracer taking its time to work.  And I loved the fact that the Commissioner would never give up on his son, no matter what.  I also though the ending was handled well, delivering just enough ambiguity on what Junior may or may not have done to the baby food.  I also loved the little bit about Jr. being in the cell next to Joker.  I was stunned that Snyder would actually think about doing that, but was thrilled when it turned out to be a joke, not only on Barbara, but also on the reader.  Beautiful. 

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