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DETECTIVE COMICS #767
Recommended (8/10)
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DC Comics
"Timeless"
Writer: Greg Rucka
Pencils: Steve Lieber
Inks: Mick Gray
Colors: Jason Wright & Wildstorm FX
Letters: Todd Klein
Editor: Bob Schreck
"Josie Mac: Lost Voices, Part Five"
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Cliff Chiang
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: John Workman
Editor: Matt Idelson
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
Timeless: This issue not only brings us to part eight of the "Bruce Wayne: Murderer?" storyline, but also reunites writer Greg Rucka with his collaborator from the award-winning Whiteout stories, Steve Lieber. Together, they offer up another strong chapter in the crossover storyline that focuses on characterization.
Sasha Bordeaux adjust to the dangerous realities of prison life, but what weighs more heavily on her mind are the doubts she has about Bruce Wayne. She believes he is innocent of the murder with which both of them have been charged, but she has to admit to herself that they were apart long enough for him to have committed the crime. Meanwhile, her lawyer, and trusted friend, continues to try to convince her to take a deal.
The stark tone of Lieber's art certainly suits the downtrodden atmosphere of this story. His emphasis on detail and realism reinforces the down-to-earth but unfortunate nature of the setting and characters as well. Lieber usually inks his own stuff, and while Mick Gray's inks mesh pretty well with his pencils here, I think they'll need some time to adjust to one another's style.
I have to admit that the various Batman writers have done an excellent job with this title-jumping story arc thus far. Here, Rucka tells a story within the story. The conflict here isn't a quest for exoneration, but is instead an inner conflict as Sasha struggles with her doubts and fears about Bruce. It's a convincing, thoroughly human story.
Josie Mac: Winick continues to impress with his subtly supernatural police drama. It's been said before and it'll be said again: "Josie Mac" stands out as Winick's finest work for either of the major two publishers in comics. An added bonus is that Cliff Chiang now has a monthly (though unfortunately temporary) monthly spotlight for his simple but effective visual storytelling skills.
After a mob boss offers a $2-million reward for information leading to the whereabouts of his grandson, police headquarters in Gotham turns into a madhouse. Josie and her partner are taken off the case, but she manages to spot a lead in the chaos of the precinct house. She and her partner follow it to a run-down apartment, but get more than they bargain for.
This is something of a transitional chapter in the storyline, moving the plot forward. So the characterization isn't quite what it has been in previous installment, but out of necessity, really. Winick's narration still boasts that geniune quality, as Josie speaks and thinks like a real person with an unreal gift. Chiang's art is simple in tone, but it captures the characters' humanity wonderfully. Loughridge's muted colors reinforce the darker elements of the story nicely, while never suppressing the upbeat tone of the protagonist.
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