Detective #854 - DC

I couldn't wait to get this comic. Especially with JH Williams III doing the art. It was fantastic, as expected, but he uses a little bit different style than he did on Promethea. Actually, on the pages where Kate is in her Batwoman identity, the art is very similar . . although darker. But in the scenes of her private life, that's where he uses his new style. You can tell it's still his work . . it's just down-played a bit. Anyways, she's still connected to the crime-bible somehow. She seems to be an obsession with them, but she doesn't know why. However, the 13 covens that make up the religion are about to get a new leader. That's why Kate's so active this issue. She's trying to find out when she's coming to town, and who she is. We also see Batman/Dick this issue. They seem to have a working relationship . . "This one's yours. I'll be watching if you need help. Do something about your hair. One pull, the fights over for you." We also see that Kate's mentor, and 'coach', appears to be her father. Apparently her mother has passed, so this is his life's work now. He's retired military. Anyways, Greg Rucka is weaving a nice little tale here. It ends with Kate in the presence of the new leader. She calls herself Alice, and I think she considers herself their queen. All in all I thought it was a decent start to this new direction. Personally, I can't wait to see where it goes. This issue also includes a Question back-up story. I think Renee is going to fit very well into this role. Now that she's back in Gotham, her first 'job' is to find the sister of an immigrant who was smuggled into the country, but then never seen again. I think he's afraid that her 'mule' has turned her to prostitution. It's by Greg and Cully Hamner. This issue actually kind of reminded me of the Detective issues of the 70's. You know, the 60 or 80 page giant ones that contained 3 or 4 stories. That's where we first met the Manhunter by Walt Simonson. Anyways, those were classic.