DETECTIVE COMICS #36

[ CASH CONTAGION ] 

In order for DC Comics to give their November themed 'Lego Month' some form of street cred, they decided to ask their creators to develop something urban and original. So that is why Ben Percy and John Paul Leon took a can of spray paint and painted the words 'Urban' and 'Original' upon their bedroom wall. Bless 'em.

To QUOTE Marianne Moore: 'As contagion of sickness makes sickness, contagion of trust can make trust'.

THE STORY:

Whilst fighting against the clock, Batman and a group of Hazmat agents quickly attempt to prevent Magnus Manguson's contagion from spreading outside a Gotham City airport. And for them to be able to do this, everyone's favorite pointy-eared vigilante decides to contact one of his secret operatives coincidentally based in the right location -- Dick (I'm not dead yet) Grayson -- and then instructs him to... to... to... errr.. now how can I put this?

Oh! I know. How about, 'play dirty so he can get his hands on an appropriate antidote'? Yeah. That sounds about right.

THE GOOD:

Wow! What a magnificent issue this was to read, folks! In many ways Ben's story-line was fairly reminiscent of a disaster movie mixed in with an espionage movie. You know. Just try to think of it as a strange blend of Wolfgang Petersen's 'Outbreak' and Carol Reed's 'The Third Man'.

As a matter of fact this tale was so film friendly, I have to say that John's earthy artwork was very film-noir like in tone, plus on occasion reminded me of a Milos Forman adventure, especially with how certain characters turned up and mingled in with the plot

A good illustration of this would be in that amazing scene between Dick and that woman I've forgotten the name of. Now prior to them meeting he manages to overpower a bouncer at her night-club by breaking his fingers -- Ouch! That got to hurt! And then, when he finally gets to meet her, well, let's just say this confrontation was fairly homoerotic, shall we? And leave it at that.

As for the rest of the story on the other hand, yeah, that was very good too. Tonally it had a somewhat suspenseful vibe running all the way through it. And this never really let up until its final confrontation was ultimately concluded.

No. I don't want to say more than that, my friend. Nothing except that this comic was one hell of a full on cinematic experience!

THE BAD:

Even though I loved Dick Grayson's role in this final part of 'Terminus', in the same breath I did find it fairly coincidental that he was at the right place, at the right time, for him to be able to help Bruce save the day. What's more, considering he was left out of last issue, it did feel slightly forced for him to be included in this one, as though he was a corn-plaster brought in to fix a whole in the plot.

THE MUSIC:

As I've mentioned Carol Reed's 'The Third Man' already, how about I now compare its theme tune to this comic book as well?  Go on. Have a click on the following video clip to see -- and hear -- what I mean about them both being suspenseful in tone.

THE COMPARISON:

I wanted to use this comparison last issue, my friend. But because I thought of a better one instead, I said to myself, 'Hey! If I can't use it this month, then maybe I can use it next month if I can't think of anything else'.

So here it is. The back-up comparison I was going to use last month. Magnus Magnusson. Despite having an extra 's' in his name, this English quiz show host knows how to ask a pretty mean question.

THE CONCLUSION:

Now there was a scene in this comic where Dick had to do something to a pretty lady so he could finally help Bruce stop the contagion. So just the fun, can you guess what he does to her out of the following eight options?

1. Kisses her.
2. Gives her a massage.
3. Shows her with his willy.
4. Explains to her that 'Muff diving' is illegal in comic books.
5. Grabs her by the balls.
6. Dances the Macarena with her.
7. Shags her.
8. Accompanies her on a shopping spree.

Nuff said.