The Abyss plummets

THE MIND?

Tony S. Daniel’s writing really does baffle me: in some comics it’s considered, excellently paced and feels right. Others feel rushed, and are simply bland at best. Detective Comics Annual #1 ‘The Abyss’ writes a new chapter in just how mundane and condescending a comic can be. Some of the dialogue is simply embarrassing. However, his ‘Doll Maker’ run was close, if not as good, as much of Snyder’s recent output. However, after posting the pictures below on Twitter [@ComicsPolitics <- right, kids?]

Not saying that Tony S. Daniel is a 12-year-old, I wouldn’t be so bold, the man clearly has talent whether it’s writing or penciling, but some of this stuff isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. It reads like he’s had far too much on his plate recently and simply phoned this one in. The story itself also feels completely forced.

The story is unsettlingly uninspired. If he was just some nutcase who wore a skull mask and liked to hurt people I could take him more seriously.

That must be what happened, yes.

Jervis Tetch’s appearance does nothing to evolve the character, but let’s be honest, Hatter is on the periphery of the Rogue’s Gallery and I can’t think of one arc revolving around him that has had any impact.

The artwork unfortunately doesn’t make up for the static writing, either. Pere Pérez Batman is too rounded and lacks detail. When the actions hots up he doesn’t really get the movement across make you roll with punches.

In the future I would ask DC to ask if when Snyder gets bored of writing Bats, if this will be the de-facto ‘bar.’ I sincerely hope that this was a one-off and that Daniel’s future Detective Comic run bears no resemblance to this trite and perfunctory effort.