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Batman: Detective Comics by Ram V.
Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 5: Gotham Nocturne: ACT III
Batman, forgotten! The Orghams' plan to use the Reality Engine to erase Batman from the collective memory of Gotham has come to fruition. How can the Dark Knight save a city that no longer believes in him?
Believed dead, Batman has fled Gotham to undertake a quest that boarders on mythical as he fights back against the demon infecting his mind and erasing his identity little by little. But time is running out, both for Bruce and the city he protects as the Orghams, a secret dynasty with their sights set on total control of the city and its citizens, race towards the endgame of their plan.
Will Batman be able to fight his way back to his city in time to save it? And, more importantly, will the Gotham he returns to bare any resemblance to the Gotham he has called home all these years?
Collects Detective Comics #1081-1089.
Believed dead, Batman has fled Gotham to undertake a quest that boarders on mythical as he fights back against the demon infecting his mind and erasing his identity little by little. But time is running out, both for Bruce and the city he protects as the Orghams, a secret dynasty with their sights set on total control of the city and its citizens, race towards the endgame of their plan.
Will Batman be able to fight his way back to his city in time to save it? And, more importantly, will the Gotham he returns to bare any resemblance to the Gotham he has called home all these years?
Collects Detective Comics #1081-1089.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 11, 2025
8 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Ram V.
501 books320 followersRam V is an author and comic book writer from Mumbai, India. His comics career began in 2012 with the award-nominated Indian comic series, Aghori. A graduate of the City University of London’s Creative Writing MA, he has since created the critically acclaimed Black Mumba and the fantasy adventure series, Brigands.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 8, 2025
Ram V and team land the plane, but it was a bumpy ride and the landing wasn’t exactly graceful. At least three characters are added to the already bloated cast, and while everyone sort of gets a resolution to their arc, none of them are really satisfying. The art in this trade is more of a mixed bag than the previous ones in this run. The first few issues feature sequences illustrated by Riccardo Federici, who I think could be argued to be the best artist working in big 2 comics, but the rest of the art is pretty weak in comparison, even though it is perfectly fine.
Overall, the run was pretty disappointing. It was ambitious, and I appreciate that, but I think it was a swing and a miss.
Overall, the run was pretty disappointing. It was ambitious, and I appreciate that, but I think it was a swing and a miss.
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March 27, 2025Another mixed bag, but at least it had my favorite arc of the run, An Elegy of Sand. Minimal Orghams (yay), lots of Simon Hurt (lets goooo), and Batman struggling against Barbatos (yeeeeeees) who is both a metaphor for his darker emotions of regret, vengeance, anger, and also an actual demon summoned by Simon Hurt! Ram V is still writing mountains of text at times but he reigns it in a bit and has some banger exchanges like
“If you will not struggle with me, then let me go.”
“You will fall to your death.”
“I am Batman. I will stand again.”
Chills!
I also found the use of old Batman material no longer felt like a retread, but rather tools with which to comment on the current political moment. I truly felt inspired by this arc to find purpose on the struggle to affect positive change even when surrounded by systems that seem unchangeable. The investigation of the “Batman always wins” trope and moving the character past that feels like a purposeful effort to distance the character from Donald Trump’s obsession with classifying “winners” and “losers,” and the Orgham’s administration of Gotham is loaded with details that parallel the real deportations, prison industrial complex, crackdown on free speech, and law and order policies seen under the Trump administration and other conservative administrations in urban areas. Their bright and clean vision of the future depends on the imprisonment of the impoverished, and the enemies of Batman and his allies are the same as our enemies in the real world that this story calls on us to find purpose struggling against. “An edifice built on homeless ivory,” narrates the Question. “Spikes on the pavement next to storefront displays,” Batman points out later on.
The rest of this is a dragged out ending which has too many long bouts of exposition again, a generic final boss who never had any weight or staying power, and honestly got so confusing it muddied its previously tight metaphor. The riots induced by the Orghams are false flag operations against the rich, but also involve mind control, but then also Joker’s daughter gets people to go out and really riot? Hat on a hat man. I could maybe read this as a shot at Jan 6, but it uncomfortably feels like the theories Qanon folks have about BLM and Antifa. Narratively it all felt rushed and overstuffed, but somehow also too long. I wasn’t really sure who wanted what out in the city streets, and given how much this run harkens back to Morrison it felt like a needles rehash of the riots at the end of Batman and Robin but lacking the same excitement and clarity. “The rich and poor are at each other’s throats” Batman says at one point, which is confusing because idk how the poor can be at the rich’s throats given where rich people live, their investments in security, and police protection of them.
The backups are all great, and I so appreciate this book for jumping around to different POVs. Dan Watters’ Simon Hurt story was a favorite and I liked newcomer Alex Paknadel.
The art is standout this entire book, up until the Finale arc where Guillem March is REALLY not for me, especially compared to how jaw dropping this book has been.
And special shout out to Evan Cagle who does the best covers on a series that I’ve seen since Quitely on Batman and Robin. Especially with the cool borders seen on the single issues (which are annoyingly absent here) each one looks like a movie poster.
“If you will not struggle with me, then let me go.”
“You will fall to your death.”
“I am Batman. I will stand again.”
Chills!
I also found the use of old Batman material no longer felt like a retread, but rather tools with which to comment on the current political moment. I truly felt inspired by this arc to find purpose on the struggle to affect positive change even when surrounded by systems that seem unchangeable. The investigation of the “Batman always wins” trope and moving the character past that feels like a purposeful effort to distance the character from Donald Trump’s obsession with classifying “winners” and “losers,” and the Orgham’s administration of Gotham is loaded with details that parallel the real deportations, prison industrial complex, crackdown on free speech, and law and order policies seen under the Trump administration and other conservative administrations in urban areas. Their bright and clean vision of the future depends on the imprisonment of the impoverished, and the enemies of Batman and his allies are the same as our enemies in the real world that this story calls on us to find purpose struggling against. “An edifice built on homeless ivory,” narrates the Question. “Spikes on the pavement next to storefront displays,” Batman points out later on.
The rest of this is a dragged out ending which has too many long bouts of exposition again, a generic final boss who never had any weight or staying power, and honestly got so confusing it muddied its previously tight metaphor. The riots induced by the Orghams are false flag operations against the rich, but also involve mind control, but then also Joker’s daughter gets people to go out and really riot? Hat on a hat man. I could maybe read this as a shot at Jan 6, but it uncomfortably feels like the theories Qanon folks have about BLM and Antifa. Narratively it all felt rushed and overstuffed, but somehow also too long. I wasn’t really sure who wanted what out in the city streets, and given how much this run harkens back to Morrison it felt like a needles rehash of the riots at the end of Batman and Robin but lacking the same excitement and clarity. “The rich and poor are at each other’s throats” Batman says at one point, which is confusing because idk how the poor can be at the rich’s throats given where rich people live, their investments in security, and police protection of them.
The backups are all great, and I so appreciate this book for jumping around to different POVs. Dan Watters’ Simon Hurt story was a favorite and I liked newcomer Alex Paknadel.
The art is standout this entire book, up until the Finale arc where Guillem March is REALLY not for me, especially compared to how jaw dropping this book has been.
And special shout out to Evan Cagle who does the best covers on a series that I’ve seen since Quitely on Batman and Robin. Especially with the cool borders seen on the single issues (which are annoyingly absent here) each one looks like a movie poster.
March 15, 2025
Not everything is perfect in this long run. Sometimes it's long, sometimes it's heavy-handed, sometimes it's clumsy.
But when all's said and done, it's still a very well-made run, rich in intensity and characterisation. I know writers on other Batman titles - hey, Chippo, howyadoin' mate? - who would do well to take inspiration from Ram V, which favours a well-constructed, deep script with a real and satisfying ending instead of cheap, slapdash thrills (I swear to God, I'll never get over the "Escape from the moon" issue).
But when all's said and done, it's still a very well-made run, rich in intensity and characterisation. I know writers on other Batman titles - hey, Chippo, howyadoin' mate? - who would do well to take inspiration from Ram V, which favours a well-constructed, deep script with a real and satisfying ending instead of cheap, slapdash thrills (I swear to God, I'll never get over the "Escape from the moon" issue).
April 2, 2025
Once you get about halfway through this stops being so boring and starts being worthwhile... but it's quite the slog. At least we got to see Azrael get knocked around a bit, that's worth half a star itself.
April 7, 2025
the status quo change here is slight but welcome. Fantastic art by all contributors. Is it bad to say that Batman's arc was the least interesting to me?
October 1, 2024
My god what an ending, this is the sort of stuff that makes you love comics and what an ending it is I say again. The elegy of sand story is so well drawn and is basically Batman’s journey like Farhad, the myth told at the beginning of this volume and how he fights that basically and I love how Dr Hurt is back and he is challenging batman with different scenarios like becoming his azmer here and in a fun way, you’re wondering whether its real or not and its kinda like his odyssey.. “Elegy of sand” very well named and I love how Talia was waiting for him and how unlike Farhad and Alaea they reunite and I love the romance between them.
Then whatever is going on with Bat family and they’re trying to save Gotham and all and have challenges yes but the way it shows how Batman comes back and fights against the forces of Orghams and like any cool finale in an act, its like basically return of the hero and he has new resolve and his new costume with the blood bat sign is so cool and the fight which happens between diff. people and also Two face vs Gael, Dr Freeze vs Neang and Ten eyed man vs Shavhod, which was kinda fun twist and yeah one can say it ended too quickly but honestly TEM was such a great addition and one of the characters to look out for for real. I love how their fights end and yeah its quick but then again so is when the act reaches finale and the heroes start fighting back.
The plan of eternal winter works and when the heroes are faced with DARIAH and her final plans and we see the twists happening and how it ends.. the big fights.. it truly lives upto its name of Gotham Nocturne and I FREAKING LOVE IT!
The ending teases a lot about how Gotham has changed and is even more dangerous than before and the status quo of different members and villains and its kinda exciting, but its also the ending of a great run and like an opera it ends on a high! The art and backup stories were awesome and add so much to the main story and this just makes the reading experience so impactful and fun!
Then whatever is going on with Bat family and they’re trying to save Gotham and all and have challenges yes but the way it shows how Batman comes back and fights against the forces of Orghams and like any cool finale in an act, its like basically return of the hero and he has new resolve and his new costume with the blood bat sign is so cool and the fight which happens between diff. people and also Two face vs Gael, Dr Freeze vs Neang and Ten eyed man vs Shavhod, which was kinda fun twist and yeah one can say it ended too quickly but honestly TEM was such a great addition and one of the characters to look out for for real. I love how their fights end and yeah its quick but then again so is when the act reaches finale and the heroes start fighting back.
The plan of eternal winter works and when the heroes are faced with DARIAH and her final plans and we see the twists happening and how it ends.. the big fights.. it truly lives upto its name of Gotham Nocturne and I FREAKING LOVE IT!
The ending teases a lot about how Gotham has changed and is even more dangerous than before and the status quo of different members and villains and its kinda exciting, but its also the ending of a great run and like an opera it ends on a high! The art and backup stories were awesome and add so much to the main story and this just makes the reading experience so impactful and fun!
April 12, 2025
Review of entire Ram V run on "Tec" --
Overall I loved this run and think it's the most interesting Batman book I've read in years, though not reading Absolute Batman (yet). The art & cover art especially is magic throughout the entire run, it has its own pronounced and surprisingly consistent style, which melds well with the lettering & the content. I will likely keep the hardcovers lying around my apartment just to flip through the art from time to time.
The writing (for the Ram V sections) is largely very good. It's really one story told over 5 sections which is rare for modern comics which are often written trade to trade. You could argue it's super decompressed & for folks who read it as it was coming out, I could imagine it being boring and slow. It works well in collected edition though, at least IMO. What I love in particular about this run, which is less about the overt plot (which is still gripping to watch play out) is how it leans into the thematic idea of Batman as Gotham's 'darkness' & how the imagery of the bat is both his curse & his redemption. The use of a more mystical & surreal art style / color palate works well for this type of moody & introspective Bat-story. It also has interesting things to say about what it would mean to be Bruce & to have grappled with his particular traumas.
Parts of the run were a 5/5 for me and I was tempted to give a higher score, I bumped it down to 4 because it's a bit inconsistent and some parts were paced oddly to me. Also the issue back-ups & parts written not by Ram V were not always as interesting for me, though often they did add some color to the story. For me this is an amazing run with flaws, but the overall is really enjoyable.
As an aside, I would read this book almost exclusively at night while listening to two tracks from the 2022 Batman film - "The Batman" & "Sonata in Darkness". Really elevates the experience!
Overall I loved this run and think it's the most interesting Batman book I've read in years, though not reading Absolute Batman (yet). The art & cover art especially is magic throughout the entire run, it has its own pronounced and surprisingly consistent style, which melds well with the lettering & the content. I will likely keep the hardcovers lying around my apartment just to flip through the art from time to time.
The writing (for the Ram V sections) is largely very good. It's really one story told over 5 sections which is rare for modern comics which are often written trade to trade. You could argue it's super decompressed & for folks who read it as it was coming out, I could imagine it being boring and slow. It works well in collected edition though, at least IMO. What I love in particular about this run, which is less about the overt plot (which is still gripping to watch play out) is how it leans into the thematic idea of Batman as Gotham's 'darkness' & how the imagery of the bat is both his curse & his redemption. The use of a more mystical & surreal art style / color palate works well for this type of moody & introspective Bat-story. It also has interesting things to say about what it would mean to be Bruce & to have grappled with his particular traumas.
Parts of the run were a 5/5 for me and I was tempted to give a higher score, I bumped it down to 4 because it's a bit inconsistent and some parts were paced oddly to me. Also the issue back-ups & parts written not by Ram V were not always as interesting for me, though often they did add some color to the story. For me this is an amazing run with flaws, but the overall is really enjoyable.
As an aside, I would read this book almost exclusively at night while listening to two tracks from the 2022 Batman film - "The Batman" & "Sonata in Darkness". Really elevates the experience!
January 31, 2025
Other Batman writers take heed...
THIS is how you plot out and sell a long form story to readers.
Yes, the list of characters used is long. Yes, there are dull moments in every volume. It's all needed for the flow and pace of the story. We never stayed too long in one location, yet we kept advancing the story.
---
We start out with an azmer afflicted Batman near death and on a boat with Talia. We've been told a similar tale earlier in the story and now we see Bruce fighting...himself...the Azmer..(and maybe the group belief of Gotham's citizens). I love that we get Batman calling in favors from some of the villains that love Gotham in their own way.
Strong love all the way around. It feels like every setup throughout the run was acknowledged and used to complete an epic run.
=========
Bonus: The finale wraps up a lot of loose threads and sets heroes and villains in new directions...
Bonus Bonus: Let the Orgums lay low for awhile. Use them sparingly like the Court of Owls
THIS is how you plot out and sell a long form story to readers.
Yes, the list of characters used is long. Yes, there are dull moments in every volume. It's all needed for the flow and pace of the story. We never stayed too long in one location, yet we kept advancing the story.
---
We start out with an azmer afflicted Batman near death and on a boat with Talia. We've been told a similar tale earlier in the story and now we see Bruce fighting...himself...the Azmer..(and maybe the group belief of Gotham's citizens). I love that we get Batman calling in favors from some of the villains that love Gotham in their own way.
Strong love all the way around. It feels like every setup throughout the run was acknowledged and used to complete an epic run.
=========
Bonus: The finale wraps up a lot of loose threads and sets heroes and villains in new directions...
Bonus Bonus: Let the Orgums lay low for awhile. Use them sparingly like the Court of Owls
November 14, 2024
My favourite Batman stories are the long ones, usually they're crossovers (Knightfall, No Man's Land) and this scratched that itch.
I read the first two acts as they were releasing and then decided to wait until the Intermezzo and third act had been fully released then reread all of it.
What a beaufiul story on so many levels. I love the change in Batman, him embracing his darkness, not trying to wield it while holding it at bay and refusing to let it in. I sincerely hope we get more of this exploration in future 'tec or main title stories.
So far the first issue of Tom Taylor's run does not fill me with great hope for that.
I read the first two acts as they were releasing and then decided to wait until the Intermezzo and third act had been fully released then reread all of it.
What a beaufiul story on so many levels. I love the change in Batman, him embracing his darkness, not trying to wield it while holding it at bay and refusing to let it in. I sincerely hope we get more of this exploration in future 'tec or main title stories.
So far the first issue of Tom Taylor's run does not fill me with great hope for that.
March 10, 2025
Ram V's Gotham Nocturne epic ends on a high, bringing all the chickens he'd released out into the world home to roost in time for a huge finale that brings it all to a close. I love it when writers get to tell the story they want to tell in the way they want to tell it, and Gotham Nocturne has been unlike anything the Bat-Books have done for a long time.
I think the only thing I didn't enjoy was the choice of Guillem March on the final few issues, but that's a small niggle; his artwork's great for some stuff, I just don't always gel with it.
I think the only thing I didn't enjoy was the choice of Guillem March on the final few issues, but that's a small niggle; his artwork's great for some stuff, I just don't always gel with it.
February 10, 2025
I had such high hopes for this run after hearing some great things. Ultimately this wasn’t my favorite run, but it wasn’t terrible. This final act was great, Batman literally fought his inner demons to take Gotham back, but ultimately, is it better for it? With lots of magic, and mystic themes, with great action, this was a great final act of an ok run. Now onto Taylor’s run!
March 23, 2025
If a Batman villain put a gun on my head and asked me what Ram V's run is all about I would be totally dead. That said, I LOVED IT!
And an extra hooray for all the amazing Italians and their incredible pencils.
And an extra hooray for all the amazing Italians and their incredible pencils.
April 1, 2025
Definitely the best of the Nocturne Detective Comics stories with it being able to wrap everything up in a great way. Wasn’t a huge fan of this run from start to finish but glad its ending didn’t miss.
March 15, 2025
An utterly gorgeous and utterly epic conclusion to a fantastic run that really makes the most of the Batman mythos and Gotham.
March 23, 2025
Finishes fine but we have seem the whole city turns on Batman/secret society with hidden ties to Gotham done better in my opinion. Just not for me.
March 25, 2025
Absolutely loved this, a perfect way to end everything. Thinking this is one of if not my favorite batman run
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews