Detective Comics #1100 is an oversized anthology comic book celebrating the release of the 1,100th issue of the series and honoring its inception in 1937. Granted, if we want to get into hyper detail, The Dark Knight’s foray into Detective Comics technically didn’t take place until 1939 relative to issue #27; regardless, it’s worth celebrating this major milestone. As one of my favorite Batman comics of 2025, in my humble opinion, you can’t consider yourself a true caped crusader fan until you’ve read this.
The 56-page issue features four distinctive stories and each of them evokes Batman’s philosophy and his embodiment of justice, hope and, above all, humanity. His unwavering desire to fight for what is right, his stance on morality, and helping others – all stemming from transforming a personal tragedy of the loss of his parents into the triumph of his never-ending heroic acts – is what makes these stories so compelling. It is evident that each writer/artist draws on their personal beliefs and nostalgic relationship with the World’s Greatest Detective through their stylized interpretations. It shows you how each creator forged their unique bond with this beloved legacy character.
Explore a different side of Batman
Short stories with emotional resonance and scope
Time and time again, Batman is extraordinary in his ability to become a hero to others, even as he frequently struggles with inner turmoil. This speaks to his discipline and dedication to advocating for the community while bringing out the best in others…with the hope that this will help him cultivate inner healing and peace.
With that in mind, this book truly pays homage to Batman by providing strong and varied perspectives across these narratives to explore how his actions affect those in Gotham City and his own duality.
Four distinct stories
Showcasing the impact of Batman’s legacy on Gotham City and beyond
“The Fall” by Dan Watters with illustrations by Bill Sienkiewicz is a dark but introspective tale in which we explore the inner turmoil of Batman’s mind as he races against time as he must calculate every second of his actions to save someone who has just jumped from a skyscraper. The problem is that this person is actually a low-level criminal; and as a result, the story is a testament to Batman’s endless compassion and grace, even for those deemed “unworthy.” It’s a very intense story that sets off a chain of events that flow from this critical moment.
“The Knife and Gun Club” by Greg Rucka with illustrations by Alvaro Martinex Buneo is shared from the perspective of front-line workers: emergency room doctors and nurses. It’s a welcome change to how Batman’s actions will always have a ripple effect on society as a whole. There is an exploration of mortality rates before his help and after his existence in terms of more victims surviving. It shows how integral Batman is to this ecosystem – how dire and less hopeful the circumstances would be without his help (and while he may forget because he’s deep in the proverbial trenches, he remembers how much he is appreciated).
Discover the world’s greatest detective…
…like never before on this spectacular birthday…
“Your Role in the Community” by Mariko Tamakiwith with illustrations by Amancay Nahuelpan delves into the enduring (if exhausting) dichotomy of Batman/Bruce Wayne – his public persona as a high-profile (casual) philanthropist and how he must find ways to maintain the precarious balance between that and his secret hero persona in the shadows. It probably doesn’t help that Bruce accidentally sits at a table full of investigative reporters eager to learn more about his “real” self at this “community hero” event. Bruce/Batman are two very different spheres of his psyche and yet the story shows how both characters navigate being at odds with each other.
“Lost and Found” by Tom Taylor with art by Mikel Janin is (in my humble opinion) my best story choice in this comic, and it’s the reason I picked up the book in the first place. It’s a poignant and silent story at that. It’s a heartfelt piece about Batman and Ace, the Bat-hound who comes to the aid of a deaf boy trying to find his lost dog. To me, this is masterful storytelling: showcasing the purity and power of raw emotions without uttering a single word. There is a scene where the boy watches Batman punch a fleeing criminal – he looks up and sees the boy horrified; Batman catches himself and, showing introspection and seeing the impact of his actions on others, chooses to tie up the villain instead. It’s these split-second moments that are the defining elements that make Batman so wonderfully (and welcomingly) human – his propensity to interact and empathize – even in the most difficult of times.
A must-read for Ultimate Batman fans
One of the best comics released in 2025
Ultimately, when you strip away Batman’s pomp and circumstance, fancy gadgets and gadgets – it’s never the grand heroic gestures and “ultimate” sacrifices that define the character – but rather those nuanced and often overlooked acts of mercy that are driven by a deep-rooted empathy and compassion for others; it is what nourishes the soul in dark times.
