In this review of Detective Comics #1104, call it “Forty Scarecrows and a Lion” as the clock ticks down to Batman becoming infectious with the “courage” virus. What happens when the Dark Knight faces an army that feels no fear?
Detective Comics #1104 main cover by Mikel Janín (DC Comics)
DETECTIVE COMICS #1104
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and Main Cover: MIKEL JANÍN
Variant Covers: GREG SMALLWOOD and KRIS ANKA
Page Count: 32 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
Release Date: 12/24/25
This review contains spoilers
Detective Comics #1104 begins with only four hours remaining before Batman becomes contagious with the courage virus, as the Dark Knight perches on a gargoyle atop a Gotham skyscraper. Batman has made a jump like this many times, but now he is hyper aware of every movement and sensation as he launches his grapple and takes flight. He is concerned that the virus has disrupted his ability to discern between normal actions and extreme risk taking.
Batman tracks down one of the henchmen who abducted Jonathan Crane (Scarecrow) from his cell in Arkham Tower. The henchman, (who is also infected), spills the details to Batman. Back in the Batcave, Batman calls Selina Kyle but is interrupted when Superman returns from the ruins of The Lion’s remote base. Clark updates Bruce and the two discuss what should happen if a cure isn’t found (including several tactics to take down Batman in a fight).
The Dark Knight isn’t waiting around though, he has a contingency plan to keep fighting with the help of a mobile quarantine (an armored, sealed Batsuit). Damian and Bruce share a poignant father and son moment. Later, an armored and infectious Batman takes the Batmobile for a drive upstate and into a cornfield where he is attacked by forty people in Scarecrow masks who all show no signs of fear or hesitation.
Batman hits the ejector seat and lands near a bound figure in a Scarecrow mask and Arkham uniform assuming he is Crane, but it is The Lion in disguise. The villain counters every move that the Bat-armor throws at him, but again Batman has a contingency and the Bat-Family appears to even the odds. The Lion ruptures Batman’s air hose and sets the field ablaze. Batman has to tether Robin as chases after the escaping Scarecrows through the spreading flames.
Detective Comics #1104 ends with Batman freeing Jonathan Crane who quickly explains how he became connected with The Lion. Crane warns Batman about The Lion’s plan, and that all of this is Batman’s fault.
A touching moment between soulmates… but why now? (DC Comics)
Analysis
Detective Comics #1104 ratchets up the tension as the clock ticks down to zero, but even with a dangerous and unknowable villain at large, Batman still has time to spare for those he cares about. Writer Tom Taylor dives deep into Batman’s thought process as he begins to second guess every move and decision he makes. The remarkably detailed inner monologue running through Batman’s head as he launches off a rooftop, (a scene repeated in countless comics, cartoons and movies) has never seemed so precarious.
Taylor balances the ticking clock scenario with some nice character moments that prove what and who Bruce Wayne and Batman are. Taylor also nails Batman’s clever “loophole” of a mobile quarantine Batsuit (albeit with a few wrinkles to still iron out). As if the forty Scarecrows aren’t enough, the fearsome and formidable The Lion proves more than a match for Batman yet again.
The lack of fear conceit is present throughout Detective Comics #1104, and it appears that Damian Wayne might be infected too, after Nightwing halts his attempt to chase down The Lion through a wall of fire. Batman is all about contingency plans and preparation, so his backup team of Batgirl, Nightwing and Robin was a welcome surprise. One wonders if a healthy Batman could contend with fearless Forty Scarecrows, but that is a story for another time.
Batman’s culpability in inadvertently shaping Leo into The Lion is possibly deeper than previously thought, as Jonathan Crane lays the blame squarely at the Dark Knight’s booted feet. (Seriously, what could scare even the Scarecrow?) Of course, others including Crane are also to blame. The interesting twist in this case is that Batman’s actions rudimentarily mirror those of Joe Chill. Although Leo’s father wasn’t murdered by Batman, a child still witnessed a violent event against a parent and received emotional scars.
Artist Mikel Janin turns in more gorgeous artwork in Detective Comics #1104, from the quiet scenes with Superman, Selina and Damian to the wild, chaotic cornfield battle, to the terrifying Scarecrow masks and his own spin on the classic chunky armored Batsuit.
Final Thoughts
Detective Comics #1104 ramps up the tension, throws in a few nice twists and wraps the package in gorgeous artwork.
