In this review of Detective Comics #1105, now fully infected by the Courage virus, Batman continues his investigation while hermetically sealed in a special suit of armor as he attempts to locate The Lion and prevent an expected attack.
Detective Comics #1105 main cover by Mikel Janín (DC Comics)
DETECTIVE COMICS #1105
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and Main Cover: MIKEL JANÍN
Variant Covers: GREG SMALLWOOD and BJÖRN BARENDS
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 1/28/26
This review contains spoilers
Detective Comics #1105 begins with a flashback to Batman’s early days as Commissioner Gordon visits thirteen year-old Leo Kingsford just after Batman absconded with his father. Young Leo lashes out in anger at Gordon, calling out for his father. Four years later Leo wins a Waynetech science fair and Bruce Wayne visits the now fearful and agoraphobic Leo in his foster home.
Cut to the present as an armored and infectious Batman explores Leo’s old bedroom as he surmises that Leo got his foster mother out of Gotham before he enacts his plan. Batman tells Batgirl he is going to visit Dinah Lance (Black Canary) as Batgirl arrives at GCPD headquarters where a full blown riot erupts outside.
Batman asks Dinah Lance about Leo’s time at the gym training with Ted Grant (Wildcat) and his growing confidence after learning to fight. Leo was headed for the big time but something changed after losing a bout to Dinah, his fear returned and Leo left for good. Batman checks in with Mister Terrific who is monitoring the boy Batman rescued from the infected freighter and it appears the boy is a danger to himself and others if a cure is not found soon.
Terrific shows Batman the lab where he and numerous heroes and villains (Scarecrow) are toiling at developing a cure for the Courage virus. Despite his shaky judgement (or possibly because of it), Batman volunteers to be the test subject for any vaccine trial for the cure. Back at the Batcave he receives an alert of an attack on Wayne Manor. Batman circles around and catches the firebug off guard but comes face-to-face with The Lion yet again.
Detective Comics #1105 ends with Robin (Damian Wayne) caught in an explosion while investigating a tip, as the riot at the GCPD rages on, while Batgirl lies unconscious. Wayne Manor burns as Leo monologues, gleefully declaring that the attack on Gotham City has already happened (from the man-made fog in Detective Comics #1101), without Batman and his team even realizing it.
Analysis
Detective Comics #1105 ramps up the tension as writer Tom Taylor reveals more clues courtesy of Leo’s exposition (but most people probably caught on with Robin’s actions last issue). The rioting at GCPD, Robin’s reckless behavior are certainly signs, but others like Terrific’s team or Batgirl Who is literally out on patrol seem affected. Probably an explanation, or they’ll succumb eventually.
Detective Comics #1105 is a race against time where Batman and his allies wasted precious hours exploring Leo’s clues across the globe when the danger had already occurred. Batman has become more confident which remarkably makes him more concerned about not being concerned and continues to question his own motivations. With at least six issues, Taylor allows the story to breathe and the tension to build.
The exchange between Batman and Leo as The Lion casually adds to the flames consuming Wayne Manor and neither man are at all alarmed by the growing danger illustrates the danger. But at least Batman is sealed in armor and aware of his infection, Robin and other citizens in Gotham City don’t understand (or care) about the danger they might face.
Artist Mikel Janin nails another issue loaded with gorgeous visuals and colors. The design for Batman’s sealed armor makes the Dark Knight appear bulky, imposing and inhuman, the full face mask is intense image. Janin provides a remarkable amount of detail to the Bat-armor (among other items) adding to its “lived in” feel and slapdash assembly.
Janin also excels at utilizing shadows for mood along with the sickly green background for both Mister Terrific’s lab and the Batcave. In contrast, the flame effects towards the end of Detective Comics #1105 are bright and vibrant, full of warm reds, pale yellows and orange. That final full splash page with the carnage at the GCPD framed by a stark red sky in the background is effective and unsettling.
Final Thoughts
Detective Comics #1105 ramps up the tension while giving Batman a metaphorical smack in the nose for not realizing he was missing the bigger picture. Batman’s growing self doubt and Leo’s overconfidence makes for a thrilling contrast. The story, art and color also maintain their high quality.
