Detective Comics #0
This month's DC #0s take us back in time to the redefined world of DC 52's origins but just how much have they changed their character's pasts?
Comic: Detective C0mics # 0Written By: Greg HurwitzPencils By: Tony S. DanielPublisher: DC ComicsRelease Date: OUT NOW IN STORES & DIGITAL DOWNLOAD (VIA COMIXOLOGY)
rating: 2
A year in and DC 52 make September the month they bring us something new again. What theyve decided to do, in a traditional way that DC have done before is bring us a series of #0s (man, I loved Zero Hour in the nineties now that was a good miniseries), stories that chart some of the important origin tales of our favourite heroes . Detective Comics takes Bruce Wayne back to the a key lesson in his martial arts training. Working with Zen Master Shihan Matsuda and his wife, Bruce is battling to reign in his emotions and with warmth towards those around him. What this consists of is Matsuda and his wife barking pretty routine and generic wisdom at a Bruce while the blossoming Batman questions everything and goes along with most of it.
As a short story about learning a lesson the hard way this comic works, however as a story about a key moment in Batmans origin it really doesnt. For starters this period of Bruces life has been told in better ways, in better comics and indeed films. On top of that is repeats that moment Bruce Wayne seemingly had six or seven times before becoming Batman where he falls for some girl and ultimately is reminded Batman is the way to go. Having Bruce Wayne presented as a wide eyed, largely positive guy at this stage in his training only to have that part of him crushed just doesnt work for me. Its too cut and dry and how Bruce is left after his Final Lesson, is not really what Batman is about, unless theres future plans showing a darker, harsher Batman in his early years next September. 
Theres just a little too much to call bullshit on in this retelling of the post DC 52 origin of Batman. Its all too quick and easy for my liking. Also the art is a bit of a jumble. Sometimes looks slick and great, other times looking half assed or unfinished almost. That's not to say there's aren't a handful of great panels in here, there really are but the odd one certainly lets the issue down. 
Additionally theres a short extra story at the back with an Alfred Pennyworth origin of sorts. Alone and in danger of losing his faith that Bruce is still alive, Alfred is hounded about the Wayne properties by a Mr. Shaw who is played like hell one day grow up to be the Joker, given his devilish grin and attitude (well keep a closer eye on this). 
Essentially this story turns into a return of Bruce Wayne short and again the mark seems to be missed somewhat. A bearded Bruce Wayne seems awfully happy to be home and his proactive suggestion to Alfred about his plans are a little too upbeat for my liking. Once again all of this has been handled in much better ways elsewhere and once again this feels too quick and clean for the post DC 52 retelling of such a key moment in Bruce Waynes life. This whole DC 52 reboot was meant to redefine the characters we know and love wasn't it? This first #0 for Batman feels more like they have reduced his origin to a series of short hand notes on Batmans formative years, relying on what we know from better pre-DC 52 stories or movies rather than making this new era own any changes the new creative teams want to make. Once again this whole DC 52 stuff falls flat but with a whole month of #0s across the DC titles, Ill be interesting to see if the writers make more use of opportunity given to them. 