Back Issues: "Detective Comics" #585-586 (1988)

- by Ninja Ross, 10 March 2016

It's Batman again! Because here at Trash Mutant, we just can't get enough of the Dark Knight. With such a rich history, there are plenty of stories to look at and admire. This includes the first appearance of Rat Catcher in “Detective Comics” issues 585 and 586, written by John Wagner and Alan Grant, with art by Norm Breyfogle. A classic Batman story filled with action, horror and poop!

Cover to #586. Click to enlarge.

Batman always seems to be in the right place at the right time to find some of the worst insane criminals Gotham has to offer. This time is no different.
 
While busting a couple of gun runners and their clients, Batman finds a withered old man clawing his way out of the sewers, desperately seeking help. This man is Judge Wyatt Hogan, who has been missing for five years. FIVE YEARS. That's a long time to be missing.
 
Batman heads down into the sewers to find out what exactly is going on, but he's greeted by a swarm of rats controlled by Otis Flannegan, also known as The Rat Catcher.

MEANWHILE, Commissioner Gordon provides us with some nice exposition by discussing the disappearance of Judge Hogan and then finding out exactly who Otis Flannegan is. Since Gordon sends his men down after Batman to find out what's going on and provide any help possible, while Batman does his thing.

​The nice thing about Grant and Wagner's Batman is that he's not the over the top invincible rage machine we've gotten used to over the years. This is a Batman who gets the shit beaten out of him and fails ALL THE TIME. He gets smacked around and he learns from his mistakes, which lends a bit of realism to the character. Batman has seen some shit over the years.

One of the best sequences in comics. Thank you, Norm Breyfogle.

While chasing Rat Catcher, Batman gets washed away with sewage water. You see that? He realises he's got poop on his mouth and he throws up. That's a human Batman. That's a BatMAN. A hero we can relate to.

This story is a perfect example of how dark and horrible a Batman tale can be. Rat Cathcer has found the people he believes responsible for his time in prison and is keeping them prisoner in the sewers surrounded by vicious, man eating rats. He even blinds one guy!
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​Batman is real good with horror and psychopaths and Grant/Wagner's run is full of what could be described as horror movie slashers and monsters. Batman faces some of his creepiest and most psychotic foes in this run, with Rat Catcher being one of the coolest.
 
The writing is excellent here, with a creepy villain and a relatable hero. It's full of macabre vibes, especially thanks to the actual rats. When they pour through the swere tunnels and swarm anyone daring to stop their master, it's horrific. Reminiscent of James Herbert's The Rats.
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Gasmasks, rats and sewers get thumbs up.

But what really stands out here is Breyfogle's art. Breyforgle is one of the greatest artists to grace the pages of a Batman book and this story helps highlight that. While the surroundings and villain designs are excellent, it's Batman himself who really stands out with Breyfogles style.
 
While plenty of artists have given us a dark, terrifying Batman in the past (Frank Miller, Greg Capullo, David Mazzucchelli, for example), nobody does it quite likes Norm Breyfogle. While the recent release of a nice hardback celebrating his work was rather nice, it's a crime that this guy hasn't been made a saint at DC
 
Breyfogle offers an incredible balance between shadows and light when it comes to Batman. Dark, broodiness isn't forced on us with his work. It's not all doom and gloom! Batman appears in full light, with plenty of details highlighted. But when Breyfogle puts Batman in shadow, it isn't the same as when everyone else does it. Batman looks menacing and angry, like he's going to eat your face. It's dynamic and thrilling!
 
Batman has dealt with a lot of nut jobs in his career, but Rat Catcher is one of the coolest and most underrated. He's a real horror villain and Batman thrives in that environment. This whole run is worth checking out, but this is one of the many highlights.
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RELATED LINKS:
- TMI: Norm Breyfogle interview
- TMI: Alan Grant interview
- The 3 Great Grant/Breyfogle Batman Villains

Have you read the Rat Catcher story? What are your favorite issues or characters from the Grant/Wagner/Breyfogle run?

Tagged: comics, Back Issues.

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