Detective Comics #1103
Author : Tom Taylor
Artist & Colourist : Mikel Janin
Getting You Caught Up
This issue is the third part of ‘The Courage that Kills’ story arc, and I’ve been absorbed from its launch. Bruce has been infected by a courage killing virus and is in a race against time to track down the creator, and the antidote to save HIS city. I really like how Taylor’s creating his narrative; first off, he’s added a countdown that informs the reader how much time Bruce has left before he becomes contagious and has to quarantine himself. This automatically builds anticipation for the reader and makes every turn of the page mean something.
Secondly, Batman’s unveiling of the clues has taken him from Gotham City to Metropolis, where he needs the help of—not Superman, but Lois Lane. A twist to the usual duo that make up the World’s Finest; Bruce and Lois uncover evidence that leads them to what feels like the penultimate moments to solving this case. Taylor does a great job of keeping the reader hooked by giving you just enough, and introduces a classic top tier villain into the mix right at the end.
What’s a World Without Fear?
Before we delve into my thoughts and analysis of issue #1103, let me help catch you up with how this tale from Tom Taylor as unfolded. In my opinion he might be on to writing an instant classic (high praise but stay with me!); Taylor challenges one of the core truths of being Batman—fear.
The way in which Taylor has taken a core emotion we all feel, fear, and asked us what happens when we take it away is wonderfully ingenuous. If the people of Gotham—or worse, Batman—lose the ability to feel fear, what does that mean for them, freedom… or chaos?
By removing fear, the story doesn’t just strip away weakness—it strips away humanity, restraint and conscience. That’s the gamble the Taylor’s put on the table.
How We Got Here
The first issue hits you from page one; a haunting image of fear stripped bare—a terrified child witnessing horrors—and then a body washing up in Gotham Harbour. It quickly becomes clear this isn’t a random crime spree—something far darker is unfolding. Victims are dying tragically, but what’s worse: fear seems to vanish from their minds long before their bodies give out. As Batman pieces together clues with help from Oracle and Mr. Terrific, the horrifying possibility emerges: some kind of virus or biochemical nightmare is attacking the city’s most primal instinct—fear itself. By the end of #1101, the one person you count on to protect it—Batman—might be infected. Tom Taylor makes the stakes suddenly feel personal, primal, and devastating.
48 Hours Left
With time itself against him—a 48-hour countdown to when the ‘No-Fear’ virus fully takes hold—plunges Batman into a high-stakes undercover mission. Under the shimmering neon lights of a casino run by a polished villainous tycoon, he uncovers a conspiracy that reaches deeper than petty crime: it’s a systemic threat to humanity’s conscience. The investigation leads to a remote compound where the real monster behind the outbreak lurks. What follows is brutal: explosions, bloodied ribs, failing vision and an escape—a battered Dark Knight barely crawling back to safety. Time ticks down, the virus continues to grow, and Gotham’s future feels more fragile than ever. Fear might be gone—but terror? That’s just beginning.
Issue #1103 Review : WARNING! Contains Spoilers.
Saving Batman
Tom Taylor has been nothing short of brilliant with his pacing in this series so far; he knows when to slow it down, when to speed it up and when to change it entirely. That’s how we start on the first page of this issue; we’re not in Gotham anymore Toto. Taylor opens up with Superman fighting off Intergang, a regular Tuesday night for Big Blue. This closely captures the readers consideration because this is a Batman story, isn’t it?
Oracle contacts Supes and lets him know that his awesome ally needs his help, and Superman does what he does best, gets to Batman faster than a speeding bullet. Taylor does an excellent job of shifting superhero jeopardy to conveying friends in need, an element that we as readers can relate to. When your best friend’s in trouble, you would move heaven and earth to help them.
Luckily for Batman, his best friend literally can. I really like how Taylor was able to translate the distress Clark felt from the page to me as a reader. It’s simple, but as Superman is breaking into the Batwing he refers to ‘Batman’, when he sees what shape he’s in, he concerningly cries ‘BRUCE!’.
Metropolis’s Finest?
Taylor masterfully puts a spin on the World’s Finest because Batman’s not here for help from The Man of Steel, he needs Lois Lane. Thus starts a team up between the World’s Great Detective and the World’s Greatest Reporter.
With 22 hours until Batman will need to isolate himself in quarantine before he becomes contagious, Bruce and Lois get working to unearth who created this ‘No-Fear’ virus. They find themselves led to S.T.A.R Labs where Taylor presents an intriguing dynamic between Wayne and Lane; Batman’s direct no holds barred approach versus Lois’s softer relationship building method.
This leads to a fun one panel scene (even mystery’s need comedy!) whilst Lois is interrogating her contact, Dr. Lee, in typical Dark Knight fashion, Batman appears out of nowhere and startles the two ladies.
Knock, Knock, Who’s There?
After Lois Lane’s technique based on trust succeeds, they are led to the home of the only employee who worked on Project Courage that is still alive! Dr. Daniel Toomey. I’ve referred to the pacing of this issue a lot, and for good reason, Taylor expertly shifts the gear from an investigatory 3 to an action packed 6. Batman and Lois come across Intergang with Dr. Toomey in his apartment, leading to a 3-page burst of a Batman ass whooping. I loved Batman’s dialogue in this scene, where he’s describing Intergang’s strengths and weakness, whilst kicking their butts. Resulting in Bruce utilising a localised E.M.P to disrupt the Intergang suits, and leaving them as he puts it, “take away that power…”, “…and they’re just very, very heavy.”
Fear of Losing His Fear
With 21 hours until quarantine, Bruce and Lois step up their interrogation of Dr. Toomey, learning that he’s actually been working with Intergang, and supplying them the virus. I think this is a great use of recall from Tom Taylor, as he answers the question from the first page of this issue—why Intergang were so brazenly attacking Superman in the skies of Metropolis.
The two twists of this tale occur simultaneously at the end of this issue, which left me clambering to read issue #1104! Batman first loses the living embodiment of fear—The Scarecrow. After deducing that there’s a component in the ‘No-Fear’ virus that he recognises, Bruce understands he needs to speak to Jonathan Crane. To which Oracle / Batgirl breaks the news, “Batman. There was an incident.” With those words Taylor goes on to explain that Crane has been abducted by the instigator in this narrative, The Lion. The catch is that Crane knows him and Taylor leaves the reader to mull over their connection until the next issue.
“Suspicion, by its nature, requires fear.”
Are the wise words shared by Lois Lane with Batman. As she truthfully tells Bruce what he needs to hear; he’s infected by the virus, it’s taking away his fear and that’s hindering his judgement. This leads to Batman questioning himself in the last words of this issue, “am I chasing The Lion… or am I taking the bait?”
Infectious Artwork
Where do I start when praising Mikel Janin’s artwork in this issue, and the 2 prior? Mikel is the artist and colourist, and they both are marvellously married up! His drawing of Batman is terrific with his take on the suit from the recent Fraction and Jimenez launch. His detail on the cowl and subtle changes to Batman’s eyes, creates a whole host of expressions that are easy for the reader to recognise, and further the emotion of the story being told.
Then there’s the colouring, wow, Janin really makes this feel like an old school film noir, creating a gritty atmosphere that seamlessly fits Taylor’s intense storytelling. The best example of this can be seen where Batman has to rescue a fearless Dr. Daniel Toomey; the uses of blues, greens, deep purples and greys creates a shadowy style befitting this story. Then as they both jump out of the window, the use of yellow for the sky brilliantly contrasts the characters and buildings. Leaving the reader to solely focus on the death-defying action of Batman saving Dr. Toomey.
Conclusion & Rating
To note I have been following the modern Detective Comic series, starting with Ram V’s run; which I thought was a brilliant and beautiful adaptation of the World’s Greatest Detective.
I really enjoyed this third part of the storyline because it’s propping up all of the elements that will make up the finale of this narrative, and it’s causing the reader to think. Which is why I personally enjoy the Detective Comics representation; it’s a welcomed change of pace from the swashbuckling high-powered villains. Bringing The Bat back to what he does best, solve crimes.
I have to confess that in my opinion this story that Tom Taylor is crafting is becoming one of my favourites, being engaging and keeping the reader on their toes. With the simple idea of flipping a toxin that induces fear, to one that removes it has opened up a host of possibilities, especially after the Caped Crusader caught the virus himself.
Yes, a similar story has been told before with Fear State where Scarecrow wants to eliminate fear, but with adding a new villain into the mix, The Lion, keeps the motives behind this scheme fresh. That is also why it was great of Taylor to acknowledge that Batman has seen components of this virus before.
I cannot wait for the next issue because I feel that all of the pieces have fallen into place and we’re about to have everything behind the plot revealed. I highly recommend that if you are a reader of Batman, DC or you love crime mysteries, you get down to your local comic book store and pick up this issue and the two issues prior.