Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 3: Emperor Penguin (The New 52)
After a sluggish start to Detective Comics, Layman, critical darling and author of the runaway hit Chew, has taken over as series writer and, thankfully, brings his signature wit and marvelous storytelling along with him. This installment of the series sends Batman on a wild penguin chase across the rooftops of Gotham City, where he finds himself fighting a classic rogue’s gallery of Poison Ivy, Clayface, and Merrymaker. What the Dark Knight doesn’t expect is a rising criminal star, looking to take over the Penguin’s territory. Layman takes the Caped Crusader back to his detective roots, complete with a crossover tie-in as the Joker turns Gotham City into his own twisted playground. Though Layman’s name on the cover will be the big draw, artists Fabok and Clarke are up to the challenge, often delivering outside-the-box paneling and vibrant splash pages. In his first arc on the series, Layman’s approach to Batman is both delightfully nostalgic and surprisingly new, making this a perfect fit for fans of classic Batman. --Ben Spanner