Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist & Colorist: Mikel Janín
Inker: Wayne Faucher
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Cover Artists: Mikel Janín, Greg Smallwood & Kris Anka
Editors: Jessica Berbey, Ben Meares & Rob Levin
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99/$5.99
Release Date: December 24, 2025
A good detective shouldn't be emotionally involved with his investigation. But Batman can't help it. The Lion infected Batman with the deadly Fear Virus. As he races against time to find a cure, Batman wonders if every decision he makes is suspect due to an increasing resistance to the fear that tempers his actions.
Bruce Wayne may be irritable. He may be taking more risks than usual. But he knows the score. Gotham is on a knife-edge. If the Lion infects his city with the Fear Virus, it will tear itself apart. But can Batman cage the Lion? And can he find a cure for the Fear Virus before he must lock himself away in quarantine? Let's grab our gasmasks, leap into Detective Comics #1104, and see!
Story
When he teamed with Lois Lane in Metropolis, Batman apprehended Daniel Toomey. But not before the agoraphobic researcher leapt out of the window high above the ground. Batman's instinctive reaction to risk death and save Toomey rattles him. So, with four hours until he must enter quarantine, Batman double-checks his every move while apprehending Adrian Bates.
Tom Taylor lets us into Batman’s new world of fear in Detective Comics #1104. We regard the world through his eyes as Batman realizes he can no longer trust his decisions. Even if he’s sure he’s being cautious, his absence of fear turns confidence into a disability. The more certain he is of his abilities, the more Batman becomes a danger to himself and others.
When Batman reaches for respite, he doesn’t get a chance to relax. The demands on his time are too frightening to ignore. Superman’s investigation of the Kasnian facility confirms Batman's suspicion that the Lion intends to infect everyone in Gotham. Yet while Mr Terrific works on a cure for everyone, the Lion’s attacks are also targeted.
While the Lion claims that Gotham hurt him, he also has beefs with Scarecrow and Batman. No matter how many people die like the other people working on Project Courage, and the boat filled with refugees in Gotham Harbor, the Lion looks forward to confronting him. Batman worries about losing his fear in Detective Comics #1104. But STAR Labs fine-tuned the virus to help the Lion conquer his fears.
Art
Mikel Janín and Wayne Faucher show Batman frowning while undergoing familiar practices. A series of nine panels intersperses Adrian Bates' actions with Batman's pursuit. Batman bares his teeth when he realizes he can't hurt Adrian as much as he'd like. But he smiles when he talks with Selena Kyle. Without his mask, Bruce's features and build suggest a similarity between him and Superman. But with his fear fading, Bruce worries about thinking that he can be Superman in Detective Comics #1104.
Mikel Janín colors Adrian's actions green as Batman pursues him in blue and gray. Selena's darker gray cat and lingerie suggest similarity as creatures of the night. But while Bruce ignores laws that Lois Lane observes, Selena crosses lines Bruce fears to step over. While blue links him with Superman, his Kryptonian friend shouts his presence in red. The red in Damian's suit reminds us that, like Superman, he fears for his father. Like Batman and Lois's journey through Metropolis in his Batmobile, orange, yellow, and red accompany Batman's journey into danger in Detective Comics #1104.
Wes Abbott fills white balloons with black uppercase dialogue and shares Batman’s thoughts as white uppercase letters in gray narrative boxes. Large, white letters tick off the hours until Batman’s lack of fear infects those around him. The sound of breaking bones suggests a desire for payback, while screaming likens fearless warriors to a crazed mob. Thanks to DC Comics for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
When Adrian Bates broke into Arkham Towers to abduct Scarecrow, he didn't wear a mask as he shot John Grieg. Likewise, the Lion watched via security cameras as refugees died on a boat. Detective Comics #1104 asks if people become villains when they no longer fear being punished for hurting others.
Rating 9.8/10
To look inside see my preview of Detective Comics #1104.
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