Detective Comics has been one of the better-selling Bat titles in the New 52 (thanks in part to the Joker twist from the first issue), but in terms of quality it's always lagged behind books like Batman and Batman and Robin. John Layman steps on board as the new writer for the series beginning with this issue, and all signs point to Detective becoming a much stronger book in its second year.
Layman isn't overly ambitious with his debut issue. The conflict involves Batman trying to wrap up some loose ends on the streets of Gotham before attending a public engagement as Bruce Wayne. But unbeknownst to him, Penguin has his own reasons for keeping Batman busy and away from the evening's big gala. What the script offers that so many Batman books (and New 52 books in general) seem to be lacking is fun. The issue isn't overtly silly, but there's an underlying sense of humor at play that gives the writing a bit of extra character. Layman does push this element too far in one sense, however. Though Bruce's dialogue works well, his narration is annoyingly casual. At times Batman reads more like Dick Grayson is wearing the cowl than Bruce.
http://feeds.ign.com/~r/ign/all/~3/bNvOEcJJWkk/detective-comics-13-review
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