Detective Comics isn’t Tom Taylor’s first shot at writing Batman. He’s written Batman/Superman No. 28–30 (the series starting in 2003), Injustice, Batman: The Detective, and more. That means his journey with Detective Comics isn’t new to him. He understands the character on different levels especially Bruce Wayne and Batman’s interaction with other people. This has been highlighted in Detective Comics since Tom Taylor started.
Bruce is known as the best brooder to ever brood. As much as he mopes in the darkness of his cave, readers and the people closest to him comics know that he cherishes his relationships. Superman, Nightwing, and Wonder Woman consistently laugh when he’s trying his best to be tough during sentimental moments when they know he’s faking it. So far, everyone reading Detective Comics has seen Bruce show his love for people on three separate occasions.
With Superman
The relationship between Superman and Batman is well documented. Despite that, it still takes a lot for The Dark Knight to call his best friend for help. In this case, it wasn’t Bane or Failsafe he needed assistance with. He had a moral dilemma and only someone as pure as Superman could help him.
"And I know the world is safer the longer Batman is here to protect it." Superman in Detective Comics No. 1091
Batman acting like he needed Superman to look at his injured kept up his stubborn persona. What’s funny about this is Kal-El saw right through it and knew Bruce wouldn't call him just for that. It’s how their dynamic works. Supes appeases Bruce long enough for him to tell him what’s really going on. Tom Taylor understands how this conversation should work if Batman is going to listen to his friend's advice. It was perfectly done.
With Damian Wayne
Damian thought he left a young kid somewhere safe (Detective Comics No.1091). When he finds them dead with their blood drained, he blames himself (Detective Comics No.1092). Batman immediately tells his son that none of this is his fault. As much as Damian would like to believe that, he’s stubborn and self-loathing like his father. While Bruce didn’t outwardly console Damian, he showed emotion within his inner monologue.
"This is not on you." -Batman to Robin in Detective Comics No. 1092
This shows that not all interactions are good ones. Should Bruce hug his son more? Definitely. Damian Wayne needs affection more than anyone in the Bat Family. Being a teenager is bad enough, but a teenager who was raised by assassins and spends his nights fighting villains adds more to his already raging emotions. However, readers could see how much he cared by how he reacted. Plus a crime scene isn’t the best time for hugs.
With Scarlett Scott
The way Bruce interacts with Scarlett Scott is another different example. Unlike Robin and Superman, Scarlett doesn’t know Bruce spends his nights in tights punching criminals. That forces Bruce to keep up the persona of a happy billionaire who spends his money buying restaurants he likes. It's something he doesn't like doing, but knows keeping up appearances is required.
"This is a mistake. I know it. But at the moment...I don't care." -Bruce Wayne in Detective Comics No. 1092
Whether or not Bruce or Batman is the mask is up for debate. The one thing that isn’t is Bruce’s public persona serving a purpose. It’s allowed him to be in places and get close to people that a vigilante can’t. In this case, he was able to get close to Scarlett and get information off her computer. We'll have to see if this backfires. After their night, Scarlett notices that Bruce has bullethole scars.
Seeing Bruce play the fun-loving billionaire is always necessary in his solo comics. It’s great that Tom Taylor is doing this in Detective Comics. It shows that he gets that there’s a difference between Bruce Wayne and the Caped Crusader. Stay tuned to Caped Crusades to see what else Tom Taylor does next during this run.
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