DC Comics' own Hou-'Dini' works his magic on 'Batman'
By JEROME MAIDA
For the Daily News
Paul Dini has been linked to DC's famed Dark Knight Detective ever since his work on "Batman: The Animated Series," a show Batman fans have long felt was closer to the ideal Batman than either the movies (CBB- except Batman Begins) or his recent comics.
So when it was announced that Dini would be taking the writing reins on "Detective Comics" with No. 821, expectations were high.
Consider those expectations met.
Dini's first issue hits the Bats-eye, for various reasons.
First, he seems to be putting an emphasis on the aspect of Batman as the World's Greatest Detective, which many writers seem to ignore. Yes, his Batman is still a driven, hard-nosed vigilante, but he is also brilliant.
Dini plans on emphasizing mysteries and secrets - beginning with this issue's crime spree targeting members of Gotham City's society - to test the character's mind as well as his mettle.
Second, and perhaps more important, this issue has Dini giving us more Bruce Wayne right off the... um, bat. This humanizes the character and offers a nice contrast to his alter ego. Plus, his suave and debonair Wayne is just plain fun. "Sometimes I forget I'm a part of this world, too," says Wayne. So do many writers. Dini doesn't and it is to everyone's benefit.
Also, while Dini will bring back favorites, he also plans on introducing new villains. As he has Batman say early on, "Our usual enemies give us an idea what to expect. This is someone we don't know."
Exactly, and it is that freshness that makes Dini's take cool. Add in the fact that Dini will be concentrating on self-contained, one-issue stories that are easily accessible to new readers and you have the perfect writer for the Dark Knight.
An exciting run has just begun.