Both Batman and Sherlock Holmes have been identified as the “world’s greatest detective.” However, the two are drastically different characters in most respects. Despite this, the Dark Knight takes a page out of the Victorian legend’s book while searching for Damian Wayne in Batman and Robin #21.
Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, with art by Carmine Di Giandomenico and Javier Fernández, Batman and Robin #21 continues the mystery of “The Gotham Cycle.” The plot finds both the Dark Knight and his squire investigating a colorful serial killer called Memento. The case is personal for Bruce Wayne, as Memento was believed to be one of his old teachers. However, a new series of killings suggests that either Memento is still at large or has inspired a copycat.
As is typical for the most recent Robin, he goes off alone to investigate a theory as to Memento’s crimes being replicated for generations. While Batman is normally content to let Damian work independently, he fears Memento may be too much for him. To that end, Bruce seeks out help in finding his son, whom he must admit is far too good at evading him. This help comes in the form of a subtle tribute to Sherlock Holmes.
Like Holmes, Batman has a gang of “Irregulars”
Batman seeks out a group of unhoused children, led by a boy named Lazlo. It is revealed that the Dark Knight has been providing the gang with supplies in exchange for information. He puts them to work on trying to find Damian Wayne, searching for “a place the police don’t know.” He then addresses the boys as “the Gotham Irregulars.”
This is a nod to Sherlock Holmes and a similar group he organized, dubbed the “Baker Street Irregulars.” They appeared in the first Sherlock Holmes story, ‘A Study in Scarlet,’ where Holmes was revealed to employ several street urchins as informants, due to their ability to “go everywhere and hear everything.” It seems fitting, then, given Batman’s status as the modern world’s greatest detective, that he should adopt the same trick.
Batman and Robin #21 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
