The "Ends of the Earth" arc comes to a close with the fantastic All-Star Batman #9. Read Full Review

This latest arc has seen Snyder weaving contradictions into every aspect of his story. Its wildly improbable yes relentlessly logical. Epic on a global scale, but still deeply personal. Its not a Batman story, but at the same time, its the Batman story. And, in spite of his critically acclaimed New 52 run alongside Greg Capullo, its All-Star Batman that really feels like Scott Snyder painting his masterpiece. Highest possible recommendation for this series, folks. Read Full Review

Don't even pretend like you won't get All-Star Batman #9. Let us just put aside any pretenses that you may or may not be purchasing this issue, because everyone who loves comics is buying this one. The only right thing to do when a book is this good, and a comic creator has this much impact, is get someone else into it. Preach the good word that is Scott Snyder and All-Star Batman and get a friend hooked. Read Full Review

Snyder has told a Batman story that feels like anything but, in the best way possible. With over the top storytelling that grounds itself in some very real science, philosophy, and fears. This is the type of storytelling you would expect to see on a creator-owned book, one that has no rules. The fact that DC has let Snyder tell stories this way in their universe shows the trust they have for him and it has paid off. Read Full Review

Here is an issue that you do not want to miss...Blurring the lines between fact and fiction, not only is All Star Batman #9 an amazing closing chapter, but it is also a fulfilling story as it stands on its own. This issue is an absolute must-read. Read Full Review

This is an issue that stands as an example of the heights this medium can reach when it's undertaken by a team as well versed and understanding of a character as these two. Read Full Review

"Ends of the Earth" wraps with what is easily one of the strongest chapters of All-Star Batman to date. This issue manages to drag the Dark Knight out of his comfort zone even as it offers a powerful meditation on the end of the world and the power the Batman symbol holds to light the way in dark, confusing times. Read Full Review

The team that brought you Black Mirror comes back here, and makes you wish they were still a regular thing on Batman. Read Full Review

It is-to put it mildly-rare to see Batman portrayed as a symbol of hope, but what has always made Snyder's work with the character so remarkable is the way he can take this well-known character and story and tease new facets out of them. Sure, his work on All-Star Batman hasn't always shown that, but this issue is nothing if not proof of concept. Hell, it may even be better than his work on New 52 Batman. Read Full Review

All-Star Batman #9 is both a near perfect final act and a great story on its own. Read Full Review

Jock reunites with Snyder to handle the art for this final chapter. Jock has a signature cinematic style that really plays well with this last act. This isn't the slowly unraveling a mystery sequence, but a race against the clock mission. Jock's layout strongly convey this sense of movement and adrenaline rush. Lee Loughridge's colors always catch the right tone from the sun-drenched opening sequence to the off white tones used for the villain's reveal. Read Full Review

Overall, Snyder closes off "Ends of the Earth" in style here. All-Star Batman #9 takes you to the edge of madness and brings you back to sanity with grace and poise. It's a wild rollercoaster of a ride and I can't wait to see what new menace Snyder conjures up for the Caped Crusader next. Read Full Review

With some awesome twists, great action and gorgeous artwork, All-Star Batman #9 concludes 'The Ends of the Earth' story arc with a satisfying bang. Read Full Review

The "Ends of the Earth" finale glorifies Batman in a spy-like action thriller with its many twists and turns. Jock's art captures the intense action scenes, as the main villain approaches his end goal. Although Batman outshines the villain of this tale, ALL-STAR BATMAN #9 is nonetheless a fitting conclusion to a memorable arc. Read Full Review

Intriguing issues bringing twists within the context of the story, and also the nature of Batman stories. Read Full Review

While Snyder does a good job crafting these stories, and is even better at letting his indie book voice sing through this arc, he needs to find a way to balance this well-established theme with the more traditional elements of the character. This issue satisfied me overall, and I'm excited for the stories going forward. Read Full Review

But for this Batman story, it is not part of the procedural detective case. The tory has to be resolved and Snyder has dispensed with such details and instead focused on the masquerade and legerdemain between Batman and Ras Al Ghul. So we know that Batman is a detective, and as Ras Al Ghul says, an illusionist. But we do not see the construction of the illusion which would have been enhanced if more time had been spent with the procedural detective legwork. Perhaps it would have taken an extra issue to tell this story and that may not have been what Snyder nor his editors wanted. Read Full Review

All Star Batman #9 wraps up "Ends of the Earth". There's some cool action, some great Batman moments, and unfortunately a very "been there, done that" between our hero and the villain. The ending didn't satisfy me, and I can't say I'm as excited for the future of the book. Hopefully, I'll be surprised. Read Full Review

The main story is a fitting conclusion to the "Ends of the Earth" story arc, bringing the story to an enjoyable and satisfying conclusion. However, I am ambivalent about the backup story. I don't quite understand what's going on with Duke Thomas, however I am hopeful that things will clear up as his story continues. Read Full Review

The ends don't justify the means with this one because while I enjoyed a large chunk of this issue and the art that accompanied it, I have trouble understanding what the point of everything we dealt with in this arc was.  Yeah, there were callbacks to the last three issues and explanations about them, but they don't really pan out for me and the parts of the story that I enjoyed the most had nothing to do with the whole of this arc..........and the backup to this issue was really disappointing for what it seemed we were leading to.   Read Full Review

A disappointing conclusion to an otherwise solid, sometimes even great arc. None of the big ideas really congeal, and even Jock's pencils are relatively subdued and under-utilized. Combine the dull main narrative with a confusing, incredibly frustrating backup story and this is an unfortunate dip in quality for a series that has been on a high roll lately. Read Full Review

This is a good finale to the "Ends of the Earth" storyline--it's interesting to see a final face-off between Batman and his mysterious enemy as it takes place here, more fascinating than your typical punch-fest. I lost track of the back-up long ago, and now I'm glad, because it apparently doesn't end here, but leads to "Black Matter," which is kind of cheap. So, yeah.

Another classic ending for Scott Snyder with a Batman book. I am hoping that the next arc will be different enough that it continues this good run on Batman and does not feel like the same story over and over. Ra's Al Ghul was a good first major villain for this book and I feel like he will reappear soon enough.

Very Snyder - big ideas, refreshing villain plot, and maybe overly complex monologue-ing. Jock seems more rushed here, and the colors don't fit what we have seen from him in the past.

My least fav issue of this series so far. Not up to its usual standard. Expected more from Snyder and Jock, so perhaps expectations got the best of me but I felt the story was muddy, and the art rushed. Still better than a lot of comics released this week, but I wanted more.

Pretty good. Loved how Batman turned everything around in the end. The issue confirms that this is, in fact, in continuity but I haven't decided if that is a good thing or not. Seeing Ra's Al Ghul wasn't as cool as expected, considering his role in Detective right now. Overall, it was a satisfying conclusion but probably the weakest issue in relation to how amazing the rest of the arc was.

SCORE: 6.7