Batman #146

Writer: Chip Zdarsky Artist: Jorge Jimenez, Michele Bandini Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: April 3, 2024 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 15 User Reviews: 25
7.2Critic Rating
5.8User Rating

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The explosive Dark Prisons continues as Batman learns from an old mentor what Zur's plans are for Gotham City...and the world! Can the Dark Knight escape from a prison designed by the ultimate version of himself? And what nefarious role does The Joker play in all of this?

  • 10
    Dark Knight News - Max Byrne Apr 2, 2024

    Batman #146 is gripping from start to finish. It adds layers of intrigue both in the present day and in an historical sense, too. Explosive and potentially catastrophic events are in the pipeline, and this tees everything up perfectly for what's bound to follow. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Apr 2, 2024

    This issue has a distinct sense of hopelessness to itat least, for everyone but Bruce, who wastes no time turning Blackgate into his private staging ground for a great escape. It's amazing that this plot has been building since Zdarsky began his run, and I suppose it makes sensewho makes a better arch-enemy for Batman than Batman himself? Read Full Review

  • 8.9
    The Comicbook Dispatch - Dispatchdcu Apr 2, 2024

    There is no doubt that this issue is a must-read for die-hard Batman fans who enjoy delving into the character's psychology that changes a bit of the history, lore, and dynamic between the Joker. However, those looking for a fast-paced, action-packed story might want to wait for the next installment to see how the external threats unfold. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Apr 2, 2024

    Jimenez delivers some beautiful art throughout the issue. The character designs are great and the action is visually brilliant. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Nerd Initiative - Ken M. Apr 2, 2024

    With a new dynamic duo running loose in Gotham, Batman struggles to find a way to right this wrong. Zdarsky give readers a tale of two Batman with excellent writing. Jimnez, Morey and Cowles let the new Caped Crusader run wild with dynamic imagery. The new era of justice continues on with a chapter fans wont want to miss. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Apr 2, 2024

    Love or hate the recontextualizing of Joker's past acts, you have to admit this is as bold as any Batman comic of the last two decades. Zdarsky continues to build on lore and what we know in Batman #146, making it his own while exciting readers with a narrative that could go in any direction. Batman is cutting-edge and exciting every page of the way. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Get Your Comic On - Neil Vagg Apr 2, 2024

    A solid issue building on the mystery surrounding Joker, Batman and a mysterious figure from both their pasts. Batman #146 is led by the incredible due of artists Jorge Jimenez and Michele Bandini, both of whom bring a dynamic style to the streets of Gotham. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Apr 6, 2024

    I might not like some of the reveals/twists in this issue, but that doesn't take away from the intense storytelling and the phenomenal artwork. Read Full Review

  • 7.6
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Mohamed Malla Apr 3, 2024

    Batman #146 features a thrilling story about what kind of hero Gotham City needs, accompanied by beautiful art that helps to deliver yet another entry in Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez's Batman run. Read Full Review

  • 6.8
    Comic Watch - Dustin Gebel Apr 2, 2024

    Batman #146 feels trapped in a cycle of bland plotlines, consistent art, and thrilling colors, striving for something new but never making a full attempt to break from what came before. Zdarskys scripting is intentional in its narrative rhymes, but rather than create a specific rhythm, it just makes it feel like chasing a tail. Paired with Jimnezs linework, which maintains its strong visual consistency and focus on character, but never fully delivers on the revolutionary artwork from previous issues. The only element that tries to push the envelope is Moreys coloring, which understands the need for distinct palettes. Something needs to give and shift the story into a new direction, and a glimmer of hope has appeared in the re-introduction of Superman to the title. Read Full Review

  • 6.6
    The Batman Universe - Scott Waldyn Apr 1, 2024

    Batman #146 is an issue of many, many moving pieces. While there are a couple of fun action sequences, this is mostly an info dump that sets up a deluge of story threads and subplots. It's almost as much of a maelstrom as the prison riot featured within these pages. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Weird Science - Gabe Hernandez Apr 2, 2024

    Batman #146 rushes to explain how Captio is the mastermind behind everything, which explains a lot in a complex, exposition-heavy end to this act, just in time for Absolute Power. Unfortunately, Zdarsky's complex explanation often sounds confusing, and several plot holes are left on the table. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez Apr 2, 2024

    After a strong opening chapter Batman #146 drops the ball with how it attempts to continue the momentum for the "Dark Prison story arc. Right away this comic book opens with an oddly timed recap prologue/back-up story. From there the story never recovers the momentum started by the first chapter of this story. The only saving grace is some great visuals from Jorge Jimenez that would've been even better if the writing matched the level of the artwork. Read Full Review

  • 3.0
    ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum Apr 3, 2024

    The only real "win" this issue has is the art, but it's not enough to lift the story. Read Full Review

  • 2.0
    Batman-News - Jackson Luken Apr 2, 2024

    Batman #146 is irritating to read. It opens with the same sort of Joker aggrandizement that has been happening since Joker Year One, going so far as to say that seemingly every Joker story ever written has been part of a master plan tied to this Zur-En-Arrh plot. From there, the rest of the story is a combination ofpointless fights and wild mischaracterizations in order to fuel drama between Batman's allies. No one much questions whether Batman would become an evil tyrant, which is honestly understandable given the way he's been written in this run so far. Read Full Review

  • 10
    liolia Apr 3, 2024

    I actually enjoyed the continuity built that happened in this issue! I think it's inventive and creative how Zdarsky is trying to tie it all together across the different eras. I'm really interesting where this is going next.

  • 9.0
    sawright20 Apr 5, 2024

    This is certainly an unpopular opinion, but I think what Zdarsky has done with Zur and Failsafe has been really clever. It draws on the comic’s long history and the character’s paranoia and the conflicting images of Batman as a one-man army and role as patriarch of the Bat-family. This issue is tense, ramping up towards a conflict I’m excited to see how Zdarsky handles.

  • 8.0
    daspidaboy Apr 2, 2024

    Honestly I am going to be in the minority, but I really enjoyed it. I understand there are many valid concerns and criticism but I liked this run so far. Good art from Jorge Jimenez (he's carrying this more than James Tynion IV), Batman can be resourceful, the story is engaging, Bruce Wayne realizing he's taking Batman too seriously and Bat family are slowly realizing the Zurr En Arrh robot isnt what it seems and Bruce Wayne is really resourceful.

    I do hope after Zdarsky's run we go back to basics for a new Batman run. But I hope this run will eventually win back fans.

    + LikeComments (1)
  • 7.5
    BirdmanG07 Apr 20, 2024

    I’m enjoying the run, I don’t understand all the hate other than the “retconning” of the Joker’s motive. He’s always been obsessed with trying to push Batman over the edge, to get him down to his level. At least it fits the narrative here.

  • 5.0
    Mout Apr 5, 2024

    Next issue Joker will have mastered the mystic arts and be given a green lantern ring

  • 4.5
    BatSledge Apr 6, 2024

    Want to read a GREAT Joker story from recent times? One who’s simply delusional and insane? Read Waid’s BATMAN/SUPERMAN WORLD’S FINEST #25 from March. Zdarsky’s Joker and Damian characterizations are pure nonsense. Just end this run already.

  • 3.0
    superstan52 Apr 8, 2024

    Joker is the loon who thought Joker Fish would make him rich, not this imposter.

  • 3.0
    Quinn Apr 2, 2024

    What the hell was that? Another issue where the evil at robot goes amuck Batman and Joker still at odds like a million times before but without a smart plot well devised. The writer has clearly shown Joker knows who Batman is but the result is so what? Actions have no consequences and characters spin their wheels doing nothing.

    The bat robot is still at large after what a year? So far Bats is his and Gotham’s worst enemy. Zdarsky’s not a Joker origin story story just shows Bats creates problems, not solves them. Bat robot another Bruce created villain. I don’t think proving Bat critics, the ones who say if Bruce gave away his money all problems would be solved, are right is a good look or clever writing.

    Art was more

    + LikeComments (4)
  • 2.5
    myconius Apr 17, 2024

    I will say it again... I hate reboots, but... DC PLEASE REBOOT BATMAN!!!


    ....and keep these hack writers far the HELL away from the character!!

  • 2.5
    Von Esper Apr 2, 2024

    It's really annoying how many writers are just trying to retcon classic stories and characters these days. While the writers often try to expand on these classic stories or give them more depth, the opposite often occurs and they end up tarnishing them.

    That's the case here. Zur-En-Arrh was a cool concept when Morrison introduced it, but now it's just a corrupt Batman. The Jokers motivations have been retconned to all be about bringing out Zur-En-Arrh. Killing Joke? Death in the Family? All because of Zur-En-Arrh now instead of the Jokers affinity for chaos and obsession with Batman.

    Zdarsky is taking from the Batman mythos instead of adding to it. I don't know why DC is allowing these horrible changes to their most p more

    + LikeComments (3)
  • 2.5
    DomesticatedGiraffe Apr 2, 2024

    Not much new to say, so I'll just leave this here. I think Batman is too big of a character for Zdarsky to handle.

    + LikeComments (1)
  • 1.0
    hasanturkoglu Apr 3, 2024

    Stop this!

  • 10
    hedevil Apr 4, 2024

  • 10
    Toni Apr 3, 2024

  • 8.5
    Afre Apr 7, 2024

  • 8.0
    wesshamu Apr 7, 2024

  • 8.0
    COREMARK Apr 7, 2024

  • 7.5
    purifier Apr 7, 2024

  • 7.5
    Swanktub Apr 4, 2024

  • 6.5
    Smithd33 Apr 10, 2024

  • 6.0

  • 5.0
    retcon_D Apr 5, 2024

  • 4.5
    Klaushenna Apr 8, 2024

  • 4.0
    Watchtower022 Apr 19, 2024

  • 1.0

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