Batman #22

Writer: Joshua Williamson Artist: Jason Fabok Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: May 3, 2017 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 39 User Reviews: 102
8.6Critic Rating
9.0User Rating

+ Pull List

THE BUTTON" part three! The cataclysmic events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 continue here! The Dark Knight and The Fastest Man Alive, the two greatest detectives on any world, unite to explore the mystery behind a certain blood-stained smiley button embedded in the Batcave wall. What starts as a simple investigation turns deadly when the secrets of the button prove irresistible to an unwelcome third party-and it's not who anyone suspects! It's a mystery woven through time, and the ticking clock starts here!
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers

  • 10
    Comic Book Bin - Deejay Dayton May 4, 2017

    More questions to answer for this storyline, but it feels so masterfully handled that I am not fearing a let down when it concludes. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Newsarama - Jon Arvedon May 4, 2017

    With one issue remaining, it will be interesting to see how "The Button" concludes, but from a storytelling and visual perspective, Batman #22 has set the bar to incredible heights, placing it at the peak of this four-part crossover thus far. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comicsverse - Aaron Berke May 3, 2017

    Tom King and Joshua Williamson craft an emotionally supercharged tale that sees Bruce and Thomas Wayne reunited as the Batmen of two places in time. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comicosity - Chris Campbell May 3, 2017

    Overall, we have a mostly perfect issue. The artwork is gorgeous and the story is mind blowing. These events should have a lasting effect on the Caped Crusader and affect the DC Universe as a whole. That Thompson and King were allowed to do this was amazing and the correct play by DC and a perfect addition to the core of the Batman mythos. Its a heartfelt issue that fans will be surprised by and be talking about for the next couple of weeks until the last part of The Button comes out. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comics: The Gathering - Batmanaruto May 3, 2017

    In conclusion, this crossover is really picking up steam and I cannot wait for it to end, in a good way. In my last review, I was really hoping that I the last two issues would pick up and issue 3 definitely did. Now we are down to the final issue which was unfortunately delayed but that only builds up the anticipation. Read Full Review

  • 10
    We Got This Covered - Sergio Pereira May 3, 2017

    Everyone involved in Batman #22 needs to take a bow. This is a sensational issue that will be talked about for years to come. Read Full Review

  • 10
    DC Comics News - Steven Brown May 3, 2017

    Tom King and Joshua Williamson have written an instant classic in my eyes and it was amazing from beginning to end! I can't wait to see what happens in the next issue as it can only get better from here! Hopefully we see Thomas Wayne at some point integrated in the DC Universe. He's a remarkable character as Batman and shows how great and influential he was as a father in this issue. Now if Tom and Joshua can do me favor " take it easy on the awesomeness, guys, my heart can only take so much! Read Full Review

  • 10
    Big Comic Page - Martin Doyle May 3, 2017

    Ultimately, its all about balance. Past and present, light and dark, etc., and the teams involved in this arc are performing their own balancing act by delivering an engrossing, visually spectacular adventure that gives a respectful nod to what has come before, whilst delivering something fresh, exciting, and downright intriguing. Read Full Review

  • 10
    CourtOfNerds - Grant Stoye May 4, 2017

    The emotional resonance of this crossover continues to haunt readers; Its impossible not to feel anything when you see Dr. Thomas Wayne interact with Bruce, or the panic Flash feels when hes within the time stream. The entire creative team is operating on another level, and this issue is one of the highlights of Rebirth with an honest-to-god set of breath-taking moments. I cannot wait to see how this story wraps up. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles May 3, 2017

    The Button concludes in The Flash #22. It's unlikely every question is going to be answered at this point, but so far it's been nothing short of captivating. Fittingly, the end of the issue comes by far too fast. While it'd be nice to get some insight on some aspect of the mystery, The Button has been a lot of fun just for the throwback multiverse feel. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    You Don't Read Comics - Ben McElveen May 4, 2017

    All round it was a perfect issue. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Manny Gomez May 3, 2017

    ‘The Button” continues, now in itsthird chapter. Picking up directly where it left off in Flash #21, the story continues to be speed-force fast paced but takes an emotional bent with this issue that is much welcomed. Read on to find out 11 reasons Batman #22 is both packed with action and drama! Read Full Review

  • 9.1
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen May 3, 2017

    "The Button" may be playing things conservatively when it comes to providing answers to ongoing DC mysteries, but it's certainly managing to tell a great story. The third chapter is easily the best yet, as Batman and Flash's journey takes an emotional turn and Joshua Williamson and Jason Fabok manage to channel much of what made DC Universe Rebirth #1 such a powerful read last year. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Flickering Myth - Ricky Church May 4, 2017

    'The Button' has been going non-stop and Batman #22 really delivered on the emotional aspect of the story, capturing the potential for two very different Batmen to meet. Williamson also proved he's got a great handle on Batman, showing that if he ever left The Flash a trip to Gotham City is within his realm. With next week's The Flash #22 delivering the final issue of this mystery, it should be a very exciting and tense finale. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Heroes Direct - Eammon Jacobs May 9, 2017

    Introducing us to something that is truly monumental in DC Comics history, 'The Button Part 3' is a riveting adventure. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Brazen Bull - Charlie Chipman May 3, 2017

    For several reasons, Batman #22 is a must-read for Batman fans. This issue is packed with emotion and energy and is an absolute gift to fans/long-time readers. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    We The Nerdy - Aron Pohara May 3, 2017

    Overall this was a very important chapter in Batman saga as it finally answers some key questions about his character and has a meeting that could very well change his life forever. For that sake who ever enjoys Batman stories should read this chapter, and they will get some more subtle hints for the Button storyline. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Chuck's Comic Of The Day - Chuck May 5, 2017

    This series is highly recommended! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Batman Universe - Matthew Mahar May 3, 2017

    As the clues about Rebirth come together, I like that Flash is also slowly putting together the pieces. It's comforting knowing that the timelines and events I am more familiar with still exist out there. I can't imagine at the end of the Rebirth story the previous timeline will be completely reintegrated, but I hope some elements are brought back. This was a very strong installment. "The Button" may have slowed down a little bit last issue, but if this issue is any indication, we're heading towards a blistering finale and, just maybe, some answers. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    AIPT - David Brooke May 3, 2017

    The Button is turning out to be a story that'll have us talking. That's a good thing. Batman is changed possibly forever here too. Read Full Review

  • 8.7
    Black Nerd Problems - Keith Reid-Cleveland May 3, 2017

    The Wayne reunion was handled really well by the Williamson-King team-up. Their writing styles compliment each other as much as the characters' personalities do. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    NerdEnt.Net - Flame Hawk May 4, 2017

    As the Flashpoint crumbles it makes you question are the duo running out of time? Fabok does not try to replicate what he did in the previous issue deciding to go a different route which ends up working. Anderson and Fabok make a great art team which really elevates King's work. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    GWW - Mark Delaney May 3, 2017

    In terms of the big picture, this issue doesn't move the needle too much. This was designed to be a close-to-the-heart character issue for the Dark Knight, and both visually and in writing it really nails that. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    The Pop Break - Andrew Fontana May 3, 2017

    Jason Fabok is given plenty to work with this issue. Batman #22 brings Bruce and Barry to the world of Flashpoint, giving Fabok ample opportunity to create plenty of action sequences. His pencil work is fluid and graceful, his choreography cinematic to the eye. Anderson's colors are suitably dark for the scenes in Gotham, and with just enough brightness with the scenes on the cosmic tread mill. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Graphic Policy - Brett May 3, 2017

    This third part of “The Button” answers a lot of questions about the fate of Flashpoint and sends us off into the next chapter where we may get some answers? I'm still not convinced they're what we'll expect but as far as an event, each new issue adds a layer that builds upon the last and strengthens the whole. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Beat - Kyle Pinion May 3, 2017

    It's a very quick read, as these things go, and that's sort of helped along by some lovely, but heavy action paneling by Fabok. Honestly, one might feel a little short-changed by the overall lack of familial bonding, but Williamson gets in just enough emotional payoff to make this jaunt worthwhile. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Nerd Church Radio - Noah O'Toole May 3, 2017

    Not a lot of questions were answered here, but the plot was furthered and I can't wait to discover they mystery behind the button. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Critical Blast - RJ Carter May 3, 2017

    BATMAN 22 is heavy on the drama but feels light on revelations. It also feels light, period. I was done reading and stil had half my bologna sandwich left to go, so I read it twice. I'm still intrigued enough to follow the story through to its conclusion, and I'm beginning to suspect that the smiley button is a red herring, and that we shouldn't expect any Doctor Manhattan appearances. After all, to Manhattan, time was immutable, and in this universe, time is editable. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBook.com - Matthew Mueller May 3, 2017

    MORE COMICS: Fan Favorite Batman Character Dies In The Button / Captain America Introduces Hydra's Avengers / Classic Marvel Character Dies In Secret Empire #1 / Local Comics Store Spotlight: Your Friendly Neighborhood LCS Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - Justin Partridge May 3, 2017

    While a considerably low-key penultimate issue, Batman #22 provides a nice emotional context to this crossover tempered with stylishly restrained superhero action. Tom King and Joshua Williamson have taken what could have been a rote crossover and taken it so many unexpected directions, I am pleasantly in the dark about exactly what the hell this thing will read like once it hits the finale. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Dark Knight News - Eric Lee May 4, 2017

    The penultimate issue of “The Button” still offers a few surprises and great action. The lack answers is concerning, but not enough to derail the fun and enjoyment of the storyline. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Batman-News - Brandon Mulholand May 4, 2017

    While the story has great art, intense action, and a very poignant and thought-provoking speech delivered by Thomas Wayne"it's ultimately irrelevant to the larger story being told. I hate to use the word "filler" because it has such negative connotations, and because the content is actually worthwhile in and of itself, but it does end up feeling like filler since it's so disconnected and unrelated to the rest of the story. But really, that's my only major complaint about this issue. If this scene had found a better way to integrate itself into the story, or another story for that matter, I'd be quite pleased with it. But I can't ignore the fact that it adds little to nothing to the story of "The Button". Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Bleeding Cool - Joe Glass May 4, 2017

    A huge emotional pivot to Batman, and a tightly made issue, but little progress in the overall Rebirth mystery. However, it sets up for a big finish in final part. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez May 5, 2017

    Batman fans are going absolutely love the scenes between Bruce and Thomas Wayne that Joshua Williamson and Tom King delivered in Batman #22. Unfortunately the fact that there has been very little in the way of plot progressions makes it feel like "The Button" crossover is not going to accomplish anything of substance. There is still one issue left to provide a satisfactory ending to "The Button" crossover but Batman #22 did not do anything to build confidence that will actually occur. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comic Book Corps - Josh West May 10, 2017

    Batman #22 is an emotional and compelling Batman story, but ends up feeling irrelevant to "The Button"crossover and leaves a lot of open-ended questions for Flash #22 to have to answer. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comics Bulletin - Daniel Gehen May 8, 2017

    The Batman issues of "The Button" have felt like filler while The Flash provides the real meat of the story. For as much as Batman #22 does right, it still does not make much sense from a plot perspective " even with the context of the previous two issues. Yeah, it was cool to see Bruce and Thomas fight side-by-side, but it has little purpose in service to the story. At least having Williamson script this issue on the heels of The Flash #21 (as well as the upcoming The Flash #22) provides a narrative cohesion that this story would have lacked otherwise. Read Full Review

  • 6.9
    Weird Science - Jim Werner May 3, 2017

    I can't quite call this issue disappointing, but if you are looking for answers, you may disagree with me.  Joshua Williamson gives us some huge Batman (Batmen?) moments and there are a lot of intriguing things going on, but with one issue left, it feels like the Button story hasn't really begun. Jason Fabok's art is stellar, but that can't stop me from wishing this issue and story in general was giving us more. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Multiversity Comics - May 8, 2017

    An unexpected epilogue to 'Flashpoint' rather than a progression of the overarching 'Rebirth' story, but one that nevertheless raises some interesting issues for Bruce Wayne moving forward. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    SciFiPulse - Patrick Hayes May 6, 2017

    A pointless story with strong art makes this one of Rebirth's most mixed issues. This installment could be skipped and nothing lost. Very, very disappointing. Read Full Review

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