In Batman #94, Tynion, March, and Albuquerque have done a fine job in wrapping up the current storyline and leading into the Joker War event. With the Joker in possession of the Wayne fortune and the Batman's secrets, Bruce has the fight of his life ahead of him. If this issue is any indication, the Joker War is going to be the comic story of the year. Read Full Review

The Joker has turned the tables on his enemy by arming himself with everything the Dark Knight might have used against him in the past. This means that Batman has no one to help him, as shown in this issue. Read Full Review

March and Albuquerque do an excellent job with the art. There are some panels that felt a little too exaggerated as far as facial expressions, but the art was well detailed throughout and fun in moments. Read Full Review

When the news came down the line that Tynion was replacing King on this book, I was hopeful. Tynion had written the in bat universe before, on the Eternal titles; on the flip, he has worked a lot with Snyder, would Tynion have the same flaws that I find in Snyder? Thankfully, my faith has been rewarded, with a tight story that suits the twice a month frequency of this book. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give; I am actually looking forward to a Joker story! Read Full Review

This arc in Batman was unsettling to say the least. It has shook the Dark Knight to his core and now it prepares to put him through a gauntlet like never before. It's not just a solid super hero book. It's one full of terror at every turn from one of the most heinous villains ever to appear on the comic book page. Read Full Review

There's a real sense of dread all over the issue, and it's the perfect lead-in to what promises to be the biggest battle against Joker since Scott Snyder's Endgame. Read Full Review

Batman#94 is a mostly enjoyable issue. It makes for a better read in a vacuum, not having read the comics prior to Tynion's run. However, knowing the context of the comic, it makes it a little less special, and runs dangerously close to being redundant. It's still too early to tell how “Joker War” will shake out yet, but this start may run the risk of being a retread of “City of Bane”. Read Full Review

Albeit much slower pace than weve come to expect from this title as of late, Batman #94 wraps up the Dark Designs arc with a nice, thematic bow before we head into Joker War. Read Full Review

This is coming out slowly, but I'm very curious to see how this whole thing plays out. Joker having all of Bruce's wealth really changes the whole dynamic of Gotham t large. Read Full Review

James Tynion, Guillem March, and Rafael Albuquerque saved the best for last as Batman #94 provided "Their Dark Designs" with the best issue of this entire story arc. This finale was more about positioning Batman, Joker, Catwoman, and other characters for where they will begin "Joker War" at. Which was fine given the reveal of who the Designer that Batman has been battling this entire story arc turned out to be. Now it is on to whatever surprises are to come with "Joker War." Read Full Review

The latest issue does a great job of setting up the stakes, the dangers and the eventual Batman awesomeness to come in Joker War. Read Full Review

Tynion has done a remarkable job with spanning so much story and bringing it all together in the end to set up an emotional and exciting end as well as a beginning to the next chapter of his story and I know I couldn't be anymore excited to see what the ultimate payoff is going to be. Read Full Review

This is a good issue that leads right into "Joker War" very well. The final page had me getting major '90s vibes that take me back to when I was a kid. Batman is best when he's facing insurmountable odds, and boy oh boy Tynion is setting this up to make "Joker War" a summer must-read. Read Full Review

While a slower issue, Batman #94 sets up for Joker War while concluding Their Dark Designs. Read Full Review

The issue is an ok one and a step back in what has been a good run so far. The issue feels like it's full of cliches and tropes that never quite standout. Add in plotlines it feels like we've seen before. There's also groan-worthy moments that just feel like shallow attempts to recreate previous magic. Add in a lack of exciting visuals, the comic is a forgettable bridge to “Joke War.” Batman #94 isn't a bad read at all but it also lacks the excitement or interesting ideas that Tynion has entertained us with so far. Read Full Review

"Their Dark Designs" comes to an ending of sorts with Batman #94 (Tynion IV, March, Albuquerque), paving the way for "The Joker War". Read Full Review

DC calls this issue the "thick of a Joker attack," but reading Batman #94 you would be hard pressed to feel that yourself. Though peppered with fun visual detailing and occasional moments of engaging world-building, Batman #94 finds the title just marking time until 'The Joker War' begins in earnest. Read Full Review

This issue of Batman is neither exciting nor does it really develop our story. We have some setup for the upcoming Joker War but other than that this issue doesn't really do much of anything. The art is great in this issue though, even though (at least for right now) nothing else in this issue really holds any weight. Read Full Review

As we move towards the next issue, I hope Tynion knows how to pay all this off. Otherwise, we have just moved back five steps. Read Full Review

In theory, a Joker story written by Tynion should be thrilling considering his background in horror, but in Batman #94, it is hard to look past subpar designs and focus on the story. Read Full Review

The book is one that in a sense serves to let readers catch their breath before things really pop off, but it generally just feels kind of messy, almost like Tynion didn't know really where he wanted to go. Read Full Review

Tynion goes full day-time soap opera with this issue, and it's not great. From the ludicrous plotting, to the miserable attempts to create a "moment," and the overuse of melodrama" There's not much that can save a book that's suffering terribly from poor writing and pure desperation. I wanted to like this run. I wanted Tynion to do well and prove me wrong" Unfortunately, he's only proving my case that he's not that good of a writer. Read Full Review

I enjoyed reading this issue for many reasons. I did have a few minor issues with it but over all I liked it.

THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THE ISSUE..........

1. The dialogue between Bat/Cat was emotional and beautiful. I loved it !!!

2. I love that now the Joker has all of Batman's money, toys and even the cave. If written right this could make for a very fun and interesting story. I think it could be cool to have Batman stripped of everything for a while.

3. I liked that the whole Gotham story was rooted back to his nightmares of a darker Gotham and that he let Alfred believe otherwise. That made far more sense then having Bruce drawing pictures of a better Gotham.


THINGS I LIKED ABOUT THE ISSUE........

1. I liked that Fox doesn't want to fill in Alfred's role. Though I did enjoy the word play between him and Batman in past issues, he just doesn't fit the role. I think Fox summed it up perfectly when he said why he would no longer do it.

2. I'm glad the Designer turned out to be the Joker. I had a feeling he was.

3. It's cool that Bat was trained by the detective that the Designer battled against. Though those pages could've used with a bit tighter writing and well less pages/panels.

4. I like how it appeared that Slade may have been considering helping Batman to save his city. I hope that Slade does have more of a role in the story arc yet to play. It would be fun. And I think Slade against the Joke would make for a great story in his own series.


THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT THE ISSUE.........

1. The interaction between Joker and Punchline. It seems like they want to make her as crazy as Joker. The character of Jokers Daughter pretty much covers that so we really don't need just another Joker. If she's going to work she needs to have her own personality and self image. Right now she doesn't and that could break the character before she even gets started. Harley worked because she was kind of lost and innocent under it all. Plus she was so in love with the joker she would do anything to please him and win his favor.

2. Another thing about Punchline.... I don't really like her looks. The costume is fine. It's the face make up that makes her look stupid. I do feel that DC is some what trying for another Harley but at the same time someone to be crazier and more evil then Harley. So she could be a hit if played right. I can say another thing I don't like is her name. Punchline. A punchline is part of a joke so calling herself Punchline is in fact caller herself a joke. I for one hope the character doesn't end up a bad joke. I know some people out there will argue that Punchline is a perfect name to pair up with Joker. But it's not! Joker isn't a joke. He's a homicidal maniac who believes life, death and all that stands in between is a joke and he is the ultimate deliverer of Jokes. Same with a Harlequin. Though not so much Harley Quinn. While she has no problem with killing she doesn't have the desire to just kill everyone. So anyway I think some more thought could've been used on the name of Punchline. But this is just my thoughts on it all

3. This does feel a little to much like another break the Bat and build him back up story line. I hope that won't be the case. Bruce can be broke (poor) and not be broken.

4. I also did not like the artwork for the back story pages. Bruce looks like a dumb jock type character. more

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Amazing Psycamorean - Jul 12, 2020

So like, how is this a 10 if you have problems with the issue?

LunaMoody - Jul 12, 2020

Easy my problems with the issue were more due to my disliking of something rather then an over all problem with the issue it's self. The dislikes were all based on my opinion of what I would have preferred to see

Amazing Psycamorean - Jul 12, 2020

I understand that reasoning for some of your points but not others. For instance, bad art would be a problem with the issue itself, right?

LunaMoody - Jul 12, 2020

Normally yes. But the art work wasn't really bad so much as I just don't like how it was drawn. So again on my part that was just my preference. I prefer the characters to look more real and not like a cheap cartoon character.

LunaMoody - Jul 12, 2020

YourGreenMuse Do you read XFactor from Marvel? No that has bad art work this last issue. At times the characters are blurry, odd shaped, you can't tell what is going on. I hven't writen my review for it yet but it I will be taken points away for the art.

Amazing Psycamorean - Jul 12, 2020

If you mean X-Force, yes I do. I honestly didn't notice a problem with the art at all. It's the series' main artist since issue one. But yeah, I actually liked the design for the plant people and Kid Compost was great. A lot of the backgrounds were really cool. So yeah, I don't get your complaints at all.

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln - Jul 12, 2020

It is a misconception that a 10 means perfect in practically any form of criticism. Nothing is ever truly perfect.

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln - Jul 12, 2020

User ratings also have no rules. Nobody on this site follows a scale guideline other than their own lol

LunaMoody - Jul 13, 2020

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln that is very true and well said lol : )

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Excellent history by Tynion, the type of comic we're hoping to read after King's departure.

THAT FINAL PAGE THO

Prelude:
It's the final issue of Their Dark Designs. As we head into Joker War, let's see how this arc finishes off.

The Good:
I love how all the stakes are against Bruce.

Really enjoyed seeing more of Early Bruce.

Catwoman is really well done here.

Love the Cool Room.

The Bad:
Okay, now that is just a straight up misleading cover.

Conclusion:
Another great issue. Misleading cover asides, I'm loving this whole series and the tone Tynion is going for.

"Dark Designs" was pretty good. It started out as one case for Batman, but turned out to be nothing more than a distraction for something way worse. It was a good starting point for Tynion's new run.
While there's controversy regarding the newest Joker groupie, Punchline, I'm sure we'd better just get used to her. They seem to be clinging on to the idea of the new Harley. Why else is she so annoying?
the Joker War has already begun, and it looks like he's winning. Not good for Batman, but it should keep readers on the edge of their seats.

It is an epilogue and a set-up for things to come. So yes, it is slow and it is very skippable issue But I still liked it a lot. I just like how Tynion writes Bruce.

"Yes, Alfred... I will become a better bat."
- BATMAN

It seemed perfectly good to me.

A set up for what's coming.

Good. But could have been better. Overall a pretty good set up story. Hope Joker War takes everything to the next level. It has so much potential.

I really do not care for Punchline. However, I must say the idea that all the villains just hole up together in Penguin’s club every time Joker gets on some bullshit is truly pure to me, and I love that.

This was fine. It was all fine. I don't have much interest in where this is going. The pacing contributed to a story that didn't leave a desirable emotional impact on me. Things that should have been slower were rushed. The art is all over the place, and neither artist is great. Maybe James Tynion IV should be commended for writing a comic that is only fine, even with all the flaws it has. I'm not very excited for Joker War. Not at all. I'm not dreading it, either.

The purpose of this issue is to set up what's to come, and that's the very axis of the plot. There's not much of substance happening here, just loose ends getting resolved, characters put where they need to be when The Joker War starts, and the message of dark designs nicely making a full circle to close this arc and its themes. It's a competent transition, similar in a way to Scott Snyder's Batman #7, simulataneously closing The Court of Owls and starting The City of Owls. And because of that structure and purpose, I guess it eventually will grow on people once the trade paperback edition hits the store shelves, and we can read the entire arc start to finish without having to wait two weeks for the next chapter. For now, though, I can fully understand why people have relatively mixed feelings about the comic.
One thing we all can agree on, I think, is Joker's takeover of Gotham is way more engaging than Bane's last year, which truly was a storytelling trainwreck. more

This issue featured the conclusion to Tynion's "The Dark Designs" and while it was not a terrible issue, it was the weakest chapter of this storyline. The main purpose of this issue is to set up the joker war, which it does so effectively. However, there are sluggish moments which slow down the momentum that was being built in previous issues.

For starters, the conversation between Catwoman and Batman felt it was misplaced. I understand Tynion is trying to show how vulnerable Batman is following the death of alfred, but at times he can be a bit verbose when discussing the matter in his issues, especially when Bats is climbing random parts of gotham introspecting, and the issue ends with pretty much that.

There were still some interesting moments in this issue, like Joker and Punchline sharing some devilish moments with Batman. Also, there are subtle moments of foreshadowing with Deathstroke, pointing to the notion that this joker war event will have grand consequences for gotham city and its people. One thing I really appreciate is how much Tynion's Batman is much more reflective of the Batman we have grown to love and understand under editors like Denny O'Neil, here we see the calculative, determined, and traumatized DETECTIVE who will do whatever it takes to save his city. Overall, the issue was good but it felt like it slowed down some of the momentum leading in to joker war. Still, I am looking forward to Joker War. 7/10 more

Penguin said it best in this issue, "It's going to be a long, bloody summer."

Pretty much your by the book calm before the storm issue. Stage is set, pieces are in play, now just to sit back and watch the show!

It's not bad, Batman's relationship with Catwoman is the most compelling part. The convoluted plot, not so much

Well, that concludes Dark Designs. Overall, this story arc was quite refreshing after King's run with City of Bane, and is by no means a slouch of a run. On the contrary, it is probably some of my favorite Batman story-telling coming from DC as of late. But this final issue is kind of rough, but also enlightening at the same time? So most people would say this is a melo-dramatic filler, which I can see. But it also ties this whole idea of " Dark Designs " together with some excellent dialogue technique.

Like seriously, Tynion has become an excellent writer, and his dialogue shows. Especially when he is talking about Alfred, which Tynion in-cooperates so subtly but effectively. Really pay attention to the last pages. It might sound like some idiotic shit Tom King would do, but it really makes us see what this " Dark Designs " is really is and what Alfred wanted Gotham and Bruce to be, albeit in the perspective of Bruce himself. The way he writes Batman is dramatic, but its the good type of dramatic compared to King for an example, you feel Batman's frustration and anger and that translates into what is about to transpire next.

But its not without its mortal flaws. The Cat-Bat dialogue stooped down to Tom King level, seriously after what I got from Tynion so far, I expected better. Certain art frames I can tell are also rushed, most notably at the beginning pages. March has very detailed pencils, so it shows when he either rushed it or somebody filled in for him. I also don't understand why the hell Joker even hired Deathstroke in the first place. Yeah, he tried to kill Penguin and failed, but Joker just wanted Deathstroke to drive a sword in his leg??? They also introduce another character, but Tynion merely talks about him rather than showing him for most of the issue, which I find counter-productive. Hopefully this is fleshed out more in Joker War.

The good stuff is that Joker War is being rapidly developed in this issue, and its about ready to pop, so get hyped. Overall, this was a decent ending to Dark Designs, balanced with some really great elements and development with so not so good technique across many areas. But heading into Joker War, Batman fans will almost certainly experience and overwhelming banger finale arc wrapping up four years of Batman: Rebirth.


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Let's sum up the action - nothing happens. Selina was taken to a hospital and survived her gunshot wound and was later kidnapped by the Penguin, who has created a hide-out with all the free Gotham villains.

We flasback to when Bruce met the original detective who swore to teach Bruce how to lose.

We find out that Bruce is broke and wanted for embezzlement and is all alone - again.

This plot device is overused. It was the plot of the Dark Knight Rises, Batman Eternity and a story going back to the 1980s. King used a variation of it for City of Bane, which was just a repeat of Knightfall.

Yes, we get it. Break the Bat, the Bat comes back. The story ends with Batman jumping out of the window of the now-empty Catwoman hospital room being shot at by Joker goons. A whole issue that moved the plot ahead by about three inches.

The art was inconsistent and Selina's face was odd. And we also see her dressed only in a bra and panties for the entire issue. Lacks class and suggests catering to the lowest common demoninator of male gaze. Not a fan.

This whole Joker War is just a riff on City of Bane. One would think the Gotham PD and FBI and National Guard would actually do something and that many Joker goons would get killed in the arc, but I predict that they will do nothing.

Tynion has boasted about this run, but it's more of the same. Yawn.

Or I could be wrong. more