See the new Gotham City through the eyes of the Scarecrow! It's Arkham Asylum unleashed on humanity-and it's all the Scarecrow has ever wanted!
Its comics by writers like Tomasi, as well as Kyle Higgins, Scott Snyder, Grant Morrison, Frank Tieri, Greg Rucka, Ed Brubaker, Geoff Johns, and a handful of others, that make reading comics fun. And they are proving that yes, Batman and his rogues gallery will sell a book, but its the writers and artists who make the reader forget, albeit temporarily, that these are actually fictional characters, who deserve the praise. If more writers like them took on high profile books, DC would be unstoppable forever. So, I guess what Im saying is this: Dont accept mediocrity. And definitely dont buy crap. Support the comics and the creators that consistently make you want to talk to people who dont read comics and try to win them over. Support the comics and creators who respect the past, acknowledge the present, and look to the future. If we all start doing this, well get comics like this filling the stands. So start now by buying the fancy cover for an extra dollar. Its awesome. Read Full Review
Just like The Flash #23.3, this book was an enjoyable set up for the upcoming Arkham War. Now that we've seen how Scarecrow fits into it all, I think it's going to be exciting. Blackgate and Arkham house different super powered inmates and naturally they'd end up fighting each other in the absence of the Justice League. It's mini events like this that make the larger event all the more enjoyable. Be sure to check out both this book and Arkham War #1! Read Full Review
Detective Comics 23.3 was one of the better single issues to come out of Villains Month. It ties into the events of Forever Evil and keeps the story chugging along into Arkham War. It doesnt waste time with any filler origin story or background flashbacks. Writer Peter Tomasi characterizes Batmans villains very well without letting any of them steal the show from Scarecrow. Szymon Kudranskis art has the paranoid, claustrophobic and ominous feel of a city trapped in a nightmare. It was fun to read and just as much fun to look at. I cant wait to see what Tomasi has in store for next month! Read Full Review
Absolutely the best product to come out of Villains Month thus far, offering revelatory portraits of Scarecrow and several of his compatriots, with appropriately striking art to boot. Read Full Review
There's a definite Gangs of New York feel going on here, and Scarecrow is right in the center. For a taste of the day-to-day life of a Gotham without superheroes, Scarecrow #1 is the comic to read. Read Full Review
If you're getting Forever Evil: Arkham War, this issue (and probably Bane next week) is an absolute must. It sets up the Arkham side of the Arkham vs. Blackgate war very well, and leads right into the bigger story. Though the issue has fantastic art on the part of Szymon Kudranski, I do feel that Tomasi was a bit hit or miss with characters' voices, and not really hitting the mark with some, unfortunately. Despite some minor drawbacks, this was a pretty great issue all around, setting the stage for some rather large events to come. Read Full Review
Detective Comics #23.3 presents a clever spotlight on some intriguing villains in Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy and Killer Croc. Scarecrow requires more of an arc himself in the issue, and less monologues on the character's part, and exclusion of Killer Croc, might have left room for an even more stellar starring tale. Read Full Review
This issue is all about understanding the Scarecrow. If you want to discover the character or want a retread, it's worth checking out. Peter Tomasi and Szymon Kudranski make a solid team on this issue. While nothing really jumps out, its still a good issue. Read Full Review
Scarecrow is a good read. It's a professional effort from an old pro like Tomasi. There seems to be more he could have done with this issue but for a throwaway he does a good job of balancing the latest event with simply telling a self-contained story. This is one of the better 3D comics this month. You might want to check it out. Read Full Review
Most Villains Month issues shine the spotlight on the character and dive into their origin story or expand upon what makes them unique. This issue isn't one of those at all. Sure, Tomasi gives us a taste of Scarecrow's personality throughout the read, but this is ultimately an issue that exists just to build the hype for 'Arkham War.' It's not particularly exciting and at times feels bogged down by an overabundance of dialogue, but it gets the job done when it comes to teasing the upcoming conflict between Batman's villains. Read Full Review
If I have one complaint with Detective #23.3, it is the art. Szymon Kudranski tries so hard to show the darkness of the new world that he ends up muddying his own work. The lines here aren't very strong; Kudranski prefers thinner, sketchier lines. When those lines meet his over zealous use of shading, the result is a hair too shadowy to be enjoyable. I appreciate what Kudranski is trying to do, he just needed to either use stronger inks in the outlines or ease up on the shading. Read Full Review
There seem to be as many good moments as there were bad. If some of the visuals were more well-defined then it would have definitely been a much better comic, but in the grand scheme of things Scarecrow #1 is still must-reading for those interested in picking up the Arkham War mini-series. Read Full Review
A brilliant set-up for the upcoming Forever Evil: Arkham War series, but not the best Scarecrow issue character wise. The issue did however have plenty of brilliant cameos, also being suspenseful, and dramatic. It was however simply too much set-up, which although interesting meant that it wasn't anything special, and due to this I'd only recommend the issue to anyone who's getting Arkham War when it's out, and wouldn't recommend it to someone wanting an amazing Scarecrow story, or a story that shows the best of Scarecrow's characteristics. Read Full Review
Tomasi and company have created a comic true to the nature of the Scarecrow, but it falls short in regards to story and visuals. There is some great back and forth in the dialogue, but when it comes down to it, this comic sees no real conclusion and should only be read if you intend to follow up with Arkham War. Read Full Review
The art by Szymon Kudranski is strong, when you can see it. The bubbles take so much real estate I'm not sure they needed Kudranski's dark moody style at all. There are a few splashes, but they come so late in the comic you'll be either bored to death or tired of all the dialogue. Read Full Review
"Detective Comics" #23.3 is ultimately a slightly unremarkable book. It might have almost achieved its goal a bit better as one of those "Secret Files" comics from years ago, serving up the same information without trying to provide an extended narrative. I appreciate what Tomasi and Kudranski were going for, but ultimately the problem is that the idea just doesn't lend itself to a 20-page story. Read Full Review
Not really worth a read as it is really just recapping what everyone else is up to around Gotham City. If you want a real quick recap on all of Batman's villains, then this is your issue, but you were hoping for some trippy Scarecrow story move along. Read Full Review
This didn't do much to sell me on the upcoming Arkham War. Tomasi misses many of the characters voices and the set-up of the Arkham crew versus a bunch of Bane-style criminals isn't much to write home about. One of my least favorites of these Villains month books, which kind of sucks as its one of the ones that very directly leads into the next step.