Casper Rudolph's Comic Reviews

Reviewer For: Batman-News Reviews: 273
6.3Avg. Review Rating

What more can I say? This book has it all: suspense, adventure, friendship, actual stakes, humor, tension, all of it. The writing is top notch and so is the art. Don't let the fact that this title is getting canceled in September stop you from picking this up and enjoying the heck out of it. Enthusiastically recommended!

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This book fires on all cylinders. From the excellent character work to the adventure and the mystery, this is a book that anyone that's into superhero comics could enjoy. And even if you're not necessarily into superheroes, or if you're on the verge of giving up on them, this gem of a comic book series is a master class example of how this kind of stuff should be executed. If you're only going to get one superhero book this month, make sure it's this one. All the other books pale by comparison, anyway.

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What more can I say? Run to your favorite LCS and buy this comic, already! It's wild, it's poetic, it has adventure and it has heart. This first issue immerses me in another world: an almost dreamlike, intangible world where nothing is as it seems. Issue #2 can't come out soon enough. Enthusiastically recommended!

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This is a great comic and I absolutely recommend that you buy this! The writing and the art are both fantastic, and, above all, this story is just such an adventure. There are so many twists and turns, and new locations, and familiar characters, and mysterious characters, and intrigue"this is a true page turner that will keep you coming back for more. Read, reread and enjoy!

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Jock writes and draws a strong, concise, action-packed comic that grabs your attention and doesn't let go. This book is completely standalone and it's a great deal of fun, promising a story that's all about adventure and high tension. Forget about the regular Batman ongoings"this is where it's at, folks! Highly recommended!

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Jock writes and draws beautifully. This book has all the suspense, action and intrigue that you could wish for. This is a book that's worth buying and Jock is an artist who deserves all the love, respect and support. So what are you waiting for? Get this comic! Enthusiastically recommended!

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This is such an intriguing book! The art is wonderful and the writing is crisp. It's refreshing to read this version of Harley Quinn as well: she is much more down-to-earth and serious, and the overall tone of the story makes this feel more like a psychological horror story than anything. Moreover, there are many interesting parallels to discover in the art and there is some eerie foreshadowing going on in the right places. If you're on the fence because you aren't into Harley Quinn comics, do give this one a chance"you won't regret it. Enthusiastically recommended!

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If you're into complex character studies, you really should pick up this book. The art is great, the writing is deep and intricate, and everything fits together so well that the story flows organically and easily, despite it being so complex. There's not a single book like this on stands right now, and this is the kind of comic that I fully support and recommend. Sejic is killing it on this title"in a good way. Harley Quinn hasn't been this relatable for me in years!

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This story has been pushing just the right buttons for me. Not only is the writing very clever, making the different parts speak to each other to create a cohesive narrative, Lemire also manages to create a lot of suspense that makes me hungry for the conclusion. The pacing is impeccable, too, and Sorrentino and Bellaire's art is equally beautiful and horrifying. This book is different from any other Gotham-related comic that I've read in recent years, and if there's one book that you're going to get this week, it better be this one. Highly recommended!

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Batman: The Smile Killer is an intriguing epilogue to the Joker: Killer Smile miniseries. It embraces themes such as psychosis, existential horror, hallucinations and mystery, all of which can be found in Killer Smile as well, though in a slightly different context. It also embraces ambiguity, as it doesn't hold readers by the hand, nor does it provide any clear answers to what's going on. This is a book that makes you think, and I definitely recommend adding this to your collection, provided you've picked up the Joker: Killer Smile issues as well.

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As a huge horror and Batman fan, this comic pushes just the right buttons for me. The more I think about this issue"the underlying themes, the visuals, the pacing and the characters"the more I'm starting to appreciate just how well this is put together. Snyder, Jock, Baron and Cipriano are all fulfilling crucial roles in the making of this comic book, and the result is a cohesive, rock-solid horror show. Highly recommended!

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You have been reading the Batman Who Laughs miniseries"you really can't miss this chapter if you have!Absolutely stellar artwork is always welcome in your collection!You are a fan of Jim Gordon! This is a must buy for the art alone! Risso and Stewart carry the book, and are fantastic storytellers. Snyder and Tynion provide a solid script; it's not riddled with exposition, but the exposition is used effectively: it's to the point and clear. Perhaps the most interesting element of the book is the way in which it examines the relationship between Grim Knight and Gordon, and it reveals why Grim Knight decided to take Gordon with him in the first place. It's this final reveal that turns the story upside-down and makes you look at Grim Knight differently. Seriously, fellow comic fans"you don't want to miss this!

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This comic makes me happy. Not only is it really good, but it's also just so much fun to read! Yang's writing is on point, and the art team was clearly enjoying this. It's still a bit early in the game to see exactly where this creative team is going with this story, but if this level of quality is maintained throughout the rest of the arc, then we're in for a ride, my fellow comic book readers! Enthusiastically recommended!

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Look, sometimes creators join forces on a book and it just clicks. Yang and Reis really have this synergy going on. The writing and the art are strong, and also really play off of each other in a quite unique way. The fact that this story mainly focuses on adventure, humor and mystery is also very refreshing in a time where most Batman stories forcefully concentrate on grim and dark themes and plots. With this being only the second issue of this arc, there's still time to call your LCS and tell them to add this title to your pull list. This is a story worth reading. Enthusiastically recommended!

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Listen, this has been my favorite book to review, and it's been a real pleasure singing this book's praises. If you've been reading the book since the start of Yang's run, then grab this issue. If you haven't been reading the book but are looking for a fun one-and-done story, then definitely grab this issue! If you want to read, or revisit, this wonderful story in one place, then absolutely grab the hardcover! Trust me. It doesn't get much better than this.

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This comic has fantastic character writing, a serious core conflict, and its fair share of wholesomeness. There's adventure on every page, all of which is rendered beautifully by Mora and Bonvillain. This might be my favorite series from DC at the moment. Enthusiastically recommended!

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: Once again, Waid, Mora and Bonvillain deliver strong sequential storytelling. The art absolutely rocks and Waid writes a tight script that's well-paced and has strong characterization, where Dick Grayson is a highlight. This continues to be DC's best comic, and I can't recommend it enough!

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The writing is solid and makes me ask a lot of questions, and subsequently makes me want to reread the story to find answers to those questions; the artwork is out of this world with amazing colors, great characters, and great action; and, lastly, the conclusion to this story feels like it should be clear enough, and yet it makes me wonder if I did miss something. The final page prompting me to reread the story from the start doesn't make it easy for me to put this comic away. It's a true page turner, and I highly recommend it.

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I have been enjoying this series so much, and this issue is my favorite so far.

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This comic features great art, solid writing, and interesting characters! The pacing is good and the mystery element is strong. If you enjoy alternate takes on Batman and Gotham, then I definitely recommend this issue to you!

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This comic is really good! From the script to the art, the action and character moments are all solid. This issue is also a mixed bag that evokes different emotions, from joy to sadness to horror. DCeased may have seemed like a bit of a gimmick upon the original series' initial release, but Taylor and his artists have created a rich and intriguing world within the DC Universe with great characters that we can all root for. Recommended!

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This is a strong setup for this new arc. We have a mystery, we have two antagonists, and we have a new status quo in Gotham City. If you have been wanting to read Detective Comics, now is your chance to join in on the fun. Rocafort delivers outstanding comic book art, and Tomasi pens a strong script for Rocafort to work with. This is a meticulously crafted comic. Recommended!

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The characters are complex, the art is gorgeous and detailed, and the story is a twisted romance and a slasher horror all at once. If you're looking for a great Harley Quinn story that's much more grounded, serious and grim than most other stories with the character, then look no further. This is a great example of the kind of sophisticated storytelling that can be applied to Harley, and this is something that I feel the character deserves.

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I've had a blast reading this from start to finish"I just wish Sorrentino had kept the gargoyles and the zeppelins, because as amazing as this story is, it just doesn't exactly feel like Gotham to me. Still, I highly recommend this book.

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This is a great opening to a Batman story. It has heart, it has action, it has horror both psychological and physical. It sets up a few intriguing themes that will likely be further developed as the series goes on. I think this story works best when you try to imagine what it's like to experience what Bruce is experiencing. And while you're at it, be sure to check out that Capullo variant. Enthusiastically recommended!

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The artwork is also great: Jock and Baron establish a foreboding and moody atmosphere and especially the way they render Batman's body language adds depth to Snyder's script, as it shows how Batman continues to descend into madness.

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You really dig Jock and Baron's art.Themes in comics coming full circle is really satisfying to you.You're looking for a book that's put together extremely well, from the script to the art and right down to the lettering.You want to see what's beneath BMWL's mask. Snyder, Jock, Baron and Cipriano are on a roll. This book is put together really well and it's a joy to read and reread. There are so many layers to this story"it's exhilarating. The art leans more to horror than superheroics, too, which is, from what I have seen so far, Jock's greatest strength as an artist and it's a great fit for a book like this. It's well written, too, with a lot of energy and confidence. If you're a Batman fan, it's very likely you'll enjoy this story, so run to your LCS now and snatch up this issue along with #1-3. Highly recommended!

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Even though there is a lot of exposition here, emphasis on world building, and therefore a ton to keep track of, this issue is still an entertaining read and a true sight to behold.

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The story is well-paced, not too fast and not too slow, and enough happens to keep you turning the page. It also has a clear structure that makes the events easy to follow, and Batman and Catwoman are on point in terms of characterization. However, Poison Ivy is seriously overpowered, and that might not be to the liking of fans who prefer smaller, street-level Batman stories.

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This is still an incredible series. The quality of the art dips slightly because Lus' art just isn't as strong as Reis', particularly when it comes to his renditions of the characters themselves. But the action throughout is strong and the color work is great. There's a lot going on in this story, but it doesn't crumble under its own weight as Yang somehow manages to balance out everything. At the end of the day, this is just a super fun and unique adventure story. Recommended!

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Look, this is a fun book! Everyone, and I mean everyone, should be buying and reading this. It truly is that good! The folks at DC editorial are fools for canceling this book! Yang and the artists deserve this gig. Readers deserve good quality like this. Whose decision was this? What on Earth was DC editorial thinking? Seriously. Oh well. I guess we should just enjoy this while it lasts.

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I'm really not sure what more I can say. Just stop reading this review and go pick up this issue! Although, if you haven't been picking up the monthlies, I recommend that you just wait on the trade. It's been great fun reading this story from month to month, but I think it will be even better when read in one book and perhaps even in one sitting. Seriously, though, this is it"enthusiastically recommended!

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This annual is put together really well, making good use of the medium, and it's a delight to see these characters once more. The stories themselves won't add too much to the main story, but they do stand on their own and it's just a good time. Younger readers will probably have a blast reading this as well. The art is strong throughout and well coordinated, and it's just a great comic"recommended!

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This is the strongest issue in the run so far. It accomplishes what it sets out to do very well; it's entertaining from cover to cover; the heroes all have mutual respect and care about each other; and all the good guys are truly heroic. This issue put a smile on my face and I can't wait to reread this in the near future. If this series stays this good, this is a book that you're going to want to pay some attention to. Recommended!

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This is a strong start to the new arc. David, Superman's new sidekick, is a relatable and sympathetic character, and even though the tone is much more grim than what we're used to seeing in this series, there's still that spark of hope as Batman and Superman try to help David out and take care of him. It's a clean script, and since there's minimal exposition, the art can breathe and shine. It's a great jumping-on point as well. Recommended!

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This is a good, action-packed issue. It feels like it's the culmination of David's ordeal, where the drama is genuine and not just silly melodrama. The writing is on point, the cliffhanger is very exciting, and the art is excellent. What more could you ask for in a superhero comic? Recommended!

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The writing is concise and on-point, even with the somewhat lengthy explanation of Metamorpho's origin, and the art is top-notch. It's clear to me that this comic is crafted with care and precision, and if you're going to get one comic this week, I highly recommend that you pick this one. If you love upbeat adventures with good comedy and intrigue, look no further!

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The writing, even with its hiccups and flaws, is on point and the art is top notch, and all in all it's just such an epic adventure featuring Batman and several members of the Bat family. If you don't mind wordy comics and if you have an open mind with regards to the way some characters are being written, you're likely to have a good time. Recommended!

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I thoroughly enjoyed One Dark Knight all the way through, from the first issue to the conclusion. The artwork has been absolutely phenomenal and will be a great addition to any comic book enthusiast's collection, especially if you're into high level, carefully crafted art. The writing in this issue is a little weaker than in the previous issues, though, and I think this story wraps up a little too quickly. However, Jock had a vision for this book, and he stuck to it all the way to the very end, and all things considered this is one hell of an achievement. Recommended!

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If the remaining four books in this series are just as good, we're in for a treat. I definitely recommend this one"enjoy!

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To me it feels like the book is trying to be two things at once (a character study and a detective adventure), but Tomlin hasn't quite managed to connect these two things yet. The creative team also packs a lot into this issue, which has its pros and cons. But on the whole this book is pretty awesome. The story is intriguing, I'm invested in each character, and the art is absolutely great. Recommended!

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This is a very good, albeit dark, book. The mystery itself is a bit too obvious for me and the book isn't consistent when it comes to the creative team's realistic approach. But the writing is economic, which means that the wonderful artwork can breathe while visually telling this story. All things considered, this is definitely a book that's worth picking up"recommended!

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On the surface, this book is fine. It's a fun read and promises a great adventure through the upcoming issues. However, when I start paying attention to some of the technical details, I do end up asking questions that I struggle to find answers to. Moreover, the lengthy exposition can be somewhat overwhelming. Other than that, this book is hella entertaining and well worth a purchase if you are into a dark fantasy take on the DC Universe. Recommended!

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This is a great issue! The action is bombastic, the character moments are endearing, the art is (mostly) good, and the cliffhanger is perhaps one of the best cliffhangers that I've seen in quite some time. If you've been reading and enjoying this series from issue #1, you'll probably end up loving the @#$% out of this issue. And if you're new to this series, there's probably still time to grab issues #1-3 along with this one and binge-read all of them to get ready for the next installment. Recommended!

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This is a good start to this new series, and Taylor has a good grasp on these characters. The stakes are high, the story has a clear premise and focus, and Hairsine draws some really good-looking pages and action sequences. This is a solid product. Recommended!

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DCeased continues to be a lot of fun. This book has solid writing and art, and the story is intriguing and exciting. If you've been reading DCeased comics, definitely pick this one up. If you are new to all of this, and if you can still get a copy of the first issue, and you are a fan of superhero zombie horror, then I recommend giving this one a shot as well!

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This was great. I enjoyed Unkillables even more than the original DCeased miniseries. This one's focused on a small cast that you get to know and that you get to root for. The villains turn into heroes. Sacrifices are made. Friendships are forged. Tears are shed. And this creative team succeeds with flying colors. Recommended!

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This is a fine issue, indeed. While Two-Face is clearly the villain, and Batman has figured this out already, there is still the mystery of what exactly Two-Face is planning, and that creates a lot of suspense. The crime scene investigation is detailed, the fight scene is powerful, and Two-Face characterization is on-point and intriguing. Even though this is a continuation of Tomasi and Gleason's "The Big Burn," new readers can safely jump on without having to worry that they've missed anything important. Recommended!

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This is a good comic with entertaining dialogue and fantastic artwork. It's just a shame that the scenes toward the end, with Two-Face breaking out of the Batmobile, make for such a questionable way to close out the issue. Despite that, this is still an issue worth reading, so pick it up and enjoy!

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I think this is another strong issue. The writing and art both contribute to the good character work. There is less focus on plot development, but that allows for this issue to breathe, and for the characters to come to life. The artwork is outstanding and the writing is solid. Tomasi, Evely and Lopes have some real synergy going here. I'd definitely like to see more from this creative team. Recommended!

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This issue is really good! The writing has a bit of a false start with dialogue that doesn't add much to the overall story, but the wonderfully drawn, action-packed adventure that follows is just great. Even though I dislike and definitely don't recommend the main "Fear State" storyline, I do recommend this tie-in. Don't worry if you haven't been reading Tynion's Batman; this can be enjoyed on its own as well!

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Detective Comics #1044 is good and I recommend this one! Sometimes Tamaki's narration or dialogue is a bit stale or overwritten, but Mora and Bellaire's amazing visuals, along with Tamaki's excellent story about Batman and Nakano, more than makes up for all of that. The backup is all right, too. And yes, this can entirely be enjoyed without having read the main Batman series. And honestly? Just stick with Detective Comics, anyway. Trust me.

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The first issue of Future State: Dark Detective offers two strong opening chapters. While I still have some questions with regards to the world-building"in particular how much time has passed since the lastest issue of Detective Comics"I'm definitely on-board for now.

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This is another good Dark Detective issue. The art is excellent throughout the whole book, and both stories are well worth a read. The main feature still has some issues with regards to how the story is being told, but Grifter's tale is solid and offers a very satisfying read. All things considered, I definitely recommend this issue!

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This is another great chapter in Sharpe's Brave and the Bold series. Slowly more information is revealed to us, bringing us closer to the conclusion inch by inch.

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This comic is really good and I definitely recommend that you get it, even if you're not reading the Infected event! This issue offers a full reading experience and, in a way, the open ending makes that experience even more poignant and unsettling. While some texture and definition gets lost in some of the art because of the wash of colors, this story does an excellent job of showing us what actually happens to our hero as he gets infected.

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Yes, this book really surprised me"in the best possible way! I had a ton of fun reading this and I'm invested now. This book has comedy, action, mystery, and really good artwork. I highly recommend this to fans of the Joker, and I recommend it even more to those that are tired of the Joker. Seriously. This is refreshing and most welcome. Here's to hoping the rest of the series will be just as strong!

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This is a very fun comic! There's a lot going onperhaps a bit too muchbut the character work, plot and art is all very solid, with Mora and Bonvillain stealing the show. Mainly, I'm just glad that Batman and Superman are friends and have each other's back. That is how it should be. Highly recommended!

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Once again Waid, Mora and Bonvillain put out a strong issue. The character work is pretty great, the artwork even greater, and the story as a whole is very well structured and paced. Stuff like all of Gotham being threatened for the umpteenth time doesn't bother me as much here as it does in other books, but I'm still not a huge fan, especially not when both Joker and Key aren't that interesting for me in this story. The good far outweighs the bad, though, and I recommend you get this book while it's hot!

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It's just a super fun issue that promises a great follow-up chapter before the next big arc of this series kicks off. It has good action, neat character interactions, and strong artwork. In short, this is a solid, entertaining interlude that anyone can enjoy, even if you haven't been reading this series, as this chronologically takes place even before issue #1. Recommended!

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World's Finest #20 is a fun follow-up to both "Strange Visitor and Kingdom Come. Even though I think the opening scene with the Flash could have been a bit more concise, this issue offers a great adventure into another dimension, solid character work, and a cool cliffhanger at the end. The artwork is topnotch, as always. This book is a lot of fun, and a beacon of hope in a sea of mediocre superhero books.

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A great issue of a great series. We venture deep into Batman's psyche, and rather than spelling out everything in captions, Peterson fully trusts Jones to illustrate Batman's hallucinations and tell the story that way, and Jones is doing a great job. Especially in a time where other Batman titles fail to successfully "deconstruct" our hero, it is a real treat to see it done right in this book. Recommended to all Batman fans!

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Batman Secret Files #1 is a highly entertaining comic that features five fun stories. There are some real gems in this anthology, and while it's true that some of these gems overshadow somewhat weaker stories, I think that every one is worth reading, even if it's just for the artwork, which is of high quality throughout the book. If you're a Batman fan, and particularly enjoy detective stories, then you'll likely love this anthology. Enthusiastically recommended!

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Metal #5 is epic. I think that, in previous episodes, Scott Snyder is trying to cover too much story within the limited page count that he has, and as such the issues felt like they were crumbling under their own weight. This issue, however, is much more focused and I was able to perceive a clear structure that I interpreted as a song structure, which, for me as a musician, was very entertaining to read. Despite still having some issues with characterization (in particular Hal Jordan) and some plot holes that are much too convenient for me, I think that this issue overall is well worth your time. Seriously, if this creative team was a heavy metal band, they would blow your roof off. Get this comic. It has so much energy inside of it that the action just leaps off the pages!

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All in all, this is a cool issue for only 25 cents, and these three short stories are well worth a read if you have 30 minutes of free time. Enjoy!

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I definitely enjoy this issue a lot. I still miss a little bit more focus on characters, but Taylor makes good use of the fast pacing and succeeds at hitting you in the face out of nowhere. Hairsine's work is great"the way he frames the scenes and the way he renders the emotions really make this book come to life. The book has a slow start, but once the breaks are off"oh boy! Seriously, this is a good read. Recommended!

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Although this story could've been developed more, the pacing could have been slower, and the detective work could have been more intricate, I welcome the return of detective work with open arms. I enjoy this issue a lot, despite some of its flaws, and I marvel at the artwork. Hopefully we'll get more content like this in the near future, with more room to develop these concepts and characters. But it's safe to say that Tomasi, Scott and Mulvihill just get it"this is my Batman. Recommended!

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This is a good comic. There's a new mystery for Batman to solve; there are intriguing new characters; the writing is tight and crisp, save for a few slip-ups here and there; and the art is just incredible. While it's too early to say if the arc as a whole will be worth it, I think this is a solid start to Tamaki's run on the title, and I recommend this issue!

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The writing is an improvement over last month, although some plot beats are still a bit too convenient, as if the writer is taking the easy way out, and some of the dialogue still sounds unnatural and clunky. The art, however, from Mora, Henry and Bellaire, is excellent.

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This is a fun issue. A lot happens within its pages, but it's all balanced out so well that everything fits nicely. The pacing is tight, the writing crisp, and the art solid. If you're looking to relax with some light reading, then give this book a chance!

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A fun horror comic with some weird humor on top. There are a few inconsistencies in the art that might raise questions while reading, and the comic's ending is ambiguous and open. But on the whole, this is a good, well-paced, suspenseful horror story featuring obscure characters. Prepare for a high body count, gore and a lot of ghosts, and enjoy this break from the usual.

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Another strong chapter in this now 7 part miniseries. The artists are at the top of their game, delivering great horror visuals throughout the book. And even though I think that Snyder took a few missteps here and there with his writing, he also writes some amazing scenes with entertaining dialogue in this same issue. Despite these missteps that I mentioned, I still recommend picking up this book, especially if you've been following along since #1. The final showdown between Batman and BMWL is on the horizon, folks. Just two more issues to go!

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While it might not be as strong as the opening chapter, it's clear a lot of care and thought has been put into it.

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Yet another fantastic chapter in the Brave and the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman miniseries. Batman steps into the role of detective, Wonder Woman uses smart rhetoric, and by the end of this issue the stakes are extremely high. While the book sometimes suffers from too much narration all at once, it is the overall story and the gorgeous art that truly makes this a comic worth buying. Enjoy!

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So far, this crossover has been a good read. There are a few continuity inconsistencies between this and Suicide Squad #45, but if you can overlook those, the rest of the comic is well worth your time if you are into extended brawls and don't mind offbeat quips and banter.

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The second issue of this series is strong and fun, but it's not as good as I think it could be. The comic rambles a little bit, and perhaps the creative team put a bit too much in one issue. But the artwork is beautiful, and when the writing works, it works!

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In a world where mainstream Batman is always sad and the Big Two can't stop turning a blind eye to customers' event fatigue, this issue is a breath of fresh air. It's awkward and funny and well-drawn, and anyone can pick up this issue without having had to read previous comics in order to enjoy it. I recommend this comic to everyone who's looking for some awkward comedy in their monthly rotation, or people who are big fans of either Supergirl or Robin. Enjoy!

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The art is kinetic and executed at a very high level, but some of the panels and pages can be a bit crowded at times. The writing is solid, but the sense of danger diminishes when we have multiple overpowered heroes showing up to save the day. But, while this isn't the strongest chapter of this arc, it's still a ton of fun and I recommend it!

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It's a pretty good comic, but I would have liked it if there was less emphasis on hero versus hero combat and more emphasis on the mystery surrounding Thunderman. That said, the art remains absolutely fantastic and the fight scenes are an incredible spectacle. Waid also writes strong characters with clear motivations and voices, which makes this more than a mere fight comic. Recommended!

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It's a pretty good ending for "Heir to the Kingdom, but there's some wackiness occurring when David and the heroes get mad at each other. Other than that, the book is well-written and well-drawn, and definitely worth checking out if you've been reading this arc. But if you are new to this series, I recommend skipping this issue and waiting a month for the next one, as that should provide a nice jumping-on point.

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You are into psychedelic horror storiesScarecrow is your favorite Batman villainYou like Gothic imagery that reflects the struggle and horror of the plot I really enjoyed this issue. We see nice Gothic imagery that adds to the horror elements; the lines between reality and hallucinations are blurred and thereby the stakes have been raised; and we get to see Batman's more caring, soft side when he finds a little girl all by herself in the streets. To all Batman fans: by all means, pick up this issue. Even if you dislike the artwork, I'm sure you'll find plenty to enjoy in the writing. Recommended!

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While this issue is very heavy on exposition and gets rather convoluted at times, it's still a fun read with some nice references to heavy metal music and bands. However, at this point in the series, I can't help but wonder if 6 issues is really enough (tie-ins notwithstanding), as it seems Snyder's cramming an enormous cosmic epic into a mini-series. As a result, you have to pay close attention as to what's going on, because a lot is going on at the same time. The art makes up for it, though, as it's bright and gorgeous and cinematic"you will not be disappointed in Capullo & co. That said, Snyder still manages to find a way to tell his story effectively with the limited page count at his disposal.

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All things considered, this is a pretty strong anthology. You get fun gags, great characters, solid art and good stories, despite two of the stories not scoring as high. If you're looking for a fun book to read with your kids (again, you might want to read the Azrael story yourself first), or if you're just looking for some entertaining, light reading, we recommend this anthology!

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You are into zombie stories!You enjoyed Tom Taylor's Injustice!You want to see an exciting take on a zombie apocalypse in the DC Universe! While this book has a bit of a rough start, it quickly picks up the pace and manages to get me invested in the story. With strong art, strong dialogue and strong characters, it seems that we'll be in for a creepy, emotional, uncomfortable and at times outright disgusting show"exactly what a horror story should be.

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DCeased #2 is certainly a fun read, although connectivity between certain scenes is lacking, which results in this reading more like a collection of scenes than a flowing narrative. Of course I fully expect Taylor to return to the scenes in question and make them relevant later, but in my opinion, within the pages of this issue, they end up derailing the plot somewhat. However, the action, the dialogue, the artwork, the emotion and the final cliffhanger more than make up for this shortcoming. Recommended!

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This is an entertaining issue. I just think it could've been better had some of the scenes been longer and others shorter or cut entirely, because now it feels like it's just a collection of individual moments that don't really mesh well together. I also don't think that the creative team has given me an actual reason to care about the villain and what he's doing yet.

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For the most part I think this is a fun collection. It costs about 10 dollars, but it has over 100 pages of Batman content, and most of it is well worth a read if you are into this type of stuff. The writing and art is mostly on point, save for the occasional dud. Recommended!

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This issue is good, but not flawless. Tomasi continues to write interesting characters and Evely continues to draw beautiful stuff, but there are times that either creator is missing the mark. Mirror is still a rather unconvincing villain, and Bruce is still neglecting Damian, but the other side of that coin is that Damian gets to operate on his own, which I really enjoy. Evely draws a beautiful Gotham City and great characters, but her fight scene is a big mess. Still, I recommend this issue because of all the things that the creative team does get right!

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Look, it's a good comic! This has great action, a sympathetic lead, gorgeous artwork and a strong backup feature. It's just that this comic has some flaws, some of which make Bruce look like an amateur. If that's something you can live with, then definitely pick this up, because you are not going to find better Bat art anywhere else. And if you can't live with that, then still pick this up, because this really does have the best Bat art of all the current Bat books!

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This is a fun comic, but it's not flawless. There are issues with dialogue and pacing, and the villain and NKVDemon aren't very convincing. But this annual ends on a nice, positive note that ties everything together and motivates Bruce to work on becoming a better person. If you have some extra cash and time, pick this one up. It's not great, but it's entertaining for sure!

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I've criticized aspects of this book, and while I think some of these points should be considered by creators and readers alike, I still recommend this one. Once I look past some of these flaws, an entertaining story emerges. You will find nothing shocking or groundbreaking here as this is all pretty much meat and potatoes, save for the current status quo in Gotham, but sometimes that's enough. Enjoy!

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This book may just be setup so far, but it's a fun setup, and I highly appreciate that Humphries is putting his own spin on the series.

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You want some excellent sequential art in your collection.You like cosmic/psychedelic visuals.You're into action-packed, fast-paced comics with a touch of science fiction. There's great artwork in this issue and, even though not all of the jokes work for me, the ones that do are witty and on point. This issue is also filled with action scenes, monsters, aliens, laser guns and hallucinations, all of which makes for an entertaining issue. While it certainly helps to know what happened previously in the Trials of Harley Quinn arc, I think that there's enough here to enjoy even for those who came in late.

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Despite having criticized this series for quite a while, I actually really like this issue. It's still problematic at times"particularly when nobody but Harley and her dad seem to notice or care that Harley's mom's on her deathbed, which takes me out of the story"but for the most part Humphries has written a layered story that addresses various aspects of comic books and the nature of shared continuity, and also respectfully and honestly talks about terminal disease. On top of that, the ending of this issue is quite powerful, and Sami Basri's artwork looks great. Recommended!

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This is an entertaining comic. The pacing is on point, the dialogue is crisp, and the artwork is good. It's just too bad that the creative team didn't stick with the gripping tone and unique structure that they had established earlier, rather than reverting to a more generic approach. Whether or not you decide to pick this up is up to you, but I recommend that you wait for the trade to come out. I have a feeling that this story will read much better when you can read it all in one sitting.

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This is exactly what I think Suicide Squad should be focusing on: smaller stories with simpler concepts, instead of city-wide destruction and still pretending it's a secret task force. But really, if you've been looking to get into Suicide Squad I'd recommend you do so now that it's actually getting good.

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While there are a few moments where I'm questioning some of the writing, the pacing and action is on point and doesn't slow down. The fight is in your face, and Jiminez manages to characterize Bruce, Clark and Tim through their body language alone. Honestly, I haven't been this excited about artwork in a long time. And that's saying something, because I had not expected the art to totally steal the show if one of my favorite writers in comics is actually on script duties.

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This is a fun first issue. It's a quick and easy read, very entertaining, and it sets up the plot, stakes and characters effectively. Some of the exposition early on in the issue feels forced, but the comedic beats and action sequences more than make up for this slight misstep. Lucas' coloring steals the show. Recommended!

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It's another solid issue. It has good art, an interesting story with twists and turns, and a very cool cast of characters. But what really makes me recommend this book is the fact that it's just so damn fun. We need more fun in comics, especially in a time when many superhero books are really depressing. We can only hope that this series will continue to be consistent, but right now it's entertaining as hell!

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Task Force Z is a solid book. There's action, there's humor and, most importantly, there are intriguing character interactions. This isn't just a mindless zombie book. These characters have their own motives and intentions which sometimes are aligned and sometimes are not. The cliffhanger is also pretty interesting, but it remains to be seen how the creative team is going to handle that going forward. For now I still definitely recommend this comic, though!

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This is another fun installment in the Task Force Z miniseries. There's a lot of fighting; there's some intriguing character stuff, like Mr. Bloom's subplot; and the artwork is really damn good. I'm still digging this story, and I think that fans of action-driven superhero comics might dig this issue too.

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It might not be a perfect issue, but it's still a very fun issue. It's also an important issue, because this advances several plot points and it creates more focus for the series going forward by sewing the seeds for the comic's endgame. Task Force Z #6 also features two incredible artists that provide a lot of eye candy all the way through. Recommended!

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The comic is also rather heavy on exposition which slows down the overall reading experience. However, Batman's biggest obstacle is his own infected body, which creates suspense and just has me wondering how he's going to overcome this, and I'm looking forward to the next installment all the same!

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This is an okay conclusion to an otherwise fantastic series. I dislike that the book, in the end, falls back to the same old pattern of having the entirety of Gotham City be threatened by the super-villain of the week, especially because the awesome body horror and claustrophobic elements, which gave this book its character and voice, get lost somewhat. Other than that, each character's individual arc is resolved in a satisfying way, except for BMWL's, who is merely taken off the playing field for a while until he can come back in the upcoming Batman/Superman series.

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Now that we've seen the character in action, only time will tell what he's going to do next, and I'm excited to see it. I just wish there was more room for Sharpe to further flesh out some of his ideas, but all in all, this is a beautiful book and totally worth a read. Recommended!

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The writing is mostly good, even though there are some odd creative choices throughout that I end up disagreeing with, such as Gordon having this unicorn key and the lack of Gordon's transition from incorruptible hero to infected commissioner. That said, I still recommend this comic.

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It's an entertaining book, but it's just not as good as #1. The art is solid, but the two featured artists' different styles clash a little bit. I also find that the issue could've been structured and paced better, because now it just kind of peters out toward the end. That said, the first half of this issue is really cool and the mystery of the puzzle box keeps me hooked, so I still recommend this one!

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This is an exciting, action-packed comic. The art is really good throughout, but I think the book is a little overwritten at times. Failsafe is a cool character and I'm very curious to see where this is going. For now I recommend this comicit's very fun, even if it isn't perfect in terms of writing and execution.

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Batman/Superman: World's Finest #3 is definitely a fun comic, but I think that the creative team is trying to do too much with a limited page count. I think the exposition could be greatly reduced if the content was reduced, so that the possibility for a more focused and tighter narrative arises. That said, this book is action-packed and the artwork is simply incredible. Despite its flaws, I think that fans of these characters will be entertained for sure!

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It's a solid issue with amazing artwork, but some aspects of it are a bit rushed. That said, the ending is bittersweet and intriguing, and the story throughout is incredibly entertaining and well worth a read.

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: This is still a very fun book to read, I just don't think it's as strong as previous chapters. Mora and Bonvillain draw incredible fight scenes based on an entertaining scenario from Waid. You'll definitely get your money's worth if you buy this book, but you should be aware that not much other than superhero battles are depicted here, which makes the victory against Newmazo a little less amazing than it could be, as the comic gets a little monotone after a while.

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: This is a very fun comic, albeit a bit of a standard approach to superheroes. I like how, in the end, Waid somewhat subverts the trope of "solving everything with a good punch and has Batman and Superman come up with a plan to defeat Jax-Ur, but since most of this issue gives us a lengthy brawl, that solution doesn't pay off like it should. That said, it's great seeing our heroes bond through this experience, earning each other's trust, and the artwork is excellent. All things considered, I definitely recommend this comic.

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This is a good book, but I'm hoping that the creative team can give me more interesting stuff to chew on than just heroes fighting against heroes and a somewhat generic evil god-type villain. I love that the Batmen and Supermen have joined forces, though, and I can't wait for the next issue! Despite my criticisms, I still recommend this one.

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This comic is absolutely worth it for the art and the great writing for Superman and especially Batman. Unfortunately, Gog and David feel underdeveloped, and so the core conflict leaves something to be desired. That still doesn't stop me from recommending this comic, though. Even with its flaws, it's incredibly fun.

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I, for one, was pleasantly surprised by this issue. I feel like I'm starting to get into the story, especially now that The Help seems to get an interesting character arc, and Selina and Riddler's team-up is a lot of fun. The artwork is great all the way through. That said, this issue still has some shortcomings, particularly in the way that the nonlinear narrative is put together, and the narration can be too dry and/or detailed.

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Your favorite Bat-suit is the blue and gray with the yellow oval!You are into psychedelic horror stories!You want to see Batman kicking ass! While there are times that the art is poorly executed and the writing veers toward clich, this is still a very fun read. If anything, Batman is as Batman as he can be"tactical, stealthy, powerful"and although this issue is almost entirely setup, it's a good setup, because all the themes have been introduced and now it's just a matter of kicking back, relaxing, and waiting for issue #2. Enjoy.

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It's refreshing to see a version of Batman who knows what he's doing and who goes about his business with full confidence in his abilities. However, I think there is still a lot of room for improvement when it comes to exploring Batman's greatest fears, because right now the creative team isn't bringing anything new to the table in that regard. But despite this, definitely pick up this comic if you have missed the street-level, more classic take on Batman.

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I like this comic. However, I feel that the comic is trying to do too much within the limited amount of pages. As such, it is all very compressed and convoluted, and may cause confusion here and there. Add onto this the serious continuity error that I pointed out in the spoiler section, and I'm really unsure about Metal's conclusion.

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This is a solid issue with excellent art, but because it's very wordy and the plot is advanced mainly through dialogue, it feels like not a whole lot has happened. The issue is also leaning too much into the comedy, which takes me out of the story sometimes as it makes it less focused. Then there's also that thing I brought up above, in the spoiler tags. Nevertheless, I still recommend this issue. The world, the characters and the story is still intriguing and fun, so I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt.

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This is a fun comic. It's action-packed, and it's more focused than the previous issue. But it's also marked by a number of missed opportunities to keep this issue from reaching its full potential. However, the art is amazing, and FCO is the star of the show here. That said, it's like the creative team is still trying to figure out if they want this to be more lighthearted or horror, and I'm hoping that they will have figured that out by the next issue. Nevertheless, I still recommend this comic book, as it's entertaining for sure.

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If you look past some of the lazy narrative choices, a very entertaining story will emerge, and so I still recommend this issue in the end. I just hope that Taylor will have stopped taking the easy way out by the time the series' finale arrives.

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This could've been a great comic, but with some of these master tacticians acting rather untactful, and others just being reduced to jokes or plot devices, this comic starts to crumble a little bit. The cliffhanger is good, though, because it's hard to predict how the survivors are going to get out alive, and I'm eager to find out. The action is also wonderfully over the top, and the character moments"though brief"add the character dynamics that a survival horror story requires. It's an entertaining comic, but it definitely isn't as good as the previous issue.

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While I've criticized certain creative decisions in this review, I do find the story to be entertaining. The writing is mostly okay to good, and it's the artwork that remains the true selling point of the book. In my opinion this is easily the best Batman art since the start of Rebirth, and I hope to see both Mora and Bellaire working together on this book more often. This is a dream team. If you're mainly in it for the art, then get it while it's hot!

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This issue contains two stories that couldn't be any more different. The main Batman story is slow and leans into the mystery, whereas the Red Hood story is fast and action-packed and comedic. It's nice to have that variation. The writing is a bit hit or miss throughout the entire book, but every artist has done a great job.

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Harley Quinn #52 is not a comic without its problems, but all things considered, I really did enjoy this issue for its fun artwork and steady pace. While I wish DC would just stop with all the continuity and fourth wall breaking, I appreciate that Jonni DC contributed to Harley's character development in this issue.

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I enjoyed this issue, even though its main focus is clearly on the fighting and not so much on the characters, the location or the story. There are some intriguing reveals here, and the cliffhanger really makes me want to see how everything's going to play out in the final issue. If you've been collecting this title since the start, I definitely recommend that you pick this up. But, as I've said before, if you're still on the fence, it's best to wait for trade at this point. This issue won't make much sense without having read the previous installments.

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It's a solid book, but it could've been better. The dialogue and narration doesn't always flow well and the team roster seems very random. That said, the pacing, plot structure and cliffhanger at the end are pretty well executed, and the art throughout is amazing. All in all it's still a good read!

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Recommended if you have some free time and want to kick back, relax, and enjoy a fast-paced action comic.

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However, though the first half is interesting and serious, a sudden switch in tone to a more light-hearted approach takes me out of the story and the stakes don't seem as high anymore.

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While this issue is just the setup for now, the creative team finds a way to unite both series' worlds through both solid artwork and well-written characters.

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This is not a bad issue. There's plenty here to talk about and analyze, as is always the case with a King comic. The themes are carefully implemented and come full circle in the end. However, in my opinion the highlight of the comic is early on, and therefore the subsequent scenes feel like they lack some substance as they don't manage to live up to the highlight. The ending also left me with a feeling of: "So, that's it?", which is never a good sign.

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I enjoyed reading this issue from cover to cover, but I don't think it's a masterpiece. The art is great, but the writing is a bit of a mixed bag. While the main plot is being set up well and both Batman and Tim are real heroes, the monologue and dialogue is so hard-boiled at times that I'm having a hard time taking it seriously. There are also plot elements that are underdeveloped or underutilized, some of which should have been cut. I still recommend this issue if you're curious about Zdarsky's new run, though, but I wouldn't blame you if you waited a while to see if this is really worth picking up. Comics are expensive, after all.

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Some of the things that I enjoy in the main story are also things that I end up criticizing, hence I'm having mixed feelings. This issue is well-drawn and technically well-executed, but I think Zur-En-Arrh is introduced way too early and some of the inner monologue is overcooked. As for the backup, well, it just ain't it, chief. As such, I can only recommend this issue for the main story, because at least there's still fun to be had there.

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The fact that I can honestly say that I enjoy this issue makes me happy, because I have been very critical of this series so far. Zod is easily the most interesting character here, followed by Batman. These two create the best moment in the comic, which contributes to Zod's progression in a meaningful and significant way. The people of Kandor are a bit silly, though, and Ra's al Ghul is criminally underused. But Nick Derington continues to deliver"that dude can draw!

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The art is excellent throughout, save for the boring fight against Castle Bat, where nobody is really doing anything. The dialogue is overwritten, and there are too many words on the page. There are jokes that I don't find that funny. But I really started to enjoy this issue once all of that was out of the way and our heroes began to execute their master plan. Hopefully the creative team can keep their focus and deliver a penultimate issue that leads into a solid conclusion to the story. It remains to be seen if they will be able to pull this off, but for now I'm being cautiously optimistic.

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This is all about fan service and relies on readers already being familiar with the characters. That isn't a bad thing in and of itself, but it does mean that this book just isn't going to be for everyone. Both the writing and the art is very hit or miss throughout. I can't really recommend this book to anyone that isn't already invested in Death Metal, but even then I think this will only be appealing to those who want to spend some time hanging out with these characters, forsaking a coherent plot for a while. Oh, and Heroes in Crisis is referenced by having Wally meeting the Titans"I hope you can handle that.

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It's an okay anthology. Most of the stuff here is lackluster and some of it is outright boring and a chore to get through. These aren't must-read stories at all and can easily be skipped. But the story about Castle Bat is a real gem, and the story about Baby Batman is a lot of fun, so at least this issue ends on a high note.

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The Superman scenes are great, though, if somewhat predictable because it's so typically Superman. However, this book also seems to get rather formulaic really fast, and just seeing heroes die left and right isn't enough for me. There needs to be a twist in the story. So far there is no such twist.

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I'm criticizing this issue quite a bit, but it should be noted that most of the things that happen in this issue are things that need to happen, so there is definitely plot development. I just think that this issue is merely going through the motions instead of taking me on the kind of suspenseful, action-packed ride that I've come to expect. In my opinion, this is definitely the weakest issue of the run so far, and with it coming right after what's perhaps the best issue of the run, I'm more than a little disappointed. However, I trust this creative team and I am positive that they will deliver again next month!

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The art is outstanding, but the writing takes a dip in quality. For me, that's not a deal-breaker yet, because I still think that the creative team can course correct, but if the writer and editor continue to go down this road, they might run into trouble. The backups are fun little additions to the book, but they are by no means must-read stories.

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This is not a book without its flaws, but there's a certain charm to seeing Harley try her best to impress Batman and prove that she's not the killer. But Batman seems very underwritten for a character that's supposed to be the World's Greatest Detective, as he's rather slow on the uptake as Harley pretty much solves the crime on her own.

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I've enjoyed this issue quite a bit. Of course there are things here that I critique, but on the whole I appreciate that this issue spreads a positive message and that the artwork is of good quality. I just wish that more information about the Lords of Chaos and Order was revealed and that we're given a better reason as to why Harley has been chosen by the Lords instead of someone else. Because we're missing this information, the entire premise of this arc can be questioned, and that's never a good sign. That said, we'll just have to wait and see how the creative team is going to further develop this story, because these answers might still be revealed in the future. I just hope that by then it's not too late.

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As I've said, I like this issue a lot more than #1. I feel like the creative team is slowly starting to win me over, although we're not quite there yet, as I still have several doubts and concerns. But the artwork went from good (in the first issue) to very good (in this issue), and I'm definitely curious to see what issue #3 has in store for us.

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It's a good book, but this still needs more focus and more plot development in the present day parts. I don't like how Zdarsky writes Superman at all, but I do appreciate that he writes the fallen hero's ultimate sacrifice with so much respect and reverence, and that the other characters all feel like themselves. The artwork is fantastic this time around and truly something to behold. I recommend this book if you're looking for a different kind of Justice League story and can put up with Superman's antics, although I suppose that if you still aren't reading this, it's best to just wait for the trade at this point. You're really going to want to have the full story, rather than jumping on now.

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Before any of you get the wrong idea"no, this is still not a bad comic. I hate how this story treats Superman, but I still think that Zdarsky writes the other characters authentically. The comic is action-packed, and the art is outstanding and only seems to keep getting better. If you don't mind Superman being this way, and if you've been collecting the single issues from the start, then I think you can go for it. But if you haven't been reading this, then I recommend that you wait for the trade, or just sit this one out altogether.

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This is definitely a step up in quality. It's an entertaining comic, action-packed, and it is structured in such a way that it gets more and more intense. Unfortunately, at the point where the climax is supposed to be, it sort of peters out in my opinion. But with entertaining banter, a strong and charismatic Rick Flag, and solid artwork, I think you will still have a good time with this issue. It's not a home-run yet, but it's definitely not as bad as the series has been recently.

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I think this is actually a really fun comic. I think Master Jailer could've been a much more interesting character; I don't like that this story is rehashing some themes from the recent Throne of Atlantis story (see spoiler tags); and I think that the "fight" between King Shark and Killer Croc is extremely underwhelming. But this comic moves fast, has plenty of action, features gorgeous coloring and the creative team has managed to make me a fan of Lord Satanis.

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This comic really isn't bad by any means, and in some ways it's even better than the core Infected issues or some of the tie-ins that I've written about up until now. However, it still doesn't add a whole lot to the main narrative in Batman/Superman as it mostly repeats what happened in that title, and there is a small inconsistency with how the same event is depicted.

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I'm still having fun with this series. There's enough forward momentum for a steady narrative pace, and the plot twists keep things fresh and interesting. However, there being very different artists in this same issue and Two-Face not really reading like Two-Face doesn't do this comic any favors. These are not deal breakers, but definitely something to consider if you are following this series. For now I still recommend this comic, though.

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This is a fun book, but I still find myself critiquing many of this book's elements. I like that it's action-packed and I like the adventure and the way the heroes are written. However, the main villain comes across as just another generic demon, and I'm starting to think that Waid is lucky to have Mora as his ongoing artist, because ideas such as this "Composite Batman/Superman simply aren't supposed to work out.

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My main complaint here is that this book has the potential to be incredible, but the creative team seems to be taking the easy way out every time. That is to say, every time our heroes are faced with a challenge or obstacle or enemy, they overcome this so easily that their victory feels unearned and the battles feel hollow. This book's cliffhanger could be this book's course correction, but it remains to be seen whether or not the creative team follows up on it. This is by no means a bad book, but it could be so much better.

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I don't recommend this book. The first story isn't very enjoyable, and while the others are definitely a lot more fun than the first one, most of them also don't really go anywhere. The guidebook material is rather lackluster and not really worth it. But this book does feature some good art, including a beautiful map of the Metalverse. That said, I recommend that you spend your time and hard-earned money on something else, as I don't think this enhances the reading experience of Death Metal at all.

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Like I said, A Good Day To Die is fun, but if all some of these heroes are doing is, well, dying, you've got to ask yourself, what's the point of all of this?

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Honestly, it's not a bad issue at all. It's just not as good as the previous installments. Maybe Tomasi deliberately wants to pull a 180 to shock us here, but it feels cheap and too sudden. It takes me out of the story that I've been enjoying up to this point, as it's a hard break from the established tone. I just hope that the next issue will prove me wrong.

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This is by no means a bad comic, but it definitely feels rushed, as if this arc got cut short.

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This is an enjoyable conclusion to Humphries' first arc on the title. While I don't care for the meta jokes because they seem too random to me, I think Humphries has certainly demonstrated that he has a good feel for Harley's voice and I appreciate that there is at least some focus on her character development.

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This story is not for me, but that doesn't mean it's bad. Both Russell and Andolfo are good at what they do, and so this comic is up to professional standards for sure. That said, I am missing character development and in the end this didn't really feel like a story to me, but just a sequence of weird jokes that don't always land with me because it's not always my kind of humor.

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It's an okay comic. It's not something that I would desperately want to add to my collection, not even if I was collecting all the Infected tie-ins, because this has, for now, hardly anything to do with that event.

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I'm still hopeful that this series will improve in quality now that we're past the halfway mark"there are plenty of great ideas in this book that this creative team can work with. If you're still on the fence at this point, I recommend you sit back, check out reviews, and wait for trade (it'll probably read better in trade anyway).

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It's not a bad book, but it also just doesn't feel quite right to me.

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Most of what happens in this issue is relevant, but the issue is lacking a strong, memorable moment that allows this one to stand on its own. I also think there's way too much talking and not enough action, especially for this title, which has been very action-driven so far. It's not a boring issue and it's definitely not a bad issue. I just wish it was more than just a middle-of-the-road entry and I wish that Eddy Barrows will return next month to finish out the rest of the series himself. Lastly, I only recommend this comic to those who are already invested in Task Force Z.When read out of context, this issue probably isn't going to convince new readers to get into the series.

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Teen Titans #15 is a bit of mixed bag. The art is good but suffers from jarring transitions between artists; Damian and Jon are lovely but Tim of Tomorrow is starting to piss me off; Hypertime is intriguing but I'm wondering in what way this will be relevant for the story's outcome. It's not a bad issue overall, but it doesn't quite stand out either. At least it gets the job done and pushes the story forward. Here's to hoping the remaining chapters will raise the level of quality so this crossover can end on a high note. I know Tomasi and Gleason are more than capable. In the meantime, I recommend that you wait and see if the next reviews will be more positive before committing yourself to this 5-part crossover story.Score: 6/10

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So, long story short, get this book if you're a big fan of Teen Titans and don't want to miss a thing, or if you just want to complete Percy's run. If you're still on the fence, though, I'd say wait a month, because a new creative team is coming.

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This comic has very entertaining fight scenes and strong art, but the writing feels rushed and unpolished. The heavy reliance on exposition keeps taking me out of the story, and the lack of plot almost makes me feel like nothing important happened in this issue. I think you can safely skip this chapter if you're not too concerned with collecting every single Shadow War tie-in. Besides, there are much more interesting books on stands this week, anyway.

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I had quite a bit of fun reading this issue because the fights are so entertaining, but in terms of plotin both the main story and the backupit remains to be seen how strong this stuff will be. It definitely doesn't help Zdarsky that he's drawing so heavily from the Morrison era, but with this being but the first chapter of the new arc, it's still possible for the creative team to course correct and deliver something awesome. That said, this is a direct follow-up to the "Failsafe arc and while there's a little bit of exposition to explain that stuff for new readers, I don't think this is a great jumping-on point. If you don't know what happened previously, you might be a little lost when you first pick up this book.

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This issue truly is entertaining and it has beautiful art, but the writing isn't entirely up to par. At times, the dialogue is clunky, the characterization iffy and some of the plot beats underdeveloped. There is also still no mention of the Secret Six and so far this arc doesn't seem to have anything to do with the Secret Six. All in all, this series has a rocky start, but I'm optimistic: the cliffhanger has a lot of potential and with this only being the second issue, the creative team still has time to course correct. I recommend that you wait and see how the reviews are for the next issue, though.

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Like I said, I have mixed feelings about this issue. There are things that I appreciate: some of the jokes make me laugh; the opening scene is a good setup for this type of story; and the commentary at the end about how Batman and Superman shouldn't fight is appreciated, even if it remains kind of shallow. The three different art styles also match the tone of the respective stories, although the art styles are very different and don't really match each other. Perhaps this annual's biggest shortcoming is that the book ends up feeling somewhat pointless when you realize just how nonsensical and weird most of this stuff is. All things considered, I think this comic could offer some quick entertainment, but it never manages to be more than just a throwaway comic book.

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Not a bad comic, but it's not a must-read, either. The first half is fun, but the second half doesn't have the same energy and is significantly less interesting to me. The story has a weak, unconvincing villain and the subplot is not fleshed out enough, but I'm glad that it doesn't delve too deep into flashback territory and it stays focused on Catwoman as the main protagonist. I don't recommend this comic to anyone but Catwoman completionists or those who are determined to collect every single One Bad Day special. Everyone else can safely skip this one in favor of more fulfilling books on stands this week. This is an expensive book, after all.

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It's not a bad comic. It's actually very entertaining if you're looking for a straight-up fight comic and if you won't ask too many questions.

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This comic starts off strong with excellent art and well-written lines, but once Batman enters the sewers to hunt down Croc, the comic turns into a boring superhero fight that gets resolved much too easily. There are no stakes, there is no challenge for Batman, and the ending is too abrupt. I recommend skipping this one and just waiting until Detective Comics starts delivering solid, full-circle stories again.

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This issue is not as good as it could have been. Both the writing and the art are hit or miss. But I don't entirely blame the creative team for this comic's shortcomings. Their run got cut short and they only had so much room to wrap up their storylines while simultaneously setting up someone else's. As a single issue, I wouldn't recommend this because it's an average book at best, but as a conclusion to Tomasi's run I think it's worth picking up if you've been following since the start.

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Story-wise, I don't think this comic is worth the amount of money that they're charging customers. Now, I'm still crazy enough to pick up the floppies for the art because I'm such a big fan of these artists, but that doesn't mean that I recommend this. Instead, it's probably better to wait and see if the quality of this book improves over time before you spend your hard-earned money on this. It's a shame, really, because this story was off to a good, solid start. Hopefully the creative team can still course correct.

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This isn't a bad issue by any means, but I can't help but think that it's still the art team that truly sells this story, rather than the writing. If it wasn't for Mora's eye for detail and exceptional drawing skills, I'm not sure if a story where barely anything happens would've been worth a purchase.

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It's not strictly a bad comic, but it certainly leaves much to be desired in terms of strong characters and a convincing villain.

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This comic entertains me, but, like I said, that does not mean that it wows me. There are still too many problems to really call this a "good" comic. But is it a "bad" comic? Well, it's not that either. I would say it sits somewhere in between. If you just want to sit back and relax with this comic and have a laugh (despite some of the heavier stuff relating to Harley's mom's condition), then I think there is plenty here for you to enjoy. But if you can't help but look at comics with a critical mindset"and especially if you agree with what I said in this review"then this might not really be the comic for you.

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It's an okay issue, but without the proper context, none of the referenced events carry any weight for me. As a result, this first issue doesn't have a strong hook and if I wasn't reviewing this series, I likely wouldn't have continued reading this based on this first issue alone. That said, the concept and general story idea sounds pretty cool. Here's to hoping that the creative team will manage to course correct with the upcoming issues. For the time being, if you're on the fence, I recommend waiting for the next reviews before purchasing.

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This is a quick and easy read, and gorgeously drawn, but in the end it is nothing more than a series of (as of yet) seemingly unconnected events, and therefore never amounts to more than setup for the rest of the arc.

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I think this is the weakest issue so far. I just wasn't as entertained by it, and I'm not a fan of Jason's interactions with the Bat Family here because it emphasizes how Jason's been stuck in a loop for years. Batman's fight against the Task Force was fun, but it felt a bit hollow. Lastly, the fact that there are three different artists working on the same issue isn't doing the book any favors at all. This issue is a bit of a mess, honestly, and it only marginally advances the plot. If the series doesn't get back up to its usual quality with the next issue, this could be a jumping-off point.

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When this crossover started, I was on board because it was entertaining. This issue, however, fails to deliver a strong conclusion due to its highly predictable nature and a number of missed opportunities that I outlined above. Perhaps its greatest flaw is reducing a character to a mere plot device to resolve the story's conflict.

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This is not a terrible comic, but it is entirely skippable. I don't feel that either the main story or the backup really have that much to say and some parts of the main story are outright boring to me. The art is pretty good throughout, but even the good art doesn't make me recommend this issue. My advice is to just wait a month for Zdarsky's run to start. Keep your money in your pocket and sit this one out.

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I'm not very impressed with this issue. The story doesn't really work for me; Failsafe is so overpowered that it's getting ridiculous; the JLA and the Bat Family are written like mindless brawlers; and the time skip takes away all of the tension because it presents a scenario that we've already seen over and over again. I had fun reading the previous Batman issues, but I was bored reading this one. As for a recommendation, why not check out Ram V's Detective Comics instead?

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: I'm not blown away by this issue. I wouldn't outright say that it's bad, but it definitely isn't entirely working for me. The main story has a few good moments, but overall it just feels like a remix of familiar elements rather than a truly original story, and the execution just isn't quite up to par. The backup is a lot more entertaining for me, but even then it's rather derivative. I wouldn't recommend this issue; it's just too expensive for something that's a really quick and forgettable read.

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This book does a fine job of setting up this arc and manages to create intrigue in the opening pages. However, as the book goes on a number of questionable narrative choices show up, and the art, while entirely functional, can be a little rough around the edges at times. All things considered, this is an entertaining issue, even if there isn't much to be found underneath the chaotic action.

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Comics don't always have to be deep or meaningful. Sometimes it's okay to just go for straight-up action and just have fun with that. Had this issue leaned more heavily into the fighting with way less dialogue, or focused on fleshing out the ideas and dialogue instead of the fighting, then this could have been more than just "mildly entertaining" to me. As such, I can't really recommend this book, as I'm just not feeling this one, unfortunately.

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I still like reading this issue, but I can't ignore the flaws. The creative team has to cram so many plot beats and character beats into 20 pages, that nothing's properly fleshed out, and as a result all of it feels rushed. I'm glad that we find optimism within these pages again, but if the story itself doesn't make sense, then even optimism can't save the final product. This issue is easily skippable and, unless you are a completionist or have a few extra bucks to spare, I recommend you do skip it and wait for the second arc to start next month. Nothing here is essential to the overall series, after all.

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Again, it's not necessarily a bad issue. It's just that I don't agree with many writing choices that King is making, with the main problem being the nonlinear narrative. The art is very good, though. I'd only recommend this book to those who are either big fans of King's work, or to big fans of Marquez and Sanchez. I'm not sure if casual Batman readers will enjoy this as much.

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I'm being critical because I've been wanting this book to be successful. I still do. I love seeing Capullo, Glapion and FCO drawing all these cool characters; I love their layouts; I love the colors, it's really fun stuff! But as much as I want a straight-up battle between Good and Evil at this point, I just don't care about any of it if there aren't any stakes. Death Metal has been entertaining up until this point. Hopefully the final issue will still blow me away, but I'm not holding my breath.

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Unfortunately, I think that this issue fails to deliver a proper conclusion to Death Metal, as it does come off as pretentious when the comic wants you to believe that everything that's happened in this story matters, but at the same time we get ill-timed jokes and no stakes which makes it seem like nothing matters after all.

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This has been a fun ride with a lot of bumps along the way. The series has never been flawless, but this final issue has suffered the most from its super fast pacing. Frankly, the issue is so fast that it's almost like the creative team didn't even notice the more problematic moments in the story.

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This isn't a terrible comic. I might seem overly critical, but the fact is that I don't find much of this stuff praiseworthy. DCeased has run out of steam: it feels like there aren't any stakes, and so many heroes have died that I've become numb to it, and the story is dragging at this stage. I hope that the creative team can end this story on a high note, but I'm afraid that I'm just no longer invested"

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I wish I could praise this finale. I wish I could tell you all to buy this book. I don't like writing negative reviews like these. But I have to be honest and this just leaves me cold.

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To me, this reads like a rushed issue, and that's largely because the story as a whole is a little too big for two issues. Add to that the, in my opinion, misuse of exposition near the end, the generic bad guys and the lackluster action, and this results in a rather boring reading experience. The art is good, but it can't save this issue. I recommend you wait for the next arc to start rather than spending hard-earned money on this issue, because it doesn't look like this issue adds anything particularly interesting to the current run on Detective Comics.

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As a conclusion to the Two-Face arc, this comic fails because it's rushed and hinges on highly questionable comic book logic. As a prelude to "Joker War," this comic fails because this prelude stuff happens in a story that initially had absolutely nothing to do with said crossover.

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I enjoy this comic, but that doesn't mean that I think it's actually good. It feels very rushed, as if the creative team didn't have enough time to polish their work. I just can't recommend this comic in good conscience. This series was amazing when DC was letting Tomasi and his artists do their own thing, but the past few issues have been rough. Hopefully this will change in the near future"

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If you are looking for an issue with well-rounded characters, an intriguing plot and a full-circle ending, then I can't recommend this comic. If you don't mind any of that and are just looking for beautiful artwork - and perhaps the best rendition of Bruce Wayne and Gotham that I've seen since the start of Rebirth - then I absolutely recommend this comic!

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Though there's plenty for me to critique, I don't think this is a bad comic necessarily. I'm just disappointed that everything is so on-the-nose rather than an organic part of the story. That said, Renee and Park have great potential to shine as main characters, and while there's not enough focus on the other two new cops yet, there's plenty of time to develop them too. It remains to be seen how good this comic will become as the series progresses, but for now I recommend waiting and seeing what reviews will say about the upcoming issues.

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I think I appreciate this series a little more, knowing how it ends, but I'm still not really into it. I'm glad that Montoya gets to deal with her personal issues and the situation as a whole, even if she doesn't completely resolve them. I also think this issue gives us the best art from Raffaele so far. However, seeing as the previous issues mostly weren't working for me, I can't really recommend this final issue, either.

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This comic offers some fun, wild imagery with high entertainment value. But at the same time, this entertainment hinges on plot imposed restrictions and therefore none of it should be possible within those restrictions.

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Ultimately, I don't think this really is a story. It's just a series of strange scenes that play out like a self-repeating formula, and that's really it. Artwise, some of it is fantastic, some of it is good, and some of it is bad. In the end, it's a mixed bag.

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Harley Quinn really is a strange book. Breaking the fourth wall has become a core component of the narrative, and the titular heroine's relationships with supporting cast don't always make sense given that Harley is the Joker's ex and a member of the Suicide Squad. Some of the jokes feel forced, whereas others, particularly those involving Captain Triumph, are entertaining and funny.

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If you are looking to jump onto Suicide Squad, I'd suggest waiting a while to see if the reviews become more positive in the future, because it seems like this is just an average, throwaway two-parter.

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This is a really fast read and there's not much here to analyze, but sometimes that's all that's necessary in order to enjoy a story. However, with the high level of predictability, the story feels rather uninspired and it takes away from the entertainment value. Although the next issue could be a lot of fun due to the Squad's upcoming mission, I can't really recommend #38 based on its own merits, even if it sets up a potentially fun next chapter. This is an average comic at best. So my advice is to wait and see what the next review will be like.

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I'm sad to say I can't really recommend this one, though, and it's probably only of interest to those who've been reading the arc anyway.

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I think the comic's biggest struggle is balancing out character moments and action sequences. It seems to try to be both a character-piece centered around Boomerang, and an entertaining, light-hearted action comic that races toward the finish line. Had the creative team committed to either the one approach or the other, I think the narrative would've been stronger.

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I enjoy this comic's visuals a lot more than its story. The art is solid all the way throughout, with fun layouts, high energy action scenes and cool thematic visual cues. The story lost some of its focus, and it remains to be seen how the upcoming final three issues of this series are going to turn out. If you haven't dropped this book yet, you might want to see it through, since we're so close to the end, but I don't consider this issue a must-read, let alone a must-buy, by any means.

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I'm still hoping that the creative team can stick the landing, but there are too many moving parts and not enough narrative focus. While I enjoyed a lot of the jokes in previous issues, none of the jokes work for me here and only distract from the story, and this issue is unnecessarily wordy. The art is excellent, though. Barrows, Ferreira and Lucas are turning in fantastic work, especially the drawn-out fight sequence that runs throughout the present day sections. That said, I don't really recommend this issue, except to those who have come this far and want to see it through. The ending might still pay off, after all. Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best.

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I don't think it's a bad comic. But at the same time I don't think it's a phenomenal read, either. In my opinion, this issue could easily be skipped and you would not really miss a thing, since the issue has some questionable choices regarding characterization, somewhat inconsistent artwork where bodily proportions are way off, and a number of plot holes that make the narrative very wobbly for me. As such, I would not recommend buying this issue unless you are a hardcore Starfire fan and have been looking to read a story where she takes center-stage, or you just don't want to leave any holes in your Rebirth Teen Titans comics collection.

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The art is good, and particularly the fight scenes are well planned and nicely sequential. However, there's barely any story here, nor is there much character progression. The only character that I genuinely find interesting in this issue is Mary, but Shazam himself just beats a bunch of gods into the ground for reasons that are never fully explained nor justified. Seeing the same scene a couple times in a row, just with different gods and eventually Mary herself, is something that bores me in the end. So, with that, I can't really recommend this book, but if you really want it then at least you'll get that sweet, sweet artwork.

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The main story feels rather pointless to me. Batman's destroying more than he's actually fixing this month, and he makes himself look like a bit of a fool in the process. I'm also losing interesting in Failsafe. The backup story is a lot more fun, though! I'd almost recommend this comic for the backup alone, but not at this price point. Aside from the backup, this issue isn't doing anything for me.

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While the main story has a somewhat interesting cliffhanger that actually surprises me, and there are some cool moments with Tim and Bruce, the creative team wastes too much time in the first half. As a result, I don't enjoy the main story. The backup, on the other hand, was a lot of fun. I'd almost recommend this issue for the backup alone, but then I remember the price tag. Instead, I'm just going to recommend Ram V's Detective Comics. It's been excellent and totally worth your time and hard-earned money. Here's a link to Matina's review of the annual that came out last week.

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Honestly? I don't recommend this comic; it just isn't very good. The backup is fun, and Zdarsky certainly has a good voice for Tim Drake, but I'm not about to recommend spending $4.99 on just a short backup. There are better books on stands this week that are worth spending your time and hard-earned money on.

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With plenty of comics on stands today, I don't recommend that you pick up this book. If you are still interested, though, I recommend that you wait and see if the reviews get more positive before you buy. The art is definitely good, but, as far as I'm concerned, the writing isn't worth the money.

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I hope that this series will get better, but for the time being, I recommend that you spend your hard-earned dollars on a different book. Batman/Superman #9 is a very average comic at best.

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This book desperately needs more energy, and a little bit more originality wouldn't hurt either. The writing and the art get the job done, but it's all rather lackluster and formulaic. If the problem was strictly bad art or bad writing, then that would've been a bummer, but at least it's something that creators can improve on. When the problem is lazy writing, however, even when readers just perceive it as such, then that's just frustrating.

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This is definitely not the worst issue in this run. It's a quick one-and-done story and it doesn't try to be more than it is. I guess if you don't stop to question everything that happens here, and just take certain things for granted, it can be an entertaining read. However, all things considered, I don't think this is quite up to par. It's just too fast and too sloppy throughout, and as such I can't really recommend purchasing this one.

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Since the comic relies heavily on exposition instead of showing the events, and with this being a story about Ivy as told by Gardener rather than a story about Gardener herself, it's hard to engage with the content. The artwork is fantastic, though, and definitely a reason to consider buying this issue. That said, I don't recommend this comic"it just doesn't cut it for me.

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I just don't think that this is a good issue. Yes, the art is great and if you're just tuning in for that I'm sure you'll have a good time! But the villains are so straightforward that they're uninteresting; the city-wide chaos happens mostly off-panel; several plot threads that should've been resolved in this finale aren't; and as a result the overall story arc ends up being rather weak. We need stronger villains, a sense of threat, and a better structured narrative and plot. These comics ain't cheap, so they better start giving us our money's worth.

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The main story is moving too slowly for me because I need more plot progression. The "House of Wayne" backup is pretty entertaining, but I'm not quite sold on this story just yet. The "World's Finest" backup is well-written and well-drawn, but ultimately it's just a setup for a different series, and I don't think this setup is going to be essential at all. Taking into account the price point"as this issue will be a dollar extra due to increased page count"I advice you to skip this issue in favor of a different comic. I wish I could start recommending Detective Comics again, but for now I can't do that in good conscience.

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This chapter of the main story is much tighter than previous chapters, but the sudden switch from a snail's pace to breakneck speed doesn't do the comic any favors. The art is strong, but without an equally strong story behind it, I don't think this issue is worth buying, especially not at this price point. The backup feature is pretty good, though, but I recommend waiting to see if DC puts out a "House of Gotham trade paperback if you really want to read it.

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I wish I could praise this book more, but I just find the execution to be very lackluster. The characters aren't fleshed out enough for me to really care about them; the plot isn't strong enough to keep me engaged; and the artwork is a bit too bland for my taste. Therefore I don't recommend this issue, especially not when there are far better books on stands this week.

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Aside from the plot twist at the end, this comic does nothing for me, and even the plot twist seems kind of fabricated and uncharacteristic. I see plenty of potential in this title, but the execution is not up to par. I still can't recommend this book. I wish I could.

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The first half of the comic promises a fun, energetic adventure with great art, but for me the book falls apart during the second half. The core story is problematic because of many plot holes, and the attempts at humor overshadow logic to such an extent that at a certain point logic is completely thrown out of the window.

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Look, I wish I could praise this issue! I wanted this to be good. But I just don't like this comic. I hate using this word, and I don't mean any offense, but this finale feels lazy to me. Heroes win too easily; Darkseid is criminally underused; the story concludes much too fast; and all the conflict between the heroes is kind of just swept under the rug rather than actually resolved. After seven months of following this series, I just feel let down, and so I can't recommend this issue or this series.

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Unfortunately, I'm not too fond of this issue. There are some great ideas here and the artwork is really solid, but the jokes are still as forced as they were in #1 and I just don't think they are funny. For example, I'm getting tired of Red Tool constantly repeating how many spouses Harley has had. Lastly, the story takes a long time to go anywhere, and right now, it's still not going anywhere. Maybe this will pick up with #3, but with this only getting 5 issues in total I'm skeptical. As such, I can't really recommend this issue.

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The key character, Ra's, isn't written authentically at all, and since I don't buy the book's premise, everything else feels forced, right down to the conflict between Bruce and Damian. While I didn't quite enjoy reading this, at least it does an effective job setting up the crossover's main plot. Still, I don't really recommend buying this as a single issue. Maybe wait for the eventual trade so you can pick it up with a nice discount if you really want to read this, but even then I recommend checking out reviews of the upcoming issues before buying anything related to this crossover.

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Suicide Squad #37 doesn't really do it for me. I never really get the chance to bond with Hack and root for her, and end up feeling rather careless. The Squad members act in character, but their lines feel forced and too predictable. The story also never reaches an actual conclusion but immediately drags readers into the next arc, despite it being marketed as a "conclusion."

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You've come this far and you just want to complete Williams's runYou really dislike Waller In my opinion this is a very lackluster issue. There's a lot of action, there's some intrigue, there are a few character moments, but none of it offers anything new to the Suicide Squad narrative. As such it feels rather stiff, like the comic is just going from story beat to story beat because it has to, and not because it has an incredibly exciting story to tell. I'm afraid I cannot really recommend this issue. Perhaps wait and see if the story picks up with the next installment, or just spend your hard-earned money on other comics.

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I don't think this issue does a good job as a penultimate chapter. While the early scenes and the closing scene work in terms of structure, even the closing scene here is built on a plot hole. The scenes in the middle ramble on. Task Force Z started out strong, but this really shouldn't have been a 12-issue series. This story could easily have been told in a maximum of 6, and stretching it out to 12 has only hurt the series as it went on. There's only one more left, which will be out next month, and I will review it, but I'm not feeling optimistic to say the least.

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This comic isn't great and quite the opposite of entertaining for me. I don't care about the premise and I don't care about what happens to certain characters. The mystery is incredibly uncompelling to me and as I read this I just don't get the feeling that the creative team gave this all they had. This issue reads more like a ramble than a strong story, and overall this entire event just feels mandatory, which takes away the fun. Luckily we're getting a new creative team next month, which I'm hella excited about. I recommend you skip this issue and wait for Zdarsky and Jiminez to arrive!

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This could have been a fun one-shot adventure, but Ghost-Maker ruins everything. The writing can be dry and boring, or it can be incredibly frustrating whenever Ghost-Maker opens his mouth. The art is solid on all fronts, but sometimes a bit too busy. Long story short, I don't recommend this issue and I still don't like Ghost-Maker.

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I don't like this comic. I think the dialogue is bad, and heroes fighting heroes is an overdone and redundant trope and I'm frankly tired of it. That said, the way Marquez draws Superman is awesome, and his fight scenes are pretty good as well. But all things considered, I recommend skipping this book. I think there are much better comics on stands right now. Batman/Superman #4 just ain't it.

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The ideas in this book are okay, but the execution of those ideas has been weak since #1.

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: This annual is entirely skippable. The first story is a lot of nothing, even if the art is cute. The second and third stories barely have any room to develop their themes before they are out of pages. The last story has incredible artwork that makes it worthwhile, even if the story can be confusing because a lot is happening all at once. I wouldn't recommend this annual to anyone but die-hard fans of Jorge Fornes or World's Finest completionists. To everyone else, I simply recommend waiting for the next monthly issue of the main World's Finest series.

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All things considered, Harley Quinn/Gossamer #1 is an incoherent comic book that's better left on the stands: there must be better stories out there that are worth your time and money.

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All in all, I recommend that you skip this issue as, to be perfectly honest, it doesn't really seem to go anywhere. You see, it's hard to get involved in a story whose villains are unconvincing and where the struggles are just straight-up uninteresting. Your money is better spent elsewhere.

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What else is there left for me to say? I think I've made myself clear. I don't like this. I love Joker just as much as the next guy, but he has nothing to do with the story that Tomasi and Walker seemed to be building, and I think it's just a lot of wasted potential and missed opportunity. I just wish DC had committed to telling a genuine Two-Face story. So, no, I don't recommend this issue.

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The main story isn't well-written or paced. The backup feature is all right, but because DC has already given out too much information about Task Force Z, the mystery doesn't really work anymore. Story-wise, this just isn't a good comic. Bogdanovic and Bellaire's work is beautiful, though, but does their quality work alone justify spending $5 on this comic? I think that's the question that you have to ask yourself if you are on the fence. After all, with such a high price point, the quality of the story-telling needs to be on par. If it isn't, then that's going to be one tough sell.

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The art is outstanding, but otherwise this isn't a good issue. It feels rushed and afterward I'm just bored. There are some good ideas here, such as Nakano's change of heart, but the execution isn't up to par. I can only recommend this issue to Mora and Bellaire super-fans who want a complete collection of this team's Batman art. Otherwise I'd say there are much better books on stands this week.

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"Shadows of the Bat" continues to be a mess. The creative team doesn't commit to fleshing out scenes before moving on to something else; our heroes aren't really accomplishing anything; and the story's slow pacing is seriously getting in the way of entertainment. I recommend staying away from this book, but if you really must have this story, then it's probably best to wait for the trade, as you'll likely be able to get that with a nice discount somewhere. So far, I really don't think this is worth your time and money.

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I don't like how static this issue is; I think the various themes are fighting for dominance instead of complementing each other; and I think that the art looks kind of rushed. I'm crossing my fingers that the second half of this storyline will pick up, but as it stands I can't recommend this issue. Its biggest offense is simply that it's kind of boring.

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I don't recommend this comic. It's a narrative mess. It's all over the place. Yes, the art is really good and the scenes between Harley and her mom are heartfelt, but everything else just doesn't work for me. And the "Year of the Villain" tie-in is so bad that it kind of ruins the entire reading experience for me. So no. Unless you're Otto Schmidt's biggest fan and you cannot stop yourself, please don't waste your hard-earned money on this book.

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You enjoyed Harley Quinn #42 and want to see more of that worldYou don't mind that the book is 90% jokes and 10% plotYou're just here for the imaginative, dynamic artwork I'm afraid I ended up rather bored, reading this issue. The creative team spends more time filling panels with word balloons of silly jokes, than actual plot progression, and that's why they lose me halfway through. Add to this that the plot doesn't seem to start in earnest until page 16 (of a 20 page comic book!), and all I can say is, either skip this one altogether or at least take a wait-and-see approach in case this series does pick up in #2.

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If I were you, I'd just quietly move away toward other books on stands this week. But if you do buy this book, at least you'll have stellar artwork and there's a fantastic Sorrentino variant cover available that would be a nice addition to the collection.

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The second-to-last installment in this 50 issue run is a far cry from #1. There are cool ideas in the story, but they never get fully realized and as a result the story remains superficial. Unfortunately I can't say I like this issue, and therefore I also can't recommend this in good conscience. It's a shame. I want this series to succeed because I like the Suicide Squad characters. Now I'm just going to cross my fingers and hope that #50 will be great against all odds.

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I don't recommend this issue. I want to be able to recommend it because I like these characters, but they are being handled rather poorly here. There is no strong character development, and even the final victory doesn't really feel like a victory because the book just ends abruptly. Character motivations are also rather obvious and only serve to highlight how these characters have not learned any new lessons. And with a number of three artists working on the same book, the aesthetic is also not very consistent, which is highly distracting. All in all, this book doesn't manage to live up to its full potential and it's just a reminder that its glory days are in the past. It's a shame. These characters and this series deserves better, but it just kind of peters out.

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It's such a shame how this series dropped the ball. It started out strong, but looking at this conclusion, I can't really say that any of it was truly worth it. This issue ends on a cliffhanger and barely gives us a satisfying ending as it rushes through all the action, and because of that the emotional beats don't work, either. The art isn't bad, but the lack of backgrounds and the repetitious color schemes make for a pretty bland overall aesthetic. All things considered, I can't recommend this issue, especially when there are far more interesting books on stands this week.

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I recommend that you skip this issue, or at least wait for the next couple of reviews to see if this arc gets any better. As it stands, it's not a strong issue at all.

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This comic is all over the place and collapses under its own weight. The creative team tries to balance a political debate of sorts in a meta human town with a big fight, Donna's mental struggles, and BWL's plan to infect Donna for"reasons. Since this book only has about twenty pages, there isn't enough space to properly develop all these different ideas. The book also doesn't add much to the main narrative in Batman/Superman. All in all, this comic is entirely skippable. I wish I had more positive things to say, but it is what it is"

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This comic feels rushed as the plot doesn't make a lot of sense; the Infected characters all sound and behave the same, thereby foregoing their unique personalities, and remain unconvincing; the main threat is dealt with too easily; the story is bogged down by exposition that ends up stating the obvious; and the art, even though it's still this book's saving grace, has a few problems as well.

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This is an oversized ad for other books, but the art is pretty good. Seriously, though, I recommend not buying this. If you're still interested in this title and can live without #6 among the other numbers, I'd wait for the next arc. Now that all this Secret Six and Infected stuff is behind us, we can finally move on to something new, and I'm crossing my fingers that the creative team will be able to craft something good now that their issues aren't required to tie into a big event anymore. Only time will tell, though, because so far I'm not impressed.

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I don't want to be this negative, but I can't recommend this comic in good conscience. It's trying too hard to be too many things at once and as a result nothing really works. This is another setup for "Shadows of the Bat" at best. At least you get to see many Bat Family members in one issue, though. That's still pretty cool.

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If you've come this far you've spend at least: $4.99 (or $10.98 with the annual).

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The main story has great art and a great Huntress scene, but other than that I don't think it's worth your time or your money. The backup continues to be great, and it's absolutely worth your time, but the price point is still too high. I recommend waiting for the "House of Gotham" trade (please make it happen, DC!) and skipping "Shadows of the Bat."

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To me, this comic is boring because the villain is weak, there is no conflict, the heroes don't have to put in any effort to win, and the art looks bland. Additionally, the whole scenario about a new Arkham doesn't seem that interesting, or at least no creative team has been able to convince me yet. This comic is also too expensive and it's a prelude to an upcoming event, not an annual that you can just read by itself. So, no, I don't recommend this issue.

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As I said in the introduction, this is a prime example of how even great artwork cannot save a bad script. The issue has some plot holes that I can't overlook and a main protagonist that is not at all interesting to read about. The ending of the story just leaves me with a feeling of: "what did I just read?" and I'm glad that it's over so we can move on to, hopefully, better things. I recommend skipping this issue, even if you picked up the previous part. Trust me. It's better to spend your hard-earned money elsewhere. Now here's to hoping that Williams, after having taken a break, will come back with new energy and a bunch of killer stories!Score: 3.5/10

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As you can probably tell, I do not like this issue. The main story is bad, and the backup isn't doing anything for me. As such, I don't recommend spending any money on this comic, and it's much too expensive anyway. Instead, you could check out Waid and Mora's World's Finestnot only is that an incredible book, but a new arc also started in March, and it's a great jumping-on point. But Batman? Well, this just ain't it.

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I recommend skipping this one. I had to struggle to get through this and was not entertained at any point, except while reading "Armageddon Blues." This is just a boring collection of heroes fighting villains, without stakes, without fleshed-out character work, and without an actual plot.

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The paywall's high and the entertainment value low. There's hardly a story here, and there is barely any character development other than very brief flashbacks to Wear's past. Honestly, I don't think this is worth the money. If you really want some cool Ivan Reis artwork, then I recommend picking up the Batman/Superman: The Archive of Worlds hardcover that just came out, which is one of the coolest comics that I've ever reviewed! But I can't recommend Detective Comics #1048. I wish I could.

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I don't recommend this comic. The plot is moving so slow it's starting to get on my nerves, our heroes look like fools, and the villains are unconvincing and not very threatening. This whole "Shadows of the Bat" arc is overcooked and convoluted. Stay away from this issue. Save your money for something else.

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The main story isn't worth your time or your money. The writing is mediocre at best and the art isn't anything to write home about, either. At least there's a bit of narrative focus now, but I really don't know why they took this long to get to that point (probably so they could milk the sh*t out of this event in an attempt to make more money). The backup story is great, though, and I really want people to be able to enjoy it, but not for this insane price. I recommend skipping all the tower stuff entirely and waiting for DC to hopefully publish a "House of Gotham" trade one day.

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There are only two issues of "Shadows of the Bat" left after this one. This story has been a waste of time and money. The only good content here is "House of Gotham," but even that isn't worth it with this price point. Don't buy this comic. Seriously. Just don't.

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I hate to say it, but this might just be the weakest issue in Humphries's run so far.

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If it wasn't obvious already, I'm not going to recommend this comic. The main story is uninspired as it rehashes ancient Batman tropes that have been done to death, and some of the ideas that are supposed to be freaky, turn out to be unintentionally funny. The Damian Wayne backup seems like a skippable story as not a whole lot of character development or plot development happens here. There are better comics on stands this week, so I'd say either pick one of those, or keep your hard-earned money in your pocket. Knight Terrors: Batman #1 just isn't worth it.

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Seriously. Don't bother with this. The only good content in this issue is "House of Gotham," but I don't think it's worth paying all this money just for the backup story. You deserve better, and there certainly are much better (and cheaper) comics on stands this week.

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It's over. It's truly over! Can you believe it? We made it through 12 weeks of 12 overpriced, bad issues. The "Arkham Tower story isn't worth reading, let alone buying. If you really feel like you have to read it, then I recommend waiting until you can find the trade with a massive discount. "House of Gotham was cool, but I wish that the creative team had more space to develop the ending. But man, I'm so glad that it's over12 weeks12 long weeks! I'm honestly surprised I came out of this with my sanity intact.

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I do not enjoy this issue at all. Pretty much nothing resonates with me. The story is weak; the villain is uninteresting; nothing's really at stake for Batman; and the ending feels unearned. I don't recommend spending any money on this, not when there are so many other books on stands that deserve the support.

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: The different scenes don't connect well and Batman doesn't accomplish much of anything. The story feels uninspired, Batman and Catwoman's conflict feels forced, and the art is pretty inconsistent, especially when Batman's proportions are all over the map, from panel to panel. Like I said in my intro, don't buy this book. It's not up to par and it's way too expensive.

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This is DC Comics' flagship book and it's not up to par. The conflict is forced and nonsensical. Batman is written completely out-of-character to a point that his scenes become boring. The fights are kind of okay, except some of the choreography during the Batman vs Jason segment isn't that great, and the fight scenes don't mean anything without well-developed drama. In conclusion, this book isn't worth your money and definitely not your time. I recommend you read something else, or simply keep your money in your pocket.

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I've said what I had to say. The premise doesn't work and as a result the entire story falls apart. This month, we get a bunch of pointless fight scenes, albeit rendered beautifully by a stellar art team. But DC needs to up their game, because this just ain't it. Like I said in the intro, I strongly recommend that you keep your money and spend your time doing something else instead.

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: This opening doesn't spell good things for this event going forward. For now I'll hold out hope that as the plot develops something more interesting goes down but as of right now I can't recommend this event.

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I can't recommend this comic. The writing and the art are subpar, and the story doesn't really go anywhere in the end. This book just feels pointless at the moment, and I genuinely can't think of a good reason why you should spend your time and money on this.

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The writing is lazy and unrealistic. The art misses depth and doesn't convey the sense of place nor the action well. There are no stakes here. To me, there is nothing enjoyable to be found within these pages and as such I'm afraid I can't recommend this book.

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Once again, only the bare minimum in plot progression is achieved in this issue's main story. This is a very simple, straight-forward story with an unnecessarily convoluted execution. It's not entertaining. It's not intriguing. The only good stuff here is the backup, but even that good backup can't save this mess. You deserve better.

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