Ray Goldfield's Comic Reviews

Reviewer For: Geek Dad Reviews: 4260
8.3Avg. Review Rating

9
80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular: Green Lantern #1

Jun 23, 2020

Overall, besides the first two stories, there aren't too many classics here"but there also isn't a single weak point. This is probably the most consistently strong of these giant one-shots, and it's a fitting tribute to eighty years of the DCU's greatest sci-fi franchise.

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9
80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular: Aquaman #1

Aug 31, 2021

Overall, there are a lot of top-tier stories in this volume. It's surprising not to see Kelly Sue DeConnick or Cullen Bunn in the writers, but the talent they picked up delivered a great volume.

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8
80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular: Robin #1

Mar 18, 2020

Overall, there isn't a bad story in this oversized special. But there are quite a few that feel very slight and don't leave much of an impression, and as a whole the issue feels more like a time capsule to past runs than an attempt to celebrate the future of Robin. Worth buying for the Seeley/King, Tynion, and Wolfram stories in particular.

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8.5
80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular: Catwoman #1

Jun 3, 2020

Overall, another strong anniversary spotlight for one of DC's longest-running characters, with a few stories that are destined to be classics.

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9
80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular: Joker #1

Jun 11, 2020

These stories have a massive variation in tone and style, but almost all of them are excellent. DC gathered an enormous amount of talent for this one-shot, and it pays off. This is one of the best giant anthologies they've done yet, with several all-time classics in the mix.

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9
80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular: Wonder Woman #1

Oct 5, 2021

Overall, another great giant anthology issue without a miss here.

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9
Absolute Power (2024) #1

Jul 3, 2024

This is one of the bleakest first issues of an event comic I can remember in a while. My only hesitation is that this still doesn't feel like Waller, and I'm wondering if that's a twist to come. But one thing is for sure I am hooked.

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9
Absolute Power (2024) #2

Aug 7, 2024

This is one of the bleakest DC stories I've ever seen, but I have full faith in Waid that the whole picture will bring it together in the perfect way for his upcoming JLU relaunch.

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9.5
Absolute Power (2024) #3

Sep 4, 2024

This is a surprisingly short event, with only a few books a month over four months, but an experienced writer like Waid has managed to balance everything well and even give the spotlight to some unexpected faces.

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9.5
Absolute Power (2024): Ground Zero #1

Jun 25, 2024

This is a fantastic start to the event, with all three stories setting up fascinating future plots.

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9
Absolute Power: Origins (2024) #1

Jul 24, 2024

As much as I've been enjoying Absolute Power so far, there's been one cloud hanging over the whole thing Amanda Waller. She's evolved into the main villain of the DCU, cutting deals with every evil force possible to bring an end to the age of heroes. It's an impressive plot but the character doing it bears little resemblance to the one famously developed by Ostrander and Yale as a ruthless and pragmatic spymaster. So it falls on John Ridley to bridge the gap and try to make sense of this new version of Waller.

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9
Absolute Power: Origins (2024) #2

Aug 28, 2024

The characterization here is so good that it just makes me want to see this level of nuance in the character in other books.

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9
Absolute Power: Task Force VII (2024) #1

Jul 10, 2024

So far, this event is almost claustrophobic in its intensity, which is a great way to set the scales and establish why Waller might be a bigger threat than the last alien invasion.

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9
Absolute Power: Task Force VII (2024) #2

Jul 24, 2024

The visuals here are fantastic Max Raynor is one of those DC artists who fills in when needed, but really needs more attention as a standout.

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9.5
Absolute Power: Task Force VII (2024) #3

Jul 31, 2024

There are a lot of little subplots in this issue, such as a great visit to the Oblivion Bar with some excellent cameos and a chance to catch up with Steve Trevor as he escapes captivity and starts to try to undermine Waller from within.

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9.5
Absolute Power: Task Force VII (2024) #4

Aug 14, 2024

I'm hoping that this is just the start of Pichetshote showing off what he can do at DC, because this is a fantastic start for someone we already knew was pretty much a guaranteed hitmaker.

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9
Absolute Power: Task Force VII (2024) #5

Aug 28, 2024

It might not quite have the emotional intensity of the last two issues, but it's probably the purest match between hero and villain that we've seen in this series, and it drives home the stakes of this whole event pretty well.

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8.5
Absolute Power: Task Force VII (2024) #6

Sep 11, 2024

Overall, this issue didn't quite have the impact of a few of the other installments, but this series is doing a great job of expanding the world of Absolute Power with some high-intensity one-shots.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #992

Nov 22, 2017

As we rocket towards #1000, Superman's in a genuinely compelling period in his story.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #993

Dec 13, 2017

Dan Jurgens, an iconic writer/artist on both Superman and Booster Gold, finally gets to team up his favorites again on an issue where he once again takes art duties. And like Tony Isabella, Gerry Conway, Marv Wolfman, and others, he shows he hasn't lost a step

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #994

Dec 28, 2017

This has definitely firmly established itself as the best Superman book right now.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #995

Jan 12, 2018

As the title marches towards 1000, it hasn't been this good in a long time.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #996

Jan 25, 2018

Superman and Booster's jump through time continues in Superman: Action Comics #996, as the series marches on towards the biggest anniversary issue in comic history. But after last issue's drop-in on the 25th century and Booster's family, this issue doesn't quite deliver the same punch in the main narrative.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #997

Feb 14, 2018

Brett Booth's art is well-suited to this story, and there's a real sense of tension throughout. However, the Booster/Superman story isn't on the level of the b-plot, focusing on Lois Lane and her son

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8
Action Comics (2016) #998

Mar 1, 2018

The conclusion of Superman and Booster's trip through time In Superman: Action Comics #998, (only a month before Batman and Booster have their own similar adventure) ends with an action-packed, emotional issue with a few surprising twists.

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7
Action Comics (2016) #999

Mar 14, 2018

Jurgens has had the unenviable task of trying to make sense out of a VERY tangled Superman continuity, and usually, it works. This issue, I'm not so sure he was able to stick the landing.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1000

Apr 18, 2018

I'm on board for the new direction, and I think all in all this epic tribute issue to DC's most iconic hero came off incredibly well. Let's see how they top this for the Dark Knight Detective.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1001

Jul 25, 2018

We've gotten an advance look at Brian Michael Bendis' vision for Superman over a miniseries and a launch issue in Superman #1, but it feels like Action Comics #1001 is by far the purest look at who his Superman is " and it's also by far the best issue that Bendis has written since his arrival at DC

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1002

Aug 22, 2018

This is a comic that's definitely the better of the two Superman books at the moment, but it's also suffering from a combination of Bendis' style and the scheduling.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1003

Sep 26, 2018

This book is definitely improving a lot issue by issue.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1004

Oct 24, 2018

Bendis' Superman run has been a mixed bag so far, but his run on Action Comics coming off the big Action Comics #1000 issue has been getting better and better.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1005

Nov 28, 2018

Overall, this series remains strong and Bendis' Metropolis is much more interesting than his Krypton.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1006

Jan 2, 2019

Still the better of the two Superman titles at the moment, but the run as a whole feels unfocused.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1007

Jan 30, 2019

Bendis seems to be building to an elaborate spy-war, as mysterious agencies both good and bad are being targeted by this strange force.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1008

Feb 27, 2019

The best way I can describe Bendis' run on the Superman books so far is "Pretty great unless something weird is happening, and a lot of weird stuff happens".

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1009

Mar 27, 2019

Steve Epting is an artist best known for spy thrillers like Velvet and Captain America, so he seems an odd fit for Superman. However, as he flashes back and forth between the present day and the events of Leviathan's attack, it works. The polished sheen of his art works well with both the lighter and darker segments.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1010

Apr 24, 2019

The title's been largely consumed by the lead-up to Event Leviathan, but the dynamic between Clark and Lois keeps it fresh.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1011

May 22, 2019

Overall, good as a setup for Leviathan, but in two books I still have very little idea what Bendis' Superman is like.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1012

Jun 26, 2019

This is probably further from a regular Superman comic than any issue Bendis has done yet, but that's what keeps it interesting.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1013

Jul 24, 2019

Superman: Action Comics is where Bendis shines most in the mainstream DCU, as he indulges his noir instincts (where his career began) to tell a story far more at home in Gotham or Bludhaven than the Metropolis we know.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1014

Aug 28, 2019

The entire thing is a compelling noir title with great stuff at the Daily Planet, but the many subplots don't quite come together.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1015

Sep 25, 2019

Bendis can be an odd writer to get into, because a lot of his issues can be best described as "characters talk about what's going on" " but when he's on his game, as in Action Comics #1015, his dialogue as they do that can have a unique charm that makes his books feel unlike anything else on the stands.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1016

Oct 23, 2019

It's been a while since we saw Superman in a mentor role at length, and the addition of Naomi to this arc let Bendis show off Superman's kinder, more compassionate side after many arcs where he's up against world-destroying menaces.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1017

Nov 27, 2019

I do know that Bendis' Metropolis feels more alive than the city has in years " which makes it all the more puzzling that he's blowing up Superman's secret identity soon and likely making the Daily Planet segments more infrequent. Like I said, compelling, but puzzling, but the ambition is enough to win me over. .

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1018

Jan 1, 2020

Following the chain of events in Bendis books can often be tricky, because he's fond of non-narrative plots and jumping around. That's definitely the case with Action Comics #1018, which takes place around the events in its sister title in Year of the Villain, and also incorporates several flashbacks.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1019

Jan 29, 2020

It feels like the two Superman books under Brian Michael Bendis have switched position in the last few months. While Superman is taking on the challenging identity storyline, Action Comics is still stuck in the past era dealing with various subplots. That's not to say Action Comics #1019 is not well-written, but it's definitely lost some of its momentum.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1020

Feb 26, 2020

Superman: Action Comics doesn't quite feel like it has its own story at the moment, but that doesn't stop it from being an entertaining ride.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1021

Mar 26, 2020

This has been the most explosive arc of the title since Bendis jumped on, with Leviathan and the Legion of Doom descending on Metropolis and Superman teaming up with Young Justice to fight back. John Romita Jr's art continues to be strong " except Grodd looking like a bear this issue " but this issue mostly belongs to Robinson Goode, aka the Red Cloud.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1022

Jun 4, 2020

This book is fleshing out Superman's world like we haven't seen since the 90s, and that's its biggest strength.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1023

Jul 21, 2020

Bendis' Superman is a lot more unpredictable than the character usually is, and it feels like this is the first shot in a war that's going to get nasty.

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7
Action Comics (2016) #1024

Aug 25, 2020

Having the whole Super-family together for a mission could have been a lot of fun, but as it is they're mired in a story that feels way too dark for Superman and essentially guarantees that Red Cloud is likely to be shelved after this run rather than getting a chance to be a more fleshed-out character.

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7
Action Comics (2016) #1025

Sep 22, 2020

As Bendis' run reaches its final act before the conclusion in December, this book seems to be losing the plot a little bit.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1026

Oct 27, 2020

Superman's dealt with some bizarre storylines over the last decades, and Bendis is treating them all as strange flourishes on a linear history similar to the way Morrison does with Green Lantern or Batman. It's an acquired taste, and so much information has been dropped that it's hard to see how it all gets resolved in two more months of story. Entertaining, but a lot of unanswered questions.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1027

Nov 24, 2020

This series is at its best when it focuses on the Super-family and Lois, and I kid of wish there was more time for that as opposed to focusing so heavily on a pair of villains who it's very possible might never appear again.

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8
Action Comics (2016) #1028

Dec 22, 2020

We're rushing through subplots and what comes out is some nice moments that could use a lot more time to breathe. I enjoyed a lot of this run, but I'm not sure the pace and split between the titles served Bendis' style as well as it should have.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1029

Mar 23, 2021

Phillip Kennedy Johnson is taking a leisurely approach to the start of his Superman run"which is funny to think about, given that he's starting out by pitting Superman and son against an army of interstellar invaders. But the backdrop to the battle against the Breach is a nuanced father-son story about what happens when children realize their parents aren't invincible.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1030

Apr 27, 2021

Phillip Kennedy Johnson is telling different stories in the two main Superman titles, although we now know that this will only last a few months before Jon Kent steps up as Superman in one of the two titles and Tom Taylor takes over. But Johnson is on this one for the long haul, and he seems to have a master plan here.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1031

May 25, 2021

Johnson doesn't seem to be trying to make huge changes to Superman's mythos here, just to tell a great story, and he's succeeding.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1032

Jun 22, 2021

Daniel Sampere's art is perfect for the widescreen action of this storyline as well, and I can't wait to see what twists it throws at us next.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1033

Jul 27, 2021

While Johnson is down to one Superman book right now, he's packing enough thrills for two into this title.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1034

Aug 24, 2021

This is how you elevate a villain into an A-lister"Mongul's presence looms large over this entire series even without him appearing on a single page of this issue.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1035

Sep 28, 2021

One of the best parts of this run has been the compassion Superman has shown.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1036

Nov 9, 2021

A fun backup, but anyone following Johnson on this title has their work cut out for them.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1037

Nov 30, 2021

It's a fun look into his character, but nothing groundbreaking yet coming off a phenomenal solo run for the character.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1038

Dec 28, 2021

In some ways, this actually feels more like a Black Label book"from the isolated nature of the story, to the older Superman, to the sheer level of brutal violence that gets dealt out. But it never feels gratuitous"it feels like the opening act to a story that might just define Superman for this current era, if he's lucky enough to escape it alive.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1039

Jan 25, 2022

If there was a Black Label Superman tale, it probably wouldn't look much different from this, but what's impressive is that Johnson manages to keep Superman's inherent character even amid the most brutal of situations.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1040

Feb 22, 2022

It's brutal, fascinating, and it's quintessentially Superman. It strips him of almost everything that makes him iconic, and yet he's never seemed more like himself.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) #1041

Mar 22, 2022

This may not have had the punch of some of the past issues, but I think it's essential to get us where we need to be.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1042

Apr 26, 2022

It's another strong installment as the revolution looms.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1043

May 24, 2022

The war for Warworld heats up, with a non-stop issue that gets all the key players in position for the final showdown.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1044

Jun 28, 2022

This story began with so much brutality that it was hard to see how the day would ever be won. We're getting close to that victory, and it's all the sweeter for the difficult journey.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1045

Jul 26, 2022

It's clear that Johnson is drawing from two main sources herehis military background in this story of building a resistance from the ground up, and his work on The Last God in designing truly disturbing alien kaiju. It all comes together into a truly iconic Superman tale.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1046

Aug 23, 2022

This is easily the most unpredictable the Superman titles have been in years, and stripping Superman of every one of his tools besides the ones that matter most has been a brilliant development.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1047

Sep 27, 2022

Superman is back on Earth, but he's not coming alone.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1048

Oct 26, 2022

Mike Perkins' guest art delivers great visuals, fresh off his fantastic run on The Swamp Thing, and Johnson is delivering the best in-continuity Superman story in years.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1049

Nov 22, 2022

The conclusion of the "Kal-El Returns storyline, which brought the entire Super-family together for the first time in over a year, delivers with an emotional coda that works really nicely despite the whole stakes.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1050

Dec 27, 2022

What is clear is that the writing team of Johson, Taylor, and Williamson have the entire Superman family in very good hands.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1051

Jan 24, 2023

The intention here seems to be to make this book something similar to Batman: Urban Legends with a stable main storyand so far, it's an amazing start.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1052

Feb 28, 2023

The next installment of the Superman family anthology that Phillip Kennedy Johnson is spearheading continues to deliver, kicking off with an excellent lead story that pits the Super-family against Metallo.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1053

Mar 28, 2023

The three stories in this book continue to all be top-notch, with the main story being the class of the three.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1054

Apr 25, 2023

The Superman line continues to be the best it's been in many years, and while Josh Williamson's adjective-less title may be the most-hyped, this Superman family anthology feels like it's the heart of the line.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1055

May 23, 2023

The Superman line is as good as it's ever been, thanks to a one-two punch of lead books. Phillip Kennedy Johnson's lead story would be a fantastic book on its own, thanks to its combination of high-octane action with deep continuity lore and great character moments.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1056

Jun 27, 2023

Overall, this run has been a much-needed spotlight for all the rarely-seen members of Superman's supporting cast.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1057

Sep 26, 2023

Although this is a dark and tense issue, there's an opening segment involving Superman's regular visits with an ex-con that sums up why Johnson's take on Superman is so excellent.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1058

Oct 24, 2023

Overall, this is one of DC's best books and it's headed for one epic finale.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1059

Nov 28, 2023

The mystery of Norah Stone and how she can affect the Supers' powers has been fascinating for a while now, but this issue's big reveal calls back to one of Johnson's earliest DC bookswith a dangling plot thread that I hadn't ever expected to see again.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1060

Dec 12, 2023

While Superman embarks on a quest to get his kid back with the help of a very confused but competent John Constantineand a few surprising guests in the climaxthere are some really excellent scenes with Kara and Osul as well, as Johnson continues to make the most of this powerful new Super-family he's built.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1061

Jan 9, 2024

While Bizarro is more intimidating here than he's ever been, the real strength here is in Aaron's Superman characterization. There's an excellent scene involving how his super-hearing works early on. It's a strange story to begin with, but this arc has a ton of promise.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1062

Feb 13, 2024

Much like his Batman story, Aaron has taken an iconic character and found a way to plunge them into a completely new scenario that feels thrilling and haunting at the same time.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1063

Mar 12, 2024

This story did a lot of unique things that we really haven't seen before. A Bizarro story that made the character genuinely terrifying? Check. A Superman story with strong horror overtones? Check. It also seems to put the cap on this version of Bizarro now, which makes sensebecause I don't really see this story being easy to top. Over to you, Josh Williamson. Aaron has set a high bar in this era.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1064

Apr 9, 2024

The scale of this first chapter is massive, with some spectacular action segments and surprisingly emotional moments, and it sets up another unlikely team-up next month. Fantastic stuff.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1065

May 14, 2024

This is a very fast-paced story, and calls back to some of the best 1990s Superman crossoversparticularly the highly entertaining "The Trial of Superman, which also dealt with some odder areas of space.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1066

Jun 25, 2024

The visuals are stunning, but amid all the action, Williamson has managed to perfectly ground this tale in a very human battle for family.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) #1067

Jul 10, 2024

The wonky timeline aside, this is a brilliant story that perfectly captures how Superman fights and what he fights for. Its big, occasionally funny and goofy, but with a great heroic core and high stakes.

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9
Action Comics (2016) #1068

Aug 14, 2024

Gail Simone's arc on Action Comics is set at some point in the past in a stylized Metropolis inspired by the 1970s comics. But she's managing to give us a Superman story that's truly timeless in the best way, as alien conquerors have come for Earth and set Superman an impossible task.

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9
Action Comics (2016) Annual: 2021

Jul 7, 2021

The art by Oum and Godlewski, especially the scenes in the Phantom Zone, is dramatic and haunting, and this remains one of the most unique Superman stories in a while.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) Annual: 2023

Dec 26, 2023

This entire run, and the Warworld Saga in particular, are going to go down as classic Superman stories, and the odds are some of the events of this run will sill be referenced decades from now.

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8.5
Action Comics (2016) Annual: Midnighter 2021

Aug 31, 2021

Overall, any Midnighter run is going to have an uphill battle given that Steve Orland just hit it out of the park only a few years ago. This isn't that run and it doesn't have the emotional context of it, but if you're looking for a run that pays tribute to the chaos of the old Wildstorm run with a bit more depth, this will read pretty well as a whole.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016) Annual: 2022

May 31, 2022

This feels destined to go on the short list of great one-issue Superman stories that perfectly sum up what makes the character great.

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9
Action Comics (2016): Doomsday Special

Aug 29, 2023

This is one of the darkest Superman stories in a while, with a very vivid and occasionally gruesome version of hell that is compelling but feels a bit out of place in the DCU.

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9.5
Action Comics (2016): Warworld Apocalypse #1

Aug 30, 2022

This story took a lot of beats from Johnson's brilliant The Last God, but the last chapter reminds us that it is a Superman story through and through, with a stunning last few pages that make me hope he's writing Superman for a long time to come.

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7
Action Comics (2016): Special #1

May 2, 2018

DC has given the writers of Superman and Action Comics an opportunity to wrap up their runs with these oversized specials before Bendis takes over, and Jurgens chooses to use his to put a bow on his take on the complex rivalry between Superman and Lex Luthor. His story is strong, although it has some issues, but the shorts by guest writers that follow are unfortunately not up to par.

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9
Adora and the Distance: One Girl's Quest #1

Jun 15, 2021

This book is a journey, not a straight narrative, and one that left me a little confused at points but ultimately very glad I went along for the ride.

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9
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent (2023) #1

Mar 7, 2023

This first issue is a little laid-back at times, due to setting up its plot, but it has some great emotional moments as Jon and Lois realize that the monster who took years from Jon is backand may be threatening their family again. Of course, we know that the headline threat here is someone else entirely, and this issue did a great job of setting up the journey to Injustice.

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9
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent (2023) #2

Apr 4, 2023

This run is only six issues, likely wrapping up Tom Taylor's Jon Kent series, and what an adventure it is.

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9.5
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent (2023) #3

May 2, 2023

This is the best issue of this new series so far, and Taylor does an excellent job of ramping up the tension in this multiversal adventure.

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9
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent (2023) #4

Jun 6, 2023

The story is great, but one of the real strengths this issue is guest artist Darick Robertson. He's a perfect choice for an Injustice-set story, as that world shares a lot of similarities with the world Robertson helped create with Garth Ennis. His style helps to jack up the tension as we get closer to Jon having to pick a sideand likely, to make his daring escape from a world ruled by an evil Superman.

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9
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent (2023) #5

Jul 4, 2023

As we reach the penultimate issue of this series, it becomes clear just how far gone the Injusticeverse isand how far Jon Kent will have to go to try to save it.

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9
Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent (2023) #6

Aug 1, 2023

The ending sets up the next DC event, as a fast-paced but ultimately strong series comes to an end.

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6
Adventures of the Super Sons #1

Aug 1, 2018

There could be an interesting story here, but as long as this series seems like like two kids having fun and more like a bully and his younger tagalong, it's lacking the charm it seems to be going for.

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7.5
Adventures of the Super Sons #2

Sep 6, 2018

And that basically sums up this book " it's silly, it's over the top, and it's at its best when it embraces that vibe and tones down the caustic sarcasm a bit.

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7
Adventures of the Super Sons #3

Oct 3, 2018

It's fun and silly at times, but I wish it was more so " it feels afraid to embrace the tone where it works best.

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6
Adventures of the Super Sons #4

Nov 8, 2018

Pete Tomasi's revival of the Super-Sons series so far has been an over-the-top cosmic adventure, but the problem is that it's not nearly as much fun as it should be.

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8.5
Adventures of the Super Sons #5

Dec 5, 2018

Finally, after four issues that were bogged down by too much cosmic villainy and snark between the two kid heroes, Adventures of the Super-Sons #5 gives us an issue that perfectly recaptures the Silver Age vibe the series is going for.

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6
Adventures of the Super Sons #6

Jan 9, 2019

Halfway through, it doesn't feel like Adventures of the Super-Sons really has a strong central plot yet.

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5
Adventures of the Super Sons #7

Feb 6, 2019

Overall, it's just an odd comic that doesn't really know what it wants to be " it's lost the innocent fun of these characters' earlier team-ups, but its darker elements don't come together into any sort of compelling larger plot.

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6
Adventures of the Super Sons #8

Mar 6, 2019

The overall plot, though, is very thin " it's just Damian and Jon in a constant state of running from one threat or another, and it lacks a compelling thread to take it through twelve issues.

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8
Adventures of the Super Sons #9

Apr 3, 2019

Adventures of the Super-Sons almost feels like an anthology at times. While there is an ongoing story involving the kid supervillains hunting them, it spends most of its time ping-ponging its tween heroes between one bizarre adventure and another. A lot of them have been duds, like the recent escape from Takron-Galtos, but once in a while, they hit exactly the right notes " like Adventures of the Super-Sons #9's strange space-western adventures.

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6
Adventures of the Super Sons #10

May 2, 2019

As the final in-continuity Super-Sons story " at least until Damian gets a growth spurt " heads into its final act, it loses most of the momentum of the clever last issue and returns to the same old battle with the Junior Legion of Doom.

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7
Adventures of the Super Sons #11

Jun 5, 2019

It's the penultimate issue of Peter Tomasi's salute to the former Super-Sons dynamic before Jon got a growth spurt and Damian took a level in jerkass, and this comic pretty much sums up the run as a whole " it's fun, but not memorable.

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6
Adventures of the Super Sons #12

Jul 4, 2019

The story tries to tie everything up before sending Jon and Damian back " just in time for Alfred to let them know summer's over and it's time to head back to school. This is certainly preferable to some of the stuff the boys have been up to lately, but I think this series missed its mark as a fun all-ages book.

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9
Alan Scott: The Green Lantern (2023) #1

Oct 24, 2023

Sheridan manages to infuse this story with emotion and pain that kicks it up to the next level.

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9.5
Alan Scott: The Green Lantern (2023) #2

Nov 28, 2023

There's a fascinating mystery at the center of the story, as well as a powerful and dangerous new antagonist, but this series wouldn't be half as good as it is without the brilliant character work Sheridan is bringing.

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9.5
Alan Scott: The Green Lantern (2023) #3

Dec 26, 2023

Last issue, which saw Alan Scott stuck in Arkham Asylum, was one of the most emotionally powerful DC comics I've read in a long time. It was going to be hard to equal thatbut I think the creative team has come damn close with an issue that takes Alan deep into a murder mystery with an unexpected ally.

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9.5
Alan Scott: The Green Lantern (2023) #4

Jan 30, 2024

The art is strong as always, and Sheridan's deft, emotional script manages to perfectly capture the time period and make this feel like one of the most personal superhero tales on the stands.

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9.5
Alan Scott: The Green Lantern (2023) #5

Mar 26, 2024

Given this context and the segment we see at the start of the issue, I'm guessing we're headed for a tragic final issuebut first we've got one epic Cold War battle brewing, complete with some long-awaited guest stars in the cliffhanger.

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10
Alan Scott: The Green Lantern (2023) #6

May 21, 2024

This isn't just one of the best DC books in a while, it's one of only a few big two comics that I would say is essential queer reading.

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8.5
Amazons Attack (2023) #1

Oct 24, 2023

I enjoyed this comic, mostly thanks to strong art by Georgiev and enjoyable scripting from Campbell, but it requires accepting that the DCU is a far crueler, more bigoted place than it's usually portrayed as.

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8.5
Amazons Attack (2023) #2

Nov 28, 2023

Overall, while I'm not sure that a second book for King's story was needed, Campbell is able to follow up on her Mary Marvel mini compellingly and set up a strong cliffhanger for next issue.

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9
Amazons Attack (2023) #3

Dec 26, 2023

This issue is a little darker than the last two, with not all that much Hoppy (although his caustic relationship with Faruka is always a welcome addition to this book). But so far it seems to be avoiding the pitfall of so many tie-in comics. Not only does it feel relevant to the main story, but it feels like it's revealing key details from the story that we can't find anywhere else. Hopefully this is just the start of what Campbell has planned for the DCU.

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9
Amazons Attack (2023) #4

Jan 23, 2024

With King's laser-focus on Diana and his unique writing style, it's great to have this book to expand the story of the Amazons' battle.

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9
Amazons Attack (2023) #5

Feb 27, 2024

The reveal at the end of the issue likely isn't what it looks like, given the effects, but it feels like there is still a lot to explore here with only about twenty pages left to go. The fact that Campbell is going to be taking over Shazam soon and continuing Mary's story there makes me hopeful that some of these characters will be following her.

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9
Amazons Attack (2023) #6

Mar 26, 2024

The final battle has some fantastic visuals, and it also gives us the chance to see the Wonders work together like never before, and allows Hoppy to steal the show one more time.

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8.5
American Carnage #1

Nov 21, 2018

The third new Vertigo title to launch, Bryan Hill's American Carnage, is by far the most gritty and down-to-earth.

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9.5
American Carnage #2

Dec 19, 2018

American Carnage #2, Bryan Hill's thrilling racism/espionage drama, ups the intensity to an almost unbearable level.

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9.5
American Carnage #3

Jan 23, 2019

A stark, brutal look at the racism bubbling under the surface of American society, American Carnage #3 delivers the series' best issue yet, picking up from the tense cliffhanger when black FBI agent Richard Wright " undercover as a white supremacist recruit " is presented with a sadistic "initiation" ritual to beat and torture a black man captured by his supposed fellow Nazis.

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9
American Carnage #4

Feb 20, 2019

The issue shifts seamlessly from political intrigue to violent horror in pages, and these are some of the best characters I've read in a long time. Hill's writing has elements of Ed Brubaker's work but with a more diverse eye. It's easily the class of the new Vertigo wave.

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9
American Carnage #5

Mar 20, 2019

Morgan seems ready to make another big move at the end of the issue, furthering his push for respectability, and this title continues to be the crown jewel of the new Vertigo line.

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9.5
American Carnage #6

Apr 17, 2019

The masterful part of Bryan Hill and Leandro Gonzales' racial spy saga has been how it can weave tension out of any scene, and that's never clearer than with American Carnage #6, a fantastic issue where there's virtually no violence " but every scene and every line of dialogue is brimming with hate and suspense.

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9
American Carnage #7

May 15, 2019

With two issues to go, American Carnage has yet to stop surprising me " it's a brilliantly tense neo-noir that has its finger on the pulse of racial issues without simplifying its narrative into cartoonish evil. Its Nazis are human, and that's what makes them such great villains.

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9
American Carnage #8

Jun 19, 2019

The most impressive thing about American Carnage, Bryan Hill and Leandro Fernandez' modern race-based noir, as it enters its penultimate issue is the way it can seesaw from ultra-violence to charged dialogue " and make the latter feel just as tense as the former.

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8
American Carnage #9

Jul 31, 2019

I'm not sure the pacing of this issue entirely worked, but the series as a whole is a must-read.

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9.5
American Vampire: 1976 #1

Oct 6, 2020

We have a compelling group of heroes, a terrifying villain lurking in the background, and a strong setup for a thrilling final arc. I think this book is a recap page and cast of characters away from being a perfect book, but I'd encourage a re-read before diving back into the world of American Vampire.

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9.5
American Vampire: 1976 #2

Nov 10, 2020

American Vampire has never really been a hard-boiled horror book, instead coming off more like a thriller. That means that when it dials up the horror, it's rarely more effective. We're headed towards a classic ending to a masterpiece of a book here.

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9
American Vampire: 1976 #3

Dec 8, 2020

I'm not sure how long Snyder and Albuquerque plan for this last act to be, but there is a lot of story yet to be told. Black Label reviving some Vertigo classics under this new brand has delivered some excellent dividends so far.

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9.5
American Vampire: 1976 #8

May 11, 2021

There is a lot of story left to be told in only two more issues, but I have little doubt that the creative team will hit the landing. It's looking like a fitting ending to one of the modern greats of Vertigo.

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9
American Vampire: 1976 #9

Jun 8, 2021

This feels like a finale to a long-running creator-owned comic, and as the last remnant of the great old Vertigo lineup, it has a lot riding on it. I see no reason to doubt that Snyder and Albuquerque's finale next month will be spectacular.

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9.5
American Vampire: 1976 #10

Aug 3, 2021

It's been a long, winding path to get here, but the conclusion of the American Vampire saga after around a decade was worth the wait.

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9
Amethyst #1

Feb 26, 2020

Visually, it's one of the most impressive books DC is putting out, and story-wise it immediately sets up an intriguing mystery and a likable main character worth rooting for.

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9.5
Amethyst #2

Mar 26, 2020

Amy Reeder's addition to the Wonder Comics line has delivered in just about every way, thanks to a great art style that fully captures the scope of Gemworld and a cast of compelling characters.

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9
Amethyst #3

Jun 13, 2020

This issue doesn't miss a step after a long absence, and it's another creative win for the Wonder Comics line and a return to form for one of DC's most underrated heroes.

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9
Amethyst #4

Jul 21, 2020

It's been a while since DC went into the high-fantasy genre, and Reeder is doing an amazing job of building on the excellent work past creators have done with Amethyst. The Wonder Comics line continues to be the place DC is putting out some of its most daring books.

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9
Amethyst #5

Aug 25, 2020

A fascinating subversion of fantasy epics, Amy Reeder's Amethyst has been a great new take on the semi-obscure DC heroine.

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9
Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld OGN

Nov 9, 2021

Much like their previous graphic novel, the Hales have managed to take a fantastical story and give it a very human core. It could be the start of a franchise, but it also works brilliantly as a stand-alone tale. It's another big win for DC's OGN line.

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9.5
Anti/Hero OGN

May 13, 2020

It's a perfect introductory story to the DCU for kids, but there's enough to chew on in this book to make it a perfect all-ages story that reminds me in tone of the best Pixar movies. The art style is the right combo of cartoony and expressive, and DC has a trio of bold new talents in the creative team. At only $9.99 for a full arc worth of stories, this is one of the best projects to come out of DC's OGN line yet.

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9
Ape-ril Special (2024) #1

Mar 19, 2024

The title says "In This Issue: Apes, and it's exactly what it says on the tin. Three oddball stories featuring DC's top Simian heroes and villains.

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8
Aquaman & The Flash: Voidsong #1

Jun 21, 2022

The high-stakes storyline is more than enough to keep me engaged, but I'm hoping to also see characters I can get invested in in future issues.

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8
Aquaman & The Flash: Voidsong #2

Jul 19, 2022

While this is a stand-alone series that seems to take place on the fringes of continuity, the creative team does a great job of making it feel like an event.

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8.5
Aquaman & The Flash: Voidsong #3

Aug 16, 2022

This has been an odd series, but I think it brought it home in the end.

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8
Aquaman (2016) #30

Nov 16, 2017

Sejic has brought out the best in Abnett here, and I'm hoping that continues once he leaves regular art duties.

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7.5
Aquaman (2016) #31

Dec 21, 2017

There's a compelling concept to this series, with Aquaman deposed from his throne and forced to build a resistance out of Atlantis' dispossessed and disadvantaged rebels, while not actually being sure if he wants the throne back. The problem is"the concept just isn't strong enough to carry the title as long as it's being asked to.

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8
Aquaman (2016) #32

Jan 18, 2018

My main complaint with this Aquaman series until now has been its rather slow pace, as it seems to drag out the battle against Corum Rath and Aquaman's struggle to gain allies over an extended period. Well, that finally ends in Aquaman #32, as several major plot developments occur in twenty pages.

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7.5
Aquaman (2016) #33

Feb 23, 2018

It's a fairly entertaining run, but there's still little in the way of plots or characters to really connect to.

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8
Aquaman (2016) #34

Mar 21, 2018

There's a rather significant art shift this issue, as iconic Batman artist Kelley Jones steps on. That turns out to be a clever choice, as Jones transforms the world of Atlantis from a gorgeous fantasyland to a creepy underground haunted kingdom, which works with Rath's twisted worldview.

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7.5
Aquaman (2016) #35

Apr 19, 2018

It looks great, but the problem is that few of the characters involved have been given much development or characterization. It's exciting, but it's rarely as compelling as the best Aquaman runs were.

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7
Aquaman (2016) #36

May 17, 2018

The issue has some great visuals courtesy of artist Federici, who comes off like a more gritty Stepan Sejic, but the story is lacking in momentum. When the battle with Rath comes to a close, it might be time for a new direction.

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7
Aquaman (2016) #37

Jun 21, 2018

It's a story with a lot going for it visually, but it feels like it's gone on at least several months too long at this point.

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7.5
Aquaman (2016) #38

Jul 25, 2018

I've been pretty critical of the pacing of Aquaman for a while now, as it seems like the Atlantis Civil War has been raging for years, with Aquaman banished and the mad Corum Rath on the throne. This issue, it all comes to a close, and despite the massive build-up it feels a bit rushed.

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8
Aquaman (2016) #39

Aug 15, 2018

This remains a more compelling plot overall than either of the involved books have had in awhile.

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7.5
Aquaman (2016) #40

Sep 19, 2018

The issue is action-packed, but the plot is kind of weak overall.

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8
Aquaman (2016) #41

Oct 17, 2018

Dan Abnett is bringing his long run on Aquaman to a close in a few months as Kelly Sue DeConnick jumps on board, and his final act will be this tie-in to Drowned World. It's also one of the best acts of his series, as he gets to close out plot points from his Mera: Queen of Atlantis miniseries and give the character a major spotlight she was lacking during the extended Corum Rath storyline.

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7.5
Aquaman (2016) #42

Nov 21, 2018

Abnett's run was by and large always entertaining, but I think a lot of people are ready for Kelly Sue DeConnick's distinct run to begin. As a tie-in and a tribute issue, this was a decent way to go out.

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9.5
Aquaman (2016) #43

Dec 19, 2018

DeConnick is known for provocative Image books like Bitch Planet, and she works a little bit of that social commentary in here around the end of the issue. By the first cliffhanger, I am totally hooked on her vision for this series and I hope she's around here for a long time.

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8.5
Aquaman (2016) #44

Jan 23, 2019

A lot of people reading Kelly Sue DeConnick's Aquaman will probably only be familiar with her writing style from her extended Captain Marvel run " a peppy, fun, optimistic superhero comic about the impact Carol Danvers had on her civilian fans. But they might be surprised because that's not at all what she's drawing on for her run here.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #45

Feb 20, 2019

Thus far, this series has built a fantastic mystery, and Robson Rocha is doing the work of his career on the Gods and monsters. This could be an Aquaman run for the ages.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #46

Mar 20, 2019

This has quickly built up into one of DC's most interesting runs.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #47

Apr 17, 2019

In only one arc, DeConnick has managed to open up Aquaman's world and introduce a host of fascinating new elements that will give writers a lot to play with " including one of the best new villains in years in Namma/Mother Salt.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #48

May 15, 2019

There's more double-page spreads than usual in this issue, and some are the best work of Bogdanovic's career.

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8.5
Aquaman (2016) #49

Jun 19, 2019

Easily the most plot-heavy issue of the run, Aquaman #49 advances Kelly Sue DeConnick's story in a big way " while also tossing us quite a few massive plot threads that upend everything we think we know.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #50

Jul 17, 2019

This is easily the best Aquaman run since the days of Geoff Johns in the New 52, and it feels like we're just getting started.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #51

Aug 21, 2019

I continue to be blown away by just how well Kelly Sue DeConnick weaves together the many subplots in her Aquaman run.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #52

Sep 18, 2019

Kelly Sue DeConnick's run on Aquaman has been building since the first issue, leading to Aquaman #52, and developing its own mythology while tying in seamlessly to the larger DCU " and almost a year in, I can safely say it's probably my favorite run on the character in a long time.

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8.5
Aquaman (2016) #53

Oct 16, 2019

Like the earlier half of this run, DeConnick is balancing a lot of elements and mostly hitting on all cylinders. Hopefully the tie-ins will resolve themselves quickly and she can continue building her master story uninterrupted.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #54

Nov 20, 2019

The story wisely keeps what happened on that boat between Aquaman and Manta's father vague, but this rivalry has been building for years since Geoff Johns revamped both characters. This may be the best and most nuanced take yet.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #55

Dec 18, 2019

Kelly Sue DeConnick continues to deliver one of the best Aquaman runs in memory in Aquaman #55 with a story that has brought in elements from multiple eras of Aqua-history along with many flourishes that are only hers.

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8.5
Aquaman (2016) #56

Jan 15, 2020

This issue might not have the dense, mythological storytelling of DeConnick's run, but it delivers an entertaining Aquaman story.

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8
Aquaman (2016) #57

Feb 19, 2020

This run has done marvelous work with expanding Aquaman's mythology, but as it gets down to more down-to-earth concepts, I'm hoping it course-corrects a bit to give Mera more of a voice.

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8
Aquaman (2016) #58

Mar 18, 2020

There is some VERY good stuff in this book, but right now it's not living up to the early issues.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #59

May 27, 2020

I'm still not thrilled with Mera being sidelined so frequently in this series, but this is probably the most compelling issue of DeConnick's run in a while.

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8.5
Aquaman (2016) #60

Jun 24, 2020

There's a lot of good in this series, but a lot of the comic book tropes it plays with take away from the epic mythology DeConnick has been building.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #61

Jul 15, 2020

The first half of the issue is a lot of setup, but when the chaos breaks out, it delivers in a big way.

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8.5
Aquaman (2016) #62

Aug 18, 2020

A fill-in issue usually means two things"it won't tie in to the main story much, and it won't be as good as the main run. Surprisingly, that's not the case on either count for Jordan Clark's fill-in on Aquaman.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #63

Sep 22, 2020

These are two jam-packed issues, that in a lesser writer's hands could feel jumbled. But Clark manages to handle a lot of plot points, including Jackson dealing with anxiety over the full extent of his powers (which hurt Mera the last time he used them). There's a fascinating undercurrent of commentary on dysfunctional families in this story, as Jackson tries to repair his tense relationship with his grandfather " and figure out whether there's anything in his father that's worth saving.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #64

Oct 20, 2020

This is one run that fans of the character are going to look back at as one of the greats.

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9
Aquaman (2016) #65

Nov 17, 2020

: Kelly Sue DeConnick brings down the curtain on her exceptional Aquaman run with a final issue that's notable as much for how non-explosive it is than anything.

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8
Aquaman (2016) Annual #1

Nov 29, 2017

Suffice it to say that this issue is Aquaman's take on one of the most iconic DC stories of all time, and it's got some great emotional punches towards the end, making good use of multiple DC icons.

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9
Aquaman (2016) Annual #2

Oct 23, 2019

This is one of the best books I've read in a while when it comes to the supporting cast and the sense of place for a hero, and it continues with the biggest strength of the DeConnick run " everything matters, and even a small-scale issue like this works to inform the rest of the run. Easily the best Aquaman run of the modern era.

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8.5
Aquaman (2016): Drowned Earth Special #1

Nov 28, 2018

All in all, a highly entertaining mini-event that did justice to both the books it tied into. Needed more Jarro, though.

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8
Aquaman / Green Arrow: Deep Target #1

Oct 26, 2021

This isn't like anything else DC is putting out"it's an oddity that never fails to surprise, and I'm curious what craziness awaits us in the next six issues.

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8
Aquaman / Green Arrow: Deep Target #2

Nov 23, 2021

Ronan Cliquet's art is great here, and it's really interesting to see how these two heroes adapt to each other's styles. We don't get much more information about the why this issue, but the arrival of the main villain in the cliffhanger might change that.

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7.5
Aquaman / Green Arrow: Deep Target #3

Dec 28, 2021

It swings for the fences, but I don't think it quite always hits what it's going for.

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8
Aquaman / Green Arrow: Deep Target #4

Jan 25, 2022

The concept of this series, essentially switching the powers and identities of Green Arrow and Aquaman, is pretty fascinating. But I'm not sure it's being used to its full potential.

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8
Aquaman / Green Arrow: Deep Target #5

Feb 22, 2022

It's an oddball side story to the bigger stories for these two characters, but it's definitely won me over.

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8
Aquaman / Green Arrow: Deep Target #6

Mar 22, 2022

I don't really know how this fits in with Thomas' other work in the Aqua-family, but it's increasingly enjoyable on its own.

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8
Aquaman / Green Arrow: Deep Target #7

Apr 26, 2022

The ending is a little rushed, but given how wild the concept is I'm not sure if it ever could have felt any other way. It's a suitable tribute to the two heroes before they likely head off to oblivion for a while.

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8
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Special (2023) #1

Oct 31, 2023

Overall, it's a solid read, with three decent stories in service of a movie that seems to be slipping under the radar.

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10
Aquaman: Andromeda #1

Jun 7, 2022

Black Label has been riding an incredible hot streak, and so has Ram V, so it's no surprise that when you put them together, you get a full-on masterpiece.

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9.5
Aquaman: Andromeda #2

Aug 2, 2022

Brilliant art is backed up by a highly compelling and memorable story that fuses a lot of the best sci-fi tropes with some great superhero action. It's part of a great month of prestige-format books for DC this month.

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9.5
Aquaman: Andromeda #3

Oct 18, 2022

This isn't some swashbuckling seafaring adventure, as fun as those are. It's a melancholy mystery that pays tribute to some of the greatest deep-sea adventures of all time.

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9
Aquaman: The Becoming (2021) #1

Sep 21, 2021

There are a lot of interesting details about Jackson's anxieties running through this book, and the strong story and brilliant art come together into a promising first chapter in the Aquaman mythology.

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8.5
Aquaman: The Becoming (2021) #2

Oct 26, 2021

The story is strong, but this issue suffers from the fact that Diego Olortegui's stunning art only lasted a single issue. He splits art duties with Skylar Partridge on this issue, and Partridge is strong as well, but the decrease in the smoothness of the art is noticeable from the first issue. Overall, it's still one of the most interesting Aquaman comics we've gotten in a while.

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8.5
Aquaman: The Becoming (2021) #3

Nov 16, 2021

I don't know what's going on with the art on this book, which now has a third primary artist in three issues. Scott Koblish is a talented penciller, but it's definitely a different style than the hyper-detailed work of Diego Ortolegui. Fortunately, the story stays strong as Jackson and Mera both find themselves with their backs against the wall.

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8
Aquaman: The Becoming (2021) #4

Dec 28, 2021

The characterization is great, but most of the high-octane action of the series is missing this issue.

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8.5
Aquaman: The Becoming (2021) #5

Jan 18, 2022

If this series is trying to sell us on Jackson going from Aqualad to Aquaman, it's definitely succeeding.

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9
Aquaman: The Becoming (2021) #6

Feb 15, 2022

Aquaman's mythology has always been one of the less fleshed-out of the DC stable, but that seems to be changing. Of course, the elephant in the room is that the Justice League is apparently dying soon"and maybe Arthur with them"so that gives Jackson's transformation into a lead all the more weight.

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8.5
Aquamen (2022) #1

Feb 22, 2022

This first issue takes a while to get everyone on the same page, and the ending promises much more tension down the line. But both previous minis were consistently strong, and this debut continues the excellent character development all the main characters got.

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8.5
Aquamen (2022) #2

Mar 22, 2022

Overall, this series isn't giving away its secrets too easily but I'm very intrigued by where it's taking this plot.

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9
Aquamen (2022) #3

Apr 26, 2022

If the goal of this series is to set up Jackson and his supporting cast for a solo run after this, it's doing a damn good job.

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9
Aquamen (2022) #4

May 24, 2022

It's probably the most nuanced supervillain reformation arc since the one Dan Slott and Christos Gage gave Dr. Octopus. Hopefully this one sticks like that one didn't, because with Arthur on the way out, the sea is going to need all the guardians it can get.

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8.5
Aquamen (2022) #5

Jun 28, 2022

It can feel a little frantic, and with only one issue left it's hard to imagine how this will all wrap up smoothly, but the creative team has done a strong job so far and I have no reason to believe that's going to change.

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9
Aquamen (2022) #6

Jul 26, 2022

Just about every major character gets a spotlight in this issue, but Black Manta has got to have the most interesting character arc.

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8
Archie Meets Batman '66 #1

Jul 18, 2018

This first issue is a little slight and kind of underuses the Archie characters, but it's a fun start and I'm hopeful that this six-issue miniseries will have as many fun twists and turns as the previous DC/Archie crossover.

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8
Archie Meets Batman '66 #2

Aug 15, 2018

This Archie-published crossover still doesn't quite live up to its name with its second issue " the main characters are mostly separate, and the crossover does begin, but not with the title characters yet. Still, it's a fun, engaging comic that pays tribute to the classic versions of both franchises with a plot that manages to be light and silly while still having real stakes

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8
Archie Meets Batman '66 #3

Sep 27, 2018

Archie Meets Batman '66 has been a good example of how a comic doesn't need to feel like a world-threatening disaster to deliver an entertaining and exciting read.

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7.5
Archie Meets Batman '66 #4

Nov 3, 2018

Archie Comics' oddball co-production with DC continues to deliver an amusing spy adventure that pays proper tribute to the Batman '66 universe.

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8
Archie Meets Batman '66 #5

Dec 6, 2018

This series has done a good job of telling an exciting story while still keeping it in the retro tone of both the properties it works with. It's a good example of how crossovers work best when they feel like they can equally take place in both comics' worlds.

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8
Archie Meets Batman '66 #6

Jan 10, 2019

One of the odder DC crossovers in recent months comes to an end, and Archie Meets Batman '66 #6 does a good job of showing off what a crossover should do " a celebration of both properties involved.

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8.5
Are You Afraid of Darkseid? (2021) #1

Oct 5, 2021

Overall, with one exception none of these stories are brilliant, but they all feel like a good fit for the genre of scary stories to tell in the dark.

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9
Arkham City: The Order of the World #1

Oct 5, 2021

Arkham has been a mainstay of Gotham for a long time, but it's never really been asked"it's a bad system, but what happens when it collapses? This team seems ideally positioned to answer that.

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9
Arkham City: The Order of the World #2

Nov 2, 2021

The tension builds consistently through the issue, with various chaos agents continuing to make Gotham a more dangerous place. Between the writing and the terrifying art, it's another winning issue for this unique series.

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8.5
Arkham City: The Order of the World #3

Dec 7, 2021

This series has a very deliberate pace, with certain characters being teased issues ago and only rearing their faces now. That's because this is more of a mood piece than anything else, showing how the madness of Arkham slowly infects and corrupts Gotham. It's part of the main line, but to a degree it feels more like an experimental Black Label book"well-suited for this creative team.

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8.5
Arkham City: The Order of the World #4

Jan 4, 2022

It's a compelling slow-burn horror mystery that's only getting better.

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8.5
Arkham City: The Order of the World #5

Feb 1, 2022

The arrival of Azrael doesn't add too much besides an elaborate fight scene, but the Ten-Eyed Man remains the most fascinating rogue in this series, and his escape segment is brilliantly creepy. The cliffhanger, however, leaves me a little dubiouswith only one issue to go, the addition of this very odd new villain as a major player could go either way.

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8.5
Arkham City: The Order of the World #6

Mar 1, 2022

The art is brilliant and this issue has a great sense of tension to it, but some of the characterizationespecially of Azraelseems a little spotty. But it's hard not to get pulled in as this series rockets towards its tragic conclusion.

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8.5
ArkhaManiacs OGN

Dec 8, 2020

Kids love Batman, they love colorful and wacky characters, and this book delivers both. It's the oddest book that Baltazar and Franco have put out yet, but one that hits its very strange technicolor mark.

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8
Artemis: Wanted (2022) #1

Jul 19, 2022

It does feel a little pat at times, with several pages devoted to a character explaining to other characters why they're such great heroes, but as a whole it's a solid next installment in the Amazon saga.

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9.5
Astro City (2013) #50

Jan 31, 2018

This is the first part of a three-part story that will wrap the volume, and I couldn't think of a more fitting subject to revisit for the finale.

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9
Astro City (2013) #51

Apr 5, 2018

This issue has a lot to deal with, and as a middle chapter, it doesn't quite resolve anything. But there's one issue left, and this arc has been the perfect contemplative, melancholy capper to a series that has consistently been one of the most human takes on superheroes ever written.

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9.5
Astro City (2013) #52

Jun 27, 2018

The story doesn't so much end as move on " Michael's life is going to continue, with him doing good in the little ways he's chosen. That's the beauty of Astro City. It's a series without a main character, because its main character is its city and the people in it both spectacular and human.

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9.5
Barnstormers (2022) #1

Jul 19, 2022

Tula Lotay's art feels painted and haunting, and an ongoing sci-fi subplot doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the story yet but only drives home how unpredictable this book is. Brilliant start.

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8
Basketful of Heads #1

Oct 30, 2019

Fans of Stephen King will definitely recognize his influence in his son's work, from the slow burn to the intimate scenes in a Maine town, but I'm not sure it's the best way to kick off a new horror line. A comic is very different from a book, and the leisurely pace might make it hard for this intriguing book to keep readers from month to month.

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7
Basketful of Heads #2

Nov 27, 2019

Two issues in, it feels like the comic still moves at a pretty slow pace and the main character is mostly a blank slate.

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7.5
Basketful of Heads #3

Dec 20, 2019

Basketful of Heads, the first of the Hill House books to debut is still the one that isn't fully clicking with me, due to its slower pace and its odd grindhouse-inspired concept.

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7
Basketful of Heads #4

Jan 22, 2020

The whole story has the vibe of a 70's grindhouse supernatural slasher, but while the other three books weave slow-paced mysteries, this seems like a one-joke horror concept that doesn't really go anywhere more than half of the way in.

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7
Basketful of Heads #5

Feb 26, 2020

There's very little dramatic momentum beyond the inherent horror of the concept.

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9
Batgirl (2016) #7

Jun 14, 2022

Between the strong plotting and dialogue and the excellent guest art, this continues to be one of the top gems of the Bat-line.

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8
Batgirl (2016) #17

Nov 22, 2017

The conclusion of the "Summer of Lies" arc, reuniting Batgirl and Nightwing as they chase the ghosts of a mystery of their youth, delivers a satisfying conclusion as the two heroes face off against the Red Queen.

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7
Batgirl (2016) #18

Dec 27, 2017

A done-in-one holiday issue teams Barbara with some of her best friends against Harley Quinn, in a story with lots of current events commentary but also some sketchy characterization.

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8
Batgirl (2016) #19

Jan 24, 2018

This issue feels more like it's making use of the Batgirl of Burnside characters than the book has in a while, and Larson's Batgirl is a good combo of the youthful Burnside version with the more skilled Simone version.

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7.5
Batgirl (2016) #20

Mar 1, 2018

Larson's Batgirl is very strong, a nice bridge between Burnside Barbara and classic Barbara, and I hope it continues on that path.

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9
Batgirl (2016) #21

Mar 28, 2018

Batgirl takes the issue off from its overarching story to do a done-in-one team-up issue that's probably one of the most enjoyable issues of the series.

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8
Batgirl (2016) #22

Apr 25, 2018

This arc is calling back to plotlines from the entire run, and it's a solid combination of the strengths of both Gail's run and Batgirl of Burnside.

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7.5
Batgirl (2016) #23

May 23, 2018

It's a compelling, if somewhat slight final arc, in a run with a lot of interesting elements but without a real central plot.

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8
Batgirl (2016) #24

Jun 27, 2018

Maybe this would have been a bit better as a two-parter, but it's still a thoroughly enjoyable done-in-one.

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8.5
Batgirl (2016) #25

Aug 15, 2018

The latest anniversary issue for DC delivers a big package of stories more associated with annuals, weaving together four narratives by three writers into one semi-cohesive but highly compelling story.

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8.5
Batgirl (2016) #26

Aug 29, 2018

I really enjoy how Scott is writing the two leads, and I hope we see more of the supporting characters in future issues. But Barbara might have more pressing concerns, as the chip backfires at the end of the issue and seemingly causes a stroke. Hell of a cliffhanger to leave off on " but this isn't the only time we see Batgirl this week.

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9
Batgirl (2016) #27

Sep 26, 2018

The plot issues aside, this is one of my favorite takes on Barbara Gordon in a while and I'm hoping Scott's on this book for the long haul.

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8.5
Batgirl (2016) #28

Oct 24, 2018

Mairghread Scott's Batgirl run continues to be one of the most intriguing new runs in DC Comics at the moment, but it almost feels like two runs in one.

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8
Batgirl (2016) #29

Nov 28, 2018

The stakes are high, with both Barbara and her father in the building as the clock ticks down. But maybe too much of the issue deals with Wyrm's minions, the shapeless techno-zombies known as Terminals. These hulking threats didn't really excite me in Percy's issues where they appeared either.

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8.5
Batgirl (2016) #30

Jan 2, 2019

There's a lot of interesting ideas in this first issue, and Batgirl as a title has surprisingly been involved in a lot of political storylines in recent years. Scott's run continues to be off to a strong start.

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8.5
Batgirl (2016) #31

Jan 30, 2019

This is a great combo of the "Teen detective" vibe of the Burnside run with the more mature Batgirl pioneered by Gail Simone. I hope they end the rift between the Gordons soon, but this is a great run.

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8
Batgirl (2016) #32

Feb 27, 2019

There are few breakout moments in this issue, but the overall take on Batgirl remains strong.

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9
Batgirl (2016) #33

Mar 27, 2019

James Gordon Jr. has haunted the Gordons for years, ever since Snyder's earliest days at DC, but his dual roles in the two comics coming out right now may be his finest hour " and it comes just as he's maybe not a villain anymore. And I can safely say Scott is doing the best work with Barbara Gordon since Oracle was retired.

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8
Batgirl (2016) #34

Apr 24, 2019

I don't think this is the best issue of the run, and the ongoing Jason Bard subplot doesn't do much for me, but it's an intriguing mix of elements setting up a strong finale.

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7
Batgirl (2016) #35

May 22, 2019

Writer Mairghread Scott is leaving after next issue, paving the way for Cecil Castellucci to take over, and I wish she had gone out on a stronger antagonist in Batgirl #35.

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7
Batgirl (2016) #36

Jul 3, 2019

A disappointing end to a great run.

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7.5
Batgirl (2016) #37

Jul 24, 2019

The subplot involving Jason Bard apparently developing feelings for Barbara".pass, given the significant age gap and just how many times he's screwed over her family. It's not a pairing I'm particularly interested in. But as a first issue, Batgirl #37 is showing some good characterization for its lead character, so there's promise here.

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7
Batgirl (2016) #38

Aug 28, 2019

Jason Bard referring to Batgirl as a "menace" may be a little too on the money, but this run does seem to have a very good take on Barbara Gordon " at least in the present day.

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7
Batgirl (2016) #39

Sep 25, 2019

This is a title with several big ideas that aren't coalescing into a cohesive whole.

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7.5
Batgirl (2016) #40

Oct 23, 2019

There's a good Barbara Gordon in this story, and a good sense of tension, but I'm not sure the central plot is doing the character any favors.

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8
Batgirl (2016) #41

Nov 27, 2019

Overall, it's definitely getting better but I'm looking forward to seeing what Castellucci does once she's out from under this storyline.

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4
Batgirl (2016) #43

Jan 22, 2020

After several runs that fleshed out Barbara's new supporting cast and setting, this run and especially this arc feel like a big step back.

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6
Batgirl (2016) #44

Feb 26, 2020

The oddest story in recent Batgirl history concludes in Batgirl #44 with a fantasy-accented adventure that mostly seems to serve to push Babs and Jason Bard together as a couple. If you're into that pairing, you might like it " but it didn't work for me.

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5
Batgirl (2016) #47

Jul 21, 2020

The problem is that this is a story we've seen before, and the way it's presented in this issue is deeply uncomfortable. And the ongoing subplot about Barbara's role in Jason being disabled"coming to a head soon"isn't holding my interest.

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4
Batgirl (2016) #48

Aug 25, 2020

We now know that Batgirl is ending in only two issues, and based on some Joker War promo pics it looks like the mantle might be in for a shakeup. Given these two tie-in issues, I can't say I'm opposed to a complete revamp.

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4
Batgirl (2016) #49

Sep 22, 2020

With only one issue to go before the end of the run, it feels like a summary of the entire Babsgirl run " a few interesting ideas, but critically flawed and a less-than-ideal use of a great character.

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6
Batgirl (2016) #50

Oct 27, 2020

It's the last issue of Cecil Castellucci's run, and potentially the end of Barbara Gordon's time as Batgirl if rumors are to be believed. So for the finale, we get an extra-sized issue that tries to do a lot but is bogged down by many of the problems of the run as a whole.

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9
Batgirl (2016) Annual #2

Aug 29, 2018

This is a fascinating tale about dark, codependent relationships and the way that while Barbara will keep on foiling James, she'll never quite be able to rid herself of him.

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4
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #17

Dec 13, 2017

Political comics aren't necessarily a bad thing, but they are when they devolve into this.

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6
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #18

Jan 11, 2018

It's a serviceable issue without much obviously wrong with it, but that's the best that can be said.

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6
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #19

Feb 15, 2018

Overall, this issue seems to set up a final showdown with Calculator, but it mainly blows up the segment where the book was at its best.

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5
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #20

Mar 15, 2018

While Birds of Prey has a long and excellent history of stories, Batgirl and the Birds of Prey never got off the ground, and this issue sums up the reasons why.

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4
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #21

Apr 12, 2018

Burnrate, Calculator's Terminator-esque robot, continues to destroy everything in sight, and the action is intense, but this series as a whole lacks what makes Birds of Prey work.

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5
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #22

May 9, 2018

There's been a lot of attempts to revive nostalgic hits in the last few years, but this one shows that sometimes a property is a product of its time and place, and when too much has changed it's just not the same anymore. Might be time to let the Birds rest and try a new concept " Batgirls Inc, maybe?

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9.5
Batgirls (2021) #1

Dec 14, 2021

It's clear that this creative team deeply loves these three characters, and this first issue makes it feel like the start of something great.

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9.5
Batgirls (2021) #2

Jan 11, 2022

Between the organic feeling neighborhood and the great lead characters, it's making a strong case for the best new Bat-book in a while.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #3

Feb 8, 2022

This book continues to be one of the biggest surprises at DC in recent years, a non-stop chaotic romp through Gotham combined with some surprisingly tense plotting and great characterization for the three Batgirls.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #4

Mar 8, 2022

While the plotting is strong, this is a case where the leads are really what drives this comic. Steph and Cass may not exactly be what they were before Flashpoint, but this book captures their joyful energy in a way no one has in years.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #5

Apr 12, 2022

Batgirls continues to be DC's lightest blast of a book every month, combining high-octane action with top-notch banter featuring the three heroines.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #6

May 10, 2022

This first arc has been an absolute delight of a comic, exactly what Cass and Steph have needed for a very long time, and the cliffhanger is a great twist. Bring on the next arc.

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8.5
Batgirls (2021) #8

Jul 12, 2022

Mostly a locked-room search with a whole lot of chaotic action, this issue is a lot of fun. How much you enjoy it will depend on your tolerance for Dick and Babs' couple banterwhich can lean a little too heavily on the cutesy side at times, as they bicker about him sneaking advanced looks at their favorite streaming show.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #9

Aug 9, 2022

It's still one of the most enjoyable Bat-books on the stands right now.

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8.5
Batgirls (2021) #10

Sep 13, 2022

None of this stuff is bad, but it feels a little genericwhile Cass and Steph bring such electric energy to every single one of their scenes. They might be the only DC teen heroes who are actually allowed to feel like teens at the moment, and that helps this book stand out from the crowd. It should stick to its strengths.

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8
Batgirls (2021) #11

Oct 11, 2022

Overall, this is probably the messiest issue of the series, both in art and pacing, but its Cass and Steph are still such fun characters that I maintain this is the best spotlight either of them have gotten in a very long time.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #12

Nov 8, 2022

This book has really emphasized their friendship in a nice waybut let's be honest, it feels like a lot more than friendship at times and I would love to see DC actually take the leap and confirm that in the coming year. One way or another, it's great to see these girls getting the spotlight they deserve again.

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9.5
Batgirls (2021) #13

Dec 13, 2022

Batgirls has always been one of the most fun books in DC's current stable, but this issue might be the best of the entire run.

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9.5
Batgirls (2021) #14

Jan 17, 2023

Jonathan Case, the guest artist on this arc, does an amazing job of creating unique fight scenes, particularly a dazzling battle on a suspension bridge far above Gotham where Cass comes under assault by close to a hundred ninjas.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #15

Feb 14, 2023

This arc has been the most emotionally fraught of the series, although it's also had the most mood whiplash.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #16

Mar 14, 2023

This has been an odd series so far, with a lot of mood whiplash, but surprisingly it manages to make the whiplash work. The story feels messy and real, in a way few comics usually do.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #17

Apr 18, 2023

People can quibble with some of the decisions made with this series, but I dare anyone to argue that these characters have gotten a better spotlight together in the last decade.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #18

May 16, 2023

This series has been one of the strongest books in DC's lineup for a long time, and that's heavily due to just how much love it clearly has for its lead characters.

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9
Batgirls (2021) #19

Jun 20, 2023

There are so many great players here, like Alysia Yeoh and Grace O'Halloran, that I'm hoping find their way back to the comics soon. And most of all, I'm hoping these two continue getting the spotlight they deserve. Cass seems to be covered with Birds of Prey, thankfully, but I'll keep wanting a book continuing this dynamic.

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9
Batgirls (2021) Annual: 2022

Nov 29, 2022

After a year of stories, the Batgirls occasionally feel like second fiddles in their own bookwith several complex villainous conspiracies and Barbara Gordon occasionally pulling focus as the third Batgirl. In some ways, this annual feels like it's attempting to refocus the book on Cass and Stephand then it takes a strange and wacky turn into left field and throws the entire series for a loop.

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7.5
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1

Nov 1, 2022

I wasn't expecting much of this series based on how long it's been since Silvestri wroteor really drewanything, but I have to say this worked a little better for me than I was expecting.

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7
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #2

Dec 6, 2022

The art by Silvestri is strong and gritty, but the story doesn't live up to it.

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6
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #4

Feb 7, 2023

The visuals are good, but there is little plot advancement and the overtly bleak tone makes it hard to get invested in what's going on.

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7
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #5

Mar 7, 2023

But while it works decently as a horror comic, it lacks the noir edge that makes the best Batman horror comics work. Instead, it feels like an '80s splatterpunk horror, and there's only so far that can go.

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6
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #6

Apr 4, 2023

Silvestri's art continues to be right out of the '90s, and Batman and Gordon get a few good scenes, but the villain is your classic stock monologuing creep.

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7.5
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #7

May 2, 2023

This story was ultimately about what I expected, but there were a few moments that hinted it could have been more.

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9
Batman '89 (2021) #1

Aug 10, 2021

Exactly what I'd want from a first issue set in the original movie's continuity.

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9.5
Batman '89 (2021): Echoes #1

Nov 28, 2023

This and the Superman counterpart are some of DC's most underrated comics right now.

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9
Batman '89 (2021): Echoes #2

Mar 19, 2024

I don't know what went on with the schedule herethis issue is around three months late, and the series has just startedbut it probably has something to do with the brilliant art by Joe Quinones. It's worth the wait, but it's definitely stunted the momentum of the serieswhich ended its first issue on a brilliant cliffhanger.

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9
Batman '89 (2021) #2

Sep 15, 2021

Still excellent, and I'm just sad this is only six issues.

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9
Batman '89 (2021): Echoes #3

Jul 10, 2024

The delays between issues of this miniseries, likely due to Joe Quinones' hyper-detailed art, are so big that I would just recommend reading the past issues again before the new one. It's worth it because this 80s-set movie sequel continues to be a true gem.

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9
Batman '89 (2021) #3

Oct 12, 2021

This reinvention of the Burton-era Batman has been one of the most pleasant surprises out of DC in a long time, and as we hit the halfway point things are only getting better.

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9
Batman '89 (2021): Echoes #4

Sep 11, 2024

These books are very much paced like a movie, so it feels like we're about to hit the epic final showdown but there are a lot of villains to get through.

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9
Batman '89 (2021) #4

Dec 7, 2021

Two-Face has never quite had the flair of other Gotham villains, lacking the flashy lairs and gimmicks. No more, as he gets a new home base at the end of the issue that's one of the best visuals of the entire series. In only four issues, this version of Gotham feels fleshed out and with enough complex flashpoints that it's hard to see it wrapping up in only two issues.

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9.5
Batman '89 (2021) #5

Apr 12, 2022

It's been a while since we got an issue of Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones' thriller, and the return doesn't disappoint at all.

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9
Batman '89 (2021) #6

Jul 5, 2022

There have been many delays for this comic, probably due to Joe Quinones' very detailed art, but the finale brings it together as another modern classic in the vein of the Venditti/Torres Superman '78.

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9
Batman (2016) #35

Nov 15, 2017

While the action segments as drawn by Jones are brilliant, it's King's character work that steals the show. I don't know what King's master plan for the run is, but I can't wait to find out.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #36

Dec 6, 2017

Who knew King had such a handle on the lighter side of Batman? I'm hoping for a lot more issues like this.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #37

Dec 20, 2017

This is far and away better than any Batman/Superman team-up we've gotten in years, and makes me wonder if King has a plan for Superman in his future. I, for one, can't wait.

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9
Batman (2016) #38

Jan 3, 2018

King once again takes a break from his main narrative to do something completely different in Batman #38, and once again, this isn't an issue that will leave my mind anytime soon.

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9
Batman (2016) #39

Jan 17, 2018

Another great issue in King's run.

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9
Batman (2016) #40

Feb 7, 2018

Batman #40, the conclusion of the Batman/Wonder Woman arc delivers satisfying moments for everyone involved, but it's really Selina who steals the show in an issue that resolves a lot of the questions people had about the first part.

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9
Batman (2016) #41

Feb 21, 2018

Equal parts horror story and artists' showcase, the creative team's Poison Ivy story debuts in Batman #41 with a gorgeous, haunting tale that shows off just how powerful she can be.

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9
Batman (2016) #42

Mar 7, 2018

Surprisingly, it's both one of his funniest issues, and one of his most powerful as he addresses some of his most controversial moments involving Poison Ivy head-on.

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9
Batman (2016) #43

Mar 21, 2018

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9
Batman (2016) #44

Apr 4, 2018

As we build towards the wedding, this book continues to hit on all cylinders.

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8.5
Batman (2016) #45

Apr 18, 2018

The issue is almost frantic in pace, and while it's fascinating to explore, it's sort of a wild misjudgment even for Booster. I'm excited to see how it plays out, but I'm not entirely sold yet.

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9
Batman (2016) #46

May 2, 2018

Things go from bad to worse to horrible as the timeline reaches its brutal climax " and we've still got several issues to go. How King gets Booster out of this one is going to be interesting to watch.

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9
Batman (2016) #47

May 16, 2018

The conclusion of "The Gift" takes the story to a dark place in Batman #47, even darker than we've seen before " and that takes some doing.

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9
Batman (2016) #48

Jun 6, 2018

It's not going to be for everyone, but to my eye, this issue is brilliant.

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9
Batman (2016) #49

Jun 20, 2018

Between the gorgeous art and an ending that will have people guessing for two weeks, it's one of the most distinctive issues of King's run.

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9
Batman (2016) #50

Jul 4, 2018

Part lead-up to the wedding, part retrospective of Batman and Catwoman's wedding, this is a surprisingly tense and moody issue with a lot of complications.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #51

Jul 18, 2018

Coming off the devastating wedding issue that ended with Batman being left at the altar (well, rooftop), Bruce Wayne is not in a great mental place as Batman #51 opens. And what's the one thing that'll make everyone feel better? Jury duty!

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9.5
Batman (2016) #52

Aug 1, 2018

I wish we had seen a bit of Dick as Batman again this issue, but this is one of the most compelling issues of this Batman run, and Batman is barely in it.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #53

Aug 15, 2018

As the second half of King's Batman run begins, I see no reason to believe it won't be just as exceptional as the first half.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #54

Sep 5, 2018

Matt Wagner's art looks great, but he's been very vocal about not being allowed to use his choice of colorist. That's a fumble on DC's part that might keep this legendary creator from working with them again. Shame, because this issue is pretty close to being an all-timer.

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8
Batman (2016) #55

Sep 19, 2018

Batman #55 is a high-quality comic where not much happens, all leading up to a shocking moment that's been spoiled six ways from Sunday weeks before the issue comes out.

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9
Batman (2016) #56

Oct 3, 2018

Whatever the next issue brings in terms of the actual showdown between the two players, this issue set it up in such a way that it had better live up to the prelude.

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6
Batman (2016) #57

Oct 17, 2018

It's a deeply disturbing issue, yes, but not one that passes the smell test.

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9
Batman (2016) #58

Nov 7, 2018

I'm hoping to learn more about Penny Cobblepot, because her random introduction is sort of an odd touch for the issue, but this is much closer to the best of King's run than we've seen in a while.

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6
Batman (2016) #59

Nov 21, 2018

Tom King's Batman is quickly finding itself in a very interesting spot, where I admire the quality and craft that goes into every issue while disagreeing more and more with the direction.

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8
Batman (2016) #60

Dec 5, 2018

Lot of questions to be answered, but this issue is a big step up from the last one.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #61

Dec 19, 2018

Easily one of the darkest, most fascinating Batman stories I've read in awhile.

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8.5
Batman (2016) #62

Jan 9, 2019

Ultimately, this is a very well-executed issue, but it lacks that special touch that's made King's other issues in this vein stand out so perfectly.

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9
Batman (2016) #63

Jan 23, 2019

As we approach the third act of King's Batman, there's a lot of unanswered questions, and this issue makes me pretty excited to find out the answers.

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8.5
Batman (2016) #64

Feb 6, 2019

Entirely written by Joshua Williamson, the man behind last week's exceptional Flash annual, "The Price of Justice" seems to be a good fusion of psychological drama and high-octane action " but so far it doesn't seem to have all that much to do with the main plot of Heroes in Crisis, and even more surprisingly it draws its biggest plot point from the early issues of Tom King's Batman.

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8
Batman (2016) #65

Feb 20, 2019

This crossover has been a tragedy, as Gotham Girl repeatedly makes the worst possible choice towards self-destruction. I can't see her coming out of this alive after the end of the issue, and that feels like a waste. As a Batman-Flash crossover, it's a great way of sorting out the bad blood between them. But as a next chapter in Gotham Girl's storyarc, it's sorely lacking.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #66

Mar 6, 2019

It's no secret that I've had a few issues with the direction of King's Batman over the last few months, and this "Knightmares" arc has been a mixed bag of fascinating experiments without a clear narrative thread. Somehow it's all happening in Batman's head, but not all of them are from Batman's perspective. That's the case with this issue by guest artist Jorge Fornes, easily the best of the arc " because it puts Catwoman front and center and finally gives us a little insight into her controversial decision to stand Batman up at the altar

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9
Batman (2016) #67

Mar 20, 2019

I don't think it's quite on the level of the brilliant originals, but it's more than worth a read for the stunning art and another piece of this increasingly complex puzzle as Batman's journey through the dreamscape approaches its end.

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9
Batman (2016) #68

Apr 10, 2019

This is an extremely elaborate way to get Batman to the next step, but with more issues like this I'm ready to be patient and enjoy the ride.

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9
Batman (2016) #69

Apr 17, 2019

Batman #69 is the final story of Knightmares, and the second half of this bizarre arc has picked up the pace with some twist illusions and a great sense of tension.

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8.5
Batman (2016) #70

May 1, 2019

The slick Mikel Janin and the gritty Jorge Fornes share art duties this issue, an awkward mix that shouldn't work but does thanks to the episodic nature of the issue.

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8
Batman (2016) #71

May 15, 2019

While the execution of this comic is excellent, the never-ending bleakness and dark turns make it a little hard to stay invested.

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8.5
Batman (2016) #72

Jun 5, 2019

It defies belief slightly occasionally, as Bane's long game seems more fitting for someone like Ozymandias, it's so intricate. But it's a good use of Bane as a smarter mastermind villain, which is in line with his original characterization (if a bit exaggerated here).

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9.5
Batman (2016) #73

Jun 19, 2019

Over the last six months, Tom King's Batman run has felt less like a cohesive run and more like a narrative experiment " with each issue dramatically shifting locations and themes to the point it often became confusing and frustrating. When it doesn't work, it feels annoyingly literate. When it does work, like this issue, it's fascinating.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #74

Jul 10, 2019

City of Bane and the last big storyline of King's run on this title is right around the corner, but when talking about the high points of this run, this issue is bound to be high on the list.

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9
Batman (2016) #75

Jul 17, 2019

As Tom King's Batman enters its final arc, this mind-bending and often frustrating run kicks off its biggest arc yet, City of Bane, with a double-sized anniversary spectacular, Batman #75, that raises way more questions than it answers and delivers one punch after another.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #76

Aug 7, 2019

There's a LOT going on here, and it's building into one of the most exciting stories of King's run.

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8.5
Batman (2016) #77

Aug 21, 2019

Tom King is one of the biggest puzzles in comics, as his comics are often equal parts the most impressive and the most frustrating on the stands. That's the case with Batman #77, which begins with some of the best writing of King's run and ends with a gut-punch of a twist that has the potential to destroy the character's status quo if not reversed.

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9
Batman (2016) #79

Sep 18, 2019

We all know some grim stuff is coming as Batman and Catwoman return to retake Gotham, so this break arc is a nice breather before this title heads into the last six issues of its run.

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9
Batman (2016) #80

Oct 2, 2019

We know he's going to make a face-turn by the end of the arc and probably wind up back in oblivion just like Jor-El, but unlike Jor-El he's been taken so far that I don't know if I'll buy it. And still no word on or reaction to what happened to Alfred. But segments like Batman's face-off with Hush, or the brief and thrilling segment involving Kite-Man, show King's deliberate pacing at its best.

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8.5
Batman (2016) #81

Oct 16, 2019

There's a strange backup with Harvey Bullock half-naked and singing a weird song while wearing Joker makeup, and I'm not sure what to make of it, but the art by both Romita Jr. and Gerads is top-notch, even if the story feels scattered.

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8.5
Batman (2016) #82

Nov 6, 2019

But the problem with this narrative is that for all the hype over City of Bane, it doesn't feel like Bane is the ultimate arch-villain of this story. This showdown almost feels like a Mini-Boss, with Thomas Wayne lurking in the background.

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6
Batman (2016) #83

Nov 20, 2019

Tom King may have the strangest sense of pacing in the DC stable, and it alternates between fascinating and frustrating, especially in reading Batman #83.

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9
Batman (2016) #85

Dec 18, 2019

I've had my issues with Tom King's Batman run for a few months now, but I'm happy to report that he does stick the landing in Batman #85 with a strong final issue that calls back to the run's best moments.

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9
Batman (2016) #86

Jan 8, 2020

So, a fine start. It's nothing we haven't seen before in a Batman story but we haven't seen this type of story much lately, and it's well-executed.

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9
Batman (2016) #87

Jan 22, 2020

It's a clear attempt to win back the crowd with a run that seems to take some of its DNA from Snyder and Dini but quickly becomes its own thrilling flavor. Let's hope Tynion gets to keep building this run for a long time.

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9
Batman (2016) #88

Feb 5, 2020

Guillem March's art has improved a lot, although he still has elements of the cheesecake style he had on the Sirens " and fans of that series will be very glad to see the last page. Three issues in, I am fully invested in this mystery.

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9
Batman (2016) #89

Feb 19, 2020

Under the surface, this Batman is more unwell than he has been in a long time, and I suspect that's going to come out in a bad way soon. But until then, we're being treated to one hell of an entertaining run.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #90

Mar 4, 2020

This entire run has been great, but this issue builds the tension up to an almost unbearable level at times.

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9
Batman (2016) #91

Mar 18, 2020

Joker War is getting all the hype, but Tynion is coming out of the gate on this title as strong as Snyder did.

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9
Batman (2016) #92

Jun 12, 2020

The title hasn't missed a step, though, as we plunge right back into James Tynion IV's high-octane thriller.

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9
Batman (2016) #93

Jun 23, 2020

As we rocket towards Joker War, James Tynion IV's run continues to build momentum and it becomes clear just how many hands Joker has everywhere in Gotham.

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9
Batman (2016) #94

Jul 7, 2020

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

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9.5
Batman (2016) #95

Jul 21, 2020

This is an explosive kickoff with a great cliffhanger. We'll see how the tie-ins do, but Tynion has done an excellent job of making this feel like an event.

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9
Batman (2016) #96

Aug 4, 2020

We're still in the opening act, but this storyline is exactly as intense and creepy as it should be.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #97

Aug 18, 2020

This is what a Joker event should be, and we're only halfway to the big showdown.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #98

Sep 1, 2020

It's a great setup for the final two issues of the story, and Selina's cliffhanger has a lot of promise as well. No Joker or Clownhunter this issue, but that's just whetting our appetite for the chaos to come.

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9
Batman (2016) #99

Sep 15, 2020

The upcoming Batman #100 is an oversized conclusion, and it'll need it"there is a lot built up here for an explosive conclusion to one of the best Joker stories in years.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #100

Oct 6, 2020

This story directly leads into the upcoming Punchline one-shot, and it's set up a fascinating new status quo for Batman and everyone around him.

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9
Batman (2016) #101

Oct 20, 2020

After the sheer chaos of Joker War, it's time for a break"at least for one issue, because Ghost-Maker is lurking right around the corner to be the next breakout villain of Tynion's run. But this issue is much more about the long-term fallout of Joker War"and how it's going to change Batman's operation.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #102

Nov 3, 2020

This era of Bruce's past hasn't been explored too much"the last major plot thread to come from that was David Cain as his deranged former mentor"so there's a lot of promise here. And like much of Tynion's run, it's sure to make a chaotic Gotham even more challenging for a very different Batman.

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9
Batman (2016) #103

Nov 17, 2020

With some great cameos and one hell of a central fight, it's another strong issue in a near-flawless run so far.

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8.5
Batman (2016) #104

Dec 1, 2020

With only one issue to go before a hiatus for Future State, this series is still one of DC's most consistently entertaining, but it needs to get its art situation sorted out before the next big arc.

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9
Batman (2016) #105

Dec 15, 2020

Despite not having any developments as huge as the last few runs"yet"it actually feels like one of the most ambitious recent runs for the sheer number of significant new characters it's introduced.

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9
Batman (2016) #106

Mar 2, 2021

It's no surprise that one of DC's best books before the relaunch remains so now.

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9
Batman (2016) #107

Apr 6, 2021

This is very much a breather issue, but that's not a criticism at all. James Tynion's Gotham feels alive in a way the city rarely does, and that allows him to make issues like this"where we're mostly waiting for the chaos to break loose"as compelling as the big action set pieces.

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9
Batman (2016) #108

May 4, 2021

Tynion seems to be asking some hard questions about Batman's role in Gotham, and all these new players are only creating a more complex picture.

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9
Batman (2016) #109

Jun 1, 2021

This story is really just the lead character fighting his way through a different boss level every issue before he gets to the woman of the hour, but it's written well enough that it's more than holding my interest.

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9
Batman (2016) #111

Aug 3, 2021

Ghost-Maker's ascent up the tower continues to be highly entertaining, and I'm looking forward to him finally facing Madame Midas. It's superhero comics by way of Korean martial arts films.

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9
Batman (2016) #112

Sep 7, 2021

Much of the cast is split around Gotham without too much to do this issue, but coming off the jam-packed Alpha issue, it's a good break that shows us just how much Gotham's fabric is collapsing in only a short time.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #113

Sep 21, 2021

This issue, like the last, is mostly prelude before a coming massive showdown, and it's a testament to just how good Tynion's writing is that it hasn't lost a step.

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9
Batman (2016) #114

Oct 5, 2021

This event has wavered between surprisingly character-driven stories like last month's installment"and no-holds-barred Gotham action like this one. It's a testament to Tynion's writing that both are equally compelling.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #115

Oct 19, 2021

This story has been giving just about every member of Tynion's larger Bat-family the chance to shine, and the end of the issue escalates the threat to a new level. Scarecrow continues to be a terrifying presence in the background, but one who prefers to let others do his dirty work. And that makes this story feel very different from past Bat-events.

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9
Batman (2016) #116

Nov 2, 2021

The cliffhanger might confuse some people"it ties in deeply to what's happening in Ram V's Catwoman run, and I'm not sure it's been set up properly in this book. But this is all coming together into one of the most compelling and chaotic Bat-stories in a while.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #117

Nov 16, 2021

Fear State is James Tynion IV's final big story in the Bat-books, but what's surprising is how little it feels like a traditional comic book event. Sure, there are villains and even a powerhouse who Batman can fight, but this is a comic with a lot more on its mind. It's as much about what fear and anger does to a person than it is about fighting villains.

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9
Batman (2016) #118

Dec 7, 2021

It may feel like a step back in intensity from past runs, but I think that's by design. Williamson is an expert at building a run from the ground up.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #119

Jan 4, 2022

Josh Williamson has a tough task ahead of him, following up a quartet of the most acclaimed extended Bat-runs in memory. Based on these first two issues, the veteran horror writer might just join them.

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9
Batman (2016) #120

Feb 1, 2022

Three issues in, this continues to be a strong addition to a great streak of Bat-runs.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #121

Mar 1, 2022

With Mikel Janin and Jorge Molina sharing art duties, the art on the fight scenes is fantastic. Anyone who thought certain characters were acting out-of-character in this run" you're not wrong, and the reasons why will become clear.

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9
Batman (2016) #122

Apr 5, 2022

Josh Williamson is writing almost the entirety of Shadow War, so this is less of a crossover than an epic-sized story to wrap up this current era of his titles. And based on the first two issues, we're in for a hell of a ride.

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9
Batman (2016) #123

May 3, 2022

This issue is surprisingly funny at times, but by the end of the main story it pulls back and reminds us of just how high the stakes are here and just how fast things can go horribly wrong.

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8.5
Batman (2016) #124

Jun 7, 2022

Overall, this is more of a quiet epilogue to the explosive events of the recent crossover, but it does a solid job of closing the book on this chapter of Batman's story.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #125

Jul 5, 2022

It's just a huge win all around as a debut issue.

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9
Batman (2016) #126

Aug 2, 2022

Zdarsky is a master of character work as always, and it's hard to pull off a character who expresses nothing but feels so much. Then comes the cliffhanger as we get our first hint of where Failsafe actually came fromand it's a brilliant callback to one of the strangest Bat-stories of all time.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #127

Sep 6, 2022

This is a bigger, weirder, and wilder Batman story than we've seen in a while.

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9
Batman (2016) #128

Oct 4, 2022

It doesn't quite have the emotional punch of the previous few issues, but when it hits on all cylinders, it's as good as the best of the run. But I'm a bit surprised by the sudden dovetail into event-style storytelling at the end.

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9
Batman (2016) #129

Nov 1, 2022

Taking place in several timelines, it's more of a mood piece than anything as it delves into the origins of Batman's no-killing rule, and it ends with a truly chilling moment as we're left hanging for the next part.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #130

Dec 6, 2022

The first part of this issue is brilliantly tense, a wordless action segment reminiscent of the Oscar-nominated thriller Gravity.

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9
Batman (2016) #131

Jan 3, 2023

Zdarsky did an amazing job of emphasizing just how well Bruce and Tim work as partners, and this story is the ideal evolution of that dynamic.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #132

Feb 7, 2023

I think Zdarsky has pulled off the near-impossiblethis run so far is truly a type of Batman story we've never seen before.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #133

Mar 7, 2023

The still-anonymous villain has expanded Arkham's operations in a way we've really never seen before, and the setting introduced at the end of the issue is just another great level-up for a series that never seems to take its foot off the gas pedal.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #134

Apr 4, 2023

Zdarsky's run on Batman has been one of the most ambitious since Snyder's, but with this issue it becomes clear he's aiming for something even crazier. This is a full-fledged multiversal saga, maybe the most ambitious Batman story in decades, and we're just scratching the surface.

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10
Batman (2016) #135

May 2, 2023

I don't know if I've been this excited for a next issue of a Batman book since the heyday of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's run.

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9
Batman (2016) #136

Jun 6, 2023

Bruce and Selina finally meet after the recent events for both of them, and some unpleasant truths come out that set the two of them on opposite paths. This is some of the less compelling stuff Zdarsky has written, and I'm expecting the crossover to lack some of his signature madness. That being said, everything that surrounds it is still VERY good.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #137

Sep 5, 2023

The idea of Batman always required a man who wasn't entirely well, but I don't think any writer has ever taken that as literally as Zdarsky.

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9
Batman (2016) #138

Oct 3, 2023

This is a brutal story, not just for the no-holds-barred fights between family, but for how ugly it is when Batman actually abandons the code he's sworn to protect. This almost feels like a deconstruction on the stereotype of "Batman as lonely grim warrior, and it's a bit uncomfortable to see at points. But this is turning out to be a far more emotionally-driven storyline than I was expecting from the solicits.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #139

Nov 7, 2023

In the aftermath of Gotham War, Chip Zdarsky is doing what he does besttaking his heroes to rock bottom.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #140

Dec 5, 2023

Batman and Joker are finally facing off againbut the clown prince of crime actually feels like a side story to this issue, as Batman's greatest battle is with himself.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #141

Jan 2, 2024

It's a tense, issue-long action segment without a single break, and the outcome is really never in doubt.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #142

Feb 6, 2024

This is going to be a weekly release, as Zdarsky takes his shot at a definitive Joker story like so many other top creators have done. So far, it absolutely looks like it's going to be one of the greats.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #143

Feb 13, 2024

Brilliantly tense and chilling in places, it does an amazing job of turning Joker back from being a routine supervillain into being a nightmarish force of nature. The character has never had a definitive origin, and while this seems to be leaning on the story from The Killing Joke, it does a better job than we've ever seen of truly making Joker feel like a threat that could go toe to toe with the entire DCU.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #144

Feb 20, 2024

The conclusion of Chip Zdarsky's multi-timeline saga of Batman and Joker hits like a truck this issue, with Batman lost in the deep future in a world where Joker's madness has taken over the world like a virus.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #145

Mar 5, 2024

We're seeing the evolution of Joker from the confused criminal we saw in the last arc to the Batman-obsessed monster he became. I'm glad Zdarsky didn't commit to a full origin for Joker, but this has been a fascinating lost chapter for the clown.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #146

Apr 2, 2024

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

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9.5
Batman (2016) #147

May 7, 2024

We don't see the big showdown start this issue, but Zdarsky does an amazing job of building the tension as both players make their moves.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #148

Jun 4, 2024

This felt like a perfect wrap-up to Zdarsky's main arcso it's a pleasant surprise that he's not mic-dropping here. He still clearly has a lot left to say on the character, as he's continuing to deliver an all-time great run just like he did on Daredevil.

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10
Batman (2016) #149

Jun 18, 2024

Despite it supposedly being a "breather issue where there is no big central threat, it actually feels like this issue might be the most meaningful in the series in a long time. Next up are some Absolute Power tie-ins, but I'm hoping Zdarsky has a lot more planned for this title.

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9.5
Batman (2016) #150

Jul 3, 2024

Zdarzky let this plotline simmer for a while, but he made the outcome count in a big way, and this is and the last issue are the perfect breathers we needed before things hit high-octane again.

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9
Batman (2016) #151

Aug 7, 2024

This issue feels a lot like a cosmic heist adventure, which is a lot lighter in tone than the rest of the event but Zdarsky never lets us forget just how high the stakes really are for the mission.

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9
Batman (2016) #152

Sep 4, 2024

Chip Zdarsky has taken Batman to some strange places over the course of this run, but the dead world of Czarnia is definitely up there.

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8.5
Batman (2016) Annual: 2022

May 31, 2022

Overall, this issue nicely builds off what Brisson has been building, and I trust Ghost-Maker and Clownhunter in his hands in particular.

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9
Batman (2016) Annual: 2021

Nov 30, 2021

There's nothing left by some loose ends for James Tynion IV, and one of those loose ends is filling in the blanks on Ghost-Maker. The mysterious villain who started as Batman's deadly rival and seems to have become his snarky partner in crime has been kept in the shadows until now, but this issue finally peels back the curtain.

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9
Batman (2016) Annual: Detective Comics 2022 #1

Nov 29, 2022

There might be a few too many coincidences in this issuemaybe supernatural in origin?but it does a great job of setting up some fascinating stuff in Gotham's past and raising the stakes for the upcoming next chapter of Ram V's run.

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9.5
Batman (2016) Annual #2

Nov 29, 2017

King has committed to the Batman/Catwoman relationship like no other writer ever has " not just in having Gotham's It Couple get engaged, but in truly exploring the underpinnings of their relationship and what keeps bringing them back to each other.

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10
Batman (2016) Annual #3

Dec 12, 2018

It's easily one of the best Batman stories I've read in years.

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10
Batman (2016) Annual #4

Oct 30, 2019

As King's run winds down, there's been a lot of debate over some of his story decisions. But this issue is not only King's run at its absolute best, it's one of the best single issues he's ever written.

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10
Batman (2016) Annual #5

Dec 29, 2020

This is the perfect epilogue to "act one" of Tynion's run, and makes me more excited than ever to see what he has planned for Clownhunter and others in the next act.

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9.5
Batman (2016): Fear State: Alpha #1

Aug 31, 2021

A great event needs to hook readers from the start, and that usually means some big explosions or other chaos. But James Tynion IV, in his final Bat-story, manages to hook us immediately with a simple conversation between two evil men.

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7
Batman (2016): Pennyworth R.I.P. #1

Feb 12, 2020

These great vignettes are undercut by a bitter main story that makes Bruce feel emotionally useless and the Bat-family feeling rather cruel to each other. It just emphasizes how broken the Bats are without Alfred " which may have been the point.

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9
Batman (2016): Fear State Omega #1

Nov 30, 2021

It's a strong epilogue that leaves Joshua Williamson and Mariko Tamaki with a lot of fascinating elements to work with.

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8.5
Batman (2016): The Audio Adventures Special #1

Oct 12, 2021

Even now knowing much about this universe, I'm intrigued to learn more and this one-shot sold me.

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9.5
Batman (2016): The Joker War Zone #1

Sep 29, 2020

Brilliant art, and a great teaser for the upcoming annual by Tynion and Stokoe that will finally give us Clownhunter's full origin. It's the perfect way to end this near-flawless anthology.

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9
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #1

Dec 1, 2020

It's not a perfectly smooth read, but it's a fascinating launch that sets up what's sure to be a year-long classic.

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9.5
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #2

Jan 19, 2021

Overall, aside from some slight confusing shifts when switching timelines, this is one of the best DC books at the moment and the strongest King Bat-story we've gotten in a long time.

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9.5
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #3

Feb 16, 2021

This is definitely inspired by King's more stand-alone, cerebral work as much as his Batman run, and it's paying off.

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9
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #4

Mar 30, 2021

Continuing to take place in three timelines, King and Mann's exploration of the past, present, and future of Gotham's most iconic couple delivers some more fantastic moments in an issue that feels more leisurely than the last.

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9
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #5

Jun 1, 2021

This title somehow delivers both more and less than it was promised.

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9
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #6

Aug 17, 2021

This series has always been good, but it wouldn't be nearly as effective if King wasn't this great at showing what drives his characters in these three different timelines.

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9.5
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #7

Sep 7, 2021

It's very rare to see an art switch mid-stream work out, and even rarer for it to take a title to another level. But while Clay Mann's art was always excellent, Liam Sharp's super-detailed and gritty work is even better for this three-pronged story.

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8.5
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #8

Oct 19, 2021

King works best when he's dealing with characters who he can put his unique stamp on, and while there is a lot of good in this series, it doesn't quite match up with his other recent work because it feels too apart from the character we know.

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8.5
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #9

Dec 21, 2021

We're almost to the end of what is likely Tom King's final say on his Batman epic (save a stand-alone series starting in March), and it pretty much sums up both the best and worst of King's work.

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8
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #10

Feb 8, 2022

This series largely feels like a mood piece more than anything, and while King is great at those, this series doesn't quite live up to the standard of the densely plotted masterpieces he puts out at DC on a weekly basis.

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8.5
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #11

Apr 12, 2022

King and Mann's take on the core couple's relationship has been strong, but this feels like it would have been a stronger series if it had been allowed to be the final arc in King's Bat-run rather than a stand-alone series. It doesn't quite live up to his other maxiseries.

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8
Batman / Catwoman (2020) #12

Jun 28, 2022

When it works, it really, really works. But when it doesn't, it often feels like an overly ambitious experiment that never quite hits the mark. And that matches pretty well with Kings run as a whole.

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10
Batman / Catwoman (2020): Special #1

Jan 25, 2022

It's a brilliant comic, but don't miss the backmatter, which includes tributes to Leon, two DC stories he illustrated for anthologies"one classic and one modern"and a fantastic collection of pin-ups. This is a true must-read tribute to a legend.

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9.5
Batman / Catwoman: The Gotham War (2023): Battle Lines #1

Aug 29, 2023

Damian wants to crush crime no matter the type, Jason openly sympathizes with Catwoman, and Tim struggles to stay loyal to Bruce while the numbers aren't adding up to him. It all comes together into a tragic conclusion that kicks off the war in fully, setting up what might be the most compelling line-specific event out of DC in some time.

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8.5
Batman / Catwoman: The Gotham War (2023): Scorched Earth #1

Oct 31, 2023

All in all, a fun if truly bizarre event.

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7
Batman / Catwoman: The Gotham War (2023): Red Hood #2

Oct 24, 2023

This story doesn't so much end as just dovetail into both the final chapter of the event, and the final issue of the Joker series next month. So while it does have its good moments, it ultimately doesn't add much of anything to Red Hood's storyarc in this event and leaves the character still in limbo as the story heads back over to the main creative team.

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8
Batman / Dylan Dog (2024) #1

Mar 12, 2024

It doesn't break any new ground, but this issue has some interesting twists and creepy visuals that make it worth picking up as more than just a curiosity of an international crossover comic.

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9
Batman / Dylan Dog (2024) #2

Apr 9, 2024

The first issue of this series was compelling enough, with an interesting look into a world of comics most Americans have never seen, but this one feels much more rooted in the world of the DCU and Vertigo in particulara world where Dylan Dog and the scumbags he fights feel right at home. At 60 pages of story per issue, this is a strange journey well worth taking.

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9
Batman / Dylan Dog (2024) #3

May 14, 2024

This final issue feels a bit rushed at timesthere is a lot to get throughbut there's a genuinely clever solution to the question of where exactly could hold someone like Killex permanently. And so Batman and the Dog head off back to their own comics, both maybe a bit wiser from the experience. I knew nothing about Dylan Dog before this, but now I'm kind of intrigued to read more.

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7.5
Batman / Fortnite: Zero Point #1

Apr 20, 2021

I only understood half of this, but it was a fast-paced and chaotic comic that had some fun moments. I'm struggling to figure out how it can last six issues, but maybe it'll make a bit more sense to a Bat-fan on future issues.

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8.5
Batman / Fortnite: Foundation #1

Oct 26, 2021

There are a lot of fun fight scenes, but this ultimately is a throwaway comic that serves to explain the Batman Who Laughs' arrival into the rift. Maybe a bit too much exposition, but it's a fun thrill-ride of a comic that gives us a little more of DC's most popular new villain out of continuity.

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8.5
Batman / Fortnite: Zero Point #2

May 4, 2021

The first issue of this strange tie-in miniseries was mostly setup, but the second issue kicks the story into high gear"and delivers a surprisingly strong narrative punch.

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8
Batman / Fortnite: Zero Point #3

May 18, 2021

This works as a video game tie-in, but it also works as a straight-up strong Batman comic that emphasizes his greatest skills as a hero.

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8
Batman / Fortnite: Zero Point #4

Jun 1, 2021

It's not flawless, but it's better than a nonsense crossover like this has any right to be.

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8
Batman / Fortnite: Zero Point #5

Jun 15, 2021

It's an interesting concept and one that stands on its own surprisingly well even if you don't know the first thing about Fortnite. It fits into an underrated genre of Batman stories"Batman thrown into bizarre situations where he proceeds to just start hacking it using sheer force of will. And that's always a good read.

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8
Batman / Fortnite: Zero Point #6

Jul 6, 2021

You've got three of the DCU's biggest villains"including one I never expected to see again, meaning that this series is probably out of continuity"as well as a major Fortnite villain who I had to look up on Wikipedia. Well, we'll put it this way"this series isn't lacking for ambition.

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9
Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight (2023) #1

Dec 5, 2023

The thing about this comic is, it sounds like a joke comic but it's really notat all. There's a serious threat that takes Batman out of his comfort zone, and Santa is another warrior from a different sector of heroism to partner with. It takes the absurdity of the concept for granted and instead gives us an action-packed winter thrill ride that fits perfectly in the DCU.

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9
Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight (2023) #2

Dec 12, 2023

I never would have thought "Batman meets Santa could create a story as entertaining as this one, but that's the current golden age of DC.

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9
Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight (2023) #3

Dec 19, 2023

The end result is a series that seems to have a real love for the DCU and the absurd, colorful world they live in. After all, in a world of Gods and monsters, is an immortal gift-giver really that ridiculous?

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9
Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight (2023) #4

Dec 26, 2023

Can the DC Santa return every December for a new series like this?

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7
Batman / Spawn (2022) #1

Dec 13, 2022

The art is great, but this issue suffers from feeling much more like a Spawn issue guest-starring Batman than a DC comicthe writing style is very distinctly McFarlane and can be a little ponderous, and Batman's dialogue sometimes feels distinctly offbeing willing to sacrifice Spawn to the Court at one point, for instance. This works best as a fusion of Greg Capullo's two most famous properties, and a brilliant showcase for his art.

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8.5
Batman / Superman (2019) #1

Aug 28, 2019

Overall, this is a strong and creepy first issue that may work better as a Batman Who Laughs comic than a Batman and Superman one.

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8
Batman / Superman (2019) #2

Sep 25, 2019

The visual at the end seems familiar " probably because Scott Snyder did it it in his most iconic storyarc " but the suspense and visuals are top-notch as this book continues to serve as a spine for the upcoming Hell Arisen event.

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9
Batman / Superman (2019) #3

Oct 23, 2019

We're only three issues in, but this title seems to have a stronger central concept than these team-ups have in previous versions.

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9
Batman / Superman (2019) #4

Nov 20, 2019

As the dark mirror to the current storyline in Justice League, Batman/Superman seems to get better every issue.

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8.5
Batman / Superman (2019) #5

Dec 18, 2019

This is definitely a comic serving a specific purpose in the DCU at the moment, but it does it far better than most tie-ins would.

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8.5
Batman / Superman (2019) #6

Jan 22, 2020

This book has been event-driven so far, so a more independent storyline might be what it needs to take it from very good to great.

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9
Batman / Superman (2019) #7

Feb 26, 2020

Superman and Batman feel almost like supporting characters here, the villains are such outsized characters. But that's not a complaint. And the ending lays bare the flaws with Zod's plan in a fantastic splash page that is alternately horrifying and the most Silver Age thing I've read in awhile.

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8.5
Batman / Superman (2019) #9

Jun 4, 2020

I think the strength of this title, why it succeeds where other DC team-up titles have failed, is that it knows how to perfectly fuse the two worlds of the lead characters and take them both off-balance in a way that creates compelling new story possibilities. It also feels like it has more of an impact on their worlds than any similar title " a definite win.

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8.5
Batman / Superman (2019) #10

Jul 31, 2020

With a great last act twist that doubles as a callback to Watchmen, it's a gripping and exciting issue that continues to show off how well this book switches genres at the drop of a hat.

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8
Batman / Superman (2019) #11

Aug 26, 2020

The conclusion to this latest arc of Josh Williamson's team-up adventure is pretty exciting, although it's bogged down by some ties to a title that isn't nearly as consistently good.

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9
Batman / Superman (2019) #12

Sep 22, 2020

While this issue does have a hard sci-fi bend, it also has an intriguing detective vibe that makes good use of two of the lesser-used heroes in the Batman and Superman families. It's the start of another strong arc by Williamson on the best team-up book in years.

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8.5
Batman / Superman (2019) #13

Oct 28, 2020

Max Raynor's art is well-suited to the action-heavy story, and this continues to be one of the more entertaining team-up books DC has put out in recent years.

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8
Batman / Superman (2019) #14

Nov 26, 2020

The final chapter of "Planet Brainiac" delivers explosive actions on both Earth and the moon, as the Composite Superman launches an attack on Metropolis.

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9
Batman / Superman (2019) #15

Dec 22, 2020

There's some great action in this issue as the mostly hapless villains put up a surprisingly good fight, but the eventual resolution is anything but violent.

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9.5
Batman / Superman (2019) #16

Mar 23, 2021

Excellent retro art from Ivan Reis brings both worlds to life, giving us a genuinely unique new take on the iconic two heroes to explore.

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9.5
Batman / Superman (2019) #17

Apr 27, 2021

The issue has a very down-to-earth vibe, which made the last page's out-of-nowhere horror swerve all the more surprising. I have no clue where Tamaki is going with that, but so far this is the first Batman run in ages that actually seems concerned with issues like criminal justice and how vigilantes and policing interact. It's a fascinating run.

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9
Batman / Superman (2019) #18

May 25, 2021

It's a compelling look at whether their heroism would persist even without the yin to their yang"and the answer seems to be yes.

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9
Batman / Superman (2019) #19

Jun 22, 2021

Just let Yang reinvent comic book history for as long as he wants.

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9
Batman / Superman (2019) #20

Jul 27, 2021

This inventive series only has two issues left, unfortunately, and Gene Luen Yang's run will only be one extended arc. What a relief it is, then, that it's such a unique arc that it'll leave an impact on the DCU on its own.

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9
Batman / Superman (2019) #21

Aug 24, 2021

As Gene Luen Yang's run on this title comes to a close"and the title with it"we get another engaging chapter of one of the most unique stories in DC in a long time.

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10
Batman / Superman (2019) #22

Sep 28, 2021

This isn't a long run, but with this finale it's proving itself to be one of the very best DC books I've read in a long time. Don't miss it and give Gene Luen Yang the credit he deserves.

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9.5
Batman / Superman (2019) Annual: 2021

Aug 31, 2021

The two stories eventually fold together in a very clever way that seals the deal for this run being considered a new minor classic.

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8.5
Batman / Superman (2019) Annual #1

Sep 29, 2020

There is some really clever commentary about the state of fandom in this issue, along with some fun last-act twists where we see just how far the two imps are willing to go to be part of their favorite stories. It's a great change of pace for the series, even if it does feel a bit like a random throwaway story rather than one that fits into the story overall.

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9.5
Batman / Superman (2019): Authority Special #1

Nov 2, 2021

While most of the Authority doesn't get too much more fleshing out here, the story is compelling and also serves as a one final team-up for Batman and Superman before Superman leaves. But the ending cliffhanger promises there are maybe more twists coming for the Dark Multiverse. It hits on basically all cylinders and makes me hopeful Johnson will be coming back to this twisted world before long.

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9.5
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #1

Mar 15, 2022

This is very much a weird DC comic at its best, embracing the Silver Age genre elements while giving them a modern twist.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #2

Apr 19, 2022

It's an old-school thrill ride brought to life by one of the best creative teams working today.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #3

May 17, 2022

Mark Waid continues to prove right out of the gate why he's a legend of DC even without writing for them for more than a decade.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #4

Jun 21, 2022

Waid has not only gotten this title off to a great start, he may be setting up the next great DC villain.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #5

Jul 19, 2022

This is definitely one of the most frenetic issues of the series yet, as the battle shifts and the balance of power tilts several times within a few pages.

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9.5
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #6

Aug 16, 2022

We're off to a big new arc next month, as the forgotten sidekick of Superman is revealed, but this issue reminds me a lot of the best of Waid's one-off Brave and the Bold stories.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #7

Sep 20, 2022

This is a very strong start to a major new arc.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #8

Oct 18, 2022

It seems like Waid is being set up as the new architect of the DCU, and based on his two titles right now, DC couldn't make a better choice.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #9

Nov 15, 2022

I still have a lot of questions about this book's continuity, but it's delivering great stories.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #10

Dec 20, 2022

It's another great installment in a series that features brilliant art and excellent characters, but definitely seems like it might read even better in a collected format.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #11

Jan 17, 2023

Waid has pulled in elements from his long, storied career in DC that he's only getting to resume now, and it's another strong installment in a soon-to-be-classic series.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #12

Feb 21, 2023

This title has been useful for setting up the new DCU continuity, which puts Supergirl back in her original place as the first Super-sidekick and makes her a bit of a peer to Dick Grayson. As the same generation, they also have a meet cute and briefly consider datingonly for it to go horribly wrong.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #13

Mar 21, 2023

This story has been done before, but never exactly like this, and kudos to the creative team for keeping this book fresh.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #14

Apr 18, 2023

It's no surprise that Waid is leaning heavily on classic villains here, and it's easy to see why this run is so well-regarded that it's getting a spin-off in a few months.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #16

Jun 20, 2023

It's just a good, old-school superhero adventure that wouldn't be out of place in any era of DC Comics, and it shows Waid and Mora's love for some of the more obscure characters.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #17

Jul 18, 2023

I don't think this arc was quite on the level of the first two arcs, but it's a fun old-school adventure that sets up potential future adventures with some great visuals along the way.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #18

Aug 15, 2023

It's amazing how much mileage Waid can get out of a bygone era for these heroes without ever losing momentum.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #19

Sep 19, 2023

I noticed that this was a much more intense version of the first Batman/Superman meeting than we usually seein the past, they spent their first team-up fighting Magpie, not a deranged Kryptonian terrorist. But it does a very good job at exploring how the trust between these two formed so quickly.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #20

Oct 17, 2023

Overall, it's a great return to an iconic world that gives Waid the long-awaited chance to tell the next chapter of his epic.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #21

Nov 21, 2023

Waid isn't the only writer to work on this world and its characters. Geoff Johns played a key role as welland one of the key elements of his run is about to return in a big way. Superman and Batman aren't just up against their doppelgangersthey're up against a dark God, and it's one that doesn't intend to let them come home.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #22

Dec 19, 2023

This series excels when it's balancing compelling character work with old-school action, so it's no surprise that Waid returning to his roots on this classic Elseworlds is resulting in what might be the best arc of the whole series so far.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #23

Jan 16, 2024

Waid continues to deliver on this title, weaving some fascinating hidden adventures for DC's two biggest heroes.

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9.5
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #24

Feb 20, 2024

Waid has been writing DC books for a very long time, and similar to Dan Jurgens and the late, great Keith Giffen, it's amazing how seamlessly he moves from era to era. This is a perfect capper on his greatest story.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #25

Mar 19, 2024

Waid continues to be one of the quintessential DC writers.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #26

Apr 16, 2024

While this story is much more serious than the type they usually appear in, that doesn't mean Waid and Mora don't know how to have some fun. The sheer unpredictability they bring to every story is on full display, such as when they randomly decide to give Robin superpowers because it'll up the power level (and he asked).

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9.5
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #27

May 21, 2024

The writing is great here, especially the amusing interplay between Batman, Superman, and their personal imps, but a lot of the credit for this issue has to go to Dan Mora and guest artist Travis Mercer. There's a fantastic visual flourish this issue as Bat-Mite takes Batman and Superman through the dimensions.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #29

Jul 17, 2024

This issue brings the epic imp battle to a close, as the powerful Doom-Mite has descended on Earth, defeated an all-powerful Jimmy Olsen, and successfully turned Batman into a puppet. Waid and Mora have done an excellent job of taking these inherently hilarious characters and showing just how dangerous they would be untethered from any sense of morality something also done very well in the "Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow and "Emperor Joker stories.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) #30

Aug 21, 2024

There are some surprisingly big villains in this issue one obscure but very interesting Wonder Woman villain, and another with a key link to him who I don't think we've seen before.

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9
Batman / Superman: World's Finest (2022) Annual: 2024

Jan 30, 2024

Overall, this is a great collection of tales without a dud in the mix.

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8.5
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: II #1

Dec 6, 2017

It's a crossover that delivers on its promise right out of the gate, featuring great character moments and action, from a creative team that clearly loves both universes.

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8.5
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: III #1

May 1, 2019

This isn't just a conclusion to this cycle of miniseries, it's a tribute to the entire history of the Ninja Turtles property and gives off the impression that this could be the comic book equivalent of "Turtle-Verse". Great, suitably bizarre start.

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8.5
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: III #2

Jun 5, 2019

A little too much monologuing from Krang as he rides Anti-Monitor around like a bodysuit. Krang's an acquired taste as a villain, and few writers have made him work beyond a campy cartoon villain. But the joy of a crossover is watching new dynamics form across dimensions, and on that front, this is a major win.

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8.5
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: II #2

Dec 20, 2017

Between that threat, and the growing tension between the Turtles over Donatello's rash actions, this miniseries is setting to easily equal or even top the highly entertaining original.

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7
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: II #3

Jan 17, 2018

We're at the halfway point of this miniseries, and while it's still fun, it feels like we don't have the plot or intensity of the first mini just yet.

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8.5
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: III #3

Jul 3, 2019

The twists and turns of this series are easily making it the best installment in the trilogy.

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8
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: III #4

Aug 7, 2019

This is definitely a middle chapter with a lot of transitions, but things are looking exciting as we head into the final chapters.

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7
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: II #4

Feb 21, 2018

Overall, I'm not really sure about the direction this series is taking with the smartest turtle.

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7.5
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: II #5

Mar 22, 2018

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 #5, The penultimate issue of the second Batman/TMNT miniseries brings a lot of elements together in anticipation of a big final showdown next issue, but something still feels like it's missing.

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8
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: III #5

Sep 4, 2019

There's one more issue to go and it looks like we're headed for an epic finale, but this series wouldn't have worked nearly as well if it wasn't for the humor, the family vibe, and the character development that happened alongside the action. A great use of both properties' best characters.

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8
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: III #6

Oct 2, 2019

James Tynion IV has clearly had a lot of fun writing these team-ups with the Bat-family and the Turtles since the first miniseries all the way through Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III #6, the final issue, and it shows.

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7.5
Batman / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: II #6

Apr 19, 2018

The issue's best moments are in the quieter moments, such as Raphael and Damian's ongoing snarking and just how Batman got Shredder to cooperate with their plan.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #1

Sep 12, 2023

There isn't anything groundbreaking hereit's a little too laid-back of an issue for thatbut it's a great new start to the next chapter of Williamson's Damian Wayne saga.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #2

Oct 10, 2023

Overall, the banter between Bruce and Damian is the best it's ever been and this might be the only time I can remember where they actually feel like father and son rather than associates. It's a golden age for the bat-books and this is another winner.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #3

Nov 14, 2023

This exciting series is kicking things off with an interesting first arc, because it's one of the fastest-paced series at DC in terms of actionbut it also takes place over a very small timeframe.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #4

Dec 12, 2023

The idea of Kirk Langstrom as a true supervillain isn't one that fully clicks with me, and we don't see quite enough of him this issue to say how it'll play out, but it's an interesting change of paceand it adds a higher stake to the Bat attacks Batman endured.

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9.5
Batman and Robin (2023) #5

Jan 9, 2024

This is Damian's second time trying out school, and the first in Gotham Academy had a bunch of normal and friendly kids in a very strange school. This one is a full-fledged challenge for him to take on, and it's clear neither he or Bruce are in their element. That's a recipe for a great story, and the growing bond between father and son feels like it's been building in Williamson's work for a while.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #6

Feb 13, 2024

This continues to be another huge winner in a golden age of Bat-books.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #7

Mar 12, 2024

Joshua Williamson, for all his background in horror comics, has managed to give us one of the most optimistic and wholesome Bat-family comics as Bruce and Damian slowly learn to not just be partners, but father and son.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #8

Apr 9, 2024

I'm enjoying this half of the story, although I'm still a little confused by where this sadistic, megalomaniac version of Man-Bat even came from.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #9

May 14, 2024

This title has done a very good job of balancing over-the-top superhero action with some surprisingly funny high-school adventure for Damian Wayne.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #10

Jun 11, 2024

The main plot might be wrapped up a little too briefly, but it works with how much else there is to explore here.

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9.5
Batman and Robin (2023) #11

Jul 10, 2024

Williamson's script here is fantastic, including some great and grim depictions of the PTSD Damian still lives with and the return of a surprising figure in the last page that brings the theme of the issue together nicely.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #12

Aug 14, 2024

Damian is starting to backslide in a way we haven't seen in a while, driven by his grief and guilt, and it's clear that this is something Bruce isn't exactly ready to deal with. Even amid the over-the-top action scenes, it's a great way to ground the issue emotionally.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) #13

Sep 11, 2024

While Juan Ferreyra only came on late in this series, he really is a perfect fit for this arc drawing monsters just as seamlessly as he does the quiet moments between Batman and Robin.

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9
Batman and Robin (2023) Annual: 2024

Jan 30, 2024

This continues to be another winner in a sea of them among DC's recent launches.

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9
Batman and Robin and Howard OGN

Nov 9, 2021

While this is definitely a book for younger readers, it's another impressive example of just how good DC is at this all-ages line. Talented cartoonists and creators from outside of comics are reinventing these characters in ways that feel fresh while still being immediately recognizable. Watching Damian and Howard go from enemies, to friends, to crimefighting allies is a lot of fun and there is room for many future adventures featuring this oddball crimefighting team. I kind of want to see Damian and his new friends cross paths with the rest of Gotham's residents.

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9
Batman and Robin and Howard: Summer Breakdown #1

Jul 3, 2024

This series has given Damian something that's hard to come by for him genuine friends in his civilian identity. It's also given us one of the most wholesome takes on Batman as a father outside of Wayne Family Adventures, with this version reminding me a lot of the LEGO Batman or Batman '66 version.

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9
Batman and Robin and Howard: Summer Breakdown #2

Aug 7, 2024

Like all of Brown's work, it threads the line between a parody comic and a surprisingly earnest story of family and friendship. His simple but detailed cartoony art is perfectly suited for it, and it's great to see this and Primer get second volumes in a new format.

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9
Batman and Robin and Howard: Summer Breakdown #3

Sep 4, 2024

This oddball project has put out two great volumes, and I hope this is just the beginning of DC working with Brown.

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8.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #1

May 8, 2019

There's some Year of the Villain teases involving Ra's Al Ghul, but overall this first issue works well because of how strong Hill's characterization is and how good it is to have these characters back.

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6
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #2

Jun 12, 2019

I really wanted to like Batman and the Outsiders, given that it features several of my favorite characters and is written by one of my favorite recent DC writers, Bryan Hill. The first issue was highly promising, spotlighting a unique team dynamic and giving multiple characters intriguing subplots. The problem is " this isn't that comic.

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8
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #3

Jul 10, 2019

The character work in this comic is much more effective than the plotting, and that's enough to keep me hooked for now.

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7.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #4

Aug 14, 2019

I feel like this could become a great series, but it'll have to do it in the second arc.

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8
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #5

Sep 11, 2019

Batman and the Outsiders is slowly finding its groove, although even in Batman and the Outsiders #5, it's still bogged down by a story heavily rooted in original characters who remind me way too much of the 90s.

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8.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #6

Oct 9, 2019

It's taken until Batman and the Outsiders #6, but Bryan Hill's spin-off Bat-title seems to have found its groove with this excellent issue focused on Duke Thomas and Cassandra Cain " two of the Bat-kids who have been struggling to find their place in DC's lineup.

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8
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #7

Nov 13, 2019

This title tries to do a lot, and it doesn't always succeed, but the ambition is coming together into something pretty compelling. I'm hoping this next arc focused on Duke doubles down on those strengths.

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8.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #8

Dec 11, 2019

Batman and the Outsiders has taken a major turn upwards as it focuses more on its core cast and less on the original 90s-style antiheroes and villains who dominated the first arc. Bryan Hill's character work is always excellent, especially when he's working with characters he clearly feels passionate about.

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8
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #9

Jan 8, 2020

This series started rough with issues too focused on original villains, but it's found its footing since as one of the better books in the Bat-line.

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8.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #10

Feb 12, 2020

This series hit its stride after a strong first arc, although its weak spot remains generic villains Kaliber and Ishmael, who show up near the end of the issue. The Outsiders seem on the verge of a reunion, and it looks like it'll be a hell of a showdown.

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8.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #11

Mar 11, 2020

But this is one of the most ruthless takes we've ever seen on Ra's Al Ghul, and he ends Batman and the Outsiders #11 by taking an action that's one of the most evil things he's ever done. There's a lot of story set up here, and I'm excited to see how Hill surprises us next.

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8.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #12

May 6, 2020

This title took a little while to get going, but over the last arc Hill has turned it into that rarest of unicorns " a truly character-based team book that's at its strongest outside of the big fight scenes.

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8.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #13

Jun 18, 2020

Once the 90s-style villains were ditched and the focus restored to the core cast, this has become one of the most entertaining books in DC's lineup.

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9
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #14

Jul 8, 2020

This title has consistently built since its first arc, and it's one of DC's most underrated books at the moment.

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8
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #15

Aug 11, 2020

As we head towards the finish line on this title, this is more of a bridge issue as we gear up for the final showdown.

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8.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #16

Sep 8, 2020

While Hill is leaving monthly superhero comics after this title due to his schedule, he's given a great foundation to one of DC's most underrated heroes for future stories.

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8.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) #17

Oct 14, 2020

This issue is really a series of vignettes more than anything, some more compelling than others.

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7.5
Batman and the Outsiders (2019) Annual #1

Oct 30, 2019

This issue has a lot of good points, and Black Lightning in particular is a character Hill writes very well. But Katana's surreal supernatural departure is definitely not my favorite element of the series.

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8.5
Batman and the Signal #1

Jan 3, 2018

It's a packed comic, maybe a bit too packed, but Duke is an appealing lead, and this issue gives us a good look into his world. A worthy addition to the Bat-line.

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8.5
Batman and the Signal #2

Feb 21, 2018

Part conspiracy thriller, part action-adventure, part youth drama, Batman and the Signal #2, the second issue in Duke Thomas' first solo series unfolds in exciting fashion, bringing in several intriguing new players to Gotham's superhero scene.

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8.5
Batman and the Signal #3

Apr 25, 2018

Given its strong sales and critical reception, I assumed DC would want to get more out of the series, but as it is, Duke Thomas' first solo series turns out to be a tight, clever new take on Gotham City in the daytime.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #14

Nov 22, 2017

Bruce's creepy Bat-drone is my new favorite thing, and the end of the issue delivers one hell of a cliffhanger while calling back to an iconic Bat-moment.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #15

Dec 27, 2017

The issue is an exciting read and feels much more like classic Batman Beyond than anything in years.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #16

Jan 25, 2018

Overall, this is a fun issue that continues this series' recent resurgence.

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8.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #17

Mar 1, 2018

Jurgens may be getting bounced from Superman, but his remaining book is as good as it's ever been.

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8.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #18

Mar 28, 2018

There's a lot going on in Batman Beyond #18, bringing in new villains, new heroes, and a great twist ending. That all comes together to make this maybe the best issue of the rebooted series.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #19

Apr 25, 2018

This arc has been one of the series' strongest, but the cast as a whole still has a few kinks to be worked out.

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7.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #20

May 23, 2018

This series has improved, but it still has some characterization kinks to work out.

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7
Batman Beyond (2016) #21

Jun 28, 2018

After a very strong arc, the series seems to be backsliding a bit, with very little advancement in many plots and a lot seeming to go in circles. We still don't know what's causing this plague, either.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #22

Jul 25, 2018

This issue has a lot of fun twists and turns, including the return of another classic Gotham vigilante.

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7.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #23

Aug 22, 2018

I am overall enjoying this series, but there's a pattern of stories that go on a little too long. I'm hoping this ends strong with a new addition to Batman's rogues gallery.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #24

Sep 26, 2018

Now that the main narrative of the Futures End world is thankfully over with and Terry McGinnis is fully back in the lead in Batman Beyond, the title has been getting more into exploring Gotham's past and bringing back classic Batman villains in new forms.

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8.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #25

Oct 24, 2018

Batman Beyond #25 is the best issue yet of this series and I'm surprised as anyone that this is coming from the return of the Joker.

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7
Batman Beyond (2016) #27

Jan 2, 2019

Definitely an improvement over last month's issue, but Brett Booth's stint on Batman Beyond is still not really capturing the vibe of the issues that were leading up to it.

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6
Batman Beyond (2016) #28

Jan 30, 2019

Batman Beyond rebounded from its rough early arcs that were too tied into the Futures End continuity with the new status quo, but unfortunately the return of the Joker seems to have taken it too far round the bend into the old status quo.

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7.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #29

Feb 27, 2019

The plot as a whole has been one of the series' weakest, as I don't think it's really told us anything about Joker we didn't already know, but it had a strong ending that sets up a lot of doubts about Matt's future as Robin. I'm just hoping this series continues the strong characterization but makes better use of the Batman Beyond rogues gallery like the previous arc did.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #30

Mar 27, 2019

There are few better ways to add a touch of excellence to your comic than by having Doc Shaner guest on art for an issue or two. So it's no surprise that Batman Beyond #30 is one of the best of the series " but it helps that Dan Jurgens' story rises to the situation and delivers a strong story set in the aftermath of the Joker's death of a heart attack.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #31

Apr 24, 2019

The issue is tense and feels like a step forward as the title uses more elements of the classic cartoon to build its next arc.

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7
Batman Beyond (2016) #32

May 22, 2019

Rick Leonardi does a good job as the new artist on Batman Beyond #32, but overall the plot lacks the punch of the recent Joker arc.

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7.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #33

Jun 26, 2019

This arc of Batman Beyond has been dominated by two storylines, one much more interesting than the other " and, in Batman Beyond #33, it becomes very clear which is taking over the book.

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7.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #34

Jul 24, 2019

This is definitely better than the title was during the recent Joker arc, and False Face makes for an amusingly incompetent but still dangerous foe.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #35

Aug 28, 2019

After a current arc that took a while to get started, the plot in Batman Beyond picks up speed (pun intended) with Batman Beyond #35, a packed issue that reveals the secret origin of Splitt, gives a hero a major new role, and returns a massive player to the world of Batman's future.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #36

Sep 25, 2019

The banter between Barry and Bruce is one of the highlights of the issue.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #37

Oct 23, 2019

Something big is coming, and it took a while to get here but this title is definitely living up to the legacy of the cartoon.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #38

Nov 27, 2019

Dan Jurgens has completely upended Batman Beyond's status quo over the last year in a very effective way, with a storyline that echoes his plot in Nightwing to a degree but also has its own twists and turns and that continues in Batman Beyond #38.

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8.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #39

Jan 1, 2020

This is easily the most intriguing this series has been, with a plot that captures the vibe of the beloved original while advancing the plot in exciting ways.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #40

Jan 23, 2020

The best part of this story so far has been its high stakes and fast pace, and with all the players in place, we should be heading to a strong finale.

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8.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #41

Feb 26, 2020

After a tricky start due to past stories, this book has really found its footing as a great modern reinvention of the cartoon. It's certainly made me want to go back and binge the original.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #43

May 27, 2020

Lots going on here and lots of unanswered questions, but a solid read.

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8.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #45

Jul 21, 2020

I don't know if this series is continuing past #50"there are a lot of shakeups coming"but this run has turned into a great sequel to the TV series.

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8.5
Batman Beyond (2016) #46

Aug 26, 2020

It's a highly entertaining old-school adventure tale as the series heads towards the big #50 mark.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #47

Sep 22, 2020

This isn't a perfect series " it took a while to get out from under the previous status quo " but it's an old-school tribute to the original cartoon and to everything Batman represents. Jurgens still has it, almost three decades after his DC debut.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #48

Oct 28, 2020

The plot moves so fast it's a bit dizzying, but I think Batman Beyond is headed for a strong finish.

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8
Batman Beyond (2016) #49

Nov 26, 2020

I'm hoping DC has big plans for Jurgens come March " he's earned a fourth decade as one of their staple writers.

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9
Batman Beyond (2016) #50

Dec 22, 2020

It's been a long, strange journey for Batman Beyond, starting mired in the dark future of Future's End and turning into a genuine sequel to the original cartoon. And through it all, Dan Jurgens has been steering the ship to a satisfying conclusion.

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8.5
Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic (2023) #1

Jul 25, 2023

Overall, I'm not the biggest fan of what the last few creative teams have made of Batman Beyondit's become a little too grimbut this new arc has a lot of potential, thanks to its gothic, horror-inspired tone that makes the city a scarier place than it's ever been in this version.

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8.5
Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic (2023) #2

Aug 22, 2023

While the story topside involving Donovan Lumos' gentrification scheme isn't quite as compelling as the things in the underground, this series continues to impress and deliver a compelling vision of a future Gotham.

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8.5
Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic (2023) #3

Sep 26, 2023

This mini definitely feels like a step up from the first Batman Beyond story that Lanzing and Kelly told, adding a hefty dose of gothic horror to the futuristic Gotham.

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8
Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic (2023) #5

Nov 28, 2023

This series may be a bit too chaotic at times, but it's definitely an interesting ride.

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8
Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic (2023) #6

Dec 26, 2023

Lanzing and Kelly wrap up their second Batman Beyond mini with a bang, as Terry heads to the surface to take on the massive overgrowth caused by none other than an undead John Constantinedesperately holding on to life by doing some horrible things. At some point, a whole magic crossover event broke out in this series, which is definitely not what I was expecting here.

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8
Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #1

Apr 5, 2022

This is an intriguing first issue, although I'm hoping some more classic Batman Beyond elements will work their way in soon.

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8.5
Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #2

May 3, 2022

It does feel like the book is still heating up, but what it lacks in character work it makes up for in breakneck action and top-tier visuals.

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8
Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #3

Jun 7, 2022

Overall, lots of potential in this issue but it's definitely a breather before the next big showdown.

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8
Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #4

Jul 5, 2022

s we pass the halfway point of this miniseries, it continues to be a highly entertaining, fast-paced sci-fi thriller.

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8.5
Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #5

Aug 2, 2022

This is a pretty compelling issue, even with the main plot sort of being in a holding pattern for the issue.

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8
Batman Beyond: Neo-Year #6

Sep 6, 2022

What works here is the character development and the unique way he's united basically every element in the city against Neo-Gotham. What doesn't work quite as well is how large-scale the threat isand how quickly it's defeated.

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8.5
Batman Giant #4

Apr 29, 2020

For those who haven't read these iconic runs, there's also a chapter of the Scott Snyder/Greg Capullo Batman run, the Greg Rucka/J.H. Williams Batwoman run, and Tim Seeley and Fernandez's Nightwing Rebirth tale. It's a strong greatest-hits package that works nicely as a way to introduce new fans to Batman's world.

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8.5
Batman Incorporated (2022) #1

Oct 11, 2022

It's a strong debut, better than the annual that led up to this, and it's great to see Ghost-Maker not fade away once Tynion left the book.

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8
Batman Incorporated (2022) #2

Nov 8, 2022

For good or bad, this is a comic where everyone else is playing a bit role in his story, and few other characters have gotten the chance to break out yet.

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8.5
Batman Incorporated (2022) #3

Dec 13, 2022

This is a tense issue with some great action, and another strong installment as this new team is fleshed out.

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9
Batman Incorporated (2022) #5

Feb 14, 2023

This has been an entertaining, pulpy comic with a ton of Hong Kong-inspired action scenes and countless rogue Batmen across the globe, but it also has some very interesting and thorny issues.

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8
Batman Incorporated (2022) #6

Mar 14, 2023

It's a decent issue, but this arc doesn't immediately seem to have the same hook as the first.

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8
Batman Incorporated (2022) #7

Apr 11, 2023

It's an interesting bridge between the two main arcs.

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8
Batman Incorporated (2022) #8

May 9, 2023

Overall, still a solid read.

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8
Batman Incorporated (2022) #9

Jun 13, 2023

This is a tense, entertaining issue, but there are so many characters that it often feels like we're just spending a few pages with each of them.

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8
Batman Incorporated (2022) #10

Jul 11, 2023

This has always been an action-driven comic, and it's sticking to its strengths.

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7
Batman Incorporated (2022) #11

Aug 8, 2023

The art shift, with a different artist doing every segment, is a little surprising as well, but doesn't distract from the story. However, this very much feels like a filler issue packed with fights before the eventual resolution.

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8
Batman Incorporated (2022) #12

Sep 12, 2023

Overall, this was a fun series but I don't think the fusion of this crew with Ghost-Maker quite worked. They never gelled as a team, which may have been the point, and I'm hoping the very intriguing assassin gets more spotlights in the future.

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9
Batman Tales: Once Upon a Crime OGN

Feb 12, 2020

Overall, Batman Tales: Once Upon a Crime is a definite level up for the creative team of Fridolfs and Nguyen, taking the elements that made their earlier stories work and adding more depth, more comedy, and some inventive art tricks. This is a worthy addition to the DC all-ages OGN line.

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8
Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf In Gotham #1

Sep 28, 2021

Right now it seems like a straight-forward Bat-story with a Fable guest-star, but I don't think Willingham signed on for something that conventional. There are a lot of intriguing mysteries to be unraveled here.

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9
Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf In Gotham #2

Oct 19, 2021

The first issue of this strange Vertigo crossover was an odd one, with unusual pacing and new characters that it felt like we were supposed to know. After reading this second issue, I'm starting to get my bearings here"and it feels like we might be in for something special.

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8
Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf In Gotham #3

Nov 16, 2021

We still don't know what this odd Gotham actually is, and we didn't get much progress on that front yet.

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8
Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf In Gotham #4

Dec 21, 2021

There is maybe a little too much exposition about the nature of the Fables-verse, but we do get a better perspective of exactly where in this timeline we are and what might be happening back in Fabletown.

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8
Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf In Gotham #5

Jan 18, 2022

For most of this series, Batman and Bigby have been sniffing around each other while Bookworm plotted in the background. Now it feels like the creative team went "Wait, we're almost at the finish line" and kicked everything into high gear.

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6
Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf In Gotham #6

Feb 22, 2022

This series largely feels like Willingham taking old toys out of the toybox and seeing how they still work, and on that note it certainly feels fun watching Bigby and Batman go head to head. But what it's lacking is any real sense of advancement for either of the two leads. It's a throwback in every way, and given how rough the last few years of Fables were, I wonder if this is a franchise whose time has passed.

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5
Batman vs. Ra's Al Ghul (2019) #1

Sep 4, 2019

The comic plays fast and loose with continuity, as it references both No Man's Land and has Nightwing and two Robins appear without identifying them. It takes place amid a power crisis in Gotham that's caused mass riots " spearheaded by the mysterious remote-controlled evil robot Khaos.

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4
Batman vs. Ra's Al Ghul (2019) #2

Oct 10, 2019

The plot makes more sense than some previous minis, but it's just a bizarre sideshow of a comic where everyone spends most of the issue yelling at each other and neither the heroes or the villains seem smart enough to be in this line of work.

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3
Batman vs. Ra's Al Ghul (2019) #3

Nov 27, 2019

The story is fitfully amusing, but completely fails as any sort of coherent narrative. Adams is a legend, and I'm glad he's having fun.

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4
Batman vs. Ra's Al Ghul (2019) #4

Feb 12, 2020

Batman Vs. Ra's Al Ghul #4 is the continuation of a strange series of Batman comics by Neal Adams going back almost a decade, meaning this entire series was guaranteed to be bizarre. But I wasn't quite prepared for just how bizarre.

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2
Batman vs. Ra's Al Ghul (2019) #5

Mar 16, 2021

It's been several years since the last issue of this Neal Adams miniseries, and it returns with nothing resembling a recap page or anything else to help us remember the incredibly bizarre series of events within. But I'm not sure it would make any more sense if it did.

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9.5
Batman vs. Robin (2022) #1

Sep 13, 2022

The end of the issue brings in some major elements from Vertigo lore, making this rather perfectly timed for release. But amid the fast-paced story, this has some of the best Batman characterization I've seen in a long time, and an absolutely perfect Alfred. Waid is a master of the DCU, same as he ever was, and I'm expecting this to be an event mini to remember.

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9
Batman vs. Robin (2022) #2

Oct 11, 2022

It's a type of Batman story we've really never seen, and it's genuinely impressive how much history and continuity Waid is weaving in here. But he needs to be careful with this cliffhanger, which delivers a gut punch of a reveal but also stands the risk of undermining a lot of the good will he's built with this series.

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9
Batman vs. Robin (2022) #3

Nov 8, 2022

This is definitely the best Bat-event in a long time.

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9
Batman vs. Robin (2022) #4

Dec 20, 2022

It's the kind of event comic that, despite being self-contained, manages to make a huge impact and set up something even bigger coming soon.

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9.5
Batman vs. Robin (2022) #5

Feb 28, 2023

Waid is one of the most overtly optimistic superhero writers out there, even on a usually darker character like Batman, and the ending to this issue had me grinning from ear to ear.

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8
Batman's Grave #1

Oct 9, 2019

For those comparing this book to Hitch's other recent DC work in Hawkman, you'll find Hitch is showing off some very different strengths here. There's much less bombastic action, instead, many more subtle character moments and detailed crime scenes. It also seems to be very much about the relationship between Batman and Alfred " making it an odd choice timeline-wise, unless it's intended as a tribute to the butler.

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6
Batman's Grave #2

Nov 14, 2019

I like the ideas at play in this series so far, but the execution is highly irregular and it's not coming together as a cohesive story yet. It's a stunning showcase for Hitch's art, but I'm not sure what else it is yet.

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7
Batman's Grave #3

Dec 12, 2019

Ellis has always been an offbeat writer, and it feels like this comic is half him spotlighting his writing, half spotlighting Hitch's brilliant art. But I'm not sure they work as a single comic.

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8
Batman's Grave #5

Feb 12, 2020

Ellis seems to be building to a slow-burn confrontation between Batman and this new cult of enemies, but when the title does show off its action chops, it delivers some of the best action on the stands.

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7
Batman's Grave #6

Mar 11, 2020

There's a lot of good elements in this book, but they're not quite coming together as a whole so far.

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8.5
Batman's Mystery Casebook (2022) OGN

Aug 30, 2022

It's a fun way to get kids thinking about deductive reasoning, and portray Batman's work with a little more detail than you'd usually get in an all-ages book.

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8
Batman: Beyond the White Knight #1

Mar 29, 2022

Overall, this is a fast-paced first issue that drops a whole lot of twists and sets up some intriguing new directions, but its roots as a dark-and-edgy reboot hold it back a little. The cliffhanger was predictable, but I'm not sure it'll push this story forward. Still, overall intriguing.

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8.5
Batman: Beyond the White Knight #2

Apr 26, 2022

The first issue didn't really distinguish itself from the classic Batman Beyond enough for my tastes, but this issue has some unique twists on the mythology. It's a darker world, and one where Terry's journey to be Batman may be even more challenging than in the original.

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5
Batman: Beyond the White Knight #3

May 24, 2022

The art continues to be strong, but unfortunately this issue is deeply compromised by its new origin for Derek Powersmaking him an explicitly Jewish arms dealer who became so powerful by blackmailing Bruce with knowledge of his secret identity and is obsessed with creating weapons of war. Do I even need to detail just how many dog whistles there are in that?

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7
Batman: Beyond the White Knight #4

Jun 28, 2022

After last issue's offensive new origin for Derek Powers, combined with the creator's controversial online presence, I was skeptical about this series going forward. Fortunately, it does still have some things going for itparticularly a tense sense of action that leads to great chase segments.

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7
Batman: Beyond the White Knight #5

Sep 27, 2022

I don't even really know what this series is supposed to be.

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7
Batman: Beyond the White Knight #6

Oct 25, 2022

Overall, the action is great but this is lacking something to make it feel like a truly compelling alternate world.

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8
Batman: Beyond the White Knight #7

Dec 27, 2022

There are some genuinely emotional moments, but the entire subplot of the ghostly/holographic Joker who has been haunting Bruce continues to be a weird vestigial tail for the franchise that takes on another strange element this month.

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7.5
Batman: Beyond the White Knight #8

Feb 14, 2023

The banter between some of the Bat-family is fun, and new Robin Gan is a blast. It seems like there's so much going on that it's hard to believe the series is wrapping upbecause it's not.

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9
Batman: Black & White (2020) #1

Dec 8, 2020

Overall, a very strong first issue that feels more like an art showcase than a traditional anthology at points.

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9.5
Batman: Black & White (2020) #2

Jan 26, 2021

Overall, there isn't a weak link in this volume and almost all the stories feel like modern classics.

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9
Batman: Black & White (2020) #3

Feb 23, 2021

All around, another excellent issue.

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9
Batman: Black & White (2020) #4

Mar 23, 2021

All in all, another fantastic issue without a single weak link.

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9
Batman: Black & White (2020) #5

Apr 27, 2021

Once again, a near-perfect issue of excellent stand-alone tales.

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9.5
Batman: Black & White (2020) #6

May 25, 2021

All in all, a near flawless issue and a phenomenal series destined to be a classic.

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9.5
Batman: City of Madness (2023) #1

Oct 10, 2023

This is a wildly ambitious first issue, and its concept slowly unwinds in a way that makes it almost unbearable to wait for the next issue.

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9.5
Batman: City of Madness (2023) #2

Dec 12, 2023

It's hard to believe there's only one issue left here, because the end of the issue has so much left to explore and the main setting is only now being discovered. Black Label seems to be morphing into a bit of an artists' showcase at the moment, and it's creating some fascinating work.

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10
Batman: City of Madness (2023) #3

Feb 13, 2024

There are some surprisingly emotional moments in this final issue, which hit all the harder when compared to the supernatural storytelling. I think this goes down as a new Batman classic.

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10
Batman: Creature of the Night #1

Nov 26, 2017

It's an oddball book that isn't likely to have any bearings on the DCU in the future, but it's also a great entry-level comic for DC's magical characters.

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10
Batman: Creature of the Night #2

Dec 27, 2017

We're only two issues in, but I can safely say that Batman: Creature of the Night is, in fact, the best DC Comic of 2017 (and the latter two issues may very well be the best of 2018).

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10
Batman: Creature of the Night #3

Apr 18, 2018

The final issue (and hopefully it'll be sooner in coming than this one) has a lot to resolve, but if it sticks the landing, it'll be an evergreen classic that DC will sell for years to come.

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9.5
Batman: Creature of the Night #4

Nov 27, 2019

The central question of its series is never quite answered, with the nature of the Batman and its links to Bruce's birth remaining unsolved. I wouldn't really want it any other way, since the ambiguity is what makes it work. Now that this series is complete, I'm pretty sure it'll end its run as an all-time classic.

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8.5
Batman: Curse of the White Knight #1

Jul 24, 2019

There's a lot still to be answered here, but Murphy's art is brilliant from the first page to the last and it seems like this next chapter will be faster to get started and no less brutal.

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9
Batman: Curse of the White Knight #2

Aug 28, 2019

The visuals here are great, but this second issue elevates the story into a high-stakes suspense thriller and delivers the visuals we expect from a Murphy joint.

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8.5
Batman: Curse of the White Knight #3

Sep 25, 2019

Sean Murphy, along with Matt Hollingsworth, is pulling off an impressive feat here " giving us a dark Batman future that doesn't feel like

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9
Batman: Curse of the White Knight #4

Oct 23, 2019

A strong flashback to Alfred's role in the Wayne's big secret, and a tense cliffhanger that leaves another hero's fate in question adds up to the best issue of the run. It's no surprise that this series essentially launched Black Label.

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9
Batman: Curse of the White Knight #5

Dec 11, 2019

One of this title's best feats is the way it takes things from the 1990s and revamps them to fit perfectly in Murphy's unique style. The new design for Azrael's villainous identity is one of the best art pieces of the run, and the second half of this series is looking to easily outstrip the first in intensity.

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9
Batman: Curse of the White Knight #6

Jan 22, 2020

Murphy's been show-running this comic nearly solo from the start, and it's evolving into one of the most promising Batman alternate universes in years.

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9.5
Batman: Curse of the White Knight #7

Feb 26, 2020

Batman: Curse of the White Knight #7 is probably the best issue of Sean Murphy's epic alternate universe, as Bruce Wayne grapples with his family's complex legacy and comes to the most dramatic decision of his heroic career.

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9.5
Batman: Curse of the White Knight: Von Freeze #1

Nov 20, 2019

Klaus Janson's polished but gritty art is a perfect substitute for Murphy's on this issue, and this issue's handling of thorny and dark subject matter puts any other handling of the Nazis in comics recently to shame.

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9.5
Batman: Damned #1

Sep 19, 2018

As the issue comes to a close, full of horrifying visuals and mysteries, it's clear that DC has a new line full of promise. If Black Label continues to explore the darker side of its heroes with this style and none of the cheap exploitation associated with many "mature readers" lines, DC could have something special here.

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3
Batman: Damned #2

Dec 12, 2018

Mature Readers lines can go two ways, and right now this first Black Label book, unfortunately, seems to be going in the worst way possible " a dark-and-edgy cartoon of a story with little point but to be as shocking as possible. Far from this brilliant creative team's best work.

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6
Batman: Damned #3

Jun 26, 2019

The reveals come fast and furious in these last few pages, but the series doesn't so much end as stop " leaving us with many questions about who even survived this story. It's brilliantly drawn and delivers some haunting visuals, but it doesn't remotely work as a coherent story.

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9.5
Batman: Dark Age (2024) #1

Mar 26, 2024

This is a fascinating look into a story where Batman's creation went sideways, with a last-page reveal that makes everything about this story a lot clearer. It's not quite as immediately captivating as the Superman mini, but it's well on its way to becoming another huge win for the creative team.

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9.5
Batman: Dark Age (2024) #2

Apr 23, 2024

We've seen Bruce as an addled old man far past the world's expiration date. We know Bruce's dream for Gotham winds up coming true. It's the how that's fascinating, and this second issue hints at so much amazing potential for this seriesincluding the arrival of another A-list hero.

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9.5
Batman: Dark Age (2024) #3

May 28, 2024

Even though this series is a spiritual sequel to Space Age, they couldn't be more different. That was an epic cosmic tragedy. This is a small story of a deeply flawed man becoming a better person, made incredibly compelling by such a fully realized city and supporting cast. The ending reveals another major piece of Bruce's puzzle with a tragic twist that only makes this whole series richer.

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9.5
Batman: Dark Age (2024) #4

Jul 24, 2024

The longer run and slower pace of this series works as a really nice contrast to Superman: Space Age.

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10
Batman: Dark Age (2024) #5

Aug 28, 2024

In some ways, this Batman is familiar, but in others he's almost a completely different character one raised in a different environment, and given a different trial of fire. This is going to be a masterpiece alongside its sister book.

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7
Batman: Dear Detective (2022) #1

Sep 6, 2022

The ending is clever, a message about just who Batman's ultimate villain is. But while it's an interesting experiment, it never quite sells me as a comic.

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8.5
Batman: Earth One #3

Jun 10, 2021

The first two issues of this were essentially perfect Batman stories, reinventing the character for the modern day with some clever twists. This one feels more ambitious and less successful at the same time. It's still a strong read and one of the best Earth-One books, but it can't help that it's landing in an absolute golden age for Bat-stories.

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8.5
Batman: Fortress (2022) #1

May 24, 2022

The story's only begun by the end of the issue, and I think it might have benefited from a double-sized start. But it's set up an excellent concept that I am very excited to see play out.

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8
Batman: Fortress (2022) #2

Jun 28, 2022

This story is very clearly out of continuity, and that allows it to be highly unpredictable. The creative team has done more than enough to keep me hooked.

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8
Batman: Fortress (2022) #3

Jul 26, 2022

Overall, this series has some great visuals and ideas, but its tone is always just a little odd and that keeps it from quite getting to A-tier.

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8.5
Batman: Fortress (2022) #4

Aug 23, 2022

This out-of-continuity sci-fi thriller has been a little too on-the-nose with its politics at times, but its slightly edgier take on the DCU is surprisingly engaging.

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8
Batman: Fortress (2022) #5

Sep 27, 2022

Robertson's art is an odd fit for this book, looking a bit too photorealistic on some of the characters like Jackson, but when he gets to go big and strange, it's the perfect match for Whitta's writing.

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9
Batman: Fortress (2022) #6

Oct 25, 2022

The first five issues of this comic were largely about putting the team together, but now the heist beginsand it's one of the best set pieces I've seen in a comic in a while.

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8.5
Batman: Fortress (2022) #7

Nov 22, 2022

It's an odd story, but its Luthor is perfectly manipulative, fuzzy Lantern D'ayl is a breakout character, and this is the best material we've gotten out of Emiko Queen in years. I definitely won't mind seeing Whitta do more DC work down the line, but first he's got to stick the landing here.

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8.5
Batman: Fortress (2022) #8

Jan 17, 2023

This book was hyped up as an alien invasion thriller when it was announced, but it's turned into something completely differentan offbeat Elseworlds that wastes no time making permanent status quo changes to its universe.

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9
Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham (2023) #1

Sep 12, 2023

Grampa's art is always astonishing, of coursecheck out the noir edition, in black and white, to see the full detailand the story is intriguing, even if it might have a few too many subplots for a very busy first issue.

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8
Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham (2023) #2

Dec 12, 2023

This version of Batman sort of lives down to all the bad hot takes about him being a mentally ill rich dude who beats up the poor, and the story doesn't quite live up to the brilliant art for me.

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9
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age (2024) #1

Jun 11, 2024

This is a wildly ambitious first issue that packs a lot into its thirty or so pagesmaybe too much. But it does its job of getting me interested in spades. This has always been one of the most ambitious DC Elseworlds, and it's full of potential for a longer series.

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9.5
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age (2024) #2

Jul 10, 2024

So far, this event is almost claustrophobic in its intensity, which is a great way to set the scales and establish why Waller might be a bigger threat than the last alien invasion.

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9
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age (2024) #3

Aug 14, 2024

There is so much going on in each issue of this mini that it almost feels overwhelming, and some plots do get lost in the shuffle along the way. But the visuals are stunning, the plot advances briskly, and there is a chilling cliffhanger that indicates that a major figure from DC lore might be about to make his appearance but not in the way one might expect. The new Elseworlds line is off to a pretty strong start so far.

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9
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age (2024) #4

Sep 11, 2024

Overall, if you want some classic Logan, fantastic fight scenes, and want in on the start of something new, head to your local comic shop and grab, 'WOLVERINE, from the ashes.. A new beginning.'

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8
Batman: Gotham Knights - Gilded City (2022) #1

Oct 25, 2022

Overall, as a video game tie-in I'm not sure of the link, but this would work just as well if it was just a new evergreen Bat-comic.

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8.5
Batman: Gotham Knights - Gilded City (2022) #2

Nov 22, 2022

This tie-in to the video game is so far more interesting than the actual game, if reviews are any indication.

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8.5
Batman: Gotham Knights - Gilded City (2022) #3

Dec 27, 2022

This continues to be far more intriguing than I would expect any video game tie-in to be.

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8.5
Batman: Gotham Knights - Gilded City (2022) #4

Jan 24, 2023

This series continues to punch above its weight as a video game tie-in, mostly thanks to its most intriguing original characterthe Runaway.

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8
Batman: Gotham Knights - Gilded City (2022) #5

Feb 28, 2023

The penultimate issue of this video game tie-in continues to be strong, with the flashback segments delving into an era where Gotham was a waystation for freed and escaped slavesand brutal slave-hunters who didn't care whether a Black person had the right paperwork or not.

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8
Batman: Gotham Knights - Gilded City (2022) #6

Mar 28, 2023

The conclusion to this video game tie-in continues to deliver a compelling story that has more on its mind than the game.

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8.5
Batman: Killing Time (2022) #1

Mar 1, 2022

It's hard to square this version with the one King has spent so much time developing. It's an intriguing start, but I'm not sure it's King's best work with these characters.

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8
Batman: Killing Time (2022) #2

Apr 5, 2022

It's an impressively paced thriller, but it's lacking anything much to connect to at the moment.

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9
Batman: Killing Time (2022) #3

May 3, 2022

For the first two issues, Batman: Killing Time was a compelling heist thriller with a twisty timelinealmost like a Christopher Nolan moviebut without a true hook. This issue we get that hook, but it raises more questions than it answers in the classic Tom King fashion.

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9
Batman: Killing Time (2022) #4

Jun 7, 2022

Batman is always noir-inspired, but it's rarely this much in the groove of the crime thriller/farce, and it's a tone that works perfectly.

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9.5
Batman: Killing Time (2022) #5

Jul 5, 2022

Finally, this seems like it's rising to the level of King's other elite works.

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9
Batman: Killing Time (2022) #6

Aug 2, 2022

Ultimately, it's a very strange story but a far more satisfying one than the recently concluded Batman/Catwoman.

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7
Batman: Kings of Fear #1

Aug 22, 2018

This first issue's story didn't do too much for me, but I'm looking forward to seeing this creative team do something terrifying with Scarecrow.

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7
Batman: Kings of Fear #2

Sep 26, 2018

Scott Peterson and Kelley Jones' new Batman miniseries feels more like an art book spotlighting Jones' unique versions of the Gotham villains than anything else, as two issues in the art is incredible but the plot is VERY thin.

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7.5
Batman: Kings of Fear #3

Oct 25, 2018

Batman: Kings of Fear is an odd book, equal parts psychological study of Batman's mission and art showcase for Kelley Jones' unique style. I'm not entirely sure that either half fully works due to being split between the two missions, though.

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8
Batman: Kings of Fear #4

Nov 28, 2018

The art drives this series, but the story is pretty strong too. It reminds me a little of Robinson's Two-Face story in Detective Comics, in that it's an intimate spotlight on Batman and one of his long-term villains. Strong art and a compelling story lift this above similar stories.

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8.5
Batman: Kings of Fear #5

Dec 19, 2018

It's a more low-key Batman story than what we normally get, with the battle being joined inside the mind rather than the streets, but it's no less compelling.

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9
Batman: Kings of Fear #6

Jan 9, 2019

It may seem like a minimalist story, but under the surface is one of the smartest Batman stories I've read in a while.

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6
Batman: Knightwatch (2022) #2

Oct 4, 2022

It's not overtly bad, but the tone is so different from the Bats we know that it doesn't quite work.

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7
Batman: Knightwatch (2022) #3

Nov 1, 2022

This all-ages Bat-comic spins out of the idea that Batman has created a new social network for citizens of Gotham to give the Bat-family tips on crimes, letting them stay one step ahead of villains. Both stories are fine, but definitely geared towards younger readers.

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7.5
Batman: Knightwatch (2022) #4

Dec 6, 2022

There is nothing particularly groundbreaking here, but the double-dose of Birds of Prey members this issue is a fun change of pace for the series.

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7
Batman: Knightwatch (2022) #5

Jan 3, 2023

The story expands to include various Bat-heroes and villains, and it's a fun little tribute to the art of creating. But the stakes are kind of lacking in this whole series, as I'm still not entirely sure what its larger purpose is in the DCU. It might have worked better as a graphic novel.

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10
Batman: Last Knight on Earth #1

May 29, 2019

A master class in tension that deftly leapfrogs between genres, it never lets up and its 56 pages both fly by and leave you enough to pore over until next month.

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10
Batman: Last Knight on Earth #2

Jul 31, 2019

Like a twisted pastiche of Mad Max; On the Beach; and The Twilight Zone, what starts as a Batman story becomes something spectacular that encompasses the whole DCU in fascinating ways.

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10
Batman: Last Knight on Earth #3

Dec 18, 2019

A run like this deserves an equally epic mic drop, and while Snyder and Capullo aren't going anywhere " they're likely the creative team on the next great DC event come summer " this is the perfect ending for their Bat-run. Much like Doomsday Clock, this is destined to be a timeless DC classic.

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9
Batman: Legends of Gotham (2023) #1

Jan 31, 2023

When a random one-shot comes out, I'm usually not expecting muchit's often an inventory story. So I was pleasantly surprised by this issue by long-MIA DC writer Andy Diggle, which not only takes place in current continuity but feels like a really good pitch for a new Outsiders series.

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9.5
Batman: Nightwalker #1

Oct 2, 2019

Not only is it a great Batman story, it's a great Bruce Wayne story " one of the rarest things in comics.

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9.5
Batman: Off-World (2023) #1

Nov 21, 2023

This makes an interesting parallel to Superman's Warworld Saga, which had a more mythic take on the concept. But that's not Batman. Batman is here to get his hands dirtyand this first issue makes me very confident that Aaron's time at DC will be spectacular.

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9.5
Batman: Off-World (2023) #2

Dec 19, 2023

As good as the character work is, the action in this titl