If you're worried about moving on from Damian so soon, don't worry: by the end of this story, you'll want to give Harper Row a big, warm hug. Read Full Review

While I'm excited for the upcoming "Year Zero" arc, Harper Row is what truly interests me now about Scott Snyder's Batman. Since the 'New 52' launched, Harper has been around and that's no coincidence. I'd be shocked if Snyder killed her off. I'd be even more shocked if she didn't become the next Robin because who else is there? Seriously, it's the next logical step. But it's a good next logical step. Read Full Review

Batman #18 is by far the best-written issue of this series since the return of the Joker in issue #13. Admittedly, while Death of the Family was entertaining in its own right, the series has taken a dip since the end of the Night of the Owls story arc. However, issue #18 has shown some definite promise and if Snyder can maintain this quality throughout the next several issues of Batman then fans are surely in for a treat. Read Full Review

So all in all this issue gave me some great conversations, so great characterization for Harper Row, and Cullen Row, as well as introducing their sleazebag of a father, who will undoubtedly be back in the future. Read Full Review

Scott Snyder continues to rock the hell out of Batman, things are a little different this issue though. Much like after the Night of Owls Greg Capullo is taking an issue off so we're treated to a guest appearance by Andy Kubert. Obviously this is not a problem, Kubert is a great artist and he really does justice to the pain and torment Batman deals with through this book. Batman #18 has so far been the second best book to deal with the outcome of Batman Incorporated #8. Read Full Review

Besides doing the cover, artist Greg Capullo takes a break this issue, as Andy Kubert handles the first half and Alex Maleev the second. Both deliver some fine work and I didn't feel distracted by the change in art in the least. James Tynion also helps out Snyder with the writing, which I felt only added to the issue as a whole. What parts are attributed to which writer, I can't really say, but their collaboration worked nicely here. Capullo's cover really hits home. Read Full Review

It may be a story weve seen shades of before, but for this particular Batman and his (potential) future confidant, it feels like a tale that deserves revisiting. Heres hoping theres more Harper Row coming to these pages in the near future. No one can replace Damian (or Tim, or Jason, or Dick), but the opportunity to watch her and her brother develop further is a path well worth following. Read Full Review

This issue needed to be done to show how Batman was dealing with his loss, and I do thinkeverythingwas handled very well. I am, like everyone else, very excited for #19 where we will be kicking off a brand new arc. Don't be put off by mediocre reviews surrounding this book. Pick it up! Read Full Review

I love the way they seem to be going here and making Batman a more emotional hero. Following the death of his son, it's to be expected. There really are two stories going on side-by-side here. Whether you're a fan of Harper Row or not, it's still a great issue, but would have been better with a more uniform look. Read Full Review

Andy Kubert steps in for Greg Capullo in the art department and draws a ravaged Batman combing the streets of Gotham as he hasn't attended to a single injury, or fixed the holes and rips in his costume. While the next big tale in the Batman universe has already been announced, Scott Snyder proves he can do no wrong when the title of his book starts with the word "Bat". Read Full Review

The So, all that being said, this was a great heartfelt story, with a character who I'm very interested to see more of. Snyder did exactly what he promised, and showed a different side to the Damian death reaction. It wasn't as emotionally impactful as Batman and Robin #18 was, but it hit all the right notes for what it was. The only draw back was just how familiar the story felt, and if it wasn't for that, I'd really have nothing to complain about with this issue. Read Full Review

Batman #18 does a great job showing what Bruce Waynes mental state is after suffering the loss of his son, Damian Wayne. Though I wish that DC would have allowed Grant Morrison to be the first to tackle the aftermath of Damians death Scott Synder did his best to address these developments. Snyder smartly used this opportunity to further delve into Harper Rows character history and use her as the vehicle to show the reader the fragile state of mind Batman currently is in. Andy Kubert and Alex Maleev are also able to provide artwork that strongly complimented Snyders story. If you have been keeping up with recent developments concerning Damians death than Batman #18 is an issue you should pick up. Read Full Review

I will admit there were some deeply emotional scenes here. This made me really think over the rating for this issue. I'm not sure if I was so touched due to personal loss I'm currently going through in my family. But it does show Snyder's ability to make you feel Batman's pain. Read Full Review

This may not be the best issue in this series, but it's still very good, and shows the right kind of emotion following Batman Inc. #8. Although I'm not too fond of the character it was also nice to see more development of the Harper Row character. I would recommend this issue, as besides Batman and Robin #18, this has been the best issue in the Requiem month so far (although to be fair there has only been four so far). Read Full Review

Overall, this is an emotionally weighted issue that is less interested in exciting its reader with fast-pace action-thriller, as readers saw issues such as Batman #5 from the "Court of Owls" or Batman #16 with the battle into Arkham. Instead, it is heavier in exposition and dialogue as it favors an exploration of what Batman means to both Gotham and the superhero genre as a whole. Readers following the series will want to pick this issue up, and without a doubt, fans of Harper Row will find plenty to be excited about in this issue as she positions herself to play a greater role in the title down the road. Read Full Review

Batman #18 is a strong issue, despite it being more a necessity of Grant Morrison's ego than anything involving Scott Snyder's epic run. Read Full Review

Have I mentioned the art? Because holy moley is the art good. Andy Kubert pretty much needs no introduction, but there's a real, almost animated richness to his work here. And I never knew how badly I wanted an ongoing Alex Maleev Batman assignment until I saw him on Chapter Two of "Resolve." Will somebody please put Mr. Maleev on some kind of high-profile Batbook, please? Read Full Review

Giving the hardworking Greg Capullo a break this month, Andy Kubert delivers an awe-inspiring first half. Witness the shot of Batman taking down a perp in the glow of the Batmobile's headlights. Alek Maleev shifts the tone in the second chapter, delivering a more personalised art style that recalls David Aja (Hawkeye) and Paolo Rivera (Daredevil) in the best way. Snyder and Tynion continue to brove that great Batman stories can still be told in big a small forms. Read Full Review

As much as I liked this issue, it wasn't very emotionally fulfilling. It kind of just checked off the right story beats to start Harper's journey to becoming Robin. And while I fully support the idea and enjoyed this issue, it still felt a little clinical. Read Full Review

Though Batman #18 is a bit of a breather issue, Snyder successfully deals with the death of Damian in an effective way, all the while evolving a very possible candidate for Girl Wonder in Harper Row. Read Full Review

It's a decent issue, but not the strongest, especially from writer Scott Snyder. I think in this case, what he has shown in the past works against him setting a high bar. Still a decent read and with the Harper Row stuff, possibly a pivotal issue. Read Full Review

As usual, this is an enjoyable issue of Batman; whilst it doesn't add much to the overall storyline surrounding Damian's death, nor reach the level of quality that Death of the Family and Court of Owls hit, it moves the chess pieces around the board nicely, putting Harper back into the spotlight and revealing a little more of her back-story and how far she has come since her last appearance. She's got a way to go before she's worthy of a place in the Bat-Family as most fans speculate is her ultimate goal, but these intermission issues that put the focus on her are always welcome. Read Full Review

Yes, you'll want to read it because everyone will be talking about it and discussing such a big development is fun but I found the comic itself to just be okay at best. It's definitely not something I will want to re-read again anytime soon.It's like a 6.5 or a 7/10 for me. Somewhere around there if these arbitrary scores mean anything to you? Not that it really matters though. Let's be honest, this thing is going to sell-out no matter what due to the Damian/Requiem hype and that lovely cover. You'll want to buy it up quick because otherwise it'll be on eBay for an outrageous mark-up. Read Full Review

Hopefully the next issue will get this series back on to the high standards we've been spoiled by for the previous 17 issues. Read Full Review

Too often Batman sticks to his rogues, these super villains that are larger than life, and Harper allows writers to get back to the street crime and detective stories Batman thrives in. That said, the promise of this character isn't enough to propel this issue into a must-buy area. In a visual medium the story is strongest when it balances narrative and action. Characters standing around with word bubbles taking up real estate is not ideal. It also weakens the story when we're being told how Batman feels by a third party character who doesn't know squat. Read Full Review

"Batman" #18 ends on one of those moments that doesn't quite have the bang I expected, but I'm not sure why. I like what Snyder and Tynion are building to, and the idea of that final word put in place sounds nice. But it's only good, not great; it doesn't crash into place with the force that I think it was meant to. Ultimately, that's how I feel about "Batman" #18. It's good, there's no question about that, but it's not great. It probably doesn't help that Snyder, Tynion and company are ultimately writing a comic that reacts to something that happened elsewhere, so a certain amount of lead-up is missing as a result. Still, I think they do well with the directive they're given, and I like that they manage to make it also work with pre-existing "Batman" storylines and move them forward as well. Ultimately, I enjoyed "Batman" #18, but I think it's the next few issues that I'm looking forward to more with the title moving under its own steam once more. Read Full Review

Put simply, this is an average story that is told in an only slightly above average way, where the art is poorly executed not in composition by the artists, but by the pairing of editorial. Snyder's “Batman” started as one of the best books of the New 52, and while it is still near the top of the list, that's only because the rest of them are no longer that great, either. People who are reading the comic because it's Batman and they always read Batman will probably find this to be a fine issue, with little to complain about, but those who were looking for the precise touch Snyder brought to “Detective Comics” will probably use this as a chance to jump ship before the next little bout of continuity porn — ‘Year Zero.' Read Full Review

Batman #17 is a surprisingly disappointing follow-up to the spectacular Batman #12. Poor Harper deserves a better story than this. And just why can't Batman accept her, even though she's saved his life twice, and kept him from going Bat-$#!@ insane?  Read Full Review

Batman probably isn't the kind of character to apologize. Yet, he does in this story. It felt partly cheesy, partly unrealistic and partly forced. It worked to bring Harper and Batman to a level of common ground but the book just doesn't click as something in line with Batman. Is Snyder setting up the next Robin? Maybe, but this is not the best showcase for the character. Read Full Review

By the standards of this series…..not the best. All should be fine when the regular artists return. Read Full Review

You know DC must have plans to unveil a new Robin before too long, and this issue certainly makes Harper the front-runner. Anointing a character whose entire comic history is less than the time between dental appointments, in my opinion, would be a huge mistake another reason to read far less Bat-titles. Hit-and-Miss. Read Full Review

You're not missing out on much. Robin's dead so Bruce Wayne is sad and has to deal with it, the only way he knows how – beating up bad guys. Harper Row, a young vigilante heroine in training, notices Batman is a little weaker when beating up even normal thugs. She sets out to help him get over his little hurdle. The End. Read Full Review

great! so Damian Wayne/Robin is dead and now Harper Row is trying to step up as Batman's faithful sidekick? ........no! ........just NO!!!! at least Andy Kubert's art candy-coats this awful bitter pill! GET LOST, Harper!!!! ...YOU STINK!!!! ...at least it was worth it to see Batman tell off Harper, and in so many words let her know "it ain't gonna happen!"