This is, for lack of a better word, a perfect comic. It flows nicely, it looks great, and the dialogue is better than that of any other book on the stands today. The humanity behind these larger-than-life characters is uncanny. The backup stories, which usually just seem like a way for companies to get an extra buck out of their readers always actually adds to main feature story. And most of all, even in issues like this one, where nothing huge or epic really happens (meaning, more specifically, there isn't a first appearance or a death of a fan-favorite character), every single moment and every single frame seems to be very well-thought-out and extremely important. Not a single page is wasted by this creative team. And I can't wait to see what they give us next month. Read Full Review

During the video interview I watched, Snyder said he'd stay on the title for as long as the fans wanted him to. Well, since he's had the top two highest-selling comics the past two months (Superman Unchained and Batman), I hope he'll be bringing both to life for a long time to come! Five out of five stars! Read Full Review

If you thought Zero Year couldn't get any better, you were mistaken. Scott Snyder is taking Bruce Wayne on a rough journey as he is on the verge of becoming Batman. You can see the story meticulously being laid out. We may not be used to seeing this less experienced hero but we are seeing the determination and tenacity that will shape him into the hero we know and love. A certain key scene is laid out with such extraordinary care, you'll be in awe as it plays out. Greg Capullo's art with Danny Miki's inks and FCO Plascencia's colors continue to make this a visual feast for our eyes. In the backup, Snyder, James Tynion IV and Rafael Albuquerque show us a remarkable chapter in young Bruce's life. I didn't think I could like a BATMAN comic more than I have before until I read this one. It just keeps getting better and better. Read Full Review

Batman#23 is the reason why I read comics. While part of a larger story, this issue is a seminal piece of that grand picture, and a perfect example of what the comic medium can accomplish. Snyder is a beast and his work with Batman continuously gets better. Writing this strong would be the highlight of any other book, but Capullo's work shines through enough to challenge it for thate top spot. Regardless of what strength you prefer in your books, Batman # 23 has everything you could ask for. If you aren't already picking this series up, run out now and join the many Bat-fans as issue#24 will bring the "Birth of a Legend" and, as Snyder has promised, purple gloves. Read Full Review

With Zero Year, Scott Snyder is not just giving us his personal take on the Batman origin, but making it fit in the New 52.  We are seeing the transition from Man to Bat in a way that fits the time frame and new continuity of the universe he inhabits.  But what makes it so grand are the little nods to the readers that love the old stories and the old continuity.  Snyder shows he wants to be known for his new stories, but loves and respects everything that came before him.  He is truly standing on the Shoulders of Giants and letting us see the new view he is creating. Read Full Review

I suspect it'll "read" better as a collection, because the story keeps stepping back and forth along Bruce's timeline, and it's not easy to keep track of things on a month-to-month basis. But the creative team is putting an interesting and original spin on a well-trod story - not an easy task. Read Full Review

Overall, Zero Year is shaping up to be an origin story as rich and as epic as a character like Batman deserves. Snyder's juggling act with Bruce's tried and true origin, a (pre-Riddler) Edward Nygma's involvement with his family's company, and the Red Hood gang's chaotic misdeeds make this an arc not to be missed. Read Full Review

This was a tremendous issue, and although it's the worst in the story so far, it was still amazing, and shows just how good this story has been. The suspense, and drama throughout the story was outstanding, with exciting dialogue. The back-up story was however nothing special, and along with the fact that the everything happened so fast in the main story let the issue down a bit. I would however still highly recommend this issue, as well as the story so far, as it's been very unique, and interesting. Read Full Review

So, my recommendations are to read the book carefully in order to avoid any sort of plot confusion. The elements are there, but they require a careful eye. The delivery used in Issue #23 requires a slow read, and based on Snyder's general trend of using a slow build, I'd expect this issue to provide a sort of calm before the storm " that is, the arrival of Batman, which will likely be revealed in the next issue. But read the book " you don't want to miss out. Read Full Review

Batman's world is a strange place. Let's keep it that way. Read Full Review

Batman #23 starts to focus more on supporting characters. We get to see Alfred Pennyworth before he became used to seeing his employer beaten inches from death on a fairly regular basis. Edward Nigma makes another move in his grand scheme to command the highest powers of Gotham City, the Red Hood Gang continues to be the wrench in the gears, and we discover just how much Thomas and Martha Wayne's memory stayed alive long after their deaths. Read Full Review

The third installment of the 'Zero' Year features possibly the most important moment in the Snyder/Capullo run on "Batman", the moment when Bruce realizes his destiny. Scott Snyder has written a story that honours the past origins of Batman, while adding plenty of new depth in the wake of the New 52. It would have been easy to brush past Batman's origins, and let the seminal 'Year One' remain in a hazy mist of continuity issues, but instead they chose to tackle the birth of the Bat head on. There was the potential for it to be repetitive at best and boring at worst, but instead the story is captivating. The creative talent behind 'Zero Year' know exactly what they want to accomplish, and Batman #23 stands as testament to their talent. Read Full Review

The art on this comic was really beautiful and great this time around. With less dialogue boxes and internal monologue in many scenes, it allows the art to capture the mood, feeling, and emotion being displayed in the environments and characters very well. The action was well drawn, in particular with the fight scene in backup. The use of color and inking stood out a lot, with the tones and shades used. Read Full Review

This is not an expository issue, although you will see the necessary exposition that moves the entire Zero Year narrative along. It is an issue of dramatic revelation. The thread pattern intersects for one moment to inspire the next steps. Read Full Review

Batman #23 is an exceptional primer for anyone wanting to know how Batman's relationships are defined in comics. While it is derivative of what has come before, it does so on purpose, to reinstate the significance of each facet of the Batman mythos. Read Full Review

Overall, Batman #23 is still laying ground work for this story. There are plenty of unanswered questions, but each issue always leaves the reader satisfied. The focus this issue was more on the red hood gang, but we are beginning to see The Riddler has a bigger role yet to play. Snyder is really testing the will of Bruce before he becomes the hero we all love, and that makes for a very exciting story. Read Full Review

Batman #23 came as a huge surprise for me. Probably because my expectations were greatly lowered after the last two issues. But still, I hope Snyder and crew can keep up this quality for the rest of Zero Year. Read Full Review

Batman #23 is a solid, if flawed, installment for Zero Year, and Snyder continues to etch his place alongside Dennis O’Neal, Frank Miller and Chuck Dixon, as one of the most important Batman writers in the character's  history. Read Full Review

I would be inclined to agree with that argument, but the little details that Snyder injects into this arc makes it too intriguing to pass up. Read Full Review

A pretty good issue. I think this story is going to be challenging for long-time Batman readers just because we've read too much and it's hard to lever this story into what we already know. New 52 be damned" On the other hand, if you can shrug off that baggage, it is a pretty good issue. And the back-up is aces (how often can you say THAT about a back-up story?). Read Full Review

And those back-ups. Man, do I love everything about them. Snarky, rebellious Bruce is something that should be focused on way more than it is. Read Full Review

With Batman #23, Zero Year has rounded first and is clearly on the way to second where we'll no doubt see Bruce assume the mantle of Batman in the coming issues. Who wouldn't want to see that? Read Full Review

Whilst the main story does spend a lot of time getting to the cliffhanger ending, the execution of said ending ensures that this issue is just as enjoyable as previously. The back-up story continues to be well-used and an essential part of Batman's history, and the artwork is drop dead gorgeous on each and every page. Batman should be right at the top of your reading list every month, but I'm sure after 24 issues of awesome, you all knew that already. Read Full Review

With such a long review you might think I didn't like this thing, but I did. It's just that this is an incredibly important piece of the Batman mythology we're dealing with here so I have a lot to say. Batman #23 is a must-buy for any Batman fan who wants in on the discussion and any comic fan who loves great artwork. Do I think that the changes made here improved on the Batman origin? Not really but it's not too drastic to keep me from enjoying this story. There weren't as many surprises this issue because it repeats a lot of beats from previous origin stories, but I think that we can expect big things to come, especially from The Riddler. Read Full Review

Snyder's deliberate thoroughness in constructing the decisions Bruce Wayne makes on the road to becoming Batman (combined with the upcoming mountain of tie-ins) basically ensures that every moment of Bruce Wayne's pre-Batman life is about to be keenly detailed. While enjoyable, "Batman" #23 is akin to the first act of "Batman Begins" -- both stories are action-oriented slivers of the tale, but finely detailed and absolutely critical to the development of the character to come. The anticipation of that character, however, makes it all seem expository since the spotlight is entirely on Bruce. Readers know Bruce Wayne will be Batman and wait for that "first" appearance, but there is still a lot of solid story right here before Bruce even thinks about donning a cowl. Kudos to Snyder and Capullo for making this story interesting and exciting, but also for laying groundwork for what will, inevitably, be a masterful collected tale resplendent in all acts of the ascension of Batman. Read Full Review

If I had to use one word to describe this issue, it would be "deliberate." The larger plot takes a back seat for an issue so the Batman team could really take it's time, and respectfully recreate their version of Batman's most pivotal scene. That's not to say there is absolutely no advancement of the story, but the deliberate intentions of this issue were abundantly clear. The portrayal of this moment in Batman's life was what it needed to be, respectful, but with the Zero Year twist.  Though everything was treated with the care and respect it deserved, there's still that part of me that sort of grins and bears it through all the changes. As a die-hard Batman fan, you can't help but be nervous about some of this stuff, but it's safe to say Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, and company aren't exactly coming in with a sledgehammer, but instead are doing everything as delicately as possible. Read Full Review

Despite my criticism and my belief thatBatman#23 isn't up to the standard of Snyder's previous issues, I readily encourage everyone to pick it up. It's still one of the best books on the shelves today. It's a shame we have to wait two whole months for the next chapter. Read Full Review

The term Zero Year is being thrown around a lot. Gordon even mentioned it in an issue of Batman, Incorporated. I’m wondering if there is more to the title than there seems to be, and something expanding on the name will occur down the road.. I don’t recall characters ever referring to Year One explicitly. That has always just been story arc name for the readers. I’m curious to see if anything comes of this, or if I’m looking for clues where there are none. Read Full Review

Snyder is always engaging to read, so while this doesn't quite hit the heights he usually reaches, the story is still well-told. Capullo hits all the notes he's been so good with thusfar: great Red Hood, good battered Bruce, awesome batcave. Read Full Review

This Comic book is OK and is considered average at best. I don't expect a great author to always be "hitting" all the time, but Scott Snyder certainly does not "WOW", or impress me either with this issue. Most of the books dialogue was only on 2-3 pages, while the rest of it is a very fast read. This book's story can be told through a friend or borrowed to read, but not purchased. Read Full Review

Zero Year has been a little slow to start, it's good, but nothing ground breaking. Issue 3 continues that trend, but also gives us some pretty cool scenes for anyone who's been reading Batman long enough. Read Full Review

WOW! This is the most brutal beating I've seen Bruce Wayne get. It's also impressive how he's able to get up right after coming close to death & keep fighting. This issue is probably my favorite origin for Batman. It's a lot to unpack with this issue but it's so great.

Well written, but there's nothing new.

the story jumps around and then we finally get to see a swiped scene from Frank Miller's Batman Year One re-hashed, and re-told not nearly as well. to say that this issue was very disappointing is an understatement!