This was a very strong debut for writer Marguerite Bennett, who in recent interviews has expressed her love for villains, and backs that up by introducing a truly unique one to Batman's cast. That said, while she and Scott Snyder have created a pretty unique character, I'm not entirely sure if the Anchoress has longevity or not, she may just work with this story and that's it. Regardless, this was a really fun issue, and like James Tynion, I'd fully expect to see Bennett on a book of her own following a strong issue of Batman Annual. Read Full Review

Batman Annual #2 is a phenomenal issue. The epic nature of Scott Snyder's Batman run is palpable throughout this issue simply because Anchoress is such a compelling and important character. Batman knows a lot; he's the most intelligent tactician on the planet and he's versed in nearly every form of martial arts there is, he can go head-to-head with some of the most vicious and deranged criminals in the entire world. But there are still some things he cannot do. He can't predict scenarios playing out years later, he can't make up for past mistakes, and he can't be anything other than Batman. The Anchoress forces Bruce to confront these truths and ask himself how he could let someone slip through the cracks of his mission to eradicate crime from Gotham City. In the end, Batman recognizes his own weaknesses are the ones he doesn't even know about. Every Batman fan should read this issue. Read Full Review

It may come as a surprise to learn that this issue wasn't written by Scott Snyder " but it's probably more of a surprise that it is still exceptionally good. Bennett introduces an intriguing new character to Batman's rogues gallery, and has managed to breathe fresh air into the concept of Arkham Asylum where it had previously become quite stale. The artwork isn't as good as it could have been, but that doesn't stop the story being excellent. This is highly recommended, even with the inflated price tag. Read Full Review

This issue has a lot to like, from a new interesting villain with a fresh backstory you've never seen, to a fun sequence showing Batman work his way out of the traps of Arkham. The Zero Year tie in is skippable though, as it isn't very important and only marginally ties into anything of value in the grand scheme of things. The story also doesn't delve too deeply into Batman's story, but rather is focused more on the new villain. The new Arkham employee doesn't get much characterization either, standing in as yet another cliched do gooder who wants to heal the nutsos of Gotham. Read Full Review

The stars of the book are writer Marguerite Bennett and the Anchoress. I expect Bennett to graduate soon to her own title and the Anchoress to haunt Batman in the future. Batman Annual #2 is a good stand alone issue worth the price of admission. Read Full Review

Batman Annual #2 opens new doors at Arkham Asylum and shows an unexplored side of Batman's world. Read Full Review

Despite its problems,Batman Annual #2is still a solid Batman story. Marguerite Bennett writes a great debut issue and The Anchoress was an interesting character notwithstanding the little potential of her appearing in future stories. The art was good for the most part, and the panel layouts were solid. It may not be as good or as necessary asBatman Annual #1,but is still a recommended read. Read Full Review

Hey look! It's an annual that is (a) self-contained, (b) introduces an interesting new character and (c) shines new light on a familiar Gotham landmark. That's really all you can ask from an annual (especially considering how lousy annuals sometimes are). The art is fine even if it isn't excellent enough to merit a higher grade. Read Full Review

Overall, it's a solid story that covers both familiar and unfamiliar territory about the Batman, which readers will enjoy. Read Full Review

This book just screams the same kind of tone that Grant Morrison's famous Arkham Asylum graphic novel had, albeit it isn't nearly as dark! If you haven't been reading Batman since the New 52, you should be! Scott Snyder is one of the best storytellers in comics, not to mention, he was born to tell the story of Batman. The only reason this isn't a 5 out of 5 is the art, while good, it isn't even close to Greg Capullo's. Snyder has done a great job putting his stamp on the DC mythos and that doesn't change here. Buy this book! Read Full Review

An exceptionally clever introduction to a villain with a ton of promise, Batman Annual #2 is a fantastic start for new writer Marguerite Bennett and a pleasant diversion from the overarching story Scott Snyder will be telling in Batman for many months to come. While the art within is not as spectacular as we are used to seeing month to month in DCs marquee title, fans of new and twisted villains for the universe at large will find a lot to love here. Read Full Review

Very few things irritate me as much as a creator not getting appropriate credit for their work. Case in point, the DC website solicit for this issue lists Scott Snyder as the sole writer, no mention of newcomer Marguerite Bennett. DC has been getting sloppy in their solicits, and it’s not cool. Read Full Review

It's a wonderful thing to have an annual that has a self-contained story. Set in Arkham Asylum, Scott Snyder and Marguerite set up a long overdue story and it's about time Batman takes some responsibility for the enemies he's sent there. The new "villain" introduced might have some questionable motives but it gives us the opportunity to see Batman face a new threat. This is a slightly different Batman story than we normally see. Delving into who Batman is as he fights a villain he's not completely prepared for, the story grabs your attention and you'll definitely want to see how it all plays out. Read Full Review

While the issue may be a little exposition heavy at times, Batman Annual #2 manages to tell a compelling solo story while maintaining links to the main title. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in future issues. Read Full Review

All in all, this is a really surprisingly good story, but it definitely begs the question: was there much point for this? DC has a whole line of Annuals for their books, sure, so it's not like this is only Annual coming out which really helps the book's case. If there weren't Annuals coming out for most every book DC publishes that would certainly make this feel a lot more pointless, but because there is it feels more like a welcome one-and-done story that was surprisingly well put together. You could almost say that it wasn't the book we need right now, but it is the one we deserve. Or you could, instead, say that this is a very promising start for a new creative talent who handles a weighty book and character voices well and was joined by a fitting collaborator. Even if it was a very different final product than what was promised. Read Full Review

Overall, Batman Annual #2 is a good issue if read on its own. The art is lacking without Capullo on this issue, but it isn't the worst art out there. Seeing Batman trying to keep Arkham safe and limiting the breakouts was interesting and fun. The villain was not a foe worthy of Batman but did have a few shining moments. Read Full Review

The last beat of Batman Annual #2 tries to reinforce this idea of hope. Arkham, no matter how you describe it, is a terrifying a place – a place that can be a symbol of hope or despair. Eric describing Arkham, calls it, “A beacon in the dark. A friend.” He might as well be describing Batman, for the two are intimately tied together – both thematically and in the case of the last panel, visually. Unlike Batman, Eric hasn't put on a mask to overcome tragedy, though he wears a white coat uniform like a costume. He cannot be a frontline defense against the madness, but he can be that sign of faith that we can overcome our self-imposed cages. But it's his first day, and you have to wonder if this bit of story is ever revisited, would he still be as confident about this “beacon in the dark?” Read Full Review

Wes Craig proves to be a decent fit for this issue in terms of providing a clean, stark style that somewhat recalls Greg Capullo's distinctive work. Unfortunately, with so many inkers at play in these pages, certain sequences are far more detailed and refined than others. Read Full Review

The Batman annual is a good read. I liked the setup even if it isn't too original. I think the issue would have worked better if the villain didn't have this phasing power that she seems to possess but it did make for a different read in the Batman world. Overall, this was a fun read and that's what its all about. Read Full Review

Overall, this is the kind of story that's better than those typically seen in annual issues, which often feel like needless filler motivated by an attempt to carry on a beloved summertime comic book tradition. While likeable enough with enough uniqueness to make it feel somewhat different, the final execution just doesn't allow it to be anything that's truly special. Read Full Review

Midway through the book I was just ready for it to end. It's way too wordy, I found the villain uninteresting, and the artwork by Wes Craig is a major step down in quality compared to what we get on a monthly basis from Capullo.Spending $5 (yes, it's an annual so it's $5) to watch Batman get the crap beat out of him by an old lady with Martian Manhunter powers isn't all that appealing to me and when the cover is the very best aspect of a book, it's really not worth it. Read Full Review

Really great art and solidly written annual. The new villain is well introduced as are the new side characters.