Batman #119

Writer: Karl Kerschl, Joshua Williamson Artist: Mikel Janin, Karl Kerschl, Jorge Molina Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: January 5, 2022 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 15 User Reviews: 66
8.4Critic Rating
8.1User Rating

+ Pull List

“Abyss” part two! For years Batman used the darkness as a weapon, but now a new enemy turns that darkness against him! Batman must team with Batman Inc.’s mysterious new benefactor to bring the deadly Abyss into the light! Wait…who is Batman Inc.’s new benefactor?

  • 10
    DC Comics News - Derek McNeil Jan 4, 2022

    While I much enjoyed King's and Tynion's Batman runs, I am finding Williamson's story to be a refreshing change of pace. After Williamson's epic Flash run, I have high expectations for his Batman run. And so far, he's not disappointing. And I am totally enamoured with Kerschl's backup story with Maps. Batman #119 has been an utter delight all-round. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield 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. Read Full Review

  • 9.3
    The Comicbook Dispatch - Dispatchdcu Jan 4, 2022

    BATMAN #119 is a well-written, balanced, fortified story with just enough action and suspense to keep the reader on their toes. Plus, Williamson provides a few answers to keep fans invested but supplies new questions and intrigue to keep you locked in on this run. Read Full Review

  • 9.3
    Comic Watch - Ariel B. Jan 4, 2022

    A stellar second issue of a promising new run, incorporating a return-to-classic feel with more modern dynamics and relationship developments. Bringing Lex Luthor on board as a Batman foil, even temporarily, is honestly long overdue and I hope to see it continue in some form for a long time to come. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Dark Knight News - Max Byrne Jan 4, 2022

    Batman #119 is a must-read issue, as bringing Batman face to face with both a legendary villain and a brand new creation is a masterstroke. Engrossing from the very first panel, every page is filled with beautifully rich dialogue from Joshua Williamson that pulls the reader into this world. Only 2 issues into this new era, it looks as though this flagship title is in the safest of hands moving forward. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum Jan 5, 2022

    This issue is, on every page, a breath of fresh air and while I do still have some reservations about Abyss, I'm eagerly along for the ride. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Jan 4, 2022

    This creative run-on Batman has been encouraging and a welcome change of pace from some of the previous teams. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Batman-News - Jay Yaws Jan 4, 2022

    A strong lead story and a strong backup make for a strong issue of Batman. There's great character work all around, especially for a back-to-basics Lex Luthor, and the mystery at the heart of the main arc is genuinely interesting. The art in the backup is phenomenal, as you'd expect from Kerschl, and while Jann and Molina both turn in some great pencils, their styles don't gel as well this time around. Even so, I'm back to recommending the flagship title for the Caped Crusader, and it feels good to be saying that again. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Jan 4, 2022

    There's a lot going for Batman #119 between the primo art, the great backup, and the continued intrigue of Abyss. While the art can be jarringly different from scene to scene, the mystery and where Batman ends up is enticing, and you'll be thirsty for more. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Graphic Policy - Brett Jan 5, 2022

    Batman #119 is a solid issue that dials things back and gives us something that feels much more like a detective story. It also makes sure to remind us that this is a Batman who is generally stripped of his greatest tool, his wealth. With a nice mix of action, verbal sparring, and an intriguing villain, this continues an intriguing direction. Read Full Review

  • 7.8
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jan 4, 2022

    All of the artists deliver some great visuals. The meeting between Luthor and Bruce stands out for its visual details and the Abyss fight has some great moments of visual tension. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Weird Science - Jim Werner Jan 4, 2022

    Batman #119 continues the solid but slow start to Williamson's Batman run.  This issue is more about the setup of a multi-pronged mystery than wowing the reader with explosions, punches, and kicks.  I may not be as excited as I hoped to be, but I am still interested in what's going on here. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Jan 8, 2022

    The main Batman story is good stuff, building a new mystery, creating a new villain and putting Batman through his paces. The series seems to be in good hands. But for my money, the back-up feature starring a new Robin makes this issue more than worth the price of admission. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez Jan 9, 2022

    Batman #119 was a nice, solid second chapter that built on the mystery around the returning Batman Inc concept. The interaction between Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor along with the Batman vs Abyss fight certainly helped the main story keep the interest high in what happens next in this story arc. The back-up story with the returning Mia Mizoguchi from Gotham Academy series added further value to Batman #119. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Razorfine - Alan Rapp Jan 13, 2022

    The issue also includes an unrelated back-up story involving Mia Mizoguchi to try and justify the higher price and page-count. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Gavan Jan 14, 2022

    It’s nice to finally have a Batman writer again that doesn’t make him either talk to much or be a simp every issue

  • 9.5
    Robin Jan 4, 2022

    Again a banger by the amazing writer Joshua Williamson, using what batman is made of into a villain against him is great. Batman has not been fully BATMAN for a while so it is good to see him be that again. really looking forward to who abyss is and especially about Shadow war in March.

  • 9.0

    Another well done issue from the so far satisfying talents of Williamson and Molina. As Superman books seem to be spiraling out of control into becoming 100% excrement it is nice to see the Batman books heading back to a more enjoyable level. Even the Tower saga in Detective is proving to be decent.
    Williamson also deserves a hearty pat on the back for presenting Luthor as he should be. The evil billionaire with his own obvious, yet secret agenda. So much better than when he's a mad scientist or trying to be a supervillain. Maybe they should consider this guy for a Superman run (providing there'll be anything left worth writing within the next year). It's been a long time since he's been up against a Luthor this crafty. One thing I mu more

  • 9.0
    Hydro-Man Jan 8, 2022

    Another great issue!!!

    Thank you, Williamson, for saving Lex from the Superman titles. Such a great foil for Bruce (like Osborn was for Stark during the Fraction run). Absolutely loved when Lex spilled the wine just to be a dick. Total Lex. Also enjoyed the little Batman TAS “Blind as a Bat” easter egg at the end.

    One minor critique is the art was a little inconsistent. At times, it looked like Jim Cheung. Other times… it didn’t. I dunno, it was just a little jarring.

  • 9.0
    Danilo Silva Jan 6, 2022

    This issue was definitely better than the first one of this run. Art was great in the most part, and all Lex and Abyss story let me very interested in the reading. Can't wait for next issue, and to see Lex and Bruce working together - it has potential to be very chaotic in a good way.

  • 9.0
    Stormwrath Jan 4, 2022

    Incridible writing, the detective part was good and Abyss was a thretening when it showed up, the Bruce and Lex moments were great too.

    Great art, but I'm not a huge fan of it changing during the issue, even though all artists did well

  • 8.5
    Bats20832 Jan 7, 2022

    Surprisingly good issue. I was on the fence about continuing after seeing Lex Luthor appear in the last issue, wary of another lame stunt. But I am pleasantly surprised to see that Williamson has a pretty good story here. I also liked the backup story by Karl Kerschl, as Mia "Maps" Mizoguchi (founder of "Detective Club") is a sympathetic character. This is the way The Batman stories used to be written with actual heroes fighting villains, not villains being glamorized. Hopefully, this trend can continue. Imagine a young character who does not hate the Batman.

    But best of all, Batman and Bruce Wayne has shaved and looks like himself, not like a bum.
    I like how Bruce would not tolerate any disrespect from Luthor towards Dami more

  • 8.5
    Loafy Trophy Jan 6, 2022

    There's a whole lot to like here as Williamson continues his story that is very Grant Morrison influenced, both in plot and tone. The argument between Lex and Bruce was clearly the issues highlight. Positioning Lex as a foil to Bruce directly, rather than Batman was a stroke of genius that I hope (and expect) we'll see explored more going forward. The way Lex knew exactly how to push Bruce's buttons was great, attacking everything from his wardrobe to his surrogate son and you could see Williamson clearly having fun writing the sequence.


    The proper introduction to Abyss was also enjoyable and well illustrated by Molina. Williamson and co have built a good bit of mystery in around the new villain that's been missing for a b more

  • 8.5
    Psycamorean Jan 4, 2022

    So far, still good! I'm pleasantly surprised by Williamson's work here.

  • 8.5
    daspidaboy Jan 4, 2022

    As my first review of 2022 i got to say. This issue did not dissapoint me. Great art and writing as well as good chemistry between bruce and lex. I also likr how this shows bruce detective skills.

  • 8.0
    REYNARD Jan 11, 2022

    The arts pretty good and the plot is more interesting than anything Tamaki or Tynion have done in all of 2021.

  • 8.0
    Skywolf Jan 8, 2022

    The art and story are both great. Hope that the new villain Abyss is not some sort of replacement for the Scarecrow.

    Also quite enjoy the art in the backup feature, with attractive drawing and painting.

  • 8.0
    Toonstrack Jan 7, 2022

    Solid action and a nice continuation from the last story. This is a good example of a new writer using what came beforenin an interesting way without feeling derivative. A little slow but it picks up at the end.

    Art is once again gorgeous. The back up story is pretty fun thought I'm not familiar with the character.

  • 8.0
    Tempra16v2.0Turbo Jan 4, 2022

    Está bem até aqui, diria que o melhor que vi de Williamson até agora.

  • 8.0
    Merlyn Jan 4, 2022

    A pretty good second issue, I especially liked the very good art and the interactions between Lex and Bruce, I've always seen them as Sherlock and Moriarty. Bruce was pretty patient here, I would've punched Lex just for spilling that wine, very weird flex there. But in his defense he's right about Nightwing, he is an idiot for throwing all the money away without any real plan. I have to say though, not impressed with Abyss so far, we've seen very little of him in two issues now. And that backup was pretty bad. All in all, I'm happy I can enjoy Batman yet again and hope the next issues will start to provide more answers, so far we've got some interesting hints.

    + LikeComments (9)
  • 7.5
    Criminology. Jan 5, 2022

    Not as interesting and fresh as the last issue, but still perfectly enjoyable read. I liked the detective and mystery elements the most and the introduction of Abyss was great and suspenseful, thanks to the great art. Honestly the art is a big selling point for me. The stuff with Luther, while very curious is only going to get more interesting with the story progressing in my opinion.

  • 6.0
    Costa Rica Comic Club Jun 23, 2022

    Ilustrado por Jorge Molina con Guion de Joshua Williamson, en esta segunda entrega seguimos con el misterio que se nos presenta en Batman 118 sobre el asesinato de The Abyss por Batman Inc.

    Lo bueno
    El dibujo de Molina es lo principal en este minirun de Batman, por parte de Williamson sigue jugando la carta de la nostalgia en los lectores con flashback sobre Alfred y diálogos perfectamente colocados para la escena presente.

    Lo malo
    Otro issue sin que pase completamente nada relevante, un par de palabras entre Lex y Bruce, una escena de acción del obviamente no muerto Abyss y todo por lo que el arco se desarrollo en un inicio pues se cayo en este segundo issue y con un cliffhanger pésimo por parte de Will more

  • 5.0
    myconius Feb 10, 2022

    story is kinda ok. sort of. just a bit on the generic side. not a lot happens in this issue, except Lex wastes some expensive wine.

    the cliffhanger ending is absolutely cringe.

  • 5.0
    Quinn Jan 4, 2022

    This isn't a bad issue, but it is an issue whose plot tropes push my buttons. I am especially tired of the villain saying "you'll see things my way and we'll be allies" cliche.

    The issue starts with Batman, the female detective and Lex Luthor talking. Lex explains why he funds Batman Inc. now that Bruce Wayne is broke. Sorry, I mean living in reduced circumstances.

    This is strike one. We have never really been shown what exactly those circumstances are and how they work. Is he broke. Is he living trust fund check to trust fund check? If Lex can say that the Wayne fortune was lost with the stroke of a clown's actions, how is that money lost. That's the thing about electronic money. It's not real. Deals that are done via more

    + LikeComments (1)
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