Batman #13

Writer: Tom King Artist: Mikel Janin Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: December 21, 2016 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 21 User Reviews: 90
7.6Critic Rating
7.8User Rating

+ Pull List

"I AM SUICIDE" conclusion! Batman and the remains of his team come face to face with Bane and the Psycho-Pirate in a final battle at Santa Prisca-and learn whether this was truly a suicide mission!

  • 10
    Newsarama - Jon Arvedon Dec 22, 2016

    Part five of "I am Suicide" wraps up what has been a roller coaster of a story arc thus far. Tom King has taken Batman to Hell and back, and in Batman #13, the splatters of paint from each of the previous issues finally come together to form the beautiful painting King imagined. Read Full Review

  • 9.2
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Dec 21, 2016

    Overall, I Am Suicide was an inconsistent story arc. There were some great moments and a number of unnecessary story decisions, but when it clicked like this issue, it was a very enjoyable storyline. And best of all it sets up a number of future stories I'm looking forward to seeing where King takes Batman. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicosity - Terrence Sage Dec 21, 2016

    From the personal look into what motivated Bruce as a child, to Selina Kyle's analysis into their relationship… the arc had more in store for us than just rescuing Gotham Girl's state of mind, it brought up renewed examinations inside characters we thought we knew and left just enough for us to wonder what's next for several characters in the Bat mythos. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    GWW - Mark Delaney Dec 21, 2016

    The entire arc has felt like a Rube Goldberg machine. We've watched Batman put all the pieces in place for the past few months of releases. Issue #13 is as satisfying as sending a ball in motion through such a contraption. You see everything perform its specific task, timed precisely, and it's a joy to see all facets of the machine cooperate and work as one unit by the time the panels have come to an end. We haven't seen the last of these villains, and that's an exciting cliffhanger too, but for now, Batman #13 reminds all readers that he can't be outmaneuvered by either brawn or brains. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Manny Gomez Dec 21, 2016

    This is still a solid book and a must read for Batman fans. The creative team is obviously laying groundwork for a long, slow burn story yet still dropping in enough attention to details and characters to make it rich and filled with substance. Its not boring by any means, but there is a meatiness and seriousness to this title that I havent found in any of the other Rebirth titles. I will continue to read Batman as long as King, Janin, Petrus and Chung are all involved. Lets see where the next arc takes us. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Heroes Direct - Eammon Jacobs Dec 23, 2016

    The end of Batman #13, involving bubblegum, was a little comical. It felt slightly mismatched given the weighty style of the series. But, for the rest of the fantastic issue – we'll let it go. Especially since Bane seems to have regressed back to his original mind set before the Pirate had his powers on him. There's no doubt in our minds that he'll be back. This series occasionally misses a beat, but when it does – it really delivers. Luckily, this issue redeems the previous one's mistakes. Each team member made up a piece of the puzzle, and once they're brought together, it works wonders. Whilst it's not quite as good as the current All-Star Batman series, if you're a fan of the Caped Crusader – don't neglect this story. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Graphic Policy - Joe Ryan Dec 21, 2016

    I do see that this run so far has been a little polarizing, but I really have enjoyed it so far. Tom King has done a great job on giving us something different for Batman, and that is what I want. Sure, I want familiar things and tone to this book, but I also want a new take on the character, and that is exactly what we are getting. A lot of this issue, and this story overall had some over the top moments, but that is what makes it fun for me. We see him take on hundreds of guards and survive, we see him seemingly have his back broken and snap it back into place, and we see Punch and Jewlee blow bubbles into a raft they all escape on. I think that is what Tom King is doing best on this series, marrying the ridiculousness of a being a superhero, with the flaws of being a human being. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Comic Book Bin - Avi Weinryb Dec 30, 2016

    Tom King delivers another solid issue, bringing us Part 5 of the "I am Suicide" story arc. It contains some delicious twists and turns and offers a lovely throwback to the Knightfall storyline of the 90s. That can't be so easily avoided when you've got Batman and Bane going head to head. But it's more brains than brawn driving the conflict, with sharp dialogue and tidy plotting. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge Jan 4, 2017

    With some amusement early on with a Waller/Pennyworth moment, this arc comes to a close and sets up things for the Justice League vs Suicide Squad event that's rolling out. I'm not getting into that and, in fact, this marks my last issue with this series. While I can see the larger threads that Tom King is pulling with it the whole thing just lacks something to really make it resonate and connect, leaving me feeling pretty adrift even as I enjoy the visuals and spectacle of it. This arc had its moments, and a lot of it comes down to Janin's work, but as a whole it simply felt too padded out and without enough context or meat to it for me to want to continue on top of the problematic opening arc with Gotham and Gotham Girl. I'll likely circle back in trade form at some point but even that has me feeling a bit wary, which reinforces this as a good time to jump ship. Read Full Review

  • 8.1
    Comicsverse - A. Chowder Dec 21, 2016

    The conclusion of "I am Suicide" is saved by the art since the script leaves you with mixed emotions. The issue delivers a memorable back-shattering scene that will echo in the Bat mythos for some time. You might question the use of some characters for Batsy's suicide mission, but BATMAN #13 proudly boasts why Batman can do the impossible. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Beat - Kyle Pinion Dec 21, 2016

    The bottom line here is, if you're enjoying this arc, this is a good closer and marks a step-up from the already good, if somewhat scattered, "I Am Gotham" storyline. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this Catwoman two-parter with Mitch Gerads and "I Am Bane" pull everything together in the coming months. I'll call this one a buy, as hope springs eternal as clearly the final moments here will prove important for what's to come. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    DC Comics News - Steven Brown Dec 22, 2016

    Batman #13 is an entertaining read but I definitely suggest reading the previous issues to get the entire story. Anytime there's an encounter between Batman and Bane I expect awesomeness! This issue gave me just that. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Batman Universe - Matthew Mahar Dec 21, 2016

    Another arc, another uneven presentation. All of the elements were there in "I Am Suicide," but the execution faltered. Mikel Janin really saved this arc for me. His art has been phenomenal and I cannot wait for his next run on the book. "I Am Bane" features the return of the competent David Finch, but Janin's art and presentation bring a wholly different much more dynamic feel to the pages. His panel layouts alone bring this score of this book up. I can't say enough about the guy. That's it for "I Am Suicide." You were fun in parts, but I'm glad you served your purpose and are in the past. Read Full Review

  • 7.8
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Dec 21, 2016

    It's not easy following up one of the best Batman comics in recent memory, so it's not surprising that Batman #13 isn't on the same level as issue #12. This "I Am Suicide" finale features a great take on the Batman/Bane rivalry, but also some predictable plot twists and relatively underwhelming visuals. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Dec 27, 2016

    Batman #13 is a good but flawed ending for Tom King and Mikel Janin's "I Am Suicide" arc. How Batman defeated Bane at the end couldn't off been more telegraphed. Luckily King's strong characterization of everyone involved in Batman's plan helped overcome this problem to not be as noticeable. The ending also opens the door for an even greater story involving Bane to be told in the future. Seeing as Bane comes to visit Batman Gotham City in February we won't have to wait that long for his revenge, which I cannot wait to see how it turns out. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Dark Knight News - Eric Lee Dec 22, 2016

    The finale to “I am Suicide” was a mostly well-done conclusion that gave each character at least one good scene and ends with acliffhanger that makes one anticipate the next issue. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    Capeless Crusader - Jeremy Radick Dec 21, 2016

    With Batman #13, the "I Am Suicide" arc comes to its ambitious, inconsistent and ultimately unsatisfying conclusion. The creative team tries to bring a lot to the table, but having so much going on means the plot loses focus. Do I think that this issue, and the arc as a whole, would have been more effective if it had been more focused on simply delivering a compelling and twisty adventure? Sure. Do I love a lot of what they put into this arc, though? You betcha. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    AIPT - Russ Whiting Dec 22, 2016

    Even still, there's hope moving forward. Despite the enigmatic air surrounding Catwoman's alleged murder-spree (a narrative choice that has had Selina Kyle fans the world over clamoring the phrase "character assassination"), King has handled her quite well; he's treating her like a big-time character, giving her some shine and this is the most capricious and dangerous I can remember her ever being. I look forward to some great synergy between she and Batman in upcoming issues. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Weird Science - Jim Werner Dec 21, 2016

    It's a shame that the finale to the "I am Suicide" story is my least favorite issue of Batman since Rebirth started.  After such a well paced and intriguing setup, it all just fizzles out leaving me feeling a bit ripped off.  I expect more from Tom King and maybe that's not fair, but a writer with his talent is going to have to deal with that.  Mikel Janin's art was great, but this ending just left a bad taste in my mouth. Read Full Review

  • 3.5
    Batman-News - Brandon Mulholand Dec 21, 2016

    The entire plot is deliberately over-engineered to perform the simplest of tasks in the most overly complicated and outlandishly convoluted ways possible. Are you one of the people who was expecting King to pull out some mind-blowing twist that will have us all rereading the previous issues with awe? Did you want answers to all those earth-shattering questions that have been rumbling around in your head since issue #9? Well, don't get your hopes up on either front. You'll get no such conclusion here. Read Full Review

  • 3.0
    Nerd Church Radio - Brandon Reid Dec 21, 2016

    I had high hopes for the I Am Suicide arc. I loved the idea of Batman's own Suicide Squad with a possible rematch with Bane and a cool yet weird team dynamic. But my hopes were sadly crushed. I didn't care for how the team was used. They weren't even in an entire issue. The only thing I liked about this issue was the art. Simple yet gritty. With really great textures in the colours. Mikel Janin's art is definitely the highlight of I Am Suicide. Read Full Review

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