Batman #137

Writer: Chip Zdarsky Artist: Jorge Jimenez Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: September 6, 2023 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 18 User Reviews: 45
7.1Critic Rating
6.2User Rating

+ Pull List

BATMAN/CATWOMAN: THE GOTHAM WAR PART 2! Batman descends on Gotham City, full of rage and force, more driven than ever to save his home. But the new landscape has turned friends into foes. Can anyone stop his reign of terror? Should they? The Gotham War continues in this second chapter!

  • 10
    Comic Watch - Dustin Gebel Sep 5, 2023

    Jimnez picks up on that lack of subtle storytelling and infuses the direct nature of the issue into his linework. The action beats are explosive but still feel in orbit of the street level, while the anatomy and expressions showcase the books dueling tones and concepts. These get picked up and segmented in Moreys coloring, which echoes the previous plots of the run and creates subtle references to the influences on the book. Batman #137 course corrects the flaws of last weeks opening to Gotham War and makes a clear thesis for the book going forward on every level. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Sep 5, 2023

    The idea of Batman always required a man who wasn't entirely well, but I don't think any writer has ever taken that as literally as Zdarsky. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Sep 9, 2023

    Batman is in a really interesting place with this new crossover, and I'm enjoying how it's all playing out as sides are drawn and twists are thrown about. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    The Comicbook Dispatch - Dispatchdcu Sep 5, 2023

    Nevertheless, Ill give this storyline a fair shake due to Chips track record that normally lands heads up. Plus, Zdarsky is generally great at starting a storyline with the premise being one angle and completely ripping the ground out from the narrative switching towards another direction quicker than it started. Meaning, this Civil War premise might just fade away anyway. No doubt, Id give Batman #137 a good strong look. Additionally, Jimenezs art was pretty solid like usual. However, there were a few small parts that seemed uncharacteristic. Nevertheless, Id follow this story through to Catwoman #47 and see i where it goes. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless! Read Full Review

  • 8.7
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Sep 5, 2023

    Jimenez delivers some beautifully detailed and brilliant art throughout the issue. The visuals are fantastic and just as thrilling as the story. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    COMICON - Tony Thornley Sep 13, 2023

    The Gotham War is shaping up to be something incredibly interesting, hopefully setting up exciting things to come. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Dark Knight News - Max Byrne Sep 5, 2023

    Batman #137 moves the narrative of Gotham War along perfectly. It raises the stakes and severs ties in ways that may not be retrievable. The sense of impending doom is tangible and I cannot wait for Catwoman #57 to hit the shelves so we can see just what happens next! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Get Your Comic On - Neil Vagg Sep 5, 2023

    A speedy and somewhat ferocious second part to The Gotham War story, Zdarsky digs in to Batman's psyche whilst pitting him against everyone he loves. Backed against a wall, what is the Dark Knight expected to do? Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Nerd Initiative - Ken M. Sep 5, 2023

    The battle of Gotham rages on with an excellent second chapter. The pace is set early building the tension up to a great breaking point with the art and writing. The final page will have fans guessing as to where we head from here, but theres no doubt this story is one to watch. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Graphic Policy - Brett Sep 6, 2023

    Batman #137 is a vast improvement on the opening chapter. You get a sense of the frustration within by everyone. There's also a solid case to be made no matter your viewpoint, so you get a sense of where everyone is coming from and where they are. And, add in some great visuals, this is a second issue “The Gotham War” needed. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    But Why Tho? - William Tucker Sep 5, 2023

    Batman #137 is where Gotham War starts to take sides. What is tearing the group apart is not quite as sturdy a plot as it was when it was first established, but what it is generating is some fantastic character moments. Read Full Review

  • 7.8
    The Batman Universe - Theodis Wright Sep 5, 2023

    I've always enjoyed Zdarsky' voice for Batman. He brings it to another level in Batman #137 as Batman has to face off against his family (again). Let's hope Tini Howard can keep the momentum going in part 3 of the Gotham War. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    AIPT - Connor Boyd Sep 5, 2023

    Batman #137 is another solid addition to Zdarsky's run on the series. While it doesn't further much of The Gotham War plot, it does continue to build the crumbling psyche of Batman while being great to look at while doing it. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez Sep 5, 2023

    Batman #137 spotlights all the problems with Gotham War as the Batman Family are portrayed out-of-character and the weaknesses on Batman and Catwoman's sides are clear. There is just no hiding how rushed this event has been right out of the gate. The saving grace on the writing side of this rushed storyline is the potential roles Batman's Rogues Gallery and a surprise DC Universe villain can play. That along with Jorge Jimenez incredible artwork save Batman #137 from being a complete loss. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Sep 5, 2023

    The Gotham War didn't sound like an idea and if the Batman story in this event was disappointing, the odds are good that the Catwoman installment for this month won't be any better. Read Full Review

  • 4.5
    Weird Science - Gabe Hernandez Sep 2, 2023

    Batman #137 takes the foolishness of Catwoman's plan from the Battle Lines prologue comic and Turns it up to 11 when the entire Bat Family (except Damian) suddenly decides Catwoman's Henchmen Union is a great idea and actively scheme to stop Batman from interfering with Catwoman's approved robbers. This story is ridiculous, the execution is ridiculous, and DC is absurd for sending it to print. Read Full Review

  • 2.0
    Batman-News - Casper Rudolph Sep 5, 2023

    This is DC Comics' flagship book and it's not up to par. The conflict is forced and nonsensical. Batman is written completely out-of-character to a point that his scenes become boring. The fights are kind of okay, except some of the choreography during the Batman vs Jason segment isn't that great, and the fight scenes don't mean anything without well-developed drama. In conclusion, this book isn't worth your money and definitely not your time. I recommend you read something else, or simply keep your money in your pocket. Read Full Review

  • 2.0
    ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum Sep 6, 2023

    This issue feels very much like they've just taken literal years of Batman development and thrown them in the garbage to push through a half-baked idea of pure, rushed, nonsensical ridiculousness. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Tempra16v2.0Turbo Sep 5, 2023

    Damian is the best.

  • 8.5
    Screaming Enigma Sep 13, 2023

    With the second part of Gotham War in the books, I liked this a bit more than the Battle Lines one-shot. Bruce is truly on edge and starting to lose it here, which makes for an entertaining read. Plus, Jimenez's art just makes it better. He's able to convey this more crazed state Bruce is in very nicely. I also enjoyed the rest of the Batfamily trying to stop Bruce, especially Tim towards the beginning of this issue. All things considered, I've enjoyed the two issues of Gotham War we've gotten so far and I just hope it continues to be good. The real test comes with the next part, Catwoman #57, in my opinion. I enjoyed the co-written one-shot, Battle Lines, and I've consistently been enjoying Zdarsky's Batman run. As for Tini Howard's Catwom more

  • 8.5
    Afre Sep 5, 2023

    Previous issue, the opening act for the Gotham War was received a bit poorly, and after seeing the first reaction to this issue before reading it, I was a bit worried if this would land.

    But in my opinion, it does land very well. Bruce isn't acting himself, being tired, on edge and haunted by Zurr-En-Arrh, so being a bit ooc here isn't breaking character or anything. I get why Bruce acts like this.

    And everyone said that Batfamily would also join Selina in this issue, when in my opinion they just started to think their options before Bruce went unhinged. They are not attacking Bruce because they agree with Selina (besides Jason), they want him to calm down and talk to them, but Bruce can't in his current mindstate. more

    + LikeComments (3)
  • 8.0
    derbycomics Sep 5, 2023

    The Gotham War kicked off on a rather uninspiring note in last week’s Battle Lines prologue and lines are further drawn in this week’s BATMAN #137 by Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez.

    TL;DR
    After a nearly 3-month break since the last issue in the Dark Knight’s own series, we see more concern from the Bat Family over Bruce’s current worldview and the role he believes he’s meant to play for the people of Gotham now that he’s aware of Catwoman’s plans for the city’s former henchpeople. He goes on a spree rounding up Selina’s “rehabilitated” criminals, leading to Catwoman and the rest of the Bat Family, save for Damian Wayne, working together to try and stop him. Damian shows up to save his father, who makes more

  • 7.0
    BirdmanG07 Sep 11, 2023

    Still curious to see how this plays out. Feels a little rushed overall, makes the train if thought of everyone less believable.

  • 7.0
    sawright20 Sep 7, 2023

    Undeniably great art from Jimenez, and Batman’s internal conflict about his abilities is still intriguing me. The rest of the bat family, with the exception of Damian, feels quite out of character though. Not necessarily in their allegiances, but in their indecisiveness. To all of the people saying that Catwoman’s plan is stupid and would never work, I agree, and it seems clear that the flaws in her plan are starting to show in-universe. So, while there is still some flimsy logic, the book seems to recognize the impracticality of her scheme.

  • 7.0
    daspidaboy Sep 5, 2023

    i felt this issue was a huge upgrade and standout from the previous issue. For starters, Jorge Jiminez must have scoliosis because this book would have got much lower reviews if it werent for him. His artstyle just oozes style and it clearly shows.

    For the story, I was very skeptical and nervous coming into this issue and tempering it. But the more I think about it and the more reviews I read, the more i slowly buy into this. The Bat family dont completely support Catwoman's ideals, but they try to hear both sides before coming into their own conclusions. Batman's ideals are very strict and rigid, and while I agree with him mostly in this event, I do think he's stubborn. I also like how we see more of Batman's thought process in more

  • 6.5
    Federico Liguori Sep 26, 2023

    Great, a story I can't fully understand if I don't get two other series. I hate these things. Anyway, why would the Batfamily stop Batman considering he's doing what he's always done?

  • 6.0
    K-23 Oct 3, 2023

    I was really concerned having Tini Howard involved in this crossover as I don't feel any writer can salvage anything she's involved in but this issue somewhat tainted my feelings on Zdarsky's writing (who I find to be one of the best writers currently at the big 2). Dick Grayson saying Bruce needs to get off his "Moral Ledge" is practically blasphemy. Dick and Superman are supposed to be the moral compass of the DCU so he would never make such a statement of act like this.

    Just when it seemed the Bat-family was finally in a good place and getting along, we' thrown right into another rift that we keep seeing repeated through each writer's runs and it's getting so old and frustrating at this point. The Bat line is in dire need of a more

  • 6.0
    Mout Sep 11, 2023

    😴😴😴

  • 6.0
    darkknight of steel Sep 6, 2023

    Well this issue was written much better than battle lines and i had less problems reading it and the majority of it is because selina panels was limited and she didnot talk much last issue when ever she started to talk it was so painful to read ok move on the art was much much better so i am glad about it lets continue to talk about writing well unlike many people i had no problem with the characterisation of batman well this man has had so much on his plate recently from 4 back to back wars to failsafe to insomnia to waking up and seeing the love of his life has built a criminal empire so him acting like this is totally fine with me ok the fight scenes were cool but unrealistic on the concept bruce one shotting everyone was too much to tak more

  • 5.5
    Batmanaholic Sep 7, 2023

    The art is great as jiminez is on the pencils, but this event is just not good so far. Everyone's acting like an idiot. Batman's off but that's a little understandable, since he was in a different universe for 2 months, but the rest of the bat family is just written so stupidly.

    Like did you not think that eventually the villians will team up? Or just hire goons from other cities..... or just pay their old henchmen who are now better trained l. To do bigger and more dangerous jobs.

    Selina's whole idea, makes zero logical sense, and I know we are talking about comics here. But this has to be Howard's idea. Because it just seems to stupid to come from chip. He's no god of comics or anything, but I expect him to be sma more

  • 5.0
    DomesticatedGiraffe Sep 12, 2023

    Nothing much to say as it looks like everyone else has already covered the major issues. Everyone is out of character, which is understandable for Bruce, so does everyone else also have Zur En Arrhs in their heads too? Also, I may be the only one, but Jorge's art even seems a little below his usual standard.

  • 4.0
    ResearchReader Sep 6, 2023

    It is very hard to take this arc seriously. It is written like no one know who these characters are with their decades of history. The bat family is acting completely out of character. When no character is really written in character and its not a black label title, how can you give it more than a 5/10? If these characters are actually acting like this than Batman should kick them all out of the bat family and just stick with a Batman/Robin team with Damian. They are not worth saving. Catwoman's logic continues to fail. Bruce losing his house is just another screw you. I mean the twist with that is crazy enough I suppose it breaks even for me, but this feels like Chip no longer cares for this run and is just wiping trashing everything now. more

  • 4.0
    KiryuMajima28t Sep 5, 2023

    Very disappointing. Gonna take a miracle to turn this around and make it worthwhile.

  • 3.0
    ItsJess Sep 5, 2023

    Stupid. Everyone is OOC. "Saved" by Jimenez's art.

  • 2.0
    Bats20832 Sep 13, 2023

    Absurd.
    The art is good, which is why this gets a 2, instead of deserving 1.
    But it is also a reminder, that DC editorial, DC writers, and DC video - all do NOT understand who The Batman is and why. They create "characters" none of whom would understand The Batman.
    The concept to help criminals become better criminals is absurd beyond belief.
    Zdarsky's story is just another in a line of ridiculousness.
    The best thing to do would simply STOP publishing The Batman.
    But DC Comics just needs the money too badly, so it will keep trashing its number one IP.
    One word: Absurd.

  • 2.0
    fzanca Sep 11, 2023

    This whole event is just stupid. Apparently, Chip has no idea how the bat family works. He's destroying 30 years of relationships and characterization to force this story to work. That's not how writing should be done. You don't force the characters into a story, you let the characters propel the story. Damien is the only one who doesn't turn on Bruce. Props to him. Dick, Tim, Barbara, Cassandra, and Spoiler all act outside of their character. This is a piece of garbage and after this event, I won't be reading anything by Chip or Tini again.

    My comic Reviews - https://youtu.be/m7c7jeAi4Xc

  • 2.0
    liolia Sep 5, 2023

    This just makes me so so sad. From a Doylist position, this GW event is still stupid and makes no sense and feels like the authors just spent too much time reading Twitter hashtags, with the added combo of reading all the love Wayne Family Adventures webtoon received and saying "what if we did the opposite of that"?

    From a Watsonian perspective, poor poor Bruce. It sucks to read about how this character, who dedicated his life to helping others, ended up in this situation where his fiancee and all but one of his children have turned against him, won't help him when he is really struggling, and in general decided to renege on the whole "we're against crime" thing. Setting aside the fact that his villains are after him still. more

  • 1.5
    Lions Sep 16, 2023

    Este evento es estúpido, los escritores no tienen creatividad y no sólo eso, ahora gritamos que la gente que trabaja y tiene un color de piel tiene que mantener a los mediocres y basura criminal porque patata. La obsecion de Zdarsky de sacar a los criminales de las cárceles, debería irse a vivir a un país de izquierda donde sacan a la basura a las calles y ver lo bien que se vive con miedo o estrés a que te asalten. Y bueno ahora hay que poner de forma redundante a Jason este personaje personaje vulgar de catwoman porque necesitamos a alguien a quien golpear olvidando de la evolución de cada uno de los personajes, porque ahora escriben todos fanfics y no se preocupan por investigar un poco y se dicen escritores. Que sigue? Emparejar more

  • 1.0
    Quinn Sep 5, 2023

    This issue,this whole arc, is stupid for several reasons. First it is just a repeat ofBatman loses everything and rises from the ashes stronger. Rinse lather repeat.

    Second, the whole premise makes no sense. Crooks willing to be partipants in mass murder decide to become thieves and will be expected to be peaceful because why?

    Third, the Bat family going along with crime? To quote Lana Kane , “Nnooppe.”

    Fourth - Zur-an-that was and remains an uninteresting idea. Instead of allowing for character examination, it just acts a a macguffin for tedious stories.

    When this is over, Bruce will have his fortune back, again. The family will say we’re a family again, let’s not fight again.
    more

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