Batman #149

Writer: Chip Zdarsky Artist: Michele Bandini Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: June 19, 2024 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 14 User Reviews: 23
8.0Critic Rating
7.4User Rating

+ Pull List

DARK PRISONS--EPILOGUE When confronted with the totality of your life, and all the choices that led you to where you are, do you build on the ashes, or rise from them? The Batman who is left standing will have to answer this question quickly, as someone is already sifting through those ashes, with an eye toward saving the world!

  • 10
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Jun 18, 2024

    Despite it supposedly being a "breather issue where there is no big central threat, it actually feels like this issue might be the most meaningful in the series in a long time. Next up are some Absolute Power tie-ins, but I'm hoping Zdarsky has a lot more planned for this title. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Nerd Initiative - Ken M. Jun 18, 2024

    With the life and times of Bruce Wayne being in flux with the Failsafe fallout, this issue gives readers a much needed reset. Zdarsky weaves endings for lingering themes with the writing. The art teams project the return of the Bruce Wayne with a fair share of drama and hope. As dark times are coming, the Caped Crusader is finally in a place to properly handle them. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Watch - Dustin Gebel Jun 19, 2024

    Batman #149 is an excellent showcase of a book recalibrating after a weak arc or storyline, reminding that periodical comics and their quantity has an ever-shifting sense of quality. Zdarskys scripting thrives in the interpersonal drama and philosophical interactions in the wake of Zurs most recent plans for perfection. As the story moves between plot beats from the previous arcs and resolves some of the tensions born out of Gotham War and before, Zdarsky crystallizes his central thematic statement for the run, setting an interesting future for Absolute Power and beyond. Read Full Review

  • 8.6
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jun 18, 2024

    Bandini and Lieber create some beautiful art in the issue. The character designs are great and I love that the story takes place in the light to signify the changes the character is making. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Jun 19, 2024

    Zdarsky did a lot to break Batman and now puts him back in a good place just as Absolute Power comes around to shatter him all over again. Of Zdarsky's run so far this has the most potential to be a strong launchpad for the next non-event crossover arc. Read Full Review

  • 8.3
    The Comicbook Dispatch - Dispatchdcu Jun 18, 2024

    Overall, it's a poignant and thought-provoking conclusion that delves into the psyche of the Dark Knight. Pick it up if you're a Batman fan who enjoyed the "Dark Prisons arc. If you're new to the current Batman run, consider starting with issue #143 to get a better understanding of the overall storyline. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    AIPT - David Brooke Jun 19, 2024

    Batman #149 closes the door on long-running plot threads while setting the stage for a warmer and more family-focused Bruce Wayne. The creative team captures a wholesome and warmth while Batman faces a close-to-home death and a reminder we need to help others always in the short time we're here. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Batman Universe - Ian Miller Jun 19, 2024

    Zdarsky turns in a one shot issue that serves as a beautiful mirror image of the tormented and foreboding (but also excellent) Batman #136, showing Bruce embracing his family and finding peace in his mission, beautifully illustrated by Michele Bandini, Steve Lieber, and Nick Filardi. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Get Your Comic On - Neil Vagg Jun 18, 2024

    Batman #149 is a touching coda to the “Dark Prisons” arc. Picking up more on the emotional consequences of Bruce's ordeal, Chip Zdarsky proves that there is still hope for the Dark Knight. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez Jun 21, 2024

    Batman #149 is 100% about tying up loose ends on the Bruce Wayne side of the Dark Prisons storyline rather than setting up Absolute Power. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Dark Knight News - Max Byrne Jun 18, 2024

    Batman #149 is a pivotal issue. It brings down the curtain on the epic struggle with Zur/Failsafe and then sets the table for a new era of optimism in Gotham City. How long this will last remains to be seen, but the Bat Family are more unified than ever. I've got a feeling this unity is going to be needed more than ever very soon. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Jun 22, 2024

    A very nice epilogue to Zdarky's big Batman stories, though some plot points are wrapped up a bit too cleanly, in my opinion. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum Jun 19, 2024

    It makes for a nice read and offers a little more emotion to things, all while table setting for what's next. I wouldn't call it filler, but as a coda it simply works. Read Full Review

  • 4.0
    Batman-News - Jackson Luken Jun 18, 2024

    In what feels like an epilogue to Zdarsky's entire run so far, status quos are reverted and toys are put back in their boxes. Unfortunately, it's all done so haphazardly that it feels like an anticlimax. As everything is wrapped up, it's easy to ask yourself “what was the point of all this” and not come up with a satisfying answer. Hopefully whatever the future of Batman has in store will be more meaningful. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Bats20832 Jun 21, 2024

    FINALLY. The Epilogue is everything here and is worth buying finally.
    My goodness about time.

  • 9.0
    sawright20 Jun 19, 2024

    I thought this was a really touching epilogue. I understand why it’s bothersome that this resets Batman to exactly where he was about four years ago, but that’s the nature of comics. It doesn’t cheapen the events of the past several years for me, as those stories still exist. It was inevitable that we’d return to the status quo of billionaire Bruce with the bat-family together again. And there will likely be stories in the future where Bruce pushes them away again. I am content with this (but please don’t bring Alfred back—that WOULD cheapen his death immeasurably).

    As others have said, this feels like an end to Zdarsky’s run, even though we know he’ll stay on as writer for a while. It leads me to wonder where he more

  • 8.0
    BatSledge Jun 19, 2024

    Best issue of his 2-year run, which is kind of sad since this issue resets things to a normal status quo once again, almost as if the whole Zur storyline never happened. At least we now have a recharged and optimistic (and sane) Bruce Wayne and family back in the flagship book.

  • 8.0
    daspidaboy Jun 19, 2024

    This was a nice quiet issue where Bruce Wayne finally learns to open up with his family. chip Zdarsky excels in character moment, and I hope that Batman doesnt need to learn this lesson again with the next writer.

  • 7.0
    derbycomics Jun 19, 2024

    The issue focuses on Bruce & Zur's clone-Bruce trying to come up with a way to stop the clone's advanced aging process. Along the way, our real Bruce learns what it means to be family and that he's now got access to a brand new Oversized bank account. And he’s intent on using it for good…this time.

    The issue seemingly brings Batman back to a time before Chip Zdarsky took over, which begs the question of how his previous stories are meant to be remembered in the long-run. I know comic book characters get reset to the status quo all the time, but this felt more like an end to one writer's run rather than the epilogue of an arc. By the end of the issue, we're in what feels like a brand new normal for Batman and Gotham at large b more

  • 3.0
    Quinn Jun 19, 2024

    Superstan52 said many of the same things I thought so good for him and bad for me since I want to be original. I will say they’ve set up two future stories. Clone that gave Bruce his hand and was buried in backyard of Wayne Manor 2.0 will be dug up and we will have another Dark reflection of Bruce villain who was dumped into a Lazarus pit for evil reasons.

    Damian is also right about evil batbot that can take down Justice League being in the hands of the Army is a bad idea. We will see another Bruce creates villain story out of that.

    Points for Bruce having backup billions. He IS the guy with backup plans with backup plans. It shouldn’t have taken years to discover that.

    So after several years Bruce has more

  • 2.0
    superstan52 Jun 19, 2024

    So, just like that Bruce is a billionaire again, Selina is back in good graces, and Bruce 2.0 is aged out. And there are no consequences for Bruce whatsoever for all the havoc he's unleashed on Gotham these past months. Only in the funnies.

    + LikeComments (2)
  • 9.5
    Brand Jun 20, 2024

  • 9.5
    Miranda Jun 18, 2024

  • 9.5
    Stormwrath Jun 18, 2024

  • 9.5
    Comics ⚡ Jun 18, 2024

  • 9.0
    Afre Jun 19, 2024

  • 9.0
    Toni Jun 19, 2024

  • 8.5
    wesshamu Jun 24, 2024

  • 8.5
    BirdmanG07 Jun 19, 2024

  • 8.0
    Swanktub Jun 22, 2024

  • 8.0
    COREMARK Jun 22, 2024

  • 7.5
    ed1138 Jun 20, 2024

  • 7.0
    ZachPort123 Jun 20, 2024

  • 6.5
    Smithd33 Jun 21, 2024

  • 6.0
    Watchtower022 Jun 22, 2024

  • 5.0
    retcon_D Jun 23, 2024

  • 2.5
    Ginger Jun 25, 2024

Reviews for the Week of...

July

3rd

June

More