Chip Zdarsky has taken Batman to some strange places over the course of this run, but the dead world of Czarnia is definitely up there. Read Full Review

Overall, Batman #152 is a must-read for fans of the Dark Knight and the “Absolute Power” event. It offers a thrilling adventure filled with action, suspense, and a glimpse into the sinister machinations of Amanda Waller. Readers, Batman #152 simply delivers on all fronts.  Pick this up if you are interested in the ongoing series as well as the Absolute Power event! Read Full Review

Batman #152 is a more traditional event tie-in than we're used to with DC's Absolute Power. But with writer Chip Zdarsky offered the opportunity to navigate two major plot developments it still has a lot to offer. A fun backup story featuring the Birds of Prey shows what guest artist Mattia Di Iulis is capable of when handed the keys to one of the DCU's greatest teams. Read Full Review

Batman #152 is an issue that is well worth reading. Whilst it doesn't move the overall narrative of Absolute Power along too far, it does give you a lot of bang for your buck and gives the reader action galore. It does set up Batman's entry back into the main thrust of Absolute Power though, and I recommend picking up issue #3 of that run to see how the Mother Box is utilized. Read Full Review

The Absolute Power tie-in ends on a steady, but predictable outcome. Through the writing and art, Batman and Catwoman face challenges from every angle. It leads to a satisfying end before both re-enter the major DCU conflict once again. Read Full Review

Batman #152 has it and more if you're looking for fight comics. The main story may feel a bit like a forced tie-in, but at least the action is interesting. The backup adds to the experience with a good check-in with the Birds of Prey. Read Full Review

Those inconsistencies are mirrored in Hawthornes artwork which is stiff in the action but excels in the softness of the character beats. Ultimately, it would be easy to recommend skipping these issues for both Batman and Absolute Power readers but the opening pages of the previous issue and the final three of this installment make the reading experience worth it. Hopefully, these signal a renewed focus as the book moves into its next stage. Read Full Review

All in all, Batman #152 is exactly what tie-in comic books should look to be by enhancing what is going on in Absolute Power. Read Full Review

Batman #152 is a thrill ride of nearly silly proportions. Chip Zdarsky throws everything and the kitchen sink at Batman to get the Caped Crusader out of the painted corner Zdarsky put him in. At least the art team does their level best to sell the action and cover for the paper-thin plot. Read Full Review

Batman #152 is the best a tie-in could be. It's an action romp that has moments of heart and serves as a vehicle to bring Batman and Catwoman back together. Read Full Review

Batman #152 takes a setup with potential and squanders it entirely. What should have been an action-packed issue filled with excitement is instead just a series of boring non-fights that get brushed aside so that the story can wrap up its tie-in to Absolute Power. The writing is certainly not helped by its slapdash art, which is only slightly made up for by Mattia De Iulis' beautiful painting in the backup meant to promote Birds of Prey. Read Full Review

Giving it an extra 0.5 for the art in the back story. Wow. The emotion they captured in the faces was phenomenal.

The primary story was really good, too, but the props to the back story art was needed.

I wish that BOP artist was on the main book. I might add it to the pull again.

I’ve never been a huge fan of the Bat/Cat relationship, and that still falls flat for me here. But this is a serviceable tie in issue with some fine art from Hawthorne. The art in the backup is really fantastic, too.

The score represents the fact that I was completely lost because I am not following the Absolute Power main story.

But for a tie-in, the writer has something to say about Bruce and Selina. He actually writes her as smart, insightful, and mature. She actually seems like a grownup and a partner who can hold her own physically and in the brains department. Bruce isn’t written as a lox. He is relatively self aware, but has room for growth, growth driven by actually having an equal relationship with Selina. So well done.

But not caring about the story it is tied into means the majority of the book is about something that does nothing for me. Overall, I give the writer points, which tells me he can actually write Bruce as Batman, which makes the previous year or two even more disappointing.

Or I could be wrong. more

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• myconius
• Bats20832

Bats20832 - Sep 5, 2024

I agree but I am going to rate it higher and only because of this. The story of Bruce and Selina really deserves mature writing. I could care less about the latest Absolute Power soap opera.

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