Batman #48

Writer: Tom King Artist: Mikel Janin Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: June 6, 2018 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 37 User Reviews: 80
8.1Critic Rating
7.3User Rating

+ Pull List

"THE BEST MAN" part one! Batman and Catwoman decide it might be better to elope rather than go through some big, stodgy wedding ceremony, but no sooner do they put their marriage on the fast track than The Joker appears! And when The Joker kidnaps the Caped Crusader, will he give his old foe a piece of his mind or bash in his brains?

  • 10
    Critical Blast - RJ Carter Jun 7, 2018

    With lush artwork from Miken Janin, given depth and vibrancy by June Chung's colors, BATMAN #48 is a must-purchase book this week. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Geekery Magazine - Shawn A. Warner Jun 11, 2018

    Tom Kings sets the flagship Batman book back on solid ground after the slightlyunderwhelming"War of Jokes and Riddles" and more recently "The Gift". The writer strips away pretense and gets right to it as he sets the Dark Knight Detective and the Clown Prince of Crime on a collision course. Mikel Janin and June Chung add their combined talents to make this issue visually stunning. King's narrative is engrossing and as always extremely well written. I am a huge fan of his work because of his brilliant storytelling. If you have cooled on Batman I am here to tell you to get back on this ride is not over by a long shot. Read Full Review

  • 10
    On Comics Ground - Travis Tucker Jun 7, 2018

    This is a smashing entrance for the Joke at this time in Bruce's life, the way the art and writing come together is something rare to behold. Its not often I'm thinking about how good the cinematography in a comic book is. I'm very much curious to see where this story is going and I'm taking my seat for the ride. I highly suggest getting this comic for any collector looking to keep a piece of one the most important weddings of the decade! Read Full Review

  • 10
    That's Entertainment - Kevin M. Gallagher, Jr Jul 21, 2018

    Batman#48 brings King's story back to a place where I can't find anything to complain about. Great art, great story. It's the first time in a while that we've seen the Joker and Batman acting properly with one another and just as one would expect, it's not an all out brawl. The Joker is crazy and Batman broods. Read Full Review

  • 10
    DC Comics News - Steven Brown Jun 7, 2018

    Batman #48 is a good read and I'm eager to see how and encounter between Catwoman and Joker will go. When the book ends, we're not really sure if Batman is actually captured–or maybe it was all part of his plan. At either rate Joker uses an explosion to bring down some of the church on the Dark Knight leaving him helpless against the maniacal villain. Can't wait until the next issue! Read Full Review

  • 10
    Big Comic Page - Dave MacPhail Jun 7, 2018

    This issue is a great first issue for a new reader or an excellent new arc for existing readers – everything you need to know is explained by the Joker as part of his colourful monologue. The team once again utilise a unique visual style coupled with a strong narrative giving us one of the most exciting books on the shelves today. This really needs to be in your pull list and as close to the top as possible. Avoid spoilers and consume this at your earliest opportunity, you will not regret it! Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum Jun 6, 2018

    The issue is not an easy read. It's subtly graphic with some intense moments, but it is an incredible issue that will leave readers wanting more even as they flinch and try to look away. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles Jun 6, 2018

    The Best Man gets off to a quick and unexpected start with Batman immediately confronting Joker and a shocking cliffhanger as the countdown to the wedding continues…provided the groom survives. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    ComicBuzz - Patricia Loupee Jun 13, 2018

    If you add to that some way for Batman to beat down the Joker and leave us with a dubious sense of justice, that could be a nice standalone story, but the options are kept open in the end with the introduction of Catwoman, which left me urging for the next issue. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Crusaders - Andy Hall Jun 6, 2018

    After this, there is only one issue between us and the wedding of Batman and Catwoman. I have to say I am really curious about who will show up for issue number 50, but the crime-fighting couple will have to survive the Joker a little long to be able to say, "I do." That is if there is still a church left standing in Gotham. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Jun 6, 2018

    It's not going to be for everyone, but to my eye, this issue is brilliant. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Bleeding Cool - Joshua Davison Jun 7, 2018

    Batman #48 finds the book back on track with a shocking confrontation between the Dark Knight and his most fearsome and hated nemesis. There is a lot added to the margins of this story, made possible by the writing of Tom King and the art of Mikel Janin and June Chung. This book is outright awesome and earns a strong recommendation. Give it a read. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Manny Gomez Jun 6, 2018

    'Batman' #48 features a very well paced, tense and beautifully illustrated standoff with Joker that will go down as one of the duo's best fights. Not to be missed! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    We The Nerdy - Chad Waller Jun 7, 2018

    Batman #48 is a great issue. It's dark and strange and funny as hell, and Tom King writes an excellent Joker. I'm stoked for #49. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Doom Rocket - Brandy Dykhuizen Jun 12, 2018

    That combined magic - of King and Jann, of Batman and the Joker - makes this a memorable issue, one that casts an ominous pall over what should be DC's biggest event of 2018. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Graphic Policy - Brett Jun 6, 2018

    The team have created a comic that gives us a Joker and Batman relationship as one that can be debated for some time. The details, the actions, what's said, can be dissected for a long time. This is what the relationship of the two is all about and we realize that it's not Dick, Jason, Damian, or Alfred that will come between Bruce and Selina, it's the Joker. Read Full Review

  • 8.7
    Black Nerd Problems - Jordan Calhoun Jun 7, 2018

    Admittedly, I had to read this issue twice a few hours apart to really grasp it. Read Full Review

  • 8.7
    Black Nerd Problems - Keith Reid-Cleveland Jun 7, 2018

    Admittedly, I had to read this issue twice a few hours apart to really grasp it. The cold open caught me off guard and I kept searching for explanation as to why the events of the issue transpired as they did. On the second read, I learned that Joker is coping with a loss. In his own unhealthy, horrible way. The loss of that same impactful relationship he feels signifies a turning of the tide as Batman won't be his spiritual other half. So what does he do? Something drastic in the name of garnering attention. With the wedding of the century around the corner, it'll be interesting to see how this storyline gets wrapped up quickly to get us to the point. If anyone can pull it off, it's the King/Janin combo. Read Full Review

  • 8.3
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Jun 6, 2018

    Batman #48 makes up for lost time as Joker finally takes the spotlight. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Batman-News - Brandon Mulholand Jun 6, 2018

    All in all, the issue has a lot more good than bad, but some of that bad stuff is just downright mind boggling. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Flickering Myth - Ricky Church Jun 10, 2018

    King utilizes The Joker very well inBatman #48 as he displays Joker's sadism in a horrific and terrifying way while also highlighting his eccentricity. Batman could have done a bit more than just scowl and remain passive, though, but his role is largely the only big criticism of the issue. Janin and Chung's artwork is great throughout with both Joker and the church stealing the show. The team definitely sets up the wedding and Joker's crashing of it nicely. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Sequential Planet - Josh O'Farrell Jun 7, 2018

    A nice refreshing Batman vs the Joker fight to read in anticipation of the wedding Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Bastards - Cat Wyatt Jun 6, 2018

    It's hard to believe that Batman would have taken all of these events in stride like he did, however the Joker side of things had some really interesting implications. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comicosity - Allen Thomas Jun 6, 2018

    Reading Batman #48 as a superhero fan but also as someone coming from axes of marginalization is a complicated experience. I like a lot of the story beats and I feel the creative team flexed some artistic muscles in executing it, but there are particulars that dont sit well with me. That is the glory and the bane of analysis: not only do pieces of media exist in their own context as a story, but they do also exist as parts of our reality. It is undeniable that we cannot fully divorce fiction from reality. Thus, this story has an excellent structure and overall plot, but some of the specifics dont quite land. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz Jun 6, 2018

    All in all, this is a decent enough issue that one can read very quickly. It's nicely done and but moves so rapidly that there's not much in the way of consequences. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Batman Universe - Ian Miller Jun 6, 2018

    On the eve of their wedding, Batman and Catwoman face the personification of evil attempting to destroy everything in the face of their love. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - C.K. Stewart Jun 7, 2018

    Batman #48 has the same off-putting, growing tension King sowed the seeds of with Booster Gold in issue #47; there's a growing sense here that something borrowed and something blue may not give Selina and Bruce all the good luck they need to make it through their wedding unscathed. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comicsverse - Maite Molina Jun 6, 2018

    BATMAN #48 feels like another addition of filler to the BATMAN run since nothing new is instilled in its primary characters or plot. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Bounding Into Comics - Daniel Mills Jun 7, 2018

    Batman #48 serves as a pseudo invitation to watch The Joker's madness unfold. Hopefully, it gets better from here. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jun 6, 2018

    Too much is going on and no one of it makes sense for Batman. Joker's plan is flimsy at best and his act in the church is quickly brushed aside to give way for too much exposition. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills Jun 9, 2018

    The art is gorgeous and is pretty much the only saving grace for a pretty ugly issue that, I think, is unintentionally about how much of an idiot Batman is for letting the Joker get away with whatever he wants. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comic Watch - Justin Cooper Jun 12, 2018

    This is a solid Joker story. Like I said I do not fully understand it yet, but as usual King will lead us there, and this has been a fun issue to read. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Dark Knight News - Eric Lee Jun 6, 2018

    King and Janin made a comic that has some good characterization and beautiful art. However, the thin plot and an unusually incompetent Batman drags down the good qualities of the creative team's work. Read Full Review

  • 5.5
    AIPT - Russ Whiting Jun 6, 2018

    I think, as I did with many of King's multi-part story arcs (like with Batman #40 for example), I'll come to enjoy the concluding episode of "The Best Man" narrative more than I did the first. Notwithstanding, Mikel Janin (art) and June Chung (colors) do a fine job of bringing the issue to life. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Weird Science - Eric Shea Jun 6, 2018

    The Joker's in town but sadly, he's not bringing the fun with him.  While this issue is better than the nonsense we've been getting lately, it just doesn't get me on the other side of the fence where I can start enjoying this title.  The art isn't for me, even though I usually love Mikel Janin and in the end, we have an issue where there's a lot of talking, but it just doesn't have a lot to say. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    GWW - Christopher Rodriguez Jun 5, 2018

    Not a bad issue by any means, but an uncharacteristic Batman and a dialogue hogging Joker took the air out of this issue's sails. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Comic Book Corps - Jeff Jun 6, 2018

    Batman #48 is a slog and not even fun to look at as the art is on the average side...or maybe I'm just so very tired of looking at this team's version of Batman. Still I hope the wedding issue is a fun event and worth the tedium of sifting through these last several arcs. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Charles Jun 9, 2018

    This is proof that Tom King haters have made a hobby of it.

  • 10
    SomeDummy Jun 8, 2018

    Not surprised the typical humorless horde of King critics cant appreciate this issue.

    I loved it, actual laughter from a Joker story, unheard of. Shouldnt he be cutting off faces BECUASE OMG ITS CRAWLING IN MY SKIN THESE WOUNDS CAN NOT HEAL.

    + LikeComments (14)
  • 9.0
    cincyfan Oct 7, 2020

    I loved the dialogue!

  • 9.0
    bucswin611 Jun 6, 2018

    I loved it! This is the most Joker-heavy issue King has delivered, and it was hilarious. Janin's overly rendered style continues to simultaneously pull me in and push me away.

  • 9.0

    Joker kind of carries the whole issue and acts like a total maniac. I am okay with this.

  • 8.5
    Spock's Brain Jun 25, 2018

    Judging from the comments that have preceded this one, hordes of Batman fans are absolutely up at arms about the direction Tom King has taken this book. However, I found this one pretty cool. I liked King's Joker, who talks up a fury in this issue, and is disjointed in just the right way. The opening pages are scary and stunning. I personally kind of enjoy an issue like this probing into the psyche of a character over some random action. It was interesting, and, with Janin on art, stunning to look at. I liked it a lot!

  • 8.5
    Batman Jones Jun 7, 2018

    King's Batman continues to be the most intrepid run on the character in all these 80 years. There is no comic book I look forward to more each couple weeks. Even his lesser stories are told in boldly interesting ways. And when he's great, he's really freaking great.

  • 8.5
    mrDovydas Jun 7, 2018

    Incredibly well-written, especially the Joker himself. I can see why some may not particularly enjoy this issue - all the events in this issue happened in a span of no more than 10 minutes, which may not be what some may want from a Batman book. Unpopular (?) opinion: King writes the Joker a lot better than Snyder does. Janin's art was very enjoyable here.

  • 8.0
    Nihilist Jun 6, 2018

    Finally, proper action begins, and Joker reaches Batman, the only way he knew how. It's a tense issue, focusing on psychotic and unpredictable nature of him - and I love it. Dialogues, or to be more precise, Joker's monologues, are always in the center of attention, but they don't feel heavy - most panels reads very quickly.
    Don't miss two little easter eggs - one related to particular cathedral, other to a street! Such a nice touch.

  • 7.5
    DDJamesB Jun 7, 2018

    Probably the best King issue since I am Gotham. Although some of the ways Batman gets caught is kind of whack considering with prep time, this is the guy who could beat anyone. Anyway, the art is good as always, but the story for me was way better than that Booster garbage we got.

  • 7.5
    Dispatchdcu Jun 6, 2018

    Welcome to the Oblivion Bar where the first round is on me and the pretzels are free! Be warned: like the pickled eggs at the bar, this issue is going to get SPOILED rotten.

    Well, so Joker wants to be the best man. Is he really deserving of the title? I mean really? Come on man. They have had their bromance for a while now.... since Jokes and Riddles... but is that long enough to be Batman’s best man? Let’s find out.

    The issue is a quick read and won’t take to long to summarize to be honest. Joker goes into a church where a small wedding was happening, and basically goes nuts killing everyone to draw Batman to him. Joker has a theme. He puts the gun to the hostages heads and tells them not to move “one inch more

  • 7.0
    Gizmo Jul 14, 2018

    This could be so much better if the dialogue was tightened up. I find the comic flows perfectly fine when I flip through the pages, taking in the layouts. But, when I read the words it locks up with self indulgence. Someone please tell King that, with comic books, less is usually more.

  • 7.0
    Dani Jun 8, 2018

    This was a very complex issue for me, which is a good thing. On the one hand, it was very interesting to see Joker losing it over the possibility of Batman getting married. Their relationship is very twisted and he is spiraling out of control. On the other hand, I'm starting to question Batman's effectiveness with his criminals. Joker was out of control and there was nothing Batman could do about it. At this point, Batman needs to evaluate if he is really doing a disservice to Gotham. The lock em' up for them to break out trope is not working. At the rate of these killings, a new victim syndicate team could be formed. How many people have to die for Batman and Catwoman to be happy? After this story arc, I hope we get some real refl more

  • 7.0
    egonnn244 Jun 7, 2018

    Another filler. Not a bad read with some nice art, but a filler nonetheless that barely propels the story forward. I feel like there is more story in Prelude to the Wedding issues than in this one.

  • 6.5
    Supes' soups Jun 7, 2018

    I like Janin's art but King is again writing Batman as sort of an apathetic idiot. Throwing a batarang at Joker's face was supposed to do what?? Kill him? I thought he was against killing. Maim him? What's the point of that. Also I found it most shocking that Batman didn't figure out a way to save the bride in the church from getting killed. Very out of character for the world's greatest detective. On top of that, after the bride's dead body falls to the ground, Batman looks like he doesn't even care. Is the real Batman locked away in a basement somewhere, because this Batman is an ass...

  • 5.0
    Federico Liguori Feb 14, 2023

    Dreadful script and dialogues. Sometimes it looks like Tom King is writing a parody of Batman.

  • 5.0
    DarePool53 Jun 9, 2018

    I think this issue more-or-less confirmed in my mind that I'm not down with Tom King's Batman.

    It feels like I'm waiting for the issue where it's revealed that the 'Batman' who's hitherto starred in King's run is some kind of imposter from another Earth...

    A willingness to suspend one's disbelief in comic books is par for the course, but this version Batman, to me, is too much of a departure from what I regard as the character's core traits. I am going to refrain from spoiling this issue for anyone who's yet to read it, but I will say that there's an occurrence that I just don't believe the 'real' Batman would ever allow to happen...

    I really like Tom King as a writer; however, his take on Batman does not more

  • 4.5

    Joker puts a gun to Batman’s head and Batman just stops. Then Joker threatens to kill himself and not only does Batman stop again, but he kneels down next to him as asked. Has Tom King ever read a Batman comic? Has he read any DC book ever? He has no feel for the characters. Makes them act completely out of character. I did like the maniacal, homicidal Joker.

    + LikeComments (2)
  • 3.0
    TheGeekWonder Jun 6, 2018

    Why are we having pointless Batman/Joker when one of the biggest events in Batman history is happening in 2 issues?! Why are these issues getting good reviews still? Take a step back and look at everything King has written. What leads up to 50? Nothing. And those stupid preludes are things that should be happening in the series! We don't need an Ivy or Booster arc right before Batman gets MARRIED to Catwoman!

    + LikeComments (3)
  • 1.0
    Tempra16v2.0Turbo Jan 25, 2024

    I hate this issue

  • 1.0
    Melkor Jul 11, 2018

    WORST THE WORST!

  • 1.0
    Sav Jun 10, 2018

    i liked the art. i felt this joker is kinda lazy, but overall pretty evil, so i like that.

    but there are way too many 10s for an unbelievably shit comic. when did batman become dumber than a pile of rocks. this is one of the laziest jobs ever done to a comic. was there no oversight on this? plus, with all the hype, this is such a letdown.

    id give this comic a 2.5, but the user review total needs to drop.

  • 1.0
    TSwan98 Jun 9, 2018

    Tom King is the worst thing that has happened to Batman. I would rather read All Star Batman and Robin. At least Batman talks in that crap

  • 1.0
    myconius Jun 6, 2018

    wow was this BAD!!!

    very predictable comic.
    it tried to be shocking, but just wasn't.

    so much useless 'ramble-on' dialog that went nowhere and amounted to nothing.

    i thought Tom King didn't write a very good Batman, well his Joker isn't any better.
    and the jokes were clunky and flopped hard.

    some of the art was ok.
    looks a bit too traced though.

    (EDIT)

    i love when elitist fanbois get all triggered when they see critical reviews.
    they need to lash out and condescend anyone with a different opinion than theirs.
    bunch of fascists that they are.

    + LikeComments (2)
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