This is a great example of how to introduce a new villain and raise the stakes for the entire run going forward as a result. Read Full Review

Batman #4 slowly builds and reveals the powerful mastermind that seeks to rule Gotham's crime, weaving sinister details in the art and story. The team continues to dive into the detective side of Batman, making this a must-read! Read Full Review

The latest addition into the rogues gallery hits Batman with an unforeseen attack. Fraction's writing takes readers into the dark side of crime. Jimnez & Morey provide impressive imagery to usher in a major player onto Gotham City. The landscape of the Dark Knight shifts yet again with this run. Read Full Review

Whilst on paper such a villain with a bizarre appearance could be too hokey and over the top for these times, Fraction wisely frames him as a white collar foe, controlling the money flow for all of the major criminal players in the city. Not just a mere banker, this particular rotter looks to be just as happy holding a gun as he does the purse strings. No spoilers here, but the ruthless and evil manner with which he brings the criminal glitterati into line is jaw dropping to say the least, a mic drop way to end the issue. As The Minotaur starts to execute his grand plan, it is safe to say that Batman will be up to his neck in it! Read Full Review

Jimenez delivers stunning art throughout the issue. I really love the visual style of this issue and the character designs a lot. Read Full Review

Batman #4 connects the heist from issue #2 to the Minotaur, raising the stakes for Gotham and the world. It's a page-turner with energy, style, and a plot that's finally heating up. Read Full Review

Batman #4 is a slower issue with a unique look that helps set up a powerful and daunting new foe for Batman to face, one who is poisoning Gotham's underworld. Read Full Review

Batman #4 is an engaging issue that pushes the story towards its first big threat for Batman to face off with. Read Full Review

Batman #4 does an effective job being a great set-up issue. Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez are making sure to dedicate time to adding solid building blocks on the foundation that is Gotham City. There is a feeling that things are moving forward in Gotham City. What that means for how Bruce Wayne's Batman approach creates an investment in seeing where things will go next. Read Full Review

Batman #4 is more a building block than a full meal or even a course on a tasting menu, but Jimenez's slick visuals and a frightening, yet relatable villain make it worth a read. Read Full Review

The new villain isn't very unique, but his introduction is lifted up by some other wise excellent writing, artwork and subplotting. Read Full Review

Batman #4 is a gorgeous comic wrapped around a frustrating one. Jimnez's art is doing heavy lifting that would make most gym memberships jealous, and the Torus concept has real legs as a fresh approach to Gotham's criminal underworld. But Fraction's script undermines its own premise by making Batman look oblivious and wasting pages on scenes that go nowhere. Read Full Review

Matt Fraction is exploring the same class commentary that Batman books seem to have been preoccupied with for the past several years. The new villain looks cool but doesn't have much else going for him and the story jumps around too much to be engaging. Jorge Jimnez turns in a solid looking issue but the story is lacking. Read Full Review

While this is a bit slower with the introduction of the Minotaur as well as Bruce's relationship with his therapist, the writing/dialogue and pacing are firing on all cylinders here. And I still love Jorge Jiminez art on Batman, he is in my opinion the Definitive Batman artist of 2020s.

The Minotaur makes a shocking debut as the Gotham underworld gets a big shake-up. Gorgeous art as usual and good writing abound, though it’s a little annoying that earlier plot threads from previous issues take a back seat here or disappear entirely.

Batman’s sitting criss cross apple sauce here.
A villain centered issue, not sure about the originality, but I’m staying in tuned for what’s to come..

At least this run is not as bad as the previous two writers' runs. However, it's not good either. I am not enamored by this Minotaur character. There is nothing here we haven't seen a dozen times before. And Tim was left out of the issue completely, but at least we didn't have to hear from his whiny boyfriend. I'm going to give this a couple of more issues, but it pales in comparison to Batman & Robin.

My Review Channel - https://youtu.be/zk0uW_9bYKw

This comic reads like it’s missing pages while having pages added in from another story. Bruce gets a date and it goes nowhere with zero payoff. A new villain is introduced that I’m into. The idea that this guy has gained control of gothams criminal world and Batman knew nothing is ridiculous. Like the court of owls this rehash keeps happening to Batman and undermines him. Just tell a single story. It would have served the book better. The overall story felt positive and interesting and the art is absolutely amazing.

There’s a new sheriff in town. By that I mean a new top mobster who has taken over, much to the surprise of the other crime lords and Batman, who learns about by threatening a scared punk, way to stay on top of things Bruce.

Also, Fraction writes a diatribe about the death of the daily newspaper industry. I have news for him, daily newspapers started dying after WW2. Most big cities were down to one paper long before the Internet or cable news.

Also Bruce meets a wacky female scientist. I am sure humorous adventures will ensue but she will also play some major role in fraction’s long term plan. Her brother will be the masked villain or something like that. I really look forward to a story where the villlain is a complete stranger to the hero.

Also, story elements that should be huge are dropped. The cop shooting, Gordon as a beat cop, Tim Drake and whatever he’s up that’s the problem. These elements were set up opin previous issues, only to disappear. This story arc is running in Six different directions all at once. The result is not much gets done in any issue. Even writing for the trades, this is real molasses territory.

Good art. Scattershot story. Or I could be wrong. more

+ Like • Comments (2)

•

George - Dec 4, 2025

A different perspective: this is written like a Batman or X-men comic from the 80s: numerous subplots moving forward each and every issue, sometimes with only a page or two dedicated to one sub plot each issue. Less written for the trade and more of a slow burn. I actually think this may read worse in a trade….

Quinn - Dec 4, 2025

Fair enough. I wasn't a fan of those X-Men. But to each, his own.

Sign in to comment