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10
My biggest problem with the first issue was that aside from the controversial "Dick Pic" the comic was pretty tame and didn't justify the Adult label. It could have been other vertigo book and felt right at home.
This is more like it.
This issue is intense and has the look and feel of an R Rated Batman experience. The art is simply stunning. There aren't too many artists in the same league as Lee Bermejo and this issue is a perfect representation of what he is capable of.
The stories focus has also been tightened since the last issue. Batman doesn't believe that Joker truly is dead an continues his investigation. He is joined by John Constantine. Etrigan the Demon, Enchantress, and Deadman are also along for the ride.
There is a running subplot relating to the troubles within Bruce's parent's marriage that add character to Bruce and why he handles situations in the manner that he does.
All of these tidbits combined with the cinematic quality of the artistry make this issue the perfect representation of what this line can be.
The ending encounter is just as shocking as the nude panel from the last issue but in this instance, it feels integral to the plot as opposed to a throwaway moment that never felt justified.
Batman Damned exceeds all expectations and I can't wait to see how this story concludes. It makes a strong case for single issue of 2018.
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9.0
Some of the writing was questionable, but can't say I didn't come out loving this and how far it goes.
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8.5
The art of this comic is pretty amazing, so it’s worth getting it for the art alone, However I am still angry about DC censoring the first issue of Batman Damned making it impossible to get a physical copy for a prize, that isn’t ridiculously high. There is no point in Black Label, if you are going to censor it after 1 issue just because some infantile people can’t deal with seeing a penis.
As for this story Batman is still trying to find out, who killed Joker. Constantine is trying to help him, but his one liners aren’t really helpful. What makes this story interesting is the dark take on the characters. We are getting an alternative origin story for Bruce Wayne, where his father seems to have left the family& a demon ( probably Enchantress) is watching him. I also thought it’s interesting to see a more aggressive young Bruce Wayne. This comic reminds me a lot of The Joker by Azarello, because DC characters are getting a more realistic interpretation like Etrigan being a rapper. It’s also the first time in years, that we get a real good interpretation of Harley Quinn. She acts more as herself in this comic than in any other comic, which is currently released.
Since there is only one issue left& the plot hasn’t really started yet, I don’t know, if Azarello can give us a story, that feels complete. With Bruce’s darker past I am curious to read more of it. I like Elseworld stories& this seems to be one of the good ones so far. For every Elseworld you need to be open for different character takes though.
If you are a fan of The Joker you should check it out. more
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8.0
I want to like this more, I really do, especially considering its written and drawn by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo. I love the horror and supernatural elements but I can’t help but feel that Batman: Damned 2 would be so much better without the heavy narration.
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7.5
Seriously, I would give 100/10 for the art it is that beautiful with all the attention to detail. Bermejo has put his best in the illustration. Sometimes the writing and the narration seem to complicate things, 'MAD?! SAD?! BAD little boy?!' it doesn't make it easier. I didn't like how Batman can be out of control and desperate in this one, it's because of the childhood trauma? I don't mean the death of his parents, it only comes later on. I didn't like Jason Blood/Etrigan and The Spectre design here at all, Deadman on the other hand is poorly utilised. By the way, what was that Harley Quinn were gonna do to Batman at the end?
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7.0
Look I’m not a proud woman, I didn’t love everything about this but Azzarello writing Constantine!
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7.0
Damn.
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7.0
I like the uneasy feeling I had when I was reading this and Lee Bermejo's art compliment's Azzarello's art really well but I felt REALLY uncomfortable at a certain part. One issue left and I'm left wondering how this team will stick the landing.
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6.0
So Constantine and saying "fuck" more than once constitutes an adult, dark, story. An adult, dark story would have been better. Hoping it might still happen.
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6.0
First things first, the art is magnificent. And essential to the storytelling. It brings a sense of realism while also offering something mystical and enchanting. Its an undeniable strength to the series. But after an intriguing and captivating first issue, you can't help but feel the ball was dropped with issue #2.
The story seems to have fallen off the radar in this issue. The arc of this 3 part long series is a murder mystery surrounding the death of the Joker, however a slow second chapter offers no real progress to the story, even with roughly 50 pages. It makes you wonder how an effective conclusion could be met when so many things are yet to fall into place.
John Constantine's involvement serves as a fun buffer to some of the more disturbing imagery, but you have to wonder what his role actually is. He refuses to be of any assistance when asked and his constant psychoanalysis of Batman doesn't seem to have any impact on Bruce, which appears to be the intention. The changed origin of Batman is another element that sticks out for the wrong reason. If Bruce's childhood is so different and his parents didn't have a happy marriage, then why is this version of Batman fundamentally the same and indistinguishable from current canon?
The central plot is still interesting but there are some... 'creative' choices. Personally I don't think they paid off either. An underground rapper version of Etrigan seems out of place in a gritty, supernatural horror story. And Harley's attempted rape of Batman is a line that shouldn't be crossed no matter what label this series is released under. The Enchantress seems to be one of the few standout characters who's involvement is a welcome addition.
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5.5
I don't know what so many see in this book. Sure it is "Darker" but that is supposed to allow for chances to be taken and to drive home a strong narrative but so far these books seem to only be about the high-quality art and the feel they want to create. The art masks the fact that the story is extremely weak. This series is not a Batman story in a darker universe but rather a darker universe that wants to through in some faces from the DC universe. It doesn't use who these people are but rather just asks them to look scary and do nothing with it. The greatest thing to happen to this book is that the first issue was a controversy and because the book will never be rereleased it has rocketed up in value. If you are looking for a story as good as White Knight this is just not it.
Black label is off to a really rocky start and so far the problems others had with it are proving true. The books are not coming out on time. The lack of a strong editor means concerns about the overall storytelling. My concern was on Azzarello and the fact that he has far more misses then hits and one of those main misses happens on Batman and his fundamental lack of understanding for the character. This team made a great book in Joker back in 2008 and it would have made more sense for them to write book on Harley Quinn, a Joker sequel, Scarecrow, or any other villain they can deconstruct and run wild with.
I am dropping Batman Damned. more
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5.0
I'm done after two issues. Nice art, but the story just isn't much to keep me interested. It's definitely not worth the price.
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4.0
Well, so much for this series. I really did my best trying to like this. I love Azzarello's Hellblazer run and I was hoping we'd be getting something more like that. But Constantine isn't actually integral at all. He guides Batman, sure, but beyond that what help is he? There's just some frankly stupid writing choices made in this issue. Underground Rapper Etrigan is easily the cringiest thing I've read in a while. What even is that? Did Azzarello finally see 8 Mile, because that's straight out of the early 2000s? That's like something that'd be in an early Ultimate Marvel comic that is swiftly forgotten once the times thankfully changed and modern didn't mean trash anymore. Deadman getting off on the pain of burning alive is so edgy it's ridiculous. And finally, Harley trying to rape Batman is just gross. And it isn't like I don't think there should be rape in comics. I think there should be whatever the story warrants. It's just, in this specific case, I don't think it's warranted. I think it's edgy and dark for the sake of edgy and dark, and that's incredibly eye-rolling. This grimdark comic is kind of a joke. The only thing worth your time is the art. The art is fantastic. I don't why it got soooo fucking stupid so quickly? I'm truly disappointed. more
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3.0
"May I remind you...up in the sky? It's a bird...it's a pain."
THE CRINGE OH MY GOD
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3.0
Ever played a first person shooter game? You know, the one that looks so beautiful with top notch graphics, the most realistic shaders and highest res textures? One designed to trick you into thinking after the first glance it's an overall good product, but in reality being shallow as a pond? Offering no actual engaging story, set in closed, linear and repetitive levels, with no side activities and secrets to discover. Pretending to feature any "intelligent" commentary and shock value that's not just empty shock value for the sake of shock value? These are the worst games out there - Bioshock serving as the prime example, except being even worse, since it contradicts itself every 5 minutes and it's so nonsensical, it makes X-Men movies look logical and consistent.
That's exactly what Batman: Damned reminds me of.
It's beautiful, and there's no denying Lee Bermejo put a lot of work, time and heart into making this comic. Too bad his art was wasted by terrible story and even worse characterization. Let me put it this way - if Etrigan being a bloody rapper and Harley Quinn having an autopsy chest incision scar are not instant red lights to you, I don't know what would be. It's just insultingly bad, the more, the more you realize how important this entire short series was meant to be. It's literally one step from featuring Batman being raped in prison, which would not only fulfill Zack Snyder's infamous vision from few years ago, but also declass him, and Tom King, as DC's leading deconstructionist pseudointelligent edgelords.
It's bad. Really bad. What a caravan of garbage, and DC should be ashamed of it. Black Label supposed to be "the best of" reprints for DC, featuring all time classics like Watchmen, as well as modern classics like Batman White Knight. Azzarello getting a free pass proven you can't craft a masterpiece just because you have a guaranteed place next to other masters and their masterpieces. It's like taking an average driver from the streets and telling him to race with the best formula 1 or group B drivers out there, and giving him keys to a 1000HP Audi Quattro. Well good riddance.
The comic is terrible, and outstanding art doesn't save it. It really is a comic equivalent of an pseudointellectual garbage FPS game. I'd call it Bioshock of comics, if only it was equally nonsensical and self contradictory. As I said - it's not. Yet. But it's terrible nonetheless. more
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1.0
Low effort "edge" and shock value. A lot of excess and pretentiousness with nothing to show for it. In a year with no shortage of shitty Scott Lobdell and James Robinson comics, this might actually be the stupidest thing DC has published.
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10
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10
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10
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10
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10
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9.0
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9.0
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9.0
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9.0
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9.0
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9.0
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8.5
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8.0
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8.0
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8.0
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8.0
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7.5
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7.5
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7.5
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7.5
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7.5
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7.5
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7.0
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7.0
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7.0
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7.0
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6.5
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6.5
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6.0
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6.0
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4.0
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2.5
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1.0