Robertson has a wonderful visual eye and that comes through with great action and a fantastic use of shadow and darkness to convey emotion. Read Full Review

Batman: Fortress #1 captures a modern and adult feel for the way Batman speaks and thinks. It also sets up an ominous threat that feels challenging and way above what Batman usually combats. The heavier use of dialogue and lack of substantial answers does lessen some of the excitement, but the book feels certain in its approach and just needs a bit of patience as the story unfolds in the next issue. Read Full Review

The story's only begun by the end of the issue, and I think it might have benefited from a double-sized start. But it's set up an excellent concept that I am very excited to see play out. Read Full Review

BATMAN: FORTRESS #1 by Gary Whitta takes a simplistic concept, molds it into something much larger, dangles multiple loose ends, and hovers speculation over the narrative. The story beats are interesting, the action was enough to keep readers engaged, and the pacing was spot on. Read Full Review

This was a fairly solid first issue and getting to see Batman having to use his wits against an enemy capable of plunging the entire planet into darkness is intriguing. I'm a huge fan of seeing a new kind of Batman story which, in a day where almost every new mini-series released features the Dark Knight, is a rare occurrence indeed. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next. Read Full Review

There are some puzzling story moments in these pages, as well as a threat that has yet to come into focus, but the art is stellar. Based on that alone, I'll be back for at least one more issue. Read Full Review

Batman: Fortress doesn't break the wheel in terms of revealing new hidden truths about Bruce Wayne or unforeseen secrets about the history of Gotham City, but what it does do is tell an enjoyable story of the Dark Knight facing a problem that isn't usually in his wheelhouse and sometimes, that can be enough. Read Full Review

Batman: Fortress #1 is a fun and entertaining start but it's not necessarily a comic I left super excited about. It's good but overall fills like a filler arc in-between two major arcs in an ongoing series. Its direction should be interesting and I have my whole predictions about Superman but as far as a start, it's good. This is one for those that want the start of a summer blockbuster story featuring Batman or those that are a big fan of a character but overall, it might be one you want to wait for the collection. Read Full Review

BATMAN: FORTRESS #1 doesnt break any new ground but it has all of the pieces that make a fun Batman story. Read Full Review

Batman: Fortress #1 is a ponderous opening salvo with more style than substance. Read Full Review

This is a marginal Batman story. I felt this review would best serve as an exploration of some of the context behind the series and what that could mean for it. Having also pointed out what I consider to be the potential deal breakers, I think the quality of this issue can be assessed. Going forward, we will see if the actual plot line can break out into something truly intriguing. Read Full Review

The Batman as who and what he always has been - the symbol of Defiance against any forces of oppression. It is really sad how so many readers and so many writers have never understood that basic concept about why The Batman exists.

One reviewer who is "one busy dude" (who has done a big total of THREE comics reviews in this month for website he is writing for) seems to forget that Gary Whitta has done comics before in the past for Marvel Comics, Image Comics, and DC Comics.

Gary Whitta clearly seems to understand what stories need to sell. He has a story with suspense, characters, and plot line to grow and expand other characters, with The Batman as a leader, not as too many writers have used this classic DC Comics hero for completely different narratives.

He doesn't have The Batman crawling through sewers like one "historic" writer recently spent a year doing. He is not caught up with Batman Book Editor team's obvious contempt for The Batman, and is instead writing for the fans. Hey there is an original idea. more

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Batmanaholic - May 26, 2022

This Batman is written like absolute shit. Can I borrow whatever weed you smoked to make this seem like a 10/10...... Batman would not condone looting because " those stores have insurance and these people just want the American dream of a bigger tv and a faster car etc" This is the worst Batman has been written since Tom king wrote him as a bitch who needed catwoman to do anything. 10/10 this guy is either the author himself or paid to write this review here. This was trash

Batmanaholic - May 26, 2022

Ok I will admit the part where he asked alfred to look into the thief " who has 5 kids to feed" and then if true help out the family is peak Batman. The whole Batman ok with looting is complete and udder bullshit and undoes any good that came beofre it too me.

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This felt like a classic batman story. I found the story itself very compelling and fun to read with a couple of funny jokes along the way. I love the amount of dialogue there is I'm a big fan of dialogue heavy books. I decided to pick this up at the last minute because I love Batman but wasn't sure about this one and after issue one I'm definitely adding issue 2 to my pull list

(I read this whole series before writing these reviews, so the reviews will reflect that.)

I really like Batman: Fortress overall, and issue #1 is a great start. But first, I need to address the overall feel of the series. The solicit calls it "a brutal and shocking adventure that will turn everything you think you know about Superman upside down!" Nothing about this is true other than it being an adventure and having a few shocking things here and there, few of which are in this first issue. I certainly wouldn't call it "brutal", since to me that brings to mind frequent intense violence and darkness.

Rather, while this story, including this issue, is pretty intense and serious, it has a sense of humor that remains almost constant throughout. It's not lighthearted, but I feel comfortable calling it a "fun adventure". It has gritty artwork and high stakes, but it's not really overly dramatic or tragic. Personally, I really enjoy this tone and style, especially since for me, the humor frequently lands.

Speaking of humor, I have to say, I love this version of Batman - his voice, demeanor, and dialogue - and him having a sense of humor is a big part of that. His speech is informal and he has an easy rapport with his allies that makes conversations flow well. He never comes across as stiff, to put it simply.

Obviously, since this is the first issue, it's focused on setting up the conflict. A worldwide blackout occurs and Batman comes to believe it's an alien invasion. But he has to deal with the immediate impact of the blackout on Gotham, so we get to see him fighting an intense night of crime. It's standard Batman stuff, which contrasts with the rest of the series, which doesn't take place in Gotham or involve Batman's rogues or lore. It's more of a DC universe story with Batman as the star. But this short stint in Gotham is well-written and enjoyable, in my opinion, though it's not overly relevant to the rest of the series.

The artwork is very good, with a highly detailed style, beautiful lighting and coloring, and a lot of shadows. Something interesting about this style is that I feel like the characters sometimes look a bit uglier than they usually do, but I don't really have a problem with this.

Overall, this is a great start to a great series. more

pretty interesting issue if you ask me.

Disappointing delivery, I did not like at all the way to destroy a hero. Batman being so indifferent under the pretext of going after the big shots who don't know where they are. Batman doesn't even seek to fix the root problem, Bruce Wayne's incredible tactics and logic are gone. Uff it's sad that I'm less and less interested in the new deliveries and the next numbers to come.

This book is tough to review, it gets a lot right about Batman but so much wrong at the same time it is impossible to rate this above a 4.5, Batman being ok with people looting his city, is the dumbest take on Batman literally in 80 years of the character.

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Nikita14 - May 28, 2022

I don’t really see it as him condoning the looting but rather as being empathetic to the looters especially considering its Gotham City. Given the circumstances established by that point, Batman’s priorities are capturing the Arkham escapees which Gordon told him about. And considering the fact one of those was Joker, compared to looters it’s a given on who I’d choose to focus towards if I were Batman. Maybe under different circumstances he would have done something about them looting.

Batmanaholic - May 28, 2022

Nope Batman's talking points sounded exactly the save as a left wing nut job, blue check mark on twitter. And Batman does not talk or think that way. Crime is not allowed in Gotham.

Nikita14 - May 28, 2022

fair enough.

myconius - Jun 10, 2022

@Batmanaholic - 4.5 is extremely generous. This comic is utter trash. Though even trash had value at one point in time. So this comic is even worse than trash.

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Why DC aproves this terribles batbooks?

There was so much wrong with this story, I don't even know where to begin!

This story is very pedestrian. There is nothing especially enjoyable about it, that warrants yet another Batman book on the market. The art looks rushed. The characters of Batman and villains feel off. Gary Whitta did little to no research before slopping out this story. This version of Penguin is especially trash.

This writer really does not get Batman at all, nor does he deserve to write him!

***EDIT***

It seems that this comic has attracted a very unstable reader with multiple accounts.
This person is hounding me under their various CBRU profiles. Seeing people behave like this over a cartoon book is absolutely pathetic.
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Psycamorean - Jun 7, 2022

I haven't written a review yet, but I thought this issue was very good. Particularly, how Batman was portrayed. I'd like to know some of the specifics of your problems with the writing.

myconius - Jun 8, 2022

i started out entertained with this. but between Bruce leaving his mother's pearls out in the open, or the writer using *Batman Begins* as his basis for the relationship Batman & Gordon, or having Batman say he knows Joker can't swim when we already saw Joker swim into the batcave in *Endgame*, or how Penguin behaved, this writer did no real research.

Psycamorean - Jun 8, 2022

I'm sorry, these seem like pretty weak, nitpicky complaints.

Hex - Jun 8, 2022 (edited)

Didn't Batman Begins take the basis of Bruce and Jim's relationship almost directly from Year One? This is a thing that has been done for years. Does this take place in main continuity? Couldn't a different continuity Joker not know how to swim? Every time the Joker fell into water in the Animated Series it was assumed he died. At least that is the expression on Batman's face, I do understand it's a children's cartoon. That's still a weird gripe to have.

myconius - Jun 8, 2022

@Amazing Psycamorean - whatever.

myconius - Jun 8, 2022

@Hex - that whole "I never said 'thank you'." - "...and you never will." was not in Batman Year One. some of the ideas from Batman Begins were from Year One, but a lot was changed. You really should give Year One a read some time. It's really good.

Hex - Jun 8, 2022 (edited)

I own three copies. I read it every year. I even reviewed it this year. It's my favorite Batman story of all time. Batman Begins took heavily from Year One. To the point that if Year One didn't exist, Batman Begins wouldn't. Sure things change in media. That is bound to happen. In fact when it doesn't we notice. But it's also called an homage. And more often than not, artists who do homages have high reverence for the material they are playing off of.

Hex - Jun 8, 2022 (edited)

Many consider that line quite significant. I hear people use that outside of just talking about Batman. Other characters have used catch phrases and lines over and over. Nitpicking one line that has a history of use in the cultural zeitgeist is childish and gatekeepy. Additionally, you said, "There was so much wrong with this story, I don't even know where to begin!" yet you never started. You went straight for criticizing the writer and made no attempt whatsoever to give a reason IN your review

myconius - Jun 9, 2022

it's gonna be OK, Hex. .....Deep breaths. ..... Innnnn ..... Ouuuut ..... Innnnn ..... Ouuuut

Psycamorean - Jun 9, 2022 (edited)

I agree with Hex. I was hoping for a more substantive reasoning for your dislike of this issue, and I was disappointed.

myconius - Jun 9, 2022

@Amazing Psycamorean - wonderful. maybe you two should go get a room together.

myconius - Jun 9, 2022

@Amazing Psycamorean - you can both take turns reading this story to each other.

myconius - Jun 9, 2022

^Why don't you just admit that all 3 of these accounts are yours? ....Dude! you have no life!

myconius - Jun 9, 2022

Every time you chime in with a different account, you out yourself. You are pathetic.

Nikita14 - Jun 10, 2022

You hit the nail on the head with the characters feeling off. I found batman to be written all over the place upon rereading. Are you able to elaborate on the art looking rushed?

myconius - Jun 10, 2022

Nikita14 - thank you. yeah, Batman's characterization was all over place. this story felt like a rough draft with no editing. ..oh definitely! i'm used to seeing Darick Robertson's art from HAPPY. in that story his art was a lot more refined. the compositions of panels had a much better feel for perspective. the figures had better structure and proportions. there was one panel where Bruce covered one of the burglar's mouth with his hand. Robertson drew Bruce's hand small. the size of a child's.

myconius - Jun 10, 2022

there were a lot more panels with unusually small hands. questionable foreshortening. a good number of panels where the faces were drawn with lopsided, unaligned eyes. the panel where Gordon says "Light it up" comes to mind. i can't look at that panel without his eyes distracting me. ...the panel where Batman says "That's a movie", his eyes are really lopsided.

Nikita14 - Jun 10, 2022

It blew my mind to flip through the issue and find these. I thought giving a 1 was a bit harsh but now I get it.

myconius - Jun 10, 2022

i know. pretty crazy, right? and typically i really like Darick Robertson's art. that's why i figure he must've just rushed drawing this.

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