Overall, Batman Reptilian #1 checks all the boxes I could ask for in a Batman comic and adds it's own boxes I never could have imagined needing. A dark and mature story that Ennis opens up with right away to give readers a taste of what to expect in upcoming issues, and art that resembles that of a true nightmare that you don't want to wake up from. I could easily see this series being one of the best Batman comics if this year for mature comic lovers as well as Batman fans in general. Read Full Review

Liam Sharp does a masterful job visually creating the world of Gotham City. Hyper-detailed drawings are highlighted by extraordinarily realistic color work. As a result, each panel feels like a stylized painting. This beautiful issue is a must have collectible. Read Full Review

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Batman: Reptilian #1 is my favorite Batman comic I've read in a while. Garth Ennis is a master of balancing dark subject matter with a sense of humor and his take on Batman is highly entertaining. Liam Sharp's intricate art style pairs well with the stripped down narrative that follows Batman as he interrogates a couple of goons in a refreshingly to the point manner. While it likely won't hold mass appeal, those who are on the same wavelength as Ennis and Sharp will find themselves wanting the next issue as soon as possible. Read Full Review

Batman: Reptilian #1 brings a psychedelic horror vibe that presents a welcomed addition to the DC Comics line. Read Full Review

Ennis sets the dark tones for this adults-only book early on with the confrontation with the boxer and the book ramps the tension as each panel and page unfolds, balanced with Sharp's amazing artwork. Read Full Review

Story-lite but gorgeously illustrated,Batman: Reptilian #1 is a jaw-dropping showcase for Liam Sharp but an otherwise desultory affair otherwise. Unless you're a die-hard fan of either creator, it might be best to wait for the trade on this one. Read Full Review

Liam Sharp is a brilliant artist, and I'm looking forward to what disturbing scenes he'll unveil as this story continues, but the story feels like it's barely even a batman story and portrays a version of Bruce Wayne who is both casually cruel and reckless. This reminds me of early books in the Marvel MAX line before it was given a touch of maturity by...Ennis. Ironic. Read Full Review

Batman: Reptilian #1 puts a psychological thriller spin on a classic DC character that feels both brand new and hauntingly familiar, in the sense that it is a story we have all been asking for! This is only the tip of the iceberg, and this issue has also raised a set of questions that will keep readers -and this reviewer hooked for issues to come. Read Full Review

For Steve Dillon – a big brother to many of us. The script to this book was meant for him, and I would rather have him here by far than be drawing it myself. I'm doing my best to make him proud, but that said, I can feelhim over my shoulder, chuckling a little, saying "No mate! You do you! Shame to waste it!" Read Full Review

Overall, Batman: Reptilian # 1 is a mixed bag in every sense of the word"but one that I'm somewhat intrigued to see through to the next issue. Read Full Review

Dunno where to begin...

I love the art and I love this Batman. He seems quite aristocratic, which is a take I haven't seen before and it's been interesting.

The guy that wrote Preacher takes on Batman with Liam Sharp channeling Bill Sienkiewicz and Dave McKean and I almost trade waited this one? What was I thinking? Great creators, not great characters, make great comic books and this was no exception. It was the best thing I read this week and one of my favorite takes on Batman in forever. Not in spite of Bruce seeming different but because he did. DKR couldn’t be more different than Batman ‘66 but they are both unquestionably Batman. This issue’s Batman is too. But thank goodness he’s also being portrayed in a way he hasn’t been in the past. That’s a thing writers, especially of such established characters, should aspire to, not shy away from.

To those that feel Batman is being written “out of character,” first it’s not the DCU, it’s Black Label, a place to be bold and to experiment. More importantly, since that out of character stuff is a cloyingly constant complaint around here, that’s how characters evolve, they are written differently than in the past. And some of that sticks or none of it does but either way it’s a lot more interesting than a story you’ve already read.

And if Batman had always been written “in character” he’d still be carrying a gun and killing people. Superman wouldn’t be able to fly. Wonder Woman would be a dominatrix. And a Justice League with those three “in character” characters would have been unimaginable, which reminds me why this drives me up a wall—because it comes, more than anything else, from a failure of imagination.

I would hate to live in a world where comics characters never changed. Or rather, I wouldn’t care because I would have stopped reading comics when I was a child. Because they wouldn’t have remained interesting to me because they’d never changed. Or, to put it a bit differently, nobody would have had the imagination or guts to have written them “out of character.”

If that’s what really matters, might I recommend Peanuts? You won’t ever have to worry about somebody experimenting with Charlie Brown. more

After 2 years, I'm finally reading this!

I don't understand the hate for this one at all. This is a more cynical take on Batman, but what do you expect from Garth Ennis? And I don't even think it's really out of character. Batman uses his bat gimp gear to strike fear into the hearts of criminals. And here, he does just that. Whereas in the main bat-titles they don't really want to linger on just how fucked up that can be, this title is perfectly willing to linger, because it's a moody, grimdark, horror comic. Batman is terrifying, because that's the tone. I don't think this comic has billionaire bashing like I've seen mentioned in some reviews. In fact, I honestly think that's just people putting their politics and their biases into what they're reading and coming to a false conclusion about what it must mean. And in that case... Billionaires don't need your defense as they've got more money than you can fathom that keeps them untouchable from the law and, more importantly, the people. And if Batman were an actual person, he'd be terrible. A privately funded, militarized rogue vigilante that works with the cops to illegally infringe on the rights of the people, usually beating the disenfranchised to a pulp for being driven to petty crime by socioeconomic factors that he should be well aware of, given how much he cares for his city, instead of spending that money on things like education, housing, unionization and reform. Stuff that would alleviate the root causes of poverty and crime. But again, this comic has nothing to say about that. None of the billionaire bashing is printed on the page, it's all in your head. more

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Criminology. - Jun 29, 2021

I feel you . It's cool to have variety, actually IMO that's one of the best things with superhero comics. You get to see the those ideas characters explored in a different scenarios and in the different way. I mean, I get that sometimes the confirmation bias is involved and the whole comfort food aspect of it, but you still have that in other books. In the end of the day, nobody cares if you like or dislike a story more than you do, so why not be open-minded about it?

Psycamorean - Jun 29, 2021

I think people are just super reactionary. Nerds, especially. They always overreact to nothing much in particular.

Criminology. - Jun 30, 2021

I guess you're right.

Psycamorean - Jun 30, 2021

I say this inside a glass house. I've been victim to this sort of mentality too, in the past, but I've grown and learned how unproductive and, frankly, stupid it is.

Criminology. - Jul 1, 2021

I feel you and I completely agree. It's easy to fall into this type of mindset, I've been there for some time too and it was not a pleasant time. IMO It's normal, because to be honest superhero comics are weird genre with a different storytelling and lets say traditions than most of the media out there and one of my guesses would be that not everybody is completely used to it. But also because of that some people develop a toxic relationship with a certain characters and you get overreactions.

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Enjoyed the writing and absolutely loved the art!

I don't get why people think batman is mischaracterized. Is he moody, darker, and maybe a tad looney, sure, but nothing out of the ordinary. This is just a more realistic take I think. The art is pretty awesome, but sometimes it is so dark that it is hard to make out anything, and so you just have a dark page. Interesting start, but nothing incredible. Interested to see the next issue

Well I liked this one. It's a different take on Batman, but truthfully not that radical IMO and I totally support that, it's not like it's going to change the character you love all of a sudden. Plus i really liked that both Ennis and Sharp are trying to focus on the effect batman has on criminals and the are doing really interesting stuff with that. And that was pretty much the main thing, that made an impression, beside the art in general I mean, which deserves all the praise. Still the start of this series is kind of slow and not fully griping at least for me, but maybe that's by design. We will see.

A kinda not important side-note: the cover really reminds me of the Spider-Man Super Special Featuring Scarlet Spider Part 2. It's not like fully identical, but still both feature a reptile creature with the reflection of the hero in their eye. I wonder if it was an intentional influence, because if it was, kudos to Liam Sharp for that reference. more

Pretty interesting first issue. Batman is written exactly how you would imagine he'd write Batman, Liam Sharp's art is incredible and definitely the highlight. Very reminiscent of Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on A Serious Earth.

Pretty good for a start. I've seen tons of Batman stories where he has to take on someone or something going to lengths against criminals beyond anything he'd cross, so it's no new concept to me. Still, it's a promising start. I haven't read a lot of Black Label books but most I have seen are pretty good. Particularly last years three Jokers Mini. That's why I have high expectations for this. It's also nice to see Alfred in an old time story before King and Tynion turned Gotham to the insane miserable place it is today.

I’ve never been a huge fan of Batman but this was different. The first thing that stood out to me is how Batman spoke, he came off as regal but edgy. As far as the overall story goes it was very dark and leaves you wanting more. Finally the art style was different but refreshing.

Admittedly, the artist admits the writer was supposed to be someone else. But the artwork and presentation is very powerful, especially in how it makes Batman feel fearsome. Makes me wonder what he'll be up against.

First issue, like many, starts off kind of vague but gives you enough to want more. The art is stunning and deserves all the praise it is getting. The writing is good, Ennis's take on Batman is more blunt, brooding, familiar characteristics we are use to but still feels fresh and new. However, Batman talking in the third person is odd and I was not a fan of that. The story is vague also but I'm sure moving forward things will get cleared up. I'm interested to see where this story goes and hopefully it isn't all just hype.

I rate it this high solely for Sharp's art, the story is pretty bad, this version of Batman is a parody, Ennis disrespects the character here.

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Mingthemerciless - Jun 22, 2021

I was excited to pick up this series even after reading Ennis sayung Bruce Wayne is a rich guy that beats up poor people. Ennis will be Ennis. But you know....I'm going to save my money and pass on this series. Ennis is a successful guy he doesn't need me buying it.

Assassin's Creed - Jun 22, 2021

The art is insanely good, similar to mixed technique, the art is as lofty as the narrative is bad.

Mingthemerciless - Jun 22, 2021

Thats the frustrating part..the art is gorgeous. But my hypocrisy has its limits.

Merlyn - Jun 22, 2021

Yeah, Liam Sharp is a very good artist.

Assassin's Creed - Jun 22, 2021

The comic is a dance between the writer and the cartoonist, if one of them loses the step, the brightness that it could have, it lost. And that's when many of us shout, alone, alone, remove the nuisance.

Mingthemerciless - Jun 22, 2021

Very well put. Both the writing and the art have to work together to elevate the book. Wolfman and Colan spring immediately to mind on tomb of dracula. Ennis irreverence for comic norms doesn't bug me in fact I like it. But begrudging a characters wealth to the point of derision when his written history shows he's a selfless crusader and humanitarian is insulting to fans of the character. Dressing up that distaste in great art doesn't make it better to me.

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It's not bad. Batman sure acts weird in this story, hte only tood thing is that this isnt canon technically.

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Assassin's Creed - Jun 22, 2021

Remember my little apprentice, now Nothing is true; everything is permitted. According to the DC, everything and nothing is canon. That means that Yes it counts, but at the same time it doesn't.

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The controversial Black Label always giving issues to talk about, can greatly exploit this label since it is focused on the mature public. But in my opinion this installment fails to please, you cannot give an adult audience a mediocre narrative full of blood or senseless violence.
The art is of high quality, a bad story, a narrative that leaves much to be desired, there is not much explanation and it does not even catch the reader.

Really disappointed in this one. The story was garbage and I didn't really like the art either. I feel like I've seen MUCH better are from Liam Sharp in the past.