Batman: The Imposter #1

Writer: Mattson Tomlin Artist: Andrea Sorrentino Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: October 13, 2021 Cover Price: $5.99 Critic Reviews: 13 User Reviews: 47
8.2Critic Rating
8.3User Rating

Bruce Wayne's mission as the Batman has only been underway for a year or so, but he can tell he's making a difference. Unfortunately, he's made some powerful enemies. All the traditional power brokers of Gotham resent the disruption the Batman has brought to town...and it seems one of them has a plan to neutralize him. There's a second Batman haunting Gotham's rooftops and alleys-and this one has no qualms about murdering criminals, live and on tape. With the entire might of the Gotham City Police Department and Gotham's rich and powerful coming down on his head, Batman must find this imposter and somehow clear his name...but how can you prov more

  • 10
    Comic Crusaders - Johnny "The Machine" Hughes Oct 17, 2021

    With the attention that The Batman will get over this weekend, it seems that serendipity that this book has recently hit the racks. Personally, I think comics should be more respected than just an advert for the movie, but I understand the logistics of such a plan from Warner Brothers. An interesting start to a three part series, I am very curious to see how it all plays out down the line. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Batman-News - Casper Rudolph Oct 13, 2021

    This comic features great art, solid writing, and interesting characters! The pacing is good and the mystery element is strong. If you enjoy alternate takes on Batman and Gotham, then I definitely recommend this issue to you! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    DC Comics News - Carl Bryan Oct 14, 2021

    This first of a three issue event is going to be worthy of some space on your bookshelf. I love the tweaking of the story. The lenses of both Detective Wong as well as Dr. Leslie Thompson. provide a new view of Gotham's vigilante hero. They are two strong female protagonists trying to heal their city in their own way! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Dark Knight News - Carl Bryan Nov 22, 2021

    This first chapter of this three-issue event is going to be worthy of some space on your bookshelf. I love the tweaking of the story. The lenses of both Detective Wong as well as Dr. Leslie Thompkin, both provide a new view of Gotham's vigilante hero. They're two strong female protagonists trying to heal their city in their own way! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum Oct 13, 2021

    There are many things in the darkness; this Batman: The Imposter #1 makes them worth exploring. Read Full Review

  • 8.9
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Oct 12, 2021

    Sorrentino delivers some great art throughout the issue. The art captures the dark, gritty mood of the story and the style is perfect for this type of plot. There are great details in the panels and the action is visually thrilling. Read Full Review

  • 8.6
    Graphic Policy - Brett Oct 13, 2021

    Batman: The Imposter #1 is a fantastic start to the series. It isn't some dark and gritty read one might expect from DC Black Label. Instead, the issue has a very practical approach to it all. What Batman even faces is down-to-earth in some ways. Combine that with some great art and this feels like there's potential here for a memorable Batman story people will come back to for a while. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Oct 12, 2021

    The crime and action segments are beautifully drawn, but the writing is really at its best when it's just Batman and Dr. Thompkins facing off. It reminds me a bit of The Sopranos with capes at times, and it's a highly intriguing start. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Multiversity Comics - Henry Finn Oct 18, 2021

    A really good first issue for a promising series and welcome addition to DC's Black Label. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Wes Greer Oct 13, 2021

    Let us know what you thought of the issue by leaving your comments down below! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Batman Universe - Adil Syed Feb 25, 2022

    If you like a more grounded and down-to-earth Batman story with great action sequences and cool art, then this is a book for you. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    AIPT - Dan Spinelli Oct 12, 2021

    The premise of "what if Batman existed in the real world?" is fascinating, but too often this comic fails to take advantage of it. Even as Andrea Sorrentino's art gives the comic a searing beauty, the story resembles more standard Batman tales. Read Full Review

  • 3.0
    GWW - Brian Villar Oct 13, 2021

    Overall, the issue misses the marks the marketing set up for it. Tomlin's story isn't well constructed and lacks cohesion with all the themes. Sorrentino's art lacks consistency for each page, which is evident when a statue is prominently jammed as part of the background, with mostly dialog moving the story. Unfortunately, this issue tried to remake the wheel, and it ended up as a square instead. Read Full Review

  • 10
    cincyfan Mar 27, 2022

    Wow that was fantastic! I love the way this was written. I love the pacing and the feel of it. The artwork is perfect as it matches the time of the story and is absolutely beautiful. You really get your money's worth in this one! Great first issue

  • 10
    retcon_D Nov 26, 2021

    This was an absolute treat. Finally, a writer who understands Batman on a more psychological level. This is exactly what I wanted and hoped for from this issue, and it delivered even more than just my expectations. The world-building, the art, the tone, the seamless P.O.V transitions, everything. Absolutely spot on.

    + LikeComment
  • 9.5
    Avanvolk Sep 3, 2024

    This was a great start. Tomlin is a very, very good writer in my opinion. The script and dialogue were crisp, believable, and engaging. Sorrentino's art was hauntingly beautiful as always and complimented the tone of the story wonderfully.

  • 9.0
    DDJamesB Oct 19, 2021

    Kept getting better as it went on, and by the end, I was sold. Good concept, amazing Sorrentino art and solid read overall.

  • 9.0
    Hellblazer Oct 13, 2021

    Amazing art from Sorrentino. The plot, in part, does picture what we have heard from the next BATMAN movie (i.e the one from Matt Reeves) in addition to this batman's costume resembling that of Pattinson.

  • 9.0
    Hex Oct 12, 2021

    Not everyone is going to like this. It's a Batman that swears and hurts people so Dan Slott and his fans are going to say it's garbage. The story is intriguing, an interesting take on Bruce and how he dealt with his trauma and some possible underlying mental problems. I definitely enjoyed the exploration in that as it honestly makes sense if someone like him were in a more realistic world. The art is phenomenal. I didn't used to be a fan of Sorrentino but I have grown to appreciate all of his works that I have read. He is a master panelist and creates tension even between two panels that are connected. The pacing is fantastic. I am excited to see where the series goes.
    ALSO, psychiatry and therapy are VERY important. Batman, Robin, the more

    + LikeComments (2)
  • 9.0
    Asger Oct 12, 2021

    Batman the Imposter #1 was brilliant for a whole list of reasons.



    Positives
    _________________________________________________________________________________________________

    The art is spectacular.


    The writing is amazing. People talk like actual people, the plot is interesting and complex while remaining airtight.


    The story dismantles the idiotic claims that Bruce Wayne should just throw money at Gotham, and fix it that way as if that would work.


    The question of "what would Batman really be like?" is handled in a very intersting way.


    The world building is phenomenal.


    I'm a sucker for the ultra realistic takes on Batma more

    + LikeComments (9)
  • 8.0
    Merlyn Oct 12, 2021

    Decent first issue, I didn't know Leslie Thompkins is supposed to be black nowadays but oh well, this is the trend, I guess. I'm not very interested in the psychiatrist angle but I am interested in the rest of the story, let's see how this develops.

    + LikeComments (2)
  • 8.0
    daspidaboy Oct 12, 2021

    A very interesting series that has great art, characterization and actually good dialogue.

  • 7.5
    Gizmo Oct 30, 2021

    This is a low-key intrigue Batman story. There's no flashy comic villain, which I'm all for, but there is also that little something extra missing to draw the reader in. The most interesting idea present here, for me, is Batman being blackmailed into psychiatric therapy; it's rare that we see anyone get an edge over Bruce, let alone a psychotherapist.

  • 7.5
    Psycamorean Oct 18, 2021

    This was pretty good, but I'm having trouble staying invested. In response to Asger's review, I don't see how this story "dismantles the idiotic claims that Bruce Wayne should just throw money at Gotham, and fix it that way as if that would work." The only hint at that we really get is Leslie Thompson saying he should do that, and him saying no, and providing a very unconvincing reason for it. And then the rest of the issue, Batman is trying to hunt down an imposter that is murdering people, presumably at the behest of rich types participating in white collar crimes, which are not being addressed by Batman whatsoever.

  • 7.5
    WhistleBlower Oct 12, 2021

    Strong art, writing's okay.

  • 7.0
    Crimson Knight Oct 12, 2021

    Not bad, not great, kinda typical but still enjoyable.

  • 6.0

    This is a pretty average book. It could be better, it could also be worse. But from what I've read in this issue I'd say it's worth 2 more issues (How I miss when your average comic story was that long, not 18 parts).
    The art is a bit sloppy and I can't say any of the characters are very likable in this story, but as I said, it's sill decent enough to follow for 2 more issues.

  • 6.0
    daigorito Dec 10, 2021

    Art is good but doesn't narrate well. A few double pages that don't show anything special. Writing seems to be a little sloppy. Story looks predictable and you can easily guess where it's going. Batman in this issue isn't the protagonist. Nothing great here. sorry.

  • 5.0
    prettythief Oct 12, 2021

    I'm sorry, I didn't like it. Let's say it's halfway for me.

  • 10
    Batmanchuria Dec 20, 2021

  • 10
    Bruno Mael Oct 12, 2021

  • 9.5
    27Nerder Feb 18, 2023

  • 9.5
    Radar Oct 15, 2021

  • 9.5
    Joresti Oct 13, 2021

  • 9.5
    Batman Jones Oct 13, 2021

    + LikeComments (1)
  • 9.0
    ZachPort123 Apr 28, 2023

  • 9.0
    Afre Nov 10, 2021

  • 9.0
    _maite14 Oct 24, 2021

  • 9.0
    ds Oct 14, 2021

  • 9.0
    Magik Oct 13, 2021

  • 9.0
    Stormwrath Oct 12, 2021

  • 8.5

  • 8.5
    K-23 Apr 21, 2022

  • 8.5
    ed1138 Jan 14, 2022

  • 8.5
    Justin Ray Nov 14, 2021

  • 8.5
    Silver Rocket Oct 14, 2021

  • 8.5
    JBL Reviews Oct 12, 2021

  • 8.5
    tonpas1989 Oct 12, 2021

  • 8.0
    AleSiryus Sep 11, 2023

  • 8.0
    matmene Mar 22, 2022

  • 8.0
    Brannon.44 Mar 18, 2022

  • 8.0
    Adrián Morgades Mar 4, 2022

  • 8.0
    Acarine Feb 15, 2022

  • 8.0
    Julhin Jan 18, 2022

  • 8.0
    haniballecto Oct 16, 2021

  • 8.0
    ComicWorm Oct 12, 2021

  • 7.5
    Watchtower022 Oct 14, 2021

  • 6.5
    Nikita14 Oct 15, 2021

  • 5.5
    KFuqua Oct 18, 2021

  • 5.0
    pizzamain Jan 2, 2022

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