Francis Manapul delivers his usual stellar work on the issue's art. Manapul's pencils are eye-catching and the use of colors wonderfully varied, with different palettes being used for each setting. Read Full Review

The psychological torment we're put through adds a layer of greatness that could garner its own issue. The artwork is phenomenal. That end of the issue plot twist tho?! Maaaaannnn, when the last time you found this much joy in Batman beatin' the brakes off your favorite superhero? Not near never. Read Full Review

BATMAN: THE MERCILESS #1 isn't the strongest of the Dark Batmen tie-ins to DARK NIGHTS: METAL. However, it is still a fantastic comic book, worthy of the god of war it depicts. With fantastic characterization and amazing work by Francis Manapul, this issue is a must-read. Read Full Review

Bottom line, if you are not reading the DC's Metal story line, you owe it to yourself to do so as soon as possible. While the premise of the narrative is outrageous by current comic standards, it is stories like these which stay with you as reader for the rest of your life. Read Full Review

Batman: The Merciless is a great example of how to build a villain; make him scary, humanize him, make us understand him, and then have him stab us in the heart. I really enjoyed this issue. Read Full Review

The only thing you will regret is that this issue doesn't have more pages. Read Full Review

The best aspect of this comic is the artwork by Francis Manapul who has all the gravitas needed to depict havoc on a wide planetarian scape. I sense some John Romita jr. influences for the first time. But its exactly what is needed to depict chaos and war. Read Full Review

This books works well in a number of ways, from seeing who strong a character Diana is, to possibly how weak Bruce is to let the power corrupt him, all the way to seeing how these books fit into the main story, which does give the impression thatwe are seeing at least some progress toward the end of these one shots. Read Full Review

Batman the Merciless continues the tradition of really good tie-ins that really give us a perspective in the minds of these nightmare versions of Batman. They are slowly getting darker and darker until we finally get to the Batman who Laughs, who if all hints are pointing at, is going to be a wicked fun ride. Read Full Review

Batman: The Merciless follows the same path that the previous Dark Nights: Metal tie-ins used to introduce the various evil incarnations of Batman. But those books didn't have Francis Manapul as their artist, and that makes all of the difference here. Read Full Review

The tie-ins for "Dark Nights- Metal" have been superb, and Batman: The Merciless is no exception. Writer Peter J Tomasi and artist Francis Manapaul deliver a solid issue, and like the other tie-ins it's an experience that both thrills with the artistry on display even as the darkness of the tale provides a feeling of dread. Batman: The Merciless is another stellar and thoroughly enjoyable tie-in to what is shaping up to be an unconventional and original major DC event. Read Full Review

Batman: The Merciless #1 doesn't differ all that much from the other Bad-Bat Dark Multiverse origin stories; it gives readers a brief look into the life of one of the strongest and most sinister batmen yet, and while doing so, reminds readers of what's at stake in the main Dark Nights: Metal storyline, as well as just how bad the situation really is. Read Full Review

While this issue started out just like any other of the Metal one-shots, it didn't take long to see that this installment was a cut above the rest and quickly became my favorite.  Not only is the art fantastic, but Tomasi lays down an awesome backstory for The Merciless, gives insights to the rest of the event and even gives us a little twist in the story by the end.  Definitely a one-shot you should pick up. Read Full Review

Well done tragic tale that makes this turn by Bruce all the more plausible when weighed against his war on crime. Would have liked to see more of the story between Bruce and Diana to give it more emotional resonance. Read Full Review

Its not as flashy as some of the other one-shots, but make no mistake. Batman the Merciless is here to stay as an epic story. Tomasi gives us what isnt just a horrible version of Batman, but a Batman who did horrible things that came from love. Love of a woman, love of power, love of being worshipped. Whereas the previous issues have been like a horror story with monsters, the Merciless is more of a psychological thriller. Its a great issue and one of my favorites. Read Full Review

Tomasi and Manapul put together yet another great Dark Nights Metal tie-in.  Read Full Review

After a couple lackluster issues, Batman: The Merciless brings the tie-ins back on track with this exciting installment, which also has a memorable ending that most will not see coming. Great issue all around. Read Full Review

Batman: The Merciless is one of the best laid out one-shots in the Dark Nights one-shots and tie-ins. The script is nearly flawless and the art keeps you in the Metal event. Despite all these positive things, the story doesn't feel like one that will be talked about forever. I'm not sure if it's because Batman is an amalgamation of himself and Ares instead of Wonder Woman, or if it's just that the Merciless didn't feel like the star of this issue, but Batman: The Merciless won't likely be one that helps define this comic book event. Read Full Review

I don't always read every single tie-in when these big events come around, particularly when they have become so frequent and the cover prices continue to rise as high as Bruce Wayne's IQ, however Metal has been the exception to some many of the usual event rules. The Merciless stands on its own merits as a solid piece of complex storytelling with tons of mind-blowing visuals to feast your peepers upon. Read Full Review

The issue is a good one and out of the four I'd place it third in quality. The twist at the end is what elevates it from mediocre. It wasn't until that moment that I really was interested in the issue and that's what makes it stand out. It's a detail that really changes how to perceive this character and makes him all that more scarier. Read Full Review

Batman The Merciless #1 was a pretty good read; I was not as much into the story as in Batman The Drowned #1, but it was an okay set up for this dark Batman. I am still not sure how pertinent this is to the main Metal event going on and if you will have to read these for the main series to make more sense or not, but it is nice to have a backstory to all these new characters being introduced. Read Full Review

Batman: The Merciless is the least good of the Nightmare Batmen tie-ins to Metal so far. The slight repetition in the narratives doesnt help, but it also comes down to the fact that Merciless and Drowned just arent as compelling has the first three. Its by no means a bad book, and I still do recommend it. However, it doesnt quite stand up to its predecessors. Read Full Review

This was a decent issue, but there wasnt anything here that was so amazing or interesting to warrant picking up beyond the most devoted Metal and Nightmare Batman fans. Read Full Review

This isn't the strongest issue of the series of one-shots, but it looks absolutely beautiful, save for the instances where Manapul had to draw boring scenes not involving the Merciless Batman. Read Full Review

While very beautiful to look at, this chapter of the Dark Nights Metal saga suffers from telling us of amazing feats instead of showing us. Read Full Review

The Merciless delivers an intriguing character, but important pieces of his story are nowhere to be found. Read Full Review

By no means is this a bad issue, but it's so painfully average that it's hard to even remotely enjoy the "cool idea bro" elements that are here. That and there's been one of these a week for over a month now. Maybe three a week would have been better, but at this point, we understand the formula because if you picked up any of the other titles, you got the gist instantly. It's the same here, world ending, Batman plus another hero, now they're upset and on earth 0. Yay" or something. Pick your favorite combo and check that out, but there's no reason to read all of these just to find some shallow character backstory that will likely be repeated over and over again every time they appear anywhere else. That and if I have to read the word "Barbatos" one more damn time in my head" fucking Barbatos, what is this The Simpsons? El Barbatos. Read Full Review

While it benefits from a tighter origin story than some of its counterparts, The Merciless still feels like a book unworthy of its creators. Neither Tomasi nor Manapul seem on their game, and solid lettering from Napolitano doesn't make the glut of text more palatable. If you've got the extra scratch and want to make a set, pick it up. But you won't miss any vital Metal components by skipping, so there's very little incentive to do otherwise. Read Full Review

Nice art, but the writing is somewhat flawed in every aspect. Read Full Review

The summit of military forces was a fun little collection of who's who, but despite compelling art and another fun origin of darkness, this issue didn't hit the heights of Metal's insanity so far, but sets up more to come. Read Full Review

It's sneaky with it's big moments and though it has a clear intent of emotional impact, the attempts it makes are too artificial and convenient. It feels more like a comic book for readers to collect and read out of a sense of completionism than anything inherent to the book itself. Read Full Review

I really enjoyed this one. It has a sense of epicness and grandeur more than the previous one shots. The Batman Who Laughs is more and more depicted as the main antagonist in the whole Metal event as Barbatos is more like a looming presence, overwatching the whole thing. The sheer power of this Batman is massive and the art in this issues really shines in showing this power, while being very accurate in depicting dialogues in the war room as well. Metal doesn't let up and proves that big Events, if handled correctly, can be exciting and fresh.

Batman the Merciless was a fairly average entry in this series of Darker takes on the Dark Knight. There nothing wrong with it and I have no plans on dropping the next issue, but when we look back on this event I don't believe this character will be missed. DC is still keeping up the art quality and this issue does not in any way hold us back.

Like the other issues, the world suffers the most in the comic. It looked like DC was setting up a great Dark multiverse that was in need of new heroes to change things. It seems like that is continuing to be walked back. What I think is a miss is that none of these Universes seem like they are worth saving. Maybe it is because we have scrapped Dark Matter for New Age of heroes, but time will tell.

Pick up this issue if you are already on board and want backstory, but a cliff notes version of this is just as useful. more

Manapul's art is stunning as always and really fits here. Really enjoyed how great this Batman's wrath was portrayed.

Great cover. This one seems to have started a little different from the others. A little more story from Earth 0 first rather than the other world story. And that's not a complaint. I really like the plot and mash up of Bruce and the helmet. The pencils were great, but the colors seemed to lack something. Seemed dull or light. Not too bad where it took away from the whole feel.

Francis Manapul should be doing a lot more, not only on DC but everywhere, his art is freaking fantastic!

The Merciless is nice, I enjoyed it a lot. This event is getting better and better, I can't wait for The Batman Who Laughs...

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• TheImageIsStrong

TheImageIsStrong - Oct 25, 2017

I couldn't agree more with this statement!

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The last page sells makes the whole issue work.

When you think they can go weirder et worser ... Well they find a way.
Met the one Bruce Wayne who loved Wonder Woman. And met him now as the Batman of War.
A man broken ? No a man who mad his choice & go all the way in killing those in his way (Except those he encounter because Now leaving them alive his worse than death ... D'oh !)
Once again we navigate between past & present. And once again I don't see the flashback well drafted. I find the batman more & more ridiculous (As their "Choice" than their power level).
And for a man without any remorse or fear, I find it troubling he fear the one who smile.
Cover - Like the metallic effect once more 2/2
Writing - 1/3, they are joking write ?
Arts - Love manapul when he do some artwork, but he is a artist for heroes with some light (Like flash). Not for something dark.
It's good, but their is some flaws. In his defense he isn't helped by the field he as to draw too. 2/3
Sentiment - Get lost you fail Batmen (The real one will come too correct each one of you I think ^^ ) 0/2
5/10 more