Batman: Universe #1

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Nick Derington Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: July 10, 2019 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 23 User Reviews: 39
8.7Critic Rating
7.9User Rating

Available to comics shops for the first time! Following the theft of a priceless Fabergé egg, the Riddler leads the Dark Knight on a wild hunt after its true owner: Jinny Hex, descendant of Jonah Hex! Guest-starring Deathstroke, Green Arrow and dozens of Riddler look-alikes in stories by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Nick Derington, originally published in BATMAN GIANT #3 and #4!

  • 10
    Dark Knight News - Steve J Ray Jul 10, 2019

    I'm having so much fun. Batman Universe #1 feels like an antidote after reading and reviewing super heavy (yet brilliant) darker, edgier comics. Priceless artefacts, sassy teenagers, assassins and a truly Arrowing lead into issue #2, what more can a comics fan ask for? Read Full Review

  • 10
    Batman-News - Jay Yaws Jul 10, 2019

    A grand entertainment of the best sort, Batman: Universe is off to an incredibly strong start. This book is so much fun that I re-read it several times, I got so caught up in the action, and I don't know that there's any better endorsement than that. Bendis' plotting is strong and paced marvelously, with some snappy dialogue and genuinely funny gags. Then there's Nick Derington and Dave Stewart's brilliant visuals that could practically sell the book itself. This reminds me of Indiana Jones in everything but the details: it has memorable characters, a sharp script, big, swashbuckling adventure, and a propulsive sense of forward momentum. It's as fun a comic as you're likely to find, and I can't wait for the next chapter. Read Full Review

  • 10
    But Why Tho? - Lizzy Garcia Jul 10, 2019

    Overall, Batman: Universe #1is an absolute delight. The story is hilarious and has a lot of heart. It is a great read for any Batman fan no matter how many comics you have picked up previously. I am happy to see these previously Walmart exclusive books hitting comic stores, allowing more readers to enjoy them. Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett Jul 10, 2019

    Batman Universe isn't about some grandiose philosophy or intense personal statement here"although the character's history still holds meaning"this series is about telling the best Batman story imaginable, and that's exactly what it is doing. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Nerdly - Dean Fuller Jul 18, 2019

    The best Batman interpretation I have read for some time. Loved it. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comics: The Gathering - Olivier Roth Jul 10, 2019

    I can’t recommend this issue enough. Read Full Review

  • 10
    AIPT - Nathan Simmons Jul 10, 2019

    This first issue kicks off an intriguing mystery involving some of Batman's greatest foes. It's also the perfect issue to grab for someone who needs a gateway into Batman without tons of backstory. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Newsarama - Justin Partridge Jul 11, 2019

    Don't let the "grocery store comics" reputation of this issue's first run fool you, Batman Universe #1 is the real deal. Read Full Review

  • 10
    You Don't Read Comics - Rick Lopez Jul 16, 2019

    As the Walmart Giants continue to come out each month, readers can expect a lot from this series as well as the multitude of other once exclusive stories to the retail behemoth. Brian Michael Bendis and Nick Derrington deliver a fun story for all ages as Batman takes on an actual detective role to uncover the truth. Whether within the specials themselves or in the lovely single issue format, this series is not one to miss. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Multiversity Comics - Jonathan O'Neal Jul 12, 2019

    "Batman Universe" #1 may not be new for some who got their hands on those "100-Page GIANTS!," but for those that didn't it should feel like a breath of fresh air wafting through the city streets of Gotham. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Jul 10, 2019

    From the opening pages, as Batman argues with Alfred from inside the Batmobile as we see the city as Batman does, it delivers on a visual level like few Batman comics do. Read Full Review

  • 8.7
    Major Spoilers - Stacy Baugher Jul 10, 2019

    Save your 100 page issues, pick this one up and pass it around to friends, this is a great beginning to a great Batman story. Read Full Review

  • 8.6
    Outright Geekery - Antonio Pedro Jul 11, 2019

    Borrowing a few of the Bendis-isms, Batman Universe #1 is fun, exciting, entertaining and has great artwork. It's hardly essential, but if you've got some cash to spare and want to read a fun Batman story, there are worse places to look. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    411Mania - Steve Gustafson Jul 25, 2019

    Yes, Batman: Universe #1 is a reprint that was originally published in the Walmart exclusives Batman Giant #3 and #4 but it reads so much better combined and on its own. Read Full Review

  • 8.2
    Comic Watch - Cody White Jul 16, 2019

    Batman Universe #1delivers the Walmart Exclusive story to the direct market, giving readers a small taste of what a Bendis Batman could be. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Spectrum - Bob Bretall Jul 10, 2019

    My quibble over the pricing of this series aside, it really is a great story (5/5 – 1 point for predatory marketing). A good story for new readers, but given that this will run 6 issues and it's reprints anyway, it might be a good idea to skip six $4.99 issues that will cost ~$30 and just get the collected edition when it comes out. I suspect it will be fairly easy to get the collection at a price less than $30. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - David Pepose Jul 15, 2019

    Batman Universe #1 is an undeniably gorgeous book, whose incredible artwork far outweighs any wonkiness in its story structure. If you're looking for a fun action romp whose cameos represent the best of continuity rather than the restrictiveness of it " or you're just looking to see one of the definitive DC artists of the moments strut his stuff " you could do a whole lot worse than this. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    DC Comics News - Seth Singleton Jul 15, 2019

    In conclusion, Batman Universe showcases the goldmine of stories that first appeared in the 80-page Walmart Giant books. It deserves to shine in its own book. Read Full Review

  • 7.8
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Jose "Jody" Cardona Jul 11, 2019

    Bendis' Batman story is off to a decent start, despite a pointless hiccup. Read Full Review

  • 7.4
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jul 10, 2019

    Nick Deringtons art is fantastic. There is a point of view sequence in the beginning that is breathtaking and every page after that contains something special. Read Full Review

  • 6.5
    GWW - Nick Friar Jul 9, 2019

    Not a must-read, but a fun one if you're looking for something different and can't get caught up in the other, heavier Batman miniseries. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comic Crusaders - Johnny "The Machine" Hughes Jul 10, 2019

    You don't last 80 years without enjoying different version of self. Batman is one of the greatest characters who has successfully charted the ever changing trends of expectations. Unfortunately, with Bendis involved, I expected more from this book, than something that feels watered down with little or no tie into current continuity. Granted, as this is essentially a reprint book, I understand that continuity would have been a hard thing to manage, yet manage it does with Jinny Hex. Batman Universe is a book that hardly whelms for me, but for others, especially younger readers, there will be more than enough to bring them into a lighter version of the Dark Knight, maybe a Twilight Knight? Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    The Batman Universe - David Finn Jul 10, 2019

    An underwhelming and lackluster entry in the Batman canon – is this really the best Bendis can do? Read Full Review

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