So despite this coming off the back of a crossover I didn't really care for, it's the best Bat-book out there. Read Full Review

With this prelude, Bennett, Tynion, and Oliver have issued just a little tease, but its a great reminder of what weve been missing all these many months. Because in essence, there are things that Batwoman can do that Batman cant. Chief among them is set and carry the kind of quiet, thoughtful tone we see here. Ive missed it more than I realized. Read Full Review

Providing graphics for this issue is Ben Oliver. Oliveris reunited with Bennett . The two worked together onJustice League #23.2 “Lobo.” In “Batwoman Begins,” Oliver uses an almost murky palette for this story. The style isa departure from past books in the series. The motif compliments Tynion and Bennett's writing. Again, this arc is shaping up into something special. Read Full Review

If facing your father's past misdeeds isn't enough for you, spooky remnants of the Monster Men look they will be part of the story for a while. Detective Comics #948 is a very fast read, but has hours of self-reflection and thought that can be put into it. If you are a Batwoman fan, then this is a great starting point for what is coming next. If you are Batman fan, and want to see Batman being Batman, this issue has that, too. Read Full Review

This is a pretty solid opening filled with compelling characters, engaging interactions, beautiful artwork, witty dialogue, and a thought provoking premise that has a hint of real world relevance to it. While one could argue that this is merely a ploy to get us to buy yet another comic book, if the forthcoming Batwoman series delivers the kind of quality this story has shown, it seems to me that it's a win win situation for both sides. I'm looking forward to the culmination of this story and where Tynion and Bennett decide to take us beyond that. Read Full Review

Ben Olivers art is very pleasing to the eye. Characters are very well composed, with a real feel that makes heroes look like hardworking people in costumes and not the rippling gods we sometimes see in these books. Composition is excellent with creative panel distribution providing economic storytelling with flair. His pencils are pristine, offering a light touch with his inks, allowing the art to breathe. The colorwork is textured and varied, betraying details other artists might have overlooked. Read Full Review

But the biggest star of the issue is Ben Oliver, whose gorgeous painted artwork popped off of the page. Oliver simply does everything that you could possibly ask from a comic book artist, including interesting page layouts as well as expressive and distinct-looking characters. More of this, please. Read Full Review

This team delivers. Read Full Review

This issue was fantastic. It starts a lot of different plot lines, and throws a few wrenches into the gears of Gotham. I'm very excited by the addition of Bennett to this issue and look forward to the action-packed, stylish, ride to come. Read Full Review

There's an aspect of this book that feels like a break from Detective Comics' regularly scheduled programming but after the event of the last two arcs, it's nice to have a bit of a breather. This is a relatively breezy book that has a lot of heavier implications. Ben Oliver is a big reason that's the case because his narrative sense is on point. But the big reveal at the end notwithstanding, Tynion and Bennett have worked together to make Kate's story have weight. Read Full Review

As far as setting up Batwoman, this issue thrills me for what Tynion and Bennett have in store. As an ongoing part of the Detective Comics story, it mostly succeeds. A must buy! Read Full Review

In Conclusion: A fun, dark start to Batwomans solo series, drawing expertly on the continuity of the series for conflict. Read Full Review

With the exception of the poetic flashbacks, Detective Comics #948 lacks the interpersonal tension that has been the best part of James Tynion's run on the title, especially when Spoiler confronted Batman in the last arc. This incident isn't even mentioned in this comic as he, Marguerite Bennett, and Ben Oliver decide to play a juggling act with the repercussions of the Monster Men, the resurgence of the Colony, and try to do a backdoor pilot for Batwoman's upcoming series. Hopefully, we learn more about what makes Kate tick as a person and crime fighter in the next issue of "Batwoman Begins" instead of just rehashing (Not so.) old storylines. Read Full Review

Batwoman Begins here, but I want more Batwoman and less Monster Men!  I know that the key to this story is Colony and Kate's ties to her father, but overall, this story felt like it needed a sharper focus.  Ben Oliver's art is good and there is nothing wrong with this as a setup issue to the next arc of Detective, it just felt lacking as the Batwoman story it was advertised as. Read Full Review

While Batwoman has been one of the standout characters of Detective Comics recently, this issue suffers due to the lack of her team's presence. Read Full Review

I am 100% in favor of a new Batwoman comic from Marguerite Bennett, and will definitely be picking it up when it comes out. And if this issue is any indication of that new comic's quality, then we're probably in good hands. This was a perfectly fine and enjoyable Batman and Batwoman comic, though it didn't really have any sort of spark of anything too interesting. No harm in that. We're at the start of a new story, there's important set-up that we need to know, and the characters have more than enough charm and coolness to keep me invested. I just hope things pick up a bit more after this. Read Full Review

Detective Comics #948 is simultaneously frustrating and satisfying. When we are in the past exploring the origins of Batwoman, we are shown just how good this arc could end up being. Unfortunately, the rest of the issue seems to betray the concept of a Year One arc and raises questions as to whether we will ultimately get a rewarding origin story. I am faithful that the creative team will deliver but for now, this arc is a slight disappointment. Read Full Review

This issue wasn't anything very exciting. I enjoyed theflashback in the beginning with Batwoman following Batman and getting foundout. I really hope this monster stuff doesn't continue into another Night ofthe Monster Men. I would think DC would have learned from that nightmare. Thebest part of this issue to me was the art. Hands down fantastic. Theexpressions on Batman and Batwomans faces are done so well and the colors arenear perfect. Definitely the highlight of the issue. Read Full Review

Overall, a typical Tynion Batman comic, but I did feel that some parts of the issue were forced at times. I thought that the part with Dr. October could have been done more fluidly, but I do appreciate what they were trying to do with the character. The art was very good and I am interested in seeing how Batwoman's story plays out.

Batwoman is my favorite member of the team, so I entered this issue with great expectations. She isn't really spotlit in the plot for now but I'm sure she'll shine in the next issue. The story is really interesting and blends cleverly the consequences of two previous arcs. That was a nice surprise. However, the introduction and explanations of Victoria October are rather clunky but this new character is quite interesting. Ben Oliver's art is beautiful. His portrayal of Batwoman is perfect and he brings a unique look to the issue.

Compelling Story and great art...
We're going to descover some consequences of the noght of the Monsters, and the misterious "colony"

Score: 7.8

This is a solid issue made dynamite by the great painted art of Ben Oliver. The book looks absolutely great. Not too excited about rehashing "Night of the Monster Men," a story that was so terrible I dropped the respective titles for the second half. To me, Batman and giant monsters just don't mix.

This issue felt short content. Otherwise, good step back and setup for next arc

After the fantastic conclusion to the victim syndicate Detective takes a step back to look at Batwomans origin, the fall out of Monster Men and the Colony's strike back against the bat family. Overall a decent setup for the next arc.

I like this change in direction from what this series has been. It should have felt like this from the very start.

Comic Book Review (7/10) "Good"
Detective Comics #948 "Batwoman Begins Part 1"
Writer: James Tynion IV/ Marguerite Bennett
Penciller: Ben Oliver
Plot: This issue takes us back to a time when Kate Kane aka Batwoman was being trained by her father and the commander of the Colony. Meanwhile, in the present time Batman and Batwoman figure out that the Monster Men had a lasting consequence on Gotham City and it's ecology. When the animals eat the monsters' flesh they eat the chemicals that turned them into monsters and now Batman and Batwoman have to deal with new monsters...
I can't believe that this comic ties back to the horrendous Night of the Monster Men saga. I was hoping that event was over and done with, but it seems the Colony is after the chemicals that created those monsters. I was hoping for more of a Batwoman origins focused book, but this book focused more on the Monster Men and a woman named Victoria who is attempting to protect this chemical from falling into the wrong hands.
Probably the best thing about this book is the artwork. Oliver's artwork is gorgeous and he is REALLY good at drawing Batwoman, which is probably why he was chosen for this Batwoman "focused" (if you would say Batwoman was the main focus of this book). The art easily made this a better than average book and would probably warrant the $3 itself.
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Honestly meh.