/Annual_2_medium.jpg)
Prev
You never read Batman before Rebirth.
After years on the shelf, Batman returns to the Black Casebook! Throughout his career, Batman has compiled his most disturbing cases into one volume, its every page filled with bizarre horror and crimes he never quite managed to solve. Now a case from the past has re-opened itself in the here and now...and Batman will find himself face-to-face again with one of the deadliest villains he fought in his early years: the Reaper!
VerdictGrant Morrison's idea of “The Black Casebook” is used masterfully by Tomasi and company. Not only does Detective Comics Annual #2 integrate the idea of “bizarre and unexplainable” cases, it is peppered with phenomenal character moments. However, the issue succeeds because these aspects are molded into one coherent tale that plays off the history and the iconic elements of the Batman. Read Full Review
While it's not connected to the main story, this was a fun standalone and well worth grabbing for Detective Comics readers. Read Full Review
The surprises keep coming. Batman is right in guessing that this issues villain (no spoilers) isn't the classic incarnation of the character, but he isn't ready for the truth as he guesses wrong as to who the villain actually is. A great page turner that deserves our undivided attention. The action heats up and this issue concludes with an adrenaline pumping bang! Read Full Review
All in all this issue was a fantastic homage to years gone by (as all of Mr. Tomasi's work on ‘Tec has been, since he took over with issue #994). It's also a great, brand new story that's both brilliantly written and exquisitely drawn, colored and lettered. Read Full Review
Though this is clearly part of a larger story, it works quite well as a self contained story too… there is a degree of resolution at the end that is open to the story continuing but not in a frustrating “cliff hanger” style that makes you feel unfulfilled. A dip into Batman's past is always a welcome addition to these stories and helps flesh out the character in a way that points out his human failings whilst also showing why he is the greatest detective… no case is ever simply “give up” on… it's simply waiting to be solved. A great read and a nice addition to the Batman library. Read Full Review
I really liked this annual! There are nice moments between Batman and Gordon, Bruce and Sophia, and ESPECIALLY Bruce and Alfred. It's got action, humor, a villain you actually feel bad for who works for a jerk-face villain out for revenge, and a nicely packaged one-shot story that leaves things open to possibly make a return later. The art is great and the Reaper outfit looks badass as always. Read Full Review
This was a joy to read. The banter between the characters and the gorgeous art make an already stuffed week even stuffier. Read Full Review
This is probably the most compelling issue of Tomasi's run so far, but it's also an issue that suffers from some bad timing. Read Full Review
But all Batman aside, what I enjoyed about this story the most was Alfred's dialogue. He's gotten snarky in his old age, but overshadowing that snark is his admirable competence as a sidekick for Batman. Read Full Review
The book concludes on an exciting peak, with plenty of action and plot reveals to give a satisfying conclusion to what is an all-around high-quality adventure for our fearless hero. As the first Batman story I have picked up in quite some time, I felt instantly at home in the familiar tropes of Batman's world and his adventures. Read Full Review
Come for the Reaper, stay for Alfred talking some sass. This annual feels like a Batman comic from yesteryear in the best ways, with strong dialogue, great chemistry between Bruce and Alfred, and a globetrotting adventure. While the story itself feels like a setup for a bigger arc down the road, here's hoping that the return of the “Black Casebook” means we can get more Batman adventures where he encounters the weird and unexplained. And also the Eraser, because that guy is delightful. Read Full Review
There is some fun detective-work exhibited by Bruce Wayne in this James Bond - like mystery story. Despite the obscurity of the villain, the combat scenes were top-notch! I recommend this story for Batman fans who enjoy old-fashioned Bang, Bam, Boom! Batman stories. Read Full Review
DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #2 breaks from Tomasi's ongoing story to delve into one from many years earlier in Batman's career. It's well-paced, with witty and humorous dialogue. Worth picking up. Read Full Review
Detective Comics Annual #2 is full of 1980's fan service featuring characters from the "Year Two" story, but unfortunately, it just doesn't really go anywhere meaningful. It's still a fun read though, and hopefully there is more to come from Batman's Black Casebook in the near future! Read Full Review
However, the issue as a whole feels so out of place and so oddly pace. Tomasi's best work comes with the development of his protagonist and villain over time, as we've seen in the “Mythologies” and “Medieval” arcs. This condensed version of storytelling works, but mostly makes me excited for the continuation of the main story. Read Full Review
This book is a testimony that it doesn't have to be all Batman all the time for Detective to be engaging, and there's real promise in what this book establishes going forward, but it isn't a must read. Read Full Review
I found this annual to be extremely disappointing. The last issue of Detective Comics was so incredibly good I wanted Tomasi to use this extended issue and continue the Arkham Knight plot. I felt he could have chosen a more interesting plot for this story. But, the next issue of Detective Comics will go back to the Arkham Knight plot and I cannot wait! Read Full Review
THE GOOD:
-This was a great issue.
-Travis Moore has always been a solid artist, and his work here is also great.
-This depiction of the Eraser was really good.
-I just love how Tomasi writes Batman. It feels so… right.
-Gordon sucking on lollipops to get over his cigarette addiction is just really funny.
-Man, Alfred is hilarious here.
-Bringing back the Black Casebook is a really good idea.
-I thought the Reaper was a good villain.
-The action scenes were solid here.
-I'm excited for where this story goes next.
THE BAD:
-I didn't find Max Raynor's art nearly as good as Travis Moore's.
-I more
A fun issue that was yet another throwback to the times when Batman could leave the country to pursue a mystery in the course of a single issue. Moore would be great on an ongoing book at this point! The final battle was a little '90s, though.
this really felt like some classic Dark Detective Batman comics of the late Silver/early Bronze age.
like something Denny O'Neil might have written in his heyday.
i really enjoy how Tomasi portrays Batman as the calm cool and competent Caped Crusader.
it’s a pleasure to read when someone understands and respects the characters.
the banter written between Batman & Gordon as well as Batman & Alfred is a pleasure to read.
there is respect between characters, and an air of sentimentally and humor that is just a delight.
i especially loved the nods to Grant Morrison’s Batman.
callbacks to The Black Casebook, Batman RIP and even Batman Incorporated.
very interesting choice to e more
This was a fun annual. This is the Batman that I know, and I haven't seen this Batman since... before Rebirth.
I like when Annual issues try to achieve more than telling a longer, self contained story. Nothing wrong with the latter, but I think yet another years passing is a great opportunity to celebrate the character's legacy and exploring his world, so full of iconic characters.
The issue is anything but bad, mind you, in fact it was a very enjoyable read and I'd strongly recommend it. It's fun, it has heart, humor, action, everything in right place and doses.
Been a while, a really long one, since I've seen Bruce Wayne having exotic adventures reminescent of James Bond, and it's such a refreshing change of pacing compared to usual Batman comics.
Too bad it's just an Annual issue, because I'd welcome a full arc with this tone and m more
I got really excited to see the Reaper is back, but the rest of the comic was only okay.
"Why does the man even have a bed?"
This annual was pretty great... right up till that final showdown. It felt kinda cheap and wasn't really satisfying. But the road to that was superb.
The art was fantastic. Both teams did an excellent job, but Travis Moore and Tamra Bonvillain outdid themselves here. Even that final fight, bland as it was, looked just gorgeous.
But the best part of this annual is hands down, the dialogue between Bruce and Alfred. Alfred's quick and sharp wit is flawless and gives a nice balance to Bruce's more serious demeanor. But the billionaire playboy didn't want to be left far behind and managed to slip in some jokes too.
If Peter Tomasi ever wants to write a comic book w more
Good issue. Feels like a classic Batman story. Batman& everyone else are in character& the art is great as well. However killing people& sending them into a wheelchair isn’t that different from each other, so it’s always interesting to see Batman not realizing how violent he is himself.
© 2024
