After a rather mediocre Villain Month issue, Bane is back with a bang! Although it recaps quiet a bit, Arkham War #1 gives off a lot of promise and show us the brutality of the war that lies ahead. Right now Gotham is pressured and tense as villains fight for territory, but Bane shows us he wants it all. So expect the unexpected. Bane is as focused as ever. There will be casualties! Read Full Review

This was a good start to the new miniseries by DC Comics. I'm still not sure the stakes when it comes to Penguin's threat to Bane though, which takes this issue down a few notches. That said, it's well paced and Bane is thoroughly clear in his desires and power. Should be fun to see how this character developments. Read Full Review

This issue is just chock full of fun.  We're given Batman's Villains O' Plenty, and I can't image how this will all play out.  The artwork is beautiful, and this is the best Bane I've seen in the New 52.  Now this being a set up issue, I don't expect a lot, but the set up kept me entertained the entire time.  I love Tomasi's writing, and I hope he continues for the entire series.  Go check this out.  Any fan of DC will enjoy it, and Any fan of Batman will love it. Read Full Review

It's very derivative of No Man's Land and even The Dark Knight Rises (which borrowed many elements from No Man's Land itself) but it's quite a bit of fun and really well illustrated. However, I do wish more actually happened in this issue as it mostly recaps all the Arkham War setup we saw in various Villains Month issues like Scarecrow #1. Read Full Review

I love Batman, Gotham, and the Rogues. Even if the Bat doesn't make an appearance in this series, 2 out of 3 ain't bad! This was definitely a build up issue, but I can't wait to see what happens and who will show up! (Am I the only one that tried to name everyone on the cover?) The stakes have never been higher for Batman's Baddies and I'm on board to see who comes out on top! Read Full Review

And yes, you don't really need to read the previous Villains Month issues (Bane/Scarecrow) to get a proper hold of what's going on. This is totally a serviceable jumping on spot for the story and rightfully so. Read Full Review

So that's really it. This was a decent first issue, but I want more out of it. I want more jazz, more rock, more metal. Read Full Review

Overall, this was an exciting start to Forever Evil: Arkham War. Peter Tomasi writes Batmans rogues gallery exceptionally well and we finally see Bane begin his conquest! Scot Eaton draws Gotham with skill and theres an atmosphere of a city at war. Its a fun issue to read with enough going on that it ends before you know it and waiting for next months issue to come out already. Weve only seen the beginning of Arkham War but we can already tell this is going to be a huge, epic battle for the city of Gotham. Read Full Review

This was a fantastic issue, and much better than I originally thought it would be. It was however still not perfect, but did set the series up brilliantly, and I'm expecting a lot from the future of the series now. This issue itself was also very dramatic and exciting, being perfectly paced, with the slower parts even having brilliant tone to counter that. Due to all this I'd highly recommend this issue, as it is well worth giving a try. Read Full Review

It's great that Professor Pyg is featured in this issue. I really like the character, and he doesn't have much chance to shine yet in New 52. Or maybe DC just wants to promote the new Batman animate series. Read Full Review

Arkham War isn't a bad event tie-in, but if it's going to stick to a predictable formula of Bane battling one Arkham-ite after another, it could grow very stale very quickly. Read Full Review

As a first chapter in one of three spin-off mini-series to the Forever Evil main event, Arkham War falls short of the excitement generated by the mother book, and so far isnt showing much sign of being more than a villain versus villain fight book. Heres hoping the next chapter gives us a bit more of a peek into the mastermind thats interested in overthrowing the lords of this city, and why. It could go a long way toward making this a book worthy of its place in the overall crossover. Read Full Review

Forever Evil: Arkham War #1 is a prelude at best, as it essentially sets up the disposition of Gotham's villains, but doesn't build on their motives or the dramatic tension between them. Read Full Review

While the concept and art are high points, this was just sort of a disappointment. We already had two issues of set up for this, and this first issue just continues to set things up... I realize maybe not everyone read the Scarecrow and Bane issues last month, but what would have been the harm in really setting this one off with a bang? There's not much you need to know. Blackgate vs. Arkham, lets go. But no... it just takes it's time and ultimately was just sort of boring. Read Full Review

This is a solid piece of work. Nothing groundbreaking, but entertaining for now. I’m hoping for more insight into why the villains constantly are at war even after they’ve won, but I’m fine with them just fighting as well. I’ll stick around. Read Full Review

Overall, this has an interesting story that will excite a lot of Batman fans. The only problem is that with it being the first issue there isn't much to go on and how the story will pan out over the six issues. It is possible this issue could improve over time as the story goes on, and will read better in trade. Read Full Review

A welcome change from a Villain's Month that told us very little about a post-hero world, this series has the potential to create a major power shift in Gotham or simply be a curious distraction. Read Full Review

Villains Month and "Forever Evil" have afforded writers and artists the opportunity to explore the twisted psyches of demented and deranged villains that fill the DC Universe. Tomasi and company seize that opportunity to display what happens when the worst of those damaged madmen are given more freedom and power than any one of them has ever held before. The concept of Gotham split among villains is an entertaining concept and Bane's assault on the city will certainly be an interesting read, but "Forever Evil: Arkham War" #1 needs just a little more personality to really hook readers. Right now this story is a trainwreck: readers will be attentive simply to see the destruction and carnage. Hopefully Tomasi and crew find a way to make the subsequent issues more memorable. Read Full Review

Scot Eaton’s artwork is passable, but nothing spectacular. He pencils comics in a very factory-like way.  Nothing jumps off the page, the panel layout is pretty standard, but it tells the story. Eaton has solid line work, and some decent shading. His Bane is a little too ridiculous, but other than that, it’s an acceptable job for what the issue is. Read Full Review

I think this mini-series has potential. The opening issue doesn't instill a lot of confidence to follow it for another five issues though. I like the characterization and motivation of Bane but not a whole lot else. Hopefully Tomasi will put it all together in the next issue. This one is a leap of faith. Read Full Review