Milk Wars: Mother Panic/Batman Special #1

Writer: Jody Houser, Magdalene Visaggio Artist: Ty Templeton, Sonny Liew Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: February 7, 2018 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 20 User Reviews: 16
8.3Critic Rating
8.5User Rating

"MILK WARS" part two! Mother Panic has discovered a Gotham City transformed. What happened to her family and friends? And who moved into Gather House, the religious school that scarred Mother Panic as a young girl? It's Father Bruce, the orphan millionaire who decided to give back to society by filling the deep demand for sidekicks. So many Robins in need of a nest! Plus, part two of the Eternity Girl backup story!

  • 10
    Kabooooom - Marcus Hammond Feb 9, 2018

    I didn't hold out much hope that there would be much consistency within and between crossover issues written and drawn by different creative teams. Houser, Templeton, and Smith do an excellent job of creating an issue that moves theMilk Wars story forward, while also promoting the uniqueness of the individual characters involved. This issue is a testament to how good the Young Animal imprint has been and can be moving forward. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    AIPT - Connor Willesden Feb 8, 2018

    A fun, absurd story that continues the strangeness of Milk Wars. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicsverse - Nicole Herviou Feb 7, 2018

    Mother Panic and Batman are in for one wild ride as Milk Wars continues. Even though this issue deals with serious themes like child abuse, religion, and cults, it's both empowering and hysterical. The art is beautiful, but potentially too perfect for Mother Panic fans. Either way, the issue is a triumph and makes us want to see these two work together more often. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicosity - Aaron Long Feb 7, 2018

    The second chapter of Milk Wars is a winner, with Mother Panic/Batman delivering laughs, solid action and some solid character moments. Mother Panic is one of the shining stars of the Young Animal lineup (and I would argue DCs entire catalogue) and this issue is yet another great chapter from Houser. Templeton, Smith and Workman deliver strong work and the net effect is a damn good comic. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    DC Comics News - Matthew Lloyd Feb 8, 2018

    Despite what may seem like disparate styles, the weird fun of last week's Justice League of America/Doom Patrol Special finds its own footing in this second chapter of "Milk Wars," the Young Animal crossover event. For those worried that the seriousness of Mother Panic will be diluted by the milk, have no fear. The two styles are balanced and keep Mother Panic on track while giving the Father Bruce Batman an intriguing test drive. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    All-Comic - Jonathan Baldessari Feb 8, 2018

    Mother Panic/Batman Special decides to go all in on the weirdness of the line, complete with goofy and complex ideas while also serving as a welcome expansion to the main series's story and themes. While definitely not for everyone, Mother Panic/Batman Special is another wild exercise for Young Animal. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Graphic Policy - Logan Dalton Feb 8, 2018

    In Mother Panic/Batman Special , Jody Houser, Ty Templeton, and Keiren Smith deconstruct the child sidekick trope and takes a look at the connection between childhood trauma and masked vigilantes through the imagery of religious liturgy. Just like JLA/Doom Patrol showed how the "traditional family" could be a cover for all kinds of evil, Mother Panic/Batman goes for organized religion. These institutions, in and of themselves, are not bad, but can be used for nefarious ends because of their primal connection with humans. The comic doesn't go full religious satire, but it's a memorable framing narrative. I am never going to get the six panel Batman Year One remix with him becoming a priest and not a "bat" out of my head. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Bleeding Cool - Joshua Davison Feb 7, 2018

    Mother Panic/Batman Special #1 is a vast improvement on the previous installment of 'Milk Wars'. With a cohesive narrative theme and a more poignant satire at its core, this comic is an enjoyable read accompanied by good artwork. This one comes recommended. Check it out. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Feb 8, 2018

    So far, this crossover event is two for two. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Feb 7, 2018

    This is yet more evidence that Jody Houser is one of the best new writers in DC's stable and they should give her a solo mainline book soon. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - Joey Edsall Feb 7, 2018

    The creative team of Houser, Templeton, and Smith deliver, and Mother Panic/Batman Special #1 keeps the "Milk Wars" ball rolling. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Watch - Eric Brown Feb 16, 2018

    While not tipping the event's hand much, the Mother Panic/ Batman Special delivers a fun and wacky take on the characters that you can enjoy even outside of the event. The Milk Wars rage on and consistently deliver forcibly good, clean fun. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBook.com - Russ Burlingame Feb 7, 2018

    While writer Jody Hauser and artist Ty Templeton do not recreate the surreality of last week's Justice League of America/Doom Patrol one-shot, the second part of the "Milk Wars" crossover is a strong addition, and Keiren Smith's bold colors give the Mother Panic/Batman special a distinctly otherworldly feel, especially when set against heroes who are all-white and mostly-gray. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Book Bin - Philip Schweier Feb 7, 2018

    However, the artwork by Ty Templeton is stellar, and its a shame we don't see more ofhis work in mainstream comics. Hes vastly under-appreciated in this age ofoverblown dynamism, and its such a welcome change to see a master draftsman practicing his craft. Keiren Smiths coloring only helps. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Bastards - Kelly Gaines Feb 7, 2018

    Like most long-time comic fans, big crossover events make me nervous if not somewhat pissed off. They tend to be disappointing money grabs that insert themselves into arcs we were enjoying and demand to be read. Previous prejudice aside, I'm kind of pumped for Milk Wars. This issue pulled me right to the edge of my seat, and come hell or high water I'm just going to have to go along for the ride. So here's to Milk Wars- an event I really want to believe in. And here's to Mother Panic, I hope she gets to say fuck someday. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    You Don't Read Comics - Jeremy Joanes Feb 7, 2018

    If you're looking at the cover and are confused, but delighted, by the image Bat-Priest descending from heaven, definitely give this a read. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Multiversity Comics - Michael Mazzacane Feb 12, 2018

    "Mother Panic" returned for 'Milk Wars' in an issue that might entice new readers but doesn't discount current ones. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Weird Science - Chris Feb 7, 2018

    Milk Wars rolls on, and so too does the ballad of Violet Page. This issue was a new-reader friendly as it could be given the circumstances, and manages to move the story along nicely. The worst thing about this issue is the five-dollar price tag. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Batman-News - Joshua McDonald Feb 10, 2018

    As a product of "Milk Wars," Mother Panic/ Batman does exactly what it needs to do! The story is offbeat and connected to the arcing story, while also serving as a complete stand-alone read. Jody Houser deserves tons of kudos because that's not an easy feat to accomplish. Unfortunately, if this crossover does anything, it highlights the nagging problem with Mother Panic in its own respect " and that appears to be that DC seems too afraid to commit to what would make this book intriguing. Read Full Review

  • 6.6
    Major Spoilers - Matthew Peterson Feb 12, 2018

    Not quite as engaging as the first salvo, but an interesting juxtaposition of new and old Gotham City vigilantes nonetheless, and Tempton's art is sublime. Read Full Review

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