The Bat-Man: First Knight #1

Writer: Dan Jurgens Artist: Mike Perkins Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: March 6, 2024 Cover Price: $6.99 Critic Reviews: 13 User Reviews: 17
8.8Critic Rating
7.9User Rating

The year is 1939. The world, still reeling from the horrors of the First World War, is on the brink of tipping into an even more gruesome conflict, as fascism is on the march--and gathering strength in America's darkest corners. Against this backdrop, a series of violent murders has begun in Gotham, and the recent emergence of the mysterious vigilante known as The Bat-Man has the power brokers of the city living in fear of institutional collapse. All of the evidence in the murder investigation defies logic: the perpetrators are all men who died in the electric chair. But when the Bat- Man comes face to face with one of these sickening anomali more

  • 10
    Get Your Comic On - Neil Vagg Mar 5, 2024

    The Bat-Man: First Knight is an instant page turner. Echoes of classic Batman serial stories alongside atmospheric comic book visuals are a dynamite concoction that is not to be missed. Read Full Review

  • 10
    AIPT - Michael Guerrero Mar 5, 2024

    The Bat-Man: First Knight is an engaging story which focuses on his tenacity and intelligence. Read Full Review

  • 10
    ComicBook.com - Christian Hoffer Mar 6, 2024

    While the comic seems to relish showcasing Batman's roots and how different the Golden Age Batman was from his modern incarnation, Jurgens and Perkins still tell a compelling pulp tale that excites and intrigues on its own merits. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Nerd Initiative - Hopsgeeknews Mar 5, 2024

    It is refreshing, dark, yet there are funny moments such as Batman hiding his face from Commissioner Gordon. I am excited to see where the mini series takes us and to explore the grotesque creatures in Gotham's underbelly. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Mar 5, 2024

    This is one of the best books Dan Jurgens has written in a very long time, and it's about time he made his mark on the Caped Crusader. Read Full Review

  • 9.4
    Comic Watch - Sebastien Cabrera Mar 5, 2024

    For as far as Black Label Batman titles go, this was an excellent first issue to set up a hellish word surrounded by the grim and anomalies. The ending is thrilling, and quite frankly, shocking. Read Full Review

  • 9.2
    The Comicbook Dispatch - Dispatchdcu Mar 5, 2024

    Bat-Man: First Knight #1 is certainly a must-buy for the original Batman fan. You know; the one whos read every issue and wants an updated look with a classic feel. For the hard-boiled detective fan who loves the classic monster flick, this issue is right up your alley. Plus, you get a Batman thats new, on the scene, and navigating Gotham in a more realistic manner than what we see today. However, its the cliffhanger that has me juiced for the next installment. I couldnt be more excited for this fresh, new take on the character that places Batman in his original light with better artistry and plot design. I highly recommend adding Bat-Man: First Knight #1 to your pull list. Its worth the price and you can thank me later. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Graphic Policy - Brett Mar 6, 2024

    The Bat-Man: First Knight #1 is a great start with a debut that makes me feel like I should be sitting around the radio, tuning in, and enjoying the show while drinking my Ovaltine. There's a nostalgic aspect to it that captures a tone that you just don't see much of today. It's a hell of a start that has us excited to see what comes next and already hope we get more. Read Full Review

  • 8.9
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Mar 5, 2024

    Perkins art is sublime and beautifully detailed. The visuals create a wonderful visual representation of the city as well as the characters and I love the vintage feel of the imagery throughout the issue. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Weird Science - Gabe Hernandez Mar 7, 2024

    The Bat-Man: First Knight #1 is the bee's knees and exactly what you want out of a Black Label title. Jurgens nails the simmering tension of Gotham City at the time of global upheaval, and the art captures the gritty, crime noir atmosphere perfectly. Except for one or two minor stumbles, this issue is an excellent start. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Dark Knight News - Carl Bryan Mar 5, 2024

    Dan Jurgens makes it a game changer, with Mike Perkins' stunning art and Mike Spicer's earthy colors making Gotham look even more run down than we've ever seen it before. Some of the scenes depict Gotham out of a Blade Runner-like environment... Rainy, dark, and desperate. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Major Spoilers - Jonathan Cadotte Mar 9, 2024

    The Bat-Man: First Knight #1 for the most part, does everything right. It's an interesting experiment in comic book writing, has a good plot, and looks good most of the time. Unfortunately, the parts where things go wrong have a strong cumulative effect. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    The Batman Universe - Ian Miller Mar 8, 2024

    Strong art and skilled writing keep the reader engaged, but the ugliness of the story isn't balanced by enough appeal to lift it out of the ordinary seedy tale. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Psycamorean Mar 6, 2024

    I've been a bit burnt out on Batman lately. The insistence of DC to pump out at least 10 Batman comics per month (I can't say this is an exaggeration because I truthfully think the number might actually be that high) really sticks in my craw, especially since the quality is not maintained. Even the main title is currently waffling a bit. I don't have much patience for Batman these days. However, I have always been a fan of the conceptualization of the original incarnation of the character, purple gloves and all. I've always loved the original costume, and the vibe of a grimy sort of loner Batman. At my most cynical, I see modern Batman as sort of a homogenized food-stuff version of what's ultimately a much more interesting form of the chara more

  • 9.5
    Aussie Dad May 4, 2024

    Great art and gripping story. Interesting how relevant the story is today some 85 years later

  • 9.5
    Frank61 Mar 12, 2024

    Loved it!

  • 9.0
    Toonstrack Mar 7, 2024

    This book had already caught my attention with its cover and premise and the fact Mike Perkins was drawing it. But it ended up being surprisingly great all the same living up to these high review scores. It doesn't rely on memberberries or winks and nudges to have appeal, its pure old fashioned noir storytelling with characters skme unfamiliar some not in a setting based on the world Batman was originally born in.

    This is far from the first noir Bat story and God willing it won't be the last but it feels fresh because of the presentation and setting, juxtaposed to the high tech modern Bruce Wayne we obviously see a lot today.

    This Bruce is young, scrappy, not entirely put together, but determined to do the right thing. more

  • 8.5
    Simon DelMonte Apr 10, 2024

    Best thing Jurgens has written in ages. Incredible art. Not entirely sure where Batman and the rabbi came from, but in a time of antisemitism, it's very welcome. And this feels adult, not in terms of the language but in its sensibilities.

  • 8.5
    AmericanHealthcare Mar 25, 2024

    Taking the literal trappings of 1939 Batman and playing it straight with modern storytelling sensibilities is a fun and worthy take. Very enjoyable with good art and enough content to take the sting off the 7 dollar price tag.

  • 8.0
    Avanvolk Nov 9, 2024

    The art here is the main draw. Mike Perkins is quickly becoming one of my favourite artists, and he continues to impress here. The story was okay and the writing was fine. I gotta say though, this is one fine looking book. I only read trades, not single issues, so I purchased the hardcover when it came out, and my goodness is it ever beautiful. I don't like to judge books by their covers, but at the same time, I'm a sucker for a gorgeous looking book on my shelf. Hopefully the story ends up being one that will make me want to keep it on my shelf and not just sell it when I'm done.

  • 8.0
    daspidaboy May 26, 2024

    I was definitely pleasantly surprised by this. While I'm glad that Batman has been getting back to his roots in actually being a detective (especially Robert Pattinson's Batman movie) and to an extent Chip Zdarsky's Batman run, this was a noir story on how Batman is trying to solve a murder. It's pretty standard, but the sharp dialogue, Bruce Wayne making actual jokes, and the fantastic art has me hooked.

  • 3.0
    myconius Mar 9, 2024

    There is NO WAY this comic was worth the $7 price tag!

    I honestly cannot remember the last time I was this bored reading a Batman comic. The beginning starts with a ton of exposition, by the time the headless victim shows up I had already checked out. The story meanders a bit more until Batman finally shows up in one of the most wonky, awkward, unsatisfying splash pages I've ever seen. Not helped by the fact that Batman's cowl is drawn overly bulky. The cowl is also inconsistently drawn from panel to panel, making for a very jarring reading experience. If there is no clear distinct vision of the story's main character, then please don't bother trying to tell a story about them.
    The art, while polished is quite dull. Charact more

  • 8.5
    Smithd33 Mar 11, 2024

  • 8.5
    Gorr Mar 7, 2024

  • 8.5
    KiryuMajima28t Mar 5, 2024

  • 8.0
    Rhinoeat Nov 7, 2024

  • 8.0
    K-23 Apr 3, 2024

  • 8.0
    Von Esper Mar 6, 2024

  • 8.0
    Silver Rocket Mar 5, 2024

  • 3.5
    BesottedGeekPod Mar 25, 2024

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