The Shadow/Batman #1

Writer: Steve Orlando Artist: Giovanni Timpano Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment Release Date: October 4, 2017 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 21 User Reviews: 8
8.1Critic Rating
7.4User Rating

The World's Greatest Mystery. The World's Greatest Detective. They can barely stand each other, so how will they possibly deal with the World's Greatest Evil? What legacy can two of the world's most enduring icons of justice leave once they discover an ancient evil has been living inside the world they protect for centuries, attached to its heart. Can Batman and the Shadow save the world without killing it in the process?
Writer Steve Orlando (Batman/The Shadow, Justice League of America) and artist by Giovanni Timpano (The Shadow, Transformers) unite to tell an instantly classic tale of noir, mortality and generational heroes and villain more

  • 10
    The Batman Universe - Paul Shanly Oct 4, 2017

    This book is well thought out, compelling, and beautifully drawn and continues to maintain the very high bar that the Batman/The Shadow crossover set for this series to follow. Books like this are the ones that keep me reading Batman every month. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Comic Bastards - Justin McCarty Oct 4, 2017

    This first issue sets up a major conspiracy that spans decades. There are so many questions that leave us wanting more. I'm hooked. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Infinite Earths - J.D. Jr. Sep 21, 2017

    A tremendous start to what is sure to be one of the best titles of 2017. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Bounding Into Comics - Daniel Mills Sep 27, 2017

    It can often be difficult to interpret scripts with such varying tones. Balancing the sometimes slapstick humor with a deft hand and delicate details. The two titular heroes are a brooding bunch, but this team knows just how to delight. Together, Orlando and Timpano make a campy concept into a captivating read. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Newsarama - Justin Partridge Oct 3, 2017

    Superhero noir is a strange beast, but The Shadow/Batman #1 and its talented creative team pull together a debut that makes it look easy. Armed with wit, history, and two timeless leading men, Steve Orlando, Giovanni Timpano, Taylor Esposito, and Flavio Dispenza see and raise Orlando's first team-up as it throws down weirder villains, a boy assassin, and a vast empire of crime to dismantle, all for our reading pleasure. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Bleeding Cool - Lacey Jackson Oct 6, 2017

    Overall, it's a fantastic first issue, and I'm already craving more. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Bleeding Cool - Lacey Oct 6, 2017

    Overall, it's a fantastic first issue, and I'm already craving more. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    Batman-News - Joshua McDonald Oct 7, 2017

    If this is leading where I think it's leading, we're in for one hell of a fun, psychological ride! This is pure detective, crime, noir and it's perfect! The nods to the history of comics and inspirations for Batman are scattered throughout the entire issue, but they're honestly just little touches of texture to compliment a great script with great characters! Go get The Shadow/ Batman #1! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicosity - Mexi Gremillion Oct 5, 2017

    Overall, I like what theyve got so far! Do I still miss the Joker? Yes. Does bringing Damian make me feel better? Oh, a million times yes, youre basically saying You cant have the Joker, but what about we throw in one of your favorite characters instead?. I think this first issue of the second crossover is worth a read. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    SciFiPulse - Raissa Devereux Sep 27, 2017

    All in all, The Shadow/Batman #1 was a solid start. I'm looking forward to seeing if Batman can find the keyword and if The Shadow knows. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Multiversity Comics - Kent Falkenberg Oct 5, 2017

    Those expecting a sequel to the Snyder/Orlando/Rossmo joint will be disappointed. There's a reason this is "The Shadow/Batman" #1 and not "Batman/The Shadow Strikes Again." Orlando's myth-mining exuberance marries a fractured take on the dynamic duo with some deeper cuts from Dynamite's throwback stable of pulp serials. Timpano's art packs a gritty and acrobatic punch. And how the Shadow truly fits into it all, who knows? Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Spartantown - Enrique Rea Oct 6, 2017

    'The Shadow/Batman' has all the makings of a great crossover but it may take a couple of issues to determine just how great. The Shadow barely shows up in this one so expect more in the next issue and hopefully, the true villain will be revealed. Overall, this is an exciting if not a little confusing first chapter but worth checking out to see where it goes.  Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    We The Nerdy - Adeem Khan Oct 6, 2017

    The Shadow/Batman starts out as more of a Batman/Damian book, but with an interesting mystery in development that promises to bring the two heroes together, it's worth it to jump into the series now. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Oct 3, 2017

    A good start, though it'll make you twiddle your thumbs waiting for The Shadow (and the villain!) to show up. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    On Comics Ground - Paul Smerdon Sep 27, 2017

    I felt that there was some really good interaction and I am looking forward to seeing how the story leads to are heroes crossing paths. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    SnapPow.com - John McCubbin Oct 3, 2017

    The Shadow/Batman #1 get this latest crossover off to a solid start. It may not be the epic introduction that fans were expecting, but it does certainly give us plenty of mystery. Add in familiar Dark Knight villain, Professor Pyg, and some questionable traits from The Shadow and there's definitely plenty of reasons to return for the second issue. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    IGN - Blair Marnell Oct 5, 2017

    I really enjoyed the last crossover between Batman and the Shadow because it went through the trouble of bonding the heroes and giving them a place in each others' world. The Shadow/Batman seems to take place in the same continuity, and Steve Orlando wrote the last crossover. And yet it seems more remote and disconnected than the last tale. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Weird Science - Jeremy Daw Oct 9, 2017

    Moments of class and excitement occasionally dazzle in this opening issue, but the story is too muddled and the dialogue at times too awkward to make it as entertaining as it could – or should – be. Timpano's art is, on the whole, good. At times it is excellent; at others, merely adequate. There are, to be fair, enough mysteries here to keep this reader interested, but the opaqueness of the writing makes them too often a chore to encounter. Let's hope for better things next issue. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    ComicBuzz - Sean M. Morse Oct 10, 2017

    This issue lays out an over-arching mystery of a puppet master killing and resurrecting people, but doesnt reveal enough to hook the reader. The issue isnt bad by any means, but it just doesnt stack up well against the previous series so far. There are hints that some well-known public domain characters may be making appearances, which is intriguing, but the next issue will have to do some heavy lifting to keep me reading. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Olivier Roth Oct 4, 2017

    The biggest redeeming factor for this comic is Timpano’s art. Every page was a joy to look at. His Batman, Shadow and Robin all look amazing, dynamic and just the appropriate amount of dark throughout. His style just “fits” with this type of comic and was really enjoyable. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    Comic Book Bin - Philip Schweier Sep 27, 2017

    Giovanni Timpanos artwork is fine as always. Hes illustrated The Shadow for Dynamitebefore, but to my knowledge this is his first crack at Batman. I had no doubtshe could pull it off, and he did not disappoint. Read Full Review

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