Despite the story’s limited setting and dialogue-heavy exposition, this book is an absolute winner as it brings together the mysterious power brokers of the Absolute Universe and sees them in league with one another to preserve justice and order. The book that ties all of the other Absolute titles together. Not to be missed!

Still too slow-paced and drawn out for my taste, and the mystery as to the identity of the villain isn’t particularly compelling. The art, while nice, is too static. The writing feels like Grell-Lite.

Nice to have all the different Corps back in action, despite overall weak villainy.This storyline has proven to be overly long and drawn out, with erratic pacing, but this penultimate chapter finally brings a little more cohesion to the table.

Compared to the prior issue’s gorgeous Mora artwork, this issue’s art falls way short, even though Di Giandomenico has done much better work elsewhere. The storyline continues to dazzle and hold fans in suspense all the way through!

Perfect wrap-up that leaves you wanting more! I wish this team would stay on this book forever, this is the best run the Man of Steel has had in several decades. And Williamson made Superboy Prime fun again instead of being a little one-note a-hole.

Very engaging wrap-up to the maze storyline, with lots of promising new plot threads to pick up, plus a nice little cliffhanger ending that opens the door for another big Absolute character! What makes this story so special is Diana’s humanity and compassion on full display.

Good first chapter, surpassed my rather low expectations. The cover didn’t sit well with me, though.

My favorite issue so far, though the art was a bit disappointing in places.

Another gripping tale launches strong out of the gate thanks to Taylor and Janin. While the new BATMAN volume that launched this month gets all the press and (deserved) accolades, this title and its creative team are often overlooked while consistently telling great stories month in and month out. This latest mystery is certainly no exception. I feel like all of the core Batbooks are firing on all cylinders right now! more

The start of a new storyline in this issue holds great promise as Watters and Soy deliver their best issue yet. It works on several levels, including the Dick/Bruce encounter, the mayoral shenanigans on the horizon, the conflict with the police and the man-bats, Bryce and his new powers, and Dick taking on a protege. Best compliment I can give is that this lives up to the high bar by Tom Taylor for a change. more

An outstanding issue made perfect with an excellent, and not entirely unexpected, conclusion! We get to see more of Wally’s humanity on display along with a growing comfort with his new powers. The Rogues are a blast as always, plus we get an introduction to the Weather Wizard, and a blink-and-you-miss-it hint of Mirror Master in one panel. The writing and the guest artwork are in peak form here. more

Very disappointing. Best part was the different covers. The main story had some funny dialogue but pretty shaky plotting and uncharacteristically weak Capullo art compared to his previous Batman work. The other stories weren’t great, either, with the Wonder Woman/Cap story faring ok (but confusing in spots), the Green Arrow/DD story had some nice art, the Krypto story was a nothing-burger, the Frank Miller story with Bats and Logan was lame. I hope the DC book is better. more

I’m getting frustrated by this story that never ends. This chapter has big moments occur without any rhyme or clear reason as to why, they just do. A powerless Nathan makes the new power battery explode.because the plot requires it. The entities fall. Because the plot requires it. An old villain shows up in Teen Lantern’s power glove. Why?? Not because it makes sense or follows logic, but because the plot requires it. Disappointed. I hope the next chapter is better. more

It’s another exciting chapter that has us experiencing Clark’s joy in what it’s like to walk in his shoes during these formative years. He is having fun being Superboy and is also acting like a normal healthy human teenager at the same time. Waid’s writing is great as always, while Patridge’s art continues to improve with each issue.

There are some wonderful father/son moments in this issue. As Well as some great character moments for both Bruce Wayne and Damian.

This new artist is phenomenal!!! I only wish that he had gotten to illustrate the cover instead of the previous artist. The new guy’s art is so much more action packed and dynamic. The entrance of Batman and Robin into this issue is explosive!!! Immediately after having read the issue I had to go back to the beginning just to marvel at the art.

This is definitely a story that has me extremely excited for the next issue!!!



Minor spoiler ………


I really loved the touch of Bruce telling Damian just how proud he was of him. It’s moments like this that really make me fall for comics in the first place. Bruce suggests that he and Damian go to the movies. Damian seems surprised and almost hesitant to utter the words “Monarch Theatre”. But his sheer excitement to enjoy a bonding moment, enjoying going to the movies with his father gets the better of him. As they are approaching Monarch Theatre Damian can sense that his father is nervous. They both are. Bruce reassures him that everything will be fine. Just then there is a poignant moment of Bruce gazing over towards the street light where his parents were murdered.

It’s moments like this that really make me grow fonder and fonder of PKJ’s writing.


Side note……

I previously had a MUCH longer review written.
Thanks to all the damn pop up adds and how buggy this site is being, the page hiccupped and I lost EVERYTHING that I spent my time writing!!!! GRRRR 😖 more

While I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the previous three chapters, this dark and haunting installment finds a new and even more sinister way for Bane to break the Batman. Tragic new origins for his Absolute Rogues Gallery, not to mention a ticking time bomb inside the Dark Knight himself, all courtesy of Snyder and Dragotta! Loved the last page surprise as well.

Perfection.

This is one of the best comics I have read.

This should have won the Eisner. Perhaps though, it's too graphic?

I am genuinely blown away by this. This is without question, the best super hero comic book on the shelves today.

Every month is a genuine treat.

Ha. One day, I look forward to owning the Absolute "Absolute Batman."

Really intrigued by this new Superman tale, as I’m not familiar with the creative team. This first issue captivated me within the first few pages and I’m intrigued by the possibilities of what’s coming next. A World’s Finest tale that I never knew I needed!

A truly dark, experimental and unsettling Superman comic. I am here for it. The excellence of Ice Cream Man in a DC context. The potential for storytelling is almost ludicrous. I am so pleased this is a thing.


Also it really must be said -

GABE HERNANDEZ is a brain dead moron.

The last few issues have built up to this perfect chapter, wherein the art and writing come together to tell a harrowing tale of violence and torture that, through it all, shows the incredible resilience of the Absolute Man of Steel and his allies. As the action now shifts to Kansas, I can’t wait to see where things go from here, and in the meantime, I’m going to have nightmares about Braniac! more

I feel like Lemire is more in his Animal Man-style comfort zone writing Absolute Flash versus this book. He seems to have difficulty here with pacing, transitions and a giant cast of characters. It’s still good, but it’s not compelling in the way Johns’ first two JSA books were (I won’t bring up his last run). This arc is also going on way too long but I’m hopeful for an exciting wrap-up soon. As for the art, it’s ok, but a little too cartoony for my taste. more

I don’t like the constant renumbering of comics back to issue one … so I was already suspicious of Batman #1 even before I bought it, that being said I liked it. The main drawback is that it fails as a first issue - no explanation as to why Gordon is a 60 year old beat cop, or how Vandal Savage is the new police commissioner. Also it’s clear that Alfred is dead and only appearing in Bruce’s subconscious … so I think some explanation is needed there. They could have dropped the DC KO preview and used those pages to get a lapsed reader up to speed.

I will say Killer Croc was very VERY well done and made for a great one-and-done story. The writing was nice and tight and the art was absolutely beautiful. Outside of the few issues I have already mentioned, this was a solid book and a fun read. While not perfect I will still recommend this new Batman - I am adding it to my pull-list. more

Loving the art from the off. Very vibrant. Pops, if you will. Nice to open a new run with a beloved character from the off and tapping in to precious nostalgia. I am enjoying beat cop Gordon!

Things escalate very quickly and some kind of creature is terrorizing Gotham (how original! I jest).

This Batman doesn't suffer fools . Our first central mystery appears to relate to Killer Kroc. As part of his investigation, Batman gets the scrip on Waylon's recent circumstances from Dr Zeller. A cure for his condition has been found.

Very intriguing! She seems like an interesting new character. She speaks warmly of Croc in a way that counld be construed as romantic. I feel like this is a ruse. I think we'll be seeing more of Dr Zeller.

I like how the equipment Batman is using is Telegraphed. The gear he uses will give us window into the kind of Batman that Fraction intends this to be. I hope this is a continual feature of this run.

He zips through Gotham using a Bat-wing. A sign a flys past reads - "Gotham City - you don't have to be crazy to live here but it helps!"

A nice bit humour, it did make me chuckle. Various TV bits are show beautifully evoking Frank Miller's Gotham.

TV adverts promoting safety armour for normal civilians. GNN news conveying civilian panic. Talk show hosts complaining about unregulated dojos. New casters not buying stats that crime is down, taking pops at sedantry Commissionar Vandal Savage refusing to comment. This is a Gotham in the full swing of chaos. Fraction sets the scene for what is to come - and that's just the intro.

Batman has a very sweet interaction with Killer Croc, I found it very touching .For just a moment, they are just two damaged kids, dropping their guards to find some connection, commonality and ultimately supporting each other. This move from Bruce actually quells Croc's fury, resolving the entire situation. What's more is the scene is in full view of Croc's doctors. A fascinating approach from Bruce. I loved this. Also, AI Alfred is a nice touch. Being able to see Alfred and Bruce interactions is a big plus for this series. The fact that it's only a facsimile of Alfred only adds to the sadness of his loss. This seems to suggest that this Batman will be facing emotional demons head on. Fraction is the kind of writer that should be able to provide such much needed depth to mainline Batman. It has felt very shallow for a long time. There is enough encouraging elements here for me to get excited. Let's go.
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It seems that ever since Grant Morrison and Scott Snyder finished their Batman runs, every writer starts off strong but in the end falls flat. Tom King's run started off strong with his first arcs (The I am Trilogy) but then falls flat at City of Bane. I am one of the minority who personally enjoys James Tynion IV's Batman run, but I think it is very shallow. Joshua Williamson's filler run was not that bad, but it was forgettable. Chip Zdarsky starts off really strong with Failsafe, and while I did enjoy Dark Prisons ending (as that was Chip Zdarsky's true resolution), DC forced him to pad out and it ended flat post Absolute Power. I can tell that Zdarsky told everything he wanted about Zur-En-Arrh and wrapped up everything, but didn't know what to do with Vandal Savage.

My point being is that I was nervous coming into this run, but now I'm excited, and I pray that Matt Fraction run stays consistent. Jorge Jiminez is the definitive Batman artist of the 2020s, and it's like his work keeps on getting better and better. I Love how vibrant and pop this initial issue looks compared to James Tynion IV and Chip Zdarsky. It's very bright and colorful, I like Batman's new suit, and it is so nice to have a blue and gray suit instead of the black and gray suit. This is the exception where the trunks works.

I love AI Alfred, I like how this run really emphasizes Bruce's technology. I like how Matt Fraction doesn't want to deconstruct or break down Batman, but just make him have fun adventures. I like how Bruce talks to Killer Croc and opens up his trauma. I even like how Batman uses technology to solve mystery, similar to Christian Bale's Batman. Overall, while this debut issue isn't as action packed compared to Scott Snyder, Tom King, Joshua Williamson, and Chip Zdarsky. But after seeing Batman getting beat down and question his motivations..... it's nice to see Batman be hopeful for once. more

Close to perfect first issue.

It’s hard to judge based on just one issue, but Fraction’s first Batman outing shines through in a way that we haven’t seen on the main Bat-book in many years. He begins putting down a strong foundation consisting of an interesting supporting cast, a rather exciting new take on the city itself, a new look at an old villain, and a somewhat more thoughtful, humane and inciteful first person narrative than we’re used to seeing. Jimenez’s art has never looked better, and rarely have I seen coloring better utilized in the storytelling. The new costume is a sharp return to the blue and grey Bronze Age look, but with a more electric light blue than we’ve seen before. All in all, a stellar launch that will likely get even better as it goes. I picked up the A cover and the blind bat bag, which I don’t want to open because of the gorgeous blue Bat-symbol. more