I read the issues of the main Metal series, so I know who the bad guys are, but I haven't read part 1-2 of "Bats Out of Hell." Hal Jordan & the Green Lantern Corps is in my pull file so I was concerned that this issue wouldn't make sense on its own. However, it actually works alright as its own issue so long as you know the basics of the Metal series. I don't actually feel any need to read the other Bat Out of Hell issues, and I probably won't because they honestly don't interest me. The artwork in this issue is excellent, but I really could have skipped it entirely without missing out on any plot. The entire issue seems like Hal is going to overcome this challenge and then... Surprise! It makes the entire issue feel like a waste of time. more

Feels like an abrupt ending. These little alien dudes are cool, I kind of hope we see them again.

I assume that this ties in with events in Superman issues, but there is never a caption box to explain. It reads fine on its own regardless.

Venditti is skilled at seamlessly giving each lantern a chance to shine in their own way.

Batman #700 (giant sized anniversary edition) is a magnificent comic.
it spans many eras of Batman's history, past present and future.
it even has nods to Batman One Million from Morrison's JLA run.
a copy of Batman #700 could cost as much or more that what this trade costs,
so it's definitely worth the money.
plus with beautiful art by Tony Daniel, Frank Quitely, Andy Kubert, and David Finch
it's definitely worth it.

Batman issues #701 & #702 contain the Lost Chapters of Batman RIP.
these are definitely worth the purchase and read, as they clear up some of the confusion
for what happens in-between Batman RIP and Final Crisis.
there are wonderful character moments between Bruce & Alfred,
and Tony Daniel's art is Top notch here.

i'd love to give this collection a "9.5" or a "9".
but the inclusion of Batman issue #703 being clumsily tossed in here brings the score down.
whenever i read this volume i never bother to read #703. reading the single issue when it was in my pull-list was more than enough. and all that issue is, is a set up for 'Batman The Road Home' which in itself was a superfluous unnecessary cash-grab by DC just tacking on as many add-ons to 'The Return of Bruce Wayne' event.
if something in the even wasn't written by Morrison then don't bother. more

i find this story is absolutely addicting!!!
never once have i read this book without having finished it, then having to start it all over from the beginning at least one or two more times.
usually i read this story cover to cover in a series of three.
don't know? ....maybe i have Batman RIP OCD?

the story follows the club of villains as they plot to sabotage Batman and pervert all that he holds sacred.

Grant has brilliantly written the villain Simon Hurt into Batman's 75 year history, as well as pull references from almost every era and event of Batman's comic publication.
this is Batman written at his finest!
others have often tried to imitated this, but have never even come close to replicating it.

in Grant's own words- "i wanted to create the ultimate Batman."
me personally, i say he truly did!

Tony Daniel does his best to keep up with Grant.
his art was still a bit rough back then, but he does a serviceable job of it.
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Kyle's still not dead? Move it along son.

This place that Jessie is in is hella creepy, I sure hope Sandor saves the day before something bad happens...

Teases with introducing the Dark Judges, but never reveals them in full, which isn't a bad thing but I'm just worried that one more issue isn't going to be enough to deliver a satisfying story arc.

Jeez, you can't trust anyone, what the hell is going on!?

The resolution to the climax is F-ing stupid, even dumber than it was in the flashback scene. "I'm a soldier so I can should 3 head shots at once!" Bullshit. I'm okay with the resolution, but I'd like it better if that was really the end, I'm not thrilled to continue from here.

We get it, "soldier's salary," you know, maybe if you actually kept the money you stole, you wouldn't be dependent on crime and murder.

All of the Kick-Ass charm is lost. Patience is now basically a less financially responsible Punisher. Does her gang still run a gang business, or does it just murder and rob rivals now?

Ends on quite the cliffhanger. JRjr needs to learn how to draw tears, it looks like her eyes are have foam in them.

I didn't think the concept would interest me, but I love Extremity, so I picked this up. I'm glad that I did, it is over-the-top yet simultaneously down-to-earth and emotionally vulnerable. You'll have to imagine the metal soundtrack, but the artwork makes it easy to. I was expecting some kind of writer's playlist at the end, but instead there is a heartfelt letter. Very promising, don't miss out.

It is a bit difficult to keep track as we jump between teams rapidly, I'm starting to lose interest.

We jump right in with Jessica on the run for reasons that aren't made clear yet, but I like flying blind like this to change things up. Jessica could easily hold down her own title.

The entire issues is dedicated to flushing out Kyle's character, which goes a long way to identify with him and understand his motivations.

What kind of lunatic fills a room full of hydrogen party balloons? I did enjoy the action, JRjr excels with this kind of issue.

I've never read a Maxx issue, so I thought this would be a good opportunity. I think I can safely say that it's not my thing. Most of the issue is literally Batman and the Maxx standing around discussing creatures that live in this Outback reality. I'm sure some of the imagery and symbolism will pay off, but I can't imagine it will be enough to make up for the lack of narrative.

A good deal of this issue is spent explaining or referencing The Maxx and that is slightly disappointing, if not understanding. The little story we did get is very promising and I think Batman's universe lends itself to The Maxx more than I had expected.

I'm just excited to have a new Maxx story. He is possibly my favourite comic book character of all-time.

Did Batman stop a car jacking on the way to his destination? Lol. I've never heard such sass from Alfred before.

So Simon and Jessica's rings ported to their night stands when they entered the black hole? Doesn't make sense. It's a mostly satisfying ending to the arc though, a good way to close Seeley's run.

It's a timely choice to make the heroine an opioid addict. The issue is a very quick read, we're getting to know the characters but I have no idea what the plot is going to be when it kicks in. An oversized first issue might have helped with this. I am quite smitten by pretty magical chicks lately, so I'll probably come back for seconds.

verrrry decompressed storytelling.
very dragged out story-lines.
....and Bickering Mutant Ninja Turtles, in the midst of it all.

the sad thing is there is a full-on battle going on, as Agent Bishop is attacking the Utroms and Triceratons, but we barely get to see any real action. most of the time we see the Turtles they are having a hard time getting rounded up. and when the Turtles actually are all together they mostly just bicker with one another.

this felt like only half of a comic issue's worth of story, spread across a full issue.

-the cameo of Irma from the 1987 cartoon series was distracting. it took me out of the story.
-the build up to the Mutanimals intro was unnecessary. i saw it coming a mile away. we don't need build-ups and plot recaps. we need plot advancement!
-a character that was introduced WAYYYYY back in issue #56 is finally going to get used!! 30 issues later?? talk about a plot that really drags it's feet. that's almost 3 years that's gone by. can't say it's had the impact that i would have liked it to.

i've heard of writers that write for the trade,
but i think Tom Waltz is writing for the OMNIBUS!!!! more

A pretty decent done-in-one story/ The artwork isn't bad, but could be better.

The artwork is amazing aside from the stale facial expressions. Other than that, there's not much to recommend here. It's not like superheroes dealing with emotional baggage is a new concept, we need more than superheroes being sad and Harley Quinn eating pie. We need a plot.

Nothing special here. DC please Fire Dan Didio. I thought Rebirth was supposed to bring the hope back in to the DC universe? Not cheap deaths and stories about PTSD. God this book a is depressing read. We fu*king get it King, you have emotional problems.Cry me god damn river. Get your hormones checked because your estrogen is probably way to high you sad little man.

Its just...

Rebirth was so good. It added layers to the main continuity, it got me buying books outside of my normal wheelhouse just to pick up clues. I ended up owning 30+ issues of a Deathstroke run my thirst was so real, and dont regret it that series is great.

But now...

Tom King is the least heroic super hero writer ever. I cant remember the last time I put down one of his counseling sessions and thought: boy, I want to be Batman, or hey wouldnt it be great if Batman was real, what a benefit to the world that would be! I usually just put them down and stay away from sharp objects for a while.

This book is a dirge of meaningless death, bad banter, bad characterization, and fantastic art.
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this was an absolutely empty nothing of a story spread across an entire issue.

characters killed for no good reason other than cheap shock value.

A little slow, but man, are those raccoon things ever creepy.