Yay! More useless garbage by Tom King. Again, please remove him from any of DC's main books!

I'm a sucker for cosmic stories and exposition dumps, so this issue was definitely for me.

Only time will tell if this event is based on a shallow gimmick, or is it something surprisingly deep and complex. Look at Injustice - a simple concept quickly evolved into a long multiversal conflict. DCeased has all the potential to become a new elseworldwith its own mythos, but it also can end up being a self contained one-off story.

The story didn't progress much in this issue, which actually was a good creative choice. We have a chance to delve into few main characters' lives, and see how are they dealing with this global disaster. That's a very important narrative element, which good writers utilize properly (look at Geoff Johns' Doomsday Clock) and bad ones either ignore completely (Scott Snyder's No Justice, for example) or don't create anything but it (Tom King's Heroes in Crisis trainwreck).

Similarly to the last issue, which I find a bit weaker than this one but still pretty decent, it's a comic I generally feel okay with, but I'm not mesmerized with it by any means. I could be, if it becomes something more than what it is now. So, worth picking up? Why not? Give it a try if you have nothing better to read. more

Fun issue with a great dynamic between the Spirit of Vengeance and the Dark Knight.

The colliding morals of the two characters reminds me a lot of that great Batman TBATB episode "The Chill of the Night", which featured Phantom Stranger and the Spectre himself.

Great issue. I really enjoyed Batman and Wonder Woman's debate over whether a team is needed to police magic. I also really liked Chaos Zatanna messing with the comic panels in a great callback to her fight with Zor in "Seven Soldiers: Zatanna #4".

The final icing on the cake would be Jason Blood now hosting the Demons Three. That's fucking awesome.

"This issue has no plot progression, and the story keeps dragging on."

"This issue is genius and portrays Thomas Wayne's tragic character beautifully."

"This issue doesn't answer any questions; How did Flashpoint Bats survive the Button?"

"Let King finish his story; you should only judge it when its over."

"King's Batman is hot garbage."

"King's Batman is art."

"Golly gee, I wonder when the next issue of Doomsday Clock comes out?" more

The "good" kind of filler.

Anybody want a 73 issue Batman run plus Annuals ? Very very cheap. I don't want it stinking up my long box anymore .

Hey guys. I'm not going to be doing a review for this issue, because I have gotten so tired of reviewing Tom King's Batman. I just wanted to let you know this was an awful issue, with no plot progression, awful dialogue, or lack thereof and really weak pencilling. The only good thing I can say about the issue is that Jordie Bellaire's colors are rather beautiful, but they don't salvage the issue.

THE GOOD:

-I've always liked Jorge Fornes' art.

-I mean, conceptually, having Bane's plan be interwoven into every issue thus far is good, but the execution is so weak.

-I thought the splash page with the villains was rather cool.

THE BAD:

-I wish they would get rid of Mikel Janin at this point, because all he's doing is drawing one or two splash pages per issue, which aren't even that good.

-Glad to see I paid 3.99 for a recap of every issue before this one.

-I appreciate King trying to make Bane powerful, but what he's making him here is just ridiculous.

-Now the juxtaposition between artists is just forced and weak and repetitive.

-Why is Thomas Wayne bad? This issue didn't exactly make that clear, probably because it's so unbelievable in the first place. more

Utterly garbage describes this mini series the best. It’s issue 5& MeToo& pseudo feminist views ( stories like these are an insult to real feminists. Feminism is about equality, not about men bashing.) are still forced on the New Gods. All men are still sexist assholes, who only want to rape women& women are too weak to do anything about it. Casellucci forces this idea on every New Gods character, no matter whether it fits or not. Only this time The Furies convince Barda to help them torture the guy, who sexually abused Aurelie. Williks character is reduced to a stereotype, since he turns into a crying coward as soon as women are attacking him. Female characters are also portrayed as naturally being better than male characters, but not allowed to show their strength due to sexism. Granny also seems to plan her revenge on Darkseid & the other men, but Castellucci doesn’t realize, that on Apokolips nobody except Desaad is able to do any harm to Darkseid. The writer doesn’t understand their great dynamic. She also ignores, that life on Apokolips is hell for both genders ( unless you are Darkseid or Desaad).

The great art is wasted so much here. It’s a shame. It’s a shame to see Jack Kirby characters in an awful story like this.

So when people are saying King is the worst, that happened to DC in the last few years, they haven’t read Castellucci‘s Female Furies. It’s one of the most sexist, agenda pushed, out of character story I have ever read. It’s 100% clear, that Castellucci didn’t do any research& also doesn’t respect these characters. I want John Byrne or Walter Simonson back for the New Gods. more

So many women suffer something like this, its so hard and so true.

This issue is supposed to explain Bane's plan, right? It doesn't. It just tells the reader what he did up to the wedding. Which is new information, technically, but all it does is tie events together by just saying "Bane Dun Did It". This plan makes sense if Bane is omniscient. There's understanding your enemy and there's... this. It's too absurd. This is the same trap Heroes in Crisis fell into. Where the grand plan is so absurd and convoluted that it's ridiculous. At least there Wally didn't rely, multiple times, on people acting exactly as he thought they would. Once? That's okay, but this happens so many times. Thanks for a recap that barely explains the how besides a loose string tying stories together. Oh, and we still don't know how Batdad is alive or why he's being such a dick. He just is.

EDIT: Forgot to mention The Gift plot hole. That story was seared into my brain by its awfulness. So the fact that Tom King can't even keep it straight is maddening. That story was so trash. #Parents'AnniversaryOrBruce'sBirthday?

EDIT 2: I'd also like to point out that the CIA has a history of plotting absurd schemes that fail spectacularly. Just look at the many botched assassination attempts on Fidel Castro during his Cuban presidency. Tom King is ex-CIA indeed. more

I am without words. This story will be remembered for many years to come, and I can only be happy that I am present to see it through.

My only complaint would be its lack of mentioning Jor-El/Mr Oz at all. They probably won't due to Bendis using him for his Superman run, but I can only hope.

This makes me want to read Priest's Deathstroke run. He nailed all of the characters and how they interact with each other. I especially enjoyed Doctor Light, Sinestro, and Brainiac's dialogue throughout the issue.

A wonderful segway into Snyder's "JL DoomWar" storyline. Jimenez knocks it out of the park with the page featuring Clark alongside both Jonathans. I hope that Luthor isn't a human/martian hybrid because it defeats the purpose of his character. I had the same problem with Omega-Luthor back in Darkseid War, but I trust Snyder will handle the concept better.

Very enjoyable but I would've preferred if the ALE infection was only spread through technology and not traditional "zombie-bites".

More filler, with Flashpoint Bats explaining Bane's plan for all the meatheads who read this garbage run (including me).

THE GOOD:

-The art is still fantastic, surprisingly enough. I love how Brad Walker draws Doctor Phosphorus.

-This issue fixes the pacing issue of the previous two issues. It's not rushed and thankfully it doesn't slow down so much that it becomes boring. Just the right pace.

-Damian is still the best here. Funny, badass, just everything.

-The Robinsignal was just really cool, especially how they executed it.

-The dialogue is great here. Tomasi knows how to write Batman and co.

THE BAD:

-So… we get the identity of Arkham Knight… and I dunno. It seems overhyped to say the least. If this were a completely different and new mystery villain, nobody would give a shit about their identity, and maybe then I wouldn't be so let down. It seems kind of random, and that last page was really rushed. more

this run continues to be very enjoyable and fun.
i cannot praise it enough.

i am really glad the Arkham Knight wasn’t who i thought it was.
(((SPOILER)))and no, i didn’t think that it was Jason Todd.(((END SPOILER)))

i really loved Damian’s response to learning who the Arkham Knight’s identity was,
as well as his taunts to the Arkham Knight’s zealots.

i really enjoy how Peter Tomasi write’s Batman dialog as he deduces and detects.
his dialog for Bruce & Damian continues to be pitch perfect. i really like how both characters are written to be very cerebral, logical, and of high intelligence. as they should be.
it was excellent to see Tomasi show how gifted and artist Damian Wayne is, as he had previously established in his New52 Batman&Robin run. this definitely feels like a nice continuation of that run. definitely points to Tomasi for keeping continuity and consistency from what he’s written before. i even enjoyed the casual nod to Damian's formal introduction in Grant Morrison's Batman run, to which Tomasi was the editor of.

another thing thing i’m also absolutely loving in this story-arc is the art.
it’s cartoonish, but has a nice rendering and high detail. it also continues to be very dynamic and action packed.

one thing i will say about the Arkham Knight and Zealots, is they are truly NUTS!
i appreciated the reveal to who the Knight's identity is.
((((MINOR SPOILER))))((((MINOR SPOILER))))((((MINOR SPOILER))))
((((MINOR SPOILER))))if you've read Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum, you get the significance of the Arkham Knight's heritage.((((END MINOR SPOILER))))((((END MINOR SPOILER))))((((END MINOR SPOILER))))

if you haven’t checked out this run yet, you really should. more

Great first issue. The ending was fun& all characters were in character.


MAJOR SPOILER WARNING!!!

Even so Darkseid was killed in the first issue& that was, what made me skeptical from the beginning I could enjoy this issue. It’s an Elseworld after all.
Tom Taylor does a great job portraying Darkseid and Desaad. Their scenes together felt like good old Pre52 times, when their characters still were done justice. What of course leads to the question, why doesn’t DC always do that.
I think the explanation of the virus as one of Darkseid‘s and Desaads „inventions“ gone wrong make a lot of sense& Taylor got the Anti Life Equation& what it means right so far. The virus spreading through social media is also an interesting idea.
The ending with Batman and the Robins was just cool& I’m hyped for next issue, which probably will be painful as well.
Since Desaad was the only one immune to the disease I’m wondering or rather hoping, that he still is alive by escaping Apokolips, since an immunity is a chance to develop an antidote ( If that is even possible).

SPOILER ENDING


Definitely a must read this week.

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WOW!!! this comic drew me RIGHT in!!
the comic started really action packed and adrenaline fueled.
the art is incredibly dynamic, the panels are nicely paced, and the story INTENSE!!
most importantly i am enjoying the HELL out of this version of Batman!
if ever there were a crisis, THIS is the guy i'd want watching my back!

not a lot of info is given able the Arkham Knight,
but he made a great entrance and i am intrigued!

an absolutely WONDERFUL moment between Batman and Jim Gordon.
THIS is the relationship between these two that i want to see.

i absolutely LOVE Tomasi's version of Alfred!
his sarcastic wit is spot on!
loved his response to Commissioner Gordon through the Batmobile!

VERY happy to see Damian in action!
Tomasi writes one of the best versions of Damian Wayne, right next to Grant Morrison.
it's been far too long since we've seen Damian's dog Titus. very welcome indeed!

the cliffhanger has me on pins and needles for the next issue!
i have a feeling i know who the Arkham Knight is, but really i hope i'm wrong! more

I am proud to say that Tomasi has been on a streak since 2016 and I'm loving it!

I really hope that it's not Jason Todd under the mask.

Tom King doesn't know how to create.

he has no idea how to inspire.

all he knows how to do is to destroy.

Character Assasination 101.

The only reason I bought this crap is so I can say I have the issue that ended Tom King's career.

I don't care if he wrote "Mister Miracle". I don't care if he wrote "Omega Men" or "Vision". I have never been this mad about a comic since "Cry for Justice" came out.

It hurts me to say that I'm still going to buy the next issue.

Thanks for killing Rebirth King and DiDio! more

From Bat-Mite to the "Source-Raptor", my god I loved this issue.

This might sound strange as a comic reader, but I have absolutely no problem with info/exposition dumps; so Snyder and Tynion can unload as much as they want for all I care.

Though I prefer the Morrison origin of the Multiverse with the Overmonitor and Mandrakk, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed what Snyder presents in his own lore.

As stated by Darkseid24, I do wish that the New Gods could have been incorporated more (with their connection to the Source and all), but I don't think that the story suffered at all from their absence.

I do wonder how The Source factors in power against Perpetua and this new race of "Super-Celestials".

Overall, this was a nice comic IMO. more

Awful issue. Does King ever research the characters he is writing or does he just force his story on them? I’d say the latter.
The nightmares Bruce is having, turn out to be a fear gas illusion indeed as it was mentioned some issues ago. However two things are really wrong here: Normally Batman can only overcome the fear gas by either facing his fears or enduring them until the fear gas wears off. Sometimes he realizes it’s just an illusion& he can overcome his fears. In King‘s story it is stated, that Batman can overcome them, if he is just afraid enough, what actually contradicts every Scarecrow story ever written. The worst fear usually destroys people& that’s why Batman is so special, because he can deal with his fears. A fear gas illusion also doesn’t let its victim enjoy some beauty moments as it was shown in nightmares ( dreams would fit better), it induces Fear or forces its victim to revisit traumas. King must have never read one single Scarecrow story.
Secondly his worst fear is Catwoman or rather because she left him& I can only face palm. King continues to portray Bruce as an average guy, who is obsessed with his girlfriend. But that’s not what Bruce or Batman is about. Selina is one of his major love interests, but breaking up with her would never effect him so much. Apparently King doesn’t know, that they have an on off relationship. So this feels like bad fanfiction.
What really made me laugh was the way Bane is portrayed here. Training with Thomas sounded more like they did some sex games, since Bane was completely nude. Only makes his character look bad, but doesn’t have any purpose. Unless Bane& Thomas suddenly have a gay relationship.
King also gives zero explanation about why Thomas is even in this timeline. It makes zero sense& his team up with Bane makes even lesser sense. It’s like bad fanfiction again.
With the fear gas mentioned, I hope Scarecrow is spared from King’s terrible writing in the upcoming issue.
Batman 69 is a disaster in so many ways. A shame, that the art gets wasted for this train wreck of a story. Sad, I had hopes here...

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really enjoyed this issue.
great dialog, fast paced story, plenty of action, and an intriguing mystery.

Tomasi really gets Bruce. his voice, his mannerisms, his ethics, how he handles himself in situations.
the interactions between Bruce and Gordon were short but effective. you could feel the weight between these two as brothers at arms.
the interactions between Bruce and Alfred were strong as well. two people faced with a conflict, handling themselves the best they can under the given situation.

the Arkham knight had a very strong entrance.
not much yet revealed, but very compelled to see where this goes.

one thing i was thrilled at was the removal of the new52's handling of the Man-Bat family.
this feels more true to the characters as first introduced.

the art was a real delight as well.
very animated cartoonish style, with just the right amount of detail.

good start to the second arc. more