The book was okay. Nothing to get excited about. I do hope that Babs is not a part of it for long. I totally dislike her character or them as a couple. I've always thought they fit better as sort of brother sister team rather then a couple. I found the whole Alfred being super rich and leaving his money to Dick unbelievable. If the was to leave his money to any of them I feel it would've been Jason. The son that seems to get crapped on by every other bat family member. Alfred seemed to be the only one that accepted Jason for who he was. And rightly blamed Bruce for Jason going the route he did. So I don;t feel he would leave every thing to Dick. more

I know Tom Taylor fans will be in awe of this but I find his writing more and more juvenile as years pass by. Plus some decisions and lines here are completely wrong. "Bruce may feel you should only be a hero when wearing a costume". Really? Dude has pomped a whole lot of money into Gotham, he's no.1 philanthropist, he's helped people by playing stupid in his Bruce Wayne identity whenever it was an incident near him. From where did Taylor come with this stupid notion that Bruce only helps as the Bat? And Alfred leaving his whole fortune ONLY TO GRAYSON? What about Jason, Tim or Damian? One thing I always loved about Alfred is that he didn't play favorites with the Robins, he cared about them all in a unique way. Doesn't really sound like him to give his fortune only to one of them and leave the rest in the wind. But hey, it's Tom Taylor, he doesn't think about these things very much. Redondo's art is very dynamic, it's a shame that the writing does him no favors. more

Ahh now I get it. Cat was pushed to the side ( Still PO'd about that ) so Bat and Ghost can have a bro-mance. Bat-Go

The future state concept didn't really interest me so I can't say this issue was any better with it going back to how it began. At least that is the vibe that is being put out there about where this is all heading to. I got enough of this type of story over the years with Marvel and it's humans vs mutants crap. I'm really not interested in DC version of it.

Damian running home to his mother was a let down. I was hoping for a stronger Damien in the background doing what he does and figuring out who he wants to be without everyone else. Instead he just runs home to mommy. I can understand her disappointment in him. And I'm not a fan of Talia or her father.

I did like and find it funny that Harley is chasing after Bat-Go trying to be good and help them take down bad guys. Love the way she was drawn. The art was pretty well done in this book.
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The art was some of the worst drawing I've ever seen !!! I think a toddler could've drawn it better while wearing a blindfold. Good lord it was bad. As for the story it was nothing new or fresh but I guess it was just barely passingly okay-ish. Totally forgettable and not worth the added price or of being an annual but it is what it is. If it was possible to return this comic for a refund I so would though. more

Bad story, worse art, bored to death, without pain or glory.

I liked this issue however it would have been nice to have had some of Bruce and Damian actually talking. Another thing that annoyed me a bit was the once again having Bat thinking how he would never ever hit one of his kids. Right he would never do that except when he does. Tim getting hit in Kings run was not the first time Bat hit one of his kids. Nor even the first time he hit Tim out of anger. While I'm whole heartedly against such acts of abuse, I don't get why everyone is acting like this is out of character for or the first time ever for Bruce to have done that.

I do have to say I like the story so far with Hush but I feel it should be drawn out longer. It would've been nice to have had it been more mysterious. Maybe have Bat and Damian really have to work to find out who took the family. I like it best when there are twist and turns and it's not clear who is doing what. Batman is a detective so let him detect. lol

The art work is good. I didn't like the cover though. more

Gorgeous art and fantastic writing.

This issue is the very definition of story-telling that treads water. All we learn is what we know - Ghostmaker is a former "schoolmate" of Batman and they had a deal that Ghostmaker is now breaking. The deal? They keep out of each other's way. Oh, and Bruce apparently misses his old friend. Well, politics will do that.

Clownkiller still wants to kill Harley, and We now know that Oracle is called Batgirl Prime and Steph and Cassie are "The Batgirls."

We do see that Ghostmaker is scaring the crooks into giving themselves up and returned Mr. Pyg to Arkham. He was free for eight months. That really does make him better than Bruce at fighting crime. Pyg is a dangerous mass murderer (and frankly, a boring "gimmick" villain who shocks only because of his body count. I maintain that's not a good character.) Will Bruce say he knew where Pyg was, but needed him free to stop someone from stealing the election or selling nukes to some hostile power? Because letting a monster like that roam is just a bridge too far. If he didn't know where Pyg was, then Ghostie is better.

The whole issue ends with Clownkiller about to kill a tied up Harley. We get the sense that she helped kill people he cared about, and that's the problem with Harley. Her body count is problematic when trying to make her a hero for the kids.

We are pretty much right where we were last issue, but $4 poorer. That's not good story telling. Not a fan of this issue.

Or I could be wrong. more

Well, this issue seemed like it suffered from all the problems a bi-weekly schedule can bring to a comic. First, hardly anything happens. We get more context as to who Ghost-Maker is, but it's nothing that really changes anything we don't already know about the character. It feels like pointless additions. Second, the art is just all over the place. There are four artists on this one issue, and none of them are particularly good. It's just so clear that Tynion had to stretch this arc out and I have no idea why that's even the case. This story is just that barebones. This is mediocrity in spades. more

Boring and trite story. The art though is the worst part of the issue. I don't get this whole idea about having multiple artist on one issue. If it was a special issue okay fine but this is just a regular issue so why????? And more importantly why such diverse artists? If you are going to have different artist work on a issue together why not get ones that work complements each others work rather then be so different from each other that it just leaves the book looking like a hot mess? This book was a mess. The art was terrible. The only thing I can honestly say about the issue that I liked was how Ghost Maker and Bruce's relationship played out. I have to say from the looks of it GM is the far better Batman. He gets things done. I think he would make for a great stand alone comic series. I would buy it. As for Clownhunter, he started out as a possibly interesting character but is quickly becoming annoying and too one sided of a character. He needs to either grow some depth as a character or just go period. more

Batman and Ghost Maker got that shounen rivalry. Soon they'll be screaming:

Ghost Maker: BRUCEEEEEEEEEE!!

Batman: GHOST MAKERRRRRRR!!

Apparently this is what we see from Tynion stagnates, advances a little, stagnates, advances a little. Not as bad as Joker War but I feel like I'm losing interest in this story.

Writer: "I have this great pitch, ready? Red Hood meets Luke Cage!"

I know its a new direction but it feels disconnected from the rest of the Red Hood series. We're introduced a ton of new characters but don't really get a chance to understand who they are or what their purpose is. Jason might as well be a guest star since he gets very little focus.

Art is a bit rough and they need to stop drawing Jay exactly like Bruce. Up until the phone call I couldn’t tell the difference.
Overall, I like that this issue grounded Jason by bringing him back to street level and dealing with gangs in the Urban Area of a new section in Gotham called 'The Hill', but I'm weary if this tone and style fits the character. more

I enjoyed this run and hope to see more of these characters

I loved the story. It's great to have Dick back finally but let's not make him into another Batman. Breaking up Dick and Bea was lame. That whole I can't be with someone because it puts them in danger crap is just too over done. And rather then noble or selfless it just makes the character look weak, stupid and selfish. I'm a hero and can save the world but not someone I care about. Weak! Lame! We love each other but my life is just to dangerous so we have to break up. But not of course before you get that person to fall in love with you first. So is the hero just to stupid to see the danger before hand or to selfish to care until that person is put in danger?
This is one thing about Marvel comics I've always liked better then DC, Marvel lets the characters have love lives and marriages. Their writers must be better or more emotional stable because they don't seem to have any problems writing interesting stories with couples. more

This issue sucked. The art was awful. The story bad and not even remotely interesting. The new characters are stupid. I was worried that this comic was going to end like a bunch of others are but now after reading this issue I think that it ending it would have been a blessing if this is where the story is going to take us. Between the art work and the story it's a toss up as to what is worse. As it stands right now I'm not looking forward to the next issue at all. This is crap more

I love Red Hood and I thought Lobdell would do really disastrous things at times, but I didn't like this issue because it's not about Jason, they focus on a group of gang members and put Jason as filler in his own series and this stinks.

Batman 101.........This one is kind of hard to rate. There is a lot of things I liked about it and probably equally a lot of things I didn't like about it.

I liked .....

For the most part I liked the art work. I did think Batman was drawn way to old looking and at times looked like he was Thomas rather then Bruce. He even had the spiked shoulders at times.

I liked the fight with Grifter. He was a great character from Wildcats.

I liked the talking. It's nice to have characters actually interact with each other.

It was nice to have this issue be about the aftermath of the Joker war. Which honestly I thought would have been so much better then it was. The idea of it was sound but the execution fell flat. So much could have happened with it. It had the potential to have been epic.

Now what I didn't like about it.......

The biggest thing that I hated about this issue was the Bat/Cat break up. Seriously!!! Again!!??!! I love this couple. I have read/collected DC for 45 years faithfully. Through all the really stupid things they have done with the characters. I get almost every series they have on going monthly as well as mini series that deal with anything Bat family or Superman related. But for the very first time ever I am seriously thinking of dropping them all and going all Marvel. I am so tired of DC constantly screwing with Bat/Cat's relationship. They are an exciting, passionate couple. And they are fun and funny. I love how sarcastic and playful she is compared to his stoic personality. And right now I feel like once again DC has slapped us fans in the face again with a hint of a promise of them being together only to rip them apart. I've had it. I'm really considering dropping all of DC.

The way that Bat and Cat are breaking up makes no sense at all. Just a few issues back he was saying if she would just stay with him they would find their way through all of this and now he needs time and space to what get his bats all in a row? Right because having a solid support system when making major life decisions is to hard to deal with. And what about the fact that because of her saving his fortune and cutting the funding to the bad guys to help him, Selina now has a huge target on her back ? This is the woman you love and people want her dead and he's like yeah so I've got to figure out what this whole being alone but not being alone thing is all about so umm good luck with your bad guy problem. Hope it all works out for you and all. I need to be alone now. So he's fine with people being out to probably try to kill her??? The worst part about all this you know what will happen next. He'll take up with someone new and break her heart or she will do something stupid because she's hurting over missing him and that will be the end of them. Just like in the past. Until a new rebirth comes around and then it will start all over again.

Another thing I don't like is the whole Wayne fortune thing. It doesn't make any sense. So he's just going to let Lucius keep the money? And how is that supposed to work? Wouldn't suddenly having all that money put Lucius on the radar of the people watching Bruce? Wouldn't that make it look like Bruce as even more to hide? I don't mind a leaner Batman but it should be because the Joker spent it up rather then this way. This way is stupid.

I also don't like the whole I'm going to need to learn to do things differently part. He wont kill so how is it going to be any different then before. Catch and escape and repeat basically. So what is going to be different there? Yes he wont have the money to do as he did before but really other than that how is anything going to change?

And the last thing that bugs me is Batman's look in this issue. What is with the spiked shoulders? That looked stupid on Thomas and looks even more so on Bruce.

So my rating for this book falls at a 5 out of 10 more

A number where NOTHING HAPPENS AGAIN.

Tynion is selling us the Cat and Bat series, just that, again DC is afraid that his characters advance. When do you plan to marry Bruce when she is 80 years old? or he will definitely remain an immature bachelor who cries for attention over and over again.

The attempt at status Quo is like Marvel's Civil War or the persecution of the Mutants in X-Men.
This issue have a lot of inconsistency, it is sad to see how Batman listens better to HIS ENEMIES than to his allies, from UNDER THE HOOD, JASON LET HIM KNOW THAT HIS METHODS WERE A FAILURE, it is logical that everything collapses, the twist of seeing a Batman having to start from almost zero is interesting, that is the only thing but it was seen.

What's ridiculous is the spikes he wears on his shoulders just like Thomas Wayne's Batman, THE MAN WHO KILLED ALFRED TOGETHER WITH BANE. I just hope Tynion doesn't surprise us that Clownhunter is his new Robin PLEASE THERE ARE ALREADY MANY COPIES OF JASON TODD

Unfortunately it seems that this is what Tynion does, he starts off on the right foot and then comes to nothing. It is not known how Batman or Bruce fixed so many faults with her family, it was only to use Dick as a magic wand. We know that the altercation with Damian will come, I hope the child takes up the mantle of Robin, he is still too young for another identity and replace him with another Robin. Not so bad if she replaces her with Catwoman, but that would only make her a worse father for my liking, let's take the son out of the formula when a new partner arrives, that sucks.

However I will give you the benefit of the doubt. I know they will disappoint me. more

It is a good fallout issue to an event I really didn't care about. But that is fine. It is not bad, the writing is solid and art nice. This means a new change to Gotham but unfortunately we don't see it yet.

So this is once again one of these issues where only the next one will tell how good this is. But I'm very glad there is not a breakup or anything between Selina and Bruce.

Things about this issue I didn't like......

What about the Bruce Wayne investigation ? Is that all there is to it? It would be nice to have this continue on for a bit. It could be interesting to have Bruce have to fight to reclaim not just his money but his standing in Gotham.

Why is Catwoman just watching?????

How did the Joker reanimate the dead????

What about all the movie theaters? What had Joker planned with those? Punchline left us with the hint that the Joker had more planned before he was stopped. Did that involve the theaters? That line where the Joker said he only it to irritate Batman would have worked just as well with him having only done it at the one Bruce had gone to. Doing it all across town seemed over kill. And would take a hell of a lot of time. Digging up all the bodies. Moving them around. Animating them. Setting up the theaters. Come on there should have been more to that.

This one really ticket me off seeing. Bullock throwing his gun down in anger. Cops depend on those to help keep them alive. They would not do something that could damage their guns. No cop would throw his gun down unless forced to.

Too many people know Bruce Wayne is Batman. It is getting ridiculous and unbelievable. I mean really all these people know and it still hasn't come out publically?

This arc had a lot of build up but the ending was not all that it could've been. The Joker had all of Bat's toys. The fight should've been epic!!! But instead it wasn't. When people look back on this story arc Jokers speeches are more likely to be remembered then the actual fight. That's sad.

I don't like the Clown Hunter character but I did like Bao's character. He should become a Robin. I think that could be interesting.


Things I liked.....

I enjoyed getting to know how the Joker views Gotham and Batman's role in it. I know a lot of people see it being written as political but I don't think that kind of thought was really put into it. I see it as only a major nut case giving voice to how he see the town being. I think some readers want to put to much into it in that regard.

I love Harley's role in this arc. She should become a member of the bat family. I like how she and Batman interact together. As well as her team ups with Catwoman.

I loved how the Joker called the kids Bruce's weird little orphans he collects. Too funny.

I liked the look of the Ghost Maker. Love that he has swords.

Loved that Barbara was back as Oracle. I hope she stays Oracle. I've never liked her as Batgirl. I think Cassie should be Batgirl. She's Bruce's kid. Still have no use for Spoiler. She could be killed off anytime and I doubt anyone would care or miss her.

Over all I give this story a 6 out of 10. more

I don’t know how to describe this whole arc. I don’t even know what happened in this story. There is NOTHING in this f**king Joker War.

Total waste of time, money and the energy it took to read!!!!! The art was pretty good though so for that alone it is worth a 1 otherwise if it was possible to rate this book in negative numbers I would.

Tomasi / Blowback - This story was good. Art was great
Bendis / The Master Class - This story was good but could've used with a bit more humor added in. But it was great to have the gang all together. Great art work.
Fraction / Many Happy Returns - This one was good but could've been better. The art was mediocre at best.
Rucka /Rookie - Long and boring. Art sucked
Tynion / Ghost Story - This one is okay. The art was really bad
DeConnick / Fore - Okay but greatly forgettable. Art was great
Wolfman / Odyssey - Story was a waste of time. Art was okay
Morrison / Detective #26 - Dumb story with bad art work
King / Legacy - The story was good but could've been better. The art work is awful.
Snyder / As Always - Interesting story and good art.
Jurgens / Generations - Okay but not a complete story. Art was good
Tamaki / A Gift - Okay but forgettable. Art could've used with some more work on it


Over all it wasn't worth the price I paid for it. more

Tim was Robin for 20 years, he is too old to be the wonder boy, he is already an adult he should have his own identity, be his own hero, one that is already equal to nightwing, red hood and even batman, he is no longer a sidekick, he is no longer a child

Well, it seems like this volume has been pointless. Never is that more exemplified than by that throwaway line at the end of the issue that gets rid of the Drake costume and codename.

There is absolutely NOTHING good about this issue. The story sucked. The art was beyond awful and the dialogue was just endless droning on about nothing of interest. Too much of Spoiler. The one and only time I like Steph was when she was Robin for a few issues. Okay I was wrong there is one thing about this issue that was great. Tim is no longer styling a UPS driver costume or calling himself a male duck. Yay!!!!!!!! While I don't really want him to be Robin again, he's to old to be wearing that costume and not coming across as looking either very immature or like a possible future child molester. That custome is better on a much younger character. It would have been nice to have been told why Tim is Robin again and how he feels about it. That is so annoying. Once in awhile it's nice to get into some character depth and growth. more

This story is just lame and the art is awful. What is with the drawing Selina looking like she has only one boob?

I found the story to be okay but rather dull. The artwork just plain sucked!!! In one panel it looked like Catwoman had just one huge boob. And the faces she kept making were stupid looking. I hope this artist is not sticking around past this arc.

I enjoyed reading this issue for many reasons. I did have a few minor issues with it but over all I liked it.

THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THE ISSUE..........

1. The dialogue between Bat/Cat was emotional and beautiful. I loved it !!!

2. I love that now the Joker has all of Batman's money, toys and even the cave. If written right this could make for a very fun and interesting story. I think it could be cool to have Batman stripped of everything for a while.

3. I liked that the whole Gotham story was rooted back to his nightmares of a darker Gotham and that he let Alfred believe otherwise. That made far more sense then having Bruce drawing pictures of a better Gotham.


THINGS I LIKED ABOUT THE ISSUE........

1. I liked that Fox doesn't want to fill in Alfred's role. Though I did enjoy the word play between him and Batman in past issues, he just doesn't fit the role. I think Fox summed it up perfectly when he said why he would no longer do it.

2. I'm glad the Designer turned out to be the Joker. I had a feeling he was.

3. It's cool that Bat was trained by the detective that the Designer battled against. Though those pages could've used with a bit tighter writing and well less pages/panels.

4. I like how it appeared that Slade may have been considering helping Batman to save his city. I hope that Slade does have more of a role in the story arc yet to play. It would be fun. And I think Slade against the Joke would make for a great story in his own series.


THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT THE ISSUE.........

1. The interaction between Joker and Punchline. It seems like they want to make her as crazy as Joker. The character of Jokers Daughter pretty much covers that so we really don't need just another Joker. If she's going to work she needs to have her own personality and self image. Right now she doesn't and that could break the character before she even gets started. Harley worked because she was kind of lost and innocent under it all. Plus she was so in love with the joker she would do anything to please him and win his favor.

2. Another thing about Punchline.... I don't really like her looks. The costume is fine. It's the face make up that makes her look stupid. I do feel that DC is some what trying for another Harley but at the same time someone to be crazier and more evil then Harley. So she could be a hit if played right. I can say another thing I don't like is her name. Punchline. A punchline is part of a joke so calling herself Punchline is in fact caller herself a joke. I for one hope the character doesn't end up a bad joke. I know some people out there will argue that Punchline is a perfect name to pair up with Joker. But it's not! Joker isn't a joke. He's a homicidal maniac who believes life, death and all that stands in between is a joke and he is the ultimate deliverer of Jokes. Same with a Harlequin. Though not so much Harley Quinn. While she has no problem with killing she doesn't have the desire to just kill everyone. So anyway I think some more thought could've been used on the name of Punchline. But this is just my thoughts on it all

3. This does feel a little to much like another break the Bat and build him back up story line. I hope that won't be the case. Bruce can be broke (poor) and not be broken.

4. I also did not like the artwork for the back story pages. Bruce looks like a dumb jock type character. more