Close to perfect first issue.

Solid start. Beautiful art. The story doesn't give us a whole lot in terms of direction as there really isn't a villain present. It'll likely be a commentary on the current militarization of the police and extra-policing forces that have been deployed. Poignant. I'm for it. What really catches with this issue though is the levity. Batman needs that every once in a while. The color palette is used very well. It was amazing seeing Batman be an actual hero to civilians, and how the little girl lit up when she saw him before engaging Croc. Fraction is solid and I expect good things. 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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The best Supes comic out of what is already a solid line up.

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

HINT: If you read this week’s issue of SUPERMAN, issue 29, and then read this issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE, you’ll find it’s a one-two punch from Waid, Williamson and Mora that throws Superman and the JL into the next great Crisis that’s stemming from Darkseid, his Omega Energy, and his Absolute Legion! I’m rather surprised that DC has under-marketed this event for a change, instead of slapping big cross-over chapter numbering across both books. This issue of JLU is a nail-biter in itself throwing different JLU members in escalating peril, while Superman is himself under siege from the same threat over in his own book. Don’t miss out! The All-In fallout continues!
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The plot really does thicken, and escalates the stakes, with this issue. Has a bit of a “Yesterday’s Enterprise “ feel going for it, too. With the cliffhanger ending, this feels like it has the makings of the next big DCU crisis, one that will also pull in the Absolute universe! I’m very excited to see what happens next. Williamson and Mora once again prove to be an unbeatable team!

While I would not give this issue a 3/10 like Gabe Hernandez, I do understand Afre and Gabe Hernandez criticism. I get how this is good character development where there's no action and it's just Peter and MJ having a conversation with Gwen and Harry Osborn. The dialogue is good. But.... like Afre said, this is the 5th to last issue of the entire series. I predict that Hickman will probably have another series similar to how Bendis had Ultimate comics Spider-Man after his main Ultimate Spider-Man run.

But there are so many things that are either rushed or not brought up until recently. Peter's kid talking to Uncle Ben falls flat because I literally forgot about them. I forgot about J Jonah Jameson, and Mister Negative. Like what did Gwen say "That it only ends when we win?" I forgot about the importance of Gwen getting her amulet in ten days. What's up with Maybelle and Uncle Ben? And again, it's not good to compare og Ultimate Peter Parker to Hickman's Peter Parker because Bendis wrote that Peter Parker for a long time, while Hickman is writing Peter Parker for 1.5 years.. But bendis Peter Parker feels more developed if we compare Bendis writing Ultimate Spider-man for a year and a half.

It's not a bad comic. But it's just fine. And I can see why there is a vocal minority (myself included) that slowly find this a little bit dissapointing and frustrating. Peter Parker isn't the main character, a lot of things happen off-screen, and it just feels rushed. more

Waid rules.

Gabe watches Michael Bay films on loop.

The dynamic between these 4 central characters is absolutely magnificent.

They have the kind of character rapport that most writers would kill for.

The punch.

Magnificent. The best Marvel comic on the shelves and the best Spider-man since the previous Ultimate Spider-man. DC are absolutely trouncing Marvel in terms of quality- this is one of few runs Marvel has that can go toe to toe with DC Absolute. more

Just the dialogue alone makes this a 10 for me. I understand the people that don't enjoy the slow pacing tho.
I like it a lot.

I am tempted to give it a 9 to punch the series for ending.

Lemire is on such a tear right now. His fans are eating well currently.

2025 - the breakout year of Mr Terrific.

This saga continues to defy expectations both in the story and the artwork. I think this issue takes Bane’s 1993 origin story and expands and improves upon it in fresh new ways, while advancing the main story in scary and exciting ways as well. All of this leads to a shocking cliffhanger in the last 2 pages. This is Snyder’s magnum opus!

Comics don’t need to be saturated with words to be filled with emotion, love and hope. This issue is another triumph.

Slots love of Superman shines. You can tell writing Supes means everything to him. As such, his take of the character resonates with me greatly.

This issue was a fantastic rebound from the clunky art and storytelling of the previous Heat Wave issue. We get an intriguing origin for the Absolute Rogues that improves upon the classic DCU group, and still poses exciting details yet to come. Additionally, there’s new shades presented regarding Wally’s dad: he’s not quite the monster we were led to believe, and he too experiences betrayal. So nice to have this book back on track after the previous blip. more

Waaaay better than the last issue

The Taylor and Rucka stories were absolutely sensational both with art and writing! I liked the other stories quite a bit as well, considering I’m not a big fan of Watters or Tamaki. I was a bit underwhelmed by this anniversary issue compared to previous milestone centennial issues, where you’d often find additional pin-ups by great artists as well as an occasional essay or two. Still, a really really good read for fans old and new! more