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geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
'Batman & The Signal' by Scott Snyder and Tony Patrick with art by Cully Hamner and Declan Shalvey takes the Duke Thomas character and makes him a hero. At least he's not another Robin.
He was never meant to be a Robin. Batman has been training Duke for something. Only Batman seemed to know what. He's been a decent enough support team member for the Batman team. Suddenly he seems to have meta powers and a new resolve to be the protector of Gotham during the day. He soon finds other metas that are strangely attracted to him, and he means to get to the bottom of things.
It's a book made up of the back up stories in All Star Batman. The stories are short chapters, and they are ok, but nothing really compelling. I did really like the art. It had a clean style that really appealed to me. I'm curious to see where they take this character, but I wish his debut as a hero had been a bit better.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
He was never meant to be a Robin. Batman has been training Duke for something. Only Batman seemed to know what. He's been a decent enough support team member for the Batman team. Suddenly he seems to have meta powers and a new resolve to be the protector of Gotham during the day. He soon finds other metas that are strangely attracted to him, and he means to get to the bottom of things.
It's a book made up of the back up stories in All Star Batman. The stories are short chapters, and they are ok, but nothing really compelling. I did really like the art. It had a clean style that really appealed to me. I'm curious to see where they take this character, but I wish his debut as a hero had been a bit better.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
unladylike's review against another edition
3.0
The majority of this trade is the "Wheel" storyline that I had read published elsewhere (in All-Star Batman and possibly another trade), and I found it to be frustratingly self-referential in that the Duke character's purpose and trajectory are a big mystery. After that long introduction, by the end of which Duke has been training and fighting alongside Batman for a whole year, he gets his own series, which is a measly three issues long. By the end of this collection, I was convinced Duke was going to get killed off and was only created to serve as a piece of the Metal puzzle Scott Snyder spent so much time building up to and masterminding.
daileyxplanet's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting look at Duke Thomas. I'm glad he's not just another Robin, plenty of those, but I'm not sure if I'm digging the Signal, yet.
starklinqs's review against another edition
4.0
What can I say I love Duke Thomas.
I do wish that this comic went into Duke’s power more - I didn’t read the Dark Days comic so I’m assuming I’m missing something there. I feel like I’m still confused on what exactly his powers are to begin with. But, I think having a daytime member of the batfamily is a great idea, and I wish DC utilized Duke more. He’s a great asset and he didn’t show up in the best arcs/era but he’s a wonderful character and I think brings a lot to the table!!
I do wish that this comic went into Duke’s power more - I didn’t read the Dark Days comic so I’m assuming I’m missing something there. I feel like I’m still confused on what exactly his powers are to begin with. But, I think having a daytime member of the batfamily is a great idea, and I wish DC utilized Duke more. He’s a great asset and he didn’t show up in the best arcs/era but he’s a wonderful character and I think brings a lot to the table!!
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
The newest addition to the Bat Family is Duke Thomas, who chooses the name The Signal as his nom de guerre. Like many trainees before him his parents have come to harm, this time poisoned into insanity by Joker venom. But Duke is different. He doesn't want to work in the shadows, but in the light of day. And he gets that okay from Batman to do so. He takes on the dayshift in Gotham. The writing was good. I really liked the character development. This volume of Batman was all about the new kid. And he carried it well.
I received a free electronic ARC of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Check out all my reviews on https://mrbsbookshelf.blogspot.com
I received a free electronic ARC of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Check out all my reviews on https://mrbsbookshelf.blogspot.com
luckyniko's review against another edition
4.0
I would probably die for Duke Thomas if left unattended.
He’s not a sidekick by the way so don’t consider him as such. Too bad DC hates black people and cut this run short.
He’s not a sidekick by the way so don’t consider him as such. Too bad DC hates black people and cut this run short.
llymrie77's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jordannedunn's review against another edition
4.0
First, a thank you to Edelweiss and DC Comics for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Duke is not a character I would ordinarily be interested by but he is an interesting lens through which to see the Bat Family – not mention he adds some much-needed diversity to the group.
Building on what Snyder started in his Batman series, Snyder & Patrick write a brilliant story in which they really showcase Duke and his unique set of skills. This book, whilst being called ‘Batman & the Signal’ (and featuring all the Bat-family members and some old favourites from We Are Robin) is really all Duke’s with Bruce playing much more of a supporting character role.
This story follows him as he helps to solve crimes with his mentor, whilst also trying to establish what sort of hero he is and what his place is within the larger group dynamic. This latter part is the central focus of the story and really endeared Duke to me as a character; his feelings of inadequacy and feeling the need to repeatedly prove his worth are ones many people can relate to and are showed brilliantly in his reflective style of narrative.
I especially like the art; the layout and design of the panels on every page alone is something to enjoy, but I also really enjoyed the black and yellow accented pieces and action scenes. I really like Duke’s costume design too, I think it fits perfectly with the corner of Gotham that he has carved out as his to protect.
Overall, I’d consider this a great jumping on point for anyone interesting in reading about Duke, the Bat-family or comics in general. That being said, though you don't have to have read We Are Robin prior to reading this (I haven't), I would recommend it as it will add a little more context.
Writing Quality – 7/10
Image/Illustration Quality – 8/10
Character Development – 9/10
Overall – 8/10
Find my full review on my blog, Bloodthirsty Little Beasts.
I really enjoyed this book. Duke is not a character I would ordinarily be interested by but he is an interesting lens through which to see the Bat Family – not mention he adds some much-needed diversity to the group.
Building on what Snyder started in his Batman series, Snyder & Patrick write a brilliant story in which they really showcase Duke and his unique set of skills. This book, whilst being called ‘Batman & the Signal’ (and featuring all the Bat-family members and some old favourites from We Are Robin) is really all Duke’s with Bruce playing much more of a supporting character role.
This story follows him as he helps to solve crimes with his mentor, whilst also trying to establish what sort of hero he is and what his place is within the larger group dynamic. This latter part is the central focus of the story and really endeared Duke to me as a character; his feelings of inadequacy and feeling the need to repeatedly prove his worth are ones many people can relate to and are showed brilliantly in his reflective style of narrative.
I especially like the art; the layout and design of the panels on every page alone is something to enjoy, but I also really enjoyed the black and yellow accented pieces and action scenes. I really like Duke’s costume design too, I think it fits perfectly with the corner of Gotham that he has carved out as his to protect.
Overall, I’d consider this a great jumping on point for anyone interesting in reading about Duke, the Bat-family or comics in general. That being said, though you don't have to have read We Are Robin prior to reading this (I haven't), I would recommend it as it will add a little more context.
Writing Quality – 7/10
Image/Illustration Quality – 8/10
Character Development – 9/10
Overall – 8/10
Find my full review on my blog, Bloodthirsty Little Beasts.