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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very enjoyable 3-star book. I don’t think I’ll come across an in-canon Batman book that really gives me what I want, which is disappointing, but as far as exciting blockbuster reads go, this fits the bill better than most. Jimenez’s art is as bombastic as ever, and I’m so glad he stayed on. His work is excellent; sharp and aggressive and sleek all at once, exactly how a Batman book should be. And Morey’s colors only make it better by bringing out the momentum of Jimenez’s propulsive action. I could’ve gone from more choreography in the action, but the brawler approach Jimenez uses works.
Zdarsky’s scripts are also good but in a forgettable, popcorn-movie sorta way. You can tell he gets Batman, but his storytelling here is too big for my tastes and even crosses over into anime territory in terms of how elevated it becomes. And it’s fun, definitely, but its attempts at interrogating who Batman is are mostly lukewarm attempts at novelty, so they end up feeling more shallow than not. Still, I’m interested to see where Zdarsky takes things from here, and his track record is strong enough that he might even surprise me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Death, Blood
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Usually when I read anything DC, it's whatever strikes my fancy because I don't follow DC religiously. I just know major plot and character beats from pop culture/comics osmosis. I understood some of the plot call backs here, especially to the idea that Batman knew exactly how to take down every member of the Justice League...not sure I liked how it played out here. While the beginning was incredibly strong, the reason for Failsafe being fully activated this time was lame, and it got waaaay too over the top after a while. I'm not sure I even understood WTF the point of this story arc was supposed to be by the end.
Jiménez's art is fucking KILLER, though. Just fantastic all around.
Jiménez's art is fucking KILLER, though. Just fantastic all around.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
So Batman's failsafe for possibly going bad is to make something that will destroy everything he loves just to stop him? What?
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What an arc. This was fantastic seeing how Bruce changed in the past and even in the present is fascinating. I think the character writing is insanely strong. The cliffhanger ending in the main plot and "I am the gun" storyline is absolutely fantastic. Beautiful art as well. I adored it
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes