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mapatchli's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tabman678's review
3.0
While I enjoy Detective Comics with each trade that comes out I can’t always call it stellar. I think it’s good most of the time, great at moments, but just alright at other times.
Tim’s focus from the last volume is gone here. The focus is on the victim syndicate again with Clayface taking the latter half as well as the annual.
Kate’s dad shows up again and they play on Tim’s paranoia from last volume. The art is good though multiple artists take the job so it fluctuates a bit.
Tim doesn’t feel as well written and I think James Tynion IV is trying to challenge the idea of Super vigilantes and it’s been done before and better, and this just plays some of the same notes. And sympathetic characters turn evil just to be evil or because they were “hurt”. And it’s very heavy on dialogue which isn’t always good.
It kept me reading throughout but I rolled my eyes a few times as characters made certain decisions or said a certain thing that felt misplaced.
I’ve seen some of this before but this is fine.
3 stars.
Tim’s focus from the last volume is gone here. The focus is on the victim syndicate again with Clayface taking the latter half as well as the annual.
Kate’s dad shows up again and they play on Tim’s paranoia from last volume. The art is good though multiple artists take the job so it fluctuates a bit.
Tim doesn’t feel as well written and I think James Tynion IV is trying to challenge the idea of Super vigilantes and it’s been done before and better, and this just plays some of the same notes. And sympathetic characters turn evil just to be evil or because they were “hurt”. And it’s very heavy on dialogue which isn’t always good.
It kept me reading throughout but I rolled my eyes a few times as characters made certain decisions or said a certain thing that felt misplaced.
I’ve seen some of this before but this is fine.
3 stars.
birdmanseven's review
3.0
At this point there are just so many bat characters vying for a storyline that it's getting a little crowded.
We covered this run over on Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqROQ4MmBw&t=364s
We covered this run over on Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqROQ4MmBw&t=364s
doctorwoofwoof's review
4.0
OMG! Seriously?!? * one more time * OMG! That volume's ending was off the ever-lovin' Feels scale! I knew it was coming (Yaay! Browsin' on the interwebs!), but still, the death of [Spoiler] packed a lot of emotion as well as distaste towards [Spoiler - Part Deux] for not following B-Man's direction or that of the team as a whole!
And, I would like to correct my statement in the other two reviews, that this was the final book of Tynion's 'TEC run. There is, in fact, one last volume, VOL. 8: BATMAN ETERNAL, which I bought digitally the night before, and I will be tackling that one tonight in what has been a great ride, full of fun and excitement, helping to remind that Batman is still cool (despite all of Tom King's efforts)!
In my reviews, I always try to acknowledge the artist(s), whether good or not so good. In this case, there were two Joe Bennett (did the first couple of the arc), followed by Miguel Mendonça, winding down with Jesus Merina (he was on the finale issue of "Fall of the Batmen"), and finishing up with Philippe Briones (handled the epilogue issue, "Knights Fall"). Oh, and Eddy Barrows worked on the last book in this volume, DETECTIVE ANNUAL #2, which I skimmed over, as it was a retread of Clayface's origin/beginnings. But, yeah, those artists were on fire! Such grand attention to detail, facial expressions, and brilliant use of shadows! They are all names I will be keeping an eye out for going forward!
All in all, this was a truly memorable, and emotional, story arc. It was another winner for James Tynion IV, but come on, they were all winning arcs, as far as I'm concerned! And that, my loyal readers (are there really that many who genuinely follow my reviews? I dunno, but I am still going to go that phrasing), is that! Peace!
And, I would like to correct my statement in the other two reviews, that this was the final book of Tynion's 'TEC run. There is, in fact, one last volume, VOL. 8: BATMAN ETERNAL, which I bought digitally the night before, and I will be tackling that one tonight in what has been a great ride, full of fun and excitement, helping to remind that Batman is still cool (despite all of Tom King's efforts)!
In my reviews, I always try to acknowledge the artist(s), whether good or not so good. In this case, there were two Joe Bennett (did the first couple of the arc), followed by Miguel Mendonça, winding down with Jesus Merina (he was on the finale issue of "Fall of the Batmen"), and finishing up with Philippe Briones (handled the epilogue issue, "Knights Fall"). Oh, and Eddy Barrows worked on the last book in this volume, DETECTIVE ANNUAL #2, which I skimmed over, as it was a retread of Clayface's origin/beginnings. But, yeah, those artists were on fire! Such grand attention to detail, facial expressions, and brilliant use of shadows! They are all names I will be keeping an eye out for going forward!
All in all, this was a truly memorable, and emotional, story arc. It was another winner for James Tynion IV, but come on, they were all winning arcs, as far as I'm concerned! And that, my loyal readers (are there really that many who genuinely follow my reviews? I dunno, but I am still going to go that phrasing), is that! Peace!
saif42's review
3.0
It's getting little too relationship drama and not actually good enough. Fizzling a little from the explosive start this series had. Even the art is suffering a LOT, Robin's face is so contorted in some panels, it feels a bit rushed.
Still a great story but it's waning towards the end and losing its luster. I just hope it ends on a high note.
Still a great story but it's waning towards the end and losing its luster. I just hope it ends on a high note.
captwinghead's review
4.0
*Read as single issues*
This was also a wonderful volume.
I had been wondering when they'd give an arc to Clayface and this was it. I can certainly say that Tynion IV didn't waste it. Clayface is supposed to be that sad, Jekyll/Hyde-ish character that you always get on a team. With the Avengers, it was Hulk and for the "Knights" it was Clayface. Basil just wanted to atone for the damage he caused the world as Clayface and this was sort of him realizing he may never get to do that.
Again, I am forever bummed that we get Cass trying to connect and redeem a monster rather than the loving and supportive relationship she had with Bruce, Babs and Steph pre 52. I get what was done here for her to relate to Basil but it just doesn't do as much for me as I would have liked. That being sad, I felt bad for her at the end of this book.
There was an interesting dichotomy set up at the end of this book and I'll be interested to see if it carries over into the next volume. I wish I could speak to whether I understand Batman's actions in bringing Clayface on the team in the first place but I understand his treatment of Kate in this book. (Although, I can understand why she made the call she did).
So, this is definitely a recommend and I'm excited to see where the story goes next. Hopefully I'll get more Batwing and Azrael.
This was also a wonderful volume.
I had been wondering when they'd give an arc to Clayface and this was it. I can certainly say that Tynion IV didn't waste it. Clayface is supposed to be that sad, Jekyll/Hyde-ish character that you always get on a team. With the Avengers, it was Hulk and for the "Knights" it was Clayface. Basil just wanted to atone for the damage he caused the world as Clayface and this was sort of him realizing he may never get to do that.
Again, I am forever bummed that we get Cass trying to connect and redeem a monster rather than the loving and supportive relationship she had with Bruce, Babs and Steph pre 52. I get what was done here for her to relate to Basil but it just doesn't do as much for me as I would have liked. That being sad, I felt bad for her at the end of this book.
There was an interesting dichotomy set up at the end of this book and I'll be interested to see if it carries over into the next volume. I wish I could speak to whether I understand Batman's actions in bringing Clayface on the team in the first place but I understand his treatment of Kate in this book. (Although, I can understand why she made the call she did).
So, this is definitely a recommend and I'm excited to see where the story goes next. Hopefully I'll get more Batwing and Azrael.
enriquedcf's review
4.0
The work done in this run with Clayface has been very interesting, probably the best take on the character ever and how it develops in this arc is a show of Tynion's ability to break your heart while telling a rather usual superhero story. I'm really looking forward to the last volume to see how well he sticks the landing.
lillian_francis's review
4.0
This issue made me cry. If you've read it you'll know why.
I've hated Batwoman for the whole run, now I know why.
I've hated Batwoman for the whole run, now I know why.