Take a photo of a barcode or cover
99 reviews for:
Batwoman, Vol. 1: The Many Arms of Death
Stephanie Hans, Renato Arlem, Steve Epting, Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV
3.42 AVERAGE
99 reviews for:
Batwoman, Vol. 1: The Many Arms of Death
Stephanie Hans, Renato Arlem, Steve Epting, Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV
3.42 AVERAGE
jlewenda's review against another edition
1.0
Wow, really bad writing, a disjointed plot,and characters with little to no depth and no motivation.
If you haven't read previous Batwoman comics, then her character would be completely foreign to you. This is a weird and unsatisfying depiction of Kate Kane, and the way shows her queer identity is sexualised. We don't really need shots of her and her lover making out in their underwear to show she's gay.
If you want a good Batwoman story, read what Rucka and Williams wrote.
If you haven't read previous Batwoman comics, then her character would be completely foreign to you. This is a weird and unsatisfying depiction of Kate Kane, and the way shows her queer identity is sexualised. We don't really need shots of her and her lover making out in their underwear to show she's gay.
If you want a good Batwoman story, read what Rucka and Williams wrote.
iimacadam's review against another edition
1.0
READ a bunch of THE REVIEWS BEFORE BUYING THIS!! Pay attention to the consistent trends throughout them.
If only I'd paid more attention to the other reviews, they are so right: I wish I knew how to quit you, Kate! But maybe this drudgery has taught me how. I can't fathom why anyone would find this volume interesting. I read the whole thing in two days, which is not at all like me, because there was nothing here I cared to linger on; I flipped through as fast as I could read the text, eager to have it behind me.
It's the same old Batwoman formula: Cool character with so much potential, bold art, but empty stories that feel like a waste of time. Elegy was pretty good, but I regret sticking with the New 52 series as long as I did, and I regret giving the Rebirth series a chance. It's time to forget about Batwoman.
Some nice art though.
Just... why? What? Why? Another origin rehash, another dull monster story. Why this... slapped together dark incident from the past coming back to haunt Kate as she battles a slapped together big evil corporation with an evil agenda.
I said back around New 52 vol.2 that I should call it quits, but I stubbornly returned for a couple more tries. But now I'm done.
* * SPOILERS FROM HERE * *
Just to give a sampling of what this is like, here's how it begins.
Kate shows up in a market in Istanbul (I guess?) to capture a terrorist who's in the process of injecting himself with monster serum. He becomes a giant horrible monster. I don't know why... a monster rampage was how they planned to create the highest body count, which was their stated goal? Kate calls for backup... which arrives in the form of a motorcycle on autopilot, which she... rides around for a few panels, before grabbing a flaming lamp and tossing it at the monster... defeating it and causing it to resume human form. Yes, just like that. I'm not sure how effective their monster killing spree plot was going to be even if not prevented. But just as the de-monstered terrorist is starting to spill some beans, he's killed by a thrown knife... that could have just as easily been aimed at Kate... especially since it was thrown by the main antagonist for the rest of the story, who definitely does want to kill Kate, so why didn't she? Convenient. Why the big stupid monster in a bat-book? Why the momentary motorcycle antics? Maybe the artist just felt like drawing them that day, but it felt like nonsense. Then we got yet another fast-forward rehash of Kate's origin before the rest of the volume became... even less interesting than the direction it started with suggested it would be.
I'm often critical of comic books. I regularly give harsh (but honest) reviews, even though I don't like to. I end up disliking an unfortunate portion of the DC stuff I read. But it's rare that something feels like such empty and pointless drudgery that I'm left mostly just feeling like I want my money back.
If only I'd paid more attention to the other reviews, they are so right: I wish I knew how to quit you, Kate! But maybe this drudgery has taught me how. I can't fathom why anyone would find this volume interesting. I read the whole thing in two days, which is not at all like me, because there was nothing here I cared to linger on; I flipped through as fast as I could read the text, eager to have it behind me.
It's the same old Batwoman formula: Cool character with so much potential, bold art, but empty stories that feel like a waste of time. Elegy was pretty good, but I regret sticking with the New 52 series as long as I did, and I regret giving the Rebirth series a chance. It's time to forget about Batwoman.
Some nice art though.
Just... why? What? Why? Another origin rehash, another dull monster story. Why this... slapped together dark incident from the past coming back to haunt Kate as she battles a slapped together big evil corporation with an evil agenda.
I said back around New 52 vol.2 that I should call it quits, but I stubbornly returned for a couple more tries. But now I'm done.
* * SPOILERS FROM HERE * *
Just to give a sampling of what this is like, here's how it begins.
Kate shows up in a market in Istanbul (I guess?) to capture a terrorist who's in the process of injecting himself with monster serum. He becomes a giant horrible monster. I don't know why... a monster rampage was how they planned to create the highest body count, which was their stated goal? Kate calls for backup... which arrives in the form of a motorcycle on autopilot, which she... rides around for a few panels, before grabbing a flaming lamp and tossing it at the monster... defeating it and causing it to resume human form. Yes, just like that. I'm not sure how effective their monster killing spree plot was going to be even if not prevented. But just as the de-monstered terrorist is starting to spill some beans, he's killed by a thrown knife... that could have just as easily been aimed at Kate... especially since it was thrown by the main antagonist for the rest of the story, who definitely does want to kill Kate, so why didn't she? Convenient. Why the big stupid monster in a bat-book? Why the momentary motorcycle antics? Maybe the artist just felt like drawing them that day, but it felt like nonsense. Then we got yet another fast-forward rehash of Kate's origin before the rest of the volume became... even less interesting than the direction it started with suggested it would be.
I'm often critical of comic books. I regularly give harsh (but honest) reviews, even though I don't like to. I end up disliking an unfortunate portion of the DC stuff I read. But it's rare that something feels like such empty and pointless drudgery that I'm left mostly just feeling like I want my money back.
hybridplethora30's review against another edition
3.0
Read this review and more on my blog, uncovered-books.
I received a free copy of Batwoman Volume 1: The Many Arms Of Death from DC Comics in exchange for my honest opinion.
If Batman is too tame for you, then Batwoman will be right up your alley. Having not read about Batwoman before (apart from in the crossover event, Night Of The Monster Men), I found it very interesting how they managed to weave in her origin without making it purely an origin story.
Lets start with the art style. I have been constantly amazed by majority of the art style used in the DC Rebirth comics, and Batwoman took it to another level. At times it seemed to be like a better version of a watercolour painting, with things seamlessly blending together. The colours used complimented each other and Batwoman’s red hair did not overpower the panels.
The storyline was a tad hit-and-miss for me. Whilst I did enjoy reading about how and why Kate Kane decides to become Batwoman, the present day events surrounding the leftover Monster Venom is just confusing. Not much seemed to happen surrounding Batwoman finding the Monster Venom and what did occur seemed very anticlimactic compared to the history between the characters.
I suspect they story will just keep getting better from here, but worth the read just for the art work.
I received a free copy of Batwoman Volume 1: The Many Arms Of Death from DC Comics in exchange for my honest opinion.
If Batman is too tame for you, then Batwoman will be right up your alley. Having not read about Batwoman before (apart from in the crossover event, Night Of The Monster Men), I found it very interesting how they managed to weave in her origin without making it purely an origin story.
Lets start with the art style. I have been constantly amazed by majority of the art style used in the DC Rebirth comics, and Batwoman took it to another level. At times it seemed to be like a better version of a watercolour painting, with things seamlessly blending together. The colours used complimented each other and Batwoman’s red hair did not overpower the panels.
The storyline was a tad hit-and-miss for me. Whilst I did enjoy reading about how and why Kate Kane decides to become Batwoman, the present day events surrounding the leftover Monster Venom is just confusing. Not much seemed to happen surrounding Batwoman finding the Monster Venom and what did occur seemed very anticlimactic compared to the history between the characters.
I suspect they story will just keep getting better from here, but worth the read just for the art work.
stacyswirl's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't read any batman since her first book by Greg rucka. This book interested me primarily for Steve epting's art, the covers I'd seen were beautiful. We'll the art did not disappoint, at its best this was essentially Velvet dressed up in a batman costume. Gorgeous, striking, well laid out. The story was a bit confusing, with character relationships painted as being a huge driving force but that I did not fully understand. I don't think they were previously established characters and history from her book, but i can't really know. If they are, then this book majorly fails as a "rebirth good jumping on point". If they're not, then it just wasn't very adept at revealing information. But even if motivations and information was sometimes unclear, the book was still very strong. Kate Kane was well defined. And epting's art was great. Plus, the second to last issue, which did finally explain a bit of history, was by the amazing Stephenie Hans, rich and colorful and beautiful. The very last issue took place in a shitty future and had crappy art. I think it was part of a crossover event or something? I dunno, it was stupid and I hope it doesn't dominate future issues.
painterz's review against another edition
1.0
And here's the problem of following the wonderful Elegy with this. This had to at least be partially as good as Elegy, instead, terribly bland boring by the numbers story. Very disappointing.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
4.0
Strong diverse supporting cast. Love Julia Pennyworth.
Seriously, does she have her own book because she should.
Why this lacks the myth connection that consists in the Batwoman New 52, it is still a darn fine read. The focus on what makes Batwoman different from Batman is really good. (Though, how does everyone not know who Batman is at this point?)
Seriously, does she have her own book because she should.
Why this lacks the myth connection that consists in the Batwoman New 52, it is still a darn fine read. The focus on what makes Batwoman different from Batman is really good. (Though, how does everyone not know who Batman is at this point?)
katiedewing's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
4.0
botanyandbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I loved Batwoman in the past, but these Rebirth issues fall so short of how amazing she is. We deserve better.
arodplatypus's review against another edition
2.0
Some of the artwork was absolutely gorgeous, but I miss Rucka writing Batwoman. Rucka always manages to elevate the story, and this story could've used his touch. Basically a throwaway plot. I won't be picking up the next one, which is a crying shame because I love Batwoman and finally having a queer woman headlining her own comic.
scrooge3's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed how the story flipped back and forth between parallel events from the present and Batwoman's "lost year." It seemed a more literate structure than typical comics. But I never really got invested in Batwoman's life. The artwork was good, with a painted feel. I was a bit confused by the abrupt transition to issue #6 which apparently takes place in a weird dystopian future where Batman is apparently dead.
Note: I read this as individual comic book issues.
Note: I read this as individual comic book issues.