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iffer's review
3.0
I'm still enjoying Detective Comics. Though it has its highs and lows, I've come to the point at which I trust James Tynion IV to write a solid story that I find entertaining that gets gritty but is still entertaining in the way that I'm looking for in my superhero comics. I enjoyed the appearance of Zatara, which reminded me that I want to go back and read the Paul Dini Z series. Although I normally find Azrael difficult to take seriously, I still enjoyed this TP.
jenniferlynnkrohn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
1.75
sodope's review
3.0
One of the weakest arcs in this series, Batman and one of his friends will try to stop the order of St. Dumas
19lindsey89's review
3.0
I just want Tim back! Is that too much to ask? And more Zatanna please!
The Detective Comics series gets harder for me to enjoy. For me, they are definitely hit or miss based on whose individual arc is being explored. I like characters such as Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Lucas Fox. But other characters like Clayface, Kate, Azrael I don't know enough about their pasts to find them engaging.
Azrael was the main focus of this volume, but I'm not familiar enough with his backstory to find it very compelling. And not enough information was given within the volume to give me a clear picture. The villain was pretty lackluster.
Batman doesn't have an active role in this series. He didn't help with Azrael. His only role seems to be bringing heroes together. Plus it is hard to see how the Detective Comics tie into the timeline of the Batman series.
The Detective Comics series gets harder for me to enjoy. For me, they are definitely hit or miss based on whose individual arc is being explored. I like characters such as Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Lucas Fox. But other characters like Clayface, Kate, Azrael I don't know enough about their pasts to find them engaging.
Azrael was the main focus of this volume, but I'm not familiar enough with his backstory to find it very compelling. And not enough information was given within the volume to give me a clear picture. The villain was pretty lackluster.
Batman doesn't have an active role in this series. He didn't help with Azrael. His only role seems to be bringing heroes together. Plus it is hard to see how the Detective Comics tie into the timeline of the Batman series.
angelwolf45's review
4.0
I enjoyed this graphic novel.
This continues Batmans story as he deals with all that he is dealing with.
I loved seeing all the characters doing what they do in this.
I liked that this had interesting magic through Zatanna. It was cool to see her help Batman.
I'm glad to read this book. Cant wait to see what happens next.
This continues Batmans story as he deals with all that he is dealing with.
I loved seeing all the characters doing what they do in this.
I liked that this had interesting magic through Zatanna. It was cool to see her help Batman.
I'm glad to read this book. Cant wait to see what happens next.
nathanaeljs's review
4.0
Confession time: Before picking up this series, I'd never really read anything with Azrael before. I was vaguely aware of him from the Arkham games and that was about it, so this series has definitely been a crash course in the character. So far, and especially in this volume, I'm finding him fairly fascinating. While my background in religion isn't nearly as apocalyptic or violent AI-driven vigilante-filled as Jean-Paul's, I can relate to emerging from a fundamentalist religious background and having to figure out how to live outside of that. Also, this volume has Zatanna and Zatanna is really cool.
amck's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
meetyouineveryplace's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.25
mapatchli's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
quirkycatsfatstacks's review
3.0
From the minds of James Tynion IV (Batman/TMNT), Eddy Barrows (Nightwing), and Alvardo Martinez (Batman Eternal) comes the fourth installment of the Batman: Detective Comics line. I know some people think that there are too many “bat” characters already, and while I don’t necessarily disagree with them, what’s done is done, and thus I’m happy for a series that actually takes time fleshing the lot of them out (or occasionally killing them off).
There are two main plots for this volume. The first is more of a one-shot story, as it’s only one issue long. However it is focusing on Stephanie and how she’s handling (spoiler warning) Tim Drake’s death. Hint: not well. To her credit, she tries to turn what happened into something positive, in a way. Instead of being a vigilante that takes all the crime fighting credit, Stephanie has become a silent crime fighting vigilante, one who makes sure the police take the credit. In this way she hopes to bring something good back to the city. I respect this so much. I hope this becomes a larger plot later, though I doubt it will.
The main plot is a bit more chaotic, to say the least. It revolves very heavily around Batman, Zatanna and a few others. I honestly think the Zatanna part of this plot was probably the most stable plot – the other part just left me confused and feeling rushed. Perhaps that’s my bias showing, as I quite like Zatanna (and seeing a teenage Zatanna was pretty cool). The confusing part focused around Azrael and events specific to him. I’m not sure what it was about this, but I had the hardest time keeping track of what was actually going on and why. So needless to say I didn’t get much satisfaction out of the ending. Oh well.
I find it interesting how they spent so much time in this issue building up Bruce Wayne and Zatanna’s relationship in this volume; especially considering what is going on with Catwoman in the main Batman series. This leaves me a bit confused about where everything fits continuity wise. Sure, you could argue that the relationship isn’t sexual and is a non-issue, but it still raises a lot of other questions, so again, I’m left confused.
On the bright side I really enjoyed the artwork for this series. All the characters had these really nice little details on them (even ones that first appeared unimportant) and I enjoyed the mech designs shown. I particularly liked the magic effects and how they were drawn, but again that might be my bias showing.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
There are two main plots for this volume. The first is more of a one-shot story, as it’s only one issue long. However it is focusing on Stephanie and how she’s handling (spoiler warning) Tim Drake’s death. Hint: not well. To her credit, she tries to turn what happened into something positive, in a way. Instead of being a vigilante that takes all the crime fighting credit, Stephanie has become a silent crime fighting vigilante, one who makes sure the police take the credit. In this way she hopes to bring something good back to the city. I respect this so much. I hope this becomes a larger plot later, though I doubt it will.
The main plot is a bit more chaotic, to say the least. It revolves very heavily around Batman, Zatanna and a few others. I honestly think the Zatanna part of this plot was probably the most stable plot – the other part just left me confused and feeling rushed. Perhaps that’s my bias showing, as I quite like Zatanna (and seeing a teenage Zatanna was pretty cool). The confusing part focused around Azrael and events specific to him. I’m not sure what it was about this, but I had the hardest time keeping track of what was actually going on and why. So needless to say I didn’t get much satisfaction out of the ending. Oh well.
I find it interesting how they spent so much time in this issue building up Bruce Wayne and Zatanna’s relationship in this volume; especially considering what is going on with Catwoman in the main Batman series. This leaves me a bit confused about where everything fits continuity wise. Sure, you could argue that the relationship isn’t sexual and is a non-issue, but it still raises a lot of other questions, so again, I’m left confused.
On the bright side I really enjoyed the artwork for this series. All the characters had these really nice little details on them (even ones that first appeared unimportant) and I enjoyed the mech designs shown. I particularly liked the magic effects and how they were drawn, but again that might be my bias showing.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks