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bat_books's review against another edition
1.0
one star for batcat. i didn't think it was possible for a comic to be entirely telling & not showing, but here we are. this was just a bunch of drawings of the batman rogues gallery standing in a lineup together
fishfish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.75
Does not pass the bechdal test
groblinthegoblin624's review against another edition
3.5
I liked Mikel Janín’s art well enough during Grayson, but it really started to grate on me seeing it in this arc of Batman. My main issue with it here is that coming off of the vibrant expressiveness of Greg Capullo’s run, the rogues just look so stilted in Janín’s more realistic style.
I found the actual arc of the book is alright. Not immensely compelling, but not bad—I liked it more than the Bane stuff Tom King is doing a lot in this run. I like the humanization of Kite Man
I found the actual arc of the book is alright. Not immensely compelling, but not bad—I liked it more than the Bane stuff Tom King is doing a lot in this run. I like the humanization of Kite Man
joshgauthier's review against another edition
4.0
Providing somewhat of an interlude in King's main storyline, "The War of Jokes and Riddles" looks back on a time when Gotham--and Batman--found themselves stretched to their ultimate limits. With Riddler and Joker at war with each other--and Gotham caught in the crossfire--it is up to the recently-cowled Batman to stop them, while defining the limits of who he is, and who he is willing to become.
Dark and complex, King plays out the dramatic conflict between these two villains as well as the havoc they leave in their wake. Also mixed into the story are the ordinary (and un-ordinary) people caught up in the fight. (Kite Man's story is just one example of the hard-hitting surprises this volume has to offer.)
With stunning visuals and King's signature writing style, "The War of Jokes and Riddles" is an effective stand-alone framed under the touching developing romance between Bruce and Selina. With the biggest story yet of his run, King continues to deliver.
Dark and complex, King plays out the dramatic conflict between these two villains as well as the havoc they leave in their wake. Also mixed into the story are the ordinary (and un-ordinary) people caught up in the fight. (Kite Man's story is just one example of the hard-hitting surprises this volume has to offer.)
With stunning visuals and King's signature writing style, "The War of Jokes and Riddles" is an effective stand-alone framed under the touching developing romance between Bruce and Selina. With the biggest story yet of his run, King continues to deliver.
all4spite's review against another edition
3.5
Still not completely sold on the fragmented way that Tom King writes. This volume in particular had some of the worst instances of that, just very disjointed to the point that it made it a little difficult to follow at times. As beautiful as the double-spread pages were to look at, some of them felt kind of all over the place story-wise. But it's a good concept even if the execution isn't stellar. A couple of highlights: Kite Man, the scene at the Wayne dinner table, and the entire last issue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
garthranzz's review against another edition
4.0
Just finished volume four of the Rebirth Batman series, The War of Jokes and Riddles. While not as good as the previous arc I did enjoy it. The story was a bit off to me in how The Riddler was portrayed, however, especially his buff, unbuttoned shirt look, sporting a question mark carved in his skin rather than part of a costume. He reminded me more of an Irish thug from a Scorsese movie rather than the skinny riddle spouting villain of years past. 4⭐️’s
stevequinn's review against another edition
4.0
I really didn’t enjoy the last volume, I am Bane, and I was starting to wonder if Tom King wasn’t really all that. With this volume, my worries are greatly allayed. Really dark, super atmospheric art, and great storytelling. At first I was confused until I realized it was a flashback, but that’s a minor point. Really great takes on the joker and the riddler that make them King’s own. Can’t wait for the next volume to see what happens, it’s at the end of the flashback, and with Batman and Selina.
august_18's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Blood, Death, Child death, and Murder