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booksnarks's review against another edition
1.0
I almost don't even want to start this review. Yes, I found the book that bad.
I was initially going to rate this two stars but then I thought, no! I got too angry at the story, too angry at Snyder for writing this and I needed to vent. This was not a two stars 'meh' kind of book. It was a one star. I stand by my rating!
Forget about killing Batman, yet again. Sure, kill him. We all know he's coming back because he always had. Because as much fun as it is to sometimes have Dick or Damien in the costume, Batman is and always will be Bruce Wayne.
It's not that I'm opposed to change. It's that I'm opposed to bad change. And that's exactly what one gets when you have Jim Gordon, a middle aged man with no tech skills or hardcore martial arts skills be Batman.
"Why is Gordon the new Batman?" I scream to high heavens.
The funny thing is that the book actually tried really hard to justify itself. It's comical really, because you can tell that the only reason they're explain it is to try to make you understand the reasoning, as if they know that it's a bad idea but they try to justify it anyway. They have Gordon basically being the reader and saying 'I don't know about this,' but then you have a bunch of other characters being 'Nope, this is an amazing idea, trust us.' Nope, still don't see it.
Not to mention, the design of that new mechanical Batman suit looks like a bunny. They even said it in the comics! But then tried to justify it by saying 'it grows on you.' Ugh, see my problem? It's like they know this is crap but they except the reader to gullible when reading this. And what a weak villain!
Not to mention Bruce Wayne! He's not dead, but then he had amnesia, but then he didn't, but then he didn't want that life anymore so he left to be with his childhood sweetheart while working in a rec centre. I mean, why not? This was actually not the worse thing about this volume so sure, I can accept that.
I still think Snyder made some great contributions to the Batman canon, but unfortunately, this is not one of them. I hope when Bruce comes back as Batman things will pick up again, especially since the Snyder run of Batman is coming to an end.
dryden's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ajnewsom's review against another edition
3.0
Let me start by saying I love Scott Snyder's writing. The Batman stories he has put together have been some of the best in the last 10 years. The Court of Owls was simply fantastic!
That being said, this was not my favorite. Jim Gordon as Batman just didn't feel right. Yes, Gotham City needs it's Batman, but there are a lot of people to choose from that could fill the cowl better than Gordon. Dick Grayson, Tim Drake. Hell, put Jason Todd in there and see what he does. I would LOVE to see Jason Todd in the batsuit (written by Judd Winick, of course). But, I digress....
Capullo's art was solid, but I have to say Jock's art in the one-shot was great. I could look at his work all day. It has the darkness and chaos that you need in a Batman story.
This was an interesting turn, but I look forward to Bruce getting back under the cowl....Onto volume 9....
That being said, this was not my favorite. Jim Gordon as Batman just didn't feel right. Yes, Gotham City needs it's Batman, but there are a lot of people to choose from that could fill the cowl better than Gordon. Dick Grayson, Tim Drake. Hell, put Jason Todd in there and see what he does. I would LOVE to see Jason Todd in the batsuit (written by Judd Winick, of course). But, I digress....
Capullo's art was solid, but I have to say Jock's art in the one-shot was great. I could look at his work all day. It has the darkness and chaos that you need in a Batman story.
This was an interesting turn, but I look forward to Bruce getting back under the cowl....Onto volume 9....
djvuuu's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
erinsbookshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scostner's review against another edition
2.0
Batman is dead. Long live Batman. After Bruce Wayne's death fighting the Joker, Wayne Enterprises has been subsumed in a corporate takeover along with all Wayne's technology. The new owners have decided to continue the legacy of Batman by creating an incredible suit and finding the perfect candidate to wear it, working in conjunction with the police force to keep Gotham safe. And the perfect candidate is...Commissioner Gordon? So he trains, gets a haircut, quits smoking, and takes to the streets. But someone is out there creating new super villains, a mysterious figure called Mr. Bloom. Can a middle-aged policeman really live up to the public's expectations of their hero, especially if he is constrained by working within the law?
I have read Batman comics for years (we're not saying how many), and I like the idea of Gordon trying to continue in Bruce Wayne's footsteps. The story will probably grow on me (haha, little bloom joke there). This volume is all about setting up the plot, putting everything into motion, and providing some backstory about the characters. It seems a bit slow, and the jump between characters and timelines makes it choppy in places. Still, the new suit has some cool capabilities, the support team is young and diverse, and I haven't decided if I like the project's CEO. Although I feel a bit like Clark Kent during his cameo, that Bruce Wayne needs to be Batman, I'm willing to give this version a fighting chance.
Recommended for fans of the Bat and superhero comics. Violence may be a bit much for younger readers. T for teen.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
I have read Batman comics for years (we're not saying how many), and I like the idea of Gordon trying to continue in Bruce Wayne's footsteps. The story will probably grow on me (haha, little bloom joke there). This volume is all about setting up the plot, putting everything into motion, and providing some backstory about the characters. It seems a bit slow, and the jump between characters and timelines makes it choppy in places. Still, the new suit has some cool capabilities, the support team is young and diverse, and I haven't decided if I like the project's CEO. Although I feel a bit like Clark Kent during his cameo, that Bruce Wayne needs to be Batman, I'm willing to give this version a fighting chance.
Recommended for fans of the Bat and superhero comics. Violence may be a bit much for younger readers. T for teen.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
lukeisthename34's review against another edition
3.0
Great art. Interesting concept. But...come on guys.
tmaluck's review against another edition
4.0
Following Endgame, this is so meta there's arguably not a story here, nor does there need to be. Everything is a symbolic experiment, one that I happily entertained because Snyder and Capullo have proven they can deliver "normal" Batman stories, and something off the beaten path from those two (Plus cameos from Jock, Azzarello, Plascencia, and Mikki) is worth the trip.
Having said that, I read this with the knowledge of Batman #50's developments and am grateful this is not a long-term upset for the series.
Having said that, I read this with the knowledge of Batman #50's developments and am grateful this is not a long-term upset for the series.