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Haven't read it yet, but here is my placeholder  ;D

EDIT - Will hopefully read tonight

Just thought I'd repost what I said in the Top of the Stack thread.

Finally had a chance to read this puppy and I agree with Jeff.

A decent start but no real meat, other than Bats bringing in Duke (from the WE ARE ROBIN series) as a new trainee/side-kick ... which is pretty cool. I wonder what his name will be as Bat's came right out and said "I don't want another Robin". With that yellow costume with bat emblems ... hard to say.

Over all, with the Calendar Man main plot ... including a very interesting tweek to Julian Day, this seemed very much like an Annual instead of a Rebirth (which is basically a "0" issue) and that is fine. I didn't need to be brought up to speed with Bats and I think the majority of the people will get what's going on easily enough, though some older fans may not like the new Calendar Man (I am not one of those. I like this ... change  ;) ;D).

The art was pretty darn nice looking. I will say that. Janin brings that beautiful look that wowed me in Justice League Dark over to this book and my eyes are all the happier for it. I hope Finch, who is doing the first arc (I guess), isn't gonna hog all the art duties and my boy Janin comes back soon. Man I love his close-ups.

Anyway, a very good one-shot that was the brightest of the week for me and while I didn't know Snyder was co-writing this until I opened the book (and man can you see his influence here), I am looking forward to seeing what Tom King does on his own with my favorite DC character. 

a solid 7.5 outta 10 seasonal changes
 ;)

My only complaint, if I had one, would be that after the big reveal at the end of DC Universe Rebirth I was hoping for further development with what Batman found behind his Dad's letter.

Batman #1

Not sure whether or not this is going to keep me interested.  This story wasn't bad and acts as sort of a setup issue, but after reading Snyder's Batman for so long the voices of the characters don't feel right.  It's probably going to be hard to live up to Snyder's run but this is an honest try.

I think it's worthy of a first arc try so I'll pick up the next issue.  I like the ending surprise EXCEPT for....


One of the weaker Rebirth comics this week.

 :D Not a fan, huh? Well it is an odd choice, but I am thinking there is a reason for that ... I sure hope so but it doesn't hit me as bad as it did you, but I really enjoy the meta of Gotham City being an aspect in anyway.

Although truthfully, had it been
:D


I feel something else, and I'm not just talking about the letdown that was Titans - Rebirth (again, not bad, just a nothing book, really). And maybe it is just due to my Batman love, I will admit that, but there is a structure here to this writing that I really enjoy. Yes, this issue was nothing more than an over long action sequence  :D, but the dialog and tone just fit Batman.

Was I blown away, no, but I enjoyed it.

I hope it turns around for ya, but I know sometimes we just don't bond well with certain things. I can sure relate. Glad you're giving it time.

Maybe I should follow that methodology as well and at least try Superman #1?
 :-\
(Man that Gleason art, though ... scares me)

No post since issue 1?  Does that mean it died for you Perry?

Issue 4

This title got better for me.  I'm hoping for a little more...
I think I'm willing to go through a second arc with this title.  It has potential.

No, no  :). I just have not read this title since issue #1  ;D It is on my "Weekly Reader" for this week, but came close to wait until issue 6 and read the remaining five, but I just can't wait that long. Will read issues 2, 3 and 4 this week.
 :)

So I finally finished my Bat issues, read 2-5 over the last couple days or so, and yeah, I liked it ... over-all.

I still don't feel that King has Batman's voice, he just says some stuff or does some stuff that I feel Batman just wouldn't say or do. Like putting for one
 ::)

Still, I am liking this tile for the most part and really loving King's version of Alfred (I hope he gets his own arc soon).

Interested to see what happens next.


I was right there with ya buddy, and they kinda rushed that part right out of the title, didn't they? Maybe King brings it back around the next arc when dealing with Gotham Girl? Maybe?
 :-\

Not a bad end to the arc but I'm wanting a little more.  Can't put my finger on what that it is but it seems it just needs a little something to be a great comic.

Looking forward to the next arc to see if it finds this thing I can not think of.   ;D

Issue #9

Okay, okay, we're getting somewhere. A set-up issue, for sure, but one that has me really excited.

Question and last page spoiler, so don't look if you haven't read the issue ... 
Also, and another spoiler, though not as profound ... except for me and a few others .... Oh man, Oh man, Oh man....  :)

Now this title has stepped up. Still, like Jeff said, something missing, but I am hoping King has found his legs now. But we will see in two or three more issues.

7 outta 10 total inmates
 :)

 :'(

Batman Issue #10

As a reminder, I started my last post, about issue #9, in this manner - "Okay, okay, were getting somewhere".  Yeah, that is what I said, but now I just want that "somewhere" to be anywhere but here. I did not enjoy this issue. In fact I came downright close to hating this issue. No, I take that back, I did hate this issue. What in the hell is Tom King doing? This is the same guy that brought us Vision? That brought us Omega Men? I say nay, it can't be. That guy, that Tom King could write his ass off. This Tom King ... well ... it is like he never read a Batman comic in his life.

I have been struggling with this book for a long time, since issue #1 in-fact, and I have tried to remain positive. Yes, there has been things that I have scratched my head over, things I found 100% out of character (like Batman talking about dying with that plane in issue #1) and things that just didn't seem right, but I have stayed on thinking that this genius of a writer knew what he was doing, so, I thought, just let the problems slide as eventually Tom King will right this ship. He will shove all the problems aside and shine down the light that is his creative mind. But no. It is just getting way out of hand now

This is bad. I just can't describe it. While reading this issue I kept hoping for a robot to be shown dressed as Batman, or some something other than Batman but I was not given that relief. Is this Tom King's Batman? It just can't be, can it?

I have rated this title in my top ten and all the while admitting it is was only because I was both a fan of the character and of the writer. I can no longer justify that. I just can't. This issue just sums up the nine that had preceded it so perfectly, even as I was trying my best to self comfort, to try and show what good was in the issues and bring them forward while pushing back the bad ... the massive amount bad that has been shown in this title. This one issue is the proof that has opened my eyes. This title is horrible. Please stop this.

All that good art ... wasted.

What in the hell is going on here? Even now I think if this issue was a robot Batman (which would bring out more questions, trust me) this is still just bad.

This hurts to type, and it is mostly for the art that saves some points but ...

3 outta 10 - broken backs
 :'( :'( :'(

Glad to hear I'm not the only one on the fence with this one.  Maybe it's editors are the problem at DC.

I'm thinking I'll save my money on this and use it for $5 Batman.

Oh if I could only blame it on the editors, but there are subjects, actions and dialog pieces here that just scream writer's fault.

It just boggles my mind it can be this bad, at least this issue, when he has proven to be so good at writing. I understand laying an egg from time to time, all writers have done that, but to be so far off on this book ... man, I hope it is just a dream
 :-\

Cool. I mean, not cool, but cool that I know not to blindly buy this stuff in tpb after all.

Batman issues 16-19

A decent Bane story that is bringing me tons of enjoyment based almost solely on the look of Bane. I am not a an uber fan of Finch, I mean he is fine, I like his stuff, mostly, but he's not in my top 5 let's say, but the way he is drawing Bane in this arc. Holy shit I am absolutely loving it. Much like Finch, Bane is not in my top 5 either. Hell, he is not in my top 10 Batman villains, but I have never enjoyed him more than I am enjoying him here and that is primarily just on his look.

Bad-Ass look!!!!

Yeah, this was a good read, but I am very glad I had all these issues to read straight through. I read issue #16 a little while back, but when I hit #17 and had the two next issues, the arc became so much more enjoyable.

As much as a pain in the ass it is to have all these issues to read through, it is also so much better. Comics are made for that cliffhanger monthly (or bi-weekly) ending, but they read so much better collected. So much better.

I will read #20 when it hits, as I think it will be the finale for this arc, but after that, I may collect about 3 or 4 more issues to have backlogged before I start again. I think.
 :D

(Man does Bane look awesome here)
 8)

Wow, it has been awhile since I have taken the time to post here.
 ;D

Batman issues 25-32

I said it before in the Weekly Reader thread and I will say it again here; Ugh!

Tom King is such a great writer, truly, but I just can not seem to enjoy his Batman. Oh sure I will enjoy an issue here and there, but the only thing consistent in King's Batman is that King does not get Batman. The voice is just wrong. The mentality is just wrong. The Actions are just wrong (I can't wait for you guys to read what Bats does in issue #32  ::))

Oh and don't get me started on Riddlers last few pages. I will not say anymore on that until more of you have read this. I just can't speak on that now.

What I will say is, that this arc is a shining example of King's Batman. A story that could be so epic in scale, so grand, yet it falls under the weight of bad characterization and bad not the best plotting.

And ... well ... I am sure you guys have heard about Batman and Catwoman, but I am going to place it under the spoiler tag just in-case
but from what I can tell so far, and again, I hate to say this as I love the guys writing, but having read over 30 issues of his Batman, I just don't believe King is the best choice to tell us THAT story.

The art was really cool looking though. I do have to say that.
 :D

Man, this arc could have been spectacular, with its , but ended up being so much less so. Just wrong voices and dialog that turned my smile upside down.

King, I love ya, but give me your other stuff any day!!

Thanks in no small part to the art and colors, the War of Jokes and Riddles rates a
5 outta 10 -

Maybe Bendis will take over.

Maybe, but with his recent drooling over a Superman image at a library in Cleveland, I am thinking he is going for the Man of Steel.

Man, I can't wait to see Jimmy's head explode it that is the case.
 ;D ;D ;D :D :D :D

I was hoping JSA or LoSH ... but ONLY because I want SOMEONE to do those damn books. And while I would prefer someone that could do a team (not Bendis' forte at all in my opinion) at least it would end up with those titles on the shelves ... something we have been waiting for since Rebirth first hit!
 >:(

Action Comics #1000

What a spectacular event. A comic that has been published for 80 years (essentially).

My thoughts on this book will be ... a lot different than most. There is a lot of love (deserving) in here, but a most the stories, and there are a lot, tend to be the kind of stories that made me not like Supes in the first place. There is a, and I hate to use this term as it has been overused so many times, but there is a Boy Scout aspect here that I just don't overly enjoy.

Now that makes this the perfect issue for the character. It celebrates the core of this iconic character to the utmost and makes Superman fans or even comic fans such as myself, really appreciate this character. No, I didn't love the stories here, but man I did respect the love that went into them.

This book is worth the money. Period

You get 10 short Superman stories (which I will try not to spoil, but still read only if you don't care -
1 - Jurgens doing a story where all the DC characters a planning a celebration of Supes
2 - Tomasi/Gleason doing a great history/time story
3 - Wolfman/Curt Swan doing a hostage story (which the ink made Swans not look like Swan  >:()
4 - Levitz/Neal Adams with a story about chess ... that I did not like at all
5 - Johns-Donner/Coipel with a great homage to the first Action cover  :D Liked this, except the ending
6 - Snyder/Albuquerque and a young Clark and young Lex story that should have hit, but not for me
7 - King/Mann with my favorite story with Supes and the cemetery where Martha and Jon (their name changed in #158  ;)
8 - Simonson/Ordway and CLark's 5 minute deadline for Perry
9 - Dini/Garcia-Lopez with my 2nd favorite story featuring an alien we all know
10- Meltzer/Cassady and a too long short story about a bullet
11 - Bendis/Lee - Whoah boy, Bendis is here. :-\ Okay, in all fairness all these other stories where done in one while this one is more of a sneak peak or just the intro to what Bendis has planned. And they didn't do him any help putting this story in the back, after all those other ones, but I was less than thrilled by what I read. This new villain, whose design I hate, may end up being "cool" or worthy, but not here. Not yet. I did like the addition of another Super and hope that remains the case, but ... no ... I am not going to pass judgement yet. Maybe it is better I wasn't blown away by the first glance of Bendis with Supes. Nowhere to go but up now and hey, if this IS what will be the new Superman stuff, I can save some time by reading more of the stuff I need to catch up on
 ;D

In closing, while this isn't a book I would usually praise, I think everyone should have a copy of this book. It is worth the price if you are even slightly a fan of Superman and if you are not ... this caped dude deserves some respect, so buy this book
 ;D  

Probably should put this in a Superman thread. 😉

Great to read though!

I think it was his subconscious refusing to post in a Superman thread!   :D

 :D
Yeah, Jeff nailed it. I just couldn't put it in the Superman thread.
 :D :D :D

Okay, moving it there now. Or copying it there now ...  ;D

Batman 45 - The Gift part 1

Yes!  I love me a good time story and add in Booster Gold and it's a recipe for some Jeff love.  And King delivers.  Great start to what looks to be a good arc.

Don't you have this in the wrong thread? Didn't you mean to put it in Superman?
 :D :D :D

Uhhhhhhhh........NO!    :D :D :D :D :D

Okay, if you did not get spoiled by The New York Times article, congrats!

I did, but of my own accord.

Spoilers below for Batman issue #50 by the way

Now that I finally get to read your spoiler ( I just finished issue's 50 & 51) I'm glad to see I'm not the only one confused by issue 50.  It was dumb.  I was able to keep from getting spoiled but it wouldn't matter if I had been.  I give it a 1 out of 5 batarangs.

Isuue 51 on the other hand.....Loved it.  I can say this without spoiling....Bruce Wayne on jury duty for a case that Batman solved.  Conflict of interest much?  But of course as they led us up to the obvious last panel...Yeah - that last panel was still awesome.  5 out of 5 batarangs for this one.

So Tom King kicked off the Batman Title, but allowed to finish his Batman/Catwoman tale in a 12 issue max-series? Just like what happened to Tomasi on Super-Sons!

Oh for the love of ... just let him stay on the darn title to do it there!  >:(

No kidding.

Alrighty then Tom King, you certainly caught my attention!

I'm oh so slowly catching up on my backlog of DC since I caught up on my backlog of Marvel!

I caught up on all things Flash (er, well, as of 6 months ago), and then Justice League, now...The Batman!

And I'm through City of Bane, issue 85.

You sir, really took a need method, I feel, with Batman. You found the person underneath, so very often. That's the character I miss most of all when seeing Batman all over the place- the human man. I adore his love story here with Selina. Utterly adore it.

I love that each issue isn't an automatic step 5 secs into the future from the past issue. I love that each issue is a piece to itself that fits the whole narrative.

I like how they 'found' Mike Janin to be the new Tony Daniels (and he's only about 7 years past being the 'new' Jim Lee on Batman! LOL)

I'm sickened that John Romita JR did 2 issues of City of Bane. Get that trash outta here. (2001 Jimmy T of the Realm just started crying for some reason, if we could see into the past via wormhole).

I think , most of all, the story just...has a resonance to it. And that's why I really enjoy it.

I know Tom King ends up leaving Batman...and Tynion from Dectective comes over to Batman to keep up with his Batman stories.

Yeah...I'll see if I like that as much. I'm 2 years back of this reading from 2 years ago yet. Whoops!!

As much as I am enjoying Batman with the storyline is racing towards Future State, Detective seems to be more interesting to me.

I'm sloooooowly getting caught up! I'm at Batman 95, and I know that DCI just dropped Batman 106, so I'm within spitting distance of being, well, 'on-time' with the 6 months behind release schedule! LOL