Batman was awesome.

[Slewo.O]

With a side helping of kickass and a dash of WTF? The book did a great job of carrying on what's been going on with Bats while introducing (or re-introducing) us to his world. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo deserve every bit of accolades they get.

Also Severed finally came out by Snyder as well. Can't wait to read it. :)

[FanboyStranger]

I liked it. I'm not a fan of Capullo's art, but the story was sufficiently interesting enough to draw me back for the next issue. I have to admit that I'm far more interested in Bruce Wayne's plans for Gotham redevelopment than the murder mystery, though.

[Slewo.O]

I liked it. I'm not a fan of Capullo's art, but the story was sufficiently interesting enough to draw me back for the next issue. I have to admit that I'm far more interested in Bruce Wayne's plans for Gotham redevelopment than the murder mystery, though.

Yeah, I gotta admit I've found the literal world-building element going on with the Batman books to be what's grabbing my interest most. Stuff like Bruce funding Batman Inc, Tim and the Neon Knights, and now this.

Though I do love stories like this and the RoBW that draw on Gotham's history as well.

[FanboyStranger]

Yeah, I gotta admit I've found the literal world-building element going on with the Batman books to be what's grabbing my interest most. Stuff like Bruce funding Batman Inc, Tim and the Neon Knights, and now this.

Though I do love stories like this and the RoBW that draw on Gotham's history as well.

Yeah, I can't get enough of that stuff. I find the average Bat-book "Batman battles one of his villains" plot to be mostly stale and boring, but when you bring in things like the history of Gotham, the Wayne family, or Wayne Enterprises actually doing something besides funding Batman's war on crime, I get interested in a hurry. That's why I've always liked Matt Wagner's Bat-work-- he always throws in these interesting facets to make the story more than just "good guy vs. bad guy". Hopefully, Snyder will carry on exploring these often ignored aspects of the Bat-mythos.

More than anything, I get a Heroes Return: Iron Man vibe off this issue. In that issue, you had some developments with Iron Man coming back, new armor, etc, but what was really interesting about it was Tony Stark announcing that he had developed a new web browser. Unfortunately, Busiek and Stern didn't really pursue that side of Tony Stark and his business as much as the Iron Man aspects. Obviously, these are superhero comics so they need a lot of action, but I always like it when there's a twist to things.

[Glitch]

Yeah, I really loved this. You can sense how much Snyder cares about not just Batman, but all the characters in the greater Gotham world. I loved seeing Bruce's boys in their suits and I loved Damian's crack to Tim. I'm glad he's carrying over a lot of stuff from his Detective Comics run too.

I thought Capullo did some really great work here. Great backgrounds, great visual storytelling. A very different vibe than Jock, but still really enjoyable.

[Slewo.O]

Yeah, I can't get enough of that stuff. I find the average Bat-book "Batman battles one of his villains" plot to be mostly stale and boring, but when you bring in things like the history of Gotham, the Wayne family, or Wayne Enterprises actually doing something besides funding Batman's war on crime, I get interested in a hurry. That's why I've always liked Matt Wagner's Bat-work-- he always throws in these interesting facets to make the story more than just "good guy vs. bad guy". Hopefully, Snyder will carry on exploring these often ignored aspects of the Bat-mythos.

More than anything, I get a Heroes Return: Iron Man vibe off this issue. In that issue, you had some developments with Iron Man coming back, new armor, etc, but what was really interesting about it was Tony Stark announcing that he had developed a new web browser. Unfortunately, Busiek and Stern didn't really pursue that side of Tony Stark and his business as much as the Iron Man aspects. Obviously, these are superhero comics so they need a lot of action, but I always like it when there's a twist to things.
Grant and Scott seem to really be interested in that component of Gothsm. The secret history vibe of it, there's even gonna be a flashback to the 1800s? In this arc. And considering how much emphasis Snyder has put upon Gotham as a character I doubt he'll drop it.

Yeah, I really loved this. You can sense how much Snyder cares about not just Batman, but all the characters in the greater Gotham world. I loved seeing Bruce's boys in their suits and I loved Damian's crack to Tim. I'm glad he's carrying over a lot of stuff from his Detective Comics run too.

I thought Capullo did some really great work here. Great backgrounds, great visual storytelling. A very different vibe than Jock, but still really enjoyable.

agreed agreed. :)

[Kingsmythe]

Wasn't wild about the art, and I generally don't get the Batman books. But I gotta admit, this was well done.

[RobStaeger]

Yep, I really dug it. Despite the preponderance of brunets in tuxedos.

[Thequeerjock]

I was pleasantly surprised to see Snyder write a good Damian, as I really felt he made him come off like a twat in Gates of Gotham (though that might have been Higgins).

[RobStaeger]

I was pleasantly surprised to see Snyder write a good Damian, as I really felt he made him come off like a twat in Gates of Gotham (though that might have been Higgins).

Me too; I loved his jab at Tim. Perfectly in character for him.

[sunbird]

I thought it was pretty good. Would have been nice to see Cass in the family after Gates, but whatever. The other thing I noticed was that they've dispensed entirely with the need for Oracle? Why have Oracle when you can have ... a contact lens!

[Slewo.O]

One thing I noticed in the book. How can Dr. Arkham still be the director of Arkham Asylum while he's also doing time as a patient? Is he a part time director or something? :p

[Hugin]

Which, would it kill them to give Damian a bit of a tan? Some acknowledgement that not every goddamn Robin has been a freaking clone of the previous one? That group shot looked like a set of Russian nesting dolls.

[Slewo.O]

Which, would it kill them to give Damian a bit of a tan? Some acknowledgement that not every goddamn Robin has been a freaking clone of the previous one? That group shot looked like a set of Russian nesting dolls.

I wouldn't be adverse to that myself. I understand he'd look like his father, but not that much.

[C.B. Nerdlinger]

I liked it, Snyder/Morrison might end up as the best Batman writing duo since Dixon/Moench (though we all have our own favorites), but that fight scene at the beginning was utterly pointless and pretty much just existed to add some action to a very talky issue.

[Thequeerjock]

One thing I noticed in the book. How can Dr. Arkham still be the director of Arkham Asylum while he's also doing time as a patient? Is he a part time director or something? :p

Maybe the first Black Mask is back?

[Slewo.O]

Maybe the first Black Mask is back?

It didn't look like him though. Looked more like Dr. Arkham to me.

[Glitch]

One thing I noticed in the book. How can Dr. Arkham still be the director of Arkham Asylum while he's also doing time as a patient? Is he a part time director or something? :p

Where was Dr. Arkham?

Do you mean the guy in the glasses reading? I'm pretty sure that's James Gordon Jr.

[Slewo.O]

Where was Dr. Arkham?

Do you mean the guy in the glasses reading? I'm pretty sure that's * SPOILER *

No I know that's him. I'm talking about in one of the panels as Batman mentions the names of villains in relation to the column as he's fighting them. When he mentions two Black Masks he's punching a guy that looks like Arkham in the face.

[Danimal]

I really liked it too. So far in the relaunch I've checked out this, Batman and Robin, Batgirl, Batwoman, and Nightwing, as far as Bat titles go, and I've enjoyed them all. I avoided Detective after hearing a lot of negative comments about it, particularly the gore. I liked that this story seems to be connecting to the story that started in Nightwing.

Even though there are already a ton of Batman titles in the relaunch, I would love a Batman family title that features stories with Batman, his sons, Babs, Cass, Steph, etc. I liked that the three "good" sons were there with Bruce, but I understand the Batman title will probably be mostly a solo book, while B&R will focus on him and Damian. Even though there are obviously a lot of similarities between the characters in terms of overall methods (non-powered costumed folks with a bat theme primarily relying on skill and martial arts), there's enough to separate them and a book like this would be a good showcase for said differences.

[Slewo.O]

I really liked it too. So far in the relaunch I've checked out this, Batman and Robin, Batgirl, Batwoman, and Nightwing, as far as Bat titles go, and I've enjoyed them all. I avoided Detective after hearing a lot of negative comments about it, particularly the gore. I liked that this story seems to be connecting to the story that started in Nightwing.

Even though there are already a ton of Batman titles in the relaunch, I would love a Batman family title that features stories with Batman, his sons, Babs, Cass, Steph, etc. I liked that the three "good" sons were there with Bruce, but I understand the Batman title will probably be mostly a solo book, while B&R will focus on him and Damian. Even though there are obviously a lot of similarities between the characters in terms of overall methods (non-powered costumed folks with a bat theme primarily relying on skill and martial arts), there's enough to separate them and a book like this would be a good showcase for said differences.

Gates of Gotham in particular did a superb job of that. All of them have a niche.

[Danimal]

Gates of Gotham in particular did a superb job of that. All of them have a niche.

Thanks! I'll try to check it out.

[Karen El]

One thing I noticed in the book. How can Dr. Arkham still be the director of Arkham Asylum while he's also doing time as a patient? Is he a part time director or something? :p

Well it's a short commute...

[Slewo.O]

Well it's a short commute...

:rofl:

[ssteve1011]

Snyder has quickly become my favorite writer. What he writes I read. I suggest to anyone who is a batman fan to stick with this book. Snyder will not disappoint.

[Slewo.O]

Snyder has quickly become my favorite writer. What he writes I read. I suggest to anyone who is a batman fan to stick with this book. Snyder will not disappoint.

Except in the beefcake department. :)

[Glitch]

Snyder has quickly become my favorite writer. What he writes I read. I suggest to anyone who is a batman fan to stick with this book. Snyder will not disappoint.

Completely agree. He obviously really loves and cares about Batman, and he's just a terrifically talented writer.

My review of the issue:

http://52review.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-batman-1.html

Had a hard time editing it down, I had so much more I wanted to gush about in my notes! The really positive reviews are my favorites to write. :) I wanted to review Wonder Woman too, but another writer called it before me.


I avoided Detective after hearing a lot of negative comments about it, particularly the gore.

Detective feels like it's in a whole different world from the other Batman titles. It's very strange.

[ssteve1011]

Completely agree. He obviously really loves and cares about Batman, and he's just a terrifically talented writer.

My review of the issue:

http://52review.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-batman-1.html

Had a hard time editing it down, I had so much more I wanted to gush about in my notes! The really positive reviews are my favorites to write. :) I wanted to review Wonder Woman too, but another writer called it before me.

Detective feels like it's in a whole different world from the other Batman titles. It's very strange.

I agree in detective it felt like this was taking place earlier in batmans carreer