BJ Shea Comic Reviews

There are a lot of characters that we know stuffed into these pages, but each one is turned about one or two degrees the other way. Scott Snyder sets up a lot on the table. Agent Alfred, Bruce being friends with what would be his rogues gallery in another universe, and more.

Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta introduce a lot of new plot points and a massive Batmobile in this second issue. There are still so many things to like, and I'm excited to see where it goes.

Absolute Batman #3 was the weakest of the three for me. Don't get me wrong, I still really like the series but the issue hit familiar tropes that I really was not expecting. The first two issues had different takes on familiar characters but this issue did not. I'm sure Snyder is setting up something big with Selina and Black Mask.

A fun "Year One type issue with some good father/son bonding time with Thomas and Bruce.

Looking forward to issue 6 and if Alfred returns to Bruce and how Gordon and Martha escape the Party Animals.

My one criticism of Absolute Batman #6 is we didn't see Bruce telling his boys that he's Batman. There are still a lot of threads left to pull. Selina's return and the Joker is out there somewhere.

Snyder's second arc is off to a strong start. Again he sets up character moments that will paid off down the line such as Bruce and his friends and their anger towards him being Batman.

I know at some point that the friends will turn and end up closer to their main universe counterparts but I really hope they don't. Once again, I like how this Bruce/Batman has friends. It makes such a nice difference from the main universe. They've known Bruce forever, they know the secret, and now they can help.

I liked Batman quickly meeting his match with Bane. But I did not like the suped up Venom Bane. Wow. Not even 90s Image Comics would take that character. They would think he is too big.

The most interesting things to me remain the Selina flashbacks and Bruce with the boys. Snyder has those relationships and character interactions on point. Selina has been teased more and more throughout the issues and I assume that we are going to meet her in the present at some point.

Who knows where Snyder will go next. As said Absolute Batman #11 was quite a ride. I assume #12 will focus on Bruce and Waylon after their escape.

I liked Absolute Batman #12. Bane is really making things personal with Bruce. He has gone after his best friends and it makes you wonder if his mother and Jim Gordon are next.

My bold prediction for the Batman/Bane fight. This time Batman lifts Bane up and breaks his back on his knee in a venom fueled rage.

The entirety of Absolute Batman #14 made me laugh. Snyder and Dragotta are getting too extreme for extremes sake and it is taking me out of the whole thing. And now there are leaks of what Joker is going to look like and it looks even dumber than Bane. I am slowly getting annoyed by this whole run. Our main characters are too big and too gross and I do not take them seriously at all.

I know there's a Wonder Woman crossover coming up but feels too soon for Batman to go from fighting Super Giant Bane to Super Monster Joker. It feels like too much of the same and a bit too repetitive for me.

All stories were decent, but the first one is obviously the best.

This was a really fun issue with some good stories. Dennis McNicholas has created a very unique and different world with the characters, which is difficult to do considering Batman has been around for over eighty years.

Overall a very fun issue that gives us a non BatGod version of the character who is back to roots with detective work and street level crime.

All in all, Batman: Dark Patterns #9 was a great Batman comic. The end of this arc. Excited to see what Watters does next.

I have only been reading this series for a few issues but it seems like some characters and plot threads are coming together.

The art and the layouts remain strong. Sherman is putting layouts together that I haven't really seen before and I would love to see him on the main book someday.

We only have three issues and we have not gotten much with the new Holiday and the mystery of it all. We got a small step with Calendar Man meeting. Holiday? Harvey? A Falcone? It feels like we need to start picking things up here. And maybe we are with this Calendar Man element.

I thought the ending was abrupt as we finally get an action scene but Catwoman dives out of the window and the issue ends. I get you only have 22 pages and it's a multipart storyline but still. Let's get the action earlier in the issue.

Selina is in quite a pickle here, stuck in the middle of Carmine and the Court of Owls and lets see how she gets out of it.

Grønbekk has a great voice for Selina and is writing an interesting story. Getting Selina back in Gotham, rekindling her relationship with Holly and delving deeper into their past, and introducing a new partnership with Carmine is all great stuff.

Catwoman #85 sets up a lot. Black Mask making a comeback in Gotham’s underworld. When will Selina be done with Carmine or will she need his help to fight Black Mask? And what's up with Holly? Is there betrayal in the future?

This isn't exactly going to be Watchmen or Dark Knight Returns but for the people who read all the ties in every event, they won't hate this. I have bought and read worse issues than this one.

The next issue is going to be a good one. I have a feeling it will be the "Perchance to Dream episode from the animated series. Where Bruce has the dreamworld but has to go back into his nightmare reality.

I really like this miniseries tie-in. I would say that minis like that have a low batting percentage but I think this was a worthy tie in and is a must read. Usually tie-ins are very skippable but I don't think this is. It is worth it and I hope people pick it up.

I am a big fan of the Harley Quinn animated series, but the tone of this felt off. Some of it felt like fan fiction of the series and lacked the charm of the show. Some jokes felt like adult humor for the sake of it because they knew the show leans more toward an older audience. This felt like a quick book to capitalize on the success of the animated series.

It seems like Tom King is bringing the Penguin back to prominence as a threat to Gotham City, which he should always be.

Now that Penguin has his goons and his firepower I assume that next issue, we will see the Force of July in action. I am enjoying this series more than I thought, and I am excited to see what is next.

This was a nice interlude, but I hope we are finally heading back to Gotham City. Penguin's got his muscle and now his woman. Let's get back to the city.

In The Penguin #6, Tom King bends Penguin's origins to retell Oswald Cobblepot's rise to power. Though quite a good tale with great art, your mileage on this retcon may vary.

This flashback story is far more exciting and interesting than the main story. Hopefully the main story can cover, but for now, this interlude serves as an interesting origin for The Penguin.

The Penguin #8 brings Oswald Cobblepot back to Gotham City, and it's a gorgeous, violent, and fun issue.

In The Penguin #10, Tom King delivers his best issue in this series yet. Rafael de Latorre also offers up some fantastic, action-packed panels that make this issue stand out!

The Penguin #11 unleashes a firefight of fun with some fantastic-looking art. Penguin fans don't want to miss this one!