Daniel Goldberg Comic Reviews

Although I have not really enjoyed the Zur En Arrh narrative, Batman #147 does better than many of its more recent predecessors, marking some key emotional moments and advancing the narrative. Plus, Tim!

All in all, this book is sober but is also fun, well-written, well-sequenced, and well-paced. I'm intrigued and look forward to see where the creative team takes it.

It's not a stellar book but hopefully Batman and Robin #6 will accelerate the action.

The series is growing on me; Williamson is doing excellent work in building both Batman and Robin independently as well as their relationship.

Increasingly, it seems possible that Batman & Robin is the third Batman book for which I've been waiting. We should be so lucky!

While this issue does not reach the heights of the previous issue, especially in the art, the book remains a thoroughly enjoyable read and is a legitimate candidate for a third Batman title.

While the juggling of multiple artists is a detriment to this book, the story is refreshingly simple and straightforward.

While the ending was tied up a little too neat and tidy, this remains a fantastic book that keeps the focus on the Dynamic Duo. It's fun, and the setup for the next arc promises more!

It is remarkable how quickly Williamson advances the arc in a single book and is a sharp contrast to the longform currently being used by Ram V on Detective Comics (for example). Williamson has mostly opted for a light-hearted tone in his work on Batman and Robin, as even the plot Man-Bat pushed felt more "Scooby-Doo style villainy as opposed to the dark, almost horror stylings we saw in James Tynion IV's Joker War and Fear State.

Batman & Robin #12 is a remarkable book. It's full of heart, adventure, and a meditation on vengeance.

I am sad to see Williamson's run end; it has been a stellar book.

This is a solid start.

I enjoy the pacing that Johnson brings to the book. He is layering the story and introducing some of the horror-style elements used so effectively in Hulk. It's a very different book than what Joshua Williamson wrote, but so far it's engaging and I'm excited to see where it goes.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson is doing fantastic work with Batman and Robin #17. The Memento arc is darker, more complicated, and more frightening than the simple and straightforward offerings from previous writer Joshua Williamson. I'm fascinated by Memento and Johnson's use of historical monster genres to animate the detective fiction component undergirding Batman and Robin. This is a well-constructed and interesting book and I'm excited to see where it goes.

Phillip Kennedy Johnson is an incredible writer and it's exciting to watch him work. This is a dark, complicated Batman and Robin story, one in which the villain seems to exist more as a slate on which the emotional heart of the narrative is written. I am intensely engaged and cannot wait to see the next installment.

I continue to appreciate Phillip Kennedy Johnson's approach to The Dynamic Duo. The depth and darkness of Batman and Robin's relationship mirrors the narrative itself. Memento himself is disturbing and both of the superheroes' vulnerability is on full display as the arc races towards its climax.

Batman and Robin 2024 Annual is a fun, compact annual which hits scarcely a wrong note.

For a story about the Outsiders that is not written by Brandon Thomas, this is a surprisingly well-crafted and well-sequenced book.

You should read it, I loved it.

I remain excited about this book and am looking forward to its conclusion. Batman: One Dark Knight is a gem in the Black Label crown. This is a solid middle installment in a terrific series so far.

With the departure of a Harley story, this collection really only stands upon the "Cheer" story involving Red Hood. The Outsiders story is niche and only worth it if you are already following the Outsiders. The Oracle adventure is not good. And as the first chapter hinted, Grifter just isn't weighty enough of a character to merit this many pages. All that said, the Red Hood arc in "Cheer" is excellent, so if you love Red Hood, you might consider investing.

Urban Legends steams ahead, though this issue feels a bit uneven. The "Cheer" story remains the stalwart and promises to close with the force of its opening. The Grifter story never really belonged, and/or if it did ought never should have lasted for five issues. Tim and Stephanie's relationship deserved more time and care than it is apparently receiving, and that remains a major disappointment.

The Kate/Beth Kane story is fantastic. The remaining three stories are forgettable, but at least they are all Gotham-centric.

The Batman-Zatanna-Constantine story is subpar and unfortunately has three parts remaining. The six-part stories in general are really dragging down the quality of the book. Ram V's tight, nightmarish three-part story proves the point and is a real gem in the book thus far. More Ram V, please!

Unfortunately, Batman: Urban Legends #14 is one of the weakest books in the entire run. Only the Birds of Prey story that is arguably not really a Birds of Prey story manages to stir up much interest.

Batman: Urban Legends #15 is by no means a strong book, but the Plastic Man story is entertaining. It's still a thrill to see that the Miracle Molly and the two 6-part stories are mercifully drawing to a close.

Although the stories here are of uneven quality, I much prefer the one-shot format of the present issue. Here, the theme of Batman-DC Hero team-ups is effective and picks up a book that has been struggling.

The Outsiders story alone lifts the book, but none of the rest of the stories sing. That said, the Ventriloquist tale is well-illustrated and creepy as the calendar turns closer to Halloween.

The book remains uneven, but the peaks are higher here than in many previous issues. The Montoya-Batwoman story succeeds, and other than the "Arkham Academy story, the others have strengths as well. The overall quality of the artwork is not topline; however the linework is muddy, and the Golden Age overtones sometimes jar.

As we hurtle towards the end of Batman: Urban Legends, The Murder Club story is the star here and stands as a reminder, perhaps, of what the book could have been.

Three out of the final four stories in the book are solid, and one story is incredible. I will remember "Murder Club for a good while. Although I cannot honestly say I am sorry to see the book end its run, it has been an honor to review it!

Both the main story of Detective Comics #1035 and the backup story soar. Writer Mariko Tamaki is off to a fantastic start, and I am so excited to see where the book goes.

Detective Comics and Shadows of the Bat continue to shine under Tamaki's confident writing and pacing.

The artwork in #1090 does not disappoint; the panels on p. 13 are especially gorgeous, propelling the reader forward directly from a flashback to Batman soaring through Gotham, bats trailing behind him. The perspective is beautifully rendered, and the soft glowing greens and oranges typical of Jann's colors highlight the grey and black Batman that he prefers. It's fantastic and I am so glad to see Jann back on main.

After the rapid plunge of the opening sequence, it is a relief to see Taylor pull back on the reins just a bit and offer readers a chance to breathe. The story is well-paced and well-sequenced, and paired with Jann's fantastic art, effectively layers the narrative. The arc is engaging and I am more than a bit curious about Asema. I'm excited for the next issue!

The slowdown needed to tell the story inevitable feels a bit like a letdown after the intensity of the opening book in this run. Still, there are no serious flaws here and I remain curious to learn more about Asema and the grail movement at the heart of the action. The Batman-Oracle-Robin trinity works well, although I am missing the rest of the Bat-Family.

The action heats up in part four of the "Mercy of the Father arc. While many of the narrative choices seem fairly conservative and, even, predictable, we still have a solid Batman story that connects to the origin myth, an intriguing new rogue, and absolutely gorgeous art. It's sufficient!

I really enjoyed Detective Comics #1094. The Bat-tech is fun and exciting, the relationship between Batman and Robin is complex and warm, and the artwork continues to shine.

Future State: Catwoman #1 is a fun, well-crafted book that packs in a lot of action, movement, and interest. Ram V and Otto Schmidt excel at creating a tense, pulse-pounding opener that doesn't let up.

Future State: Catwoman #1 is a fun, well-crafted book that packs in a lot of action, movement, and interest. Ram V and Otto Schmidt excel at creating a tense, pulse-pounding opener that doesn't let up.

Ram V and Otto Schmidt craft a compelling conclusion for Future State: Catwoman #2, even amidst the constraints of the two-shot format.

I love Harley Quinn, and it's fun to see what a solid creative team can do unfettered from the constraints of continuity. The writing especially feels authentic to the Harley I most like to see represented, and in particular it honors her character development and growth.

While Future State: Harley Quinn #2 is not quite as exciting as the first book in the series, I maintain that it is very difficult to write a two-shot. Stephanie Phillips is to be credited for her insistence on a powerful, intelligent Harley who is more than capable of toying with and then discarding some of Batman's lesser rogues. Even in the Future State, Harley Quinn is a force of nature.

I very much enjoyed Phillips' Harley in DC Future State, and the opening issue of Harley's own book is a lively start. I am drawn to the deeper emotional states for Harley, which the main book plumbed well at the end of the Ghost-Maker arc. I look forward to seeing these explored further, but the dialogue with Batman is excellent, and this is a promising beginning.

I am curious as to why Simon Saint has positioned Strange in Gotham, and why Nakano is so ready to cede control to such a notorious rogue. Other than that, Harley Quinn #2 feels slow and small and quiet, which are not adjectives I would ever associate with Harley. I imagine things will pick up soon.

This book is dynamic, thoughtful, and funny: It is pure Harley.

Harley Quinn #4 continues the dynamism, humor, and complexity of the series. If you like Harley, and perhaps even if you do not, the book is well worth the read.

We have a name for the new villain who is presumably connected to Simon Saint " Keepsake. I'm not hugely excited by this, but Harley Quinn remains a strong title featuring a vibrant and engaging Harley. It's hard to ask for more.

Harley and Catwoman. Enough said.

Keepsake remains unworthy of Harley's attention, but I'm obviously interested to see what happens with Ivy.

The Fear State tie-in narrative is hectic and confusing, but Harley still shines in Harley Quinn #8.

This is a fantastic book. Phillips is an extremely talented writer, and I love her vision of Harley. The character growth in only nine issues is astonishing and will affect representations of Harley for years to come.

This is a terrific book. Phillips is changing Harley Quinn before our eyes, and I love this version.

Although it would be difficult for #11 to soar as high as #10, this remains a solid, well-crafted book with thoughtful dialogue, a fascinating and complex Harley, and plenty of laughs.

I am unsure if this is the end of the Keepsake arc, but there's a bit of energy and movement that seems missing from Harley Quinn #12. There's still much to like about this book, and I remain excited about the character and her ongoing redemption narrative.

I am glad to say goodbye to Keepsake, Dr. Hugo, and the Fear State. Although I liked lots about Fear State, I was never convinced it was the best vehicle for showcasing Harley, and I am interested to see how the framing of Harley for Verdict's crimes interacts with the darkness in Harley's journey.

The Verdict arc is exciting so far, and the addition of Batwoman can only lift the book even higher.

The Verdict arc is rich and compelling, and I devoutly hope Batwoman sticks around for a few more issues.

Batwoman departed the scene too quickly, and it feels a bit as if the creative team is hurrying to finish the Verdict arc. This nevertheless remains an excellent book and a compelling arc.

This is a satisfying finish to the Verdict arc and remains a well-crafted and interesting book. The complex and multidimensional Harley we are getting is exactly what the character deserves.

This is not the Harley narrative I am looking for, but fans of Phillips's Harley will no doubt find something to appreciate here.

I may not be enjoying the space adventure as much as other Harley fans, but there is still something to enjoy seeing Harley in a situation we haven't seen in a while.

As the story arc continues, the weekly nature of the book is wearing me down along with a Harley narrative that I don't find appealing. Certain Harley fans will still find something to appreciate, even if I am not among them.

Harley's character development is really astonishing, even framed within a story and a setting that is not the strongest.

The "Who Killed Harley Quinn arc is off to an excellent start, and I'm especially happy with Lolli's artwork.

This is already a darker arc, but I suppose a story of Harley's murder and resurrection should be. I like the story and the art, and suppose what I really want most of all is for Phillips to continue on the book. Like Harley, it seems I am destined for disappointment.

We are hurtling towards the end of the Phillips era on the book, and at times the plotting and dialogue reflect the rush. Still, Harley is the center of the storm, and it will be interesting to see how she grapples with her new formidable nemesis.

The end of Phillips's run on Harley Quinn continues to feel rushed and chaotic. This isn't the strongest arc in the book thus far, but I'm still interested to see where it ends.

I have many apprehensions about this arc and what the future holds for our hero after Phillips's departure.

Readers of these reviews know that despite the fit with the character, I have never enjoyed Riley Rossmo's art, and the substitution of Matteo Lolli's realistic linework and expressive faces has been a dramatic improvement.

My apprehensions about Howard's plans for Harley are not assuaged by this issue. The community college device is deeply insulting and should never have passed editorial review.

The second book in the Tini Howard run is better than the first, but not by much. Come for Sweeney Boo's art; stay for Sweeney Boo's art.

DC seems determined to ruin the Harley Quinn book. Sweeney Boo's art remains fun to look at it, but the book itself is almost unreadable. Perhaps the next arc will be less terrible.

Harley Quinn #31 remains an extremely weak book right now. Perhaps the next arc will treat Harley and her relationships with the seriousness they deserve.

Harley Quinn #34 is not terrible but it remains a dramatic step down from the previous run.

The story finally begins to cohere, but I remain underwhelmed by this Harley Quinn.

We are back in Gotham, but the narrative is bloated and breathless.

It's not good.

The annual doesn't quite soar, but the narrative structure is effective and we get most everything that is currently working well with Harley Quinn.

Task Force XX was not the strongest arc, but Phillips did the best she could with it.

Whew one hundred pages of Harley is a lot. While not every story succeeds (there are ten!), overall the reader gets the impression that DC Universe has assembled a cast of creatives that treat Harley with the care and dedication the character deserves. Harley is wildly popular, including with this review author. The artwork in the book is particularly strong and it is thrilling to see Stjepan eji return to telling and illustrating Harley tales. Although I like the redemptive, lighter arc for Harley that current lead writer Stephanie Phillips is relating, the darkness that eji explores is alive with possibilities. As a whole, this is a strong book. Fans will find much to enjoy here.

I liked this book. If Howard is able to slow down and focus on Harley's character development, we may be in for a better run moving forward.