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/Annual_3.jpg "Batman Annual #3")
Agreed, I however have my doubts with Tom Taylor. I am still pissed he killed Scarecrow in the first issues of Injustice, ignored him from there on& only thanks to Injustice 2 he is still alive ( love the game, hate the comics) so whatever he writes, I am fine with it as long as he leaves Scarecrow out of it. I currently love Nightwing though.
Batman Annual #3
| Writer | Tom Taylor |
| Artist | Otto Schmidt |
| Cover Price | $4.99 |
"THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PENNY!" Alfred Pennyworth has been Batman's most trusted ally and confidant since the Dark Knight first hit the streets of Gotham City. Now, witness Batman's battle for justice from Alfred's perspective and learn how harrowing that journey has been as Batman experiences one of the worst nights Gotham City has ever seen-a night that will push Alfred to the breaking point! Best-selling writer Tom Taylor presents an epic tale that promises to be one of the most Alfred stories ever told!
CRITIC REVIEWS
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10
Batman-News - Elena Carrillo
Dec 12, 2018Last week's DC offerings felt really bleak and really dated, but this week Tom Taylor gives us shot of pure adrenaline right into our collective comic-book-loving hearts and reminds us why many of us starting reading Batman in the first place: because as a character he's totally awesome and he's also totally human. Read Full Review
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10
Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield
Dec 12, 2018It's easily one of the best Batman stories I've read in years. Read Full Review
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10
Black Nerd Problems - Keith Reid-Cleveland
Dec 12, 2018Unlike Batman Annual #1, this one is great from cover-to-cover as it focuses on one extra-length story and not a single page goes to waste. Read Full Review
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10
Infinite Earths - J.D. Jr.
Dec 12, 2018A unique and heartwarming tale that showcases the fatherly relationship between Alfred and Batman! Read Full Review
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10
Comicosity - Allen Thomas
Dec 12, 2018Batman Annual #3 is something special. While the story seems relatively straightforward, there is so much that lies underneath the surface. Bruce and Alfreds relationship is one of the cornerstones of Batmans existence, and though much of it is demonstrated through dry and pointed humor, it is one that is imbued with love. This issue was a wonderful exploration of the parallels, similarities, and contrasts between the two, and somewhat revelatory about what their connection means for Batmans presence and Bruces personality. With an endearing ending and a slightly fraught build-up, this comic is a vital glimpse into one of comics oldest dynamics. Read Full Review
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10
ComicBook.com - Nicole Drum
Dec 12, 2018It's something that Tom Taylor's story tells well alone, but Otto Schmidt's art shows it as well, the end result being a beautiful, satisfying, and perfectly Batman tale. Read Full Review
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10
Kabooooom - Matt Morrison
Dec 14, 2018Granting my inherent bias toward anything by Tom Taylor or Otto Schmidt as individual artists, this is one of the best Batman comics I've ever read. If you've ever liked Alfred Pennyworth as a character or, like me, miss Otto Schmidt's work on Green Arrow, this is a must-read. There is little else to be said beyond that. Read Full Review
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10
Newsarama - Justin Partridge
Dec 14, 2018Batman purists and casual fans alike will find a lot to love about Batman Annual #3 thanks to its accessibility, its emotion, and its innate understanding of Alfred Pennyworth and his commitment to Bruce Wayne. Read Full Review
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10
DC Comics News - Steven Brown
Dec 15, 2018Overall Batman Annual #3 is a great read and an enjoyable one! It really explores the relationship between Alfred and Bruce, plus you get to see Batman's entire world from a whole different perspective. Alfred notes that Bruce is so busy saving the world, that he neglects himself so often. Leslie Thompkins makes an appearance in the issue as the life saving doctor that Batman needs when he's fatally stabbed. As both Alfred and Bruce heal in her emergency room, Leslie reminds us how Alfred and Bruce are stubborn and stoic in their ways. This issue shows us why Alfred is more than just a mere employee or butler-he's a father and a mentor to Bruce. Read Full Review
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9.6
Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz
Dec 14, 2018I'm all for annuals if they give us value with a good story and art. This book gives us just that. It may end up being a classic if enough people read it. Read Full Review
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9.5
AIPT - David Brooke
Dec 12, 2018A fantastic issue that may win an Eisner when all things are said and done. It's meanignful, heartfelt, and exciting. It's a near perfect one-shot Batman adventure. Read Full Review
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9.5
Comicsverse - Maite Molina
Dec 12, 2018BATMAN ANNUAL #3 is a wonderfully crafted, introspective look at The Dark Knight's most loyal ally. Read Full Review
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9.4
Weird Science - Jim Werner
Dec 12, 2018This is one of my favorite issue of Batman in a long, long time. I am a huge Tom Taylor fan and he never fails to get me teary-eyed when he wants to and it seems like he wanted some waterworks this week. If you bailed from the Batman book after the non-wedding, do yourself a favor and come back for this issue. You can thank me later. Read Full Review
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9.0
Comic Crusaders - Kevin Given
Dec 17, 2018It's a special day at Wayne Manor. When Bruce decides that he must take Alfred's interests into consideration. Batman has bitten off a little more than he can chew and Alfred needs more help than usual to look after his employer. We see the true extent of Alfred's concern by the end of this issue and it's an excellent moment. One that defines family more than most issues of this type do. All in all, a totally satisfying issue. ****1/2 (9.8 rating) Read Full Review
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9.0
Major Spoilers - Wayne Hall
Dec 17, 2018This one is an instant classic since it is strong in script and in art. And we get a peek in on Alfred's life as well, so it's a winner! Read Full Review
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9.0
On Comics Ground - Travis Tucker
Dec 17, 2018You have to pick this book up, there's so much I can tell you about it without spoiling it for you, its a great issue. Trust me Read Full Review
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8.9
Comic Watch - Bethany W Pope
Dec 12, 2018With this issue, Tom Taylor has added another, fascinating, dimension to the Bat-mythos. Parental love, and the function of compassion, are the primary themes. Oh yeah. And Alfred beats up a bunch of baddies while wearing a Halloween mask. That happens, too. Read Full Review
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8.0
The Batman Universe - Ian Miller
Dec 12, 2018Providing a temporary respite from the bleakness of the current storyline (and Batmans life in general), Tom Taylor and Otto Schmidt give Alfred time to shine. Read Full Review
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8.0
Word Of The Nerd - Brent Jackson
Dec 13, 2018Batman Annual #3 is a fantastic one-shot story told from Alfred's perspective. It has a ton of heart to it and if you do not smile at the ending you might want to check your pulse! The creative team did a fantastic job. Taylor and Schmidt make a really good team that I would like to see work again together in the future. One thing that I love about this is you don't have to be following the current Batman to enjoy this story, you just need general knowledge about the Caped Crusader (in this day in age, about everyone knows the basics). With just the basic knowledge you can pick up Batman Annual #3 and read acomplete and totally enjoyable story! Read Full Review
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8.0
Big Comic Page - Craig Gorman.
Dec 13, 2018Take Alfred, one splash of Tea, a smattering of crumpets, a pinch of rockets, mix with gadgets, Leslie Tomlin's and a dose of Batman and you have a winning issue. Heartfelt, sincere and rock solid - go buy this now! Read Full Review
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8.0
Dark Knight News - Eric Lee
Dec 17, 2018Ultimately the story is a satisfying one-shot. It does not add anything to the ongoing plot in the main title, nor is it groundbreaking. But it is a perfectly proficient comic that gives more background on Alfred. Read Full Review
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8.0
411Mania - RobF
Dec 20, 2018This story is a loving tribute to Batman's mechanic, butler, cook and confidant. It's also a tribute to Bruce Wayne's "father". A special story for sure, one to be treasured. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS
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10
Great one shot
+ Like • Comment• Likes (1) -
10
The emotion in this really hit hard. I probably liked this more than the second annual.
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10
What a week for Batman with this annual and Detective #994!! This was such an enjoyable story that I just didn't want to end. I've enjoyed a lot of Tom King's run, but this was a much needed change to a Batman/Bruce you can root for. Alfred's dedication to Bruce shines through. Can't recommend this enough.
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10
Okay real talk this was adorable and I was enchanted and I will fight you if you disagree.
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10
Tom Taylor writes this one Batman issue and manages to outperform almost every issue of Tom King's run with just an annual. Taylor delivers a fantastic story that is accompanied by great art as well. By far the best annual of the series and possibly one of the best issues of this Batman series
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9.5
Heartwarming and unique story about the relationship between bruce and alfred that will make you appreciate alfred even more.
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9.5
Good writing in Batman comic? I've missed that...
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9.5
Otto Schmidt, everyone! I wondered if his style would only work on other books, but no - he can Batman as well as anyone. Taylor does a great job letting the art do the work early in the book to set the scene/world they build. Then, quips, details, complexity all come through via Taylor. This examination of their co-dependent but loving relationship just as memorable as King's decades-spanning Annual #2. A must-read.
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9.5
THE GOOD: -This was a charming heartwarming story above all, and one that I really enjoyed. -Otto Schmidt's art was well-drawn and his depiction of Alfred was especially good. I also really liked his facial expressions. -I previously stated that Tom Taylor should write Nightwing, and while that comic is in desperate need of salvaging (in my opinion, although maybe not more than Red Hood at this point, that series is just plain pissing me off!) Taylor really proved his chops for a Batman comic. Because not only was the Alfred story good, so was the Batman one. -I haven't read very many Batman comics, but this issue might have just captured Batman and Alfred's relationship better than anything else in one story. -This was a more
+ Like • Comments (16)• Likes (3) -
9.5
This how Batman should be writing TAKE A NOTE TOM KINGS
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9.5
I didn't think annual #2 could be topped, and I am not sure it was but this was a heartwarming story about my favourite old man in comics.
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9.5
One of the best books of the year
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9.0
This was a refreshing change of pace for Batman. He was actually competent for once. It was great. However, the real star of this comic was Alfred and seeing what he goes through in service to Batman. I definitely think DC should give Tom Taylor a Batman book so the character can be fun to read again.
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9.0
This is the reason why Tom King shouldn't write Batman: because we miss out on amazing stories like these. Thank you Taylor and Schmidt, y'all did a great job.
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9.0
Where would Bruce be without Alfred? This was a very heartfelt issue narrated from Alfred's point of view. The murder of Bruce's parents not only changed the trajectory of Bruce's life, but it also changed Alfred's. This issue does a great job highlighting all the sacrifices that Alfred makes to support Bruce. Alfred doesn't rest until Bruce is done with patrol. He makes sure he eats, provides emergency pick-ups, prepares his clothes...anything that Bruce may need; including taking a beating from local thugs. I can only imagine the anxiety Alfred deals with on a daily basis. I'm so thankful the batfamily has Dr. Leslie Thompkins in their life. She keeps it 100% real with both Alfred and Bruce. She encourages Bruce to stop bein more
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8.5
It's really refreshing to read a good Batman comic book for a change. Heck, good - it's very solid, featuring both action and heart. Especially the latter, showing Alfred's dedication and love for Bruce, and the toll his work puts on him. Also, what's equally important, for once we can see human side of Batman, which Tom King seems to have forgotten about completely. That's some real heartwarming storytelling. Hihgly recommend. Tom King, watch and learn how to write a good Bat comic.
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8.5
"uncharacteristically sensible" This should not be titled Batman Annual 3 but rather Alfred: The Master of Sarcasm. Well, whatever the title this was great. Immensely enjoyable read. First of all, I need to say that Otto Schmidt's art lends itself great to Batman. I mean his art is always excellent, but I just love how his Batman looks here. With Batmobile and Batwing, he wasn't lazy either. As for the writing. It was SO REFRESHING to read a story with, dare I say it, very efficient Dark Knight. No pondering the very nature of his existence or asking if he is good enough. Just good story with amazing banter between Bruce and Alfred. And let's not forget about the great parallel Tom Taylor did with these two. And the very ending wa more
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8.0
This story is written from Alfred's perspective& it does a good job showing the reader, why Alfred stays with Bruce& also how important Alfred is for Batman. I'm usually not an Alfred fan, but even I enjoyed this story. Tom Taylor does a good job here& it felt more like the Batman we know than King is currently giving us in his Batman run.
+ Like • Comments (7)• Likes (3) -
8.0
Solid story, but not amazing. The best thing about the story is the fact that it is told from Alfred's perspective for a change. Both character portrayals are spot on, rather than King whose characters seem to always undergo an identity crisis. The story is not tangential and meandering either, which is a wonderful departure from current batman stories. That being said, nothing really stood out to me as truly outstanding in this story. It was just a good solid tale that is a nice break from King's strange tendencies.
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4.0
I usually skip annuals. I should have skipped this. A one-shot of no consequence.
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2025 In Review:
