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Ivy being mayor is too far fetched in GOTHAM but Lex Luthor was the PRESIDENT. Okay.
Batman #8
| Writer | Matt Fraction |
| Artist | Ryan Sook |
| Cover Price | $4.99 |
A hero. A villain. A reporter. Three old men, on one night in Gotham, each have encounters that will reverberate across their city forever. Series writer Matt Fraction is joined by sensational guest artist Ryan Sook for an unforgettable new chapter of the Caped Crusader’s ongoing story.
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
Get Your Comic On - Neil Vagg
Apr 01, 2026Batman #8 is the calm before the storm, masterfully constructed. Fraction uses three interlocking stories to set the stage for all-out war against the Bat-Family with a precision that makes the threat feel genuinely earned. Read Full Review
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10
But Why Tho? - William Tucker
Apr 01, 2026Batman Issue 8 looks to the elders. The guest star, being the first Green Lantern, feels fresh, exciting, and very unexpected. Read Full Review
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10
Nerd Initiative - Megan Nichole
Apr 01, 2026Batman #8 turns the excitement up a notch and sets up some thrilling things that I’m extremely excited to see play out. Hats off to the creative team! Read Full Review
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9.5
Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield
Apr 01, 2026This run has been very promising so far, and now it seems like it’s about to hit a new gear of intensity. Read Full Review
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9.0
Fanlight Zone - Ken M.
Apr 01, 2026Batman’s struggles with Vandal Savage lead him to an intervention but is it too late? Fraction pens a superb look at the current state of Gotham with his writing. Sook and Morey throw varying looks into play as Gotham City is heading into deep water. This series continues to redefine the world of the Dark Knight! Read Full Review
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9.0
Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills
Apr 04, 2026Neat storytelling trick works nicely to further build the story, and the down-to-Earth scenes between Batman and Green Lantern are some delicious icing on the cake. Read Full Review
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8.9
Comic Watch - Jamison Nilsson
Apr 01, 2026Batman #8 is beautifully drawn by Ryan Sook and is narratively divided between three characters, none of whom are Batman. That may put some readers off; they’re paying to see Batman (and while they do), some may dislike that he’s not the focus of this issue. Read Full Review
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8.9
The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally
Apr 01, 2026Sook creates some beautifully detailed art throughout the story. The imagery brilliantly captures the mood and tone of the story as well as the city itself. Read Full Review
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8.0
Dark Knight News - Max Byrne
Apr 01, 2026Batman #8 is an issue that lays off the action in favour of being a conversational issue, with dialogue very much at the forefront. This works extremely well, providing an engrossing set of pages that show Fraction’s strength as a writer of characters. The table is certainly set now for what will be an hellacious ride for Batman et al, Read Full Review
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8.0
AIPT - Michael Guerrero
Apr 01, 2026Matt Fraction teams up with Ryan Sook to have Gotham's two most devoted protectors’ team up against the ever-changing forms of crime occurring in Gotham City. Read Full Review
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7.0
The Batman Universe - Ian Miller
Apr 01, 2026Fraction and guest artist Sook provide a moody, lovely issue pushing the story forward in both plot and character. Read Full Review
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6.5
KPB Comics - Joseph Pines
Apr 02, 2026Batman #8 is an odd case. No one on this book is doing a poor job, not by any means, but it never really comes together. Between the writing feeling out of sync with the events of the previous issue and the clash between Ryan Sook’s style and the rest of the book, it ends up feeling like the weakest issue of Fraction’s run so far. A lull in an otherwise phenomenal relaunch of the series. Read Full Review
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5.5
Weird Science - Gabe Hernandez
Apr 01, 2026Batman #8 has the bones of a strong Gotham pressure-cooker issue, and the political menace lands with real force, especially when the book lets its villains talk like people who already think they own the city. But the padding is obvious, the pacing drags in the middle, and too much of the issue feels like setup dressed as substance, so this one only earns a spot for readers already locked into the run. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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8.0
I like it otherwise, but Ivy becoming the Mayor just sorta happens. I get it happens in her book, but if you don't read that, it just comes out of nowhere here.
+ Like • Comment -
7.5
Another slow issue, although this one was definitely more interesting. I didn’t recognize Ryan Sook’s artwork at first. Usually, it’s excellent, but for some reason it doesn’t look as flawless here as I have come to know it. The bright colors that work well with the regular artist might be the problem. Still, not a bad book when it comes to the art, but I’m getting a little bored with Fraction’s writing.
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7.0
this involved a lot of talking and setting up plot points for the run. The writing is still solid, however it just wasn't entertaining or engaging compared to the other issues. Ryan Sook's art looks different, but it is still a solid artwork.
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4.0
Batman read like what I hate most. Boring low rent Tom King. We just pick up new storylines because we feel like focusing on those at this time. Gone is the Minotaur. The joker. The ninjas. All gone. Instead we get Alan Scott who not long ago was trolling for ass at docks. And coffee chats with Batman. I almost fell asleep 3 times reading this book.
Poison ivy is mayor ? She’s killed as many as savage who is also an elected official. This issue was a huge miss after last issue which was also flat. But at least that one kept my attention. Just awful stuff. Get this title back on track and enough side quests. Avoid this comic. -
3.0
Did I miss something? The entire Joker thing from last issue was forgotten. Now we have Poison Ivy is mayor and Vandal Savage is still commissioner. I am serious, when did Ivy become mayor? What kind of buildup went into that?
Something like a major super villain becoming mayor should be talked about. Bruce/Batman not being able to stop that goes to show just ineffective he is. The villains are really winning, and the people of Gotham are really stupid.
Bats spends most of the issue talking to Alan Scott Green Lantern about Savage. The whole thing which took pages would have happened in a single page when I was young and kids stayed off my lawn. When we first see Scott he’s walking through Chinatown and is accosted by a g more+ Like • Comments (1)• Likes (2) -
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