Batman #9
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/9.webp "Batman #9")
| Writer | Matt Fraction |
| Artist | Ryan Sook |
| Cover Price | $4.99 |
After making a sinister deal with Mayor Isley, Commissioner Vandal Savage initiates “Operation Peregrine,” sending his brutal TUCO squads across Gotham City on a singular mission: Bring in the Batman! Batman and his team must destroy and abandon their hideouts, safeguard their data, and escape the long arm of the law… but not everyone will make it safely through the night!
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
Nerd Initiative - Megan Nichole
May 06, 2026If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. Matt Fraction’s Batman gets better and better with each issue, and there’s no sign of stopping. Read Full Review
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9.8
Comic Watch - Jamison Nilsson
May 06, 2026It’s the level of character writing you would tend to see in a several-issue-long story arc, not contained in one issue. Matt Fraction has made it well known that he wants his Batman run to feel more like episodes of the week with connective elements rather than a long continuous story arc. The goal of this is so that any given issue, especially when collected randomly, would be worth a read. Issue #9 is the exact formula for that specific kind of storytelling. Read Full Review
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9.5
Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield
May 06, 2026Damian and Bruce’s relationship has had a lot of ups and downs in recent runs – Josh Williamson had them develop a tighter partnership, while Philip Kennedy Johnson actually had Damian consider leaving the Robin role. Fraction obviously had the big blow-up after Damian accidentally risked Bruce’s secret identity in front of Dr. Zeller, and Bruce reacted in an uncharacteristically angry way. The interactions between them here are really well-done, and it makes a nice contrast to the action-packed segments as the Bat-family dodges the GCPD and pulls off one daring move after another. Of course, based on the cover and the fact that a certain comic has been solicited months ago, we know how this is going to and it doesn’t end well for the Bats. This is a consistent problem for the comics, but when the stories are this exciting, it’s a minor obstacle at most. Read Full Review
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9.0
Fanlight Zone - Ken M.
May 06, 2026"Operation Peregrine" deals a crushing blow to the Bat Family in its’ opening round. Fraction challenges Bruce Wayne on many fronts with the writing. Sook and the art team present a very sleek look at how the family responds to being hunted. A phenomenal look at the ever-changing world of the Dark Knight. Read Full Review
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9.0
Comic Book Clique - George Serrano
May 06, 2026A chapter that proves the biggest threat to Batman is the loss of his foundation. Read Full Review
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9.0
Dark Knight News - Max Byrne
May 06, 2026Batman #9 is compelling reading. It has set up a huge arc to come with Barbara Gordon’s new circumstances taking her to a new, harsh place, playing itself out in the public eye. I cannot wait to see how Savage counters Batman and how it all plays out over the coming months. The standard of this run is high, long may it continue. Read Full Review
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9.0
Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles
May 07, 2026Batman 9 definitely shakes up the status quo with an intriguing cliffhanger and a major shift for the Batman Family. This arc is proving to be very entertaining so far. Read Full Review
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8.9
The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally
May 06, 2026Sook crafts some beautifully detailed and visually thrilling art throughout the issue. I love the visuals immensely. Read Full Review
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8.0
You Don't Read Comics - Russ Bickerstaff
May 06, 2026Fraction isn't working with anything that's terribly new. So many of the elements of Bruce's world have been established and reestablished countless times over the years. Fraction is doing a good job making sure that it all feels fresh, though. He's tapping into those aspects of the character that are most appealing. And though it might be very appealing to maintain Batman’s loner status at the center of the title, it's really fun to see the Batman family working in a way that feels Ish and appealing for everyone in the extended ensemble. Very cool stuff. Read Full Review
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8.0
The Batman Universe - Ian Miller
May 07, 2026Fraction and Sook pull out all the stops for an action packed chapter of Batman vs. Vandal Savage! Read Full Review
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7.5
AIPT - Michael Guerrero
May 06, 2026I found this issue to be very captivating and ended with a few intriguing cliffhangers. While it feels like we're rehashing a concept used frequently in the Batman title, I think this one was more worthwhile. Here, the story felt more mysterious and intense than predictable. This helped the issue to feel more similar to something like the TV show 24 by having a high stakes story unfold at a heightened pace. This is definitely an issue readers will want to pick up, despite a few notable shortcomings. Read Full Review
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7.5
KPB Comics - Joseph Pines
May 07, 2026It’s hard to shake the feeling that Fraction’s run on Batman has been beginning to drag. The lack of consistent updates on the main throughlines of the book combined with the monthly format makes it so we often go multiple months before really following up on any single storyline. Issue #9 gives a welcome reprieve, simultaneously tying up a couple ongoing stories while raising the stakes, even if it is bogged down by premature solicits. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
THIS! I knew from the first few issues that Fraction was playing the long game, doling out enough good character development and forward plot movement to slowly build towards a big payoff. I feel like this issue is the beginning of that payoff. This issue’s storytelling has a very cinematic pace and quality to it, courtesy of Fraction and Sook, who does a fantastic fill-in job once again. Things boil over as Team Batman races against the clock, and against Savage’s special TUCO unit, to destroy their remote bases around the city before they are penetrated and their equipment seized. They’re too late in a few instances, and there were moments in this issue where I truly wondered if certain characters might not survive the assault. One charac more
+ Like • Comment• Likes (1) -
8.0
Can and should be better.
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8.0
So where’s home?!?
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5.0
There were things I liked. Steph learning Tim was going on a date with Bernard. She reacted normally for once. Basically she had to tell herself it was cool. Now that’s real. You’re a girl and your boyfriend leaves you for a guy. You’re not allowed to pout because that’s homophobic, but it really hurts and is humiliating.
But, again, this run jumps all over the place. The plot takes a page from Daredevil Born Again. The mayor has armed cop stormtrooper going after the vigilantes. They are going to raid all the bat bunkers, something no villain has ever been able to do because no one figured out where they are. Bruce gets lectured by non corporeal Alfred.
This shows the futility of killing the character. DC never figured o more -
4.0
Fraction obviously didn’t read any of Damian character development in the pat 3+ years
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3.5
I'm so sick and tired of this type of story telling by Matt Fraction.
Fraction is pretty much a poor mans Tom King, They pick up , discard , restart story elements at a whim with little to no build up all for the sake of "wow moments". They both also have the habit of disregarding any and all character development before them. How many times has Wayne manor been blown up at this point? I lost out at 4-6 times. How many times has Batman been on the run from the police?
Issues 5-6 were really fun and good. Those 2 issues are stand outs as they actually tell a blended story. Since then let's follow the story.
#7 Joker in a tank convo- how that happened, why, how long ... none of it answered. Its started for a wow momen more -
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9.0
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7.0
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