Batman #126

The new creative team is firing on all levels right now and suddenly Batman feels like a standout read when each week is so cluttered with Batman releases. Make sure this one is a priority. Read Full Review

Two months in to his run on the main-Bat title and Dzarsky has delivered a blockbuster issue. His sizzling story is beautifully accompanied by the unparalleled team of artist Jimenez and colourist Morey. Read Full Review

This book, as the kids would say, slaps. Read Full Review

With Detective Comics taking a horror stance to Batman's crusade, it is left to Chip Zdarsky to bring the more expected style of superhero action in Batman. Man, does he deliver! An action packed issue, with a rash of family members all to try and take down Failsafe! Read Full Review

Jorge Jimenez is a fantastic artist and brings a wonderful level of detail and energy to every page and panel in this issue. I am in awe of the art style and how thrilling it is. Read Full Review

BATMAN #126 has energy, action, and story beats that mean something to the hardcore fan. This issue of BATMAN is a super easy read that will go by fast but leave fans with the perfect balance of exuberance coupled with the story. Mirror the exceptional writing with Jimenezs explosive designs and dynamic renderings and readers get a BATMAN story that will certainly help fans forget all about the past six years of what the heck is going on?! in your BATMAN series. If youve left BATMAN in recent years, I strongly recommend jumping back on board with BATMAN #126. Just start with issue 125 to get the full story which should still be easy to find. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless! Read Full Review

For years Batman as a series has taken on different identities and even felt like an ensemble, but Batman #126 builds on the solo feel from last issue. It's funny to write that with most of Batman's Bat-family showing up, but the captions don't lie as Bruce Wayne is wrestling with dark thoughts and a growing need for isolation. Given the cliffhanger, Batman is on a darker path that's exciting to see unfold. Read Full Review

Zdarsky is a master of character work as always, and it's hard to pull off a character who expresses nothing but feels so much. Then comes the cliffhanger as we get our first hint of where Failsafe actually came fromand it's a brilliant callback to one of the strangest Bat-stories of all time. Read Full Review

Batman #126 is a great issue with lashings of action, character development, and a whopper of an ending. By taking away Batman's physical dominance, and also seemingly his correct state of mind, readers have been given some real meat on the bone to enjoy moving forward. Throw in a Terminator-esque villain and suddenly issue#127 has become even more of an essential purchase next month. Read Full Review

Batman #126 is superb in the stacked talent and the two great stories it puts forward. While I doubt it will end in a few months with the end of Batman, it does leave me wondering what will be left of him once all is said and done, and what status will Catwoman have in the Underworld is equally appealing. I highly recommend this issue because its really going places. Read Full Review

Despite a questionable cliffhanger ending, the art and writing for the bulk of the issue are top tier Batman comics. The danger and the stakes feel very real, making for some exiting storytelling. Read Full Review

Batman #126 is a solid and enjoyable read. While it does retread some recently stampeded ground, I am more than willing to give Zdarsky the benefit of the doubt for the moment, so well see where it goes. Read Full Review

Things definitely take an unexpected turn with the Failsafe storyline bringing us a part of Batman out that I did not expect to see. This all is on top of some very personal storytelling going around where Bruce Wayne finds himself at this point in his life. Add in wonderful artwork by Jorge Jimenez and Belen Ortega for both stories in Batman #126 all results in Chip Zdarsky already making the statement that this is a creative run that you don't want to miss out on reading. Read Full Review

Batman #126 is an explosive action piece that sees the return of an unexpected fan-favorite character. It's fun, fast, and absolutely stunning. Read Full Review

This is an exciting, action-packed comic. The art is really good throughout, but I think the book is a little overwritten at times. Failsafe is a cool character and I'm very curious to see where this is going. For now I recommend this comicit's very fun, even if it isn't perfect in terms of writing and execution. Read Full Review

Batman #126 does what every superhero comic should - confront the hero with a more powerful villain. The art is gorgeous and powerful, the action is intense, and the writing execution is on-point. However, the last-page revelation will make longtime Batman fans say "Yes!" or "Oh, no!" Read Full Review

Stormwrath

Aug 02, 2022

This issue is fucking excellent, failsafe is threatening as hell, the return of Batman Z-E-A as a failsafe for Batman and a lot of things hinting towards Black Glove... Zdarsky and Jimenez did a fantastic job

Hex

Aug 02, 2022

Y'know that feeling when your excitement starts to build up beyond the ability to contain it and you just explode? Like then Cap picked up Thor's hammer in Infinity War or when we saw both Peter's in No Way Home? This is that on the page. Seeing all of the Batfamily coming together to save Bruce. Holy crap. It's spectacular, beautiful and the best art in DC. Then the teardown from Failsafe. The build up to the fall, seeing the family annihilated so quickly and efficiently. I'd never expected to see ZEA really ever again but I am beyond excited for the rest of this. Zdarsky is a god.

Julhin

Aug 04, 2022

This was fucking amazing! Holy shit, what a killer issue!

El Raro

Sep 01, 2022

Outstanding issue both in the main story and the backup story. Been out of the loop with Batman for a while but when I heard Zdarsky was picking it up I just had to check it out. Definitely the Bat title to follow if you’re only going to pick one up.

Tempra16v2.0Turbo

Aug 02, 2022

Let's go

Comics instrucciones de uso

Aug 02, 2022

Wow

REYNARD

Aug 02, 2022

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

Federico Liguori

Aug 16, 2023

Holy shit. Batman is fucked. I even liked the Catwoman story. Great start!

daspidaboy

Aug 02, 2022

Damn. What a killer issue

fzanca

Aug 06, 2022

There was such a sense of danger in this issue. The team all coming in to make the save and not making a dent. Of course, this is simply Terminator retold in a Batman story, but I am interested to know the bot's origin and how they are going to destroy it. This issue was definitely full of action where the hero was simply looking to get away and regroup.

Brannon.44

Aug 07, 2022

I'm loving this so far.

Screaming Enigma

May 03, 2023

This was a great follow-up to the previous issue. After being teased before, Failsafe is fully established here as a super dangerous threat to Batman. One thing I liked in particular was the fact that he was solely after Batman and nobody else. Even when the rest of the Bat-Family tried stopping Failsafe, they were basically swatted away so the focus could be turned back to Batman. I also really enjoy how Zdarsky writes Bruce's narration/inner monologue as well. Zur-En-Arrh returning was something I did not expect whatsoever, but it does create intrigue. As for the backup story, it was a good read just like the one from the #125. Zdarsky just knows how to write man.

justonemore

Aug 02, 2022

now this is great!

ICC

Aug 03, 2022

Not at all what I expected after reading the first issue but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s a character reveal that I’m optimistic about, although I will say I was not fond of him in the past, I trust Zdarsky. Some of the art was off, mainly some proportions which I felt was odd to see in a main title like Batman but no other complaints really.

Batmanaholic

Aug 05, 2022

This is going to be a really fun Batman book, the art is perfection and the story is interesting. I want to see how Bruce beats failsafe, and I'm always down for the return on the last page. It's been a while since we have seen him, and I really can't wait to see where this story goes.

Patadu94

Aug 06, 2022

Second issue of Zdarsky's Batman and I am really enjoying it. Mostly the issue is a long fight between Batman and Failsafe. Not much talking but a lot of thoughts going on in Batman's mind. Nice to see his human side. At the end of the issue we are introduced to a new character which I do not know whom could be, however, it's getting more and more intriguing. In the issue there is also the second part of the story focused on Catwoman, it was a nice read and Penguin relatives are introduced in the series. The art is great, love the dark palette and how the fight scene is drawn.

Comics Code Authorities

Aug 17, 2022

Pretty good. I'm not as blown away as a lot of my fellow reviewers, but I'm impressed enough to say it's worth the $5. Failsafe should be a pretty tough challenge for Batman. I'm not looking forward to him being driven out of Gotham-AGAIN, but do look forward to learning a little more about this bad idea of Batman's and why Brother Eye didn't teach him enough not to mess with such things. Zdarsky's gotten off to a good start in what's just his second issue. This one wasn't as good as the last, but was still plenty satisfactory. I'm enjoying it enough I don't plan to be going anytime soon. But it's still a bit early. Tynion's run started out good too, but quickly declined. I hope not to see that happen again. I wish Zdarsky luck with this a nd hope he has as good a run here as he did on Spectacular Spider-Man a few years back. more

Loafy Trophy

Aug 09, 2022

Two concurrent takes on Batman, both influenced by different elements of Morrison's run? Sign me the fuck up. After loving Ram V's take on Barbatos over in 'Tec, I'm very happy to see the final page reveal Zdarsky pulled out here. I'm still not completely sold on Failsafe but the action sequences rendered by Jimenez were kinetic as hell and had a great sense of pace and movement. It made the book fun to read as we got to see the Bat-family try to hold the line. And that final page? Yeah, give me ALL of that.

Jawsh

Aug 18, 2022

Zdarsky is clearly having a blast writing this blockbuster of a book. Jimenez also gave us that c***y as hell panel with Nightwing. And the Catwoman back up is actually really interesting. This era of Batman is shaping up to be a crazy, wild ride that I have no idea where it's going.

Gizmo

Sep 17, 2022

I was confused about this robot at first, but I got it now. I had to use the old Google machine to understand the cliffhanger, but now I'm interested. Side note: I can't believe DC is still sticking with the exposed armpits on Catwoman. It's so weird.

Brownie

Aug 03, 2022

красивый арт, скучнейший сюжет. очередной скип про бетмена,как минимум, на эту арку

SenpaifenixJäger

Aug 02, 2022

Not bad, but to be Batman and the so-called best writer of this editorial, it just seemed to me that he lacks a lot. In the middle, neither good nor bad.

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Bruno Mael - Aug 3, 2022

Oh but he's not even close to be the best writer of the Bat-Line

Quinn

Aug 02, 2022

It was nice to actually see the Batfamily in action. Points to the writer for actually remembering them. But nothing really happens. We get a sense that the robot is yet another Batman plan that has backfired, but that’s it. By writing for the trades, where you read everything at one sitting, it kills the suspense for monthly reads. We don’t know the stakes because information is being kept for later issues, so we don’t get the suspense. So all the action is just place holding. Also, I found the art lacking. A couple of times I thought Bat’s body being awkwardly drawn. He appeared to me to be a doll who was posed imperfectly. Sort of an uncanny valley thing. But that could be me. The end result is sort of a lifeless story w here we know something is coming down the road, but in the meantime we are spinning our wheels. Not crazy about this. Or I could be wrong. more

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daspidaboy - Aug 3, 2022

"But nothing really happens." You do know thats called build-up right? We will know who Failsafe is in later issues.

Quinn - Aug 4, 2022

That’s my point. I am not reading the later issues, I am reading the now issue. There has to be something going on now that matters. There have to be stakes in this issue. Or I could be wrong.

Hex - Aug 4, 2022

Batman is getting his face caved in by a giant robot, the Batfamily has to come save him and then are demolished themselves. That's pretty high stakes. Then he resorts to using another unstable failsafe program. That matters. The complaint of set up issues having nothing of substance is getting ridiculous when this is normal practice in comics now. Stories are told over longer arcs that have payoff an issue or two later so they give you an action heavy issue to put the protagonist at a low point

Quinn - Aug 4, 2022 (edited)

Not high stakes, predictable cliches that show no clever plotting or characterization. Or I could be wrong.

Hex - Sep 4, 2022

Did you... did you really give yourself a catch-phrase??

Psycamorean - Sep 5, 2022

You have to appreciate 4D chess moves like built in catchphrases.

myconius

Aug 03, 2022

Sorry but this writing is very pedestrian and very decompressed. More whiney-crybaby Batman, and now Tim Drake is a cranky amateur that gets defensive when he's called out for being sloppy in the field. Zdarsky’s version of Bruce is very tiresome with all his pissing and moaning about how he couldn't marry Selina. Feels like we’re revisiting Tom King’s run all over again. This version of Bruce is also a poor fighter. He gets beaten like a cheap drum. As for the Morrison Batman pandering at the end... PUH-LEEEEZE!!! What the hell is this? a discount version of Batman RIP?

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daspidaboy - Aug 3, 2022

It seems that you come off to this issue hating it. Also, Batman is fighting a literal robot that is way stronger and faster than him. Of course he's going to get beaten up, but he'll rise to defeat Failsafe.

myconius - Aug 4, 2022

@daspidaboy - how boring a world it would be if everyone all liked & disliked the same exact things. Different people have different opinions. Enjoy your comic. Please don't let me and my PERSONAL opinion hinder you.

Quinn - Aug 4, 2022 (edited)

Wouldn’t it be nice if Batman actually had a plan beyond “hit robot that is tougher and stronger than me to no effect.” I’d actually like seeing some of that world’s greatest detective in action, instead of world’s greatest bruiser. It would make for a nice change of pace.

myconius - Aug 4, 2022

@Quinn - agreed! this issue combined with the last issue where Batman bumbled his way into getting framed for murder makes him look like a complete idiot, let alone the world’s greatest detective. ...but i suppose Batman's intelligence level can only be as high as the person that's writing him.

Batmanaholic - Aug 5, 2022

You completely misunderstood why he mentioned Selina (and I hated the last 35 issues of kings run) ..... he was using it too show, how he wishes for better for the batfamily, and how he hopes they can oneday actually be happy, unlike him and his em never ending mission as batman.

myconius - Aug 5, 2022

@Batmanaholic - after Tynion did a damn good job of wiping the slate clean no writer should be re-heating any of Tom King's leftovers. Seriously, this entire run has had a blemish on it after Tom King put his hands on it. DC needs to just re-boot and forget that entire mess of Batman Rebirth had ever happened.

REYNARD - Aug 6, 2022

I do see your POV, and in the context of Batman's history, he shouldn't be pissy because of shitty storylines. I do think this was a lot worse during the King run, but I'm hoping Zdarsky exorcises this personality out so we can return to a more competent Batman. I personally think Bruce getting clapped up makes sense int he context since he got blindsided and is also still poor. I'm praying Zdarsky does Morrison pandering the right way (we've already seen it done badly by Williamson).

myconius - Aug 6, 2022

@SONOFBATMANN - absolutely. i had such high hopes for Williamson's Batman Inc arc. i wasn't exactly expecting Morrison levels of grandeur. but i did hope it'd at least respect Morrison's continuity. i just feel like Zdarsky rushed in the ZurEnArrh. in Batman RIP it was so moving to see Bruce stitch his ZEA suit. but here he pulls out a trunk, and there's a slick ZEA suit ready to go. it'd at least make more sense if it was the ragged stitched ZEA suit from RIP.

Bats44121 - Aug 7, 2022 (edited)

Very nice to read that commenter Quinn remembers Batman Bruce Wayne seeking "some of that world’s greatest detective in action." The reality is post-modern writers just simply don't understand and/or like Batman Bruce Wayne. Batman has dealt with all sorts of crises and threats since 1939. But to them, he is just an "old man" and they believe stunts will keep monthly readers, since coherent plot and respect for character not needed.

Bats44121 - Aug 7, 2022

Agree with myconius - the "whiney-crybaby Batman" is very entertaining for those who never understood and didn't like the Batman Bruce Wayne character --- obviously very different from DareDevil - especially the past several decades of portrayal of Matt Murdock. But to some a costume is a costume.

Bats44121 - Aug 7, 2022

@myconius - Agree 1000%. Especially: "Seriously, this entire run has had a blemish on it after Tom King put his hands on it. DC needs to just re-boot and forget that entire mess of Batman Rebirth had ever happened."

myconius - Aug 7, 2022

Bats20832 - Thank you. I think that unfortunately many new Batman readers that jumped on at TheNew52 (and afterward) really had gotten a poor iteration of Batman. I’d say this current version of Batman is actually worse than the paranoid and psychotic Batman from back in Tower of Babel and War Games/War Crimes. Batman became a meathead bruiser in the hands of Scott Snyder. And he only further devolved with Tom King.

myconius - Aug 7, 2022

Bats20832 - Agreed! I’m not a fan of reboots. But honestly so much damage was done to Batman after Tom King put his stink on the character. His is the most pathetic version of the character I’ve ever seen. Batman was inspired by so many great fictional characters like Zorro and Sherlock Holmes. In the Bronze age they even started taking influence from James Bond to make Batman even cooler. But now he’s just a sad, weak, emotionally unstable basket case. They really need to fix the character.

Zaid

Jan 02, 2023

loved it