Batman #133

Zdarsky's "The Bat-Man of Gotham City is proving to be a very thought-provoking storyline. It's an intriguing examination of how Bruce would fare in a very different version of Gotham. But, Zdarsky shows us that Bruce is up to the challenge. Because being Batman is Bruce's destiny, regardless of which version of Gotham City he may find himself in. Read Full Review

Batman has made for an enjoyable read through this latest arc. Zdarsky is having fun playing against the standard Batman Gotham story and these new wrinkles have made for an entertaining stretch of issues. Read Full Review

The still-anonymous villain has expanded Arkham's operations in a way we've really never seen before, and the setting introduced at the end of the issue is just another great level-up for a series that never seems to take its foot off the gas pedal. Read Full Review

Batman #133 continues Zdarskys wildly creative story with a Batman more familiar to the diehard fans of yore. Vengeance is back baby! The Bat of Gotham is ready to strike fear in the hearts of everyone as he single-handedly drains this evil, corrupted Gotham Swamp. Moreover, the action is relentless from start to finish. From excavating dead bodies to fighting venomized villains, Batman takes fans down memory lane as to why we all love this character so much. Readers, I havent had this much fun in this title in years. Sure, Failsafe was a good arc and it changed the trajectory of the series well. But Batman #133 finally provides this title with the excitement its been missing for quite some time. I know its in the middle of the arc, but Batman fans should be back on this title. Get the back issues and trades of Zdarskys run and hop on board while you still can. Read Full Review

Batman #133 continues to reveal what Gotham would be like without Batman, and a little Batman injected into it can start to fix things with a bit of elbow grease. This issue also begins to reveal there may be a larger purpose to Batman being zapped into another dimension, making the next issue even more tantalizing to read. Read Full Review

Hawthorne delivers some great art throughout the issue. The character designs and backgrounds look amazing and I love the visual tone of the issue. Read Full Review

Batman #133 finds Bruce Wayne donning a street-level cape and cowl to save an alternate world's Gotham from criminal corruption. The art and writing are solid, and the plot feels like it's moving, but the lack of urgency on Bruce's behalf to get back home and stop Failsafe is somehow unsettling. Read Full Review

Chip Zdarsky along with artists Mike Hawthorne and Miguel Mendonca delivered a strong chapter in the two Multiverse adventures we get in Batman #133. With the main story we see how Bruce Wayne resourceful he is while struggling with his emotions when interacting with certain Elseworld characters. Then with the Tim Drake adventure we get another example of what makes him the best Robin. It all comes together for a comic book that makes you want to find out what happens next in both stories. Read Full Review

Hawthorne and Di Benedettos art also does this in both the more bombastic action sequences and the quieter, introspective moments. The balance plays up the pulp and human roots of Batman, and when paired with the excellent balance of colors from Morey, the issue clicks and becomes a satisfying Batman comic. Sometimes, you just want your Batman comic to be a no-frill, hearty Batman comic, and thats what Batman #133 is at its core. Read Full Review

"The Bat-Man of Gotham arc begins to coalesce this month. With all the pieces on the board, Zdarsky is shifting the story to bring in more action whilst keeping the focus on Bruce's emotional journey. Once again the backup story is used to bring some great context. We're beginning to see both stories racing towards an epic conclusion. Read Full Review

But for you fans out there, this is an issue worth getting for the overall story, the settings, great new takes on established villains, and lovely visuals. Read Full Review

Batman #133 is an issue that expands and opens up the alternate universe, adding more meat to the bone. Whilst the city is different to the one we know and love, Batman is Batman. The surroundings may have changed but the man and his mission remain the same. Will he accomplish all he wants to before it is time to go home? Only time will tell. Read Full Review

While I would like to see this story progressing a little faster so that we could get back to the main universe so that Bruce and deal with Failsafe because it feels more and more like we've just forgotten the urgency of that storyline entirely, this adventure in this alternate Gotham is still a fascinating one, particularly this issue as we dig a little more into the cracks in the system as it were. Read Full Review

Zdarsky has a really interesting idea. Batman in the Gotham City of a parallel universe is too clever a concept to rush through this quickly. The idea of a seasoned Bruce Wayne having to start over completely in a world that never knew Batman would be a lot of fun for a multi-title crossover. Instead, Zdarsky has to rush through it as a multi-issue arc in a single title. It all feels a little too compressed to manage the full impact that it could have had if it were allowed more room to breathe. Read Full Review

Batman #133 has solidified my thoughts on this arc, the main story and back-up are flipped. The comic should feature Tim and Jon Kent's attempt to find and rescue Bruce as the main draw. A story of a “rescue” of Bruce from an actual ideal world could have been a bit more interesting than Bruce again finding he needs to don the cowl in an alternate world to dispense justice. Overall, an entertaining, though overall ho-hum arc so far. Read Full Review

Batman #133 takes readers on an elseworlds Gotham sightseeing tour, hitting the necessary beats to bring us to Red Mask's lair, but there's no real tension or excitement. Read Full Review

This alternate reality storyline isn't as unique and special as I would like. It doesn't have anything alternate enough to sink my teeth into. Read Full Review

Honestly? I don't recommend this comic; it just isn't very good. The backup is fun, and Zdarsky certainly has a good voice for Tim Drake, but I'm not about to recommend spending $4.99 on just a short backup. There are better books on stands this week that are worth spending your time and hard-earned money on. Read Full Review

MoonyLoony

Mar 07, 2023

YES YES YES I enjoyed Failsafe but these past few issues, while not bad, haven’t been doing it for me. This issue is as good as any of the Failsafe issues if not better. Batman feels like Batman and is showing this world he’s not to be f**ked with. The pages with Alfred were amazing. Batman against Dredd Dent was great. The set up for future issues seems to be progressing this story nicely as it kicks into a new gear. The art was alright, nothing special, I definitely prefer Jimenez on this book. Great issue nonetheless.

darkknight of steel

Mar 07, 2023

I really enjoyed this issue and i am very curious where this alternate selina story will lead and how it affect the main line catwoman and bruces feelings for her

Psycamorean

Mar 07, 2023

I'm still really enjoying this, but I hope the pace kind of picks up in the main story.

Afre

Mar 07, 2023

It's alright.

daspidaboy

Mar 07, 2023

it's good and it's pretty interesting right now.

Screaming Enigma

Mar 07, 2023

While I wish the meeting with Alfred was explored a little more, I understand why it wasn’t in this issue. My favorite part was probably the fight between Harvey and Bruce. It wasn’t the longest fight, but the dialogue and narrative were great. With the ending, it’ll be interesting to see what’s going on with the Arkham Caves. I will say that Hawthorne’s art is good in some places (ex. Bruce vs Harvey), and a bit lacking in others (ex. third-to-last and second-to-last pages). However, Zdarsky keeps me interested with great scripts (Solid backup story as well).

Comics Code Authorities

Apr 14, 2023

First of all, who wrote that Summary above? Jon Kent is NOT Superman. He never was, nor will he ever be. The only ones who ever considered him to be was DC themselves. The public never considered him Superman, except the woke crowd who only did because of his sexuality. But The world generally did NOT accept him as Superman nor did they ever even refer to him as Superman. And they never will accept him as Superman because there has only been one true Superman over the last 80 years and he's the only one who ever truly will be Superman. DC needs to get their heads out of their asses and realize no one went for it, move on and stop calling him by a name that is not his. He can be Superboy, but Superman, no. Superman is too much of an icon to ever actually truly be replaced or even share the name. Jon Kent is no more Superman than what's-his-face Fox is also Batman. Anyway, that was my 2 cents on an annoying issue. Now for this issue-of Batman. While this story is more interesting than Failsafe was, it still naturally has to involve this alternate world's versions of the Justice League. Frankly all it is is Flashpoint all over and I could've done without it. The plot is easy enough to follow, but it really is a bit dull. I'll give points to them for the best Riddler look since before the New 52 and those hideous sideburns they gave him. Not that I found it cool, mind you, but it's better than most times I've seen him over the last decade and a half (I sure miss the days of the green question mark-covered jumpsuit). As for the Selina thing I've really totally lost any interest in their relationship, regardless of whet reality it's in. So as far as that goes, with me it's just "Whatever." Alfred had a little more of a part, but not much. I guess it will be the conclusion when he really gets to shine (if even then). Lately Batman and Detective are even on the scale of interest. One month this one's the better, the next it's the other. But that's not a matter of which is better, so much as which is worse. While the last few issues have made this the better of the two regulars, I'm afraid it's not enough to pay $10 a month on. Neither is worth the $5 I have to now pay. SO When this story is over I'm out. When I return depends on whether the quality improves and how much the books will cost by then (and if I know DC, and I DO, The price will likely be $5.99 by 2025....if not even higher!!!!). more

Mout

Mar 07, 2023

backup>>>

fzanca

Mar 12, 2023

I'm liking the backup story more than the main story. Batman digs up his own body to examine it. Not sure how he gets access to med equipment and no one stops him from entering with a dead body, but whatever. He finds residual multi-versal residue, whatever that is. He fights Dent and teams up with Catwoman who takes him on a trip down below. Chip needs to get on the ball here.

Brannon.44

Mar 12, 2023

I guess I'm in the minority but I've really enjoyed this arc

wakizashireviews

Mar 07, 2023

There is nothing wrong with this issue but I'm just not feeling it. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because this story arc feels like an Elseworlds tale. The Selina scenes are good, as are the Alfred scenes. But Harvey "HULK" Dent is not working for me. He Hulks out much more than Bane ever did on venom. Same for this version of Riddler. Targeting kids left me shaking my head. I want Bruce back in "our" Gotham. Get him out of this weird universe that feels like it's going nowhere.

Federico Liguori

Sep 01, 2023

Are you even trying, Chip? Because it doesn't look so.

Quinn

Mar 07, 2023

Whatever. Reads like an Elseworld’s story, and if they return Alfred to the book using this off-world Alfred, I will be disappointed.

Anakin

Mar 09, 2023

Sorry, this story does nothing for me. Bruce and Selina’s interactions don’t work at all and this poorly thought out version of Gotham is a symptom of Zdarsky’s growing disinterest in writing Batman. I don’t think he likes the character very much, at least not as much as past writers and I doubt there are interesting things on the horizon. Unless Zdarsky finds a way to connect these stories in a meaningful way I’m going to have to be harsh with my rating, until all of this means anything… if that is even the intention. Bruce being even slightly “conflicted” about Selina in this world is a joke. He’s smart, he’s done this before, he survived post Final Crisis with half a brain i.e. the very storyline Zdarsky is using for free nostalgia points… more

myconius

Mar 07, 2023

Zdarsky continues to pass off fan-fiction level wring as professional work. This art is absolultey unacceptable quality for the flagship "Batman" title.

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Bats44121 - Mar 8, 2023

After the days in Marvel Comics with Stan Lee writing Daredevil... Marvel had a comics basis for using science-fiction to explain anything. Stan had Hornhead flying the FF's **SPACE ROCKET** in DD #2. How? Well... you know (hand waving) - rocket instructions in braille in 1964?.So Marvel is home of Asgard and ridiculous sci-fi. Not Underdog, but.... (and I like Underdog.) DC wants to be in that market. Batman doesn't belong. So there is this type of stuff written to try to sort of be sci-fish

Bats44121 - Mar 8, 2023

We are headed sort of back to the 1950s Batman level credible stories, without any of the fun and/or joy of the Batman being the Batman. Sci-Fi/Horror/Gotham perpetual misery. But it has the right "Bat-Label" on it, so whether it is cereal, cola, or frozen things, it will sell. DC feels they don't need to invest talent for actual "stories."

myconius - Mar 8, 2023

Bats20832 - Thank you! You just summed it up perfectly!!!

Quinn - Mar 9, 2023

Well put. Bats20832. When you said "slap a bat label" it reminded me of the show where everything was "bat"computer or "bat" rope. This story has that credibility, but as you pointed out, without the tone or joy. Those stories were aimed at young kids. This story is supposed to be deep and profound. Spoiler - it isn't. Or I could be wrong.

RKS

Mar 18, 2023

It's an Elseworld story...

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Comics Code Authorities - Apr 14, 2023

It's a Multiverse story. Not much difference, except it features a character from the regular continuity trapped in an entirely different one from his own.

Bats44121

Mar 08, 2023

I just want to thank DC Comics and Chip Zdarsky for helping me save my money, by convincing me to stop buying Batman comic books. Everytime I think things are going to turn around with a new writer, a new story arch, it is so obviously disjointed and irrelevant to Batman that I slapped back to DC Comics's reality to waste this incredible valuable character. I am reminded of stories of Batman becoming a caveman back in the 1950s. Well, at least we could laugh at that. And there was a big difference between 12 cents or 25 cents versus 5 dollars. Really.

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myconius - Mar 8, 2023

Thank goodness for back-issues!! Because most of the new comics being made are just crap.

Comics Code Authorities - Apr 14, 2023

It's seemed for the last 20 years that's been DC's main objective. To modernize the Silver age. Because that's the era THEY grew up with and THEY miss so much.