Batman #134

Both of these stories really hit emotional high notes at their ends. I now believe in the first story all over again. I anxiously await the Batman and Robin reunion that will inevitably break me. Read Full Review

Batman had a few rough patches under this new regime, but that seems to be in the distant past as this Multiverse story has provided some unexpected drama and surprises while also giving Tim Drake a spotlight to shine. Read Full Review

Zdarsky's run on Batman has been one of the most ambitious since Snyder's, but with this issue it becomes clear he's aiming for something even crazier. This is a full-fledged multiversal saga, maybe the most ambitious Batman story in decades, and we're just scratching the surface. Read Full Review

As each issue comes out, it becomes more precise this is a great way to tell a Batman multiverse story. Sure, it's easy to feel burned out on multiverse adventures since it seems like every legacy character has been in one or is in one right now, but Zdarsky puts his spin on things in exciting ways. Add in a tremendous and heartfelt Tim Drake backup, and this is a nice buildup as the story closes in on the finale. Read Full Review

Batman #134 is a wild ride with a generous helping of shocks thrown into the mix. As this arc begins to reach the home straight, the stakes have never been higher. I wish the wait for issue #135 wasn't as long as a month, but all good things come to those who can (barely) wait. Read Full Review

Zdarksy simply gets storytelling. He has the delivery down, he executes his plot threads well, provides strong cliffhangers, thorough details, and all while connecting the classics that make Batman so dynamic. The Multiversal angle and parallel characters continue to add a vibrant spice that should continue to spark any Batman fans' interest. This wasnt the story I saw coming after Failsafe but its still a $&@ good story that I highly recommend. Batman needed new stories and flavor and Batman #134 is the perfect example of just that. Zdarsky has certainly delivered and continues to keep fans on their toes. Read Full Review

Batman #134 continues the World Without A Batman story with several surprises. Some surprises are strangely unsurprising, and at least one surprise is shockingly big. The art is generally okay, albeit too bright for an underground adventure, and the ending will get people talking. Read Full Review

These elements are brought together with Moreys colors, which highlight the twisted mind of Red Mask after his accident. Batman #134 is a strong part of a larger story, and while executed with obvious craft and skill, doesnt offer the level of spectacle of the Failsafe arc. Instead, it builds on the emotional core of the Batman supporting cast, utilizing the framework of the parallel universe to strong effect. As Batman #900 looms, promising bombastic multiversal action to wrap up this storyline and set the course for the future of Batman under Zdarsky, this issue is a good place to remember the person on either side of the multiverse. Read Full Review

Hawthorne delivers some great art throughout the issue filled with detail and visual thrills. The fight between Batman and Ghost-Maker was great and led to a moment I didn't expect visually. Read Full Review

This month both the lead and back-up stories stand on their own to feet as excellent character portraits. Despite the intricate nature of the story, both Bruce and Tim are given plenty of action and a strong dash of heart. Read Full Review

Chip Zdarsky and Mike Hawthorne elevated "The Bat-Man Of Gotham story to a new level by putting over Red Mask as the bad guy you love to hate. Learning about Red Mask's motivation and ties to Batman put the main story on another level. Then when you add the heartwarming developments in the Tim Drake back-up story by Zdarsky and Miguel Mendonca Batman #134 was a big win. Read Full Review

It is difficult to imagine the story continuing for much longer the way it is. It certainly seems to be reaching its climax. Bruce is likely to return home at some point in the next couple of months. The Earth he is on is not without its charm. It would take a longer walk in and amidst the darkness to truly find something worth exploring, though. There have been far too many brushes with dystopian mutations of familiar worlds in comic books over the years. Zdarsky would need to spend more time in this world for it to provide a greater depth of insight. Read Full Review

Batman #134 is an issue of layers, both in the main story and the backup, and while not every layer holds it's still a solid issue and an interesting one. Read Full Review

As a whole, Batman #134 isn't bad. The story arc isn't bad. It just doesn't feel fresh and interesting and feels like something we've seen a few times before. There's little that's surprising at all from a villain reveal that is exactly who you think it is to obstacles that surmount to character we know + venom. There was a lot of potential here to do something different, instead, it's played out as expected so far. Read Full Review

This is absolutely a case of "it's good, but it could be better. I hope that we see some unpredictable elements enter the run soon. Read Full Review

Batman #134 is an action-packed issue that has more big ideas than excitement, but there's much promise as to what lies ahead. Read Full Review

This alternate reality story hasn't really done anything for me, and some of the character and story choices aren't helping matters. Cool fight scene, though. Read Full Review

As you can probably tell, I do not like this issue. The main story is bad, and the backup isn't doing anything for me. As such, I don't recommend spending any money on this comic, and it's much too expensive anyway. Instead, you could check out Waid and Mora's World's Finestnot only is that an incredible book, but a new arc also started in March, and it's a great jumping-on point. But Batman? Well, this just ain't it. Read Full Review

cincyfan

Apr 09, 2023

While this isn't the type of batman story I'd typically like it is written so well that I found myself completely engrossed in it. The emotional level of many of the characters really resonated with me and I found both stories to be really interesting and entertaining.

Screaming Enigma

Apr 14, 2023

The main story was interesting, which isn't anything new for this book. Plus, the backup story was a lot better than I expected, featuring some emotional moments with Tim and his mother. I would have given this issue an 8.5, but that backup was just surprisingly good.

daspidaboy

Apr 04, 2023

I like the twist of red mask. Art is okay. Could have been better.

Psycamorean

Apr 05, 2023

Not my favorite issue of the arc. It seems like things are ramping up a bit too much for my tastes. The backup continues to be great though. Join my Discord, if you want to chat about comics or whatever: https://discord.gg/xJz6buvNFZ

retcon_D

Apr 06, 2023

Alright. This was a shocking turn, but not in the way I wanted it to be. I still am eager to see what happens next, but there was a decision here that got me scratching my head.

Afre

Apr 05, 2023

It's losing me a bit. The backup has better art than main one. It's not terrible, but not as good as I hoped it would be.

Comics Code Authorities

Apr 14, 2023

Not Tynion's poor man's Deadpool again. And here he seems like a love child between his regular self and Bane. But when will DC come to their senses and realize he does not work? That no one but them thinks captain Dick envy is great? Oh, sorry. I forgot. This is DC we're talking about after all. This is Legacy #899. Fitting the next issue will be the conclusion. It will also be my last issue of this series. I came back at #1 for this volume and sat through much. And while Zdarsky hasn't done anything half as bad as King and Tynion did I think I'd prefer not sit around and wait. Amazingly it seems many are more into the backup story than the main one here. That's rare. I haven't seen that since Detective's "House of Gotham." These days B atman is the book all writers seem to want, whether they're into it or not. It's today what The Uncanny X-Men was in the '90s. Since it's the hottest single title on the market they know it's their big chance to be real big and they let it go to their heads, which is exactly what happened with Tynion. It may likely happen to Zdarsky too. And while his run hasn't been bad, it's been far from good either. At least unlike Ram V, he's already about to finish his second arc, while V's still on his first-with no end in sight. But I'd say Legacy #900 is a good idea for a jumping off point if you're tired of paying $5 for mediochre issues of what was once a great series that seems today to have forgotten what it should be. more

Hydro-Man

Apr 06, 2023

DC screwed the pooch after Zdarsky’s first story arc. Multiversal madness is old news. Even in Batman’s case. On the plus side, as I was typing Zdarsky’s name my iPhone tried to auto-correct to Z’Dar, as in the late Robert, star of the Maniac Cop series. “CoRdElLlLlL…”

fzanca

Apr 07, 2023

Once again, the backup story is better than the main story. And Batman gets his hand cut off? What the hell is Chip doing? Not a fan of this at all. I do like seeing Tim back as he should be. The scene with his mom was great. Probably the best scene in the book.

wakizashireviews

Apr 07, 2023

5 stars for the main story and 9 stars for the Tim Drake back-up story. Chip really ramps up the feels with the back-up. You get great Tim and Robin moments in just a few pages. The "Batman" part at the beginning surprised me, too. In the main story, I got quite a few laughs. Unintentional I think, but Chip might've been having fun with some of the dialogue. It was pretty hammy at times. I'm still getting used to Hawthorne's art but he draws some great fight scenes again. My first LOL moment was when we see a certain character from Batman Inc. Wait 'til you see him! Maybe it's just me..? I have a video review of the main story and an audio-comic of the Tim Drake story on my YouTube Channel: Wakizashi's Teahouse.

☭Latverian Embassy☭

Apr 06, 2023

Not a big fan of this arc. Mike Hawthorne's art is the only positive thing about this last few issue other than the plot was mediocre at best. The concept feels like an underdeveloped Grant Morrison story devoid of their creativity.

Loafy Trophy

Apr 10, 2023

Zdarsky has remixed a lot of the usual Batman tropes in his first 10 issues and the multiverse stuff is interesting, but it's hard to tell what the stakes are here. I need a little more from Zdarsky and I'm hoping the finale of this arc delivers. Admittedly, the backup continues to be the stronger of the two stories as well.

Mout

Apr 06, 2023

It is soon to tell, but Zdarsky may be going down as one of the most forgettable Batman writers, I can't believe he's taking six fucking months to tell this shitty story, while the backup is way more interesting

Brannon.44

Apr 30, 2023

Weakest issue so far. I've had fun with this storyline but I didn't like the reveal.

Federico Liguori

Sep 04, 2023

Really, I couldn't care less about this story. It's boring to death and I don't understand what sense it has or what use it should have in the long run. And please, no more multiverses! I've had enough.

hasanturkoglu

Apr 04, 2023

I think Zdarsky wants to present the immortal Batman to the readers, but that's not what we want. I think the series continues with a decreasing momentum. At the end of the series, there will be a Catwoman beautification and nothing will be connected. This is not the Batman.

Ronilon

Apr 08, 2023

no comments

Quinn

Apr 04, 2023

Did Batman just lose a hand? In a story where Batman is fighting a foe we don’t know, one whose motives are unknown other than to be evil so Bats has someone to fight, Ghostmaker cuts off Bats’ hand. So what the hell, dude. My reaction wasn’t how will he handle a life-altering injury. It was “no way this will stick, so who cares.” But that is just me. Your mileage may vary. But this whole arc just strikes me as none of this matters. We certainly haven’t seen such great world-building that we understand such things as motive, character or theme. We also don’t get any insight into Bruce. What does he think about this world? Does he ponder what this Selina means. Does he think this is my life if I failed? Does he miss his fa mily, and desperately want to get back to them. Nope, he just goes through rote hero stuff with no context or insight. Pure plot. Also, who cares about Ghostduster. Why not have a villain with real history cut off his hand instead of Tynion’s rip-off of a BTAS character. Not a good story. Plus, on the day Sony dropped its latest Spider-verse animated trailer, our next issue caption shows Bat-verse next issue. Be original DC. This is not good. Or I could be wrong. more

myconius

Apr 07, 2023

So absolutely boring and uninteresting. The art is extremely lackluster. If this is the best that DC has to offer then they should start saying their prayers.