Batman #137

Jimnez picks up on that lack of subtle storytelling and infuses the direct nature of the issue into his linework. The action beats are explosive but still feel in orbit of the street level, while the anatomy and expressions showcase the books dueling tones and concepts. These get picked up and segmented in Moreys coloring, which echoes the previous plots of the run and creates subtle references to the influences on the book. Batman #137 course corrects the flaws of last weeks opening to Gotham War and makes a clear thesis for the book going forward on every level. Read Full Review

The idea of Batman always required a man who wasn't entirely well, but I don't think any writer has ever taken that as literally as Zdarsky. Read Full Review

Batman is in a really interesting place with this new crossover, and I'm enjoying how it's all playing out as sides are drawn and twists are thrown about. Read Full Review

Nevertheless, Ill give this storyline a fair shake due to Chips track record that normally lands heads up. Plus, Zdarsky is generally great at starting a storyline with the premise being one angle and completely ripping the ground out from the narrative switching towards another direction quicker than it started. Meaning, this Civil War premise might just fade away anyway. No doubt, Id give Batman #137 a good strong look. Additionally, Jimenezs art was pretty solid like usual. However, there were a few small parts that seemed uncharacteristic. Nevertheless, Id follow this story through to Catwoman #47 and see i where it goes. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless! Read Full Review

Jimenez delivers some beautifully detailed and brilliant art throughout the issue. The visuals are fantastic and just as thrilling as the story. Read Full Review

Batman #137 moves the narrative of Gotham War along perfectly. It raises the stakes and severs ties in ways that may not be retrievable. The sense of impending doom is tangible and I cannot wait for Catwoman #57 to hit the shelves so we can see just what happens next! Read Full Review

A speedy and somewhat ferocious second part to The Gotham War story, Zdarsky digs in to Batman's psyche whilst pitting him against everyone he loves. Backed against a wall, what is the Dark Knight expected to do? Read Full Review

Batman #137 is where Gotham War starts to take sides. What is tearing the group apart is not quite as sturdy a plot as it was when it was first established, but what it is generating is some fantastic character moments. Read Full Review

The battle of Gotham rages on with an excellent second chapter. The pace is set early building the tension up to a great breaking point with the art and writing. The final page will have fans guessing as to where we head from here, but theres no doubt this story is one to watch. Read Full Review

Batman #137 is a vast improvement on the opening chapter. You get a sense of the frustration within by everyone. There's also a solid case to be made no matter your viewpoint, so you get a sense of where everyone is coming from and where they are. And, add in some great visuals, this is a second issue “The Gotham War” needed. Read Full Review

The Gotham War is shaping up to be something incredibly interesting, hopefully setting up exciting things to come. Read Full Review

I've always enjoyed Zdarsky' voice for Batman. He brings it to another level in Batman #137 as Batman has to face off against his family (again). Let's hope Tini Howard can keep the momentum going in part 3 of the Gotham War. Read Full Review

Batman #137 is another solid addition to Zdarsky's run on the series. While it doesn't further much of The Gotham War plot, it does continue to build the crumbling psyche of Batman while being great to look at while doing it. Read Full Review

Batman #137 spotlights all the problems with Gotham War as the Batman Family are portrayed out-of-character and the weaknesses on Batman and Catwoman's sides are clear. There is just no hiding how rushed this event has been right out of the gate. The saving grace on the writing side of this rushed storyline is the potential roles Batman's Rogues Gallery and a surprise DC Universe villain can play. That along with Jorge Jimenez incredible artwork save Batman #137 from being a complete loss. Read Full Review

The Gotham War didn't sound like an idea and if the Batman story in this event was disappointing, the odds are good that the Catwoman installment for this month won't be any better. Read Full Review

Batman #137 takes the foolishness of Catwoman's plan from the Battle Lines prologue comic and Turns it up to 11 when the entire Bat Family (except Damian) suddenly decides Catwoman's Henchmen Union is a great idea and actively scheme to stop Batman from interfering with Catwoman's approved robbers. This story is ridiculous, the execution is ridiculous, and DC is absurd for sending it to print. Read Full Review

This is DC Comics' flagship book and it's not up to par. The conflict is forced and nonsensical. Batman is written completely out-of-character to a point that his scenes become boring. The fights are kind of okay, except some of the choreography during the Batman vs Jason segment isn't that great, and the fight scenes don't mean anything without well-developed drama. In conclusion, this book isn't worth your money and definitely not your time. I recommend you read something else, or simply keep your money in your pocket. Read Full Review

This issue feels very much like they've just taken literal years of Batman development and thrown them in the garbage to push through a half-baked idea of pure, rushed, nonsensical ridiculousness. Read Full Review

Tempra16v2.0Turbo

Sep 05, 2023

Damian is the best.

Afre

Sep 05, 2023

Previous issue, the opening act for the Gotham War was received a bit poorly, and after seeing the first reaction to this issue before reading it, I was a bit worried if this would land. But in my opinion, it does land very well. Bruce isn't acting himself, being tired, on edge and haunted by Zurr-En-Arrh, so being a bit ooc here isn't breaking character or anything. I get why Bruce acts like this. And everyone said that Batfamily would also join Selina in this issue, when in my opinion they just started to think their options before Bruce went unhinged. They are not attacking Bruce because they agree with Selina (besides Jason), they want him to calm down and talk to them, but Bruce can't in his current mindstate. I mean Nightwing doesn't say "Selina is right", nor does Tim. They just want Bruce to stop being so unhinged. And add Jimenez wonderful art and I think that makes this one a win in my books. more

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• daspidaboy
• sawright20

Afre - Sep 9, 2023

Well, to me Bruce was always in control while being Batman. He is very surgical how he strikes and rarely does go all-in against normal muggers. He doesn't leap against some robbers looking angry without any other strategy except punching them. Bruce we see has none of that. He doesn't plan how to stop the robberies, he plans how to strike those foes down quickly. And to me, it showcases how unhinged he is becoming. Yeah this is nothing compared to losing Jason, but he isn't himself either.

Screaming Enigma

Sep 13, 2023

With the second part of Gotham War in the books, I liked this a bit more than the Battle Lines one-shot. Bruce is truly on edge and starting to lose it here, which makes for an entertaining read. Plus, Jimenez's art just makes it better. He's able to convey this more crazed state Bruce is in very nicely. I also enjoyed the rest of the Batfamily trying to stop Bruce, especially Tim towards the beginning of this issue. All things considered, I've enjoyed the two issues of Gotham War we've gotten so far and I just hope it continues to be good. The real test comes with the next part, Catwoman #57, in my opinion. I enjoyed the co-written one-shot, Battle Lines, and I've consistently been enjoying Zdarsky's Batman run. As for Tini Howard's Catwom an, while not terrible by any means, it's taken a downturn for me since Issue 50. Hopefully, Gotham War is what Howard needs to fully get back on track. more

derbycomics

Sep 05, 2023

The Gotham War kicked off on a rather uninspiring note in last week’s Battle Lines prologue and lines are further drawn in this week’s BATMAN #137 by Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez. TL;DR After a nearly 3-month break since the last issue in the Dark Knight’s own series, we see more concern from the Bat Family over Bruce’s current worldview and the role he believes he’s meant to play for the people of Gotham now that he’s aware of Catwoman’s plans for the city’s former henchpeople. He goes on a spree rounding up Selina’s “rehabilitated” criminals, leading to Catwoman and the rest of the Bat Family, save for Damian Wayne, working together to try and stop him. Damian shows up to save his father, who makes a retreat b efore discovering someone has threatened his ability to protect Gotham by purchasing Wayne Manor from under his nose. Review Zdarsky’s script for this book is much tighter than the haphazard writing he and Tini Howard combined for in the Battle Lines, even if Batman’s current personality seems off. In the most recent issue of the series before the “Knight Terrors” event paused everything, Zdarsky set Batman up as damaged goods thanks to his previous dealings, including Batman of Zur-En-Arrh and Failsafe. Batman had to deal with coming to terms with the new state of Gotham while he’s been kept busy elsewhere, and I can’t imagine his most recent dealings with Insomnia or his 8-week slumber revealed in Battle Lines did anything to help his fragile psyche. The presence of Zur-En-Arrh as Batman is stewing in the Batcave near the end of the book does a lot of work to help explain his current actions so far in this event. I also appreciated how quickly the rest of the Bat Family coalesced around the need to contain Batman. There was some hesitancy in Battle Lines, but the downside to Batman’s actions are now apparent — violent crime is now about to go back up as evident by members of Batman’s rogues gallery starting a new alliance. They don’t try to rationalize Catwoman’s plans. They lay out the pros and cons of each and weigh what does “do the most good” mean in a world where there aren’t absolutes. Of all the Bat Family, I particularly enjoyed Zdarsky’s writing for Jason in this issue. When written at his best, Jason has always been one of the more interesting members of the family given his anti-hero status and it really shows here. The writing for these characters all felt off in Battle Lines and I think a lot of that had to do with how rushed the plot development in that issue felt. I found Jorge Jimenez’s art really captivating in this issue, even more so after not seeing him on this series during the “Knight Terrors”-caused hiatus. There was something off about the Batman art in Battle Lines and Jimenez brought things right back to feeling normal. He has an uncanny ability to convey motion which shown bright during the major battle between Batman and the Bat Family. I also love the detail he brings to each costumed character. Everyone looks intimidating and ready for battle. Tomeu Morey’s colors and Clayton Cowles’ lettering also continue to lend extra life and depth to the visual tone throughout the book. Final Verdict I thought this was a major step in the right direction for the event after Battle Lines. It gave depth to Bruce’s mindset and every character’s actions felt more earned that they did in the event’s prologue. If Zdarsky continues shining a light on Bruce’s psychological trauma and coming to terms with his own mortality, I think this event can lead to some really intriguing long-term ramifications for Batman and Gotham-at-large. The surprise reveal of Vandal Savage at the end was a true surprise as I was fully expecting it to be Selina or the new alliance of Batman’s rogues. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the Gotham War, which continues in Tini Howard’s Catwoman #57 out on September 19th, and if it’s what ends up causing fences to be mended between Bruce and Selina. Rating: 8/10 more

daspidaboy

Sep 05, 2023

i felt this issue was a huge upgrade and standout from the previous issue. For starters, Jorge Jiminez must have scoliosis because this book would have got much lower reviews if it werent for him. His artstyle just oozes style and it clearly shows. For the story, I was very skeptical and nervous coming into this issue and tempering it. But the more I think about it and the more reviews I read, the more i slowly buy into this. The Bat family dont completely support Catwoman's ideals, but they try to hear both sides before coming into their own conclusions. Batman's ideals are very strict and rigid, and while I agree with him mostly in this event, I do think he's stubborn. I also like how we see more of Batman's thought process in this is sue, and I hope the same can be said for Catwoman. But I wont hold out hope, since its written by Tini howard. Overall, this was a good issue. But the only reason why I'm not giving it higher is because I am very apprehensive about this event, and a lot of things could go wrong in this event and series, where Batman or Catwoman get ruined. The first issue still left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm just very wary and hoping this event lands well. more

sawright20

Sep 07, 2023

Undeniably great art from Jimenez, and Batman’s internal conflict about his abilities is still intriguing me. The rest of the bat family, with the exception of Damian, feels quite out of character though. Not necessarily in their allegiances, but in their indecisiveness. To all of the people saying that Catwoman’s plan is stupid and would never work, I agree, and it seems clear that the flaws in her plan are starting to show in-universe. So, while there is still some flimsy logic, the book seems to recognize the impracticality of her scheme.

BirdmanG07

Sep 11, 2023

Still curious to see how this plays out. Feels a little rushed overall, makes the train if thought of everyone less believable.

Federico Liguori

Sep 26, 2023

Great, a story I can't fully understand if I don't get two other series. I hate these things. Anyway, why would the Batfamily stop Batman considering he's doing what he's always done?

darkknight of steel

Sep 06, 2023

Well this issue was written much better than battle lines and i had less problems reading it and the majority of it is because selina panels was limited and she didnot talk much last issue when ever she started to talk it was so painful to read ok move on the art was much much better so i am glad about it lets continue to talk about writing well unlike many people i had no problem with the characterisation of batman well this man has had so much on his plate recently from 4 back to back wars to failsafe to insomnia to waking up and seeing the love of his life has built a criminal empire so him acting like this is totally fine with me ok the fight scenes were cool but unrealistic on the concept bruce one shotting everyone was too much to tak e and is just wrong,batfam members take on crime was awkward because yu know their job is to stop crime no matter what type seeing them doing nothing towards crime is again wrong as well and we still have the biggest issue of this event which is the most painful part of this story( charactetisation of selina) truly it hurts to see her being dumb, heartless and mobboss at the same time i wish i just wish they come with sth to redeem her character later on because this is not who she is at all And her characterisation is the exact reason that i just cant be excited about this event Zor en ar is cool, batman going on beast mode is cool but as i said i cant be inttested about this selina what so ever well i am done more

Mout

Sep 11, 2023

😴😴😴

K-23

Oct 03, 2023

I was really concerned having Tini Howard involved in this crossover as I don't feel any writer can salvage anything she's involved in but this issue somewhat tainted my feelings on Zdarsky's writing (who I find to be one of the best writers currently at the big 2). Dick Grayson saying Bruce needs to get off his "Moral Ledge" is practically blasphemy. Dick and Superman are supposed to be the moral compass of the DCU so he would never make such a statement of act like this. Just when it seemed the Bat-family was finally in a good place and getting along, we' thrown right into another rift that we keep seeing repeated through each writer's runs and it's getting so old and frustrating at this point. The Bat line is in dire need of a capable editor to manage the direction of these books and to challenge the writers to re-assess their ideas to get the most out of their potential. On a more positive note, it's so great to have Jorge Jimenez back on this book as his art style is amazing bringing so much life to it. Easily my favorite artist right now. more

Batmanaholic

Sep 07, 2023

The art is great as jiminez is on the pencils, but this event is just not good so far. Everyone's acting like an idiot. Batman's off but that's a little understandable, since he was in a different universe for 2 months, but the rest of the bat family is just written so stupidly. Like did you not think that eventually the villians will team up? Or just hire goons from other cities..... or just pay their old henchmen who are now better trained l. To do bigger and more dangerous jobs. Selina's whole idea, makes zero logical sense, and I know we are talking about comics here. But this has to be Howard's idea. Because it just seems to stupid to come from chip. He's no god of comics or anything, but I expect him to be smarter then " if t he criminals only rob the rich, then nobody gets hurt " ..... yes except once you rob everything the rich have within 6 months. Now what? I was originally going to give this a 6.5 but the more I thought about it. I feel this end of the event was written, and then the rest of it was made to make a story around the ending. more

DomesticatedGiraffe

Sep 12, 2023

Nothing much to say as it looks like everyone else has already covered the major issues. Everyone is out of character, which is understandable for Bruce, so does everyone else also have Zur En Arrhs in their heads too? Also, I may be the only one, but Jorge's art even seems a little below his usual standard.

KiryuMajima28t

Sep 05, 2023

Very disappointing. Gonna take a miracle to turn this around and make it worthwhile.

ResearchReader

Sep 06, 2023

It is very hard to take this arc seriously. It is written like no one know who these characters are with their decades of history. The bat family is acting completely out of character. When no character is really written in character and its not a black label title, how can you give it more than a 5/10? If these characters are actually acting like this than Batman should kick them all out of the bat family and just stick with a Batman/Robin team with Damian. They are not worth saving. Catwoman's logic continues to fail. Bruce losing his house is just another screw you. I mean the twist with that is crazy enough I suppose it breaks even for me, but this feels like Chip no longer cares for this run and is just wiping trashing everything now. Remember for writers, you should 'put the toys back after you play with them', this arc feels like a 3 year old ripping off the arms of the dolls. Art is great, people look like they should instead of the... whatever happened to them in the previous issue of this 'event'. Jimenez cant save this issue though. more

ItsJess

Sep 05, 2023

Stupid. Everyone is OOC. "Saved" by Jimenez's art.

liolia

Sep 05, 2023

This just makes me so so sad. From a Doylist position, this GW event is still stupid and makes no sense and feels like the authors just spent too much time reading Twitter hashtags, with the added combo of reading all the love Wayne Family Adventures webtoon received and saying "what if we did the opposite of that"? From a Watsonian perspective, poor poor Bruce. It sucks to read about how this character, who dedicated his life to helping others, ended up in this situation where his fiancee and all but one of his children have turned against him, won't help him when he is really struggling, and in general decided to renege on the whole "we're against crime" thing. Setting aside the fact that his villains are after him still. The art is better than the previous Gotham War installment, but it doesn't cover up the fact that this is a pretty stupid and sad read. I have very little hope that Zdansky can turn this ship around and make something redeeming out of it given the villanization and flandarization most of the characters in this story received. more

fzanca

Sep 11, 2023

This whole event is just stupid. Apparently, Chip has no idea how the bat family works. He's destroying 30 years of relationships and characterization to force this story to work. That's not how writing should be done. You don't force the characters into a story, you let the characters propel the story. Damien is the only one who doesn't turn on Bruce. Props to him. Dick, Tim, Barbara, Cassandra, and Spoiler all act outside of their character. This is a piece of garbage and after this event, I won't be reading anything by Chip or Tini again. My comic Reviews - https://youtu.be/m7c7jeAi4Xc

Bats44121

Sep 13, 2023

Absurd. The art is good, which is why this gets a 2, instead of deserving 1. But it is also a reminder, that DC editorial, DC writers, and DC video - all do NOT understand who The Batman is and why. They create "characters" none of whom would understand The Batman. The concept to help criminals become better criminals is absurd beyond belief. Zdarsky's story is just another in a line of ridiculousness. The best thing to do would simply STOP publishing The Batman. But DC Comics just needs the money too badly, so it will keep trashing its number one IP. One word: Absurd.

Lions

Sep 16, 2023

Este evento es estúpido, los escritores no tienen creatividad y no sólo eso, ahora gritamos que la gente que trabaja y tiene un color de piel tiene que mantener a los mediocres y basura criminal porque patata. La obsecion de Zdarsky de sacar a los criminales de las cárceles, debería irse a vivir a un país de izquierda donde sacan a la basura a las calles y ver lo bien que se vive con miedo o estrés a que te asalten. Y bueno ahora hay que poner de forma redundante a Jason este personaje personaje vulgar de catwoman porque necesitamos a alguien a quien golpear olvidando de la evolución de cada uno de los personajes, porque ahora escriben todos fanfics y no se preocupan por investigar un poco y se dicen escritores. Que sigue? Emparejar a Sel8na con Jason, para repetir lo que pasó con Talia ya que no se tiene creatividad? more

Quinn

Sep 05, 2023

This issue,this whole arc, is stupid for several reasons. First it is just a repeat ofBatman loses everything and rises from the ashes stronger. Rinse lather repeat. Second, the whole premise makes no sense. Crooks willing to be partipants in mass murder decide to become thieves and will be expected to be peaceful because why? Third, the Bat family going along with crime? To quote Lana Kane , “Nnooppe.” Fourth - Zur-an-that was and remains an uninteresting idea. Instead of allowing for character examination, it just acts a a macguffin for tedious stories. When this is over, Bruce will have his fortune back, again. The family will say we’re a family again, let’s not fight again. Bruce will say I will be nice again. I am guessing Cat and Bat will be dead as a couple, just like zMJ and Peter. Editors hate it, public loves it. This really is just a terrible rehash of terrible ideas that have been run into the ground. Or I could be wrong. more