Batman #149

Despite it supposedly being a "breather issue where there is no big central threat, it actually feels like this issue might be the most meaningful in the series in a long time. Next up are some Absolute Power tie-ins, but I'm hoping Zdarsky has a lot more planned for this title. Read Full Review

With the life and times of Bruce Wayne being in flux with the Failsafe fallout, this issue gives readers a much needed reset. Zdarsky weaves endings for lingering themes with the writing. The art teams project the return of the Bruce Wayne with a fair share of drama and hope. As dark times are coming, the Caped Crusader is finally in a place to properly handle them. Read Full Review

Batman #149 is an excellent showcase of a book recalibrating after a weak arc or storyline, reminding that periodical comics and their quantity has an ever-shifting sense of quality. Zdarskys scripting thrives in the interpersonal drama and philosophical interactions in the wake of Zurs most recent plans for perfection. As the story moves between plot beats from the previous arcs and resolves some of the tensions born out of Gotham War and before, Zdarsky crystallizes his central thematic statement for the run, setting an interesting future for Absolute Power and beyond. Read Full Review

Bandini and Lieber create some beautiful art in the issue. The character designs are great and I love that the story takes place in the light to signify the changes the character is making. Read Full Review

Zdarsky did a lot to break Batman and now puts him back in a good place just as Absolute Power comes around to shatter him all over again. Of Zdarsky's run so far this has the most potential to be a strong launchpad for the next non-event crossover arc. Read Full Review

Overall, it's a poignant and thought-provoking conclusion that delves into the psyche of the Dark Knight. Pick it up if you're a Batman fan who enjoyed the "Dark Prisons arc. If you're new to the current Batman run, consider starting with issue #143 to get a better understanding of the overall storyline. Read Full Review

Batman #149 is a touching coda to the “Dark Prisons” arc. Picking up more on the emotional consequences of Bruce's ordeal, Chip Zdarsky proves that there is still hope for the Dark Knight. Read Full Review

Batman #149 is a pivotal issue. It brings down the curtain on the epic struggle with Zur/Failsafe and then sets the table for a new era of optimism in Gotham City. How long this will last remains to be seen, but the Bat Family are more unified than ever. I've got a feeling this unity is going to be needed more than ever very soon. Read Full Review

Batman #149 closes the door on long-running plot threads while setting the stage for a warmer and more family-focused Bruce Wayne. The creative team captures a wholesome and warmth while Batman faces a close-to-home death and a reminder we need to help others always in the short time we're here. Read Full Review

Zdarsky turns in a one shot issue that serves as a beautiful mirror image of the tormented and foreboding (but also excellent) Batman #136, showing Bruce embracing his family and finding peace in his mission, beautifully illustrated by Michele Bandini, Steve Lieber, and Nick Filardi. Read Full Review

Batman #149 is 100% about tying up loose ends on the Bruce Wayne side of the Dark Prisons storyline rather than setting up Absolute Power. Read Full Review

A very nice epilogue to Zdarky's big Batman stories, though some plot points are wrapped up a bit too cleanly, in my opinion. Read Full Review

It makes for a nice read and offers a little more emotion to things, all while table setting for what's next. I wouldn't call it filler, but as a coda it simply works. Read Full Review

In what feels like an epilogue to Zdarsky's entire run so far, status quos are reverted and toys are put back in their boxes. Unfortunately, it's all done so haphazardly that it feels like an anticlimax. As everything is wrapped up, it's easy to ask yourself “what was the point of all this” and not come up with a satisfying answer. Hopefully whatever the future of Batman has in store will be more meaningful. Read Full Review

Bats44121

Jun 21, 2024

FINALLY. The Epilogue is everything here and is worth buying finally. My goodness about time.

Screaming Enigma

Jul 23, 2024

I loved the high-stakes action of the previous issue, but, sometimes, slower issues are just better. I really loved the stuff with Bruce and his clone, and I’m also super interested in the direction this series is going. Gotham War and Joker: Year One were weaker points of this run for me, but I’m really loving this title again like I was with the first Failsafe arc. Hopefully Absolute Power doesn’t get in the way of that.

sawright20

Jun 19, 2024

I thought this was a really touching epilogue. I understand why it’s bothersome that this resets Batman to exactly where he was about four years ago, but that’s the nature of comics. It doesn’t cheapen the events of the past several years for me, as those stories still exist. It was inevitable that we’d return to the status quo of billionaire Bruce with the bat-family together again. And there will likely be stories in the future where Bruce pushes them away again. I am content with this (but please don’t bring Alfred back—that WOULD cheapen his death immeasurably). As others have said, this feels like an end to Zdarsky’s run, even though we know he’ll stay on as writer for a while. It leads me to wonder where he plans on going from here. I love what he’s done so far, with the exception of Gotham War. I think if he’s left alone to tell his story without having to write to an event he’ll produce more great stories. more

K-23

Jul 16, 2024

I was initially very skeptical on where this issue was going and didn't like the idea of "Bruce Jr." but as the issue progressed it opened a fantastic self examination for Bruce to reflect on his mistakes and what truly matters, family. After years of writers dragging Batman through the mud, pushing away his loved ones, and being broke; Zdarsky put in the work to get things back on track and unite the Batfam. I really hope his runs continues and with this focus post Absolute Power as it would be brutal for another writer head in another overplayed direction. This issue had so much heart in the end and was a highlight of recent Batman issues over the past few years.

daspidaboy

Jun 19, 2024

This was a nice quiet issue where Bruce Wayne finally learns to open up with his family. chip Zdarsky excels in character moment, and I hope that Batman doesnt need to learn this lesson again with the next writer.

BatSledge

Jun 19, 2024

Best issue of his 2-year run, which is kind of sad since this issue resets things to a normal status quo once again, almost as if the whole Zur storyline never happened. At least we now have a recharged and optimistic (and sane) Bruce Wayne and family back in the flagship book.

derbycomics

Jun 19, 2024

The issue focuses on Bruce & Zur's clone-Bruce trying to come up with a way to stop the clone's advanced aging process. Along the way, our real Bruce learns what it means to be family and that he's now got access to a brand new Oversized bank account. And he’s intent on using it for good…this time. The issue seemingly brings Batman back to a time before Chip Zdarsky took over, which begs the question of how his previous stories are meant to be remembered in the long-run. I know comic book characters get reset to the status quo all the time, but this felt more like an end to one writer's run rather than the epilogue of an arc. By the end of the issue, we're in what feels like a brand new normal for Batman and Gotham at large before Ab solute Power kicks off and shakes things up. Zdarsky perfectly conveys the emotional weight of clone-Bruce's aging journey, from teenage crime fighter to old man to six feet under, and his sobering realization that he'll never have a life of his own. The interaction between the two Bruces is particularly disturbing, yet touching, as clone-Bruce chops off his hand as a symbol of love and sacrifice. It's a bit rushed to have happened in just one issue yet Zdarsky nails the fear of growing old before you've had a chance to live your life and make the memories you had hoped for. It's felt in both in clone-Bruce coming to terms that he'll never have a life of his own and Bruce observing his clone-self rapidly aging and dying. I thought clone-Bruce was a really interesting concept to play around with in a way that was different from how Bruce interacted with Damian. I wish we got to see more of these two together. Michele Bandini and Steve Lieber's art is fine. It's definitely a different style compared to what we're used to with Jorge Jimenez with their characters looking more cartoonish. I didn't love how Bruce looked, who looked more like a TV lead with a five-o'clock shadow (I couldn't stop thinking of Jack from Lost), rather than the beaten-down man we've seen in recent issues. Nick Filardi’s colors are impeccable, it’s great seeing him back on Batman comics. more

Lafcadia

Jul 18, 2024

Man Chip's trying so hard to be Morrison.

Mout

Jul 07, 2024

Ok, I like where this is headed, but Zdarksy basically corrected one of his decisions (chopping Bruce's hand) and a previous decision by giving Bruce his money back. Why??? I feel like Tamaki was the only writer that tried to do something with Bruce not being rich anymore and it was fun to read. I enjoyed the story with the clone but this issue was just a big reser button, I hope what comes next is good.

Quinn

Jun 19, 2024

Superstan52 said many of the same things I thought so good for him and bad for me since I want to be original. I will say they’ve set up two future stories. Clone that gave Bruce his hand and was buried in backyard of Wayne Manor 2.0 will be dug up and we will have another Dark reflection of Bruce villain who was dumped into a Lazarus pit for evil reasons. Damian is also right about evil batbot that can take down Justice League being in the hands of the Army is a bad idea. We will see another Bruce creates villain story out of that. Points for Bruce having backup billions. He IS the guy with backup plans with backup plans. It shouldn’t have taken years to discover that. So after several years Bruce has billions, just not his o riginal billions. He has a mansion and batcave, just not the original. What was the point? He and Selina are back to being friends, and probably lovers. Family is family. Makes the last few years feel like another Bruce us down, learns lesson with a body count, but emerges stronger. Lather, rinse, repeat. This is not good. Or I could be wrong. The art was nice, and the Robin suits looked better, but we really have no sense of the roles bat family members will play. They are plot points, not characters. more

superstan52

Jun 19, 2024

So, just like that Bruce is a billionaire again, Selina is back in good graces, and Bruce 2.0 is aged out. And there are no consequences for Bruce whatsoever for all the havoc he's unleashed on Gotham these past months. Only in the funnies.

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• Quinn
• Mout

Quinn - Jun 19, 2024

Well said, sir. And Bruce gets to rebuild Gotham. Again. Wonder when he will have to learn to trust family. Again.

Bats44121 - Jun 21, 2024

Bruce Wayne has had years of consequences. It was nice to see Chip finally give him a break for a change. I got tired of the negativity. I can get that for free.