Batman #48

The issue is not an easy read. It's subtly graphic with some intense moments, but it is an incredible issue that will leave readers wanting more even as they flinch and try to look away. Read Full Review

With lush artwork from Miken Janin, given depth and vibrancy by June Chung's colors, BATMAN #48 is a must-purchase book this week. Read Full Review

This is a smashing entrance for the Joke at this time in Bruce's life, the way the art and writing come together is something rare to behold. Its not often I'm thinking about how good the cinematography in a comic book is. I'm very much curious to see where this story is going and I'm taking my seat for the ride. I highly suggest getting this comic for any collector looking to keep a piece of one the most important weddings of the decade! Read Full Review

Batman #48 is a good read and I'm eager to see how and encounter between Catwoman and Joker will go. When the book ends, we're not really sure if Batman is actually captured–or maybe it was all part of his plan. At either rate Joker uses an explosion to bring down some of the church on the Dark Knight leaving him helpless against the maniacal villain. Can't wait until the next issue! Read Full Review

This issue is a great first issue for a new reader or an excellent new arc for existing readers – everything you need to know is explained by the Joker as part of his colourful monologue. The team once again utilise a unique visual style coupled with a strong narrative giving us one of the most exciting books on the shelves today. This really needs to be in your pull list and as close to the top as possible. Avoid spoilers and consume this at your earliest opportunity, you will not regret it! Read Full Review

Tom Kings sets the flagship Batman book back on solid ground after the slightlyunderwhelming"War of Jokes and Riddles" and more recently "The Gift". The writer strips away pretense and gets right to it as he sets the Dark Knight Detective and the Clown Prince of Crime on a collision course. Mikel Janin and June Chung add their combined talents to make this issue visually stunning. King's narrative is engrossing and as always extremely well written. I am a huge fan of his work because of his brilliant storytelling. If you have cooled on Batman I am here to tell you to get back on this ride is not over by a long shot. Read Full Review

Batman#48 brings King's story back to a place where I can't find anything to complain about. Great art, great story. It's the first time in a while that we've seen the Joker and Batman acting properly with one another and just as one would expect, it's not an all out brawl. The Joker is crazy and Batman broods. Read Full Review

The Best Man gets off to a quick and unexpected start with Batman immediately confronting Joker and a shocking cliffhanger as the countdown to the wedding continues…provided the groom survives. Read Full Review

After this, there is only one issue between us and the wedding of Batman and Catwoman. I have to say I am really curious about who will show up for issue number 50, but the crime-fighting couple will have to survive the Joker a little long to be able to say, "I do." That is if there is still a church left standing in Gotham. Read Full Review

It's not going to be for everyone, but to my eye, this issue is brilliant. Read Full Review

'Batman' #48 features a very well paced, tense and beautifully illustrated standoff with Joker that will go down as one of the duo's best fights. Not to be missed! Read Full Review

The team have created a comic that gives us a Joker and Batman relationship as one that can be debated for some time. The details, the actions, what's said, can be dissected for a long time. This is what the relationship of the two is all about and we realize that it's not Dick, Jason, Damian, or Alfred that will come between Bruce and Selina, it's the Joker. Read Full Review

Batman #48 finds the book back on track with a shocking confrontation between the Dark Knight and his most fearsome and hated nemesis. There is a lot added to the margins of this story, made possible by the writing of Tom King and the art of Mikel Janin and June Chung. This book is outright awesome and earns a strong recommendation. Give it a read. Read Full Review

Batman #48 is a great issue. It's dark and strange and funny as hell, and Tom King writes an excellent Joker. I'm stoked for #49. Read Full Review

That combined magic - of King and Jann, of Batman and the Joker - makes this a memorable issue, one that casts an ominous pall over what should be DC's biggest event of 2018. Read Full Review

If you add to that some way for Batman to beat down the Joker and leave us with a dubious sense of justice, that could be a nice standalone story, but the options are kept open in the end with the introduction of Catwoman, which left me urging for the next issue. Read Full Review

Admittedly, I had to read this issue twice a few hours apart to really grasp it. Read Full Review

Admittedly, I had to read this issue twice a few hours apart to really grasp it. The cold open caught me off guard and I kept searching for explanation as to why the events of the issue transpired as they did. On the second read, I learned that Joker is coping with a loss. In his own unhealthy, horrible way. The loss of that same impactful relationship he feels signifies a turning of the tide as Batman won't be his spiritual other half. So what does he do? Something drastic in the name of garnering attention. With the wedding of the century around the corner, it'll be interesting to see how this storyline gets wrapped up quickly to get us to the point. If anyone can pull it off, it's the King/Janin combo. Read Full Review

Batman #48 makes up for lost time as Joker finally takes the spotlight. Read Full Review

All in all, the issue has a lot more good than bad, but some of that bad stuff is just downright mind boggling. Read Full Review

It's hard to believe that Batman would have taken all of these events in stride like he did, however the Joker side of things had some really interesting implications. Read Full Review

Reading Batman #48 as a superhero fan but also as someone coming from axes of marginalization is a complicated experience. I like a lot of the story beats and I feel the creative team flexed some artistic muscles in executing it, but there are particulars that dont sit well with me. That is the glory and the bane of analysis: not only do pieces of media exist in their own context as a story, but they do also exist as parts of our reality. It is undeniable that we cannot fully divorce fiction from reality. Thus, this story has an excellent structure and overall plot, but some of the specifics dont quite land. Read Full Review

On the eve of their wedding, Batman and Catwoman face the personification of evil attempting to destroy everything in the face of their love. Read Full Review

All in all, this is a decent enough issue that one can read very quickly. It's nicely done and but moves so rapidly that there's not much in the way of consequences. Read Full Review

A nice refreshing Batman vs the Joker fight to read in anticipation of the wedding Read Full Review

Batman #48 has the same off-putting, growing tension King sowed the seeds of with Booster Gold in issue #47; there's a growing sense here that something borrowed and something blue may not give Selina and Bruce all the good luck they need to make it through their wedding unscathed. Read Full Review

King utilizes The Joker very well inBatman #48 as he displays Joker's sadism in a horrific and terrifying way while also highlighting his eccentricity. Batman could have done a bit more than just scowl and remain passive, though, but his role is largely the only big criticism of the issue. Janin and Chung's artwork is great throughout with both Joker and the church stealing the show. The team definitely sets up the wedding and Joker's crashing of it nicely. Read Full Review

BATMAN #48 feels like another addition of filler to the BATMAN run since nothing new is instilled in its primary characters or plot. Read Full Review

Batman #48 serves as a pseudo invitation to watch The Joker's madness unfold. Hopefully, it gets better from here. Read Full Review

Too much is going on and no one of it makes sense for Batman. Joker's plan is flimsy at best and his act in the church is quickly brushed aside to give way for too much exposition. Read Full Review

King and Janin made a comic that has some good characterization and beautiful art. However, the thin plot and an unusually incompetent Batman drags down the good qualities of the creative team's work. Read Full Review

The art is gorgeous and is pretty much the only saving grace for a pretty ugly issue that, I think, is unintentionally about how much of an idiot Batman is for letting the Joker get away with whatever he wants. Read Full Review

This is a solid Joker story. Like I said I do not fully understand it yet, but as usual King will lead us there, and this has been a fun issue to read. Read Full Review

I think, as I did with many of King's multi-part story arcs (like with Batman #40 for example), I'll come to enjoy the concluding episode of "The Best Man" narrative more than I did the first. Notwithstanding, Mikel Janin (art) and June Chung (colors) do a fine job of bringing the issue to life. Read Full Review

Not a bad issue by any means, but an uncharacteristic Batman and a dialogue hogging Joker took the air out of this issue's sails. Read Full Review

The Joker's in town but sadly, he's not bringing the fun with him.  While this issue is better than the nonsense we've been getting lately, it just doesn't get me on the other side of the fence where I can start enjoying this title.  The art isn't for me, even though I usually love Mikel Janin and in the end, we have an issue where there's a lot of talking, but it just doesn't have a lot to say. Read Full Review

Batman #48 is a slog and not even fun to look at as the art is on the average side...or maybe I'm just so very tired of looking at this team's version of Batman. Still I hope the wedding issue is a fun event and worth the tedium of sifting through these last several arcs. Read Full Review

SomeDummy

Jun 08, 2018

Not surprised the typical humorless horde of King critics cant appreciate this issue. I loved it, actual laughter from a Joker story, unheard of. Shouldnt he be cutting off faces BECUASE OMG ITS CRAWLING IN MY SKIN THESE WOUNDS CAN NOT HEAL.

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Herushalaim - Jun 9, 2018

I actually found this Joker to be pretty unfunny.

SomeDummy - Jun 9, 2018

I disrespectfully disagree

Herushalaim - Jun 9, 2018

You could explain what made you laugh. But I guess it's just your horrid sense of humor.

SomeDummy - Jun 10, 2018

I bet you are one of these tubby mounds of dork that got all sweaty when Batman just stood there. "WHY *HUFF HUFF* I WOULD HAVE THROWN DA BATARANG, BATSMAN WAS SO CLOSE!" You really should be writing this, not Tom king, you know what Batman would REALLY do because you study the blade.

Herushalaim - Jun 10, 2018

You want to try again? I could try to make up some stupid caricature to imagine you as, too. It'd be fun.

SomeDummy - Jun 10, 2018

Please do.

SomeDummy - Jun 10, 2018

good morning btw

Herushalaim - Jun 10, 2018

Alright, you're probably one of those DC fanboys that are just so used to getting ruined by them that anything that's not a reboot you happily consume. And you probably find Tim Allen funny. If not Tim Allen, Rob Schneider. You're a Rob Schneider fan. There.

SomeDummy - Jun 10, 2018

Youre as old as I am with those references. I am a DC fanboy, and I am ruined, but I tend to enjoy the reboots too. I dont have time for continuity. Overall, good review of a shitty user critic . 8.5 / 10

Herushalaim - Jun 10, 2018

You're so antagonistic for no reason at all. Calm down a bit. Read some good DC comics instead of dreck like Tom King's Batman.

Commiebooks - Jun 10, 2018

Like Mister Miracle? And honestly, did you take "disrespectfully disagree" as antagonistic? If so, I apologize, I thought it was funny, but then again I love Tim Allen. (cmon the neighbor guy behind the fence was ok)

Herushalaim - Jun 10, 2018

Mister Miracle is much better than Batman. Still not amazing. And yeah, I did because it is. Tim "the tool man" Taylor is the least funny part of that show for a reason. Also, is this someone else or do you have multiple accounts for some reason?

Commiebooks - Jun 10, 2018

had to go to my phone so I made one just for you <3

Herushalaim - Jun 10, 2018

I feel so special <3

Charles

Jun 09, 2018

This is proof that Tom King haters have made a hobby of it.

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln

Jun 06, 2018

Joker kind of carries the whole issue and acts like a total maniac. I am okay with this.

bucswin611

Jun 06, 2018

I loved it! This is the most Joker-heavy issue King has delivered, and it was hilarious. Janin's overly rendered style continues to simultaneously pull me in and push me away.

cincyfan

Oct 07, 2020

I loved the dialogue!

mrDovydas

Jun 07, 2018

Incredibly well-written, especially the Joker himself. I can see why some may not particularly enjoy this issue - all the events in this issue happened in a span of no more than 10 minutes, which may not be what some may want from a Batman book. Unpopular (?) opinion: King writes the Joker a lot better than Snyder does. Janin's art was very enjoyable here.

Batman Jones

Jun 07, 2018

King's Batman continues to be the most intrepid run on the character in all these 80 years. There is no comic book I look forward to more each couple weeks. Even his lesser stories are told in boldly interesting ways. And when he's great, he's really freaking great.

Spock's Brain

Jun 25, 2018

Judging from the comments that have preceded this one, hordes of Batman fans are absolutely up at arms about the direction Tom King has taken this book. However, I found this one pretty cool. I liked King's Joker, who talks up a fury in this issue, and is disjointed in just the right way. The opening pages are scary and stunning. I personally kind of enjoy an issue like this probing into the psyche of a character over some random action. It was interesting, and, with Janin on art, stunning to look at. I liked it a lot!

Nihilist

Jun 06, 2018

Finally, proper action begins, and Joker reaches Batman, the only way he knew how. It's a tense issue, focusing on psychotic and unpredictable nature of him - and I love it. Dialogues, or to be more precise, Joker's monologues, are always in the center of attention, but they don't feel heavy - most panels reads very quickly. Don't miss two little easter eggs - one related to particular cathedral, other to a street! Such a nice touch.

Dispatchdcu

Jun 06, 2018

Welcome to the Oblivion Bar where the first round is on me and the pretzels are free! Be warned: like the pickled eggs at the bar, this issue is going to get SPOILED rotten. Well, so Joker wants to be the best man. Is he really deserving of the title? I mean really? Come on man. They have had their bromance for a while now.... since Jokes and Riddles... but is that long enough to be Batman’s best man? Let’s find out. The issue is a quick read and won’t take to long to summarize to be honest. Joker goes into a church where a small wedding was happening, and basically goes nuts killing everyone to draw Batman to him. Joker has a theme. He puts the gun to the hostages heads and tells them not to move “one inch” or he’ll sho ot them... but each time he shoots them anyway. Go figure? Well, Joker shoots and kills the groom and Batman comes flying in through a ceiling window.... I think... to save the day. So, he was too late to save the groom. Joker grabs the bride and goes through his “one inch” routine again but blows her head up anyway. Batman and Joker fight it out for a bit until Joker, realizing that he has no more hostages because they’re all dead, shoots Batman in the head while wrestling with him. But his cowl is bullet proof so he wasn’t hurt. Joker then uses himself as a hostage and puts the gun to his own head. Joker continues his long diatribe about his mother and bends down to pray in front of the church with Batman only to find out that he placed a bomb there blowing them both up knocking Batman unconscious and leaving Joker up and ready for action. We end the issue realizing that Selina was told to wait outside the entire time and now is heading in to save Bruce. So, I got a couple things. The first is the art was fantastic as always and I loved the portrayal of Joker. He looks nuts! Not cut off my face Texas chainsaw nuts, but still crazy enough that we wouldn’t want to be alone with him at an Applebee’s. I loved Jokers look as well. He seemed new age-y with his hair style which is what the kids are doing these days. So, the highlights in the issue were definitely Joker. The parts that bothered me were with Batman to be honest. Let’s just say he didn’t know the groom was about to get shot and give him a free pass on him and the others in the church. Batman isn’t Omnipresent and can’t be everywhere at once nor can he save everyone. And ultimately, he didn’t shoot anyone. But remember, Batman arrived after that happened. So again, I say free pass for those deaths But he saw Joker take the bride as a hostage. Why didn’t he do something else to stop him from blowing her head off? And after that happens, Batman looks totally unfazed. And then, Joker puts the gun to his head and asks him to kneel with him or he’ll kill himself. I understand Batman is about saving everyone and doesn’t want anyone to die but he just lost tons of good people and now your going to kneel beside the man who just killed them all to stop him from taking his own life? No way! I get it. Every life matters and I am all for that. But Joker would never have killed himself. No way! Batman’s rule is no killing. But, he wouldn’t have killed Joker. Joker would have killed himself. Throw a batarang and wrap him up right there. And if he happened to shoot himself in the process, think of all the future killing you would have saved. I can understand not doing that to save the bride since you may be nervous that you could potential have the gun go off and kill her. But, that would never have happened with Joker. He would have never done it. I just feel like too many people died because Batman wasn’t reacting how I feel he should be. Batman seems indecisive on every decision lately. Honestly, in every book he’s in. That’s a big problem to me. Huge problem! I could forget about it in Jokers and Riddles. I could tell myself that Batman’s new and still working through some stuff. But this is a Batman that just got back from fighting evil Dark Batmen, possibly Batmen from the future and Brother Eye, and maybe back from space, and your telling me he let’s that bride die like that AND falls into that simple trap from Joker totally unfazed. I’m sorry but I can buy it. Something is wrong with Batman. Is it the wedding? Is he going to realize that he can’t be happy and that he shouldn’t be with Selena because too many people are dying? Because he has not been focused for a long time now. I’m not saying I haven’t liked Kings run. I actually love it. But something just hasn’t felt right for me since the poison ivy issues. Also, Joker vs Batman... that fight should be totally uneven. Batman should kick his butt repeatedly. Over and over again. But not in here. Joker gets hit and keeps on coming. I don’t know, I feel like this idea of the wedding and the gift and the telling his family and friends is just dragging on now. I’m just getting tired of it and want to move on now. This wasn’t what I expected BUT that said, I loved his take on Joker and I loved the art. I personally feel like King has done better. But I think I’m ready for a new story line right now. Should you read it... yes. Will I read the next issue... yes. Am I frustrated that I feel like the run has stalled... yes. It’s still better than many issues we are getting at DC right now in my opinion. But I think I’m more frustrated in general at the character of Batman as a whole in all books. Lots of people are dying and he just seems to get a free pass for that... again in all Batman titles. Can we fix that issue please? If you like what you heard, love talking all types of comics, and are interested in joining a comic chat group, hit me up at dispatchdcu@gmail.com or @dispatchdcu on twitter. Catch you all later! Peace more

DDJamesB

Jun 07, 2018

Probably the best King issue since I am Gotham. Although some of the ways Batman gets caught is kind of whack considering with prep time, this is the guy who could beat anyone. Anyway, the art is good as always, but the story for me was way better than that Booster garbage we got.

egonnn244

Jun 07, 2018

Another filler. Not a bad read with some nice art, but a filler nonetheless that barely propels the story forward. I feel like there is more story in Prelude to the Wedding issues than in this one.

Dani

Jun 08, 2018

This was a very complex issue for me, which is a good thing. On the one hand, it was very interesting to see Joker losing it over the possibility of Batman getting married. Their relationship is very twisted and he is spiraling out of control. On the other hand, I'm starting to question Batman's effectiveness with his criminals. Joker was out of control and there was nothing Batman could do about it. At this point, Batman needs to evaluate if he is really doing a disservice to Gotham. The lock em' up for them to break out trope is not working. At the rate of these killings, a new victim syndicate team could be formed. How many people have to die for Batman and Catwoman to be happy? After this story arc, I hope we get some real refl ection from Batman. I'll definitely keep reading to see where they go from here. more

Gizmo

Jul 14, 2018

This could be so much better if the dialogue was tightened up. I find the comic flows perfectly fine when I flip through the pages, taking in the layouts. But, when I read the words it locks up with self indulgence. Someone please tell King that, with comic books, less is usually more.

Supes' soups

Jun 07, 2018

I like Janin's art but King is again writing Batman as sort of an apathetic idiot. Throwing a batarang at Joker's face was supposed to do what?? Kill him? I thought he was against killing. Maim him? What's the point of that. Also I found it most shocking that Batman didn't figure out a way to save the bride in the church from getting killed. Very out of character for the world's greatest detective. On top of that, after the bride's dead body falls to the ground, Batman looks like he doesn't even care. Is the real Batman locked away in a basement somewhere, because this Batman is an ass...

DarePool53

Jun 09, 2018

I think this issue more-or-less confirmed in my mind that I'm not down with Tom King's Batman. It feels like I'm waiting for the issue where it's revealed that the 'Batman' who's hitherto starred in King's run is some kind of imposter from another Earth... A willingness to suspend one's disbelief in comic books is par for the course, but this version Batman, to me, is too much of a departure from what I regard as the character's core traits. I am going to refrain from spoiling this issue for anyone who's yet to read it, but I will say that there's an occurrence that I just don't believe the 'real' Batman would ever allow to happen... I really like Tom King as a writer; however, his take on Batman does nothing for me. The abov e notwithstanding, the issue seems to be garnering a lot of praise and I expect the folks who are enjoying King's work on the character so far will find plenty to enjoy here: so add a couple points to the score I've given if this is the case for you. more

Federico Liguori

Feb 14, 2023

Dreadful script and dialogues. Sometimes it looks like Tom King is writing a parody of Batman.

Who’s afraid of the big, bad

Jun 07, 2018

Joker puts a gun to Batman’s head and Batman just stops. Then Joker threatens to kill himself and not only does Batman stop again, but he kneels down next to him as asked. Has Tom King ever read a Batman comic? Has he read any DC book ever? He has no feel for the characters. Makes them act completely out of character. I did like the maniacal, homicidal Joker.

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myconius - Jun 9, 2018

i find it hilarious that people actually accept this trash interpretation of Batman. Tom King writes Batman as such an incompetent boob. it's like he's trying to make a parody of the character.

GL Mike - Jun 14, 2018

Totally agree! King is clueless concerning the character of Batman.

TheGeekWonder

Jun 06, 2018

Why are we having pointless Batman/Joker when one of the biggest events in Batman history is happening in 2 issues?! Why are these issues getting good reviews still? Take a step back and look at everything King has written. What leads up to 50? Nothing. And those stupid preludes are things that should be happening in the series! We don't need an Ivy or Booster arc right before Batman gets MARRIED to Catwoman!

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myconius - Jun 6, 2018

for serious, man! there is some baloney being shoved in our faces right before one of the biggest events for Batman in years! i doubt having Batman getting married to Catwoman was even Tom King's idea in the first place. it was probably something handed down from editorial.

TheGeekWonder - Jun 6, 2018

The whole thing is messed up. King has really good concepts, but the execution is just horrible. No substance! He just builds an arc around a wow moment. And this series dosen't humanize Batman at all. He let Alfred tell his son(s) that he was getting married!

myconius - Jun 7, 2018

i agree. it's all just lazy set-up for a cheap shock moment. no, this Batman definitely does not feel humanized. the way he let Joker just kill the last hostage then still mindlessly went to pray with Joker. he feels more like a Zombie or a Robot.

myconius

Jun 06, 2018

wow was this BAD!!! very predictable comic. it tried to be shocking, but just wasn't. so much useless 'ramble-on' dialog that went nowhere and amounted to nothing. i thought Tom King didn't write a very good Batman, well his Joker isn't any better. and the jokes were clunky and flopped hard. some of the art was ok. looks a bit too traced though. (EDIT) i love when elitist fanbois get all triggered when they see critical reviews. they need to lash out and condescend anyone with a different opinion than theirs. bunch of fascists that they are.

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Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln - Jun 10, 2018

This is clearly a very divisive run. Everyone should keep their head about it. Some people like Tom King's style (me) and others don't. I do understand some of the complaints about his characterization of Batman, but I personally enjoy King's writing enough to ignore it. It is a different Batman, but that is okay imo.

myconius - Jun 10, 2018

i found the funniest part of this comic not in any of the Joker’s jokes. no. not at all. what made me laugh was how spectacularly Batman failed at everything he did in this issue. Joker kills everyone right in from of Batman, and Batman still wants to kneel down and pray with Joker, but gets blown up. that was hilarious! :D

TSwan98

Jun 09, 2018

Tom King is the worst thing that has happened to Batman. I would rather read All Star Batman and Robin. At least Batman talks in that crap

Sav

Jun 10, 2018

i liked the art. i felt this joker is kinda lazy, but overall pretty evil, so i like that. but there are way too many 10s for an unbelievably shit comic. when did batman become dumber than a pile of rocks. this is one of the laziest jobs ever done to a comic. was there no oversight on this? plus, with all the hype, this is such a letdown. id give this comic a 2.5, but the user review total needs to drop.

Melkor

Jul 11, 2018

WORST THE WORST!

Tempra16v2.0Turbo

Jan 25, 2024

I hate this issue