Batman #63

Batman #63 is a good read and very enjoyable. Here Bruce lived out one of his saddest moments–the day Selina didn't show up for the wedding. It was good seeing a “what if” issue of how Bruce and Selina could've been. I can't wait to see exactly where the next issue takes us! Read Full Review

Mikel Janin has some excellent art in this issue and the way he draws Bruce and Selina is inspired. Read Full Review

King and Janin have created a memorable issue in this storyline. It didn't seem like this was going anywhere over the last two issues. But as always I just trusted in King. And that trust is now playing off like it always seems to. Read Full Review

By the end of this issue, I felt far more intrigued with where King is taking this story and the clever use of Constantine with this cliffhanger definitely has me excited for the next issue. Read Full Review

The stories that Tom King is telling with Batman will prove to be part of an historic run. This issue adds another piece to his unspeakabe puzzle. It is a masterful story. Read Full Review

As we approach the third act of King's Batman, there's a lot of unanswered questions, and this issue makes me pretty excited to find out the answers. Read Full Review

Overall,Batman #63 dives deeper into Bruce's psyche and further escalates the elusive conflict being set-up between him and Bane. If you enjoyed Mister Miracle or movies with mind-bending logic like Inception consider picking up the Knightmare arc of Batman, starting at Batman #61, that will conclude with Batman #69. Read Full Review

Building off everything that came before it, Batman #63 delivers the strongest issue of the Knightmares story arc thus far. Every character involved in this story played there role excellently. Tom King builds on the emotional tie that existed with the failed wedding of Bruce and Selina to craft a compelling story guest starring Constantine. With how things ended I am much more excited for what comes next than I was before reading Batman #63. Read Full Review

King manages to use Batman #63 to successfully give readers the fan service of “Brulina”‘s happy home full of adorable moments, a gloomy cameo, and steady progression towards the moment when Bruce eventually opens his eyes again. Read Full Review

A little bit of clarity about whats really happening goes a long way in Batman #63 mixing with the Bat-Cat wedding redux motif to result in the strongest issue of this arc so far. Also, Mikel Janins impeccably-clean linework is always welcome on this title. Read Full Review

Despite its underwhelming use of John Constantine, Batman #63 is a satisfying addition to the series. Read Full Review

A good issue that offers answers in a compelling and sometimes emotional issue. Read Full Review

A bizarrely entertaining chapter that takes a long, hard look at one of The Batman's greatest fears! Read Full Review

We revisit the wedding that never happened, seeing how things would play out if that day had gone differently. Of course, something feels off despite the marital bliss, with Constantine providing a doom and gloom prophecy throughout. Read Full Review

A heartbreaking glimpse at what could have been and a terrifying glimpse of what is now. Read Full Review

Throw in Selina Kyle, John Constantine and some beautiful Mikel Janin art and you have yet another strong issue. We are nearing the final 30 issues or two years of Tom Kings time with Batman, and as we enter the last third of the run, answers are coming, and I cant wait. Highly recommended. Read Full Review

The Nightmares continue and depending on what you are looking for, this may be a dream you don't ever want to wake from or just a reminder of what you didn't get.  Tom King uses this opportunity to show that maybe a failed wedding is a better one, but in the end, I liked finding out what Batman is up against...maybe.  Mikel Janin's art was great in this issue (maybe the best it's been in quite some time) and this one is sure to get people talking on the intranets. Read Full Review

Overall I think this issue does a good job at showing us several "what if they had got married" moments and while that does make me feel both happy and sad, I'm glad we got to explore this even if only for one chapter. Read Full Review

The “Knightmares” story arc is a fun and fulfilling narrative that examines Batman, while subversively advancing the overall plot. However, the finale for “Knighmares” is a bit of a letdown, because of a subdued twist ending and plot inconsistencies. Read Full Review

We're going somewhere, but why is it taking so long to get there? Part of a larger puzzle,Batman (2016-) #63is a piece that feels unnecessary. Read Full Review

BATMAN #63 shares many of the faults its predecessor maintains as it struggles to move this current arc and overall series forward in a dynamic manner. Read Full Review

Mikel Janin turns out some nice sequences with Catwoman, Batman, John Constantine, and even a mini-cameo from one of our favorite Gotham schizoid personalities, Two-Face. Meanwhile King takes us through the paces of yet another dream sequence during which we gain little to no traction on the whereabouts or actual condition of Batman. We seem to be trapped in this stasis like a bug in amber. And like that bug in amber, it's pretty to look at, but beyond being decorative, it serves little purpose. Read Full Review

To say that Tom King has been taking Batman to unusual places is a little bit of an understatement, and those unusual places haven't always worked. This week, however, Batman #63 takes us deeper into the "Knightmares" arc and in doing so follows along with Batman into what feels less like a Knightmare and more like a dream come true. Read Full Review

Overall, I still liked the issue, however a combination of King’s writing and Janin’s art really makes this issue feel like style over substance. Whilst I’ve been enjoying the arc so far, I feel like this issue is just padding in this arc. Read Full Review

Maybe read this issue in the store while you pick up your copy of Justice League. It's meh all around in my book, I'm sure it will be in yours too. Too much emotional haze and not nearly enough answers to even want to deal with more and different tension. Read Full Review

A somewhat mediocre entry into what has been a Batman run with many ups and downs, and the weakest of the Knightmares stories so far. Read Full Review

Frankly, it's all a bit anticlimactic and boring. Wake me up when this "Knightmare" ends. Read Full Review

Aussie Dad

Feb 20, 2019

There are multitudes of layers, both in this issue and in Tom King's run in general that makes Batman an outstanding title.

cincyfan

Nov 10, 2020

I thought the knightmare arc was great and each issue was better than the last. I like the concept and execution of the last two issues a lot.

Linkush

Jan 23, 2019

"JUST ANOTHER DREAM BECOMING JUST ANOTHER NIGHTMARE" Well, this is probably the best issue of the arc so far and Janin's art was great in this issue, probably the best it's been in a while. This time we get to see how the relationship between Bruce and Selina might have been and it was fun while it lasted. Makes me even more sad that we didn't get to see the wedding at the end. We're also going somewhere this time around, and I'm starting to realize what King is trying to do with this arc. I find it to be very interesting and I'm excited to see where this is going. I also really liked Constantine in this and how King utilized him in the end, very clever. Recommended!

bcgocubs

Jan 27, 2019

I dont have a problem with King taking his time. He simply takes a different approach to writing comics than others. His stories are meant to be immersive and they read more like a long term novel. There is nothing wrong with that and people should cut him some slack for trying something different. That being said, I understand why some would not like his style. It can stretch your patience and is confusing sometimes. But I think people should start to view his style more as a whole and not individual issues. I dont think that approach does his work justice.

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Talon1load - Jan 27, 2019

Since he is making a product for a consumer, he should maybe change his style to fit their wants instead of expecting others to change how they view his style.

bucswin611

Jan 23, 2019

Eh. I don't know what to make of it. Less than the sum of the parts. Janin is solid, and Jordie Bellaire is FANTASTIC. King's Constantine monologues are well-written enough. But something about this feels inconsequential. I'm not sure if the Bat-Cat moments are giving fans what they want or a screw-you for wanting it so badly... This arc has not been either fun or compelling, reminiscent of the arc The Gift.

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myconius - Jan 24, 2019

the only thing about the art though is that Janin is just tracing 3D poser figures.

bucswin611 - Jan 25, 2019

Yeah agreed - it feels very stiff but Bellaire makes it come alive

MKW69

Jan 23, 2019

I recognized that it was a dream or hallucnation. Problem is that I really like the parts with Selina and Bruce That's what I wanted from their Wedding! But King still instills that there would be bad things. Comics are cyclical. They would get divorce, or rebooted them. I don't care about the future. I wanted it now!

Adsun22

Apr 19, 2020

Constantine and Catwoman. I'll take it.

Nihilist

Jan 23, 2019

John Constantine and Batman just... fit together nicely, conceptually, at least. One is a cynical, sarcastic dick, and the other is a bruting, cold introvert. There's a lot of potential for such team-up, mixing street vigilantism with magic and demons. Too bad these two, every time they appear in the same place in the same time and interact, don't have anything valuable to say. Justice League Dark movie shoehorned Batman for no reason, Brian Azzarello completely bastardized these two characters in an abomination that is Batman Damned (albeit at least Johnny Boy didn't try to rape Bats like Harley in issue 2 - yeah, that's how bad things went with this comic), and now, Tom King came up with the same idea - to team up John and Bruce, in a mys terious story. And yes, it sucks like the two aforementioned teamp-ups. First of all, the story - it's dull for the most part, and features two of King's most well known gimmicks: repetition and dualism. Remember #50, with all these boring beyond belief interludes featuring commentaries from Batman and Catwoman, regarding the same subjects? Like their eyes? You'll find that in this issue as well, thankfully used just once. You'll also find repeated scenes from the same issue - and look, I get it, it's a long story arc, and it's understandable King wants to put more emphasis on important scenes here and there - remind us what's happening with all key characters, since lat 10 issues barely push the main narrative forward. And while I understand why, I can't say I enjoy reading the same thing over and over again, basically, if I'm stuck in a never-ending loop of repetition and duality, parallels thrown in my face. And this week, once again, we learn nothing important - the comic leads somwehere, I guess, but it's as stagnant and slow paced as its predecessors. It's just boring. more

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RBL - Jan 23, 2019

Another non-issue, barely even acknowledges the overarching plot. Devotes too much focus on a construct of Batman’s mind in the shape of Constantine, why that is a thing is more interesting than this entire issue and it’s a shame it will never be touched on.

myconius - Jan 23, 2019

another beautifully written review Nihilist.

Darkseid24 - Jan 23, 2019

I still don’t get your complains about Batman Damned. It’s an Elseworld& made for adults, so everything can happen there. I think if it wasn’t for the Batdick outrage we sure would have seen more of Harley raping Batman. He stopped her before doing though.

myconius - Jan 24, 2019

i'm an adult, but i really don't enjoy stories that focus on rape. especially not Batman stories. just seems like they are trying too hard to be super-edgy.

RBL - Jan 24, 2019

Sometimes that’s what they go for “edginess for the sake of being edgy”. Some people like it, seeing as Mark Millar basically built a company around it, but it’s not for everyone. If it’s forced or just too gratuitous it can lose impact, can’t just be edgy for no reason is what I’d say.

myconius - Jan 24, 2019

yeah. it can come off as a sad attempt at being cool.

Darkseid24 - Jan 24, 2019

If it’s done well, I have no problem with rape stories. I think it fitted Harley in Batman Damned& she didn’t rape him anyway.

Nihilist - Jan 24, 2019

RBL perfectly captured what I'd like to say - it's "edginess for the sake of being edgy", and I hate it. There can be good comics featuring adult scenes - Watchmen had rape and one of the characters is a product of it, but it worked there, it was an essential part of the story. Damned just feels edgy without having any actual depth. It really feels like something an angsty teenager would write and masquerade it as something "mature", because it has swear words, violence, sex - all shock value.

myconius - Jan 25, 2019

nothing but cheap shock value. .... it's just a bunch of icing with NO cake. ...angsty flavored icing.

Darkseid24 - Jan 25, 2019

Ok, I don’t think so. Damned is better than I thought, when it was first announced. Best portrayal of Harley since years.

Nihilist - Jan 26, 2019

Let's agree to disagree.

ohhaimark - Jan 26, 2019

I haven't read Damned. I think Brian Azzarello is overrated. But, I was thinking I would just read it in trade. After reading some reviews, I'm considering just saving money and skipping it altogether.

myconius - Jan 26, 2019

aside from nice artwork, the first issue of Damned didn't do anything that made me want to read the second issue.

Psycamorean - Jan 26, 2019

I think the only thing from Azzarello that I truly love is his Hellblazer run. It's crazy good. So I was super excited for Damned. But instead of the "Devil Constantine" we got in his Hellblazer run, we got "Annoying Nuisance Constantine."

ohhaimark - Jan 26, 2019

@myconius, the artwork is what made me consider reading it in trade. I think Lee Bermejo is a very talented artist. @YourGreenMuse- I've never read Azzarello's Hellblazer, but I might have to check it out now.

Psycamorean - Jan 26, 2019

I'd highly recommend it! One thing to note though, the first arc has some weird art that doesn't really fit. Second arc onward, it's the perfect artist for the writing.

ohhaimark - Jan 26, 2019

Nice!

Darkseid24 - Jan 26, 2019

@ohhaimark I didn’t like The Joker by Azzarello, but for some reason Damned is good so far in my opinion. I just think there was more potential with #2 due to the Batdick outrage. What also sucks, that future prints will be censored. It’s such a joke.

egonnn244

Jan 23, 2019

"10:38?" If I were to describe this issue with one word I would use the word "uneventful" because there is nothing practically happening in this one. At least the story is starting to get somewhere. The very ending of the issue finally gives us some insight about what the heck is happening. Fake Constantine informs "Bat" that he is hooked up to some nightmare inducing machine. I can't help it, but it makes me think about the episode of the animated series. The one where Mad Hatter had Batman in a similar machine. Can't recall the name of it. And, aside from "Bat" and "Cat" in the dialogue, there was nothing cringy or eye rolling here. I call that a success. There was one moment I really liked. The short scene with the clock. Bruce a nd Selina's dialogue felt genuine and it was just nice seeing them interacting outside the costume like normal people. I was imaging that we would see things just like that if the wedding would end in a different way. And you got to love that Rebirth Batmobile. It's beautiful. Like the animated series one mixed with a tank. Mike Janin draws that beast really well. more

waltgator93

Jan 23, 2019

Because it’s a dream I will let something things go. But overall issue was quite boring and at least we all now know he is in a dream. Although the narration in the beginning was quite boring! Enjoyed the art but feel like even though we learned one thing, we really didn’t progress anything. As much as I enjoy Constantine and Batman working together, why him? Why did his dream make a hallucination of Constantine?

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RBL - Jan 23, 2019

I’d like to know that more than having to read this entire arc, because it could lead to intereting developments about Batman’s thought process/inner working of his mind. That said, I doubt this will ever be acknowledged again and what we do discover is that it’s all... dun dun dun... fear gas. Can’t imagine it being worse than the entire first arc of “ric”, but it’s not any better.

Afre

Jan 23, 2019

We have a 8 -part storyline going right now. That hasn't gone anywhere. Positives? +Janin's artwork is simply amazing. I just love it. +It would be nice to have Bruce and Selina as a couple. Now the negatives: -Wanna-be-deep writing? I don't know, it is hard to explain, especially since english is not my main language, but this writing is so wanna-be-deep and it feels so off in a Batman comic. King wants to break Bruce psychologically, but he does it so slowly and it's not that good. It feels so off right now, it's hard to say why. It's not terrible, awful like his Booster Gold storyline was, just meh. And the other big problem we have right now? I don't care. At all. I was interested in having Knightfall 2.0 but right n ow it is done so slowly that I'm just not that excited for it anymore. At this rate, we will have the conclusion to this King's 100-issue arc in december/next year and that is too long. King has written good filler-issues in the past, that is not the problem here. The problem is that it's filler that doesn't lead to anywhere and it's in a moment where there should be excitment. WE HAVE FLASHPOINT BATMAN WORKING WITH BANE TO BREAK BRUCE AND KING JUST WON'T LET US SEE ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. Right now we have 8-part event Knightmares where each issue is completely different than the previous one in a bad way. If I didn't know these last three issues were numbered 61, 62 and 63, I I would think I would've missed some issues. And that is a big problem. more

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myconius - Jan 25, 2019

"Wanna-be-deep writing" sums it up nicely!

Darkseid24 - Jan 25, 2019

Unfortunately it does indeed.

myconius - Jan 29, 2019

the one thing i really have to disagree with is about the art. ...the art is just traced screenshots of 3D poser figures.

I Review Comics

Jun 20, 2020

I've settled on the reality that I'll probably never get caught up on my backlog of comics and get them all reviewed. At the time of writing this post, I'm about 40 issues behind on my Batman reviews that doesn't even include Detective Comics. I'm basically going forward for myself and as a time capsule to other readers. This issue finally gives us hints as to what's going on in this story arc. Batman has been moving from a nightmare scenario to nightmare scenario for the past three issues. The only problem with the plot device is that if you're a fan of the series or have been in and out of the loop like I have the last few issues have been incomprehensible. In this issue, the dream picks up at the wedding. In this scenario, Cat woman shows up and the two are married. John Constantine shows up out of nowhere and tells Bruce that she's another dream and at the end of the dream she's going to die. The rest of the comic is pretty bland. You get relationship stuff between the characters and more incomprehensible scenes hinting at Batman being captured by villains and tortured by Scarecrows fear toxin. The background stuff is interesting but the comic is not. This may be one of the most boring Batman books I've read in a while. The scenes of Bruce and Selina frolicking around are lame and the stuff with Constantine just feels like Tom King throwing an audience a bone. If he wasn't there this would have been another ridiculously incomprehensible issue. On a side note, I'm pretty tired of Constantine. I don't have the reverence to the character that some people do. I wasn't reading DC comics much in the 80s or 90s so when he shows up being mysterious for the sake of being mysterious and talking in riddles It feels like the writer trying to make stories deeper than they actually are. I've read 4 issues in the past year with Constantine and he pretty much plays the same role in each cameo. It's a lame and lazy way to use a fan-favorite character. Mikel Janin and Jordie Bellaire are wasted on this issue. The figures and colors actually great but the comic book feels more like a soap opera than an actual comic. It's a very Low - T affair especially when the comic ends the exact same way you were told it would. I'm not sure who this is for but it's not Batman Fans. There has been a gradual decline in the overall writing in this series. We're a long way from the initial I am Gotham arc. I'm not sure how Tom Lost the plot but I hope he finds it or Ill just be voicing the same criticisms everyone else had when these comics were released. more

RBL

Jan 23, 2019

Tl;dr same as last time, a non-issue. But this one has dialogue! Story advances a hint, just the minimal amount. You could definitely skip it and not miss a beat. I would not recommend it and tell people to instead wait for the end of this arc to return once the actual story is retaken. On to the the general contents of the issue: Apparently Batman has Constantine in his subconscious, interesting enough and poses various questions but I doubt it will ever be brought up again or Tom King will ever elaborate on it. So all we can do is say “cool cameo, bro” and ignore it because nothing came of it. Batman is presented in a scenario where the wedding happened actually happened, or as I’d state it one in where Tom King had guts/s ense to allow this. Seeing him struggle to maintain the illusion despite the increasing knowledge of it all being a dream was compelling enough, as was how he was shown as legitimately happy. Eventually the “dream” turns into a “nightmare” and they give the only information that advances the story, Batman is being held in an undisclosed location and being pumped full of fear gas to keep him out of commission. The only thing of value this comic has in the grand scheme of things is the page where this is presented, the rest can be easily ignored. Constantine, who plays a big role in this particular issue, is portrayed well enough and is cleverly used as the nagging feeling everything is wrong, but this is nothing more than a small cameo and a missed opportunity if there ever was one. The dynamic between the Cat and the Bat is well presented and engaging as King did do a decent job of showcasing the relationship until the terribleness that was the ending of Batman #50. This issue also cements that Batman’s biggest weakness is apparently sniper bullets, because apparently a man prepared to fight even Darkseid cannot foresee people shooting at him and his allies with a rifle from afar. Cue facepalm. All in all a better read than last issue, due to the key inclusion of dialogue, but equally relevant in that it barely advances the story at all. Less of a waste, but a waste nonetheless. I might be being generous with the score. more

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myconius - Jan 23, 2019

your review was much more fun to read than the actual issue.

RBL - Jan 23, 2019

Thanks, man. I do my best.

myconius - Jan 23, 2019

you're very welcome! keep it up! :)

myconius - Jan 24, 2019

perhaps sniper bullets might be Batman's kryptonite? ...maybe Joe Chill wasn't even in that alley with the Waynes all those years ago? ...maybe he sniped them from across town?

Talon1load

Jan 23, 2019

Another pointless issue with repetitive dialogue and revisiting themes. This run isn’t even worth getting worked up about anymore. Batman has become a completely forgettable book. It’s just sad really. Not as sad as Batman appears to be all the time but close.

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myconius - Jan 24, 2019

"It’s just sad really. Not as sad as Batman appears to be all the time but close." ...hahaha! that really sums it up!

Talon1load - Jan 24, 2019

I hate that I can’t muster up any give a shit about a character I love so much. King hasn’t just broken the Bat, he’s broken the fans too.

myconius - Jan 24, 2019

yeah. King is an even worse villain than Bane. maybe he should write himself as the villain in the comic.

Talon1load - Jan 24, 2019

He really is. I think Bane is just a stand in for King himself. I think he’s always hated Batman and this was his master plan to destroy him.

myconius - Jan 24, 2019

i think you're onto something there.

Darkseid24 - Jan 24, 2019

Ive really read worse stories than Kings Batman run. At least Batman didn’t get a new origin story and wasn’t turned into a completely different character. Same goes for the other characters. With King it’s just mediocre but nothing special either in my opinion

Talon1load - Jan 24, 2019

I think he has changed the character though. He’s made Batman into an ineffective and whiny character.

myconius - Jan 24, 2019

i've gotta agree with Talon1load on this one. it's a miracle that Tom King's Batman hasn't gotten himself killed or taken his own life by now. he's already made mention that his version of Batman cut his wrists when he was younger. he's made Batman pathetic.

Darkseid24 - Jan 24, 2019

Yes you two are right, but as long as King doesn’t turn anyone into a baby& changes the entire background for the characters like Johns did in Darkseid War, I’m ok with it. King also did a good job portraying the villains so far& he puts some D characters in it too. If he doesn’t mess then up, I’m ok with it.

myconius - Jan 24, 2019

Darkseid24 - i'm with you 100% on Darkseid War. that story was so bad, it's making my head hurt just thinking about it.

Talon1load - Jan 24, 2019

I think you’re both crazy. Darkseid War was great. Yeah Johns changed stuff but it was at least in a fun and exciting way. King has failed to do either of those things with his changes.

Darkseid24 - Jan 24, 2019

@ Talon1load Darkseid is one of my favorite characters, Johns portrayed him as a total idiot& turned him into a baby. You can’t humiliate his character more. Not to mention, that I still want to kick Batman for sitting on the moebius chair. Don’t think people would like it, if Bruce suddenly let’s say wasn’t rich, was raped by his uncle, imprioned for 15 years as a sex Sklave& that’s why he’s Batman. King at last doesn’t ruin characters. That’s why I prefer him over Johns any time. Doomsday

Darkseid24 - Jan 24, 2019

Clock doesn’t make up for what Johns did to Darkseid. His character still hasn’t recovered from that humiliation. He showed no understanding for the New Gods on every level. slave

Talon1load - Jan 24, 2019

King does nothing BUT ruin characters. Batman, Riddler, Joker, Wonder Woman, Booster Gold, he’s screwed up all of these characters in his run. I thought Johns was the first one to actually do anything interesting with the New Gods but that’s because they are characters that I have no real connection with. Still, even then that’s one quick story that Johns May have messed up one character. King has been doing it for 63 issues now and that’s not including Mr Miracle, and Omega Men which sucked too

myconius - Jan 24, 2019

well, i actually AM crazy. that i cannot deny. ...but i still think Darkseid War was bad. Johns punked out Darkseid big time in New52 Justice League Origin. and all the build up to Darkseid War and Darkseid gets killed as soon as he shows up. one of the biggest basses of the DCU that used to make even Superman break a sweat gets taken out like a joke. ...of course people want to see the villains taken down. but at least don't make a clown out of them.

Darkseid24 - Jan 24, 2019

@Talon1load Not on Johns level. Ive read all the New Gods comics from Kirby to Vol3/4& Byrnes Fourth World run, Orion& Death of The New Gods& Johns really messed them up. The way he portrayed the Omega Beams made zero sense, Metron was reduced to an idiot, all the great dynamic between Desaad& Darkseid ruined for that crappy story. Darkseid War is the one story I really hate. King didn’t mess up characters like that. And it’s not just Darkseid. Johns also wrote Scarecrow as someone, who needs

Darkseid24 - Jan 24, 2019

Batman to feel afraid, because he loves being afraid. This contradicts his entire character, because in every other story Scarecrow absolutely hates Batman& hates being afraid. He uses fear against others to control his fears, so Johns didn’t give a damn about his character either. King over Johns any time despite Doomsday Clock. No other writer than Johns messed up my favorite characters like he did.

Darkseid24 - Jan 24, 2019

@myconius Totally agree, if the villain has to be beaten, he at least shouldn’t be a joke. Don’t know what drugs Johns took to think turning him into a baby would be a great idea.

Talon1load - Jan 24, 2019

I’ll have to agree to disagree on Johns. I think he’s the best DC has.

Darkseid24 - Jan 24, 2019

Ok. In my opinion DC currently doesn’t have great writers. Dan Jurgens also disappointed me with Batman Beyond, but let’s see what he‘s doing with Nightwing.

myconius - Jan 25, 2019

many writers have both their good and bad points. ...look at Tom King. i mostly enjoyed Grayson when i was first reading it, but his Batman run never quite did it for me, and got worse and worse as it went on.

Talon1load - Jan 25, 2019

I tried the first trade of Grayson but just couldn’t get into it.

myconius - Jan 25, 2019

yeah. as much as i was enjoying it at the time, it's not something i could ever go back and re-read.

Darkseid24 - Jan 25, 2019

I‘m fine with the Ric story, but didn’t like Grayson at all. Kings Mr Miracle was ok, but wish Darkseid was better portrayed

ohhaimark - Jan 25, 2019

I never read Darkseid War... Based on what I’ve heard I was lucky to do so. I bailed on Johns’ JL after the first two volumes. Grayson was very meh for me. It never interested me enough to make me read past the first four issues. I didn’t hate anything about it though.

myconius - Jan 25, 2019

ohhaimark you were wise to bail on Johns' New 52 JL when you did. i just wish i had as well. it always had nice art, but the story was always very lackluster. i was fooling enough to waste the time and $$$ on the tie-ins and crossovers that never went anywhere. i didn't bother keeping those, nor my Grayson comics either. just not worth looking at again.

Darkseid24 - Jan 25, 2019

Can’t stand Johns JL either. Ruining the New Gods started there, but overall I didn’t like how the JL was formed there. Glad we have Rebirth now, but nothing beats Pre52.

Talon1load - Jan 27, 2019

Lets focus on hating this run though. John's run is done and over, King's is still going and destroying Batman. lol

Darkseid24 - Jan 27, 2019

Yes, but Darkseid& the New Gods haven’t recovered from Johns take on them. I wish Bruce was less whiney these days though. He’s crying way too much over Catwoman.

myconius - Jan 28, 2019

i'll never understand how Batman is still crying over Catwoman this long. he's been made into a complete wuss.

Darkseid24 - Jan 29, 2019

That’s true. That annoys me too.

Darkseid24

Jan 23, 2019

I don’t think this issue was that bad, but not that great either. The problem here is, that this issue& the last 2 aren’t really connected, we get a hint in this one, that it’s all due to Batman being affected by Scarecrow’s fear gas ( having Scarecrow in the story would be great though, but I somehow doubt it)& due to a machine he is strapped on, but this still isn’t enough. Constantine is really pointless in this issue, because he doesn’t do much& he could be replaced by nearly everyone. However since it’s just a dream, that turns to a nightmare it makes sense, that his appearance doesn’t make sense. The worst part for me are the Batcat scenes. This is a what if Bruce really did marry Selina story. I really hate how Ki ng is turning Selina into Bruce’s love of his life& tries to turn him into Clark. Batcat was already terrible in Hush& sucked even more together in Heart of Hush. But here the dialogue between them is really badly written, so I was glad when the Nightmare finally started. However a Nightmare scene could have been more scarier, more grotesque, but unfortunately it was kept quite simple here. So overall you get a filler disguised as a big storyline. more

Psycamorean

Jan 24, 2019

Well, this sure was a thing that exists. Constantine is a non-character in this. What was the point besides getting Hellblazer fans hopes up? ...Or down, in my case? Why is he here when basically anyone could fill his spot? Such an underwhelming guest star. And that's a shame because this comic has like nothing going for it now. I don't care about Bat/Cat. I find their relationship extremely superficial, not helped by this issue by the way. There's at least some connective tissue that hopefully makes reading these pointless issues slightly more tolerable, because if I like anything, it's continuity and callbacks. Oh, and John gets a little meta, too. That's... a thing. I just don't care. Yeah, Batman is dreaming. We got it.

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ohhaimark - Jan 25, 2019

Totally agree about Constantine.

Psycamorean - Jan 25, 2019

Such a useless guest star!

ohhaimark - Jan 26, 2019

YES! Plus, it felt like he could have been anybody.

Psycamorean - Jan 26, 2019

Maybe it should've been Dick. Since Bats feels guilty about Dick, so having that reminder permeate his "perfect life" dream would have made his struggle to hang on to it resonate more emotionally.

ohhaimark - Jan 26, 2019

Excellent idea!

Psycamorean - Jan 26, 2019

It took me maybe 5 seconds of thought to come up with that, so I know King couldn't have thought too hard about this Constantine guest star.

myconius - Jan 26, 2019

YourGreenMuse - you're really onto something here!

ohhaimark

Jan 24, 2019

THE GOOD: -I thought the idea for this issue was good at least. What would have happened if the wedding went through? Nice idea. Poor execution. -I liked Mikel Janin's art. There were some awkward faces and stiff looking poses, but I liked the splash pages a lot and he made that shower scene feel very effectively steamy. -It's nice to at least see the previous stories acknowledged. -I'm still on board with Knightmares, despite predictability and a gimmicky premise. I feel like another writer could do way better though. THE BAD: -So Constantine was in this issue why, exactly? I felt like he was only there to tell Bruce about the Knightmares. Other than that, his existence was purely fan service and filler. -Constantine 's monologue was a mixture of boring and trying way too hard. -Although the art was nice, the shower scene was gratuitous filler. -Something about Bruce punching Constantine and calling him an idiot just felt wrong. -The dialogue didn't jive with me this issue. -I didn't like the ending. The dark and depressing Batman is getting tiring. more

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myconius - Jan 26, 2019

Constantine was just as pointless in this issue as Pyg was last issue. ...next issue should have Elmer Fudd.

ohhaimark - Jan 26, 2019

Lol! I wouldn't be surprised! It might be better than this issue though! https://www.dccomics.com/comics/batman-2016/batman-68

Darkseid24 - Jan 26, 2019

What annoys me, that we have the Flash crossover now, because this Knightmare story will go on even longer due to it. On the other hand it’s nice to take a break from King

myconius - Jan 26, 2019

"Catchelorette Party"??? ... ¡Ay, caramba!

ohhaimark - Mar 6, 2019

@myconius- Looks like that Elmer Fudd prediction wasn't so far off! https://www.cbr.com/batman-road-runner-elmer-fudd-sequel/

myconius - Mar 7, 2019

@ohhaimark - OH NO!!!! next time i'll have to keep my big mouth shut!! 😂😂😂😂

Federico Liguori

Apr 10, 2023

This is EXACTLY the kind of issue that makes me want to drop this whole run. Talk, talk, talk... And nothing happens. Also, CUT THIS FREAKING BAT-CAT LOVE ANGLE. We get it, Tom, you love Selina Kyle. But we're at a point it feels like you have abandonment issues or something like that. It's not fun, it's not interesting, it's not what Batman should be like.

Quinn

Jan 23, 2019

Bats is kissing Cats in pretty or sexy environment. Constantine is there to harsh the buzz. Rinse, lather, repeat. On the final time Constantine tells Bats that he is caught and hooked up to a machine that makes him dream, with the final scenario having Cats die. That is the whole issue. This story is so decompressed, if it were a set of tires, you wouldn’t be able to drive 10 feet. Also, this is the second story this week wheres King’s protagonist is dreaming that his significant other is constantly getting killed. (See internet uproar over Walmart Superman book). Get help dude. The art was nice, but the story was slow. Three issues to tell us Bruce is mindtrapped. I feel so jerked around. Or I could be wrong.

FASHI

Jan 23, 2019

The worst issue in the run so far. We (and Batman) already realized this is a dream last issue, this issue wallows in the surreal without doing anything with it. The scenes with Selina feel like a waste of time and Constantine isn't given room to breath. Ends up feeling like a knockoff 'For the Man who has Everything'. This could've been partly saved by some cool art (like last issue) but it's stiff and bland feels like the opposite of a dream.

Spacey Medicine

Jun 03, 2019

Why the fuck are you dreaming about that sexy magician? Just to berate him and punch him, you closeted fuck?

myconius

Jan 23, 2019

what the hell? this series is all over the place, with no rhyme or reason. there were no real clues in the last two issues to even tie all this together. it’s just feels like a series of non related one-shots. another pointless issue that ultimately went nowhere. get Tom King off this book. he has absolutely no clue what to do with Batman.

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RBL - Jan 23, 2019

I feel like we can tune out of this title, pick up on the next arc and miss out on nothing.

myconius - Jan 23, 2019

for real! ...i seriously think Tom King knows he has the series locked down, so now he's just phoning it in and laughing all the way to the bank.

Darkseid24 - Jan 23, 2019

I still give it a chance, let’s wait until the arc is finished.

Talon1load - Jan 27, 2019

Have you noticed that EVERY arc people say wait until the end? It never pays off though. He has yet to write a story that had any sort of satisfying ending. And fans are supposed to wait for 105 issues for this whole thing to pay off? This entire run is bullshit.

Darkseid24 - Jan 27, 2019

With that you have a point lol But King hasn’t made me angry with a portrayal yet, so I give it a chance. We still have Detective Comics. Since Tynion is gone, it’s great.

myconius - Jan 28, 2019

Talon1load you have a VERY excellent point!! ...it's almost like serving someone food that covered in feces and saying "wait until you're done with the meal before you judge it."

Psycamorean - Jan 28, 2019

I can't wait for 105 to roll around and have the fans slowly but surely come around to the idea that this run is lacking. I've seen it happen with more than one person. The longer it goes, the more people realize it.

myconius - Jan 28, 2019

YourGreenMuse - most definitely! i just feel like somewhere this rumor spread that thye guy was some amazing writer, and people that just didn't know any better actually believed it. ...the worst thing he ever did for his career was sign such a long contract on Batman. he just doesn't get the character, and is being exposed as a one trick pony.

ohhaimark - Jan 28, 2019

Talon1Load- Good point! I too am really growing tired of waiting for some big payoff that hasn't really come for me yet. @myconius- That is one of the best metaphors I have ever heard.

myconius - Jan 29, 2019

thank you, ohhaimark. ...all these excuses people make for this run just feel like empty promises from an abusive relationship. "i'm sorry. i didn't mean it. i'll never hurt you again." nothing but false hope until the next slap in the face. ...i gave up expecting anything good from this run long ago. i'm just hear to watch the train wreck of my all-time favorite hero as he burns to a cinder, at the hands of a hack.

RBL - Jan 29, 2019

It’s not only this run, for quite a few books people have stated that judgement is better reserved once the full arc/story is presented. How I’ve always seen it is if the concept itself is terrible, the story/writing will follow suit. I said as much in every review I made for Nightwing from 50 onwards, because “ric” was just the worst direction that book could go with.

ohhaimark - Jan 29, 2019

RBL- Good point. Sometimes, I hear a concept, and I think it sounds terrible, but really surprises me. If someone told me some of the things that would happen in the Immortal Hulk, I would have laughed it off and said, “get out of here, that will never work.” However, that comic is a masterpiece IMO. That’s just me though, it will vary from person to person. I do agree with Nightwing, although I think a different writer could make Ric work.

Darkseid24 - Jan 29, 2019

Nightwing was great since 50& with Dan Jurgens taking over it can’t get bad, but Ric stays for now. As for Kings Batman, I meant the Knightmare arc, we will know the full plot in 4 issues. Everything else from King were one shots& whatever Bane is planning.

Psycamorean - Jan 29, 2019

Dan Jurgens is hit or miss.

Darkseid24 - Jan 29, 2019

Hunters Prey was great.

RBL - Jan 30, 2019

You* think is Nightwing was great, it’s not. That’s what I believe. We already know it’s a nightmare induced from fear gas here, what else is there? There’s no twist that will make the past issues, which were completely irrelevant to the story, suddenly better.

Darkseid24 - Jan 30, 2019

Just like YOU think Nightwing sucks. Your opinion isn’t more valid than mine, and we don’t know if it’s by fear gas yet or if Bruce is strapped to a machine, since that was only said in his dreams. You can’t make that conclusion yet.

ohhaimark - Jan 30, 2019

@Darkseid24- That was a great way of putting it! “Your opinion isn’t more valid than mine.”

Darkseid24 - Jan 30, 2019

Thanks :D

KFuqua

Jan 24, 2019

Shocker....more garbage from Tom King on Batman. Again, please get him off this title!!!!