Batman #85

King has produced an epic story that has brought Bruce to his lowest emotional point. However, the Batman has come out of this crucible as a stronger character. He has reaffirmed the inner core of hope that drives him to continue his battle against evil. Also, King has made a convincing case that the Batman can be happy without diminishing his effectiveness as a crime-fighter. Read Full Review

It does feel like there should have been more story after this issue ends. Maybe the upcoming Batman/Catwoman series will show us more of that story. Honestly though, this was pretty great. Congratulations to Tom King for an amazing run. Read Full Review

Overall, this has been a very fun series to review. I started with issue #1 and was ecstatic, because I got the honor of reviewing what would presumably be a tentpole title in comics for as long as I saw fit. Sure, I missed a couple of issues and even didn't enjoy a handful. But I truly enjoyed this chapter of my life following the journey that King and the long list of amazing artists he worked with took Batman and the Batman family. These are memories and stories I hope I can carry with me for the rest of my life and compare to others as I continue to read and support comics. I just hope that you, our readers, have enjoyed taking this journey with us too. Read Full Review

I've had my issues with Tom King's Batman run for a few months now, but I'm happy to report that he does stick the landing in Batman #85 with a strong final issue that calls back to the run's best moments. Read Full Review

Batman #85 isn't a perfect finale issue, but it hits all the right emotional notes. Read Full Review

This is a strong conclusion to Tom King's run while also providing some interesting lead up to James Tynion's forthcoming run. Read Full Review

I think that time will be very kind to this run on Batman, and that, much like Kings other work, reads better in a collected form then as individual issues. King presents Batman as a flawed, but ultimately very human character and I appreciate that he has put Bruce Wayne through a transformative character arc. I hope that other writers pick up this ball and run with it. Read Full Review

Mikel Janin's art is sublime. The characters look amazing and Janin captures the atmosphere and tone of Gotham brilliantly. Read Full Review

You know if you are already going to like this title. No one will become Tom King's biggest fan after reading the conclusion, but if you enjoyed the story so far he sticks the landing. For my money, Batman will be a lesser title without his influence. Read Full Review

With the setting and time changing every other page, BATMAN #85 has a rather jumbled presentation that detracts from the story's climax. There are, however, enough genuinely compelling moments to make the book work overall. Read Full Review

I really was hoping for more from King with this one because in previous issues of the City of Bane story line there have been times where he has really shown and proved he deserved to be the head writer of Batman and I feel maybe since he knew he was at the end, he just did the minimum to finish the story up. It is still an issue worth reading because of the intimate side details, but if you are looking for an epic action packed finale, you will not find it here. Read Full Review

Batman #85 is a loose collection of good scenes that do not feel related to one another or to the other issues. King wrote good scenes and has great running callbacks. But the emotion gets bogged-down by his insistence to use clever literary devices. In a way Batman #85 is a fitting end to King's run, because it is a microcosm of his run:consistently inconsistent. Read Full Review

Ends the whole saga with more of a whimper than a bang, but has some good moments. Probably will read better in the trade. Read Full Review

New Batman writer James Tynion IV adds a preview of his run with a character that King didnt put in a lengthy spotlight in his run. It ties in to events going on in another prominent DC title suggesting Batman will be more in line with current storylines throughout DC instead of a narrow Batman window again. Read Full Review

The ending of Tom King's Batman will be just as divisive as his entire run with this book but at the end of the day, most of the things that I felt needed to be addressed were indeed addressed. King does it in his signature style which may turn away some fans but this run is over and it was all tied together at the end with a nice bow. We even got an interested epilogue for where the story will go from here on out. Overall, it wasn't the epic finale that we all wanted it to be, but it ended in a satisfying manner and there aren't too many books that can properly say that. Read Full Review

As much as the idea of one writer for an extended amount of time sounds attractive, the reality is, at least in this case, that it leads to overblown, oft repeated ideas that come full circle. Read Full Review

Overall, King's run on Batman ends rather abruptly and is in many cases unsatisfying most likely due to the sudden exit of the writer. However, the issue does have its bright moments that are sure to continue in the upcoming Batman/Catwoman series. Read Full Review

Tom King is over. For those of you who enjoyed all this, kudos. But King lost me a few issues ago and never got me back. Read Full Review

If there is one word to describe Batman #85 it would be "lackluster." There is never a point in Batman #85 that comes across as a true wrap up to a long-term creative run. Every conclusion that Tom King presents to specific characters comes across as incomplete. There is so much missing that makes what was sacrificed in the lead up to Batman #85 hurt even more. After enjoying the majority of his epic run it is a shame that King ended his time on the main Batman series with a story in "City of Bane" that was a giant disappointment. Read Full Review

The overall issue ends up feeling a little too bland and a lot too clean for a Batman story and while one could argue that it's never been a Batman story, it's a Bruce Wayne story, even from that angle it misses the mark. Read Full Review

It will be interesting to see what elements of this run remain a part of Batman’s legacy, but arguably King was at his best when he was trying to tell a good story rather than deliver on some master plan. (The date night with Lois and Clark stands out as a particular highlight.) Bruce’s last words this issue feel like King trying to psych himself up for what’s next: “Maybe he knows how to go down and how to come back up. Maybe that’s enough. Maybe that’s just enough.” Maybe. We’ll just have to wait and see. Read Full Review

Batman #85 is a rushed story that desperately wants to say "happily ever after" with none of the fight to get there. Read Full Review

The final issue of Tom King's Batman is predictably boring and unsatisfying" Even with low expectations, this is still unsatisfying because much like King's run, he doesn't really accomplish anything. And what King's legacy on Batman will be: a convoluted book with retroactive explanations that fail to add up or hold much water. Read Full Review

leoleol_m

Dec 18, 2019

What a beautiful end to the best Batman run of the decade. Thank you for everything, Mr. King.

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln

Dec 18, 2019

I agree in many ways with Linkush, this isn't a real ending and I was flipflopping on if I was completely satisfied with it. Hopefully it will be all wrapped up completely in Batman/Catwoman (especially since Gotham Girl is supposed to marry Duke by the end of his run, and that doesn't happen here). However as a celebration of this run I couldn't be more happy. Allegories out the wazoo with the football game (in Porky's!)referencing Batman's struggle, a sort of cheeky message to readers saying those who have lost will understand, and Batman and Catwoman having that realization they don't need a traditional marriage... because since when did they decide that law rules what they do? Yeah, pretty much as good an ending I could hope for with 2 0 or some issues being cut. The one area I did feel let down with was the showdown with Thomas. There was practically no action packed showdown at all, but really that was never what this run was about anyway, so I will forgive it. Oh, and looking forward to Tynion IV's run. more

Æther

Dec 21, 2019

Greatest Batman run ever. Can't wait for the Batman/Catwoman mini series. Strange that alot of peole think this is some kinda ending, cause its not... we have only been told just over 85% of the story. So yeah, a lot of people have been writing sloppy reviews and should probably stop and think before they go blabbering on about workings they can barely understand.

Darknight

Mar 05, 2020

It seems to me that there are very unfair qualifications for this number, so I will give you the highest grade to make up for a bit. my real note would be a 9, that's my opinion

Joestar

Mar 05, 2020

Batman and Catwoman are my favorite couple of all time, I loved this number and I loved the story that Tom King told us, it became my favorite among all the stories I have read about this character (and they are not few), The series in general developed quite well and it was great, now is the time to wait for the Batman / Catwoman miniseries, of which I am 100% sure it will be amazing. In addition, art was always phenomenal. This is my opinion

Linkush

Dec 18, 2019

It was okay. I have to say I'm a bit underwhelmed with this, the fight with Thomas wasn't so exciting and this issue didn't bring anything new to the table, just more of the same. It just didn't feel special. I did enjoy most of it and I understand what King was doing with this issue but I wish there was more to it. The art was great, I'll miss Janin and overall the conclusion was heartwarming and it did fit the story and what King was trying to say. Guess we'll get a more satisfying conclusion in the Bat/Cat series. Oh, and the sneak peek at the end was great, can't wait to see what Tynion has to bring to the table.

LunaMoody

Dec 18, 2019

What I disliked............ 1. King just did the minimum to finish the story up. This issue feels like he just threw it together and didn't care about giving the fans a real story. I liked a lot of Kings run and disliked a lot also. However with all of what I liked I felt hopeful and was looking for this to be an epic ending. Instead it was more the dying embers to the fire. I was so looking forward to this issue with high hopes and now I'm left feeling stupid for having believed he would give us a good ending to all this. I wonder how different the ending might have been if Kings run hadn't been cut short? 2. What happened with the villains that were being mind-controlled by Bane and Psycho Pirate? And were was the commissione r and the real police in all this? 3. Some interaction with the rest of the Bat family dealing with the aftermath of the insurgence of Gotham would have been welcomed. 4. The part of the story with the football crap was wasted space. Bruce would not have gone into the bar to watch football. He has stated a number of times over the years that he doesn't like football. The last time he said so was in the issue that had Lois and Selina together at Superman's fortress. 5. Were was the big fight? There should have been a big fight. 6. Claire seemed fine and healthy enough to be climbing around just fine with Batman. Why give her back her powers? She never seemed stable from the get go so I don't see how giving her powers back is a smart thing. 7. I didn't like that Thomas seemed to want Bane to kill him. It would have been nice to have him stay one of Batman's villains. Batman's in need of some new villains. The same ones get used over and over. Even though the stories change using the same villains makes the stories feel stale anyway. 8. My biggest bitch about this issue is the fact that once again Bat and Cat look like they are going to get married only to once again be a NO. Seriously you slapped us fans of the couple once already. Only to do it again on the last issue of your run. Screw you King !!!!! What I liked........... 1. The Joker story coming up looks interesting. Though to be honest I'm so getting tired of Joker stories of late. He's being used way way to much lately. Both Joker and Bat-Joker are being over used. 2. I liked that Bane broke Thomas's back. Well okay it's more of I don't dislike it then actual like. But anyway he deserved it. However I hope that this doesn't mean that will be endlessly plagued with hearing Bane brag about having killed him along with his never ending bragging about breaking Batman. His sad and pathetic one claim to fame. 3. The art was good more

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LunaMoody - Dec 19, 2019

Okay one more thing I just realized. Batman is holding that kryptonite rock in his gloved hands and GG touches with her gloved hands and gets her powers shouldn't that mean that Batman now would have powers?????

Detective Chimp - Dec 19, 2019

That means King is very careless and just as we talked after Batman #84 inconsistencies DC really need some people to review issues looking for flaws before printing.

allenquanobi

Dec 18, 2019

was just fine. overall, when this run was good, it was really good, when it was bad, it was horribly bad. Which is why it goes right in the middle for me, ending with a grade of C. I'm not sure why this entire run had to take 85 issues, when it could have easily ended in 50-60. The art was amazing throughout, I'm not too excited for Tynion's run since it'll probably be very similar to his Detective Comics, which was also just fine.

DVE

Dec 20, 2019

I like this issue as an issue while realizing it fails to tie everything in the run together. I connect with its sentimentality.

mrDovydas

Jan 07, 2020

The main story, dealing with the Flashpoint Batman, Bane, etc. was, well, pretty bad. But I've loved the execution of the whole issue, especially the epilogue stuff. Overall, I must say I did enjoy this run - while it wasn't up to par with the other stuff King has written (though he hasn't really written anything this lengthy before), it really had its high points. And while the final few arcs were a huge letdown, I believe it will read much better as a single story.

Tony

May 21, 2020

A slightly anticlimactic ending for my taste. I think it reflects, for better and for worse, every stage of Tom King with this superhero. In general I enjoyed the whole story, seen as a set, which in the end became repetitive, that is not disputed, best of all, the great artists who collaborated with King.

Grifter

Dec 18, 2019

This is over, hell yeah

egonnn244

Dec 22, 2019

"You're not my father" This issue was fine on its own. But as a part of the bigger story, and like many things in this run, it is too little, too late. Loose ends are more or less tied up, the bad guys are defeated, we learn that the Ventriloquist was working for Batman all along (sure, of course he was) and Batman is having a beer with the Kite-Man. Like I said. Fine on its own, but as a conclusion to this big, long and uneven story, immensely underwhelming. I'm glad it's done. Yet I'm pretty sure I will torture myself further, reading that Bat/Cat book that will be released next year.

Kreniigh

Dec 26, 2019

Well I haven't read a single issue of this series, but after reading the user reviews here month after month, I can confidently say that Tom King is an aberration without precedent; a fiendish amalgam of Charles Manson, Adolf Hitler, and Jim Jones whose lazy incompetence is exceeded only by his calculating dedication to debasing all that is good and worthy in the world; a cucumber-sandwich-eating pit of filth and moral decay; the very anti-life equation itself with designs on your light and hope. He personally hates each and every one of his readers like a Grinch on bath salts, each word a toxic seed of pretentiousness and bile designed to burrow into brains and fester. Hail this, the day of our deliverance!

Comics Code Authorities

Jun 28, 2020

Sorry, but the only thing I can say that sounds positive in any way is Thank God this Overly-long, completely pointless poor man's Knightfall rip-off is over. If I never see another story where Bane takes over the city again in my lifetime, it'll be too soon. Why was it called "City of Bane" anyway? It was the overly used Flashpoint Batman responsible for everything. Bane was just a lowly flunky, even if he didn't know it. Alfred's death was just King's "So everyone'll remember me" card to us. Now we likely have to wait for the next "big event" crossover where "Nothing will be the same again" to get him back. please tell me we've seen the last of Bane and Flashpoint Batman for a LONG time. After nearly 30 issues They've grown tiresome and overused. I know I could use a long break from either of them. more

Darkseid24

Dec 18, 2019

Overall this final issue was underwhelming as most of Kings recent issues. Thomas Wayne was beaten way too easily- with a kick in his back by Catwoman, that’s it. And it also made no sense, that The Ventriloquist cant be controlled by Psycho Pirate, well just because. There is no reason for that. I also think it sucks how badly Alfred was treated in this run/ final issue. Instead of mourning him, Bruce has sex with Catwoman & is babbling with her. King just doesn’t know how important Alfred is for Bruce Wayne. Batman would never come to the conclusion, that he can be happy, if Alfred was just killed! What also annoys me is this stupid Catbat fanfiction story King is writing. I don’t buy it, that Bruce or Selina would ever trust some one so much, that they would start a real relationship. This is just serving some Catbat shippers, but doesn’t have anything to do with the characters! I also find it hard to believe, that Thomas Wayne can be send to Arkham without people asking questions. He looks like Thomas Wayne after all. However there are also some things I enjoyed in this issue: 1. The art is really great. 2. I am glad Bruce finally told Thomas right in the face, that he isn’t his real father. This just needed to be said& I am glad King included it. 3. I hate Thomas since Flashpoint, so it was nice to see Bane taking care of him at the end, even so that’s perhaps not how you treat your main villain, but I really can’t feel sorry for Thomas here. I just wish he was erased. 4. The preview to Tynions Batman run looked quite promising. So overall the final issue wasn’t as bad as I expected, but also wasnt great either. Looking back at Kings run, I think there was great potential ( City of Bane could have been great, if the villains were written better, the idea of Flashpoint Batman confronting the real Batman is an interesting idea indeed, Alfred’s death could have been interesting, if it was written better) if he just kept that Batcat love story out& if the dialogue was better. Can’t say I am sad, that King is leaving Batman, but at least he didn’t kill one of my favorite characters/ didn’t ruin them like other writers did. more

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myconius - Dec 18, 2019

some very good points made. i'm just thankful that this nightmare of a comic run is finally over with.

Darkseid24 - Dec 18, 2019

Agreed. Lets hope Tynions run will be better.

Maud Benjamin

Dec 19, 2019

I honestly don’t know what’s the meaning of all this. Well, at least it has some fun moments.

Onomatopoeia

Dec 26, 2019

Wait, was Mr.Miracle actually good or am I remembering it wrong?

Red Hood

Apr 29, 2021

This was a very disappointing conclusion to the storyline. It left threads untied and looking back, the story didn’t make sense.

Mail2g

Dec 18, 2019

Probably the most disappointing & pointless issue of King's run, King never understood Batman. What was supposed to end with a bang ends with a fizzle, Thomas Wayne gets beat up by Catwoman before holding Bruce at gunpoint and ranting to stop being the Bat. You'd think Thomas who has suffered like Bruce will understand he won't stop no matter what but not for Tom King. King's Batman is the worst - a psychotic, accepting he has been a child since ten and claiming he now chooses happiness with Cat (but won't marry) as well as staying Batman. The whole point of why Bruce doesn't get into long-term relationships is that Gotham comes before him, his relationships will get strained due to his life and there will always be a risk to his partners. He could easily have happiness if he wanted but he isn't selfish, a point King misses. Not to mention how Bruce first says no one understands him, then hilariously accepts the claim of Gotham Girl that Selina does, a claim which will require some or good understanding of Bruce on Gotham Girl's part. How can someone who still sometimes does criminal acts understand him? Regardless, how does Gotham Girl know Selina does when she (ie Gotham Girl) hasn't been with him for nearly that long? Even his closest friend Superman had difficulty understanding what he saw in Selina. And we also get a glimpse of Joker deciding it's time for a final battle (hinting at 5G?). Most pointless thing - the message of hope that is delivered is lost. It is shown through a football player down on his luck but scores a touchdown despite the crowd being against him. Football as analogy for war on crime. What? The end defeat of Thomas is as pointless, he lets Bruce go out of love and tries to make him undestand to stop being Batman, but gets knocked out in return by Bruce who claims he's not his father. Did him never killing you while trying to make you understand didn't make it clear he is but just one inflicted with tragedy? Rebirth Batman is an overgrown man-child and this is the first time I say it but Superman has been far better than Bat. Batman #85 is a prime example of overall bad writing. more

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myconius - Dec 18, 2019

disappointing & pointless, but satisfying in that this train wreck of a Batman run is finally over!

Julhin

Feb 26, 2021

Welp....this was something. "Wtf did i just read?" would summerize pretty well my feelings on this ending. This was a very strange run, with lots of ups and downs. Tom King really tried to do something different in his tenure with The Dark Knight, and i thank him for even trying, but i think his voice for most of the characters during the majority of his run felt very off and it was holding his ideas back a lot, so much that even hes best moments had that feeling of "this is great but it could be better". I enjoyed most of his run, but i can't say that this is a good ending, unfortunatly it comes off as a very poor rip off of Knightfall.

Spacey Medicine

Jan 30, 2020

Wow, so sad that immediately after getting married Bruce Wayne is already out cruising for a bit of rough in sports bars.

Psycamorean

Dec 18, 2019

I didn't know what to expect, and what we got is totally Tom King. Repetition, failure to follow through, obvious metaphor, quoting literature, etc etc etc. I don't care, though. I genuinely couldn't care less about any of this. And knowing that it's over in not a bang, but an astounding whimper, leaves me with an empty feeling I can't help but enjoy... It's like a starvation, but a good one. It's odd. And you know what? That tease with Joker was actually pretty good. I'm on board for Tynion's Batman. That did what it was supposed to, I guess. Maybe that helps soften this blessed emptiness I feel, but I can't act like I'm upset or that I... feel anything at all about this ending. The only reason this is getting a three is because I know a p ast version of myself would believe in that rating. I recognize the problems. There are many. But again, there's nothing here but blissful apathy. more

M1sf1r3

Dec 18, 2019

Prelude: Well, it's the last issue of Tom King's run on Batman. A series that showed so much potential at the start but lost it at #50 and never got back to that level. Let's see how this final issue goes. The Good: It finally happened. Janin's art is great in this issue. The Bad: The pacing is completely broken. Batman in his MAIN SOLO SERIES doesn't defeat the villain, Catwoman does and in the same fashion as she has done before. Still didn't tie the series up with what King had set up earlier. Conclusion: Look, it's just so lackluster. The pacing is extremely off, the defeat feels like a cop out, and King doesn't tie it all up. Add the fact that half of the issue isn't even mentioned in this review due to it's medio crity says something. more

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myconius - Dec 18, 2019

pacing has been something Tom King has never understood. ....that nand how to tell a good story.

Ti-Père BBQ

Dec 20, 2019

Well, what a disappointing run. I feel like I've wasted a ton of time and money reading this garbage. IMO the alternate runs (Batman who laughs, White Knight, Last Knight, etc.) were way better. Unless the title returns to his Snyder's Court of Owls glory, I will stop buying Batman's main title. Out of 85 issues, I feel like only 10 of them (including the 4 annuals) were memorable. Also, please stick to 1 artist throughout and stop that bi-weekly BS

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myconius - Dec 23, 2019

agreed, agreed and agreed.

MKW69

Dec 18, 2019

Bane and Thomas should kill each other. Also Gotham Girl is still insane, and Hush junior is stiil in Arkham.

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myconius - Dec 18, 2019

let's see how long it takes for Gotham Girl to disappear from DC Comics, never to be mentioned again.

Detective Chimp - Dec 19, 2019

Amen @myconius . Gotham Girl is just an homage to Tom King´s daughter "Claire". Yes, he just made his daughter a bad copy of Supergirl. Maybe a cameo the day of her birthday would be ok but made his daughter a leading charachter in Batman comic just because he can and want to is very disrespectful and unprofessional.

gusresm

Dec 18, 2019

Jesus that was bad! The only saving grace is the amazing art. Actions have no consequences: bane is shot in the head and is okay shortly after, Thomas is the best fighter in the world until he is the worst for no reason, Batman is also shot and is just fine...I love most of Tom King’s work but that is just lazy and devoid of any emotional impact...

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myconius - Dec 18, 2019

next to nothing has had any real consequence on this run unless it served the "plot". this has to be the absolute WORST most idiotic Batman run ever!!

Talon1load

Dec 18, 2019

Damn, so Batman is completely ineffective and once again has to have SuperCat come in and save him I mean, Thomas took out the ENTIRE BatFam but Catwoman can take him down no problem. I guess it could be worse, this could be Batman's main solo book. Wait, it is? Oh shit, this does suck then. Gotham Girl apparently, though has had fairly limited interaction with Bruce since the beginning of this run, seems to KNOW that Selina knows Bruce like no other. Where she picked this up, nobody knows. Also, the kryptonite the King himself created is used here to magically cure Clair. Wow, good thing he created that one thing that could save her and if just so happened to pop up for this occasion. Wesker, why was he Thomas's butler again? So that King could conveniently have him be his biggest weakness you say? Correct!!! It wasn't set up for any real reason, just so that King could suddenly make him the reason Batman knew the plan all along. BUT, if he has had him on the inside for all this time, why was Alfred's death a surprise? Because King needed some manufactured feels. I'm guessing Thomas is locked up in Arkham? Who do they think he is? Is he telling people he's Thomas Wayne? This could be problematic. Don't worry though, Bane woke up from his coma, because injuries mean nothing in King's world whether they are gunshots, like the one's Bruce got a couple of issues ago, or broken backs, like Bruce has had a couple of times in this run, or slit throats, you can walk all of these things off. Bane has now walked off a bullet to the brain and...wait for it...he broke Thomas's back because apparently that is the only thing Bane can do. Where you waiting on a married Bat/Cat? Tough shit. Sort of. They are married in spirit but not in reality. They decided to bone instead. Oh well, guess that's good enough for fans. In the end, Thomas sounds like a dumbass, despite the fact that this man was a doctor and Batman on in his timeline, and here, all he does is continuously try to destroy his son's life because he wants him to stop being Batman. This still makes zero sense. This best thing that can be said about this issue and this entire run is that it is over. The art was nice but Tom King is, in my opinion, one of the WORST writers to ever work for DC. more

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myconius - Dec 18, 2019

King tried to get some manufactured feels from Alfred's death, but i felt nothing but apathy. this joke of a run is NOT the characters that i know and love. this run is an over-flooded toilet in a gas station bathroom.

myconius - Dec 18, 2019

don't you just love all these loose ends that King left hanging? i really think he had absolutely no clue what to do with Thomas since tossing him in at the end of issue #50. ...and everything's been so muddled and dragged out, that i don't even remember what King's reasonling for Booster Gold's sidekick Skeets being involved with Bane was.

Talon1load - Dec 18, 2019

What happened with Psycho Pirate? And yeah, Skeets too. So much was left behind and people will complain and say “but he didn’t get to do the full run he wanted”. Too damn bad, if he was a writer worth a shit he could have wrapped it up in the 16 issues he had from the time he found out he was off until now.

DarePool53

Jan 01, 2021

Alfred didn't die for this. Nice art though.

Quinn

Dec 18, 2019

Nice art. Well commenting on what I like is out of the way. Now for the bad stuff. The action consists of a bunch of "I've got you, no, I've got you, no, I've got you." And it's about as clever as that. It seems that Bruce was in control of Ventriloquist all along by miking the dummy and speaking to Arnold Wesker. So he controlled Psycho Pirate, who didn't control Catwoman. So question? Why did Bruce let Bane and Thomas take over Gotham in the first place? No answer from King. We see a well-drawn but boringly written fight. Bruce says Thomas, you're not my father so cut out the Darth Vader crap. My response was "well duh." That's the big epiphany? Oh yeah. Cat and Bat "marry." After defeating Thomas, Cat says let's get marrie d. Bat says sure. We'll have sex and then wake up Judge Wolfman. (A nice nod to Marv Wolfman). We see them in bed declaring their love and Seline has an engagement ring on. They forgot to visit the judge but they consider themselves married anyway. How does that work? Does Selina live in Wayne Manor? How does Bruce Wayne living with an infamous thief work? Does the press comment? How does she fill her time? Does she keep stealing? Get a job? Become a lady who lunches? Decide to work for a charity? Bats gives Gotham Girl platinum kryptonite, so now she has all the powers without any of the side effects. How does this work? Cleaning up crime should be very easy now. Say what you will about Batman's villains, but they aren't designed to fight a heavyweight with Superman powers. In prison, Bane breaks Thomas' back. I have to admit, I liked that. See I can say nice things about King. We also see Bruce walk into a bar and not meet a Rabbi, Priest and Minister. He does meet Chuck Brown a.k.a. Kiteman. (God, I have Kiteman). Bruce wants to catch the last minute of the football game. Chuck says the Knights always blow it. (As a Detroit Lions "fan" I accept that reality.) Bruce says things change and people change and the Knights wins. (As a Lions fan, false hope is terrible.) So Bruce now sees that there is no good death. Life is great. Again, well duh. What I really hate is that Bruce's lessons had such a high body count. I read someone write about King, saying his writing was about trauma, and not heroics. Points for that observation. His run, while it had a couple f fun parts (like the Lois-Selina bachelorette party bit) was not fun. The dialog lacked character. The plots weren't clever and the explanations of what we missed when the plots concluded were hardly Agatha Christie smart. We now have a strange status quo. Alfred is dead. But I predict we'll have another crisis that will restore a more familiar status quo. Maybe they're work-shopping Bat and Car marriage. I have no problem with it. We've had 80 years of bachelor Bruce. Robin came within a year of intro, so loner Batman is something of a myth. It would all depend on how Cat was written, and I have no faith King can actually write a flesh-and-blood has her on spark of divine fire woman partner for Bruce. This run was not the profound insight into Bruce's psyche that King thinks it was. It covered a lot of familiar ground with plots that had been done before and done better. His Bruce was a mess, and didn't see him do the work of making Bruce healthier mentally. His Catwoman was a plot device, not a character. He KILLED ALFRED, so screw him. I am glad this is over. But reading Tynion's plans for Bruce, (He's even angrier) shows that King has not written a definitive Bruce, setting the pace for decades to come. We're still stuck with angry Miller Batman and I'm tired, so tired, of that. Or I could be wrong. more

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myconius - Dec 18, 2019

at least the Tom King is finally off the hook. i wonder if in his next writing gig if he'll try to pretend to be as clever, or if he'll dial it back and stop writing checks that he can't cash.

Quinn - Dec 18, 2019

To be fair to King, his Batman got attention and sold well for a long time. I've seen plenty of writers get rewarded for worse-selling books. But I also suspect the bloom is off the rose. And I also believe DC is not as enamored with Bendis as they were a year ago. We'll see.

Nihilist - Dec 18, 2019

Yeah, but then again, he was writing Batman's series with "Batman" in the name, so sales had to be high. The name alone makes the book more popular than Detective Comics.

myconius - Dec 18, 2019

i don't think King deserves any of the credit for Batman selling well. it was a brand new #1 with a huge hype driven campaign. it was going to sell well if a monkey was writing it. i actually think DC would have been much better off had they actually HAD a monkey writing Batman instead of King. all he did was damage the brand and made readers drop the title like a bad habit.

GammaBurst

Dec 18, 2019

Pure mediocrity, at best.

Nihilist

Dec 18, 2019

No, Tom King, throwing incoherent shit, glueing it up with no context and pretending it has a message is not writing. 85 issues, and everything you've set up at the beginning, every promising thing, went to complete disrepair, and in some cases was just abandoned. Example? Gotham Girl killing Batman - remember when she, herself, teased that in the first arc of the series? If you do, well, you're one step ahead of King, since he, clearly, forgot about it long time ago. No wonder CIA can't overthrow democratically elected governments anymore, if they hire such incompetent hacks. Writing in this issue is awful, but it's nothing new in the series. Dialogues were atrocious for over two years now, mentioning them feels like beating a dead hor se. Script... is there even any to begin with? Scenes are disjointed and don't create a unified conclusion to anything. As I said, it's just ducttaped shit. And you know what's the worst thing about it? It won't go away next month. No, it's going to leave a mark, because James Tynion will have to acknowledge its existence. That's what I loathe about long running comic continuities - atrocities made by one writer can't be instantly retconned when needed. Nobody remembers Batman Damned, and rightfully so, because it was an abomination. It was also an elseworld comic, so its awfullness did not impact anything outside. King's Batman, and Heroes in Crisis before it, though... It's a pathetic, absolutely miserable joke of an ending to one of the most insulting series I've ever had displeasure to read, despite its solid start. It's a laughable display of lack of talent and any story to tell. I'm glad it's finally over, and more readers won't have to suffer from exposure to this toxic trash. What a waste of everyone's time, and slap in the face of Batman's brand. more

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myconius - Dec 18, 2019

Nihilist you'll have to excuse Tom King for all the unaddressed plot threads left hanging, and every detail he has overlooked. ...he was too busy patting himself on the back for being so clever, and eating a cucumber sandwich.

Nihilist - Dec 18, 2019

Of course. And he got this sandwich at Porky's, let's not forget that!

myconius - Dec 18, 2019

hahahaha! he was awarded a year supply of cucumber sandwiches when he signed up for the Fall Out Boy fan club. :D

myconius - Dec 19, 2019

so this is the second time DC has killed Alfred in the comics, right?

Detective Chimp - Dec 19, 2019

You mean in main continuity @myconius? Because I remember in main continuity he died long time ago in 60's smashed by a rock when saving the life of the Dynamic Duo and then soon returned as a very weird rogue named The Outsider. In Dark Knight Returns Alfred dies at the end. And recently he died in Injustice killed by Zaz for Superman order. And maybe there are another 1 or 2 times outside main continuity but right now I don't remember at all.

myconius - Dec 24, 2019

@Detective Chimp - yeah. in the main continuity. he sacrificed himself to save Brice & Dick, and was replaced by Aunt Harriet, then due to Alfred's popularity they just brought him back. i suspect somewhere down the road DC will be widdling Alfred being alive back into continuity, after they're done trying to capitalize on ALFRED R.I.P. ..not sure if i want to actually waste $4.99 on that.

myconius

Dec 17, 2019

thank god this pathetic P.O.S. Batman run is finally over!! leave it to Tom King to riddle his "grand" finale with a juxtaposition of something totally non-consequential to the climax. this comic is ALL over the place! does he think he's being clever? i can't believe he re-used the Catwoman gag from ‘I am Suicide’. it was dumb the first time, and even more cringe-worthy now that he's forced it in here. Tom King, take your S***ty Cucumber sandwich eating Batman and Gotham Girl and GTFO you awful HACK!!!

Afre

Dec 18, 2019

Well. That was bad. Like actually bad. Terrible even. Alfred is dead for no reason. And it just didn't feel like it. No one seems to mourn him. What exactly happened to the batfamily? Are they okay? So, Selina and Bruce got married. Yay. But my grodd was this a slow and terrible run. And I'm glad it is over. If 35 issues of this were this slow and bad, I cannot imagine what 20 more issues whit this garbage would've been. So is Bane an idiot again? Thomas is broken but still alive in the main universe? Or dead. Who knows. Who cares. And this showcases events in a different order. Again. I don't get it why Tom loves to have flashbacks to the events while having a boring story happening in the present day. Bruce just lo st his father figure and a father from alternate dimension. And seems to be fine. Like nothing happened. Which is why it doesn't feel like Alfred died. BECAUSE NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. City of Bane was the worst Batman arc I've read after Knightmares. Absolutely terrible. And boy am I glad it is finally over. more

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myconius - Dec 18, 2019

i think Tom King only killed Alfred out of some desperate attempt to have a lasting effect on Batman comics in general. that bozo doesn't realize that Alfred has been killed before and will eventually come back. the only real lasting effect Tom King has had on Batman was making the single worst Batman run ever in existence.

Mail2g - Dec 18, 2019

Selina and Bruce didn't get married, in the end they decided they don't need to as what they have is more than it. Meanwhile, Tom King kept circle-jerking us about a wedding tease. Batman could find much better than her or actually reformed criminals, why he can't be in a relationship for long is because his life as Batman is sure to inflict a toll on any potential partner.

Superheroes for Hire - Dec 18, 2019

Because no one does care

Detective Chimp - Dec 19, 2019

Agree with myconius. Tom King thing is to kill and degrade characters, He just leave but saddly his mess remains.

KFuqua

Dec 18, 2019

Absolute garbage from Tom King. Thankfully this is his last issue and hopefully there are better things to come for this title.

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myconius - Dec 18, 2019

it was an arduous and painful journey, but thankfully we survived it. i hope DC learns a valuable lesson that you can't just throw any idiot on your most popular character. Geoff Johns was the creative director for Rebirth, so i'm wondering if it was his decision putting King on Batman. Johns isn't exactly known for being very fond of Batman to begin with.

Detective Chimp

Dec 18, 2019

SIMPLY AWFUL! Just as the overall King´s run. Does this crap worths the dead of Alfred? What do we get in return? Gotham Girl? I really hate her, she´s got 0% appeal. Bat & Cat? I´m done with bat & cat. It was just tooooo muuuuch bat & cat! I really like Flashpoint Batman and Bane as characters but King just wasted them in a very idotic way. Before #50 there were some interesting things. I really loved "The war of Jokes and Riddles" and "The Best Man" but after #50 King´s storytelling was just cheap and lazzy. At the end this run just lacks too much. This is BATMAN! Most Meaningful Title in the entire comics industry! and DC just keeps bringing us CRAP. The preview on Tynion´s run just hints at the rumored end of Bruce Wayne in 2020 an d the incomming of the Afrobatman. I´m tired of this. Batman is Bruce Wayne and is a cultural icon. Batman deserves much better from DC. more

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myconius - Dec 19, 2019

King has always been cheap and lazy. i haven't really liked any of his run since the first issue. it's all been forced and contrived storytelling. he's just not a good writer.

Detective Chimp - Dec 19, 2019

DC really need fresh blood. Not only in writers but in the direction board.

myconius - Dec 19, 2019

Batman and Superman are some of my favorite characters in comics, but right now i'm just so emotionally uninvested in everything that DC has been doing. it's to the point where if they just stopped making single issue comics tomorrow i would care one bit.

myconius - Dec 19, 2019

*wouldn't care one bit.

Detective Chimp - Dec 19, 2019

@myconius I'm feeling as going for the same path. If they remove Bruce Wayne just as removed Alfred I won't care about BATMAN anymore.

Detective Chimp - Dec 19, 2019

Maybe DC just needs a scary drop in their sales to stop printing crap. They don't care for the readers anymore.

Rascal4Hire

Dec 19, 2019

I secretly expected Tom King would at least provide something special for the final issue. I'll agree with the majority of reviewers that this was not good. It was not even mediocre. It was bad. The art is really good though. Tom King has some great collaborators who provide the soul of the book and give each issue a lot of value. But there is no story here. There's no plot, no resolution, nothing. Everything is lukewarm. It's definitely not epic or a finale. Nothing really ends, nothing really happens. What is going on with the reviews? Black Nerd Problems 9.3? Geek Dad 9? Are we reading the same book?

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myconius - Dec 19, 2019

we are reading the same book. but those high scores must be high off the tom king kool aid.

Detective Chimp - Dec 19, 2019

They are reading his paychecks from DC.

CaptnAmerca

Dec 23, 2019

Good riddance, you flatulating butthead. Grab Bendis on your way out the door.

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myconius - Dec 24, 2019

hahahaha "flatulating butthead" :D

Mister Bungle

Jan 03, 2020

Trash.

daspidaboy

Jul 03, 2021

This is a review of Tom King's run on Batman and what can I say? It's a terrible run and if people think Tynion's Batman is bad, at least Tynion puts in some god damn effort in his Batman. At least Tynion tries to write a good Batman story. But this.... this is basically a bland version of Knightfall. Tom King turns Batman into a wimp who happens to be emotionless like a Terminator. Thomas Wayne wants to kill Alfred to make Batman happy which makes no absolute sense. No one seems to care that Alfred dies. Bane is taken out anticlimatically, Thomas Wayne gets butchered and taken out anti-climatically, Catwoman is a god damn Mary Sue, and the 9 panel pages and cringey dialogue makes me want to rip my ear out. Bottom line: If you want to read Batman in the DC Rebirth era skip Tom King's entire run. Tom King excells best at short series. more