Batman #87

Even with a new creative team at the helm, Batman remains as one of the best titles in DC's lineup. So far, Tynion and March's story is proving worthy of being featured in one of the company's flagship comics. Read Full Review

This is another fine issue of what promises to be a legendary run. Read Full Review

Dark, intense, and highly-entertaining,Batman (2016-) #87is a must-read issue that's sure to please Bat-fans; with every turn of the page, I find myself more and more interested and invested in Tynion'sBatman. Read Full Review

Dark Designs already has some strong momentum two issues in with the three opposing forces colliding. The main player has yet to be introduced, but theres planets to be excited about with this arc so far. Read Full Review

It's a clear attempt to win back the crowd with a run that seems to take some of its DNA from Snyder and Dini but quickly becomes its own thrilling flavor. Let's hope Tynion gets to keep building this run for a long time. Read Full Review

Guillem March brings beauty and brutality to the art in this issue. From Penguin taking out his inner circle to the palpable fear captured on Riddler's face, there is tension throughout this issue brought to life with the art. Read Full Review

Tynion's run seems to be based on this assessment of the duality of Batman. Tynion is constantly playing with the idea of two: The horror and the action. The Batman and the villains. The hero and the human. It's this great escalation of the people who have influenced this mythology. While I do find it problematic that there are images that feel like objectification of two female characters, the story appears to be striving to enrapture us within the basic absurdity of Batman. Despite this, we all have to bear witness to the designs of our Dark Knight. Read Full Review

I found Batman #87 to be one of the most allegorical comic books I've ever read. The story has depth, layers, and above all else"sets an incredible pace. The direction that Tynion is taking Batman truly has me excited beyond my wildest dreams. Read Full Review

Tynion IV and March continue to take Batman in a new direction while the Caped Crusader juggles rebuilding Gotham and hunting down an unknown figure who wants to usurp the renovation from under his feet. Read Full Review

Despite a few minor gripes, this remains an exciting, well-made Batman story. Read Full Review

I like where this is going so far. My only issue is the overplayed genius villain. Seeing we just came off of the City of Bane. I'm a little tired of the masterminds Though I will wait to see how it's written to judge it, I am very skeptical about it. Read Full Review

Batman #87 (Tynion IV, March, Morey) continues to bring readers a familiar Bat-story and although the shift in art team is jarring, still manages to pull off a highly proficient issue. Read Full Review

Batman #87 is a fine second chapter. There's solid action and moments for characters but it feels like a chapter. The comic doesn't have quite enough to stand on its own. It's part of the puzzle and features too much of a mystery to totally praise. As part of the arc, it'll be quite good but as a single issue, it lacks a little and doesn't stand on its own. Read Full Review

Batman #87 is a step-up in visuals and scripting. However, I feel that Tynion still retreads past plots at the expense of different, more natural story developments. While the read is fun, the issue still feels dispensable. Read Full Review

If DC was concerned that they had moved Batman too far away from his roots during Tom King's run, then a run like this one is necessary to ground the character in something familiar for fans who may have fallen off. I think that Tynion is too smart of a writer for this to be the story that he wants to tell with Batman, but it is definitely the one that will make his bosses and fans happy. Read Full Review

Batman #87 was a solid continuation to how James Tynion kicked off his run on this series. There are a lot of great plot elements that Tynion develops around Batman's current plans for Gotham City and how villains like Deathstroke and Penguin are responding. Unfortunately there were a few slip ups when it comes to how the DC Universe's current continuity was applied that hurt Batman #87's momentum. Improving this aspect of the storytelling will be a major help in ensuring the "Their Dark Designs" arc establishing a strong foundation for the rest of Tynion's run on Batman. Read Full Review

The latest issue of Batman, unfortunately, fails to follow up properly on the first issue of Tynion's new run. That being said, it is still filled with intriguing moments and some really beautiful art. We get a mountain of exposition and yet somehow, I still find myself very much in the dark about what is happening. Overall, this issue was a little above average and hopefully the book will return to the heights of Tynion's first issue. Read Full Review

Batman #87 firmly establishes that we are in a new era for Batman, but it's an era fraught with issues. Read Full Review

This second issue from James Tynion and Guillem March is decent, and well see where this creative team aims to take us in the coming weeks. Read Full Review

The biggest problem with Batman #87 is that it doesn't feel like a proper follow-up to Batman #86. Ultimately, this chapter is a jarring transition from a story that was so focused on featuring Batman without Alfred and what Bruce Wayne could do for Gotham, to a story about some ominous, mysterious character we've never heard of coming to wreck Gotham. The flow simply isn't there. Had Tynion led in by continuing Bruce's role in this chapter, then shifted the focus to the assassins and the Designer, then the story would've flowed much better. Read Full Review

The issue does have some notable action, including a tussle between Batman and Cheshire, and the prison break which leaves the Dark Knight with more problems, along with highlighting the attempts of characters like Riddler and the Penguin to use the current state of the affairs to their advantage. For fans. Read Full Review

The rest of the issue is just Batman visiting the captured villains, those villains getting free, and a really crazy last panel. Oh well, at least the art by March is good and reminded me of Norm Breyfogle's art. It helps the reader get through a story that is basically pretty dull. Read Full Review

Mr.wayne

Jan 23, 2020

Man... It was a great issue.. The art man that was 🔥.and we got that classic batman ego. i loved it.

M1sf1r3

Jan 22, 2020

Prelude: Tynion had a great start on Batman last issue. Let's see if he can keep this up. The Good: I like how Tynion is building up the Designer. Bruce's designs for Gotham is absolutely great. Love it. The action is great in this issue. Always love the ten steps ahead villains and I love Penguin and Deathstroke in this issue. March's art is great this issue. The Bad: Not too happy with this Riddler especially considering YotV. Conclusion: My only problem with this issue is Riddler. The whole look and being back to Riddler despite promised change in YotV just doesn't work with my perception of the character. Otherwise a great issue.

EDiakota

Jan 26, 2020

" I told you, Batman. It's a good game. I'm exicted to watch you lose... " - DEATHSTROKE

Linkush

Jan 22, 2020

It was decent. Let me start with what I liked: The art was enjoyable. The action scene at the end was cool. The atmosphere. The story is still interesting. Now, my biggest problem with this issue is the pace. It was slow, maybe too slow. This issue had a lot of dialogue, yet we still don't know much about what's going on. So overall, in terms of story, we didn't get meaningful progress. Which is weird, because with that much dialogue you'd expect otherwise. I hope the next issue picks up the pace.

myconius

Jan 22, 2020

It's a hell of a lot better than Tom King's trash run.

egonnn244

Jan 24, 2020

"The Bat-shot" This was very entertaining. Both ridiculous and awesome. Ridiculous: - the Bat-shot; - Cheshire surviving her meeting with the truck; - Penguin in full battle mode; Awesome: - the Bat-shot; - the story and the direction it's heading; - Batman; And although Guillem March's art is really good, it has some really creepy vibes to it (Riddler and Penguin), I think it's a step-down from the previous issue and Tony Daniel's work. Two good issues of Batman in a row? It has been a while.

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln

Jan 27, 2020

Not digging it as much as I was Tom King's run, but it is alright. Is it just me or does it seem like Tynion IV is going for another big masterplan immediately after City of Bane? It almost feels like he is telling the same story we just heard, but minus the stylistic writing or depth that came with it. Overall it is an enjoyable but completely disposable Batman so far.

Batman Jones

Jan 22, 2020

Nice art. Pedestrian writing.

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Darkseid24 - Jan 22, 2020

You say that after giving King a10 everytime? Lmao

Batman Jones - Jan 22, 2020

I'll take a divisive, controversial writer that swings for the fences over a plain, connect-the-dots writer every time. I like Tynion fine but, yeah, he makes me miss King a lot. You guys got what you wanted so now Batman's boring again. Well done.

Batman Jones - Jan 22, 2020

And I gave this issue a higher rating than you did, D24. But don't let reason get in your way.

myconius - Jan 22, 2020

Darkseid24 - hahahaha! that was mean. ....FUNNY! but mean. :D

Darkseid24 - Jan 22, 2020

@ Batman Jones. I didnt say Tynion is awesome, but he definitely writes better dialogue than King& even so I didnt hate Kings finale he also had many boring issues ( Knightmare arc, Batcat at the beach). I also wouldnt call deaths for shock value controversal.

Darkseid24 - Jan 22, 2020

@myconius lol didn’t meant it to be mean, if I was sorry@ Batman Jones.

Psycamorean - Jan 22, 2020

I'll be mean. The only controversial thing about King's run was the sales drop. And I guess a fanboy of King wouldn't want a story that actually connects. For the record, I didn't want Tynion. But I sure didn't want more King, either.

Darkseid24 - Jan 22, 2020

I hope we won’t say in a few months ,,King was better after all“. I just want a well written story& characters in character.

myconius - Jan 22, 2020

"King was better after all" ... NO!! we'll never say that!! ... EVER!!! ... no need to apologize Darkseid24. it wasn't that mean. just cheeky.

Nihilist - Jan 24, 2020

King's sales drop wasn't as big as one could think, though. It didn't sink completely, because it ad "Batman" in the name, so of course it had to sell above something like Detective Comics, since the name holds some power of appeal to normies. The real indicator of drop, I think, will show up when King drops the new series with Catwoman and Phantasm (well, yet another character for him to butcher). Nonetheless, his run was atrocious and nonsensical. This one sarted out... okay, I guess.

myconius - Jan 31, 2020

true! those damn normies being lulled by the Name Brand. i think you definitely have something there with the upcoming Bat/Cat series. after that's done, i wonder what character DC will let him ruin next?

Nihilist

Jan 22, 2020

It's good to read a Batman comic which was written with a plan in mind, for once. Sure, the plot so far rings the familiar bell of Arkham Origins game, but I'm definitely interested in what's going to happen next, and what kind of role will Penguin, Riddler and Bullock all play. Well, wait, I take it back, I'm not really that interested in Riddler, to be honest, poor guy doesn't have luck with writers, who seem to find new ways to make him weird and boring. From King's awful take on the character, through Johns' Earth 2 few years back, to this skin and bones creep reminding me of Jim Carrey's atrocious role in already atrocious Batman Forever. But puting him aside, the comic is overall good. Nothing groundbreaking or astonishing, just a so lid blockbuter issue you can turn your mind off while reading. more

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Quinn - Jan 22, 2020

Well said. The problem with the Riddler is that most comics writers really can’t write clever riddles that play fair but still fool people. To be frank most comics plots are very guessable. I am looking at you Long Halloween and Hush, or basically anything Jeph Loeb wrote. When Dini has Riddler as a detective, he had to write two theories of the crime, and the Riddler getting it wrong really made the villain look dumb. Or I could be wrong.

myconius - Jan 23, 2020

what i find really funny (aside from how mediocre this comic is) is the two burner accounts that surfaced. -this one gave a 1 score-> https://comicbookroundup.com/user/reviews/6364 -and their review was liked by this one-> https://comicbookroundup.com/user/reviews/6313 -take not of the short list of actual reviews posted by either account. this site is littered with burner accounts. -just silly & amusing is all.

Nihilist - Jan 24, 2020

Oh, yeah, Dini's Riddler was so good! Albeit I always thought Loeb's Hush version of him wasn't bad either. Maybe operating too much in the shadows, so in the end he's barely noticeable, but hey, at least he looked great! Considering the times we live in, meaning consstant CIA surveillance state, I think being a whistleblowing hacker would suit Riddler. If not in the main timeline, then in an elseworld story. Snowden type of a character, except vigilant and anarchistic. Similarly Livewire...

Nihilist - Jan 24, 2020

... I'd love to see her being an actual journalist for once, not just one dimensional smear artist, like ones we can see on CNN/MSNBC/Fox News. A bally, clever investigative journalist, who then becomes the target for corporate/government... wait, at this point it's one and the same, power, leading to the accident giving her powers. Sigh, I love thinking of elseworld zeitgeists :)

Nihilist - Jan 24, 2020

A for burner accounts, yeah, they've been active for longer than I'm here, that' for sure.They're usually binary, giving 10s or 1s almost excluively.

myconius - Jan 24, 2020

people needing to constantly litter this site with burner accounts shows their absolute insecurity. the funny thing is they are so salty that Tom King is no longer being on Batman (THANK GOD) that they are going out of their way to try to sabotage the scores. what the pathetic boobs do not realize is that James Tynion's (IMO) mediocre writing is going to do that all by itself. personally, i have nothing against Tynion, nor do i hold him in any high regard.

myconius - Jan 24, 2020

it's just funny to see how utterly pathetic some of the Tom King cultists truly are.

Nihilist - Jan 24, 2020

Pretty much. If they bothered to write what they genuinely think and why they like an issue, that would be perfectly fine, but giving binary scores with no explanation is so silly and lazy, it's unbelievable.

Psycamorean - Jan 25, 2020

To be fair, I'm hardly ever motivated to discuss the minutia of things I like. It's much easier to explain the flaws in something.

myconius - Jan 31, 2020

i don't know. me personally, if i'm talking about a story that i really honestly and truly love, i'm at no loss for words about what i really enjoyed about it. especially if it's a story that i enjoy coming back to. i list my favorites by if it's worth a re-read. if it's too idiotic or just not that interesting, then why waste the energy nit picking the flaws. i just don't don't like wasting the energy on garbage.

Darkseid24

Jan 22, 2020

This issue was better than last issue& I am definitely looking forward to the next. However the plot is moving slow, what doesn’t have to be bad. I am willing to give Tynion the time he needs to give us a good story. What I really liked in this issue are Riddler& Penguin. Penguin was in character & it’s nice to see him more in action. Him being part of this story is what keeps me interested so far. I liked the connection between this& Riddler‘s Year of the Villains. It’s not the first time he looses „his way“, so it’s interesting to see a different Riddler. Deathstroke & the other D villains were rather boring to me, so I hope Tynion focuses more on Riddler& Penguin. Batman was portrayed in character, but Catwoman was pre tty annoying. I wish some writer would finally write a break- up story. The art is pretty awesome in this issue, especially Penguin was drawn well. So up until now Tynion‘s run isn’t anything special, but a good read nonetheless. more

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myconius - Jan 23, 2020

have a look-see at the comment i just left on Nihilist's review of this same comic. it might give you a chuckle.

allenquanobi

Jan 22, 2020

Just fine again. If the rumors are true and a new creative team is taking over after 100, I would welcome that instead. Tynion's first 2 issues just feel very by the basics run of the mill Batman, which is fine, especially after the divisiveness of King's 85 issue run. The art is also just fine, which is disappointing after the incredible run of artists during King's run (hate that run all you want, the art throughout was spectacular from Mann, Gerads, Weeks, etc). Edit: I'm seeing a lot of reviews saying not a lot happened and they're ok with that. Just out of curiousity, why are you ok when Tynion does decompression but not King? So far, I think these past two issues have been on par with King's writing so far

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Psycamorean - Jan 22, 2020

I would say that the most frequent artist during King's run, Mike Janin, was far from spectacular.

myconius - Jan 22, 2020

i hated Janin's "art". ...i use quotes, as it's hard to consider someone tracing videogame models as actual art.

allenquanobi - Jan 22, 2020

I didn't include his name because honestly I forgot that he drew in that run too which says enough I guess

Psycamorean - Jan 27, 2020

I agree with your assessment about this run so far.

myconius - Feb 2, 2020

John Ridley doesn't have very much comic writing experience at all. he's taking over writing Batman? i have a bad feeling about this.

Psycamorean - Feb 2, 2020

I like his American Way series.

myconius - Feb 2, 2020

eh. only three comic writing credits. that'll definitely be a 'skip it' for me.

Psycamorean - Feb 2, 2020

I'd say give it a shot with an open mind and go from there.

allenquanobi - Feb 2, 2020

Ya I don't have a problem with new writers either. Gerard Way of My chemical romance wrote the Umbrella Academy, which is great

Psycamorean - Feb 2, 2020

He also wrote Doom Patrol, which is not.

ohhaimark - Feb 3, 2020

@YourGreenMuse No it most certainly is not.

Eren Esirci

Sep 26, 2020

86.sayıyı beğendiğimi söylemiştim. Tynion'ı da övmüştüm. Ama anlaşılan erken davranmışım. Tynion'ın her ne kadar iyi bir başlangıç yaptığını düşünmeye devam etsem de ne yazık ki devam ettirememiş. 86'nın diyaloglarını övdüm, bu sayı diyaloglar kötüydü. 86 beni içine çekmişti, bu sayının pek çektiği söylenemez. Cheshire ile Batman'ın arasında geçen bir düello sırasında bir diyalog geçiyor. Hikayenin saçma bir şekilde Clayface'e bağlanacağını düşündüm. Sonuç: Bağlanmadı ama keşke bağlansaymış çünkü daha da beter bir şey oldu. Spoiler olmasın diye bahsetmek istemiyorum. Designer'a biraz daha değinilseymiş daha iyi olurmuş. Sonraki sayılarda kesin değinirler, sonuç ta arc devam ediyor fakat bu sayıda görmek daha iyi olabilirdi. more

Quinn

Jan 22, 2020

Again, a five. I liked the art and I liked the fact that the colors were bright. King's Batman used muted colors, I guess to symbolize depression of the mind. The plot is that the five assasins are locked up in Bruce's supermax holding cells he built for the city. But the cells don't work and they escape. Jinx or Minx or Lynx or whatever her name is, gets hit by a semi-truck so bad that the front is caved in, but she lives. (Is she super, because otherwise she'd be a smear on the road.) Penguin and Riddler are talking via phone while Penguin does some light housekeeping that consists of a lot of bodies. Riddler is talking about how he and Penguin made a deal with someone called the Designer who will collect. Selina relays the fact that last issue's macabre death guy was trying to change blue prints for plans to Bruce's new Gotham. Bruce detects nervousness in her voice. I really hope that this is not a seed of Selina realizing she can't take Bruce's world. First, it's a cliche. Second, her past is filled with her doing dangerous things that got her enemies that want to kill her. She saw a lot of bad stuff, so this should be par for the course and not a wake-up call. My problems with the story. The unseen villain. What's his or her goal? Money? Playing nice with Bruce would get the Designer all kinds of money legally. Power? The same. You own a lot or real estate in a city and you've got power. Is the villain an architect who doesn't want a new modern city? Did the Designer change the plans of Bruce's jail, so all the villains could escape? That would explain how no villain ever seems to stay in prison. I guess I just don't like the hidden villain does things we won't understand for six issues trope. I much prefer the villain monologues about how his evil plan is going ahead, no one will stop me. We don't know all the details so when they unfold we're surprised, but when the hero thwarts the villain we say "of course, I missed that clue." I am old school that way. I really do believe in logical motives for things. Lust for revenge, money, power idealogical purity. I have to get behind the motive to get behind the villain. Evil for the sake of evil doesn't do it for me, which is why I never got behind Morrison's Batman run. I am holding out hope, but these new-fangled writers with their new-fangled ways of story-telling don't do it for me. Or I could be wrong. more

Psycamorean

Jan 26, 2020

Man, I cannot catch a break with the bat-titles this week. Has DC always been this boring? Riddler is stupid here. Just make him a smart guy with riddles. How hard is that? I don't care about this masterplan that's supposedly in play. Maybe I'm just used to masterplans being unnecessarily complicated and circuitous. Oh, and the new Bat-Shot is also really fucking dumb. This sucks.

Spacey Medicine

Mar 08, 2020

What, and I absolutely cannot stress this enough, the actual FUCK do these people have against the Riddler?

CHolt

Jan 22, 2020

I miss King. This is so...pedestrian