Batman Annual #5

This is the perfect epilogue to "act one" of Tynion's run, and makes me more excited than ever to see what he has planned for Clownhunter and others in the next act. Read Full Review

Ever since the title's relaunch as part of Rebirth, the annuals have been the best issues of the series. I am delighted to see Batman Annual #5 continue this trend of superb annual issues. If you enjoyed “Joker War” and have wanted to learn more about Clownhunter, then this is a must read. Read Full Review

Batman Annual #5 features Clownhunter's origin and so much more. Do yourself a favor and check-out this late Christmas gift from DCComics Read Full Review

For those readers able to embrace Stokoe's non-traditional Batman art style, this is very strong annual that adds to the overall story and Tynion's bigger picture for Batman going into 2021. Read Full Review

Overall, Batman Annual #5 is a great one-off comic. Exploring the origin of Clownhunter, it's a psychological analysis of the vigilante. Through our empathizing with this kid, we get to explore the themes of Batman and justice in Gotham in a unique way. Ultimately, this comic may remind you of why you're a Batman fan. Read Full Review

Batman Annual #5 goes out of its way to portray Clownhunter more sympathetically. Having Leslie Thompkins as the main protagonist in the issue gives him more humanity, which has been sorely missing from the main Batman title. The logistics of how he became Clownhunter still snaps suspension of disbelief, but this is, overall, a solid book. Read Full Review

All in all, this is a fine annual that, while not original, is solid. Worth a look. Read Full Review

Batman Annual #5 highlights the paradoxes of Batman and the ability to live in the same as him. When rules seem to change on a whim, Stokoe's artwork brings both catharsis and genuine hope. Read Full Review

Batman Annual #5 delivers both concepts and story. It feels more like an example of what Tynion's run has been missing up to this point. There have been concepts thrown around but not much of an exploration of them and definitely only a slight exploration through the events of each arc. Batman Annual #5 asks philosophical questions while delivering no answers. It makes me want to read more to see if I can ever come up with my own. Read Full Review

Fans of James Tynion's impressive run on Batman and its various new characters will want to give this book a look. It finally details the moments that lead to a teenager taking it upon himself to kill clowns to deal with the loss of his parents. It's also a comic that's incredibly well-drawn and colored by Stokoe, making it a worthy candidate for the prettiest book of 2020. Read Full Review

Batman Annual #5, though sometimes brutal in its artwork, is a call-to-arms about finding a path forward beyond violence in a way that's both sincere and heartfelt. Read Full Review

If Tynion's main Batman work were even half as good as this story, readers of the main line would be in for a treat. At least with this book Clownhunter feels like a character worth caring a bit more about. Read Full Review

Clownhunter's origin is revealed in a visually stunning issue. Read Full Review

This issue could be Clownhunter's first steps towards redemption and dealing with the pure rage that has fueled his war on Joker and his goons up until this point. He's right in that these folks need to pay for their crimes, but does that mean with their lives? There's some introspective stuff at play in this issue and it's helped set this character apart in Tynion's run on the series so far. It's clear there's a lot more to Clownhunter and I'm very interested to see where he goes next. Read Full Review

While the issue really does nothing to add or expand upon the story that we already know, we finally get to see Clownhunter's backstory come to life on the panels of a comic book and that is something that I've been looking forward to. However as much as I enjoyed seeing it, the fact that nothing new was given to us and the rest of the issue was lackluster, does hamper the effectiveness of the annual. Read Full Review

Batman Annual #5 feels like a step down compared to the previous slate of Batman Annuals, but feels relatively on-par with what we've been getting from James Tynion" Relatively basic, standard fair Batman that is poorly characterized. Read Full Review

John Galt

Dec 30, 2020

Very well done, providing great insight into Bao.

Mail2g

Jan 03, 2021

A great story and really made me sympathetic towards the Clownhunter, especially as to how Batman and the world failed to help him. I know Tom King fanboys will be upset and downvoting, but that just shows how petty they are.

cincyfan

Jan 02, 2021

Tynion’s new characters are great in my opinion and he has done such a fantastic job bringing them to life by telling very deep and understandable back stories. I can totally understand the point of view of the characters and how they got to their current state of mind. The art in this book may not be for everyone but for me personally I thought it was great it’s a very unique style that really spoke to me. This was great

TheHyruleElf

Dec 29, 2020

An average origin story, but the incredible art by Stokoe elevated this issue by an extra point for me.

Comics instrucciones de uso

Dec 29, 2020

´Good story, not a great one, but good.

DDJamesB

Jan 01, 2021

I really enjoyed this issue. I think clownhunter is a good character so this just adds another layer to him. The art is going to be mixed based off preference. I personally enjoyed it.

SelinaMay

Jan 04, 2021

On the one hand I did like the story but the art is not for me.

Spacey Medicine

May 02, 2021

This was nice.

EDiakota

Jan 05, 2021

" I want... The world to make sense." - CLOWNHUNTER

Liem Duong

Jan 15, 2021

Great little background story of Clown-hunter with some unique art by Stokoe.

BatSlayer

Jan 22, 2021

The Clownhunter is for me the best character introduce by Tynion IV so far and this annual confirm my point of view. The art is realy good either.

Psycamorean

Dec 29, 2020

This was a pretty good issue. I definitely like Clownhunter more now than I did before this issue. The art was really cool, and I think that helped a lot with a pretty average script.

Afre

Dec 29, 2020

I liked the art. And the writing was okay. I like Clownhunter more than before but if you are expecting more than average, skip this.

Comics Code Authorities

Jan 11, 2021

Like Punchline, Clownhunter is becoming a monotonously overused character with a crappy back story. It seems like all Tynion is trying to do is outdo himself with new characters. The art was poor, especially in the flashback sequences. That had to be one of the worst portrayals of the Joker I've ever seen. I'm starting to lose confidence in this writer. I never liked Clownhunter, and I'm rapidly getting sick of him fast. And if he's 17, Damian is ready to drive. Speaking of which, he's probably the worst character since Damian as well. If Tynion doesn't start turning to better storytelling instead of trying to come up with more crappy characters, I don't see any reason to keep on reading during his run.

Criminology.

Jan 04, 2021

Well, it's pretty obvious, that Dc is just waiting to release Future State, having in mind that Future State starts literally tomorrow its really not surprising that we get this. Look at the flash, after Williamson left nobody dares to start something big with him, just to be ready for Future State, that's why we got a filler arc and a filler issue. I think this annual is pretty useless too. Look at it, it does not change anything, do or give the audience anything new. But don't get me wrong, there are a lot of great filler issues ,as we all know some of the genre's best can be considered filler to the main plot, think about "the kid who collects Spider-man" or of a more recent ones like superman man of tomorrow series. In tho se stories we get usually a simple tale of a character we love in situation not typical for him or her, showing us a part of the character , we don't see often in their bigger adventures. But this is different. Everything we get here,we've already know, with some little tweaks, which by the way certainly do not deserve a full issue. We already knew the origin of The Clownhunter with the difference that this time we can see it visually , for me it was unnecessary. I mean, I don't even think it's that of good origin tbh, we've seen so many identical scenarios, even for that reason alone its not worth showing it . Other than that , I like Stokoe's art, it reminds me of the old underground comix masters with some flavor and for a character like the Clowhunter, who is more punkish, angry, sloppy, kinda of amateurish, it that style fits pretty well. It's sad that this issue does not really use more of the strengths of this type of art style. On the dialogue side again we don't get nothing new, delivered in the familiar Tynion fashion. The whole no killing thing's been over a thousand times already and better with better characters(Jason). Tynion continues to rehash old themes, which are pretty much already perfected by somebody before him. This can be a start for a great arc for the Clownhunter, but till then I don't think this issue is worth it. more

KFuqua

Jan 04, 2021

Just very disappointed in this. I'm still shocked that a horrible character like the Clownhunter is getting so much exposure.

雨人点雪

Dec 29, 2020

I don’t know what to say. I said I want a clownhunter story drawn by Stokoe, and now it really happens! But JT4 writes the most boring, mould piece of shit origin story ever! That’s how you DC waste good painters’ talent！FUCK 滴C你个王八蛋

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Mail2g - Jan 3, 2021

Really how is it boring. A person getting his parents killed but seeing his hero not really do anything is boring? Then what's interesting? Repeating parents shot in alley 100 times?

雨人点雪 - Mar 11, 2021

@Mail2g What are you talking about? You mean, A person getting his parents killed is not boring, but A person getting his parents killed is boring?! That's what you talking. This story is exactly Repeating parents shot in alley 100 times Story!

Bat-ears99

Dec 29, 2020

Can you imagine a more boring, derivative origin story than this? The only thing that comes close is probably Punchline's origin. Oh, and Harley was apparently there just so that Clownhunter could try to kill her and then she could make her nonsensical speech about 'trying to be a good person' in the end.

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Mail2g - Jan 3, 2021

Actually it was a good story. Much better than Punchline. Besides Harley was supposed to make him think if what he was doing is wrong.

LunaMoody

Dec 29, 2020

The art was some of the worst drawing I've ever seen !!! I think a toddler could've drawn it better while wearing a blindfold. Good lord it was bad. As for the story it was nothing new or fresh but I guess it was just barely passingly okay-ish. Totally forgettable and not worth the added price or of being an annual but it is what it is. If it was possible to return this comic for a refund I so would though.

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TheHyruleElf - Dec 29, 2020

Wow, you have no taste in artwork

Urboibolaz - Dec 29, 2020

Buddy, you have wayyyyy to high expectations. I bet your those type of people to pay $1,000 for a painting with random lines and call it “art”

LunaMoody - Dec 29, 2020

Wow, insulting a person you don't know over thier simply stating their personnel opinion on something. Classy! I hope you feel better about yourself now.

TheHyruleElf - Dec 29, 2020

I do actually, especially when met with people with trash taste

LunaMoody - Dec 29, 2020

Well bullies do tend to lack in intellect so I'm not surprised that you do. Now go be a good little village idiot and troll someone else. BYE!!!

SenpaifenixJäger - Dec 29, 2020

I believe that people have the right to their own opinion, if you liked me well for you and if not too. Personally, I am someone who likes comics and REAL BOOKS and there are really things that DC is doing that leaves much to be desired for my taste, but I do not go through life insulted who does not share my opinion.

Mail2g - Jan 3, 2021

The art was actually good, certainly better than the "shiny" trash in BatCat and the story was certainly better than Tom King's. That's how just some people like to draw, I don't know what you're complaining about.

Weird Science Jim - Jan 3, 2021

Don't understand the idea that someone isn't allowed to like art because that's how "some people like to draw". Do you like everything you see, hear and taste because that's how some people like to do it? It's subjuctive and everybody can like or dislike whatever they want!

LunaMoody - Jan 3, 2021

Thank you Weird Science Jim and DC Stuff

SenpaifenixJäger

Dec 29, 2020

Bad story, worse art, bored to death, without pain or glory.