Batman '89 #2

I already want the remaining issues! Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones hit all the right notes. Clayton Cowles letters like the pro he is and Leonardo Ito splashes that 80's vibe across the pages that we so wanted! So many Easter Eggs from that time era and so much eye candy with a solid script! Sigh"Where is my Prince Soundtrack on cassette? Read Full Review

When it was announced, this felt like a unique novelty, but it's quickly becoming a can't miss look at a forgotten era of Given that most of the principal actors are still with us, maybe Warner Bros. Animation can make this mini-series into an animated production? Read Full Review

Another fine issue, definitely worth picking up. This series is the one that you give people as a gateway to getting them into comics. Everyone is familiar with the movie but will be shocked as to how good the comic is, and that will be a great start to their journey into the comics industry. Read Full Review

Still excellent, and I'm just sad this is only six issues. Read Full Review

While I wish there was more Batman in Batman '89 #2, Sam Hamm's taking the time to flesh out this universe's version of Two-Face and I'm here for it. Being able to read this series and have it feel like a logical next step after Batman Returns continues to impress. Read Full Review

After an explosive introduction, the series' second issue elegantly brings 'Batman '89' into the 21st century in a story rife with relevant themes and killer artwork. Read Full Review

It's a wonderfully crafted comic with a far more ambitious narrative scope than anyone was likely expecting. Read Full Review

Usually, a project like this would be a vanity bit of fan service for aging readers desperate to rekindle their childhoods. On the contrary, this is some of the strongest, most effective Batman storytelling captured on-page in years and can stand the test of time, much like the films that created this tapestry. Read Full Review

Quinones does a great job with the art in the issue. I like the character expressions and action overall. There are moments that I want to see more depth in the design, but it looks good and keeps the aesthetic established in the films. Read Full Review

Maybe the hardest part of the art to get used to is the depiction of Bruce Wayne. As with the last issue, the grey sideburns are distracting and make Bruce seem older. This issue has Bruce wearing glasses when meeting up with Harvey Dent. Yes, Michael Keaton wore glasses in the movie. But for the most part, they were more reading glasses than something he wore regularly. Also between the glasses and those sideburns, Bruce looks nothing like the playboy we know him to pretend to be in the main Bat-books, which is fine. I like seeing variations on BATMAN/Bruce Wayne. It's one of the things that have kept the character fresh for 80 plus years. Keaton didn't play him as a playboy in the movies. Yet here, it's way too distracting. Read Full Review

Bits and Pieces:  Batman '89 #2 leans into the real-life sociopolitical issues to craft a Harvey Dent that feels like a character ripped from the pages of today's headlines. However, where the urban life drama succeeds, Hamm does little to build up a character you believe could become Two-Face. On top of the push for realism at the expense of a known character's origin, the light introduction to Robin is eye-rolling, and the overall aesthetic of Gotham lacks any of the gothic hallmarks of a Burton film. Read Full Review

I wouldn't go so far as to say this is a step down from the first issue, because it's at least consistent with the groundwork laid out there. The main problem is this issue doesn't rise above the series' debut, and instead feels like it's treading water. Read Full Review

Asger

Oct 14, 2021

Great stuff, far superior to anything Burton ever did.

Fracadactyl

Sep 14, 2021

I know that this is going to feel like a cash grab on interracial communications to some people, but come on Drake Winston and Marlon Wayans were waiting 30 years to make their debut. Besides seeing Batman struggle after much loss and seeing him on the brink of losing his sanity when it looks like Catwoman's back calls for a Robin. Especially one who sees the problems of Harvey Dent. Plus it looks like Two-Face here represents his split between people; the underprivileged people he was born into and the ones he tried to fit into. Just look at how Drake's neighborhood are always on guard when it looks like somebody comes in to offer easier solutions.

Psycamorean

Sep 27, 2021

Wow, you fuckers are going full mask off with this one. Looking at you, DoorMan. I'll keep it simple, so you can understand: Socioeconomic factors determine one's ability to succeed, and unfortunately, our society has, through biases both conscious and unconscious, created a hierarchy where white people are way more likely to have and attain wealth, which is how one has power in our capitalistic society. In America, the likelihood of moving up from the socioeconomic bracket you are born into is incredibly low. This is a very real problem, and because society has these biases towards minorities, they tend to be born into these lower brackets and are stuck there. It creates a terrible cycle as poverty begets crime begets poverty. And no, it h as nothing to do with race. Any poverty stricken area has this problem. Black people are just way more likely to be born in poverty because of the societal systems in place. You don't have to have white guilt, in fact if you read into any real academia on this subject, it never advocates for that. Ignoring these problems and crying like little bitches is such an insecure move. That's why these problems are never fixed. ...As for the issue itself, it was pretty good. I didn't like it as much as the first issue, and some of the writing was repetitive, but I hope next issue gets back on track. more

daspidaboy

Sep 14, 2021

ehhhhh its not bad. But its not good either. Might drop this series.

ICC

Sep 17, 2021

Started out stronger than the first issue but the ending was way too abrupt and predictable

Comics Code Authorities

Oct 18, 2021

I wish I could say this book is living up to the expectations I had when I heard about it, but that would be a major lie. So far it's making Batman Forever look better each issue. I feel especially disappointed since it's written by Sam Hamm who wrote the originals and Detective #598-600's "Blind Justice," which has been an old favorite of mine for years. This series is focusing on an issue that should be avoided to prevent fuming tempers. Race, Sexuality and politics should be avoided in anything fictional these days because they only cause trouble when brought up. Unfortunately I have to say if this was what Hamm had in mind for Batman 3, odds are there never would have been a Batman 4. A totally original identity for Robin is bad enoug h. Not to mention the total absence of the Riddler, who was the most anticipated villain for Batman 3 before any version came out. I wasn't too crazy about Catwoman's portrayal either. I think the best part of this issue is the part with the Giant penny. Otherwise this was a slower than average issue. Billy Dee Williams would deserve a better story than this though. more

I Review Comics

Feb 17, 2022

I wasn’t exactly blown away by Batman 89 #1 and I’m sad to say that this issue doesn’t get any better. I had several problems with this issue. Some are personal biases others are with the story itself. The criticisms may be unfair depending on perspective but it's my blog and I gotta be honest. The first problem is that this story isn’t Batman 89 at all. Aside from Harvey Dent vaguely looking like Billy Dee Williams there isn’t much that ties the story to the Tim Burton Batman films. The second gripe is with DC comics in general. Whenever a Black Character is given a platform in a DC comic social ills become the driving force behind their motives. This isn’t an issue in itself but when you’re releasing several issues co vering the same ground it gets tired, really tired. Bruce/Batman doesn’t get much to do here. Batman isn’t presented in the most heroic light. He inadvertently causes the death of a kid while on patrol. The death causes him to reflect on his responsibilities as Batman and a change in his approach to fighting crime. Harvey Dent is still attempting to catch Batman but has also taken up the BLM position against the GCPD. This causes officers to call him “Two-Faced” in his backhanded approach to law enforcement. While the situation between Harvey and Batman escalates Tim Drake gets the goofiest character intro ever. If this was the version of Robin Tim Burton was going for I’m glad the character was cut altogether. I don’t have anything positive to say about this comic. The comic has a stock art style that doesn’t stand out and as someone that lived through the Burton Era of Batman, this issue is as vapid as you can get. This comic feels more like Batman 2022 than anything from the 80s or 90s. In short: Batman 89 has been a huge disappointment so far as Current year politics continue to override any ideas Tim Burton may have left on the cutting room floor. more

El Wraith

Sep 22, 2021

Well here we go again, anyone who believed this series would be a true extension of Tim Burton era Batman was completely duped. It's just another BLM protest, and god only knows we really don't have enough of that in western media right now. Absolute garbage, DC are just a joke in every format these days be it comics, tv or cinema.

Raging Rainbow

Sep 22, 2021

The second issue of this new Batman '89 miniseries isn't as fun or exciting as the first issue. It does try pretty hard to get us to take it seriously, but it doesn't do very well in that regard. https://youtu.be/HR-4yN9p0A4

Merlyn

Sep 14, 2021

I've heard that Sam Hamm had a different vision for the Batman '89 movie and that he couldn't get through with it because of all the people that were working on the movie then. Well I say to those people "congrats, you've done a great job". If this guy were to go all the way with it those movies wouldn't have got the cult following they did. I feel like he suffers from a severe case of white guilt, all the story is basically about race. Two-Face as a character is seen through those lenses, the DA job matters very little. Oh, and if you want to read YET ANOTHER comic where Bruce is trying to lose all his money, you've got it here. Seriously, this is a pattern. First, he loses his fortune in the main DCU. Then, his son Nightwing throws away a ll his money at problems, literally. And now here, Bruce is willing to do the same thing. Once it's no problem, twice it may be something there, but when it's the third time in these last months when a Batman character is having the same rhetoric, I can't pretend it's a coincidence and it's not ideological rhetoric. more

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Mingthemerciless - Sep 15, 2021

Tim Burton was at the top of his game then. Michael Keaton surprised everyone with how he delivered the role. Gotham looked and felt like a city out of time and created a great mood. Nicholson's energy. AND Jack Palance. It's clear the talent bringing the story to the screen added what Hamm lacked. I'm hoping the series lifts as I'm not reading current continuity or anything FutureFear State so this is my Batman fix but Hamm seems to going into one-note territory already.

Merlyn - Sep 16, 2021

Yeah, I'm grateful for all of those people because if Hamm would have had his way I doubt this movie would have had any real success. And it was a milestone in the Batman movie territory so yeah, thank God for Burton and everyone else who kept him in check.

Asger - Oct 14, 2021

How you read the original 89 script. It's far superior to the actual 89 movie. Like by far. But you just jump on the bandwagon

Merlyn - Oct 14, 2021

I haven't read the original 89 script, I just said that based by this, I'm glad Sam Hamm was kept in check by Burton and everyone else. If this is any indication of that, it must have been awful. Don't know what bandwagon you're ranting about.

Merlyn - Oct 14, 2021

But I can see you're obsessed with this since you're commenting on every issue here how this is superior to Burton's version. No, it's not.

Hydro-Man

Sep 15, 2021

Loved the first issue so much. All I can say to this one is LOL.

DoorMan

Sep 16, 2021

Another race baiting series that propagates this false narrative that somehow everyone, but blacks themselves, are responsible for problems that plague the black community. Absolute cringe.