Batman: City of Madness #1

Batman: City of Madness is riveting, eye-catching, and authentically nightmarish. There's an inventive take on Gotham and all that comes with it while spinning an impressively rich and entertaining narrative. Read Full Review

With an intriguing plot, great side characters, flesh-crawling horror, pitch-perfect characterization, and stellar art, Batman: City of Madness #1 has ticked a lot of boxes straight out of the gate. I came in a little bit nervous but now cannot wait to see where the story goes next. Read Full Review

Batman: City of Madnessis nothing short of a masterpiece. It does exactly what you want it to do it delivers terrifying images and a deeply foreboding script but it also rises above expectations. It's intriguing, experimental, visually stunning, and provocative. Read Full Review

Batman: City of Madness #1 is a visual masterpiece. It’s a fascinating story that is venturing into nightmarish territory. Read Full Review

This is a wildly ambitious first issue, and its concept slowly unwinds in a way that makes it almost unbearable to wait for the next issue. Read Full Review

Batman: City of Madness #1 truly lives up to its title, offering a completely unique look into Gotham. The connections to established continuity are strong but not hingent, with homage being paid in a respectful way that maintains this storys status as a standalone series. Read Full Review

The Story: The introductory chapter of this limited series was exciting to say the least. Ward does an amazing job of not only setting up the plot and characters but creating tension. Its not easy to interconnect seemingly different storylines, but here it is done skillfully and without confusion. This story feels fresh and different, even though it invokes scenarios similar to others in the DC Universe. I am already invested in this work and eagerly await what happens next.This is a really good-looking issue with an interesting styling that plays with realism in such a way that at times it invokes a dream-like quality. However, its attention to detail and color schemes are what really emotionally connects the reader to the tale. I would also like to give praise to Otsmane-Elhaous lettering as the multiple voices and narratives are very clear and easy to differentiate. Read Full Review

I said it with my opener and I'll say it again, Batman: City of Madness #1 is the perfect story to kick off this Halloween Season. Ward single-handedly molded the writing and art together in a way that provided this hauntingly authentic thriller with Batman and the Court of Owls at its epicenter. Read Full Review

Batman: City of Madness #1 is good. It's really good. There's so much going for it from the story, to the dialogue, and then how the art brings it all together. It's the perfect Batman story for the spooky season and one to absolutely pick up for fans of Batman or horror. Read Full Review

The art in Batman: City of Madness #1 speaks for itself. I would also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys some horror elements in Batman stories as well as psychological thriller themes and secret societies with mythical connections. Read Full Review

You can pick up Batman: City of Madness #1 today at your local comic bookstores or buy it digitally through your preferred digital retailer. Read Full Review

City of Madness can be a mixed bag at times. Although I totally enjoy Ward's messy but expressive art style, it could possibly be a divisive look. Not all the figures have a lot of detail nor is the style all the way legible. In spite of this, I believe Ward's work to be a beautiful example of a marriage between art direction and writing. As for the writing, Ward includes a lot of surprising twists and interesting developments. I especially like the Family naming convention Ward uses for the Court of Owls. However, besides the overall wonder, the story lacks coherency between it's many plot devices. Sadly, I think even some of the coolest moments like the sequence with the Court unintentionally burden the story with too many details. Going forward, it could benefit from a tighter narrative with more control over the character direction. Read Full Review

Set apart from mainstream Batman continuity, this new miniseries brings back a few popular villains while introducing a new darker version of Batman from the Gotham Below, a strange twisted version of Gotham from a new dimension. Ward's art is the highlight of the series, but it remains to be seen whether this comic can stand apart from other recent Batman stories involving either alternate versions of Batman or dark eldritch terrors. Read Full Review

derbycomics

Oct 10, 2023

While they’re tones are completely different, I couldn’t help but compare/contrast Christian Ward’s Batman: City of Madness to Rafael Grampá’s Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham. They’re both Batman comics from creators better known for their art than their writing and they both pull elements of established Batman lore to tell new stories. Where Grampá’s story never felt like it was ready or willing to introduce a new twist or layer to the Batman franchise, the first book in Ward’s story three-book tale sets itself apart with an entirely new world full of fantastical monstrosities below Gotham ready to wreck havoc on the city. Ward packs a ton of story into this first entry without ever making the book seem bloated. Batman, Alfre d, Two-Face, the Court of Owls, and a new young boy all receive ample development over the course of the issue, with Alfred’s scenes being the emotional anchor to the book. The core plot of the book revolves around the Court of Owls’ knowledge of what’s waiting beneath Gotham and a sinister plan they’re about to enact. Ward does an amazing job setting the stakes and building tension within the Court themselves. We don’t necessarily know who is in power, but we know it can’t be good. My favorite moments of the book were the scenes involving Two-Face. Ward adds new wrinkles of complexity to the character, casting a diabolic, yet sympathetic shadow over the villain’s inner conflict with his own demons. Ward implies that Two-Face’s situation is somehow tied to the larger story but we’ll have to wait and see what comes of it. Hands down, this is one of the most beautiful books of 2023. Every page was a visual feast, with Ward’s art adding to the twisted and uneven tone of the book in the best ways possible. I could gush over so many different aspects, but Ward’s depiction of Harvey Dent/Two-Face is so unique and draws attention to the duality the character represents. The Batman from Below looks freaking AWESOME. I loved the blue/green color palette used for most of the book and the different shades of reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows used for details or to strike a moment of importance. He’s one of the best in the business, but I’d be remiss not to also acknowledge to herculean work of Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou on lettering. He makes Ward’s exposition read like poetry on the page with some of it living outside letter boxes/bubbles and flowing free-form against the beautiful illustrations. Batman: City of Madness Book One was a tour de force of imaginative storytelling from start to finish. Ward uses every aspect of the book to invent a new, nightmarish take on Gotham that immediately captivates the reader and immerses them in this twisted tale. Rating: 10/10 more

Chaos Engine

Nov 05, 2023

The art is astounding. The representation of Gotham is visually interesting and proves a new perspective on familiar environments and characters. Christian Ward produces a story as well crafted as his artwork. The use of the familiar character of Two-Face and the Cort of Owls is great, while also being a little different. If that wasn’t enough, the introduction of Batman Below with Lovecraftian overtones is stunning. Alfred’s narrative of suffering and isolation starts getting a little repetitive and makes it clear that, at the moment, Batman is lacking. Batman questions of the ease with which he apprehends Two-Face, but not a great more happening with Batman. However, so much is happening elsewhere in this stunning first book, the f laws are very slight. Totally looking forward to book two. more

2birdsstoned815

Oct 11, 2023

https://youtu.be/btBQZk9eUrY?si=5JUplwhzBKFPQfLb Review at (:31) in video

Avanvolk

Jan 01, 2025

Really cool intro. Art was great if you like Christian Ward's style, which thankfully I do. Writing was impressive for someone who makes their living as an artist. I love the Court of Owls so their appearance here was a big plus.

wakizashireviews

Oct 10, 2023

I don't understand the harsh criticism for this book. Some reviewers are complaining that it's all surface and no depth. Yes the art is excellent, but it's not just about the art. Ward might touch on some well-used Batman tropes, but at least he brings something new to the Batman universe. I'm a sucker for some cosmic horror and the Gotham Below idea is intriguing. I also really like Ward's take on Harvey Dent/Two-Face. It's one of the most interesting interpretations of the character in a long while.

KiryuMajima28t

Oct 10, 2023

Cool first issue, sets some exciting and new ideas we haven't seen in a batman book before or atleast that I can remember which is saying something considering how many bat books we get.

ItsJess

Oct 10, 2023

How can people possibly give this a 10? A masterpiece? A classic? This feels like it's written by a college student studying creative writing still. Art is OK.

Nightmare of Solomon

Oct 10, 2023

You're just here for the visuals, because this is all fluff and no substance.