Batman: Kings of Fear #5

Im literally devastated the next issue will be the last of Peterson and Jones Batman: Kings of Fear. Nevertheless, Ill push my sadness to the side and focus on the absolute joy Ive had reading this new dark and twisted look into the mind of Batman. The last page brings me major anxiety but huge anticipation as to how this Dynamic Duo of Bat-horror will close out this short story. Will Batman shake off the god of fear or will he have his fear and insecurities succumb him? I cannot WAIT to find out!! Read Full Review

None of this would work without that art by Kelley Jones. Jones gives his artwork feeling, emotion, and an expressiveness all of it's own. It's beautiful in its creativity and the colors really pop as well. This is a descent into madness and it takes that decent very seriously. And that's something to truly be commended. This is simply a comic book that is fantastic. Read Full Review

This is a must-read, must-own Batman book. The story is fantastic and the visuals are to die for. I've read Batman comics for years and I've not seen Batman's psyche so focused on with such mind blowing artwork. Seriously, this is the Batman to get. Highest possible recommendation. Read Full Review

Batman Kings of Fear #5 ends with Batman injecting himself with something. It might be more scarecrow juice, maybe something else? It's hard to tell what, making it impossible to figure out exactly how this mini-series will wrap up. Read Full Review

Batman has been broken physically on numerous occasions, but rarely have we seen him as psychologically torn as he is in this story. Has The Scarecrow finally proven himself the true King Of Fear? Though we know heroes always win in the end, I truly feel that any victory Batman may yet glean will come at a cost. This series has been so well executed that I even fear he may not win at all. I eagerly, yet tentatively, look forward to the final chapter of this excellent series. Read Full Review

This is just fantastic. Everyone should be reading this; Peterson's dialogue is expert and Jones' artwork is some of the best of the year. Read Full Review

I have been enjoying this series so much, and this issue is my favorite so far. Read Full Review

Batman: Kings of Fear #5 is another impressive chapter, and with only one issue left in this run, I'm eager to see how it'll end. Read Full Review

It's a more low-key Batman story than what we normally get, with the battle being joined inside the mind rather than the streets, but it's no less compelling. Read Full Review

A book that's unafraid to explore the hard truths behind The Batman! Read Full Review

Though the dialogue seems rather cut-and-dried, the premise of the mini-series is still intriguing enough to provide an alternate look at the Caped Crusader. Read Full Review

This has been an excellent character study of Batman. I'm anxious to see how things end here. With an out-of-continuity book, there's no telling how it could end. Will it go the safe route and play out as all Batman books do; with him emerging victorious and broken – or will he concede defeat, letting Scarecrow win and Gotham along with it? Read Full Review

Batman: Kings of Fear #5 is a mixed bag. Although Scott Peterson and Kelley Jones' analysis of Batman is excellent, the pacing feels too slow. Read Full Review

I really don't have much to say about this issue or series in general.  I love Kelley Jones' art, but there just isn't much story to justify this many issues.  Oh well, one more issue and then we can just move on and forget about it. Read Full Review

Darkseid24

Dec 19, 2018

With Nightwing #55& also with Kings of Fear# 5 it's a great week for Scarecrow fans. Issue 5 is just as great as the last one& Scarecrow is continuing to give therapy to Bruce. This issue mostly concentrates on showing what would have happened, if Bruce had never become Batman& what he could have done with his life to really help people. The way it is written is funny& serious at the same time. Scarecrow's criticism of the Dark Knight is justified, but he also exaggerates from time to time like with Joker for example. But that's the part where Kelley Jones& Scott Peterson manage to mix humor with a serious criticism of the Dark Knight. As a longtime reader I of course would think, that the Joker just would have never existed without Batman, because it's hinted, that Bruce created him by throwing him into acid. Scarecrow however can't know that& that's why it makes sense, that he imagines a different future for Joker. He also has very logical points like with Bane for example. It's also interesting, that Scarecrow doesn't blame Batman for his own turn to crime nor for all his foes becoming villains, which makes his points more resonable. Also showing Batman how he could have saved Gotham without choosing violence is a worthwhile idea to be adressed, which was asked before in other stories, but never so fully discussed like it is in this story. With the ending Batman of course will find a way to overcome whatever version of his Fear Gas Scarecrow is using here, but the criticism still stands I'd say. Overall Kings of Fear is feeling like a Pre52 story& right out of the 90ies& it's one of the best Scarecrow stories in years. I wish it was longer& hope the final issue doesn't mess the story up. more

Khamul

Mar 28, 2019

What a stunning issue and Kelley Jones still reminds you that comic art can be transcendent.Get this book.

Psycamorean

Dec 20, 2018

I enjoyed this issue a lot. It's actually pretty funny while still being sort of justified. The art is really fluid and crazy to look at, and that's truly the main attraction here.

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln

Jan 07, 2019

Batman The Animated Series had so much better examples of how Batman is responsible for how Gotham is, I would even argue some of these don't add up at all, but perhaps it is commenting on it from another angle, a butterfly effect rather than Batman indirectly or directly being responsible. I loved Kelley Jones' art and the story was still effective. It is good to see Scarecrow being used effectively, he hasn't had the best stories since Rebirth began

myconius

Dec 19, 2018

the art is still as beautiful as ever. i really enjoy the surreal dreamlike/nightmarish style of the narrative. ((((Spoilers)))) it was very interesting to see where the Scarecrow speculated that he and the other rogues of Gotham would be without Batman. though i still can't imagine how he'd actually be able to know all this. it was pretty funny seeing Batman flop around like a rag doll, and Scarecrow easily pushing him over. ((((end spoilers)))) i'm just not sure that we really needed 6 issues to tell this story. though for more of Kelley Jones's art, i'm not going to complain.

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Darkseid24 - Dec 19, 2018

I honestly want more issues. As for Scarecrow speculating, I guess he can because he knows the Background of his fellow inmates. I actually took most of it as a joke like Riddler for example. With Bane it makes a lot of sense though, since he only came to Gotham because of Batman.

myconius - Dec 19, 2018

for more Kelley Jones art, i'll take as much as i can get. i did like the Scarecrow's projections. i just thought Batman was taking it a bit too seriously, until i'd took into account that Batman was heavily drugged.

Darkseid24 - Dec 19, 2018

Lol yes Bruce really is& guess he took it a little too far at the end. I also love Kelley Jones art.

ohhaimark - Dec 20, 2018

I originally passed this one up. Would you recommend I read it when the trade comes out? I love Kelley Jones art, but I have never read anything by Scott Peterson, and my weekly haul of comics is already pretty large, but i've heard this series is good.

Darkseid24 - Dec 20, 2018

If you like Scarecrow& also some criticism of Batman, you’ll like it. As for me I would recommend it. I love it so far.

myconius - Dec 20, 2018

ohhaimark - i'd say it's worth picking up the trade. at least for the art. the story isn't going to end up in the "must read" collections like TDKR or Killing Joke, but it is entertaining.

Darkseid24 - Dec 20, 2018

I shouldn’t say that, but I like this story much more than TKJ

myconius - Dec 20, 2018

out of all the stories i've read that Kelley Jones illustrated, Kings of Fear might not hold up to the likes of ‘Batman: Vampire’, but i do enjoy it much more than i do ‘Haunted Gotham’, ‘Batman: Unseen’ and even ‘Gotham After Midnight’.

Darkseid24 - Dec 20, 2018

As for Kelley Jones I think some of the stories in Batman he did with Doug Moench in the 90ies are better than Kings of Fear, but Kings of Fear feels a lot like a story from the good old times in the 90ies. I liked Batman Vampire though

myconius - Dec 20, 2018

yeah, KoF was definitely a breath of fresh air compared to some of the Batman stories we'd been getting as of late. agreed, the stories he did with Doug Moench in the main series were mostly all really enjoyable. i have a soft spot for Batman Vampire. still have my signed copy of the 1st print HC.

Darkseid24 - Dec 21, 2018

That’s great. I only have the trade of the vampire story.

myconius - Dec 21, 2018

the trade is really good also, since it includes the two sequels.

Darkseid24 - Dec 21, 2018

That’s why I bought the trade.