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/secret-files-the-signal_1.jpg "Batman: Secret Files: The Signal #1")
The book was far from interesting, but the worst part was trying too hard (again) to shove Duke as Gotham's only hope. That's just pathetic. Also, just stop trying to make characters look better by comparing them to existing characters and say they are better. That's either annoying or just looks completely unbelievable.
Batman: Secret Files: The Signal #1
| Writer | Tony Patrick |
| Artist | Christian Duce |
| Cover Price | $4.99 |
The Signal comes back as Gotham City's daytime protector after his time with the Outsiders. But during his sabbatical from his hometown, everything about the city and the people closest to him changed. And the mystery of the White Market, a deadly source of weapons being trafficked into Gotham City that even Batman can't track down, will only push the Signal further away from everything he knows and into a brand-new world of danger. Writer Tony Patrick returns to pen a new chapter in the life of Duke Thomas alongside fan-favorite artist Christian Duce!
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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9.0
Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles
Jul 06, 2021A limited spotlight can only go so far and Patrick and Duce build a strong case for why The Signal warrants his own ongoing title. Read Full Review
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9.0
AIPT - Madeleine Chan
Jul 06, 2021The incredible work done in this one-shot would be a waste if DC didn't continue it in some way. Batman: Secret Files - The Signal #1 pulls every corner of Duke Thomas together for an engaging story full of heart and growth and gives him a springboard to soar. Whether you're a longtime fan of Duke or a bat-centric reader, if you needed a signal to pick Batman: Secret Files - The Signal #1 up, this is it. Read Full Review
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9.0
Dark Knight News - Sharna Jahangir
Jul 09, 2021If you're a fan of The Signal and Bat-family lore, this is an issue to pick up! Read Full Review
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8.9
The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally
Jul 06, 2021Duce delivers some great art throughout the issue. The art utilizes the daytime setting perfectly and draws a stark contrast between the Gotham we normally see and what we don't. Read Full Review
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7.0
But Why Tho? - Charles Hartford
Jul 06, 2021Batman Secret Files: The Signal #1 delivers a fine opening to its story. With all the wheels now in motion for this story hopefully, future entries can bring a bit more focus to the plot. Read Full Review
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7.0
ComicBook.com - Evan Valentine
Jul 07, 2021While this issue isn't perfect, there's definitely potential for the Signal here and I'm crossing my fingers that we get an ongoing at some point in the future, as the bones of a long-running story are definitely there. Read Full Review
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7.0
Bleeding Cool - Hannibal Tabu
Jul 11, 2021All around, this was a mixed bag that was strong on concept but stumbled in execution a few times. It's worth watching to see how this title, its creative team, and its ambitious young hero will develop as time passes. Read Full Review
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6.0
Weird Science - Eric Shea
Jul 06, 2021While I'm happy that Duke Thomas is getting some spotlight, I need this series to do more than rush by everything that has happened to Duke since he's come into Batman's life because even though Duke shows up in things here and there, his story feels really undefined. I don't know how many people know the ins and outs of the character and we just move forward at breakneck speed in this and I found myself feeling lost. Thankfully, the art is great and we're moving to an interesting area for our hero. I just hope that we can calm down and pace the book out better. Read Full Review
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5.0
The Batman Universe - Ian Miller
Jul 07, 2021As DC continues to try to sell a direction for Duke Thomas with overstuffed, under-prepared stories, intriguing and exciting ideas are combined with frustrating failures. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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8.0
"The Signal", Duke Thomas is the only metahuman in the Batfamily and is also the only hero in the crew that operates exclusively during the day. I wasn't sure what I was getting into with the Secret Files series but it does do a great job in spotlighting characters and their current status quo within the DC Universe. Patrick Thomas does a fairly awesome rundown of Duke Thomas, his motivations, mission, and powerset. If you're unfamiliar with the character you'll be up to speed by the end of the issue. Duke has a ton of potential and I believe if handled correctly, Signal may eventually evolve beyond simply being the daytime version of Batman. The Signal has an extremely useful and powerful powerset and while reading the issue I kept more
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7.0
It's good, but it's not great. This should've been a bit more of an introduction to The Signal, since for the most part people still aren't very familiar with the backstory of Duke Thomas. It was a mostly interesting story, but not something to remember
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6.5
It's alright. You can read it and it's not a waste of time but there are better books.
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6.0
ehhhh. It's not bad, but it wasnt memorable either. I did like the fight scenes and how Duke had to use all of his abilities though.
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5.5
it's not a character that I know much about, if this special tried to attract new readers, this didn't work with me. Not a bad character but not so flashy to stay.
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5.5
this is the first time I've seen Duke in a while. And while it's an okay story, it offers little insight into him as a character. The Signal is one of the better modern day allies, but this book really just doesn't really offer much. And it doesn't really leave you begging for more. It's a decent read, but hardly worth what you're asked to pay.
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4.5
Too much verbal diarrhea without any real meaning and I always hate it when writers use all that slang in a "how do you do fellow kids" kind of way. Another bad sign is the way all writers keep giving Duke new powers, thinking that that will somehow make him an interesting character. Spoiler: it won't, it just makes him a Mary Sue who at this point is giving Superman a run for his money with the multitude of powers. Still, I appreciated the overall idea of the book and that saves it a little.
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4.0
I never read the We Are Robin books. I feel like I'm missing out on a whole lot that would still not maximize my enjoyment of this trashy issue any further.
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8.0
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7.0
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7.0
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6.0
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6.0
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5.5
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3.0
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