I Am Batman #0

I am in for the long haul. I can ping pong back and forth from Bruce's brooding to Jace's optimism. The great thing is that DC has provided an African-American hero with a vision of hope! I like that and I hope you will too! Read Full Review

Foreman's focus on character expression is highlighted by the surrounding minimalist drawings. The cool color tones capture the mood of the story. And the action oriented sequences are intense and emotional. Overall, this is a good looking issue that is very engaging and transportive. Read Full Review

With I Am Batman #0, John Ridley has gotten off to a great start. This feels like it could be a ground-breaking new series. Although, I'm sure the title will have some detractors, I hope that the series, and Jace Fox”s career as the Batman, will be long and successful. Read Full Review

I Am Batman is a strong entry point for this new-but-old character as he makes his way into the mainstream Batman line. Jace is a great character with a unique motivation among bat characters that makes him stand out. It'll be exciting to see where he goes in the future. Read Full Review

It looks great thanks to Travel Foreman's gritty arc, and the story sets up an intriguing conflict that puts Jace in the middle of two groups both out for his blood. Does Gotham need another Batman in present continuity? I guess we'll see, but this is a good start. Read Full Review

I AM BATMAN is real, its raw and comes dangerously close to sinking the battleship of the world at large. Yet as authentic as I AM BATMAN and THE NEXT BATMAN: SECOND SON are, I find them in many ways inspiring and encouraging throughout these rather rocky and opinionated waters. I hope that BATMAN fans of all ages give this book, and frankly this character, a chance. There is just so much potential that anyone taking a look should naturally be drawn towards further installments. Read Full Review

I Am Batman #0 is a nice bridge from the previous series and this one. We get to see Jace's initial steps as Batman after his discovery in the previous series. We get more of his thoughts, motivation, and his view as to what he needs to do next to succeed. It gives us a flawed individual who we can see grow and while we might not always agree with what he does, we can understand his viewpoint. It gives us a well-rounded character that could very well be the future of the DC Universe. Read Full Review

I Am Batman #0returns to the world ofThe Next Batman, showcasing the early days of Tim Fox's journey to becoming the Dark Knight. With the origin story currently underway, I'm genuinely curious to see how the series continues to set up the world of Future State and if Tim will battle any other Batman foes in addition to the Magistrate. Read Full Review

A lot of the events in the comics feel very relevant to the modern day and provide a more "for the people" style origin story for Fox. In some ways, this direction for Batman reminds me of Superman's reboot during the New 52, bringing him in line with his activist roots. Read Full Review

What Next Batman & Second Son began, this series continues and grows upon as the time of Jace Fox becoming Batman is no longer the far off future but is the very real now of the DC Universe. There are a number of interesting themes explored as the book fleshes out Jace and his world a bit more. The pervious series art team delivers another great issue ahead of the big art changes to come with the new number one issue on the way. Read Full Review

While this is a great continuation of Second Son...... and just actually feels like the rest of those chapters are thrown together for an issue, it's not a very good jumping-on-point for new readers who want to learn what's up with Jace Fox, The Next Batman. The art was so-so in my mind but not something that was too bad but like the story, the art just felt like the Digital First title too... I'm just thankful I liked what we had before and I liked what we have going on here....... a terrible first issue though. Read Full Review

If you're not a fan of Jace Fox, this book isn't going to show you anything overly badass that'll convince you that he's suddenly the best character of all time. What it will show you, though, is something a little more subtle: a man who's slowly working to better himself, claiming the title of Batman to help do that. Whether that's the right thing for him to do seems to be a question that the book poses going forward, and withFear State on the horizon, we're on the precipice of finding out just what this new Batman is really made of. Hopefully, it takes what we've started with here and does something great with it. Read Full Review

The first issue might feel more comprehensive than this issue. On the plus side, Ridley has made Jace entertaining enough to give him time to work out some of the other plotting kinks. Read Full Review

Fracadactyl

Aug 11, 2021

As someone who follows John Ridley's work since the American Way, I'm recognizing the same tropes he uses from his Wildstorm days. For example, access to power and the means to change systemic problems but none of the insight to do it well. I actually see a lot of similarities between Jace and Jason Todd, but to a lower degree. Jace believes in justice and using the systems people gain power from against them. But it also goes into how psychologically difficult it is to support such a crusade. Only problem is, Jace can't live for others for his mistakes because his parents took his ability to take personal responsibility away from him. No amount of therapy, let alone family ones will be able to fix anything. It's a pretty nasty family dr ama; Luke loves his family too much to see how much of it is affecting his brother until it was too late. And with Lucias under some influence along with the past event, he won't allow his son to drag his name through the mud no matter how much it pains him. Because he's convinced of the illusion of doing the right thing. Problem is, this works way better as a trade. This painted his world view as seeing the rich have power over everyone and using capital to brush away problems. Hence why Jace sees Batman as a tool for the rich; he has no insights to Batman, neither does he know that using Batman's tech will put the blame on Bruce. He's selfish enough to focus on how this would affect him because all his life he was able to walk away blameless. Jace is an interesting character, and while I doubt he'll be the Batman (Bruce is too iconic), he'll be a Batman to remember. more

Psycamorean

Aug 16, 2021

I think this would've worked a lot better if the art was more competent, which we'll definitely be getting since I believe Olivier Coipel is working on the series proper. I don't like how John Ridley uses "Trolls." This is a nitpick, for sure, but it seems out of touch and childish to me, for someone who is usually a bit more on point with their social commentary. I would try to push back on the other reviews here, but they literally either just say it's bad without explanation, or they complain about the politics. If you're mad about the politics... I don't know, go bury your head in the sand. it's safe there, children. But if it's not about the politics, I welcome any of the people here who gave this a bad review to comment on mine and ex plain their reasoning. And fair warning, if you say something I take issue with, I will push back against it. I know that's hard to handle for a shocking number of people online. more

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I Review Comics - Jan 9, 2022

Check the review I just posted

Screaming Enigma

Aug 28, 2023

While I did enjoy this, I think I need a little more to become invested in Jace's character. I believe this is acting as a prelude issue of sorts for this series, so there's a bit of leeway from me there. Plus, while I did think the art was pretty bare at times, it wasn't necessarily bad. Plus, it was actually good in some instances, with one example being when Jace is at the protest. As for the writing, while it wasn't my absolute favorite, I did like a good amount of the ideas brought to the table here. All things considered, I think this issue shows potential for the rest of the series and all I can hope is that the team capitalizes on that.

daspidaboy

Aug 10, 2021

It's not bad, I like Jace Fox. Just wish the art was actually better

I Review Comics

Jan 09, 2022

I’m not a fan of current year politics in my entertainment. It’s not because I’m conservative or closed-minded. The problem tends to boil down to writer's virtue signaling to a hot button issue that they aren’t equipped to discuss with the complexity, nuance, and maturity needed to sway an audience one way or another. I do lean conservative so take this review with a grain of salt. However, I did grow up in a Democratic household and can usually relate to topical arguments as long as they are presented in good faith. I mention my political leanings to say that “I Am Batman #0 opens with one of the most ridiculous sequences I’ve ever read in a comic book. The comic opens with a confrontation between the GCPD and a group of “peaceful protestors”. The situation seems to be escalating on both sides of the conflict as protestors begin throwing projectiles and the Cops begin to move in. Whether you’re on the side of the Cops or the protestors is irrelevant. The scene is written clumsily and gets worst when the lead officer is fired for doing his job. Commissioner Montoya says that “People hate cops but cops don’t hate people”. No context is given for why the police were at the protest in the first place and the only impression left to take is that Police bad, protests/riots are good. Once the weird opening segment is out of the way we’re presented with a flashback to Tim Fox’s time in Japan before changing his name to Jace. It turns out this is his war name and his primary motivation is to Fight “The System”. The book flashes to the present day and we see Jace’s first attempt to break into the Batman armor. He sees people like Bruce and his Father as thinking they are above the law and wants to use the technology to show them that their strengths can be turned against them.While repurposing the armor, Jace is informed of a false flag operation to infiltrate the protest group and turn it into a full-blown riot to justify government forces moving in. This aspect of the story is the most interesting and should be relatable no matter your position on the nation's current political climate. The book ends with Jace Fox hacking the Bat-suit and showing up at the protests. He’s able to take down the provocateurs but amid the chaos, he’s targeted by the cops due to his vigilante status. The incident also goes viral as protestors unaware of the False Flag get a glimpse of Batman attacking protestors.I am honestly confused about why anyone thought this pitch was a good idea. Jace Fox has daddy and identity issues. He changed his name from Tim to Jace to solidify his place as a revolutionary. He’s also using the Bat-suit to repurpose what Batman stands for. It’s an odd foundation for a series that I don’t believe comes off as the Ridley is intending. The series feels like there was a mandate in the DC office to create a Black Batman that had little to no ties to Bruce Wayne or the Bat-Family. The downside to this story is that it feels like Jace is stealing Bruce’s gear and identity to work out the issues with his own. I think the story would have been better served by Jace taking the Wayne/Fox tech and carving out his own identity. We’ve had a similar storyline in the past when James Rhodes transitioned to War Machine over at Marvel. Even then, James had a long history with Tony before he ever wore the armor. Duke Thomas seems like the perfect candidate to take on the Batman Mantle if DC was hard up to have a Black Batman. Putting Jace in the role feels wrong. Jace doesn’t benefit from an established relationship with Bruce or the Bat-Family which makes this entire scenario seem off. In Short: There are some bright spots to the issue but the foundation of the series is flawed. I cannot recommend this series at this time. more

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Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

I read your review and I have some notes. First off, politics in entertainment: This has always been a thing, and I've found that whenever someone disagrees with putting politics in comics, it's because they simply don't agree with them. I don't really like this subterfuge of "it's not done with nuance and maturity." Of course you're going to think that, you disagree from the get-go. Consequentially, there's no difference between your reasoning and the average braindead's reasoning.

Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

I know there are instances where I've said the same about specific comics, but the specificity does make a difference. It's the generalization that speaks to a broader bias that, frankly, has nothing to do with the manner in which politics influence art, but rather that the art has left-leaning politics in it at all.

Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

Second, the "ridiculous" opening sequence: Cops show up at any protest. If you've ever been to one, you'd have seen them. However, with the average small protests, they're off to the side in their regular uniforms, just as a presence to keep the peace. With certain protests, cops take a more offensive approach. This comic is clearly aping the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. These protests were met with police lines like the one in the issue, with police in full riot gear.

Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

In this context, police are an agitating force. They've literally got the authority to beat and kill you, and now they're standing a few feet away as a threatening force. The job of a cop in a protest is, as stated earlier, to keep the peace. So, when the office says, "we should move back a block and de-escalate," that's exactly what they should be doing. De-escalation is key to any potentially violent situation.

Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

And police are taught this, while typically not being given the tools to effectively do this. (Insert rant about the police as an institution here) Unfortunately, the lead officer clearly thinks less of these protesters and wants to keep the tensions high. This leads to one of the protesters throwing a rock at the cops. And then the cops all descend on the entire protesting group and beat them. This is where you have to think about cops and their power within society.

Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

Cops have an authority over the average citizen. They are paid to enact that authority on the rest of us. They can forcibly stop us, they can arrest us, they can use violent and even lethal force against us. They have immense power over us. That power dynamic comes into play here. You've got an average person who throws a rock at the cops. Then, the cops as one giant force beat down everyone. See, the power imbalance here?

Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

The power that police have comes with a responsibility that was not met here. When you hold more power, you need to exercise restraint. Otherwise, you're just a tyrant. And what happens when people feel like there's no other option for them? They lash out. The onus was on the police to keep tensions from rising, due to their power and authority. Now, in summation, what happened here?

Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

The lead cop kept tensions high, in spite of his job being to keep the peace, and that eventually led to a small violent act by a single powerless individual, that was then met with a big act of violence by a very powerful group. The cop continually escalated this situation and it led to a violence, and the brutalization of an entire group of people. He should be fired.

Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

Third, the "Black Batman" dilemma: The idea that DC could just give Jace his own identity out of the gate, and that it would sell, is laughable. This idea is tossed around whenever a minority group is put into the mantle of an established, white hero. We know this wouldn't work. It wouldn't sell. And we certainly know that the people who say this sort of thing wouldn't be buying it either. Using an established IP to create a more diverse universe is a good thing.

Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

For all the complaints from... let's face it, racists, there are plenty of people who finally have a Batman they can relate to. It's funny that you bring up James Rhodes, because he was Iron Man for a while before transitioning to War Machine. He wasn't trying to carve out his own identity, he just *was* Iron Man. And back then, they didn't have 8 other Iron Man books where you could get your Tony Stark fill.

Psycamorean - Jan 10, 2022

This makes the complaints now, when Bruce Wayne is literally in everything, even more absurd.

I Review Comics - Jan 11, 2022

Thanks for the response. Comics have always been progressive I'll give you that but there is a difference between issues that everyone can relate to like the human condition and suffering and ripped from the headlines leftist propaganda. I'm also reading/reviewing Wonder Woman: Historia. Kelly Ann definitely has a feminist take on the amazons but she also provides nuance and a counter perspective which I appreciated.

I Review Comics - Jan 11, 2022

Ann Nocenti also wrote " The Seeds" which covers a lot of topical issues. She is a bleeding heart liberal but she never descends into pushing an agenda. That makes the comic more relatable to everyone and not just those on the left even if you disagree with the writers take.

I Review Comics - Jan 11, 2022

I think Jan 6th was a false flag operation and I also believe that Antifa gets "peaceful" protests get infiltrated by agitators. The second half of the issue is a lot more interesting because these are questions we all have in the current political climate of misinformation. I appreciate this aspect of the comic but overall the book has several issues that go beyond politics or Jace being batman. I see where John is going with the story I just didn't like the issue.

I Review Comics - Jan 11, 2022

A lot of the themes covered in this issue were handled better in Sam Wilson: Captain America by Nick Spencer. Which also featured a African American taking on the mantle of a beloved White character. I don't need to agree with the with the writers politics but we're all human and a the experience is universal. This stuff doesn't need to be as on the nose as its often presented in current year entertainment.

I Review Comics - Jan 11, 2022

I also think there are too many batman books and would be perfectly fine with the line being pared down to Batman and Detective comics.

Psycamorean - Jan 11, 2022

How is police brutality not relatable? We're all under their bootheels, and if you can't relate with the suffering of the people being beaten, then that says something about you. I think if you could be more honest about your positions, that'd be very helpful. January 6th was not a false flag operation. It was televised, there was open communication from the insurrectionists prior to the attacks about their plans.

Psycamorean - Jan 11, 2022

There is a multitude of evidence, from the GPS location of everyone in that building, and where most of them came from (Trump's rally), to the messages sent by Republican members of congress who helped plan it. You really should appreciate that second half on misinformation, because you have a front row seat to it. I've read Nick Spencer's Cap run, and I find it funny that you say this is too on the nose, but that run wasn't.

Psycamorean - Jan 11, 2022

That run literally had these cyborg cops called Americops that openly beat people to death in the streets without any provocation. This is like what you said about Jim Rhodes. Your point doesn't actually work if the person you're saying it to is aware of the context. My point about the number of bat-titles wasn't that it's good there are so many, but that it makes the whining about a black Batman even more absurd when you can't get away from Bruce Wayne if you tried.

Merlyn

Aug 10, 2021

I guess the short review for this should be "No, you're NOT Batman". Anyway, I really, really hope that DC doesn't plan to give this guy the Batman book now that Tynion is finally leaving it. Because this was bad, as was Future State The Next Batman and the digital series. Honestly, no one in their right mind wants to read about pRiViLeGe and trolls online in a Batman book, Ridley is focusing on all the wrong things.

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Batmanaholic - Aug 11, 2021

Ya I've decided this book is a No for me. It's the first book that says Batman on it that I haven't bought (usually I get two-3 copies of everything Batman) But Jace is not Batman, him and dc can scream " I am Batman " 1,000,000 times, and it will never be true. Bruce Wayne is Batman, and nobody can uphold the mantle the way he does. Not nightwing, Jason, (pre bi sexual tim, because now even his new boyfriend is as tough as him ) and Jim Gordon even thought he was a bad Batman.

Batmanaholic - Aug 11, 2021

And if DC makes the mainline Batman book Jace after fear state. I'm out and will be building up my trade collection of older Batman stories/ other series. I don't have to give dc money if they make books nobody wants.

DarePool53 - Aug 11, 2021

@Batmanaholic I'm thinking the exact same. Having endured the Tom King experiment, my goodwill and patience is wearing thin - to the point that I will drop the main Batman book for the first time since first picking it up almost 9 years ago.

Batmanaholic - Aug 11, 2021

@DarePool53 man that's what I don't get about the hate of tynions run. It's not perfect but atleast it's fun to read, and Batman does Batman things in it. He doesn't need catwoman to do it for him. I didn't mind the first 50 issues of kings run, but god damn Bruce became such a crybaby bitch in the second half, and then needed cat woman to do anything cool in the last 37 issues.

Mingthemerciless - Aug 11, 2021

As I understand it all the Tim Fox books have dropped out of the top 50 sales after one or two issues. By comparison all the other batbooks remain in the top 50. It's pretty clear the character is not resonating with DC readers.

Mingthemerciless - Aug 11, 2021

His cause is somewhat of a selfish one as compared to Bruce Wayne's. Bruce became Batman so that what happened to should never rdd happen to anyone else. Tim Fox has a problem with rich people and how they affect poor people. Mind you hes stolen Bruce's gear and his father has effectively stolen the Wayne fortune. So now he he has a beef with his even richer dad.

Mingthemerciless - Aug 11, 2021

Bruce trained fir years with Ducard Giovanni Zataea Master Rikishi and a host of others. Tim Fox trained briefly under Karaba. Yet this guy is the better Batman for today? Nothung about him is earned. Mo...hes not Batman.

Mingthemerciless - Aug 11, 2021

I'm ready to drop DC if they make bu Tim canon. I have no intention of returning to DC if Tim Fox continues to steal what is Bruce Wayne's. Bruce IS Batman.

Mingthemerciless - Aug 11, 2021

Apologies for the bad proof reading...Master Kirigi where Bruce learned ninjutsu and Guovanni Zatara the father of Zatana. Rikishi is WWE.

Merlyn - Aug 11, 2021

@WinterSolider: No need to thank me, I'll always say what's on my mind even if it bothers some here. I'm glad I see others like you, Batmanaholic, DarePool53 or Ming who don't buy DC's crap. It's time they started listening to the fans and not to the toxic mind of people like Ridley who see nothing but race, privilege and crap like that. What they're trying to do to Bruce is disgraceful.

SenpaifenixJäger - Aug 12, 2021

I don't know what the DC directors have on their minds politicizing the comics, people don't want to read about stupid politics from the left or right, or how they all go nonsense or a spoiled fat woman traumatized because her mother is pretty. We want creativity, blows, action, conflict. He is not a pathetic bad character, I think they spend more to goof around with the characters and give prominence to nefarious characters just to please some whiners who are not interested in buying comics.

SenpaifenixJäger - Aug 12, 2021

Take away Jason and Nightwing's guns and this garbage promotes hatred of people with money? What's Next? Let's make a ghetto for the rich and throw it on them?

Mingthemerciless - Aug 12, 2021

You nailed it again fenix. Mo one wants politics in their stories right or left. If its used as a set up or backdrop fine just tell me a good story. But if it's to push ideology and agendas then NO we don't want it for any side. These activists know mo one will buy a book of original creations that push their agenda so they trojan horse their poison in the books with larger audiences. Bruce is rich and he is more a philanthropist and just man than anything Ridley can come up with.

Merlyn - Aug 12, 2021

@fenix: "Let's make a ghetto for the rich" Don't give them any ideas, man. :)) There are a lot of writers in the industry who flirt up with Marxism, I would not put it above them to come up with ideas like that.

Merlyn - Aug 13, 2021

And it turns out Batman will leave Gotham at the end of the year. So yeah, they are probably replacing Batman with Jace Fox. Absolutely disgraceful!

Merlyn - Aug 13, 2021

Yeah, and I couldn't care less about Jace Fox as Batman. Especially written by Ridley, I couldn't care less about his war on "privilege".

Merlyn - Aug 13, 2021

It was more of the same, really. It revealed his backstory, that's the only thing that mattered.

Mingthemerciless - Aug 13, 2021

I just read it Merlyn. At the moment I've been buying out if continuity batbooks but with Bruce thrown off his own book I'm dumping DC as long hes not main Batman. Bi Tim Drake makes that decision even easier. I have no interest in Tim Foxs war on "privilege" Ridley or otherwise. I still suspect after an initial spike in sales from speculators and the curious Batman sales will tank in numbers we haven't seen since before Denny O Neill saved the ship.

Mingthemerciless - Aug 13, 2021

Dark Knight D. We know Bruce will be back because after the issue 1 spike the sales will plunge. I think you'll even see Batman leave the top 10. For context Tom Fox books leave the top 50 after a couple of issues. Even the tpbs don't make it. Its clear the core readers arent invested in the character and its fair to say for various reasons.

Jurooo

Aug 12, 2021

No YOU are not Batman and you never will be.

cAPTIN

Aug 12, 2021

Worst Batman comic of all time. Only Batman is Bruce Wayne.

myconius

Aug 12, 2021

oh my god, was this ever BAD!!!!! this is not anything even close to a good representation of Batman. i don't know what this is supposed to be? but it's not Batman. more like a really bad Iron-man knock off. and the character Tim is just not interesting at all, nor are any of the supporting characters. as for the art, YIKES!!! this just doe not look good at all. very amateurish looking, and YUCK!! DC has a LOT of nerve selling this for five bucks, those bunch of &%$#ng a-holes!!!!! a score of "1" is TOO HIGH!!! there should be a zero score for crap like this. i should have just went with my gut instinct and read Batman '89 first. gonna wait till the headache i got from reading this poor excuse for a batman comic subsides.

Spoiler

Aug 16, 2021

Bravo DC in creating a batman with ton of political correctness. Say no to DC mean say no to political correctness.

Bats44121

Sep 15, 2021

Jace Fox's "Batman" and an innocent protester:"Please Batman, don't kill me." "My whole life is built on deceptions." And so is this comic book series. It is about a hit and run killer who tries to rationalize his murder and lack of punishment by wearing someone else's Batman costume and beating up other people, over his unending shame and disgust about himself. But he "can't be an instrument of violence." And DC Comics and Ridley simply don't care about the level of hypocrisy that they put on paper. Notice how the real victims, the Acevedo family, are never mentioned?

S.J

Mar 21, 2022

No, you aren't Batman !