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Batman
Batman: Evolution
Picking up where BATMAN: NO MAN'S LAND VOLUME 5 left off, this trade paperback begins the rebirth of Gotham City. Once again sanctioned by the government, Gotham finds itself on the brink of a civil war between the OG's, those that stayed in Gotham when it was declared off limits, and the DeeZee's, those that left and have now returned. As Batman, Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl try to prevent a war on the streets from breaking out, the Dark Knight's greatest nemesis, Ra's al Ghul, enacts a deadly plot that will first consume the city and then the world.
Collects Detective Comics Vol. 1 #742 to #750.
Collects Detective Comics Vol. 1 #742 to #750.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
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339 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,493 books1,924 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 10, 2019
This is well written and a cool idea to have Gotham evolve after the events of No Man's Land. The issues I had are mostly the storytelling, while good, doesn't really excite me much. Also, was NOT a fan of the art really at all. Some good stories in here like Gordan dealing with the loss of his wife, and Bruce dealing with change, but overall nothing super memorable. A 2.5 out of 5.
February 28, 2015
This book is a continuation of the excellent “Batman: No Man’s Land” sequence, unfortunately it is a step down. While the artwork of the NML series was excellent, in this book the coloration is minimal and the lines are drawn much more harshly.
Gotham City is being rebuilt at a frenetic pace, yet it is split into two groups. The people that stayed in the city are called “OGs” and those that left and have returned are called “Deezees.” There is a great deal of tension between the two groups with people in each group agitating against the other. Criminal gangs based largely on nationality have carved out their respective niches and they often engage in violent actions against each other.
There is also the presence of a gang that is providing an alchemical elixir that will give a human for eternal life. However, it is extremely addictive, must be taken to maintain the longevity and alters your body structure so that you become part animal. For example, one of the gang members is part king cobra. The leader of the elixir gang and his lieutenants use the hostility of the criminal gangs to incite additional violence so that they can take over the underworld of Gotham City and stopping them is the primary task that Batman is working on.
While the story has some good qualities, I simply could not overcome the visual theme of the story. It may be that I was spoiled by the previous NML books, but what I saw here left me lacking.
This review also appears on Amazon
Gotham City is being rebuilt at a frenetic pace, yet it is split into two groups. The people that stayed in the city are called “OGs” and those that left and have returned are called “Deezees.” There is a great deal of tension between the two groups with people in each group agitating against the other. Criminal gangs based largely on nationality have carved out their respective niches and they often engage in violent actions against each other.
There is also the presence of a gang that is providing an alchemical elixir that will give a human for eternal life. However, it is extremely addictive, must be taken to maintain the longevity and alters your body structure so that you become part animal. For example, one of the gang members is part king cobra. The leader of the elixir gang and his lieutenants use the hostility of the criminal gangs to incite additional violence so that they can take over the underworld of Gotham City and stopping them is the primary task that Batman is working on.
While the story has some good qualities, I simply could not overcome the visual theme of the story. It may be that I was spoiled by the previous NML books, but what I saw here left me lacking.
This review also appears on Amazon
January 22, 2008
Greg Rucka earns five stars for the scripting in this compelling story of bigotry and segregation in post-No Man's Land Gotham. Even if the end of the story turns too much toward the old saws of Talia and Ra's Al Ghul in conflict with "the Detective," Ra's' manipulation of Gotham's gangs and of his own henchmen works well through most of the arc's issues.
Unfortunately, the art by Shawn Martinbrough is dreadful, and degenerates across the story arc. His thick, simple line work seems more appropriate for a children's comic, but has none of the finesse of someone like Darwyn Cooke. This is made worse by the decision to use spot coloring and/or monochrome washes in each issue, rather than full color. I can't imagine what drove the publishers to this, as it makes the artwork look even more amateurish and does nothing to enhance the story (unlike its use in, say, Sin City).
Unfortunately, the art by Shawn Martinbrough is dreadful, and degenerates across the story arc. His thick, simple line work seems more appropriate for a children's comic, but has none of the finesse of someone like Darwyn Cooke. This is made worse by the decision to use spot coloring and/or monochrome washes in each issue, rather than full color. I can't imagine what drove the publishers to this, as it makes the artwork look even more amateurish and does nothing to enhance the story (unlike its use in, say, Sin City).
January 17, 2015
Rucka's Batman reminds me Batman: TAS --- Martinbrough's artwork is perfect for the noir feel of the book.
March 9, 2023
Low 3 for me, almost a 2.
I liked the parts that dealt with what's going on in Gotham City. In the main "Evolution" story line it's more in the background, but the issue/chapter "Happy Birthday Two You..." and the 2-issue "Urban Renewal" are both grounded stories that take place entirely in Gotham. The latter explores the tensions between the people who remained in Gotham during the No Man's Land time, and those who left and came back.
I did not like the story with Ra's al Ghul and his henchperson Whisper. Their dialog is super corny and I just wasn't very engaged. Plus the art is quite bad. Although it looks good as you flip quickly through, once you start reading you see the execution is rough. Yes, there are a few very good panels, and some good portions of panels, but the layouts are awful and there are so many bad drawings.
Such as:
* Many bad drawings of liquid, and of people drinking liquid. (yes, this is a pet peeve of mine)
* On page 50 a character is drawn on his stomach in a hogtied position but there's no rope securing his legs. His legs are bent and his feet are in the air for no apparent reason!
* Lots of anatomy problems. And hands :(
* A girl presses her face against glass and her forehead, nose, chin, and both cheeks all touch the glass AT THE SAME TIME!
However, the art got noticeably better in chapter 3, the layouts in particular. They added a second penciler named John Watkiss. I wonder how he and the original (solo) penciler from the first two chapters Sean Martinbrough shared the work? And I quite liked the art by penciler Phil Hester in the "Urban Renewal" issues.
I liked the parts that dealt with what's going on in Gotham City. In the main "Evolution" story line it's more in the background, but the issue/chapter "Happy Birthday Two You..." and the 2-issue "Urban Renewal" are both grounded stories that take place entirely in Gotham. The latter explores the tensions between the people who remained in Gotham during the No Man's Land time, and those who left and came back.
I did not like the story with Ra's al Ghul and his henchperson Whisper. Their dialog is super corny and I just wasn't very engaged. Plus the art is quite bad. Although it looks good as you flip quickly through, once you start reading you see the execution is rough. Yes, there are a few very good panels, and some good portions of panels, but the layouts are awful and there are so many bad drawings.
Such as:
* Many bad drawings of liquid, and of people drinking liquid. (yes, this is a pet peeve of mine)
* On page 50 a character is drawn on his stomach in a hogtied position but there's no rope securing his legs. His legs are bent and his feet are in the air for no apparent reason!
* Lots of anatomy problems. And hands :(
* A girl presses her face against glass and her forehead, nose, chin, and both cheeks all touch the glass AT THE SAME TIME!
However, the art got noticeably better in chapter 3, the layouts in particular. They added a second penciler named John Watkiss. I wonder how he and the original (solo) penciler from the first two chapters Sean Martinbrough shared the work? And I quite liked the art by penciler Phil Hester in the "Urban Renewal" issues.
March 31, 2024
Set after the events of No Man's Land, Batman must contend with agents of Ra's al Ghul, who are seeking to take over organised crime in Gotham.
Despite the bulk of this book being about the Ra's al Ghul agent Whisper, it is actually the weakest part, the conflict between the citizens of Gotham who weathered NML (OGs) and those that fled and then returned when everything was safe (DeeZees) much stronger. Greg Rucka clearly writes better stories grounded in relality than those of a more fantastical nature - and it shows here. It's almost unvelievable that these are written by the same person! The scenes with Commisioner Gordon as he deals with the death of his wife, Det. Montoya and the GCPD dealing with their conflicted feelings between OGs and DeeZees are powerful tales well told, foreshadowing the brilliant work Rucka goes on to explore in Gotham Central. The Whisper storyline is very two dimentional by comparrison. Shawn Martinborough's art is sadly mediocre too, perhps aiming for a Bruce Timm style with Frank Miller shadow art influences it doesnt really capture either, and isn't helped with the decsion to douse the black and white pallete with red or green, which has none of the impact seen in Sin City (which is perhaps what they were going for?). With some beautiful covers by Dave Johnson this book is still worth a read but mainly for the NML fallout stories.
Despite the bulk of this book being about the Ra's al Ghul agent Whisper, it is actually the weakest part, the conflict between the citizens of Gotham who weathered NML (OGs) and those that fled and then returned when everything was safe (DeeZees) much stronger. Greg Rucka clearly writes better stories grounded in relality than those of a more fantastical nature - and it shows here. It's almost unvelievable that these are written by the same person! The scenes with Commisioner Gordon as he deals with the death of his wife, Det. Montoya and the GCPD dealing with their conflicted feelings between OGs and DeeZees are powerful tales well told, foreshadowing the brilliant work Rucka goes on to explore in Gotham Central. The Whisper storyline is very two dimentional by comparrison. Shawn Martinborough's art is sadly mediocre too, perhps aiming for a Bruce Timm style with Frank Miller shadow art influences it doesnt really capture either, and isn't helped with the decsion to douse the black and white pallete with red or green, which has none of the impact seen in Sin City (which is perhaps what they were going for?). With some beautiful covers by Dave Johnson this book is still worth a read but mainly for the NML fallout stories.
February 16, 2023
A very simple rule for Batman / Bat Family: if Rucka's the author, it's almost certainly worth reading. Evolution is no exception, and it is a near-perfect Bat story. Set in the aftermath of No Man's Land, with Gotham being rebuilt Ra's al Ghul sets out to infiltrate Gotham's underground. You get all the classic elements of a Batman story: an actual mystery with actual detective work, deep character building and development, and a story that is mostly based in the seedy underground of Gotham. There is an interesting interlude in the story about the tensions in Gotham between those who stayed during No Man's Land and those who left, and have now returned. The art is very evocative of Batman: The Animated Series. A great read that I really enjoyed.
April 21, 2018
This book picks up after the amazing No Man's Land story arc. The book feels and looks like a noir novel. I would usually rate the art work as average and coloring below average. However, within the frame work of the story it fits very well.
The story has Batman and Commissioner Gordon dealing with the fighting of the people who stayed and those who deserted Gotham City during the No Man's Land story arc. While this is going on Ra's al Ghul tries to release a new drug on the streets of Gotham city that causes mutations.
The story has Batman and Commissioner Gordon dealing with the fighting of the people who stayed and those who deserted Gotham City during the No Man's Land story arc. While this is going on Ra's al Ghul tries to release a new drug on the streets of Gotham city that causes mutations.
May 13, 2023
This is pretty much how I like my Batman: on the noir side of crime, a little bit of the fantastic to spice it up but mostly detective work. It’s helped enormously by some really lovely art, although Hester and Mitchell have a few continuity issues regarding moustaches that are slightly annoying. Most offputting is a bunch of antagonists called the Burnley Massive, who as someone who lives next to the British Burnley conjures up an image of teenage scrotes dicking about on the benches outside Poundland where Argos used to be drinking energy drinks and swapping vapes
May 12, 2018
The story is fine, but I really enjoyed the art. Each arc has its own colors, usually just black and white with one extra color. Red, then purple and yellow, then green. I enjoyed the Gordon and Bruce Wayne in Gotham stuff, but the Ra's al Ghul plot wasn't very interesting/original.
July 16, 2020
Evolution is a well written story following the No Man’s Land story arc but what I really loved was the artwork and effective use of colour, it added to the atmosphere and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
November 11, 2022
The inking and coloring surpasses a fairly middling story. Interesting idea but I feel like the antagonists were very under-motivated. "I'm devoted to the demon's head!" Yes... but ... why? Like, you've hooked my interest. Do explain.
November 10, 2019
Pretty interesting. Feel like I should read no man's land now, but also want to continue the rest.
November 22, 2021
Tomo 48 de Batman La Colección. Incluye la saga del título quizás menos un capítulo.
May 27, 2022
Complot realizado por Ra's al Ghul. Lectura recomendada para lectores habituales de Batman.
November 2, 2023
wtf was that ending
December 12, 2025
It’s a soft story to ease after No Man’s Land and I appreciate what it does while also giving a real new threat.
June 18, 2013
Greg Rucka has such a good handle on, not only Batman, but all the denizens of Gotham City. With No Man's Land ending there comes all kinds of different issues and here we see how Batman and Commissioner Gordon have to deal with them. The inclusion of Ra's Al Ghul is perfect and the introduction of Whisper A'Daire is creepy and brilliant. Seeing actual detective work from Gordon and Batman is something many writers fail at. The art by Shawn Martinbrough is very good but the star here is the coloring. Fantastic use of red scales that is reminiscent of J.H. Williams. Overall, a very good book.
May 9, 2012
Batman gets a much-needed boost after the over-long No Man's Land with a tightly-constructed and exciting story by Greg Rucka. We get to see the Bat exercising his detective skills, as well as some exciting action sequences and general weirdness. And Shawn Martinbrough's art-- along with the cool, monochromatic coloring-- is really singular, unique and fresh. This is the beginning of a two-year run for Rucka and Martinbrough, and I think it ranks up there among the all-time best creative teams ever to work on Batman.
July 7, 2014
Upon first reading this I really liked the return to the crime story roots of Batman, but was not feeling the minimal use of color. I don't know if DC is being cheap or trying to be artsy with this. As I previously said I really liked the beginning story, but this quickly headed south. It got kind of boring with the side stories about some of Gotham PD. Weak start to what should have been a great Post NO Man's Land.
August 19, 2010
This is a case for 3.5 stars, but because it's Greg Rucka, I'm rounding it up (yes, I'm biased). I liked the way he portrayed the post-NML Gotham, and I loved the story about Renee, but I wasn't too fond of the whole Ra's al Ghul plot. Still, overall I was surprised to see how much I liked it, and it was a good read.
September 30, 2012
Continuing the No Man's Land storyline in a solid fashion, even if I find the more fantastical elements common to comic books less interesting in Batman tales than in others. We all know one of the best aspects of batman is that he ain't got super powers. Throwing in shape-changers and immortality elixirs moves him out of the realm of ersatz realness and into fantasy land.
February 27, 2015
This is a very nicely put together collection. The plot is good with minimal holes, and the artwork is awesome! More than once I caught myself just really appreciating the inking by Steve Mitchel and the Coloring by WildStorm FX. They did a great job of using a minimal palate to set the tone for the portions of the story.
January 23, 2017
The color palette on this storyline is fantastic and Rucka's plotting is tight with characters behaving and interacting like human beings which is always a bonus in your typically action-plot-driven hero comics.
June 18, 2020
Un comic genial de Batman enfrentándose a uno de sus enemigos más mortales aparte del guasón, ya que Ra's Al Ghul es un personaje formidable en batalla, pelea, inteligencia y además es inmortal, la trama está cargada de acción, muy entretenida,dónde aparecen los compañeros de Batman también.
October 7, 2010
Nice aftermath for No Man's Land. Rucka manufactures nice stories, although he does not seem to reach the peak that is Whiteout.
And I disliked the art oh so much.
And I disliked the art oh so much.
Want to read
October 7, 2011Supongo que me lo leeré cuando haya llegado a este punto de la historia (coleccionable anterior mediante), pero me lo quise comprar cuando lo vi en kiosco antes de que desaparezca.
March 6, 2017
quite a quirky story with some interesting/supernatural elements and some ties to the Demon's head.
June 7, 2014
Un buen guión aunque falla el dibujo y el final, es una buena manera de arrancar el New Gotham post-NML y que mejor que con Rha's Al Ghul como enemigo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews