Batman: Justice Buster, Vol. 2

Batman: Justice Buster

by Eiichi Shimizu, Tomohiro Shimoguchi (Illustrator), Sheldon Drzka (Translator)

Crime in Gotham has gotten so out of control that Batman must step up his arsenal of fabulous toys.

Continuing where Batman Justice Buster Vol. 1 left off, Gotham City is more bold, more destructive. As Batman tries to rise to meet these new threats, he develops a computer system, ROBIN, to help him analyze and subdue the rising criminal tide and hopefully one day put an end to crime in Gotham.

Genres: Manga, Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Batman, Superheroes, Action

192 pages, Paperback

Published February 6, 2024

About the author

Eiichi Shimizu (清水栄一) is a Japanese mangaka.

Reviews

[Khurram · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good second volume, full of many revelations, and the changes to this worlds Batman. I like the way the characters are coming together. Different variations from the classic Batman characters, but they work. A lot of heavy reliance on technology which could be Batman's downfall, all very good cameos. Things are really getting interesting in this series.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still continuing to be an enjoyable Batman Elseworlds type of story. This one took on a more fast-paced and action-forward style in its storytelling. I enjoyed the art in this one a lot.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a unique alternate version of Batman and Gotham. Not sure if I’ll read the next volumes or not. I feel like it’s not grabbing me very well, even though they’re very quick reads.

[Cress · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate that bitch Jason Todd.

Also, Batman, you idiot. Of COURSE the AI became evil.

[FrontalNerdaty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid, if not all that original, telling of a Batman story. All the basics are here - intrigue, murder, betrayals and reveals. It’s all fine and if these manga volumes were your introduction to Batman they’d be perfect.

3/5

[Mason Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a unique idea for Batman in the times we live in. Awesome and the art is batshit insanely good.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I apparently gave book 1 four stars, but whatever happened in between that and this, I don't know... I just didn't like this volume as much by far.

Well, okay, part of it is the Glasgow smiles (don't look that up if you don't like being grossed out), but part of it is also just the haphazardness of the plot. Suddenly ALL THE CAST makes an appearance, from Penguin to Two-Face to Mr. Freeze to E. Nigma to Superman as an antagonist, with once again Joker on Batman's side for some reason specific to this reimagining. (This is spelled out in an afterword section, which really would have benefitted book 1.)

I was also wrong about what "Justice Buster" was in my last review, but to be fair, it made a ONE-PAGE appearance before the book ended, with not a lot of hint about what the deal was. This is made a little clearer now, but I don't really like it all the same. It's just not a plot progression that interests me anymore. I probably won't pick up any more of this series, especially since the main reason I did in the first place was Target carried it, but since they've now stopped selling almost all manga, I basically have no reason to keep looking for it.

Recommended if rebooting Batman YET AGAIN is your jam! I'm kind of bored with it now.

[Eric Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman has been a staple of DC Comics since 1939. Starting out with comic book publications, the Batman stories grew. Today, there are several Batman franchises in every form of media, including Japanese Manga. Batman’s popularity increases as more writers and artists interpret and expand his legend.

Batman: Justice Buster Vol. 2, published by DC, is the latest rendering by writer Eiichi Shimizu and artist Tomohiro Shimoguchi. With every new writing, Batman’s story grows and develops. Shimizu’s interpretation is fun, exciting, and a bit different. The basics of the Batman story are there, but with new twists. I am older than most Batman fans (But not as old as the superhero himself). I found the story shocking but interesting. Shimizu definitely adds a fresh dimension to the saga.

Japanese Mangaka Shimoguchi brings his unique touch to the book, infusing it with the dark feel common with Batman comics. Shimoguchi’s illustrations and characters not only capture the essence of Batman but also give this graphic novel an authentic Manga feel. The fight scenes, explosions, and all the cool Batman vehicles add to the overall feel, making it a true Batman experience. Fans and collectors of the shadowy vigilante will love Batman: Justice Buster Vol. 2.

This review was originally published at https://portlandbookreview.com/produc...

[AviChaim Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still not sure what to make of this volume. The way the events are unfolding are unlike most Batman books. I like some of the changes, while others are still developing for me (currently not a fan, but open to the interpretation). For example, I love the takes on most of the DC characters; however, the Joker being a hero is throwing me as well as Dick Grayson being a child while Jason Todd is an adult detective? Mr. Freeze looks awesome, as well as the other villains but we haven't seen them yet and that's what this book is missing. Most of the conflict within this volume is internal and between the protagonists, not even necessarily between the Joker and Batman as heroes with opposing ideologies. The strife with Superman feels a little forced and happening too quick within the overall story. I will continue to read; however, the book is on the fence and I may cut the title from my pull list if Volume 3 doesn't fix some of these issues. I'm holding my recommendation until further reading. Grade: C

[Adam Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This manga just gets better!
Some highlights:
- Batmobile looks amazing!
- Batman's "partner" Joker is revealed to be Jason Todd, who figures out that Bruce Wayne is Batman
- Dick "Danny" Grayson is learning investigation skills so he can solve his parents murder.
- A detective has figured out that Dick's Uncle Sam Reynaud is actually Joe Chill, the man who killed Bruce's parents AND the Graysons'.
- Initially being scouted for the Justice League by Superman, Batman is now at odds with him due to a mech being used that can fight superpowered people. When the mech shuts Batman out and goes rogue on his own.... that's a big problem.

I will definitely be keeping up on this series. Hope it has a very long run.
Strong recommend.

[Noelle Haycraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume was more intriguing than the first one, which I usually find the opposite to be true. The one thing that freaked me out? The fact that the investigator is Jason Todd and he's calling himself the Joker and he's OLDER than Dick Grayson??? It's WEIRD and wasn't expected. Again, like I said last time, I'm willing to go along with it but it's taking a second to get used to. Because it's not like it's a small age-gap either between Dick and Jason. Jason is maybe in his mid to late 20s?? And Dick is close to 9 or 10 years old, because we're seeing him right after his parents were killed.

Happy to continue on with the series!!

Happy Reading!!

[SzaraReadsComics · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm always a sucker for manga adaptations of media that originally were very much not manga. But this one is quite mediocre overall, the parade of villains is getting a bit ridiculous considering how many we got in just two volumes. And as a Jason Todd girlie I gotta say that I'm very meh about the reveal that he is here. Everyone else is just a slightly alternate version of what we know from main canon but then Jason is just a completely different person... Not enjoying Superman here either. Also, what is it with Batman and fighting his own sentient AI all the time?

[Ben Canfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Batman: Power Ranger?

Same fast pace as Volume 1, but feels like there’s a little too much going on — and I’m not really sure where this story is wanting to go. This new take on the characters still feels fresh, which is what really grabbed me in the first volume. But we simultaneously have a Joker origin story, two Robin origin stories, Batman vs. Superman, and a rogue AI that’s suddenly going full Ultron all happening at once. There’s definitely something here — I think I’ll give it another few volumes to see if it can get there.

[Damian Sandoval · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is obviously the follow-up to the first volume of the manga, a volume which I thought was just okay.
My main problem with the first volume was that it felt like things were happening at random, but in this volume, the plot finally takes shape. So, I consider this book as quite an improvement as the set-ups of the previous volume pay off and there was quite a twist at the end.

[Juances · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm conflicted with this series because on one hand it's a different take in batman, but on the other everything that's different ends up being in a pretty predictable banner.

Like oh, Robin is an AI built to fight crime... but of course it decides to turn against it's creator because it calculated that humanity is flawed.

It's original but at the same time it isn't.

[Kyle Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues to entertain. We learn more about the gumshoe vigilante Joker who's taken wayward Dick Grayson under his wing to build him up and for his mysterious connection the Wayne's murder case. There's action, there's more rogues gallery drops, and Batman gets in the robot!

I'm loving this story more and more, and I need more and more.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is having a lot of fun with the characters--a parade of villains in a deeper story arc--and I like a lot of the twists.

I was actually bummed when I got to the end and realized I'd have to wait for more!

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esta fui yo viendo que el detective, el Joker, y Jason son la misma persona :0000
O sea, queeeeé? Sé que es un universo diferente del que conocemos, pero sí estuvo random
Y qué ganas de poner a Batman y Superman a pelear 😩
Halando de cosas random, lo de robin también estuvo raro -.-

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still a creative take on early Batman. The unexpected things being done with Joker are certainly interesting. Throwing every available villain into the last couple of chapters just because is less so.

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had a dollar for every time I read about an AI turned against humanity in the name of saving humanity. I would have 5 dollars, which in the grand scheme of things isn't a lot, but is a worrying trend.

Good, me like! :3

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

An alternate Batman story where someone else was identified as the murderer of Bruce's parents. Jason Todd is a private eye and Dick is his kid assistant. And the big one, the Joker is working with Batman. It's not bad. It goes real fast.

[Jason Koop · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stakes continue to rise as the story develops. The characters continue to run the fine line of being unique to this story's world and instantly recognizable. Artwork is nothing short of fantastic.

[Mich León · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joya

[Fernando Suastegui · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Mejor que el primer tomo.

[Diana Montes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the twists. The revelation of who is who in this volume and how Jason is introduced was a delight.

[Izabella Warczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️

[Flora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot twists!

[remi 🐀 · Rating 3 out of 5]

batfam vs ai love to see it

[Sarah Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the crime-fighting AI Batman has been working on goes rogue as a means of showing where Bruce's toxic control issues and nihilism tend to lead him: OH WHO COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING?

[Zero · Rating 3 out of 5]

JASON IS THE JOKER? WTF IS THIS STORY??