Batman Vol. 2: The Bat-Man of Gotham

Batman (2016)

by Chip Zdarsky, Mike Hawthorne (illustrator)

Following his battle with Failsafe, the Dark Knight is transported to a darker, more hopeless Gotham City that never had a Batman and instead has…the Red Mask, brutalizing the population with his army of monsters, including Harvey Dent and Killer Croc. Batman will face the most grueling test yet: fighting a true one-man war to save his city!

Genres: Comics, Batman, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2023

About the author

Chip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

"It's all about the multiverse, isn't it?" -- Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman

"Ah, yes . . . " -- Darwin Halliday, a.k.a. the malefactor known as the Red Mask

Unfortunately, my initial response was more like a groaning "Oh, f*** no" when I realized that the increasingly overused and tired multiverse concept - running rampant in both the DC and Marvel storylines - was being used in the plotting for the follow-up to the often very good Vol. 1: Failsafe. And yet . . . damned if this volume didn't start actually getting better into the latter half, with Tim Drake's Robin showing some exceptional initiative and courage as he attempts to track down his cape-and-cowl attired mentor, who is trapped in a harsh alternate world. Especially noteworthy - and heartwarmingly memorable - was a sustained segment in the third act where Batman repeatedly jumps into different timelines to briefly interact with and/or get assistance from several versions of himself. The visual depictions of the various Bat'men' gloriously range from the differing incarnations via legendary DC artists Neal Adams and Frank Miller to the screen actors Adam West and Michael Keaton to the acclaimed animated TV series of the 90's. (The moment when West's Caped Crusader unhesitatingly provides a helping hand to the volume's protagonist, right down to the dialogue used, was perfection.) While I didn't like it quite as much as the initial book this one still had its moments.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite entertaining but I’m so burnt out on alternate universe stuff in comics at this point.

Ironically (because who said I couldn’t be a walking contradiction?) the high point of this collection was issue 900, which was the most multiversey part of the story.

[Molly™☺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Multi-verse madness that sells itself on rehashing the familiar in a fresh new sandbox, as well as nostalgia through obvious, yet welcome, fan service. The themes presented are already widely explored territory within Batman's comic lineup, and truth be told, this doesn't offer anything new. However, it's still worth reading, especially for fans of various forms of Bat media.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give me more of Chip Zdarsky’s Batman NOW! Issue 135 (Legacy 900) was an absolute 10/10. Stoked to see him continue with this character!

[Willow Heath]

Chip Zdarsky goes from strength to strength; may his run on Batman last for years! This is the best Batman has been for so many years. Zdarsky, the readers, and Batman himself all deserve for this to last!

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great book. I was not sure how this book was going to play out. I loved seeing Batman/Bruce getting back to basics, putting the fear back into criminals. I think in the recent Batman book's criminals have gotten too used to Batman's methods.

Batman wakes up bruised and broken physically and mentally, and if he beloved it spiritually. He finds himself in a Gotham without Batman or a Bruce Wayne. Can Batman rise again. Also, Tim and the Bat-family have not given up on him either.

I love the multiverse cameos. Great artwork and lots of action. I also find the changes in Batman interesting. I really want to see where the story goes next.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok wow... this Volume went many places I didn't expect. Some shocking, some permanent...
Highlights:
- "Dying" (kind of) in the last Volume to Failsafe, Bruce wakes in a world unknown. He has travelled the multiverse to a universe where there hasn't ever been a Batman... where Bruce Wayne used his family fortune to become a social worker and help the poor.
- Leading the villains of this world: Judge Dent, a venom enhanced version of Harvey Dent; a different and more ruthless Selina Kyle; and Darwin Halliday, a tycoon who took over the Wayne Enterprises role, but also is Red Mask, someone connected to the multiverse who realizes his destiny is to become Joker
- Making a Batman suit, Bruce starts the legend up again and fights against crime and Halliday
- Meanwhile, Tim has teamed up with Mister Terrific to create a suit that allows him to jump through universes searching for our Bruce.
- During a battle with Ghost-Breaker, Bruce loses his right hand (Permanently?)
- Red Mask, in an effort to become Joker, begins quickly jumping through the multiverse. Bat-Man Bruce follows. They visit: '89, vampire, late 70's, Animated Series, Batman Beyond, 60's Batman, Dark Knight Rises, etc
- Finally he is able to stop Red Mask when he realizes that he will never be Joker, but his travels awaken Joker in the universes he goes through. Unfortunately, it also wakes Zur-En-Arr...
- Finally home, he finds Selina, but they continue to fight, and he discovers that Zur-En-Arr Batman was the one who released Failsafe (this is a very long explanation.... look up Zur)

What could possibly happen next? Whatever it is, it should be epic and amazing. Zdarsky is killing it with this run.
Recommend.

[Roman · Rating 2 out of 5]

​​Ран Чіпа Здарскі на основній серії Бетмена продовжується і бере дещо неочікуваний для мене напрям.

Сюжет починається одразу після сутички Бетмена з Фейлсейфом. Як виявилося пістолет з якого стріляв робот переніс Брюса на іншу Землю і тепер наш герой повинен знайти спосіб повернутися додому, а також допомоги місцевим людям.

Якщо чесно то місцевий сюжет мені не дуже сподобався. Варіації знайомих нам персонажів з якими пересікаєть Брюс вийшли просто ніякими. Не порадувала мене також і невелика лінія з галюцинацією Ґордона яка є побічним ефектом мультивсесвітної подорожі, я розумію для чого вона була потрібна, але як на мене то можна було б спокійно обійтися і без неї.

А тепер про антагоніста який у мене викликав досить змішані враження. Головним поганцем є Дарвін Геллідей, який поступово отруює Ґотем і називає себе Червоною Маскою. Фішкою цього поганця є те, що він є Джокером який ніколи не став Джокером і тепер намагається з усіх сил ним стати. Неочікуваний сюжетний поворот з тим, що він в своїх намаганнях створює Джокерів в інших всесвітах мені не сподобався, але от те, що під кінець він починає подорожувати мультивсесвітом і створює нових Джокерів, робить уже існуючих більш злими та воскрешає мертвих Джокерів мені здалося цікавою ідеєю.

Також тут була додаткова історія про Тіма Дрейка. Тут нам показали, що Тім не вірить в те, що Брюс помер і намагається знайти його, але для цього він спочатку повинен зловити Тоймена, який опинився на іншій Землі. Як на мене то вийшов досить окейний додаток до основної історії.

Якщо підводити підсумки то друга сюжетна арка від Здарскі мене розчарувала, якби весь сюжет, а не просто останній акт, був про те як Бетмен намагається упіймати Червону Маску в різних світах паралельно зустрічаючи різних Бетменів то було б набагато краще. Ну і місцева кінцівка мене також залишила дещо збентеженим. Глянемо, що буде далі, але поки я щось не дуже у захваті від Здарскі.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman Vol. 2 The Bat-Man of Gotham collects issues 131-136 of the DC Comics series written by Chip Zdarsky with art by Mike Hawthorne, Miguel Mendonça, Belén Ortega, Jorge Jimenez, Mikel Janín, and Jorge Corona.

After being shot by Failsafe, Bruce Wayne wakes up in another Gotham. A Gotham where Batman never existed, Bruce Wayne is dead, and the city is held in fear by the Red Mask. As Batman fights for answers, he will learn just who is behind the mask, and how much of a threat they are to the Multiverse.

I have been saying for what has felt like at least 5 years now I want smaller, self-contained Batman stories, but Zdarsky is hitting it out the park with the grandiose storytelling. Issue 135 is epic beyond belief for longtime Batman fans. I found myself giddy seeing all the cameos. And Red Mask is a very interesting twist on the character. I can see some potentially epic stories with him down the road (a team-up with The Batman Who Laughs would be very interesting). The art is great throughout and I enjoyed the different art styles during the multiverse hopping. Zdarsky is quickly laying down an unforgettable run that I hope continues for a while.

[ShamNoop · Rating 5 out of 5]

That last issue elevated this from a 4 to a 5.

[Jesse A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good Batman story. Took a bit to get going but it went hard to the end.

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.

Writer Chip Zdarsky (Spider-Man: Life Story, Daredevil, Jughead) continues his exploration of the Dark Knight’s legacy alongside artist Mike Hawthorne (Happiness Will Follow, Despicable Deadpool) in this story arc collecting Batman #131-135, as Bruce Wayne, after his tiresome battle with Failsafe, ends up in a never-before-seen and utterly hopeless Gotham City where he must return to his roots to save a city under terror.

Bruce Wayne, now awake with only a dead yet very much lively Commissioner Gordon haunting him around, finds himself wandering the streets of Gotham City only to realize that its citizens are terrorized by Batman’s usual Rogues’ Gallery with the additional asset of being jacked up by Bane’s venom concoction, and that, without a Batman to save them. With the help of the young and lone orphan Jewel, he sets out to find help before the mysterious Red Mask, the superpowered mastermind behind the army of monsters ruling the city, finds out about his existence and ends his meddling once and for all. Before he could reach the source of this terror, he has to face some unexpected obstacles, from Harvey Dent to Selina Kyle, if he’s to find the answers he needs to this multiversal problem.

The first four issues (out of five) promise an odd time in an odd world. It’s essentially a what-if story about Bruce Wayne finding himself in a Gotham City that never had its own Batman to strike fear into the hearts of all things evil. With many of its occupants reminding him of their counterparts of his own world and what they turned out to be, unmistakenly evil or reformed, he fights his way through the villainy, always helping those in need along the way, until he finally sees hope at the end of the line to not only saving this world but also finding a way back home. Convinced that he must give birth to his vigilante alter ego into this world, the criminal underbelly soon hears the word of a terrifying “Bat-Man” while Bruce Wayne works his way into the depths of this look-alike world for the people responsible for the chaos.

While the premise itself is intriguing, something à la Grant Morrison and his own quirky, creative, and completely ambitious vision, it feels far too outlandish for readers to effortlessly immerse themselves in this universe. Some elements are reminiscent of writer Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One, while others are fully original yet not sufficiently convincing in execution. The numerous Easter eggs regarding familiar faces, especially those who meant a lot to Bruce Wayne but are now dead in his world, also fail to deliver the desired emotional punch. Even more frustrating are the cliches, the behaviours that transcend all universes and still apply to certain characters. One particular scene was also completely unbelievable, awkward, to be honest, pertaining to a confrontation between Bruce Wayne and his superpowered best friend… Then again, there’s a lot of comic book nonsense that requires suspension of disbelief, especially when it comes to Bruce Wayne enduring pain. And I’m telling you, he goes through A LOT so far in writer Chip Zdarsky’s stories. Even as a die-hard fan, it’s very hard to believe much of what Bruce Wayne endures here.

The final issue, which also marks the beginning of DC’s new era, Dawn of DC, as well as the return of legacy numbers for single issues, making it the 900th one of the series, is, however, on a whole other level. This issue is a wild ride into the multiverse and a beautiful hommage to stories pertaining to the Caped Crusader across time and space. It is magnificently accomplished, utilizing distinguishable and unique artistic styles directly related to each universe and captures the heart of the characters of these worlds magnificently. This does arrive a bit too late into the story to praise the story arc as a whole but does single-handedly justify picking up this second volume into writer Chip Zdarsky’s comic book run, giving readers hope that the upcoming stories could just maybe live up to the hype built with this final issue.

Similar to the first volume, these single issues also come with a side-story split across the first four issues called The Toy Box which follows Tim Drake, also known as Robin, who puts it upon himself to save Batman from whatever universe he must have been sent to by Failsafe. Convinced that Batman might also be mentally broken and needs help more than ever before, he sets out to find Toyman to rebuild the weapon that was initially used and manipulated by Failsafe so that he could be sent after Batman to pull him back home. Once again, what’s especially appreciated here is the mere fact that this story is directly tied to the main story and isn’t just there to promote some other comic book series or just there to superficially tell a short story that’ll be forgotten just as fast as it was read. However, it’s difficult to praise anything else of this story that could’ve just as well have been fit into the main story. At least it gives poor Tim Drake the chance to prove why this Robin is still relevant in the grand scheme of things.

Batman (Vol. 2): The Bat-Man of Gotham is an unusual yet somewhat fun detour into the multiverse that sends Bruce Wayne into a Gotham City without a Batman to reestablish the raison d’être of his vigilantism.

[Rory Wilding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year, Chip Zdarsky made a bang by starting his run on DC’s flagship Batman title with artist Jorge Jimenéz, someone who is no stranger to drawing the Dark Knight Detective. Whilst the ideas Zdarsky conveys are obviously influenced by the likes of Grant Morrison and Mark Waid, the “Failsafe” arc was quite the bombastic opener, as well as a deep dive into Batman's psyche that is fun to unveil, such as the return of Zur-En-Arrh. After battling the robotic Failsafe, Bruce Wayne wakes up somewhere else, which begins the next arc in Zdarsky’s arc.

Transported to a darker, more hopeless Gotham City that never had a Batman, Bruce discovers a mysterious figurehead known as Red Mask rules the city by brutalizing the population with his army of monsters, comprising of alternate versions of Batman’s rogues gallery. With not much resources under his belt and although he seeks the help of new allies and familiar faces, Bruce must become a bat for this Gotham.

It does seem that with every writer that has tackled Batman since the last decade, they will do a storyline that will present an alternate, darker Gotham. No matter what fresh take towards any of these iconic villains, Zdarsky once again isn’t breaking any new ground, but this is not to say he can still make a compelling narrative. Having written Daredevil for Marvel, Zdarsky approaches Batman in a similar manner as along with the inner monologue where you can see Bruce struggling with his psyche, and this particular storyline shows him starting from scratch without the costume and working his way back into becoming the costumed hero.

Leaning into the multiverse angle, Zdarsky has fun with this alternate Gotham, where Bruce hallucinates a walking, talking skeletal Jim Gordon that only speaks to him, a passionate conflict with Selena and a heart-to-heart conversation with the beloved butler he lost, Alfred. The most interesting of which is the villain himself, Red Mask, who is revealed to be a sane Joker that is obsessed with the multiverse and seeks the power that he witnessed in other realities. Even the multiverse is a big theme during the back-up issues (drawn by Miguel Mendonça) that focus on Tim Drake, which is its own compelling story on how he hopes to seek the Superman villain, Toyman, to help him find Batman.

Drawing most of the issues from this volume is penciller Mike Hawthorne, who can illustrate well-crafted action sequences, and along with inker Adriano Di Benedetto and colourist Tomeu Morey, this alternate Gotham is presented a darker palette. Whilst Mikel Janin pops to draw a few pages, once Jorge Jimenéz returns to draw #135 – technically the 900th issue of the comic book – we get a visual spectacle that celebrates the media history of Batman as the character goes from one dimension to the next, chasing Red Mask. As Batman meets the likes of Michael Keaton’s Batman and Adam West’s Batman (the latter with his Shark Repellent Bat Spray), Jimenéz does an incredible job of recreating the style of other artists that has put their stamp on the Dark Knight, ranging from Kelley Jones, Bruce Timm, Alex Ross, Frank Miller, etc. This issue alone is enough to purchase the volume as it embraces the various interpretations that Batman has been through across comics, movies, cartoons and video games.

Concluding the volume is #136 (stunningly drawn by Belén Ortega) showing the aftermath of Batman’s multiversal adventure, whilst setting up the pieces of what Zdarsky is setting up later in his run, whether it is his relationship with Selina Kyle or the new threat that is the Penguin’s two children, who remind me a lot of the Stromwyn siblings from his Daredevil run. Whilst there is a nice dinner sequence, in which the Bat-Family get together, Bruce is left tormented by the fact that the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh may not be done, showing that he has become his worst enemy.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haha. Now I totally understand why some people feel the way they do about Chip Zdarsky s Batman run.

This has the unfortunate disadvantage of coming out in a time when there’s heavy multiverse fatigue in superhero media. So while it’s a pretty okay story on its own, it doesn’t feel fresh or original at all, especially given how similar the story is to Grant Morrison’s Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne, with Batman stuck in an alternate dimension and trying to get home. It ends up feeling derivative. I was okay with the references in the first volume because that was a creative action rollercoaster ride, this just feels like an uninspired re-tread.

But I really appreciate the respect put on Tim Drake’s Robin, a character that has been sidelined in recent years, and deserves to be recognized as Batman’s best partner.

[Allthatisjosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hadn't read any "new" stuff in a while. Woke, silly, not especially great. There was some interesting stuff, but it was mostly a pile of wink-and-nod sci-fi MacGuffins with a couple of cool scenes and a poor understanding of freshman philosophy.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a multiverse special! Instead of killing Batman, Failsafe zapped him to an alternate dimension's Gotham where Bruce Wayne is dead and crime is rampant. A battered Batman's first thought, of course, is, "I've got to clean this place up."

Fortunately, he has the help of a young rebel (who gets zero backstory), not to mention alterna-Catwoman (who might be less of a hero than she seems). The big bad in this Gotham is Red Mask - later revealed to be the multiverse's only version of Joker who isn't actually insane. Red Mask has a multiverse spanning plan that must be stopped, so Batman's on his case, even though he, y'know, also needs to get back home and deal with the Failsafe fallout.

Red Mask's plan is a tad hard to understand, but the ultimate reveal in the final issue is catnip for longtime Bat-fans. Essentially, Red Mask aka sane Joker zaps himself to different dimensions where he causes that dimension's Joker to go insane or be revived (if he's dead). So, basically, Red Mask is seeding Jokers across the multiverse. What are the implications of this? I'm sure future Bat-volumes will tell us.

The Bat-Man of Gotham is yet another "Batman is trapped on an alternate world!" story, but it's a far above average one, from artwork to plotting. Chip Zdarsky is writing some quality Batman, thank god.

[Neil Pearson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet another superhero story fixated on multiverses. I'm getting a bit tired of it and have seen it done better by others. It also feels like a distraction from Zdarsky's run as nothing really matters and, worse, it feels like he isn't comfortable writing within the existing continuity and is hiding in elseworlds instead.
Two volumes in and I don't really know what this batman run is about beyond remixing greatest hits.
But we do get a fun "anniversary" issue of clips from films, animation and comics it just didn't require an arc of story to get there.
We have a different artist here. I prefer Jimenez but there are influences of Bryan Hitch to be seen here although I feel the inks are quite heavy and/or the colours don't work as well here.
It might just be that the current Batman books aren't for me, as I can't quite get into Ram V's detective comics, which again feels unrecognisable to this run. Although it's nice readers are getting the variety.

[Naim Luqman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I was too harsh on Failsafe...because this was worse. The Bat-Man of Gotham tells the story of Bruce waking up in a world where Batman never existed and you know where this is going.

It feels wacky and quirky ala Grant Morrison while some of its elements reminisce Frank Miller's Year One and it just don't feel like a good mash.

[Abbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too many different art styles. It gave me a headache trying to read this. The story also felt extremely convoluted.

[Dakota · Rating 5 out of 5]

First few issues were not amazing but the last issue was a 10/5. A joyous celebration of Batman.

[Lucas Savio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Realmente o guilherme smee estava certo, até que começou interessante o universo alternativo apresentado mas depois quando juntou vários batman. O multiverso deu para mim pque mais não deixou eu largar foi a presença do tim drake como robin mas é isso estou deixando o batman do chipinho

[Gary Sassaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Chip Zdarsky’s run on Batman, but there are days when I wish I could never, ever hear the word “Multiverse” again. This goes for both DC and Marvel, and their comics and movies. It’s become such a trope (I accidentally typed “tripe” at first, which I guess is true) and a crutch for writers these days. I have a whole rant on this rolling around in my mind, but this is not the place for it.

After Zdarsky’s bravura debut on Batman with “Failsafe,” this volume is a little bit of a disappointment to be honest, but still enjoyable. I like Mike Hawthorne’s art a lot, and the story—of Batman trapped in yet another different Multiverse version of Gotham City where Bruce Wayne is dead, with another Catwoman, Alfred, and a nutjob villain (Red Mask) who wants desperately to become the Joker—is a little hard to follow at times. Batman has to conquer the bad guy, save this Gotham, and make it back home (does anyone really know where home is these days in the DCU?). Batman is definitely DC’s best book right now because of Zdarsky, and I prefer his version of the Dark Knight to Scott Snyder, Tom King, and James Tynion IV’s versions. The art is also exemplary each issue, with both Hawthorne and Jorge Jiminez alternating in story arcs. This is also a nicely designed volume, with all the variant covers (sigh … don’t get me started on that, too!), including ArtGerm’s ones back-to-back with Jimenez’s main covers. Definitely worth a read, but not up to the five-star level of Failsafe, Volume 1 in this series.

[Alek Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A continuation of Zdarsky's analysis into Batman's anxiety.

To start off, I really liked that Failsafe sent Batman to a multiverse with no Batman. But not in like a oh he died or the Waynes were never killed. But rather a real world aspect of the rich. That universes Bruce, instead of dedicating his life to becoming a Bat, became a social worker! And Gotham is crazy not because Batman doesnt exist but because the rich are content to turn a blind eye and allow the poor to be devoured by the insanity of Gotham. Batman coming to this universe didnt inspire hope or rebellion but rather compassion to help those in need.
Now the art for this part of the story was a bit flat in my opinion but not enough to hinder telling the story.

This book also continues Tim Drakes story with the back issues of 131-134. And I think this is one of the greatest additions made by Zdarsky. Dick and Jason were kids Bruce took in and trained and have that loving but at times adversarial relationship. Damian is his blood son who struggles with the insecurity of being in his fathers shadow. But Tim is the Robin that chose and loves Batman. I think a lot of people forget that prior to Damian and the New 52 reboot, Tim was the character that established a lot of the Robin troupes. Because he was a fan of the dynamic duo and became Robin out of a love for Batman. He didn't have the insecurities of Dick, Jason, and Damian because he saw Robin as the balance to Batman's darkness. He knew that his job was to take care of Batman. And to see that is really something special.

And the final complement I shall give this book is really everything that happened in issues 135 and 136. People might say that the multiversal travel in issue 135 was pure fan service, but I dont care. Seeing the prime comic book Batman meet the top tier iterations of Batman! From Keaton, West, and Miller's DKR. To every version of Kevin Conroy from the DCAU series and even freaking Arkham Asylums!!! Everywhere you go Batman helps. And that Shark Repellant scene was incredible. But the conclusion in issue 136 was really what has me excited for Zdarsky's continuation in the series. "Bruce Wayne is hurt but Batman cant be" is just an incredible concept. To see Batman struggling to be the legend he's made when he's just a man is really something in my opinion. To see him realize his fatigue and get rocked by the Penguin Twins. To see him wanting to be loved but realizing he's pushed Selina away to many times. To see him want to keep his family safe but is afraid that if they help him he puts them in danger. I feel it shows us a more vulnerable and mature Batman than we have seen.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, so I loved Failsafe, but this was a bit too all over the place. I think Zdarsky is trying to use this series as his love letter to previous incarnations to the character, which was fine until it started becoming a bit unreadable. This was his attempt at trying to Grabt Morrison it up, and it doesn't always work. There are about 3 solid issues out of the 5 issue arc that are solid, so I guess my rating is fitting. I suppose with an icon of this magnitude, any piece of writing becomes a love letter. I just wish it wasn't so obvious.

[Roman Zarichnyi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Якщо початок у Чіпа Здарські вийшов досить хорошим, то друга сюжетна арка «Бетмен: Людина-Кажан Ґотема» #131–135 мене розчарувала. Та ще й відбулася зміна художника, її малював Майк Готорн. Але загалом не про це, бо його малюнок мені сподобався.

Ця сюжетна арка була досить цікавою на початку, оскільки Бетмен вирушає в альтернативний мультивсесвіт після подій попередньої арки. Ми можемо миттєво побачити Ґотем-Сіті без його легендарного захисника та стати свідками інтригуючих змін, таких як містер Боунс Ґордон і суддя Дент, які додають розповіді незвичну паралельну динаміку. Місто перебуває в полоні хаосу, з різким розривом між багатими та бідними, що підкреслює похмуру реальність, з якою стикаються його мешканці. Ми спостерігаємо занурення Ґотема в хаос під правлінням Червоної Маски, загадкової постаті, яка панує над цією спотвореною версією міста.

Серед цього безладу Брюс Вейн вдягає на себе мантію супергероя і бореться за пригноблених громадян цього покинутого Ґотема. Головний антагоніст, Червона Маска, розкривається поступово, і поворот навколо його особистості виконано досить добре. Однак, лише в п’ятому випуску, ми повністю розуміємо його кінцеві плани. Цей випуск виділяється, адже Червона Маска й Бетмен стрибають з одного виміру в інший впродовж нього. І, мабуть, у цьому і криється основна проблема для мене.

Я розумію, що це данина й повага багатьом персонажам, як знайомим, так і маловідомим. Але сюжет арки розвивався досить плавно, а потім у кінці ми отримали просто стрибки різними вимірами. Кінець. Я очікував чогось набагато більшого. А якщо б Чіп Здарські, натомість зробив кілька сюжетних арок у кожному вимірі, то це було б узагалі вогінь. Я не знаю, як буде розвиватися ран надалі, але поки мене ця вся справа насторожує.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book, but nothing too spectacular.
To be honest, it’s just another retelling of more multiverse stuff (which I think is getting a bit tired).
Although, some of the pages are excellent featuring various incarnations of Batman (Arkham games, Batman Beyond, Tim Burton’s ‘89 Batman etc.) which was great to see.
The art is a little inconsistent, sometimes being great and sometimes not.
Overall, good book and a slight improvement on Volume 1. Would recommend to a Batman fan. I am hoping the next book is stronger….

[James Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Batman winds up in an alternate universe without a Batman. The alternate Gotham is interesting - it would have been nice to explore in more detail, in fact - and there are some other fun multiverse shenanigans as the story progresses. The concept of Red Mask is also novel. That said, there's a retcon about a major Batman villain's origin that kind of diminishes them, and the backup stories with Robin (Tim Drake) vs. Superman villain Toyman feel like filler. Overall, though, this a worthwhile read. (B+)

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
Apparently, based on my ratings, I really liked each individual issue. And yet it took more than a year to get through the collection. So I wasn't really interested when each new issue came out, but I also felt it was pretty good...when I got around to reading it. I also don't remember much, TBH. I have to grade it down a bit for that.

[Nikita · Rating 2 out of 5]

В мені борються два вовки. Один каже, що це поганий комікс. Інший каже, та нормальний комікс.
Мабуть десь 70% мого читання були з думками, що це якась дурня.
Бетмен змучився і хоче відпочити, я після читання цієї арки теж.
2.5 ⭐

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Batman is sent through the multiverses to find the joker who appears in every universe, that little cosmic dance of theirs. The overworked, overwrought mind of Bruce Wayne is interesting and it seems to be where the story is headed (even at a bat family pancake dinner he’s imagining the worst) but the multiverse cameos were fun but I’m over it!