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Batman (2011)
Batman, Volume 6: Graveyard Shift
In the wake of the death of his son Damian, Batman is in danger of losing his humanity. However, the foes of this grief-ridden Dark Knight mean to strike him when he's at his weakest. Has Batman's worst foe become... Bruce Wayne?
Plus, three pivotal chapters from the epic ZERO YEAR storyline! From the critically acclaimed, New York Times #1 best-selling creative team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo comes the next genre-defining graphic novel in their monumental run.
Collects: Batman #0, 18-20, 28, 34, and Annual #2.
Plus, three pivotal chapters from the epic ZERO YEAR storyline! From the critically acclaimed, New York Times #1 best-selling creative team of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo comes the next genre-defining graphic novel in their monumental run.
Collects: Batman #0, 18-20, 28, 34, and Annual #2.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2015
232 people are currently reading
2543 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,778 books5,116 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 483 reviews
February 7, 2023
(B+) 77% | Good
Notes: More or less a hill of beans (B-side tracks, deleted scenes): very few substantial, true, but deftly drawn and clever too.
Notes: More or less a hill of beans (B-side tracks, deleted scenes): very few substantial, true, but deftly drawn and clever too.
September 22, 2021
3.5 stars
I would have preferred a long story arc, but dreams don't always come true. This is a bunch of leftover stories from random times and places.
Yeah, I know... Suck it up, Buttercup!
I will say that they were all consistently good, even if the timelines were all over the map.
It starts off with a prequel to Zero Year that was maybe not necessary, but interesting anyway. It showed Bruce trying to clean up the city before he put on the mask.
Also included was a look at Tim, Jason, Dick, & Barbara's first peek at the Batsymbol in the sky, which coincided with (varying degrees of) turning points in their lives.
Harper (Bluebird) and her brother Cullen feature in this one twice. The first time Harper is determined to help Batman deal with his rage after Damien's death.
I'm not sure how much I'm actually enjoying this Death of Damien storyline. It rankles my nerves a bit, and I wish they'd just dip his ass in a Lazarus pit already and be done with it. It's a personal preference, but I just don't like watching the writers try to decide how Batman should act while in the throes of grief over his dead child.
There was this story on the news the other day about this woman who lost everything because she started smoking crack. Turns out, her kid had died a few years beforehand. Now, I don't think smoking crack is a good idea under any circumstances, but she gets a pass in my book. If there was ever one excuse to be a crackhead, that's the one.
My point is, I just don't enjoy the dead kid angle. I believe the writers are trying to convey Bruce's deep emotions, but (to me) it feels hollow and cheap.
And the longer it drags out, the more annoyed I get.
Love this piece of art, though.
In the issue called Ghost Lights, Superman pops in to check on Bruce, and they end up taking on an evil spirit who has been summoned by some stupid kids.
I enjoyed the Superman/Batman team-up. Always nice to see those two together!
Clayface shows up in this sucker and makes quite an impression. Snyder played up how dangerous a villain he could be if he totally went off the rails.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story!
The story set in Arkham with the character Anchoress was a bit of an iffy one for me. It was different enough to keep me interested, though.
It's basically a tale about a not-bad-but-bad-anyway nutter in the loony bin.
Creepy serial killer tale ahead! Unless it somehow plays into the Joker mythos, this one is a throwaway. Again, not bad storytelling, but I'm burned out on the subject matter. I simply prefer Batman to take on 'villains' and not real-life psychos.
*shrugs*
The last one is a tie-in with the Batman Eternal stuff.
Spoiler below!
Get it?! Spoiler?
{insert knee-slapping here}
Hyuck, hyuck!
*cough*
Yes, so...anyway. It's a random collection of stories, but it's a solid random collection of stories. I think this volume is a nice addition to Snyder's Batman run.
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a digital copy to read and review.
Get this review and more at:
I would have preferred a long story arc, but dreams don't always come true. This is a bunch of leftover stories from random times and places.
Yeah, I know... Suck it up, Buttercup!
I will say that they were all consistently good, even if the timelines were all over the map.
It starts off with a prequel to Zero Year that was maybe not necessary, but interesting anyway. It showed Bruce trying to clean up the city before he put on the mask.
Also included was a look at Tim, Jason, Dick, & Barbara's first peek at the Batsymbol in the sky, which coincided with (varying degrees of) turning points in their lives.
Harper (Bluebird) and her brother Cullen feature in this one twice. The first time Harper is determined to help Batman deal with his rage after Damien's death.
I'm not sure how much I'm actually enjoying this Death of Damien storyline. It rankles my nerves a bit, and I wish they'd just dip his ass in a Lazarus pit already and be done with it. It's a personal preference, but I just don't like watching the writers try to decide how Batman should act while in the throes of grief over his dead child.
There was this story on the news the other day about this woman who lost everything because she started smoking crack. Turns out, her kid had died a few years beforehand. Now, I don't think smoking crack is a good idea under any circumstances, but she gets a pass in my book. If there was ever one excuse to be a crackhead, that's the one.
My point is, I just don't enjoy the dead kid angle. I believe the writers are trying to convey Bruce's deep emotions, but (to me) it feels hollow and cheap.
And the longer it drags out, the more annoyed I get.
Love this piece of art, though.
In the issue called Ghost Lights, Superman pops in to check on Bruce, and they end up taking on an evil spirit who has been summoned by some stupid kids.
I enjoyed the Superman/Batman team-up. Always nice to see those two together!
Clayface shows up in this sucker and makes quite an impression. Snyder played up how dangerous a villain he could be if he totally went off the rails.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story!
The story set in Arkham with the character Anchoress was a bit of an iffy one for me. It was different enough to keep me interested, though.
It's basically a tale about a not-bad-but-bad-anyway nutter in the loony bin.
Creepy serial killer tale ahead! Unless it somehow plays into the Joker mythos, this one is a throwaway. Again, not bad storytelling, but I'm burned out on the subject matter. I simply prefer Batman to take on 'villains' and not real-life psychos.
*shrugs*
The last one is a tie-in with the Batman Eternal stuff.
Spoiler below!
Get it?! Spoiler?
{insert knee-slapping here}
Hyuck, hyuck!
*cough*
Yes, so...anyway. It's a random collection of stories, but it's a solid random collection of stories. I think this volume is a nice addition to Snyder's Batman run.
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a digital copy to read and review.
Get this review and more at:
September 20, 2016
Holy good book, Batman!
This TPB collects “Batman” #0, #18-20, #28, #34 and Annual #2, which they are stand-alone stories in the middle of the long arcs developed in previous TPBs.
Due the nature of this TPB, I will review its stories as in an anthology, giving rates to each story, and an average sum of them as the general rating to the book.
BRIGHT NEW YESTERDAY
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Scott Snyder
Illustrator: Greg Capullo
What was once old… …will be new again.
Six years back, when Bruce Wayne just returned to Gotham City, he has engaged his “war on crime” BUT he still isn’t developed his “Batman” persona.
Bruce Wayne deals against the Red Hood Gang, but soon enough he is aware that he should do his “homework” better, he was careles and lives were lost.
Bruce Wayne has the training, has the technology, has the weapons, has the resources, but something is missing in his personal equation for the war on crime…
…and he need to figure out what is missing before more lives would be lost.
TOMORROW
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: James Tynion IV
Illustrator: Andy Clarke
The people out there… They think he’s nothing but a myth… a bogeyman for criminals that the press came up with to sell papers. We have to change that, Barbara, otherwise, there’s no hope for the future of this city. – We have to let the heroes of tomorrow know that they aren’t alone.
Five years back, The Batman already has been battling his personal war on crime for a little more than a year. So far, it has been a very lonely war for him. He against the world.
James Gordon knows that The Batman must be something else, not just some dark vigilante, not just a grim figure beating criminals to pulp, but an inspiration for the future generations, something to look up…
…and nothing better to make you to look UP than…
…the Bat-Signal!
Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, all of them are struggling, at their own particular ways, and environments in their lives, to find out their destiny…
…when a striking light shows a symbol, for the first time, in the darkness of Gotham’s night sky.
RESOLVE
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writer: Scott Snyder
Illustrator: Andy Kubert
Inker: Sandra Hope
It means something.
In the present, Batman is on a tireless rampage on the Gotham’s streets.
Damian Wayne died, and Bruce is exploding with rage.
The Batman isn’t resting, actually not sleeping and even doing appearances on daytime. He’s been over-exposed, he’s been careless, and soon, a lucky low level punk may do what The Joker or Ra’s al Ghul couldn’t.
Harper Row helped Batman in the past, including months ago, saving his life when he was ambushed by the Court of the Owls.
Harper knows that something is happening to Batman and it won’t end well, if she doesn’t interfere and doing a simple act looking to ease the pain in Batman’s soul.
NOWHERE MAN
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Scott Snyder
Illustrator: Greg Capullo
…It’s Clayface. Seems he’s… evolved.
Basil Karlo aka Clayface has been a dangerous villain, but now, the old counter-measures are no longer effective, he’s evolved, and now the threat of his powers is absolute…
…he’s the Ultimate Clayface.
And the secret of Batman’s real identity is at perilous risk!
Everything that Bruce Wayne has done to the benefit of Gotham City can fall down hard in a mess of…
…clay, going beyond that anybody would imagine.
GHOST LIGHTS
Rating: *** ( 3 stars )
Writer: James Tynion IV
Illustrator: Alex Maleev
I’m your friend, Batman. I want to help.
The Batman is still dealing with Damian’s demise, and Superman pays a visit to Gotham to talk about with him.
However, that friendly talk will have to wait since a paranormal menace is rising in an abandoned building.
A couple of teenagers played with magical fire and now the World’s Finest will have to act quickly before things would go out of control.
AGES
Rating: *** ( 3 stars )
Plotters: Scott Snyder & Marguerite Bennett
Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Illustrator: Wes Craig
They said he was the most dangerous man ever to set foot in Arkham.
The Batman goes to Arkham Asylum to test a new area, the Tartarus Wing, designed to keep imprisoned the most dangerous inmates, the worst of the worst of Batman’s Rogue Gallery.
The Batman will look for weaknesses in the cells and infrastructure of that area, to improve its design and avoid the escape of their soon-to-be asigned inmates.
However, there is an old danger in Arkham, the very first patient of it, being there for ages and ages, literally, and she’s pissed for what Batman has done with the asylum and his insane villains.
It’s time to pay!
THE MEEK
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Plotters: Scott Snyder & Gerry Duncan
Writer: Gerry Duncan
Illustrator: Matteo Scalera
They’re nobody! I’m nobody! You don’t see us!
I see everyone.
Gotham City is a mess, if you can believe it, more than usual…
…James Gordon has been sentenced to prison due murder’s charges, the GCPD is no longer working along with The Batman and having an arrest order for him, The Joker is on the loose, Catwoman is playing crime’s big leagues…
…so the murders of a bunch of homeless and low lives in the Crime Alley’s area won’t be noticed by anyone…
…wrong…
…The Batman noticed it, and not matter how full are his hands…
…a nameless killer is in the Crime Alley…
…The Batman won’t tolerate that.
Tonight, the Crime Alley has the FULL attention of The Batman…
…the hunt begins.
GOTHAM ETERNAL
Rating: *** ( 3 stars )
Writers: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV
Illustrator: Dustin Nguyen
What the—Is this some kind of joke?
In a not so distant future, soon enough, Gotham is under martial law, a new “kingpin” is ruling the criminal underworld and a plague infested from the Narrows.
The Batman is finally recruiting Harper Row aka Bluebird, and having another sidekick at the cave coordinating, however…
…a shadow from the past may be the key to Gotham’s future.
This TPB collects “Batman” #0, #18-20, #28, #34 and Annual #2, which they are stand-alone stories in the middle of the long arcs developed in previous TPBs.
Due the nature of this TPB, I will review its stories as in an anthology, giving rates to each story, and an average sum of them as the general rating to the book.
BRIGHT NEW YESTERDAY
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Scott Snyder
Illustrator: Greg Capullo
What was once old… …will be new again.
Six years back, when Bruce Wayne just returned to Gotham City, he has engaged his “war on crime” BUT he still isn’t developed his “Batman” persona.
Bruce Wayne deals against the Red Hood Gang, but soon enough he is aware that he should do his “homework” better, he was careles and lives were lost.
Bruce Wayne has the training, has the technology, has the weapons, has the resources, but something is missing in his personal equation for the war on crime…
…and he need to figure out what is missing before more lives would be lost.
TOMORROW
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: James Tynion IV
Illustrator: Andy Clarke
The people out there… They think he’s nothing but a myth… a bogeyman for criminals that the press came up with to sell papers. We have to change that, Barbara, otherwise, there’s no hope for the future of this city. – We have to let the heroes of tomorrow know that they aren’t alone.
Five years back, The Batman already has been battling his personal war on crime for a little more than a year. So far, it has been a very lonely war for him. He against the world.
James Gordon knows that The Batman must be something else, not just some dark vigilante, not just a grim figure beating criminals to pulp, but an inspiration for the future generations, something to look up…
…and nothing better to make you to look UP than…
…the Bat-Signal!
Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, all of them are struggling, at their own particular ways, and environments in their lives, to find out their destiny…
…when a striking light shows a symbol, for the first time, in the darkness of Gotham’s night sky.
RESOLVE
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writer: Scott Snyder
Illustrator: Andy Kubert
Inker: Sandra Hope
It means something.
In the present, Batman is on a tireless rampage on the Gotham’s streets.
Damian Wayne died, and Bruce is exploding with rage.
The Batman isn’t resting, actually not sleeping and even doing appearances on daytime. He’s been over-exposed, he’s been careless, and soon, a lucky low level punk may do what The Joker or Ra’s al Ghul couldn’t.
Harper Row helped Batman in the past, including months ago, saving his life when he was ambushed by the Court of the Owls.
Harper knows that something is happening to Batman and it won’t end well, if she doesn’t interfere and doing a simple act looking to ease the pain in Batman’s soul.
NOWHERE MAN
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Scott Snyder
Illustrator: Greg Capullo
…It’s Clayface. Seems he’s… evolved.
Basil Karlo aka Clayface has been a dangerous villain, but now, the old counter-measures are no longer effective, he’s evolved, and now the threat of his powers is absolute…
…he’s the Ultimate Clayface.
And the secret of Batman’s real identity is at perilous risk!
Everything that Bruce Wayne has done to the benefit of Gotham City can fall down hard in a mess of…
…clay, going beyond that anybody would imagine.
GHOST LIGHTS
Rating: *** ( 3 stars )
Writer: James Tynion IV
Illustrator: Alex Maleev
I’m your friend, Batman. I want to help.
The Batman is still dealing with Damian’s demise, and Superman pays a visit to Gotham to talk about with him.
However, that friendly talk will have to wait since a paranormal menace is rising in an abandoned building.
A couple of teenagers played with magical fire and now the World’s Finest will have to act quickly before things would go out of control.
AGES
Rating: *** ( 3 stars )
Plotters: Scott Snyder & Marguerite Bennett
Writer: Marguerite Bennett
Illustrator: Wes Craig
They said he was the most dangerous man ever to set foot in Arkham.
The Batman goes to Arkham Asylum to test a new area, the Tartarus Wing, designed to keep imprisoned the most dangerous inmates, the worst of the worst of Batman’s Rogue Gallery.
The Batman will look for weaknesses in the cells and infrastructure of that area, to improve its design and avoid the escape of their soon-to-be asigned inmates.
However, there is an old danger in Arkham, the very first patient of it, being there for ages and ages, literally, and she’s pissed for what Batman has done with the asylum and his insane villains.
It’s time to pay!
THE MEEK
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Plotters: Scott Snyder & Gerry Duncan
Writer: Gerry Duncan
Illustrator: Matteo Scalera
They’re nobody! I’m nobody! You don’t see us!
I see everyone.
Gotham City is a mess, if you can believe it, more than usual…
…James Gordon has been sentenced to prison due murder’s charges, the GCPD is no longer working along with The Batman and having an arrest order for him, The Joker is on the loose, Catwoman is playing crime’s big leagues…
…so the murders of a bunch of homeless and low lives in the Crime Alley’s area won’t be noticed by anyone…
…wrong…
…The Batman noticed it, and not matter how full are his hands…
…a nameless killer is in the Crime Alley…
…The Batman won’t tolerate that.
Tonight, the Crime Alley has the FULL attention of The Batman…
…the hunt begins.
GOTHAM ETERNAL
Rating: *** ( 3 stars )
Writers: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV
Illustrator: Dustin Nguyen
What the—Is this some kind of joke?
In a not so distant future, soon enough, Gotham is under martial law, a new “kingpin” is ruling the criminal underworld and a plague infested from the Narrows.
The Batman is finally recruiting Harper Row aka Bluebird, and having another sidekick at the cave coordinating, however…
…a shadow from the past may be the key to Gotham’s future.
February 26, 2019
Bon Jovi’s Keep the Faith is a wildly underrated album that contains not only popular rock radio and concert staples like the title track and Bed of Roses (unquestionably one of the top five power ballads of all time), but also a slew of killer deep cuts, from the searing optimism of I Believe to the long-form storytelling of Dry County to the deft balladry of In These Arms and I Want You. That said, it also has a few filler tracks, most notably If I Was Your Mother.
Graveyard Shift is the If I Was Your Mother of Snyder’s run on this book. Look, I’m not entirely down on either of those things—If I Was Your Mother has a way bigger hook than any song with a title that cosmically terrible has a right to have, and there are parts of this collection of one-shots and backstories that are powerful, entertaining, or powerfully entertaining. For the most part, though, you just kind of want to skip past it to get back to the core narrative (or belt out a horrendously off-key rendition of Bed of Roses for the 7,429th time).
Onto Vol. 7…
Graveyard Shift is the If I Was Your Mother of Snyder’s run on this book. Look, I’m not entirely down on either of those things—If I Was Your Mother has a way bigger hook than any song with a title that cosmically terrible has a right to have, and there are parts of this collection of one-shots and backstories that are powerful, entertaining, or powerfully entertaining. For the most part, though, you just kind of want to skip past it to get back to the core narrative (or belt out a horrendously off-key rendition of Bed of Roses for the 7,429th time).
Onto Vol. 7…
May 26, 2022
I just re-read these as part of the omnibus editions and these shorter stories work much better when put in the context of the entire run. Cherry picking them out and abandoning them on their own gives them short shrift, losing meaning for some of the subplots.
May 3, 2022
3,5 stars.
A good collection of random nice dark knight stories, but I'm afraid you really need to read every Batman series to fully appreciate all of them.
A good collection of random nice dark knight stories, but I'm afraid you really need to read every Batman series to fully appreciate all of them.
August 3, 2015
Vol.6 = A bunch of individual stories compiled.
I honestly couldn't say that any one of the stories could be considered a favorite, but they were thrilling nonetheless. The struggles Batman had coping up with the lost of his son was a good read, and brought an emotion side to the ever-so-serious Batman. It's good that Snyder decided to show that Batman does have emotions, but hopefully it wouldn't be over abundant in the next volumes. I wouldn't want Batman to turn into a drama series.
Compared to Vol.4 and 5, this was a huge improvement. Despite having no singular plot of its own, it was a great compilation. Just like a lot of people, I'm also wondering what is up with the t-rex in the batcave? Not saying it wasn't cool, but what is up with that?
4.5/5 stars. Nothing compared to the first volume of the series, but a great contender. Can't wait for vol.7 to come out!
I honestly couldn't say that any one of the stories could be considered a favorite, but they were thrilling nonetheless. The struggles Batman had coping up with the lost of his son was a good read, and brought an emotion side to the ever-so-serious Batman. It's good that Snyder decided to show that Batman does have emotions, but hopefully it wouldn't be over abundant in the next volumes. I wouldn't want Batman to turn into a drama series.
Compared to Vol.4 and 5, this was a huge improvement. Despite having no singular plot of its own, it was a great compilation. Just like a lot of people, I'm also wondering what is up with the t-rex in the batcave? Not saying it wasn't cool, but what is up with that?
4.5/5 stars. Nothing compared to the first volume of the series, but a great contender. Can't wait for vol.7 to come out!
July 29, 2015
This is kind of the mixed nuts version of Scott Snyder’s Batman with several mostly stand-alone stories from various points of his run on the title pulled together. If you aren’t familiar with the revamped history courtesy of the New 52 and Damian Wayne getting killed (And being a Robin is seeming more and more like being a Spinal Tap drummer.) then these may not make a lot of sense to you because they’re just moments that occur during events like the Zero Hour storyline.
If you have been keeping up with the latest bat-happenings then there’s a lot to like in these side stories. I particularly liked the ones that showed Bruce struggling to cope with the death of his son. Snyder even manages to make Superman seem almost cool when he pops in to see how Batman is coping with the this latest Robin murder, and the adventure they have sparks Batman into admitting in his own gruff way that Superman is a friend he counts on. Maybe somebody should tell Zach Snyder that?
If you have been keeping up with the latest bat-happenings then there’s a lot to like in these side stories. I particularly liked the ones that showed Bruce struggling to cope with the death of his son. Snyder even manages to make Superman seem almost cool when he pops in to see how Batman is coping with the this latest Robin murder, and the adventure they have sparks Batman into admitting in his own gruff way that Superman is a friend he counts on. Maybe somebody should tell Zach Snyder that?
November 7, 2015
Most of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s acclaimed Batman run has been one event story after another: The Court of Owls, Death of the Family, Zero Year, and Endgame. But there have been a few random issues appearing in between the arcs to give readers a bit of a breather before launching into the next one – those are collected in this volume, the generically-titled Graveyard Shift. And, like many short story collections, it’s an uneven mix of quality.
First off: Snyder and Capullo’s contributions unfortunately only make up a portion of the comics in this book with the majority being written/drawn by a variety of different creators. Their Zero Year tie-in was pretty nice with Bruce as a fledgling Batman yet again going up against the Red Hood gang. There’s also a WTF story (in 2013 DC did a gimmicky WTF month of bizarre covers/stories – generally it sucked) that stars a regular Batman villain though it’s not that great and totally pointless. However it does feature The Reaper (from Mike Barr’s infamous Batman: Year Two) which made me laugh because he’s just the worst (Fear… The Reaper!), and a prototype of the Batman Beyond outfit makes a cameo. Capullo makes it look stunning too, can we have a Snyder/Capullo Batman Beyond series please?!
Disappointingly, those are the best issues in this volume. James Tynion IV and Andy Clarke do a short about Dick, Jason, Tim and Barbara seeing the Bat symbol as kids and being awestruck by it. Harper Row tries to be Batman’s new partner (several issues coincide with Damian Wayne’s death) and he promptly breaks her nose – charming!
Batman fights dogs injected with venom, he teams up with Superman to fight an evil spirit, there’s an extra-long/extra-tedious story about an Arkham inmate called The Anchoress (whose motivations don’t make a lick of sense), and he takes down a bland murderer who’s targeting Leslie Thompkins’ patients. They’re just throwaway stories that are hard to care about for that very reason. The book does feature some premier artistic talent though with the likes of Alex Maleev, Andy Kubert, Matteo Scalera and Wes Craig producing fine work.
Graveyard Shift closes out with an episode from Batman Eternal set in the future where Batman’s accepted Harper as his new partner – now calling herself Bluebird – and they drop in on a mob club. The final page reveal isn’t much of a secret if you’ve already read Batman Eternal but it’s a decent issue anyway, written by Snyder and drawn by Dustin Nguyen.
Your mileage may vary but for me this was a very average Batman collection that fans of the Legends of the Dark Knight series will enjoy the most. Just don’t expect the same exciting, tightly-structured book-length narratives from Snyder/Capullo’s previous Batman volumes in Graveyard Shift.
First off: Snyder and Capullo’s contributions unfortunately only make up a portion of the comics in this book with the majority being written/drawn by a variety of different creators. Their Zero Year tie-in was pretty nice with Bruce as a fledgling Batman yet again going up against the Red Hood gang. There’s also a WTF story (in 2013 DC did a gimmicky WTF month of bizarre covers/stories – generally it sucked) that stars a regular Batman villain though it’s not that great and totally pointless. However it does feature The Reaper (from Mike Barr’s infamous Batman: Year Two) which made me laugh because he’s just the worst (Fear… The Reaper!), and a prototype of the Batman Beyond outfit makes a cameo. Capullo makes it look stunning too, can we have a Snyder/Capullo Batman Beyond series please?!
Disappointingly, those are the best issues in this volume. James Tynion IV and Andy Clarke do a short about Dick, Jason, Tim and Barbara seeing the Bat symbol as kids and being awestruck by it. Harper Row tries to be Batman’s new partner (several issues coincide with Damian Wayne’s death) and he promptly breaks her nose – charming!
Batman fights dogs injected with venom, he teams up with Superman to fight an evil spirit, there’s an extra-long/extra-tedious story about an Arkham inmate called The Anchoress (whose motivations don’t make a lick of sense), and he takes down a bland murderer who’s targeting Leslie Thompkins’ patients. They’re just throwaway stories that are hard to care about for that very reason. The book does feature some premier artistic talent though with the likes of Alex Maleev, Andy Kubert, Matteo Scalera and Wes Craig producing fine work.
Graveyard Shift closes out with an episode from Batman Eternal set in the future where Batman’s accepted Harper as his new partner – now calling herself Bluebird – and they drop in on a mob club. The final page reveal isn’t much of a secret if you’ve already read Batman Eternal but it’s a decent issue anyway, written by Snyder and drawn by Dustin Nguyen.
Your mileage may vary but for me this was a very average Batman collection that fans of the Legends of the Dark Knight series will enjoy the most. Just don’t expect the same exciting, tightly-structured book-length narratives from Snyder/Capullo’s previous Batman volumes in Graveyard Shift.
April 7, 2019
This is a collection of single issue stories. They are all over the timeline and you just have to jump into them.
The Red Hood is in one of them. Superman makes an appearance in one of them. Catwoman appears to be in some future storyline possibly. I think it's strange, but one of them is set in Arkham Asylum and Batman is testing how easy it would be to get out. I have a hard time believing that Batman would not be paranoid of being trapped and locked up, but it made for a good story. It also introduced a neat new villain, the Anchoress.
I don't know why they wouldn't put these stories in the order they appear, but they made a choice not too. I thought this was ok. It wasn't grand or anything. It was storytelling and parts of it were even entertaining.
The Red Hood is in one of them. Superman makes an appearance in one of them. Catwoman appears to be in some future storyline possibly. I think it's strange, but one of them is set in Arkham Asylum and Batman is testing how easy it would be to get out. I have a hard time believing that Batman would not be paranoid of being trapped and locked up, but it made for a good story. It also introduced a neat new villain, the Anchoress.
I don't know why they wouldn't put these stories in the order they appear, but they made a choice not too. I thought this was ok. It wasn't grand or anything. It was storytelling and parts of it were even entertaining.
October 6, 2018
I took a hiatus for some reason—both Marvel and DC superhero burnout, maybe?—but jumped back on this train at volume 6, which. . . is not encouraging, since it's a bunch of random one-offs that got shoved into the series with inside refs to some series I don’t usually know. Now don’t get me wrong, Snyder and Capullo are good, this is a classic, historic Batman run, but these comics are not really in this run. These issues are collectible, it’s just that they don’t advance the central arcs of the series at all. Snyder’s early Bruce vs. The Red Hood Gang is good, I liked it. The Snyder/Dustin Nguyen piece on Bluebird is interesting. But then Snyder and Capullo aren’t even the only artists in this volume, so it’s uneven. Everyone here on Goodreads wrote about it three years ago, so I won’t do plot summaries, though I’ll say some of the artwork—Alex Maleev, Andy Kubert, others—is great, but I’ll go quickly on to volume seven. Got some catching up to do.
March 27, 2020
Better than I expected. I put off buying this because it looked like it was made up of issues they couldn't be bothered to put in the other volumes. But it flowed better than I thought it would. There's a good collection of artists in here, and the supporting character Harper (who Snyder and DC are slowly pushing) gets some panel time.
I thought it'd be a throw away volume, but it's not. It's what happens between the big stories (although I don't get why the 0 issue is in here and not the first volume of the Zero Year arc)
I thought it'd be a throw away volume, but it's not. It's what happens between the big stories (although I don't get why the 0 issue is in here and not the first volume of the Zero Year arc)
February 28, 2017
Kind of like in Night of the Owls, this volume is a compilation of various Zero Year stories including how Batman deals with the death of Damien. It is interesting and well-illustrated, but I preferred the volumes which had a single running storyline. That being said, it is still highly readable and a real page turner.
May 12, 2015
(Received from Netgalley for review)
This is kind of a mixed bag of odds and ends. Some of these stories are set during Zero Year, some are set after Damian's death. Looking at the issue listing, it's obvious that these really are just leftover issues between storylines. That isn't necessarily a complaint. Not everything needs to be an enormous, year-long storyline.
Usually, that might mean that the quality of the individual issues varies. And actually, they don't really. All of the stories are very good. And more than just being good, they each have character beats that add depth to the story. I always appreciate seeing those in superhero books. Of course, the stories set after Damian's death dwell heavily on Bruce's grief. And we all know how well Bruce deals with grief.
The current stories focus quite a bit on Harper Row, and her budding career as vigilante Bluebird. I'm surprised at how much I like her. She's tough, focused, determined, and she has a lot to learn. Yes, I do basically feel like she's cannon fodder and she couldn't possibly last beyond Snyder's run, if that long. But I really like her, and I'd like for her to stick around a while longer.
For a bunch of filler, this is surprisingly good. I give credit to DC for putting in a note at the beginning of the book that says, essentially, that these are in-between stories. Maybe that helped manage my expectations, because I actually might have felt disappointed if I'd expected a cohesive narrative.
This is kind of a mixed bag of odds and ends. Some of these stories are set during Zero Year, some are set after Damian's death. Looking at the issue listing, it's obvious that these really are just leftover issues between storylines. That isn't necessarily a complaint. Not everything needs to be an enormous, year-long storyline.
Usually, that might mean that the quality of the individual issues varies. And actually, they don't really. All of the stories are very good. And more than just being good, they each have character beats that add depth to the story. I always appreciate seeing those in superhero books. Of course, the stories set after Damian's death dwell heavily on Bruce's grief. And we all know how well Bruce deals with grief.
The current stories focus quite a bit on Harper Row, and her budding career as vigilante Bluebird. I'm surprised at how much I like her. She's tough, focused, determined, and she has a lot to learn. Yes, I do basically feel like she's cannon fodder and she couldn't possibly last beyond Snyder's run, if that long. But I really like her, and I'd like for her to stick around a while longer.
For a bunch of filler, this is surprisingly good. I give credit to DC for putting in a note at the beginning of the book that says, essentially, that these are in-between stories. Maybe that helped manage my expectations, because I actually might have felt disappointed if I'd expected a cohesive narrative.
October 5, 2015
I received this from Edelweiss and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.
Pretty good mash-up of early New-52/Zero Year Batman stories set shortly after the death of his son, Damian. A couple of the stories deal directly with Bruce's psyche and his dealing with the loss and mourning, including a set with Superman helping out. A highlight in this volume is the "new" origin story of Clayface, and his new powers, which take a B-list villain and elevate him to something of a large conundrum for Batman. My only complaint is the cliff-hanger ending, something not normally seen in TPBs.
Pretty good mash-up of early New-52/Zero Year Batman stories set shortly after the death of his son, Damian. A couple of the stories deal directly with Bruce's psyche and his dealing with the loss and mourning, including a set with Superman helping out. A highlight in this volume is the "new" origin story of Clayface, and his new powers, which take a B-list villain and elevate him to something of a large conundrum for Batman. My only complaint is the cliff-hanger ending, something not normally seen in TPBs.
December 7, 2015
For a volume that's a grab bag of leftover stories not in storyline events, this is high quality stuff.
Snyder and Capullo are so good on this title, even their cast offs are better than 80% of the other people out there.
Stuff about Red Hood Gang, the early appearances of Dick, Jason and Tim; some Arkham stuff, Gordon, Clayface, and Superman going on patrol with Bats after the death of Damian. Also Alfred and Bruce remember Damian together.
The feels come hard in the last few ones I mention...Clark acts like a true friend, and Alfred gives Bruce the support he needs to feel.
A little slice of good stuff, leftovers almost always as good as the main course.
That's and all other DC New 52 shit lately has been awful.
Snyder and Capullo are so good on this title, even their cast offs are better than 80% of the other people out there.
Stuff about Red Hood Gang, the early appearances of Dick, Jason and Tim; some Arkham stuff, Gordon, Clayface, and Superman going on patrol with Bats after the death of Damian. Also Alfred and Bruce remember Damian together.
The feels come hard in the last few ones I mention...Clark acts like a true friend, and Alfred gives Bruce the support he needs to feel.
A little slice of good stuff, leftovers almost always as good as the main course.
That's and all other DC New 52 shit lately has been awful.
May 21, 2016
A lot of Batman tales from beginnings up to the Batman Eternal run. I liked the Arkham Asylum the most as it introduced people actually working there who were not necessarily security guards nor high profile doctors.
Great artwork as usual.
MY GRADE: B to B plus.
Great artwork as usual.
MY GRADE: B to B plus.
September 1, 2022
Pues continúo con el Batman de Scott Snyder y aquí debo decir que me ha decepcionado un poquitín. También que es complicado mantener la calidad tras las entretenidas sagas de los Búhos, Muerte de la Familia y Año Cero. Y que aquí son recopilaciones de historias cortas, que tampoco es que llenen mucho y si no las lees tampoco te pierdas nada. Por ahora se lo perdono al tito Snyder.
Básicamente, son historias donde vemos las consecuencias de la muerte de Damian y como Batman afronta una nueva pérdida. Mientras Snyder nos mete con calzador su personaje de Harper Row, su intento de Robin que a mí no me funciona y me parece un personaje que está sin más. Una historia de cómo Cara de Barro intenta chantajear millonarios y se topa con Bruce Wayne. Una paciente de Arkham que lleva encerrada desde sus inicios y la cual detesta como el Caballero Oscuro ha llenado de degenerados el asilo. Otra historia con la Harper, relacionada con Batman Eterno, el cual no me interesa nada y otra más interesante de un enterrador que lleva cavando unos cuantos hoyos con las víctimas que asesina.
Básicamente, son historias donde vemos las consecuencias de la muerte de Damian y como Batman afronta una nueva pérdida. Mientras Snyder nos mete con calzador su personaje de Harper Row, su intento de Robin que a mí no me funciona y me parece un personaje que está sin más. Una historia de cómo Cara de Barro intenta chantajear millonarios y se topa con Bruce Wayne. Una paciente de Arkham que lleva encerrada desde sus inicios y la cual detesta como el Caballero Oscuro ha llenado de degenerados el asilo. Otra historia con la Harper, relacionada con Batman Eterno, el cual no me interesa nada y otra más interesante de un enterrador que lleva cavando unos cuantos hoyos con las víctimas que asesina.
July 20, 2023
3.5 but not good enough to round it up.
I'm almost upset to have given my first rating lower then a 4 for this batman run by Scott Snyder, this is probably my favorite running series, so I hope you feel my pain. I mean
this book wasn't bad, in fact alot of the stories in this are very good, its just so incoherent and all over the f'n place, it doesn't know where it wants to go and for that and the very strange second and third issue I had to give it a 3.5. Is this book bad ? no its good enough, but it definitely has its flaws , it's worth the read for sure but it's not Snyder or Batman's best stuff.
I'm almost upset to have given my first rating lower then a 4 for this batman run by Scott Snyder, this is probably my favorite running series, so I hope you feel my pain. I mean
this book wasn't bad, in fact alot of the stories in this are very good, its just so incoherent and all over the f'n place, it doesn't know where it wants to go and for that and the very strange second and third issue I had to give it a 3.5. Is this book bad ? no its good enough, but it definitely has its flaws , it's worth the read for sure but it's not Snyder or Batman's best stuff.
October 6, 2015
The previous Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo Batman trades collected whole arcs, so I was wondering how DC was going to collect the one-shots and the short arcs.
Graveyard Shift is the answer to the hypothetical question and it's a hodgepodge of stories written directly by Snyder or co-plotted. If these stories were included in any of the previous collections to pad the page count it would have not meshed well with the main story. As part of its own collection, it's an excellent sampler of this excellent Batman series.
Graveyard Shift is the answer to the hypothetical question and it's a hodgepodge of stories written directly by Snyder or co-plotted. If these stories were included in any of the previous collections to pad the page count it would have not meshed well with the main story. As part of its own collection, it's an excellent sampler of this excellent Batman series.
March 11, 2021
This was all over the place as it has many different stories but the main thing it starts off with Batman vs Clayface, him remembering his times with Damian as he passed away recently and then there is the stuff with Superman and they team up on a supernatural case involving some soul eater, its a good tale of friendship and there is a good one where Batman has to team up with Harper and it also kind of acts as an origin for Blue Bird! I read just the first 120 pages because after that it was SO BAD and I couldn't even with the constant art changes and all..just terrible.
November 8, 2015
It was okay. I enjoyed the Snyder New 52 stories, even if they were a bit time scrambled. I did not like or understand the relevance of the Batman Eternal stories. That's a completely different run. Not sure why this odd collection was included in this series. This turn in the run is kind of baffling with the success of the previous issues.
September 29, 2020
The New 52 Batman, issues #0,#18,#19,#20,#28,#34, and Annual #2. Eight single-issue stories across 24 months of publication, from Year Zero to Damien’s death to the Batman Eternal weekly series. All nice stand-alone stories, although there will be some confusing issues (Harper, Catwoman’s changes, Red Hood Gang), as with anything you come into the middle of.
October 4, 2016
Batman Volume 6 isn't that bad. Given the right mindset, someone would actually enjoy Graveyard Shift very much. Yet coming from a reader who have been engrossed with the high-quality storytelling of Scott Snyder, no wonder this volume is the least favorite among the New 52 Batman run.
Volume 6 is a collection of loosely tied Batman stories from the wake of Damian's death to spotlight chapters for Harper. But for me this whole book is a filler, a much-needed break for Snyder and Capullo after their spectacular runs about the Court of Owls, Joker and The Riddler.
A completist would no doubt have a copy of this, but for casual fans and readers, they could skip this and continue right away with the next story arc: Endgame.
Volume 6 is a collection of loosely tied Batman stories from the wake of Damian's death to spotlight chapters for Harper. But for me this whole book is a filler, a much-needed break for Snyder and Capullo after their spectacular runs about the Court of Owls, Joker and The Riddler.
A completist would no doubt have a copy of this, but for casual fans and readers, they could skip this and continue right away with the next story arc: Endgame.
January 2, 2022
Some of the stories are good so far!
Rating: 3.7 stars.
Rating: 3.7 stars.
September 1, 2022
Seven Batman stories spanning his career from Zero Year to Gotham Eternal. Some good stories and plenty of action, but as I often point out for me the artwork suffers for its uniqueness/originality.
February 15, 2018
If you're looking for one Snyder-written story arc that occurs over 7 issues, you're at the wrong place. Graveyard Shift is nothing more than a collection of short stories that barely ever have anything in common. Collecting issues #0, 18-20, 28, 34 and Annual #2, this volume isn't as bad as you'd imagine for a messy collection of short stories. The least entertaining stories would most likely be issues #34 and Annual #2, but they aren't the worst things you'd ever have read though.
Issue #0 isn't the first issue of the whole New 52 Batman series. It was released back in November 2012 and is a throwback to Batman's early days, without his costume, as he tries to take down the Red Hood gang. This was a really nice addition to the canon story revolving around this newly introduced gang by Scott Snyder. It shows us a Bruce Wayne with all the technology in the world, but not the experience or the costume that will someday make him one of the most versatile and powerful superhero out there. This comic issue also contains a very short story by James Tynion IV called Tomorrow, where you get a glimpse at some of the younger heroes who were influenced by Batman and his symbol hope.
Issue #18 focuses on Harper Row and her desire to help Batman figure things out as he's out on a rampage, taking down criminals at an abnormal rate. The artwork by Andy Kubert, alongside Snyder's writing, made this a visually nice story. There were panels were it looked a bit too odd, but others were just so nice. I particularly liked how Batman looked more and more used up as you progressed through this short story.
Issue #19 and 20 is the longest short story that you get in Graveyard Shift. It's a two-part story called Nowhere Man and features Bruce Wayne who has turned to the dark side. While you can easily guess what's happening, it's the execution that will leave a nice taste in your mouth. I loved the Easter egg referring to one of the classic Bat-suits as well as Batman's characterization. He really sounded like the man with infinite knowledge and the man who's always 5 steps ahead. These two issues also contained an even shorter story (two-parts) by James Tynion IV called Ghost Lights regarding Damian, his faith, and his impact on Batman. Good stuff.
Issue #28 was the most random of the bunch. This one was a "secret glimpse into Batman Eternal". What you get a secret mission with Batman and Bluebird where they seek to retrieve something that could save Gotham. It was a pretty interesting teaser to what Batman Eternal has in store for readers. I can't see the purpose of this issue other than make readers check out the other series for themselves. In other words, to make more money!
Issue #34 is a story that questions Batman's ability to "see everything". The idea of a killer who deems he'll be forgotten for going after those who were "invisible" was well done, but things were happening at such a fast pace and sort of never gave the reader the chance to immerse into the context of the story, that it was sort of hard to truly enjoy this. However, it was still a pretty decent story.
Finally, Annual #2, the least interesting story in my opinion, felt like a Batman horror-movie attempt with no real resolution for Batman. You do get an introduction to the Anchoress, but her character isn't anything to rave about.
In the end, Graveyard Shift was an interesting collection of short stories that took a different direction from the usual full 6-8 issues story arc. If it was up for debate, I'd say that one underlying connection between some of these issues is the faith of Damian and his impact on Batman throughout some of these issues. Besides that, volume 6 of Snyder's run is just a quick and easy read for fans of Batman.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: http://bookidote.wordpress.com
Issue #0 isn't the first issue of the whole New 52 Batman series. It was released back in November 2012 and is a throwback to Batman's early days, without his costume, as he tries to take down the Red Hood gang. This was a really nice addition to the canon story revolving around this newly introduced gang by Scott Snyder. It shows us a Bruce Wayne with all the technology in the world, but not the experience or the costume that will someday make him one of the most versatile and powerful superhero out there. This comic issue also contains a very short story by James Tynion IV called Tomorrow, where you get a glimpse at some of the younger heroes who were influenced by Batman and his symbol hope.
Issue #18 focuses on Harper Row and her desire to help Batman figure things out as he's out on a rampage, taking down criminals at an abnormal rate. The artwork by Andy Kubert, alongside Snyder's writing, made this a visually nice story. There were panels were it looked a bit too odd, but others were just so nice. I particularly liked how Batman looked more and more used up as you progressed through this short story.
Issue #19 and 20 is the longest short story that you get in Graveyard Shift. It's a two-part story called Nowhere Man and features Bruce Wayne who has turned to the dark side. While you can easily guess what's happening, it's the execution that will leave a nice taste in your mouth. I loved the Easter egg referring to one of the classic Bat-suits as well as Batman's characterization. He really sounded like the man with infinite knowledge and the man who's always 5 steps ahead. These two issues also contained an even shorter story (two-parts) by James Tynion IV called Ghost Lights regarding Damian, his faith, and his impact on Batman. Good stuff.
Issue #28 was the most random of the bunch. This one was a "secret glimpse into Batman Eternal". What you get a secret mission with Batman and Bluebird where they seek to retrieve something that could save Gotham. It was a pretty interesting teaser to what Batman Eternal has in store for readers. I can't see the purpose of this issue other than make readers check out the other series for themselves. In other words, to make more money!
Issue #34 is a story that questions Batman's ability to "see everything". The idea of a killer who deems he'll be forgotten for going after those who were "invisible" was well done, but things were happening at such a fast pace and sort of never gave the reader the chance to immerse into the context of the story, that it was sort of hard to truly enjoy this. However, it was still a pretty decent story.
Finally, Annual #2, the least interesting story in my opinion, felt like a Batman horror-movie attempt with no real resolution for Batman. You do get an introduction to the Anchoress, but her character isn't anything to rave about.
In the end, Graveyard Shift was an interesting collection of short stories that took a different direction from the usual full 6-8 issues story arc. If it was up for debate, I'd say that one underlying connection between some of these issues is the faith of Damian and his impact on Batman throughout some of these issues. Besides that, volume 6 of Snyder's run is just a quick and easy read for fans of Batman.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: http://bookidote.wordpress.com
May 28, 2015
Still very good in terms of Batman stories, but honestly this collection is just a bunch of tie ins and filler so that Snyder and Capullo can rest between storylines:
World: It's Gotham, it's Snyder's version of Batman so it's awesome. There are a couple of issues drawn by Cappulo here, but you will also find a couple of issues that are drawn by other artists while Capullo takes a break from illustrating between Zero Year, Death of the Family, and End Game. As I said, the world is awesome still, it's another layer of Gotham and the bat world that completionists will want to see, but for casual readers it's not really essential.
Story: As with my other reviews, I will be as spoiler free as possible. What you will find here in this collection is 1 fairly good zero issue, 1 introduction to Batman Eternal, 1 annual that builds on Zero Year, a somewhat interesting Batman story and 1 pointless tie in to the Robin stuff Grand Morrison did right after Death of the Family (stupid ass needed to make it his thing right after DOTF). There is not a lot of story to be had here, there are glimpses of small character development if you really need it. The stuff that Snyder and Capullo do is still pretty awesome but it only makes up about less than half of the contents of the book. However, the rest of the book is filler and tie in's to things you really don't care about anyways unless you are a crazy Bat fan.
Characters: A fun take on a classic Batman baddie, some small character development moments for Bruce and family but most of the contents of this book are filler. Without spoiling it for people who do want to read the series, there are a lot of classic characters that show up here and I like that aspect, but not a lot of time is ever spent on any of them for them to be really developed. It's ok, not bad, just not remarkable.
This is the first Snyder era Bat book I've given less than 5 star...or did I also give the Court of Owls tie in the same score? It's fine, it's not essential unless you are a completionist. Those who go into this without a lot of expectations of a follow-up to Zero Year will enjoy it. Those running on a post Zero Year high will find it underwealming.
Onward to END GAME!!!!
World: It's Gotham, it's Snyder's version of Batman so it's awesome. There are a couple of issues drawn by Cappulo here, but you will also find a couple of issues that are drawn by other artists while Capullo takes a break from illustrating between Zero Year, Death of the Family, and End Game. As I said, the world is awesome still, it's another layer of Gotham and the bat world that completionists will want to see, but for casual readers it's not really essential.
Story: As with my other reviews, I will be as spoiler free as possible. What you will find here in this collection is 1 fairly good zero issue, 1 introduction to Batman Eternal, 1 annual that builds on Zero Year, a somewhat interesting Batman story and 1 pointless tie in to the Robin stuff Grand Morrison did right after Death of the Family (stupid ass needed to make it his thing right after DOTF). There is not a lot of story to be had here, there are glimpses of small character development if you really need it. The stuff that Snyder and Capullo do is still pretty awesome but it only makes up about less than half of the contents of the book. However, the rest of the book is filler and tie in's to things you really don't care about anyways unless you are a crazy Bat fan.
Characters: A fun take on a classic Batman baddie, some small character development moments for Bruce and family but most of the contents of this book are filler. Without spoiling it for people who do want to read the series, there are a lot of classic characters that show up here and I like that aspect, but not a lot of time is ever spent on any of them for them to be really developed. It's ok, not bad, just not remarkable.
This is the first Snyder era Bat book I've given less than 5 star...or did I also give the Court of Owls tie in the same score? It's fine, it's not essential unless you are a completionist. Those who go into this without a lot of expectations of a follow-up to Zero Year will enjoy it. Those running on a post Zero Year high will find it underwealming.
Onward to END GAME!!!!
May 10, 2016
Vol 6 is a collection of short stories by Scott Snyder each set in a different Batman title theme. So one is from Batman another might be from Batman Eternal. It is an interesting idea and for the most part it works. The collection traces the arc of a Batman starting with Year Zero Bruce Wayne before he is even the Batman all the way to Batman Eternal. Most of the stories are actually very good. The artwork is also very good. That's always a plus in any collection. Sometimes the background story can be confusing unless you are caught up with all the titles. For example, I was not aware that Damien was dead. That's too bad. He was my favorite Robin. Plus, none of the Robins ever stay dead. I would be truly irritated though if they killed off Damien to replace him with the white trash girl with the stupid haircut. Bluebird? Really? She is too much. A projects kid trains herself? I can almost buy the computer genius thing. Sure. Maybe. But, then again, how does a kid from the projects afford all her tech? She's POOR remember? Her father is in prison and she has to support her brother. But all reality aside. Ok. She's bleeding brilliant. Fine. But who the hell taught her how to fight? Self taught you say? Well then Batman's quality has dropped considerably. I hope he does not make her his sidekick. On the whole this is a series most Batman fans would enjoy-just make sure to be abreast of the current events in the titles.
November 4, 2025
2025 Review - Basically agree. I do love the issues focusing on Bruce dealing with Grief, especially good one with Harper. The Riddler background was fine. Clayface was okay. Overall a decent volume.
2016 Review - So sad that my scores have dropped into the 3's for Snyder's run on Batman. Because Court-City are great, and so in Death. However Zero Year, this, and even End Game don't live up to it.
SAYING THAT I do still really enjoy them. They have a little to many things that annoy me, or distract me, from the overall story to love it like the first three arcs.
The big thing with this volume was the answer to a lot of people's issues. They said all Snyder did was do one big arc after another. Never doing small individual arcs to slow down. That's what this is, just a bunch of individual stories all gathered in one volume. They're fine, nothing special, and I personally enjoy the bigger arcs but hey that's me.
You need a Bat fix? You'll get it here. Just don't expect anything beyond that.
2016 Review - So sad that my scores have dropped into the 3's for Snyder's run on Batman. Because Court-City are great, and so in Death. However Zero Year, this, and even End Game don't live up to it.
SAYING THAT I do still really enjoy them. They have a little to many things that annoy me, or distract me, from the overall story to love it like the first three arcs.
The big thing with this volume was the answer to a lot of people's issues. They said all Snyder did was do one big arc after another. Never doing small individual arcs to slow down. That's what this is, just a bunch of individual stories all gathered in one volume. They're fine, nothing special, and I personally enjoy the bigger arcs but hey that's me.
You need a Bat fix? You'll get it here. Just don't expect anything beyond that.
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