Batman: Orpheus Rising #1

Batman: Orpheus Rising #1

by Alex Simmons, Dwayne Turner, Danny Miki

A rash of police shootings has escalated the tensions between the Gotham City Police Department and local street gangs. But as Batman investigates the shootings, he discovers more than just trigger- happy gangbangers. There's a new costumed figure in town. But is this stranger a hero or a villain? Just who is Orpheus, and what is his connection to the shootings?

Genres: Comics

24 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Enrique Sánchez Pascual (1918-1996)

Reviews

[Ill D · Rating 1 out of 5]

Taking place in a post-No-Man’s-Land era (that curiously rebuilt itself unusually fast) Orpheus Rising is another yarn in the knitted quilt of the BatMan mythos. Curiously devoid of any of our expected villains (Two-Face, Penguin, etc…) this one weirdly favors a more subaltern take on things. A tale of gangs and crime is more mediocre than anything.

Add in our newest cape to the team (I think he showed up in War Drums) Orpheus, and the tale just bogs in its own lameness. Nothing interesting happens and it’s really just more of the same. Bullets are met with fisticuffs, capes fight gang-bangers, and as always, good guys prevail and bad guys lose.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

So someone in town is darker than the Dark Knight himself, with a past that's more bleak and coming from the grassroots.

I never expected a black version of Batman, considering that his issues were related to a certain class and not a race. But I guess Orpheus would be enough. A regular series would be highly appreciated.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rare examination of race in comics, especially DC Comics. Unfornately in 2015 we are still facing many of the issues that are outlined in this story from 2001-2002. The story is not the best part of this read. Rather it is the social commentary as well as making Batman think about how he operates and where he cannot be the hero that people need.

[Dr Rashmit Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the art , intrigued by story , full review in Orpheus Rising #5