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Batman (2025) (Single Issues)
Batman (2025-) #5
A night out with Bruce Wayne goes off the rails immediately for Dr. Annika Zeller—it seems her experimental Crown of Storms has her marked for death. And if they survive the legendary 000 Gang, they’ll still have to confront the sinister assassin known as The Ojo!
30 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2026
15 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Matt Fraction
1,224 books1,869 followers"How he got started in comics: In 1983, when Fraction was 7 years old and growing up in Kansas City, Mo., he became fascinated by the U.S. invasion of Grenada and created his own newspaper to explain the event. "I've always been story-driven, telling stories with pictures and words," he said.
Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.
"My mother was not happy about that," he said.
But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.
Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.
Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."
Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.
- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.
Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.
"My mother was not happy about that," he said.
But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.
Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.
Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."
Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.
- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 13, 2026
This was easily one of my favorite issues of the run so far. The pacing is fantastic — it reads fast, but never feels rushed, and every page moves the story forward. It blends sharp detective work with fun, kinetic action in a way that makes the whole thing feel lively and engaging.
Ōjo is a huge part of why this works so well. She comes in with real personality and presence, and instead of just orbiting Batman, she actually helps drive the story. The mystery elements are solid, the humor lands, and the issue does a great job escalating the larger arc without feeling like filler.
Between the strong character work, clear visual storytelling, and great tempo, this is exactly the kind of Batman comic I want — interesting, funny, and genuinely fun to read.
Ōjo is a huge part of why this works so well. She comes in with real personality and presence, and instead of just orbiting Batman, she actually helps drive the story. The mystery elements are solid, the humor lands, and the issue does a great job escalating the larger arc without feeling like filler.
Between the strong character work, clear visual storytelling, and great tempo, this is exactly the kind of Batman comic I want — interesting, funny, and genuinely fun to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2026
I’m genuinely blown away by this run from Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez. Every issue somehow finds a new way to be exciting. I love how they’re exploring different corners of Gotham while also digging into new sides of both Batman and Bruce Wayne. The approach feels fresh and thoughtful, and it’s really working for me!
This issue in particular was such a fun read. From the first page to the last, it’s packed with action while still feeling lighthearted and upbeat in the best ways. I’m not sure where the story is headed with Bruce and Dr. Zeller yet, but I’m really enjoying their dynamic. The flirty energy between them is fun, and she already feels like a potentially very interesting love interest for Bruce.
One of my favorite aspects of this issue is how much time we get to spend with Bruce being Bruce. Yes, there’s still Batman here, but seeing Bruce navigate situations as himself is refreshing. It deepens the lore and makes everything feel more layered. He comes across as smooth, strategic, and quick to adapt when things go sideways, and I really like how Matt Fraction continues to highlight a more human side of him throughout this run.
The Ōjō feels mysterious and genuinely threatening, and I keep wondering who she might be working for. She already feels like a formidable presence for the Caped Crusader, and I can’t wait to learn more about that.
And of course, who better to show up at the end than Damian!! I always love how he balances being flashy and fun with being bold and brutal as Robin. That final panel just felt like peak Damian Wayne, and it left me really excited to see where the story goes next.
This issue in particular was such a fun read. From the first page to the last, it’s packed with action while still feeling lighthearted and upbeat in the best ways. I’m not sure where the story is headed with Bruce and Dr. Zeller yet, but I’m really enjoying their dynamic. The flirty energy between them is fun, and she already feels like a potentially very interesting love interest for Bruce.
One of my favorite aspects of this issue is how much time we get to spend with Bruce being Bruce. Yes, there’s still Batman here, but seeing Bruce navigate situations as himself is refreshing. It deepens the lore and makes everything feel more layered. He comes across as smooth, strategic, and quick to adapt when things go sideways, and I really like how Matt Fraction continues to highlight a more human side of him throughout this run.
The Ōjō feels mysterious and genuinely threatening, and I keep wondering who she might be working for. She already feels like a formidable presence for the Caped Crusader, and I can’t wait to learn more about that.
And of course, who better to show up at the end than Damian!! I always love how he balances being flashy and fun with being bold and brutal as Robin. That final panel just felt like peak Damian Wayne, and it left me really excited to see where the story goes next.
January 7, 2026
WHAT A DELIGHT OF AN ISSUE, OMG
January 8, 2026
ISSUE #5: DATE NIGHT
This run is truly so good and this issue was my favorite so far with issue #3!
Just good characters and beautiful art everywhere you look, perfect -
Looking forward to new issues every month is kind of my new favorite thing!
This run is truly so good and this issue was my favorite so far with issue #3!
Just good characters and beautiful art everywhere you look, perfect -
Looking forward to new issues every month is kind of my new favorite thing!
January 8, 2026
WELCOME BACK LOVERBOY BRUCE WAYNE!! thank you matt for bringing back bruce's charm:')<3
January 11, 2026
This was the fourth comic I tried reading this week after Absolute Batman: Ark-M, Absolute Superman #15 and The Phantom #4.
This latest Batman relaunch has been selling really well and receiving good reviews. As it was yet another relaunch among a myriad of Batman titles I was waiting to see how the series progressed. However, I felt like challenging how accessible this comic is by diving straight into it. I have to say I'm impressed - the story is self-contained and is essentially a long chase sequence. At no point did I feel lost or the need to read previous issues. The best part is that, Batman doesn't appear - this is a Bruce Wayne adventure and I really like this take on a side of Batman that is usually ignored. Fraction makes Bruce likeable and a man of action but in a way that feels like a playboy carefree billionaire as opposed to a selfish/clueless fool. A bit like a medieval 2nd son of a monarchy where the sense of duty is present without the pressure, or possibly a non spy James Bond.
The other thing that stood out in this issue is the overall fun tone. This isn't a brooding dark Batman and while it isn't quite 60s Batman TV it has a spring in its step and feels like Batman could comfortably steal Superman's "action comics" and earn the title. Even Gotham feels different, as if it's had a facelift courtesy of metropolis architects and there is a lot more colour. This is largely thanks to the art team with the vibrant colour choice and dynamic panels. Jimenez has been drawing Batman for several years now and for at least 3 different writers. It's a testament to their skill that they somehow reinvent themselves each time and I can't really think of a modern artist who has done this (John Romita JR on Spider-Man is the only one I can think of and his work remains relatively static probably because he's been drawing Spider-Man for 20+ years). The aforementioned new Gotham design and spring in characters' steps stand out here. I think there style may be shifting a little towards Dan Mora's style - hopefully it will allow Jimenez to draw more issues a year too.
To cap it all off the issue ends with a great little cliffhanger that has me eager to see what happens in the next issue. In that sense this issue works perfectly as a jump on point as they have me on board. Do I feel the need to catch up on the previous issues? Not really but I may possibly check out the trade at a later point. This feels like a title with a lot of forward momentum that doesn't require dwelling too much on what happened previously which is a pleasant change.
Overall 5/5
Writing 4/5
Art 5/5
Will I read the next issue? Yes
Did I need to read previous issues/series? No
Will I read previous issues? Maybe in TPB
This latest Batman relaunch has been selling really well and receiving good reviews. As it was yet another relaunch among a myriad of Batman titles I was waiting to see how the series progressed. However, I felt like challenging how accessible this comic is by diving straight into it. I have to say I'm impressed - the story is self-contained and is essentially a long chase sequence. At no point did I feel lost or the need to read previous issues. The best part is that, Batman doesn't appear - this is a Bruce Wayne adventure and I really like this take on a side of Batman that is usually ignored. Fraction makes Bruce likeable and a man of action but in a way that feels like a playboy carefree billionaire as opposed to a selfish/clueless fool. A bit like a medieval 2nd son of a monarchy where the sense of duty is present without the pressure, or possibly a non spy James Bond.
The other thing that stood out in this issue is the overall fun tone. This isn't a brooding dark Batman and while it isn't quite 60s Batman TV it has a spring in its step and feels like Batman could comfortably steal Superman's "action comics" and earn the title. Even Gotham feels different, as if it's had a facelift courtesy of metropolis architects and there is a lot more colour. This is largely thanks to the art team with the vibrant colour choice and dynamic panels. Jimenez has been drawing Batman for several years now and for at least 3 different writers. It's a testament to their skill that they somehow reinvent themselves each time and I can't really think of a modern artist who has done this (John Romita JR on Spider-Man is the only one I can think of and his work remains relatively static probably because he's been drawing Spider-Man for 20+ years). The aforementioned new Gotham design and spring in characters' steps stand out here. I think there style may be shifting a little towards Dan Mora's style - hopefully it will allow Jimenez to draw more issues a year too.
To cap it all off the issue ends with a great little cliffhanger that has me eager to see what happens in the next issue. In that sense this issue works perfectly as a jump on point as they have me on board. Do I feel the need to catch up on the previous issues? Not really but I may possibly check out the trade at a later point. This feels like a title with a lot of forward momentum that doesn't require dwelling too much on what happened previously which is a pleasant change.
Overall 5/5
Writing 4/5
Art 5/5
Will I read the next issue? Yes
Did I need to read previous issues/series? No
Will I read previous issues? Maybe in TPB
January 16, 2026
Feel like Fraction is really hitting his stride now, and this is easily my favorite issue of the run thus far. Bruce sure knows how to show a lady a good time, and this is certainly a date night worth remembering! Great fun, and I look forward to seeing more of Lady Oja, if only because Jorge Jiménez is obviously having a blast bringing in the manga action aesthetic to his work. All around, this is just a perfect issue.
January 8, 2026
Bruce is dialing up the rizz in this one. We get this hybrid of chase sequence/fight/date and it was great. Then Robin shows up and we get that last page. Wish the next issue was already out.
January 16, 2026
Ridiculously fun, a perfect standalone issue to show people how rad this run is. Love the character design of the main villain.
January 26, 2026
Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez y'all are EATING with this Batman run.
Truly all the things a I want in a Batman story: gadget camp, GREAT fight scenes, comedic moments, arguably one of the best comic car chases, suave HOT billionaire Bruce Wayne, a hopeful overarching story/message.
GIVE ME MORE.
“Violent and powerful people feel threatened by the idea their idea of identity can be changed if they choose.”
Truly all the things a I want in a Batman story: gadget camp, GREAT fight scenes, comedic moments, arguably one of the best comic car chases, suave HOT billionaire Bruce Wayne, a hopeful overarching story/message.
GIVE ME MORE.
“Violent and powerful people feel threatened by the idea their idea of identity can be changed if they choose.”
January 13, 2026
This one had me 👀👀👀
Wish we got a few more pages - the ending was such a cliffhanger 😭
Wish we got a few more pages - the ending was such a cliffhanger 😭
January 15, 2026
Might be my favorite issue yet, simply for the spectacular art as well as Bruce and Dr. Zeller's dynamic. This is my first time properly collecting a series as it releases, and I'm loving every minute (or month I suppose lol) of it.
January 31, 2026
Very entertaining! I’m getting the vibe of Fraction’s series now. Slow burn as hell but I’m okay with that now. Characters are real fun. Well paced issue. 20-25 minutes just zoomed by!
January 13, 2026
THEY DID NOT WITH THE CLIFFHANGER 😭😭😭
January 9, 2026
The art continues to remain fantastic and this was such a fun story, but note to self Bruce…communication! Make sure you let your family know when you are on a “not a date” date with a civilian, especially when it’s Doctor Zeller or HUGE mistakes like the end of this issue can happen, lol. So this issue starts fairly normal, with Bruce swinging by to pick up a late Zeller for their meeting. He pulls the usual Bruce Wayne charm by pulling up in an expensive car, expensive suit, and having a gift ready for her. She is not charmed, at first, but by the way Bruce pointed out how nice she dressed tonight…maybe she thought this was a date as well no matter how much she denies it…hmmmm. But the date immediately gets off to a rocky starts as the second they leave Bruce notices a biker gang armed to the teeth with swords gunning for them and more specifically her. A lot of people are feeling threatened by her research and the concept that you can just change the way a person thinks and acts, and they would much rather take her out. Luckily Bruce informs her he has numerous driving awards and promises that he is going to get her out of this. The first move he makes is my favorite as he slams on the breaks as two swordsmen jump from their bikes to try and get in the car…only to slam into each other, lol. But really it only goes downhill from here as Bruce is able to spin the car in a way that they slam into and throw off a lot of bikers…but he also ends up driving off the highway and through a guard rail to the street below in little Tokyo, totaling the car and glitching it in an alley in the process.
But the bikers aren’t the only ones after her as they are suddenly met with a flock of birds carrying a gust of wind that quickly turns into the dual wielding swordswoman known as Ojo! WHAT?! I have to admit…the drip is immaculate. Bruce immediately takes Zeller and throws her in a nearby garbage bin to try and keep her safe and keep her keen eyes from what he is about to do. Ojo rushes forward with her swords out, taking one of them and slicing through the garbage bin intent on killing Zeller. But Zeller got lucky holding the gift Bruce gave her up first as the moment the sword slammed into it…it snapped! Giving Bruce the opening he needed to return an attack, ultimately finding Ojo more than capable of matching his speed but her broken sword is not capable of slicing through his nice suit’s body armor. With this failure and the approaching biker gang, Ojo went into retreat and once again turned into a flock of birds which is just so cool. The woman made of birds and the motorcycle men are not friends and as Zeller climbs out of the garbage and over to Bruce where he has opened a hole in the fence in the alley so they can get away, she can’t help but ask what the gift was that broke her sword. Apparently it was a cube of titanographen…which shocks Zeller still as that is worth a fortune and she accidentally left it in the garbage. But I can’t blame Zeller for any crushes she may have on Bruce after he drops lines like: “I already have a fortune. What I don’t have is more of you.” I know that was such a high compliment on her intelligence, but dang what a nice line. Bruce and Zeller continue to run across the city and eventually get to a building with rooftop access from the alley. Zeller is very much in heels and incapable of climbing, so Bruce rips the ladder down and has her climb on his back and he climbs her up to the roof. Unfortunately…Ojo is there waiting for them and Bruce orders her to hide behind the nearby water tower as he faces Ojo directly. Ojo can’t help but be intrigued by his fighting skills as Bruce squares up. But as she rushes towards him a collection of tiny spikes pop into the ground from above as Damian jumps down and activates the batsnare he just threw down to electrocute and knockout Ojo. Bruce wears insulated shoes but even he got caught in the blast resulting in some of his hearing being knocked out. And unfortunately with Damian just seeing Bruce alone he couldn’t help but brag how he studied this assassin during his time with the league and how good a job he did adhering to his father’s no killing rule…unfortunately he directly called Bruce father and Zeller was right there to hear it just outside Damian’s view…hahahaha!
But the bikers aren’t the only ones after her as they are suddenly met with a flock of birds carrying a gust of wind that quickly turns into the dual wielding swordswoman known as Ojo! WHAT?! I have to admit…the drip is immaculate. Bruce immediately takes Zeller and throws her in a nearby garbage bin to try and keep her safe and keep her keen eyes from what he is about to do. Ojo rushes forward with her swords out, taking one of them and slicing through the garbage bin intent on killing Zeller. But Zeller got lucky holding the gift Bruce gave her up first as the moment the sword slammed into it…it snapped! Giving Bruce the opening he needed to return an attack, ultimately finding Ojo more than capable of matching his speed but her broken sword is not capable of slicing through his nice suit’s body armor. With this failure and the approaching biker gang, Ojo went into retreat and once again turned into a flock of birds which is just so cool. The woman made of birds and the motorcycle men are not friends and as Zeller climbs out of the garbage and over to Bruce where he has opened a hole in the fence in the alley so they can get away, she can’t help but ask what the gift was that broke her sword. Apparently it was a cube of titanographen…which shocks Zeller still as that is worth a fortune and she accidentally left it in the garbage. But I can’t blame Zeller for any crushes she may have on Bruce after he drops lines like: “I already have a fortune. What I don’t have is more of you.” I know that was such a high compliment on her intelligence, but dang what a nice line. Bruce and Zeller continue to run across the city and eventually get to a building with rooftop access from the alley. Zeller is very much in heels and incapable of climbing, so Bruce rips the ladder down and has her climb on his back and he climbs her up to the roof. Unfortunately…Ojo is there waiting for them and Bruce orders her to hide behind the nearby water tower as he faces Ojo directly. Ojo can’t help but be intrigued by his fighting skills as Bruce squares up. But as she rushes towards him a collection of tiny spikes pop into the ground from above as Damian jumps down and activates the batsnare he just threw down to electrocute and knockout Ojo. Bruce wears insulated shoes but even he got caught in the blast resulting in some of his hearing being knocked out. And unfortunately with Damian just seeing Bruce alone he couldn’t help but brag how he studied this assassin during his time with the league and how good a job he did adhering to his father’s no killing rule…unfortunately he directly called Bruce father and Zeller was right there to hear it just outside Damian’s view…hahahaha!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2026
o melhorrrrrr até agora! imagina você estar em um não-encontro, sendo perseguido por uma gangue enquanto carrega sua não-date escadas acima pra, no final, ser salvo pelo seu filho meio esquentadinho, então ele chama você de pai e a mulher que você claramente levou pra um encontro fica gag com essa revelação (fico em duvida se a surpresa foi por você ser pai ou pelo seu filho ser o robin ou por ele ser uma criança)
January 25, 2026
Jiménez is going to go down as one of the “great” Batman artists at this rate. He’s certainly defined a fantastic and unique style for his version of Gotham — the same sentiment goes for Morey’s colors.
This is a great issue but it doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel. Good pacing, great dialogue and character interaction, and everything capped off with a classic superhero conundrum at the end. Nothing never seen before, but fun to read.
This is a great issue but it doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel. Good pacing, great dialogue and character interaction, and everything capped off with a classic superhero conundrum at the end. Nothing never seen before, but fun to read.
January 9, 2026
man i am LOVING this. when they said this would be in tone with superman(2025) i see it. bruce is amazing here. good action, good character stuff. and a really cool new villain. this series is so cool
Read
January 11, 2026the ending omg. I've always wondered how come the heroes never get found out whenever another character refers to them by a term only applicable to their allias and I did get a chuckle at it finally happening
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2026
It was really fun seeing Bruce go on a date, and the action sequence of this issue were really fun. And this new villain Ōjō, seems really interesting. Especially her powers. Can’t wait to see what the next issue brings, especially with how this one ended.
January 14, 2026
This is a simple little issue to introduce the Ojo, Bruce Wayne has a 'Not a Date' date with a good lady doctor when it is quickly put to a stop by biker samurais. So far this reboot of the series is better than Hush 2 which is still yet to finish.
January 16, 2026
Ugh man, this series continues to be such fun. Fun in a that “tuning into a comfort show” kind of way. I can imagine this might come off as gimmicky in a derogatory way to someone who it isn’t working for, but as someone it’s perfect for, the tropes are helping this run triumph.
January 29, 2026
Matt Fraction's sensibilities continue to shine on Batman. The interplay between Bruce Wayne and Zeller is so much fun, and the chase scene was such a good background to their conversation, it had a real Hawkeye sense to it. I love it.
January 7, 2026
Batman #5 by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez is an absolute delight, offering a lot of fun and excitement, much like the thrill and enjoyment of a real date night.
January 7, 2026
I enjoyed reading this issue of Batman.
The artwork and storyline are exceptional.
Great interaction between Bruce Wayne and Doctor Zeller.
A new villain enters this edition of Batman.
The artwork and storyline are exceptional.
Great interaction between Bruce Wayne and Doctor Zeller.
A new villain enters this edition of Batman.
January 7, 2026
Hell of a first date
January 8, 2026
*4.5
Incredibly fun, action-packed, and romantic! I absolutely love the ending. It had me laughing out loud. What more could you want?
Incredibly fun, action-packed, and romantic! I absolutely love the ending. It had me laughing out loud. What more could you want?
January 8, 2026
Great Bruce Wayne issue (how does Gotham not know he's the Dark Knight after a date like this tho), another new villain set up, and one poor GTO.
January 8, 2026
Cute. I really like Zeller still, she's a funny and interesting love interest. The action was well written and I'm excited to see what happens with the identity reveal.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews