Batman: Arkham Knight Genesis

Batman: The Arkham Saga #5

by Peter J. Tomasi, Alisson Borges (Illustrator), Dexter Soy (Illustrator)

There is a new hero in Gotham City. One with a much more lethal stance on crime and an uncompromising vision of justice. He is the Arkham Knight. And he stands in direct opposition to Gotham's Dark Knight protector.

In this prequel graphic novel to the smash-hit video game phenomenon Batman: Arkham Knight, learn more about the game's main villain (or hero?) with this definitive origin tale. Written by Peter J. Tomasi (Batman and Robin), Batman: Arkham Knight Genesis is a must-have for any fan of the Rocksteady Arkham Trilogy's finale. Collects issues #1-6.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Batman, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes, Fiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published February 9, 2016

About the author

Peter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.

In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.

He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.

In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.

Reviews

[47Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap, the artwork hits you hard in this book. It's so explosive it jumps right off the page. It's an alternate universe set before the Arkham Knight game, so at the very least you don't have decades of history. What you have is a violent story of betrayal with a cool Joker, psychological torture and a Robin that is difficult to hate. His reason for hating Batman might seem artificial, but it certainly sparked my interest in the game.

Jason Todd was a very successful petty thief who witnessed Batman fight Joker and decided to help. Batman handed him over to the police, but Jason was soon back on the streets and enrolled in a program funded by Bruce Wayne to help wayward youths. Batman offered Jason the opportunity to become his sidekick Robin. Years later Robin is hunting Batman. The story focuses on the early years of his training, then the torture that warps his mind and lastly the present day when he is ready to face Batman.

Jason is a rebellious young man with great potential, but he needs a lot of training. He soon feels that he is constantly playing second fiddle to Batman, never realizing his potential. He still wants to do the right thing when Joker captures him and hides him under Arkham Asylum. Months of torture later Joker finally breaks Jason using a picture of Batman and the new Robin. Further manipulation makes Jason outright hate Batman. He employs Deathstroke, hires an army of goons and plans the defeat of Gotham's Dark Knight.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really nice surprise. A retelling of Jason Todd's origin but in the Batman: Arkham Knight Universe.

So this is basically Jason Todd just going over how he became Robin, how he nearly died, and how he came back as the Arkham Knight. This is a more modern update, and this Jason is even more of a asshole than the norm. Still, what's actually pretty cool about this volume is watching him plan his attack on Batman. Step by step you see him attack Batman and crew but from behind, using people like Deathstroke, to weaken them. While doing that you get the backstory, and a more brutal version of what happened to the 2nd boy wonder.

Good: The art is really good and the fights are very dark and fucked up at times. The rage of Jason Todd can be felt from the very start, and while over the top, you can even understand his reasoning at times. The plotting of Arkham Knight is pretty vicious and it sets up a good villain for the Batman.

Bad: It's nothing very knew. If you know least the basics of Death in the family you would know this story and the end result. Also, it is set up volume, so no grand closure.

Overall, a exciting and fun retelling of Jason Todd's sad origin and death, and the birth of Arkham Knight (Red Hood in the normal universe). I really enjoyed the games so this was a nice set up to give more insight on the villain of the third game. A 3.5 out of 5, but I'll bump it to a 4.

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the story arcs that attempts to give the Arkham Knight an origin story, this is by far the best one. It's nowhere near mind-blowing, but it creatively ties in all three games developed by Rocksteady. I was quite intrigued by how they connected the Joker to the Arkham Knight in issue #6, but Joker almost felt Yoda'ish. Overall, I was quite entertained by the newly added character to Batman's universe. Artwork wasn't too shabby either, good enough to keep me flipping through the issues.

P.S. A full review will come.

Yours truly,

Lashaan

Lashaan & Trang | Bloggers and Book Reviewers
Official blog: http://bookidote.wordpress.com

[Vikas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had bought this book when I got the game to play on my PS4 pro but somehow didn't get around to playing the game or reading this book so I finally resolved that. I had played the earlier games in the Batman series and loved them, so I liked the mention of those games in the book and the way it was set in the world of video games. Another Jason Todd origin story but for me, it was the only second one I read so all's fine. Another thing to praise is the artwork. This was a fun ride.

I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to the bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arkham City's take on the Death in the Family storyline. Gives the origin of Arkham Knight and leads right into the video game.

The Good: In retrospect, this is a better story than the Red Hood version and makes more sense.

The Bad: A lot of villains show up and get thrown away immediately.

The Ugly: Who the Arkham Knight is is no real surprise, but it's an interesting take nonetheless.

[Richard Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great rundown of the Arkham Knight's (Jason Todd) origin story. The action is fast and brutal, excellently tied together by a strong story line. The artwork is spectacular and does a great job of bring the dark and gritty world of Gotham City to it's pages.

[ß · Rating 4 out of 5]

tbh i really like tomasi’s take on jason’s origins

[The Wintermute System · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread because it’s my birthday and this is one of my favorites: I don’t game but my friends do and one told me Jason Todd was in this game and how much he hated the Arkham Knight instead of Red Hood angle. I, however just wanted more of my favorite Robin, so I watched it, bought these soon after on sale at Comixology, and also bought the tie-in novel (despite reading spoilers about the novel that made me go ‘meh.’ I do not get much Jason Todd in print.)

I also was sharing screen caps on my first read through, and going ‘it’s so sad,’ and another friend thought it was the cliche terrible parents/shitty childhood, and like, I don’t care. I think this particular history shows how easy it was was for Jason to end up where he was.

I also like the pressures like how Joker pushes Jason to get where he’s going; it’s so cynical of the brainwashing to have taken hold to the point that he trusts the Joker’s analysis over Batman, but it also doesn’t feel unrealistic.

This is a brutal look at Jason’s history, his time being tortured by Joker, and the time right after. And I love it all.

[Mario V · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic and I enjoyed it a lot. I like how it’s not your typical Batman villain. The writers did an awesome job making a new story and my this for Batman fans!

[R.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Todd we are so back

[David Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a mind game! Fits in perfect with the Arkham City storyline. A different take on the "Death in the Family" storyline. The ending is open...I am wondering will we see more of the Arkham Knight storyline? I hope so, as there are so many things we did not get to see, like a direct confrontation between the Batman and the Arkham Knight.

[Taddow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this darker, more intriguing rebirth of Jason Todd. While written to set-up the prelude to the popular Batman video game Arkham Knight (which I had a blast playing), I think the story and the art were high-quality. Many of Batman’s showcase of villains make an appearance (most are just cameos), as well as a couple of Batman’s allies. Great read!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO. GOOD.

[Leyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

¿Relectura de confort? En efecto.

Adoro a Jason Todd, adoro el juego de Arkham Knight, y este cómic cuenta la mejor historia de origen de Jason Todd que he leído nunca. Es más, supera con creces a la original, y no me canso de revisitarla de vez en cuando porque me encanta, de verdad.

Además, se lee rápido y nadie dibuja a Jason Todd como Dexter Soy: lo mejor de todos los mundos.

El único problema es que ahora necesito jugar al videojuego otra vez. “Problema”, mejor dicho.

[doma⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

jason get behind me

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[kristine ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Andrei Tite · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first dc comic

[Mohammad Aboomar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more Batman I read the less good stories I encounter, and this was one of the good ones. It's a fresh and more interesting take on Todd's change of roles in the world of Gotham.

[Higor Hebert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eu realmente odeio a história de BAK.
Mas até que curti esse quadrinho pro mostrar como era o Jason nesse universo e dar ao Slade mais o que fazer nesse universo. Achei bacaninha mostrar que ele treinou o Cavaleiro e os soldados, ajudou a montar tudo.

[Story!!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

DC pay for my therapy bills.

[Kyle Berk · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this I can think of no one better to handle Arkham Knights intro into the comics in Detective #1001.

Peter J Thomasi is a steady writer. I can only think of one time where the writing didn’t click with me.

But that aside this is essential for anybody who played through game cause it fills in a few holes to excellent degree I might add.

This is Jason Todd of the Arkham universe. And his story is cleaner and better put together than it is in the main continuity. Essentially Death in the family but in this universe. And it’s really good.

Well drawn even though I thought I wouldn’t like the style and again very well written.

Worth a read if you like the game. And worth a read even if you don’t. And worth a read if you like or dislike Death in the Family.

4 stars.

[Raymond St. Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh

Nope not recommended yes I get its an origin story but I was expecting something different perhaps I got the wrong comic. I very much know now I did. I based my purchase on a photo section page of this character in action against a villain The Scarecrow. This comic has a lot of talking flashbacks of Joker his victim mentality being twisted; However, if I wanted a history lesson I'd watched The Discovery Channel. I felt this was for me reading words but hearing BLAH, BLAH,BLAH echoing in my ears! I was thinking of getting a refund but was an error on my part which I regret! Nope don't recommend this particular volume. Perhaps the following in the series will be good but this clearly isn't.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written comic that was dark and gritty, but still managed to have moments of hope or happiness. I find that this contrast helps a lot of overly dark media. It's great at making the audience understand the Arkham Knight and see stuff from his perspective, and how he felt justified in his actions.

[Marius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Wiederauferstehung

Inhalt: In der alternativen Realität der Arkham City stirbt Jason Todd nicht, sondern wird vom Joker entführt und im Asylum gefangen gehalten. Der verrückte Clown erschafft aus dem zweiten Robin seine eigene Kreation. Aus Hass und Blut wird ein Monster geboren: Der Arkham Knight!

Bewertung: Nachdem ich das Videospiel beendet hatte, war ich mehr als gespannt auf die zughörigen Comics und heilfroh, dass ich in meiner lokalen Bibliothek diese Perle gefunden habe. Die Idee hinter dem Arkham Knight ist ein höchstinteressantes Konzept, welches dem "Kanon" der Batman-Reihe einen frischen Anstrich verpasst. Der Ausgangspunkt ist so ziemlich der gleiche. Zwischen dem Dunklen Ritter und seinem zweiten Robin kommt es immer wieder zu Reibereien. Bruce will seinen Schützling nicht gefährden, bremst ihn aus und vertraut mehr auf sich selbst als ihn. Unterdessen ist sein Adoptivsohn aktiv und wartet nur darauf endlich losschlagen zu dürfen. Selbst wenn er dabei manchmal sehr vorschnell ist. Das Ergebnis dieser Entwicklung divergiert deutlich: Statt seines Ablebens (siehe "Ein Todesfall in der Familie") erfährt Jason in "Arkham Knight: Genesis" eine Gehirnwäsche der besonderen Art. Die perverse und durchtriebene Art des Jokers kommt in diesem Comic besonders zur Geltung. Harley unterstützt Mistah J dabei natürlich tatkräftig - wer sonst könnte Expertin für Gehirnwäsche sein? Das ist ein neuer Twist zur Beziehung des Clown-Paares, der mir sehr zusagt. Am Ende geht die alte Welt unter und mit dem Arkham Knight wird aus Schmerz und Furcht ein neuer Vigilant geboren, der Jason das Gefühl vermittelt er selbst sein zu können. Alleine will er nur auf sich hören und alle negativen Einflüsse notfalls gewalttätig zu entfernen. Schon als Red Hood ist Todd ein knallharter Bursche, doch der Arkham Knight legt noch eine Schippe oben drauf. Wenngleich ich nicht immer ein Fan des zweiten Robin war, glänzt er hier in der Rolle des Skrupellosen. Ebenso glänzen die Zeichnungen, die vor allem in der Arkham-Szenerie gekonnt wirken, wobei ich mir gerne mehr dunkle Aspekte und mehr Realitätsnähe gewünscht hätte.

Fazit: Eine gelungene Origin-Geschichte für den Arkham Knight, die eine neue Fassade für Jasons Story gestaltet. Gesamt: 4/5

[Logan · Rating 1 out of 5]

An absolute nothing burger of a series. I’ve read previous Arkham installments years ago and they are actually entertaining or add something to the story. Since Jason Todd’s story was skipped within the Arkham series…this should have been easy. Should have…

This series does give Jason’s origin. Basically the same as his original upbringing but instead of Batman finding him stealing the batmobiles tires, Jason helps Batman in a fight with the Joker. It was a small and silly way for them to find each other, but I thought it was strange. Maybe a small nitpick…but why is Joker in a mech??? I know this is superheroes and comics we’re talking about but the most unrealistic thing in the whole Arkham series is Joker taking titan and becoming a giant. I don’t know. The mech origin felt weird.

Jason gets captured by the Joker after a brawl and tortured for months within a cell at Arkham Asylum. Closer in line with his original origin. He finds out Batman has already replaced him and swears to kill the bat. Another questionable choice happens when the Joker brings in two Secret Six members to dress up as Batman and beat up Jason. Why??? I understand the idea behind the scene but the Secret Six aren’t a part of the Arkham ethos.

The timeline finally begins to show itself better near the end. Arkham City is in its final moments and the lead up to Arkham Knight begins. ANOTHER WEIRD CHOICE INCOMING: Jason talking to the Joker *as Batman is fighting the Joker. Why??? It’s cool when comic and video game events can matchup but only when they make sense. There was no point for this.

The only part of these comics that have any value is the origin and Deathstroke and the Arkham Knights financial relationship. Although we hear how Jason acquired the tanks and militia in a call in the game, it is shown within one the issues. Completely useless in my opinion, but so is everything else in this series.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5🌟
Format: ebook

Set in the Arkhamverse Games, I’m pretty sure this isn’t canon to the comic franchise. EITHER WAY, dare I say I like this version of Jason Todd’s rebirth?
Under the Red Hood you can feel his spite and anger towards Batman, but in this it’s more visceral and broken. In Under the Red Hood, you can see Batman’s grief towards Jason Todd and his “death”.
I understood it and never really held it against him; he had tried his best to get there in time.

But in AKG I couldn’t help but feel a tad bit spiteful towards Batman.

In Arkham Knight: Genesis, Jason was tortured by Joker for 2 years. His mind was torn apart and Joker picked at where it hurt most(Jason felt like a tool for Batman to use, an assistant) weaseled his way into the cracks, and exploited them.
Jason escapes and builds his empire up, becoming the “Darker” Darkest Knight. Doing things Batman wouldn’t do. Going places Batman would set up a watch on and wait it out.

I loved this comic, even though it’s not canon.
The art was fantastic and the story was spectacular and fun.

[Paige Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cool art. From title, I assumed this was a series starting point but no. The writing is afraid to curse, and saying cheesy things like “I was born for this” and every cliche you can think of. Mech suits are lame to me. Jason Todd grew up like Robin Hood w/ parents who would sell him for mob debts. Set ups are mid about why Bat or Jason would help each other. Slade/Deathstroke fights. Timeline so jumpy and skips over the best parts like Joker torturing him at first.

If you didn’t play the game, I doubt you’d know what was going on that well. Even so, it’s never made sense to me why Bat assumes he’s dead without a body or he couldn’t find Joker in one city or if Joker was making all these taunting videos, how that wouldn’t make it way easier to find him with metadata or background clues or simply knowing things could be faked or dif times. Got better as it went along, but it still seems you need to know too much offscreen.

[NegevTv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman: arkham knight - Genesis, covers a story before the events of the video game, the story followes jason todd and expends on his character and the other some of the vilans who worked with him, like harley quinn or Hush. I thought genesis had more to offer to jason's character, and the arkhamverse, i won't spoil it but we get to see a lot more form the behind the scenes with him. the story really did justice to him he was represented with more impact and i felt a lot more for him. Unlike the game. So yeah, cheak out if you like the games.

[Nathan Trieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

(9/10): As whiney and a bit annoying the Arkham Knight could be in the actual game, this book honestly makes the story of the game 10x better than I originally thought it was because of how it emphasizes Jason's motivations and trauma into something that feels genuine and justified for the actions he takes in the game. To put it simply, this is great comic for an awesome game.