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Batman (2025-) #14
As the night wears on and the threat of dawn looms, Batman must search for answers from the one man capable of stopping Ivy and the bloom. Elsewhere, Verity Pennyworth must defend the Manor from all manner of threats—and they’re about to discover they picked the wrong house to mess with.
Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2026
About the author
Matt Fraction
1,195 books1,911 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 25, 2026
This is a very serviceable issue. However, it's missing the Jorge Jimenez art.
October 10, 2026
That was utterly fantastic, such step up from the last issue. Other than the inclusion and advertisement on the front for the Rhetoric story…which was the same one from detective comics. And I know it’s a shame not having Jiménez on art, but I still really loved that art and especially the color work. More specifically the blues, which is very prevalent in this issue with our favorite frozen people. And what a great showcase for Verity, it’s great to get some decision making from her and some of that classic Pennyworth sarcasm. This issue is fought on two fronts, we jump in to find a three GCPD officers taking a truck off the beaten path to don some batman masks right out of the venture bros to rob the rich during this crisis…except they chose Pennyworth manor as their mark. Very bad considering Verity is inside at this moment talking with batman over the insanely complicated, and probably safe, bat-com which uses fourth world technology and is powered by the source. I find it hilarious batman has developed that. She is talking him through as he journeys deep into the Gotham underground to the kingdom of cold! Batman’s files have faltered a bit without Alfred keeping them up, but Verity is able to read over the basics of the case field concerning Mister Freeze…hilariously pointing out that he became a successful doctor only to call himself “mister,” lol.
The important information to know is that Doctor Fries’ wife was a ballerina who developed a rare terminal illness which ended her career. Doctor Fries cryogenically preserved her, and then was successfully unfrozen and cured by Fries. Technically Mister Freeze got help for the unfreezing and the curing…both from Lex Luthor. And then it became the classic story of “boy meets girl—boy freezes girl—girl gets thawed and drops him. Cold.” It’s at this point Verity has realized they have some intruders as she begins to methodically take them down. Even taking and donning the Halloween batman mask from the first one. Batman has also found that his theory was right, and the superbloom can’t survive freezing cold temperatures. But he has also found signs of a battle between the Fries and their goons with the superbloom plant creatures. It’s a frozen bloodbath.
Verity keeps in contact, not letting on to batman about the situation probably so he doesn’t worry or try and rush back, as she slips around the house and takes the two other would be thieves down. Chiming one out, slamming a frying pan into the other, and then almost hitting the one she choked out and got back up with a blender…but then opting for the frying pan instead as she remembers the no kill rule.
Great to see Verity in action, but it’s much more exciting on the batman front as he finds Nora cradling Victor as his suit has been breached during the fight. She orders batman not to get close but when he approaches trying to help, she shoots her freeze gun at him…freezing his cape, which batman rips off and slams into her, lol. Nora goes to shoot him again, only to find batman cradling Victor instead. Using a substance to seal the breach in his helmet. Nora calms down and tells him what happened. They were already fighting because of the divorce, but then the “green hell” burst from the ground. She hates Victor, but she doesn’t want to see him die like this. Batman has a general no kill rule, and as he is saving Victor he could use her help in saving all of Gotham. And batman is also going to inadvertently give them both what they’ve always wanted…winter in Gotham! HAHAHA, I love this progression. Really goes to show how well they are using the different batman rogues to aid in this fight. Waylon to tip batman in the right direction and now Freeze as a possible way out of this. So cool. And the frozen empire is completely new to me, love that concept and that it’s just been chilling underground this entire time.
The important information to know is that Doctor Fries’ wife was a ballerina who developed a rare terminal illness which ended her career. Doctor Fries cryogenically preserved her, and then was successfully unfrozen and cured by Fries. Technically Mister Freeze got help for the unfreezing and the curing…both from Lex Luthor. And then it became the classic story of “boy meets girl—boy freezes girl—girl gets thawed and drops him. Cold.” It’s at this point Verity has realized they have some intruders as she begins to methodically take them down. Even taking and donning the Halloween batman mask from the first one. Batman has also found that his theory was right, and the superbloom can’t survive freezing cold temperatures. But he has also found signs of a battle between the Fries and their goons with the superbloom plant creatures. It’s a frozen bloodbath.
Verity keeps in contact, not letting on to batman about the situation probably so he doesn’t worry or try and rush back, as she slips around the house and takes the two other would be thieves down. Chiming one out, slamming a frying pan into the other, and then almost hitting the one she choked out and got back up with a blender…but then opting for the frying pan instead as she remembers the no kill rule.
Great to see Verity in action, but it’s much more exciting on the batman front as he finds Nora cradling Victor as his suit has been breached during the fight. She orders batman not to get close but when he approaches trying to help, she shoots her freeze gun at him…freezing his cape, which batman rips off and slams into her, lol. Nora goes to shoot him again, only to find batman cradling Victor instead. Using a substance to seal the breach in his helmet. Nora calms down and tells him what happened. They were already fighting because of the divorce, but then the “green hell” burst from the ground. She hates Victor, but she doesn’t want to see him die like this. Batman has a general no kill rule, and as he is saving Victor he could use her help in saving all of Gotham. And batman is also going to inadvertently give them both what they’ve always wanted…winter in Gotham! HAHAHA, I love this progression. Really goes to show how well they are using the different batman rogues to aid in this fight. Waylon to tip batman in the right direction and now Freeze as a possible way out of this. So cool. And the frozen empire is completely new to me, love that concept and that it’s just been chilling underground this entire time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2026
The art by Scalera is really good but I feel like Fraction is trying hard to make this accessible and tie into the "bad seeds" event. He succeeds in making it accessible but the price is that it isn't as good as usual. The house invasion with the new Pennyworth doesn't quite work and I think may have benefitted from being the sole focus.
I'm not a fan of "Mrs Freeze" especially as it renders Mr Freeze as a voiceless character. I'm not really a fan of how DC they took the animated series tragedy of Mr Freeze and his wife and turned it into something more sinister. It's a clever idea, but it destroys any sympathy I had for Mr Freeze. None of this was done by Fraction and in fairness I think he's trying to rehabilitate the relationship.
But that's probably why I would have enjoyed more of the Pennyworth "due hard home alone" pastiche.
Back to the art. This issue felt more like the Scalera I know from his "black science" days which is no bad thing. The characters are slightly more caricatured and I really liked how he used the Batman masks for the burglars. Scalera should be on a regular book and hopefully this boosts their profile and lands them a regular title or fill-in role depending on their preference.
The problem is that it doesn't really feel like a "bad seeds" tie-in beyond the last page which may offer a solution to the event, and it really doesn't feel like a regular Fraction Batman issue.
A shippable issue for me despite the strong artwork.
Overall impression = 2/5
Writing = 2/5
Art = 4/5
Will I read the next issue? yes as hopefully it's no longer Bad seeds tie in.
Wait for the trade collection? bad seeds or batman? It's hard to know where it will work better.
Did I need to read previous issues/series? no.
Will I read previous issues I'd usually say "yes" but I've given up on most of the bad seeds books and don't plan on filling in gaps.
I'm not a fan of "Mrs Freeze" especially as it renders Mr Freeze as a voiceless character. I'm not really a fan of how DC they took the animated series tragedy of Mr Freeze and his wife and turned it into something more sinister. It's a clever idea, but it destroys any sympathy I had for Mr Freeze. None of this was done by Fraction and in fairness I think he's trying to rehabilitate the relationship.
But that's probably why I would have enjoyed more of the Pennyworth "due hard home alone" pastiche.
Back to the art. This issue felt more like the Scalera I know from his "black science" days which is no bad thing. The characters are slightly more caricatured and I really liked how he used the Batman masks for the burglars. Scalera should be on a regular book and hopefully this boosts their profile and lands them a regular title or fill-in role depending on their preference.
The problem is that it doesn't really feel like a "bad seeds" tie-in beyond the last page which may offer a solution to the event, and it really doesn't feel like a regular Fraction Batman issue.
A shippable issue for me despite the strong artwork.
Overall impression = 2/5
Writing = 2/5
Art = 4/5
Will I read the next issue? yes as hopefully it's no longer Bad seeds tie in.
Wait for the trade collection? bad seeds or batman? It's hard to know where it will work better.
Did I need to read previous issues/series? no.
Will I read previous issues I'd usually say "yes" but I've given up on most of the bad seeds books and don't plan on filling in gaps.
October 8, 2026
Scalera’s depiction of Freeze’s vast grounds under Gotham is super cool (literally!), and I like how Verity is getting developed here - very good point about Fries: why go through all the trouble of becoming a doctor to go by Mr. The bit about the Boomtube comm tech was also pretty fun.
October 8, 2026
Love seeing verity kick butt again!
October 8, 2026
Fun issue. The backup story started kinda suddenly though.
November 2, 2026
Hidden because fuck you DC
Wtf - this is why DC really pisses me off sometimes - for all the marvel events I've read (or even in current nightwing) you can read the ongoing during an event and it's relatively understandable without having to go outside your series, but with cool crossover ideas for that character, there's always a short bit on necessary info from elsewhere and the ongoing particular story continues in its issues, interacting but understandable if you're unable to read the others.
Here, for whatever the fuck reason DC thinks is acceptable 13 ends with Savage "arresting" batman and 14 starts with some shit about Mr freeze- so if you don't read detective comics that's a whole plot just disappeared/started. I read the summary online because fuck buying more of this shit. I'm out, genuinely out once my pre orders are done.
You make me wanna hate comics Fraction, no wonder new readers get so confused. I would give a new/casual reader any of the Armageddon titles with no worries, but never Bad Seeds, the care and quality is just completely absent to bring in all your different lines in a coherent way that works without buying every single issue, something most people aren't prepared for/can't afford/don't want to. Just such a massive failure of event telling.
Also because what I've read is just dull as dung, so little forward momentum.
Maybe one of the add/preview pages/the ugly double spread title page should be used as an event reading order? (Think one world under dooms lovely lists). Or a recap of the necessary issue from the other series if it's that important (like the 20 times we saw Spidey unmask in civil war which felt too much at the time but now I long for)
I'll say one good thing though, Verity wearing the mask was cool. And the new artist is good. That's two things, super fair.
*I stopped my subscription, oh I feel so much better, so free!
Wtf - this is why DC really pisses me off sometimes - for all the marvel events I've read (or even in current nightwing) you can read the ongoing during an event and it's relatively understandable without having to go outside your series, but with cool crossover ideas for that character, there's always a short bit on necessary info from elsewhere and the ongoing particular story continues in its issues, interacting but understandable if you're unable to read the others.
Here, for whatever the fuck reason DC thinks is acceptable 13 ends with Savage "arresting" batman and 14 starts with some shit about Mr freeze- so if you don't read detective comics that's a whole plot just disappeared/started. I read the summary online because fuck buying more of this shit. I'm out, genuinely out once my pre orders are done.
You make me wanna hate comics Fraction, no wonder new readers get so confused. I would give a new/casual reader any of the Armageddon titles with no worries, but never Bad Seeds, the care and quality is just completely absent to bring in all your different lines in a coherent way that works without buying every single issue, something most people aren't prepared for/can't afford/don't want to. Just such a massive failure of event telling.
Also because what I've read is just dull as dung, so little forward momentum.
Maybe one of the add/preview pages/the ugly double spread title page should be used as an event reading order? (Think one world under dooms lovely lists). Or a recap of the necessary issue from the other series if it's that important (like the 20 times we saw Spidey unmask in civil war which felt too much at the time but now I long for)
I'll say one good thing though, Verity wearing the mask was cool. And the new artist is good. That's two things, super fair.
*I stopped my subscription, oh I feel so much better, so free!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2026
Kinda terrible? All of Bruce's dialogue feels completely off from how Fraction's been writing him till now, it's trying to use continuity but is completely wrong about when things happened and it uses a well worn trope without bringing anything new. Art's pretty good but it can't save it
October 27, 2026
very very cool. i love mr freeze so this was awesome. i don’t really get what’s going on in the bad seeds event nor do i care much(i would like a simple batman story no event) but this was still a great issue and verity is a badass character.
October 8, 2026
Damn good fun!
October 10, 2026
Not a fan of crossover stories that run into series I do collect.
October 10, 2026
I like where this is going, and it’s cool to add this new take on nora freeze
October 11, 2026
I love the back and forth with Batman invetigating Freeze and Verity kicking butt.
October 13, 2026
That art in the last panel made this a 4 star for me!!!
October 14, 2026
I love seeing Verity fight she’s such a diva
October 14, 2026
Loving Verity so much
October 25, 2026
An entertaining issue with good art and smart dialogue, but little substance. Fun for a quick read if nothing else.
October 29, 2026
Still good, but I dislike multi-book crossover series.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews