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Batman: War Games #2-4
Batman: War Games, Book Two
BATMAN: WAR GAMES BOOK TWO collects for the first time the complete epic conclusion of the “War Games” saga that changed the criminal underworld of Gotham City forever!
Stephanie Brown, also known as the vigilante Spoiler, has made her former partner Batman’s training scenario a chilling reality. The various crime families are leaderless…the soldiers running for their lives while trying to grab a piece of the underworld pie for themselves. Batman is stunned to learn that the wave of terror and death threatening his beloved Gotham City originated closer to home than he ever imagined, and that someone he once trusted is responsible for the carnage. Now the streets are safe for no one.
One master criminal emerges from the shadows, taking full advantage of the chaos, and he begins to consolidate the underworld in his grip. The Dark Knight and his allies have failed to contain the violence threatening Gotham City’s citizenry. The media have exploited the situation so people think Batman is acting against their best interests. Worse, he has lost the trust and support of Police Commissioner Akins, just when he needs it the most.
Collects BATGIRL #56-57, BATMAN #632-634,642-644, BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #183-184, BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #57-58, BATMAN SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS ALLIES 2005, BATMAN SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS VILLIANS 2005,CATWOMAN #35-36, DETECTIVE COMICS #798-800, #809-810, NIGHTWING #97-98, and ROBIN #130-131 (less)
Stephanie Brown, also known as the vigilante Spoiler, has made her former partner Batman’s training scenario a chilling reality. The various crime families are leaderless…the soldiers running for their lives while trying to grab a piece of the underworld pie for themselves. Batman is stunned to learn that the wave of terror and death threatening his beloved Gotham City originated closer to home than he ever imagined, and that someone he once trusted is responsible for the carnage. Now the streets are safe for no one.
One master criminal emerges from the shadows, taking full advantage of the chaos, and he begins to consolidate the underworld in his grip. The Dark Knight and his allies have failed to contain the violence threatening Gotham City’s citizenry. The media have exploited the situation so people think Batman is acting against their best interests. Worse, he has lost the trust and support of Police Commissioner Akins, just when he needs it the most.
Collects BATGIRL #56-57, BATMAN #632-634,642-644, BATMAN LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #183-184, BATMAN GOTHAM KNIGHTS #57-58, BATMAN SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS ALLIES 2005, BATMAN SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS VILLIANS 2005,CATWOMAN #35-36, DETECTIVE COMICS #798-800, #809-810, NIGHTWING #97-98, and ROBIN #130-131 (less)
632 pages, Paperback
First published May 24, 2016
10 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Andersen Gabrych
70 books14 followersAndersen Gabrych is a Northern California native. He’s written Detective Comics, Batman, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Omega Men for DC Comics, and is the author of the original graphic novel, Fog Town.
As an actor he appeared most notably in the award-winning Edge of Seventeen and at HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival. He currently lives in L.A. with his cat, Moses, and is the co-creator of Pyrasphere, “Hollywood’s fastest growing new religion,” and the subsequent documentary Bright Day! about this fictitious spiritual movement.
As an actor he appeared most notably in the award-winning Edge of Seventeen and at HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival. He currently lives in L.A. with his cat, Moses, and is the co-creator of Pyrasphere, “Hollywood’s fastest growing new religion,” and the subsequent documentary Bright Day! about this fictitious spiritual movement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 30, 2023
(B+) 77% | Good
Notes: A consequential, albeit meandering, road to conclusion, beset with plot-holes, swerves and a sharp descent downhill.
Notes: A consequential, albeit meandering, road to conclusion, beset with plot-holes, swerves and a sharp descent downhill.
May 25, 2021
Part 2. The last three issues of 2004 for Batman, Detective Comics, Gotham Knights, Legend of the Dark Knight, Catwoman, Nightwing and Batgirl tiles. A truly momentous foul-up by Spoiler (formerly Robin II) results in a chaotic and lethal breakdown of law in Gotham, and with Huntress and Black Canary out of town it's left to Batman, Tim Drake, Oracle, Nightwing, Batgirl, Catwoman and Dr Leslie to try and stop the onslaught. The concluding part of this collection of a often brutal and unforgiving Bat event, that is well worth a read. 8 out of 12
March 24, 2021
This has to be one of the most baffling Batman stories ever in terms of quality. There's things I LOVE here. I would even say has some of the best Batman moments I've read in forever...and then some of the worst. What a weird back and forth I was having here.
This collection mostly deals with the War Games. It's brutal, vicious, ugly cycle of death this book carries on that actually works really well for suspense. Batman is getting screwed pretty much every turn he makes. Just when you think he's making some leeway into winning his city back it gets a lot worse for him. I loved seeing him struggle yet still keep his composure up so well. I really enjoy seeing all of the Batfamily working either together or on their own. I liked the feel of losing for our heroes, the pacing was sporadic (well till the last 4 issues when it was the "Conclusion" issues of war games). The art is mostly solid too. Black Mask was a vicious and evil piece of shit that was interesting to see him take center stage.
Now on the flipside we have Black Mask as a fun villain but the story has him basically beat mostly women and also have him wear ACTUAL black face. Which is...questionable to say the least. Also on top of that we have Bruce being extremely rude to his people, but mostly to the women. He even throws a line out with "you scream like a girl" which feels...shitty? I'm not one to let older comics get to me too much but it was pretty silly and stupid to have these lines when the women in here saved his ass so many times. It just rubbed me the wrong way. Also the final twist is stupid and is retconned a few years later.
I have to say it's such a mix bag. I really did enjoy 70% of what I was reading. I had a lot of fun. I felt the last few issues dragged on and didn't add much. The big twist was also stupid as fuck. But I did have fun watching Batman get cornered so much and him basically losing ground quicker than he could gain it.
A 3.5 out of 5.
This collection mostly deals with the War Games. It's brutal, vicious, ugly cycle of death this book carries on that actually works really well for suspense. Batman is getting screwed pretty much every turn he makes. Just when you think he's making some leeway into winning his city back it gets a lot worse for him. I loved seeing him struggle yet still keep his composure up so well. I really enjoy seeing all of the Batfamily working either together or on their own. I liked the feel of losing for our heroes, the pacing was sporadic (well till the last 4 issues when it was the "Conclusion" issues of war games). The art is mostly solid too. Black Mask was a vicious and evil piece of shit that was interesting to see him take center stage.
Now on the flipside we have Black Mask as a fun villain but the story has him basically beat mostly women and also have him wear ACTUAL black face. Which is...questionable to say the least. Also on top of that we have Bruce being extremely rude to his people, but mostly to the women. He even throws a line out with "you scream like a girl" which feels...shitty? I'm not one to let older comics get to me too much but it was pretty silly and stupid to have these lines when the women in here saved his ass so many times. It just rubbed me the wrong way. Also the final twist is stupid and is retconned a few years later.
I have to say it's such a mix bag. I really did enjoy 70% of what I was reading. I had a lot of fun. I felt the last few issues dragged on and didn't add much. The big twist was also stupid as fuck. But I did have fun watching Batman get cornered so much and him basically losing ground quicker than he could gain it.
A 3.5 out of 5.
August 16, 2017
The ending to War Games has a very weird character decision, which obviously DC walked back after fans complained. It's a good thing. I actually don't like Leslie Thompkins as a character, because while I understand that she's a pacifist, she places a lot of blame on Batman. He deserves a whole lot, but not all of it, because while Leslie does the blaming and the moaning, she doesn't have a solution.
For example, she says Bats is fanning the flames of the gang wars, but then he uses non-lethal force, and tries his best to make bloodless coups. The cops, under Commissioner Akins, have switched over to lethal force. The gangsters were never bothered about killing people. I think Bats is the least of the problems when it comes to gangs. Now, costumed supervillains on the other hand, that would have been a different story.
But because she is who she is, what her character does towards the end of the book is genuinely baffling. (Which DC walked back, because it made no sense). I have no thoughts on that part because I know it's temporary, except to say that the confrontation between Leslie and Batman was the most compelling part of the whole book (the issue belongs in War Crimes storyline that follows War Games). That and the defection of the Bat Family, because there's Bats being unappreciative as always. Even though it's temporary as well, I found it genuinely satisfying.
For example, she says Bats is fanning the flames of the gang wars, but then he uses non-lethal force, and tries his best to make bloodless coups. The cops, under Commissioner Akins, have switched over to lethal force. The gangsters were never bothered about killing people. I think Bats is the least of the problems when it comes to gangs. Now, costumed supervillains on the other hand, that would have been a different story.
But because she is who she is, what her character does towards the end of the book is genuinely baffling. (Which DC walked back, because it made no sense). I have no thoughts on that part because I know it's temporary, except to say that the confrontation between Leslie and Batman was the most compelling part of the whole book (the issue belongs in War Crimes storyline that follows War Games). That and the defection of the Bat Family, because there's Bats being unappreciative as always. Even though it's temporary as well, I found it genuinely satisfying.
July 26, 2016
An excellent story arc. It has the stakes of No Man's Land, but didn't waste as much time with side stories.
But this book is odd. There are several issues between the end of War Games and the beginning of War Crimes that are superfluous. Several "sum up" issues for those who haven't just read the previous several hundred pages. No reason to include them. And then there's War Crimes itself, which is great and nice of them to include. But if you don't read Under the Hood in between, you miss some pretty important plot points.
But this book is odd. There are several issues between the end of War Games and the beginning of War Crimes that are superfluous. Several "sum up" issues for those who haven't just read the previous several hundred pages. No reason to include them. And then there's War Crimes itself, which is great and nice of them to include. But if you don't read Under the Hood in between, you miss some pretty important plot points.
December 23, 2022
Stephanie Brown, also known as the vigilante Spoiler, has made her former partner Batman’s training scenario a chilling reality. The various crime families are leaderless…the soldiers running for their lives while trying to grab a piece of the underworld pie for themselves.
An excellent story/conclusion to the War Games story line. Lots of high end action pulls this story at an amazing pace and yet never leaving behind what is a beautifully written plot.
The last 5 panels alone absolutely caught me off guard and completely threw me for a loop.
An excellent story/conclusion to the War Games story line. Lots of high end action pulls this story at an amazing pace and yet never leaving behind what is a beautifully written plot.
The last 5 panels alone absolutely caught me off guard and completely threw me for a loop.
Read
June 28, 2025shoutout to my fellow Leslie Thompkins haters (the authors apparently)
December 8, 2022
Can't believe they fucking friged Steph.
Also can't believe they won't ever give Bruce a new character arc ever. It's always. I refuse to communicate. My family/friends get upset at me. Increasingly. More. I refuse help and end up hurting my family members. I act as if I don't care. I have an epiphany. I apologise. I get to work like normal. Together we fix everything. Power of friendship wins (until the epilogues which were BANGER in this one however they couldn't make up for the rest of the book).
Can I just say. Leslie's character arc in this one?? The BOLDEST move dc has and will ever pull. AND I FOR ONE LOVE IT. She started off as an endearing character in the early stories she was involved, another parenral figure to Bruce. She got extremely annoying as time passed, refusing to acknowledge that when someone threatens her life she can't really be like "ohhhh violence is so bad please guys let's not be violent". HOWEVER. TWISTING THAT AND MAKING HER KILL STEPH (as much as I don't fucking agree with it don't even get me started). FUCKING BRILLIANT. Literally only time I've ever cared about this character. Evil old lady 10/10. This is how you actually make a character interesting, not whatever they've been doing with Batman since like. No Man's Land.
Still can't believe they friged steph though.
Honestly I got quite bored whilst reading this because so many times instead of developing plot and connections between characters Batman loves introduxing6either fight scenes or random shots of mobsters doing stuff and the only time that ever worked was Cataclysm. Please. I beg. I'm bored. I'm sure all the gothamites are having a terrible time but I like I am only here because I care about Batman and the gang. Not the gangs. His gang. The group. Easy mistake.
Dick's arc throughout this? Also brilliant. When Alfred threatened to break his other leg I nearly lost it. When he started crying after not seeing Tim for 2 seconds in a fire and thinking he died???? 10000/10 exactly what I signed up for, more of that please.
Poor steph. She deserved so much better. She was the cataclyst in this story and also the only one that again had a character arc and they stole that from her by murdering her. Insane.
Also can't believe they won't ever give Bruce a new character arc ever. It's always. I refuse to communicate. My family/friends get upset at me. Increasingly. More. I refuse help and end up hurting my family members. I act as if I don't care. I have an epiphany. I apologise. I get to work like normal. Together we fix everything. Power of friendship wins (until the epilogues which were BANGER in this one however they couldn't make up for the rest of the book).
Can I just say. Leslie's character arc in this one?? The BOLDEST move dc has and will ever pull. AND I FOR ONE LOVE IT. She started off as an endearing character in the early stories she was involved, another parenral figure to Bruce. She got extremely annoying as time passed, refusing to acknowledge that when someone threatens her life she can't really be like "ohhhh violence is so bad please guys let's not be violent". HOWEVER. TWISTING THAT AND MAKING HER KILL STEPH (as much as I don't fucking agree with it don't even get me started). FUCKING BRILLIANT. Literally only time I've ever cared about this character. Evil old lady 10/10. This is how you actually make a character interesting, not whatever they've been doing with Batman since like. No Man's Land.
Still can't believe they friged steph though.
Honestly I got quite bored whilst reading this because so many times instead of developing plot and connections between characters Batman loves introduxing6either fight scenes or random shots of mobsters doing stuff and the only time that ever worked was Cataclysm. Please. I beg. I'm bored. I'm sure all the gothamites are having a terrible time but I like I am only here because I care about Batman and the gang. Not the gangs. His gang. The group. Easy mistake.
Dick's arc throughout this? Also brilliant. When Alfred threatened to break his other leg I nearly lost it. When he started crying after not seeing Tim for 2 seconds in a fire and thinking he died???? 10000/10 exactly what I signed up for, more of that please.
Poor steph. She deserved so much better. She was the cataclyst in this story and also the only one that again had a character arc and they stole that from her by murdering her. Insane.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2024
NOT LIKE THIS.
April 26, 2020
War Games Part Two: It's still bad. It's emblematic of some of the worst Batman writing: the character is pig headed, cruel, and even abusive, but we are told by the narrative that he's smarter than everyone, so they should just deal with it. And the ending goes out of the way to explain that it's not his fault that beloved character Stephanie Brown died, not really, it was because mean old pacifist Leslie Thompkins was overtaken by the "Batman is blameless" virus and decided to deny a girl medical treatment. Batman declares that what happened was a war crime, and there must be war trials, but in the end, he fails to take any responsibility for his own actions, and inflicts massive amounts of trauma on the entire city.
August 29, 2023
War Games is an absolute garbage storyline, barely makes sense, feels like it's moving in slow motion, completely disrespects and ruins a fun character who deserved better. I guess SPOILERS (see what I did there?) Spoiler's death has some weight to it in how cruel and unfair it feels, but I'm not even sure that's earned. Also, the climax is Batman fist fighting Black Mask and it's treated like that would be some sort of challenge? Huh?
So it's a "D" for that story line, but the more noirish follow up stories, including War Crimes, are infinitely better written, more interesting and emotionally involving, even if they too end up tarnishing an undervalued female character for no good reason.
C-
So it's a "D" for that story line, but the more noirish follow up stories, including War Crimes, are infinitely better written, more interesting and emotionally involving, even if they too end up tarnishing an undervalued female character for no good reason.
C-
February 3, 2024
This was so disappointing. Let's just start with the fact that nothing Batman does makes sense. His war games scenario, which tips this all off, is a strategic nightmare and is unexplainable. Then you get pointless gangsters fighting throughout the city but the team acts likes this has never happened. The GCPD look inept then insane. There is a big death that is immediately lessoned with a weird reveal. A returning villain makes a huge stand and it makes no sense. And then it all wraps up incredibly quickly and easily. Andersen Gabrych's Batman is a huge miss and there are only a handful of good issues in this enormous collection. There is some very good art here though. Overall, a giant misstep.
August 31, 2021
In War Games, Book Two everyone is suffering. Even poor ex-Commissioner Gordon (retired?) gets roped to try and help Commissioner Akins who pretty much hates Batman atm (hold on Akins, it only gets worse).
And I know she had her own title at this time, and she's sorta related to the batfamily comics, but it's still pretty cool to see Catwoman included in this event like a hero. She does what she can. <3
And in this case, she tries to keep Stephanie out of trouble & safe (no chance, Selina).
(I also loved the bit where Batman manipulates her a little bit through Oracle in Catwoman #35 "War Games Act 2 Part 7: Betrayal". That sounds much worse than it is I promise. It's just a bit of reverse psychology, sorta.)
More on the batfamily:
I love that Tim came back for this (and that his dad and stepmom went to help at Leslie's clinic).
Nightwing is still having a crisis of faith .
And Stephanie?
Who is this dude?! This is my first introduction to the Black Mask and I'm a little confused as to who this big baddie is that I've never met before.
The book ends with him being the big bad & because he's an unknown to me, it's a little surprising.
Overall, I liked the book and the War Games story.
Things I liked about this story: Watching Batman flounder. Now I know that sounds super messed up, but some of the best Batman writing comes from things going toes up for him & the batfamily, but Batman just. keeps. on. going. Even when things are FUBAR.
Love him.
Things I did not love about this story: I'm still a little iffy on how the war actually ends.
And the art is super iffy in a lot of places.
Fall-out from War Games:
And I know she had her own title at this time, and she's sorta related to the batfamily comics, but it's still pretty cool to see Catwoman included in this event like a hero. She does what she can. <3
And in this case, she tries to keep Stephanie out of trouble & safe (no chance, Selina).
(I also loved the bit where Batman manipulates her a little bit through Oracle in Catwoman #35 "War Games Act 2 Part 7: Betrayal". That sounds much worse than it is I promise. It's just a bit of reverse psychology, sorta.)
More on the batfamily:
I love that Tim came back for this (and that his dad and stepmom went to help at Leslie's clinic).
Nightwing is still having a crisis of faith .
And Stephanie?
Who is this dude?! This is my first introduction to the Black Mask and I'm a little confused as to who this big baddie is that I've never met before.
The book ends with him being the big bad & because he's an unknown to me, it's a little surprising.
Overall, I liked the book and the War Games story.
Things I liked about this story: Watching Batman flounder. Now I know that sounds super messed up, but some of the best Batman writing comes from things going toes up for him & the batfamily, but Batman just. keeps. on. going. Even when things are FUBAR.
Love him.
Things I did not love about this story: I'm still a little iffy on how the war actually ends.
And the art is super iffy in a lot of places.
Fall-out from War Games:
January 7, 2021
Didn't enjoy this one that much.
I ended being bored and was not excited to pick it up and read.
That's why I dnf'ed this graphic novel.
I ended being bored and was not excited to pick it up and read.
That's why I dnf'ed this graphic novel.
February 16, 2024
Do you like comics that are bad? If you do, then War Games is for you. If you prefer comics that are good, skip War Games.
Book two picks up where book one leaves off. Batman doesn't trust Spoiler for Plot Reasons that have nothing to do with characters, so Spoiler starts a gang war that Bruce had concocted because the plot of War Games demands that Bruce concocted it. Things go poorly, there's some fighting, there are consequences, everybody hated the consequences, so subsequent volumes ret-conned the consequences. This is part of the problem with this series: the plot elements only work because they are required to work by the plot. On their own they do not make sense. The characters lack any motivation other than "must advance the plot," and are frequently out of established character. Oh, the Joker shows up for no god-damned reason at all other than it's Batman, so the Joker must show up. There's no plot reason for Joker to be in this story at all.
I like stories from Batman's early career because they involve detective work, and if you suspend enough disbelief, you can imagine a man dressed as a bat smacking around mafia lords. Your enjoyment of War Games will depend on how much you can suspend your disbelief in comic books. War Games transforms Batman from an urban legend in Gotham to a public figure. There's a massive gang war that almost destroys Gotham. But, we just did "Gotham is almost destroyed" in No Man's Land, so this just feels like a lazy retread. If you are willing to set aside the ridiculousness of the setting, there are some occasional redeeming moments between Bruce, Dick, Tim, and Alfred.
The two worst parts of the War Games story will forever be linked. After years of under-development, Stephanie Brown becomes another Woman In A Refrigerator, killed off for no reason other than to give Batman something to brood about and to sell books. The worst part is that it is revealed that Leslie Tompkins let her die: an utter and total betrayal of one of the few moral compasses in the Bat Family.
If I could give books a zero star rating, I'd consider it. The only - ONLY - redeeming value of this volume is the inclusion of Brubaker-penned Catwoman, which are always good. The specific issues included here continue to highlight that the entire gang war is Bruce's fault, and that he is absolutely a maniac.
Junk. Just total junk.
Book two picks up where book one leaves off. Batman doesn't trust Spoiler for Plot Reasons that have nothing to do with characters, so Spoiler starts a gang war that Bruce had concocted because the plot of War Games demands that Bruce concocted it. Things go poorly, there's some fighting, there are consequences, everybody hated the consequences, so subsequent volumes ret-conned the consequences. This is part of the problem with this series: the plot elements only work because they are required to work by the plot. On their own they do not make sense. The characters lack any motivation other than "must advance the plot," and are frequently out of established character. Oh, the Joker shows up for no god-damned reason at all other than it's Batman, so the Joker must show up. There's no plot reason for Joker to be in this story at all.
I like stories from Batman's early career because they involve detective work, and if you suspend enough disbelief, you can imagine a man dressed as a bat smacking around mafia lords. Your enjoyment of War Games will depend on how much you can suspend your disbelief in comic books. War Games transforms Batman from an urban legend in Gotham to a public figure. There's a massive gang war that almost destroys Gotham. But, we just did "Gotham is almost destroyed" in No Man's Land, so this just feels like a lazy retread. If you are willing to set aside the ridiculousness of the setting, there are some occasional redeeming moments between Bruce, Dick, Tim, and Alfred.
The two worst parts of the War Games story will forever be linked. After years of under-development, Stephanie Brown becomes another Woman In A Refrigerator, killed off for no reason other than to give Batman something to brood about and to sell books. The worst part is that it is revealed that Leslie Tompkins let her die: an utter and total betrayal of one of the few moral compasses in the Bat Family.
If I could give books a zero star rating, I'd consider it. The only - ONLY - redeeming value of this volume is the inclusion of Brubaker-penned Catwoman, which are always good. The specific issues included here continue to highlight that the entire gang war is Bruce's fault, and that he is absolutely a maniac.
Junk. Just total junk.
November 4, 2024
Great book! Even better than the first book. Nice artwork throughout the book and a good story. I really liked the fights/confrontations between Spoiler and Black Mask early on in the book, and this is probably my favourite Batman story involving Black Mask. He is a nasty piece of work throughout the story. The new Batgirl is a little more involved in this story compared to No Man’s Land and she is more interesting to read than before. The way the Bat family communicate and interact was great, and to see how their relationships break apart towards the end was very intriguing! However I did get a little sick of oracle complaining all the time.
I found that sometimes the dialogue was a bit over dramatic and predictable. I also didn’t like the fact that every page after the cover art would feature the same image of Batman in both books: which is pretty lazy and boring to me. Also, the pages had little to no gaps in between them, so sometimes it was hard to read some bubbles and see some of the art. Also, unlike the first book - this one doesn’t tell you what each issue is, which is a little odd and annoying.
This book concludes Act 3 of the War Games storyline, but it doesn’t end there! The last few issues of Act 3 were particularly good, but It continues to escalate after that and there’s a few more surprises.
The ending was actually quite shocking, and not really in a good way. It created an outcome that meant someone did something completely out of character and it didn’t really make sense…?
Overall this is a great book, and I would definitely recommend reading both Book One and Book Two!
I found that sometimes the dialogue was a bit over dramatic and predictable. I also didn’t like the fact that every page after the cover art would feature the same image of Batman in both books: which is pretty lazy and boring to me. Also, the pages had little to no gaps in between them, so sometimes it was hard to read some bubbles and see some of the art. Also, unlike the first book - this one doesn’t tell you what each issue is, which is a little odd and annoying.
This book concludes Act 3 of the War Games storyline, but it doesn’t end there! The last few issues of Act 3 were particularly good, but It continues to escalate after that and there’s a few more surprises.
The ending was actually quite shocking, and not really in a good way. It created an outcome that meant someone did something completely out of character and it didn’t really make sense…?
Overall this is a great book, and I would definitely recommend reading both Book One and Book Two!
August 22, 2024
This continuation of the War Games saga is alot more interesting than its first half. Very high stakes and major events happen throughout these pages, some of those shocking and unexpected for someone who had never heard about them.
Its still a bit overlong, and some moments fall a bit on the ludicrous logic-wise, for a comic book, but overall it was a exciting read.
The artwork was also alot more consistent, which made for a much more pleaseant read.
Much has been said about how the character of Leslie Thompkins was handled towards its end, and while I feel it isdefinetly unwarrented, I think the writers meant to convey that all the terrrible events that have hapenned in Gotham since Contagion through No Man's Land and War Games have really taken its toll on every citizen of Gotham, especially those on the front lines. I will aslo argue that Leslie has been mishandled at least as far as No Man's Land, as her insistence in blaming Batman for every Gotham misfortune, and critizicing his methods without providing any alternative solutions towars handling those problems, had long become grating and nonsensical.
Still, I enjoyed the book, despite certain unnecessary logical skids.
7/10
Its still a bit overlong, and some moments fall a bit on the ludicrous logic-wise, for a comic book, but overall it was a exciting read.
The artwork was also alot more consistent, which made for a much more pleaseant read.
Much has been said about how the character of Leslie Thompkins was handled towards its end, and while I feel it isdefinetly unwarrented, I think the writers meant to convey that all the terrrible events that have hapenned in Gotham since Contagion through No Man's Land and War Games have really taken its toll on every citizen of Gotham, especially those on the front lines. I will aslo argue that Leslie has been mishandled at least as far as No Man's Land, as her insistence in blaming Batman for every Gotham misfortune, and critizicing his methods without providing any alternative solutions towars handling those problems, had long become grating and nonsensical.
Still, I enjoyed the book, despite certain unnecessary logical skids.
7/10
August 19, 2024
Tedious and exhausting.
The final "twist" if want to call it that was one of most awful ones came across. No logic nor coherence, completely random. This applies for most of the storyline as well, the trigger for the War is supposed to be a contingency plan of Batman's. However it makes no sense whatsoever.
He is also a dick to everyone, ignored barbara completely as does the GCPD, Stephanie. He also just going about putting fires and in a useless manner tbh. The action makes no sense as he has complete plot armour wherein dumped between all criminals in city, bang in centre and fights all off barely scratched yet he has difficulty with Black Mask. I really thought after watching under the red hood black mask was a power ful and really interesting character but from the comics that read so far hes really caricaturish and silly. In this one as well his lines and behaviour all seem like forced villainy and there isint any nuance to it.
For a name like war games, had an expectation of actual mafia gangs scheming and fighting between each other but there is no emotional heft or nada in this.
Very dissapointing. Was a labourious slog and wouldnt recommend.
The final "twist" if want to call it that was one of most awful ones came across. No logic nor coherence, completely random. This applies for most of the storyline as well, the trigger for the War is supposed to be a contingency plan of Batman's. However it makes no sense whatsoever.
He is also a dick to everyone, ignored barbara completely as does the GCPD, Stephanie. He also just going about putting fires and in a useless manner tbh. The action makes no sense as he has complete plot armour wherein dumped between all criminals in city, bang in centre and fights all off barely scratched yet he has difficulty with Black Mask. I really thought after watching under the red hood black mask was a power ful and really interesting character but from the comics that read so far hes really caricaturish and silly. In this one as well his lines and behaviour all seem like forced villainy and there isint any nuance to it.
For a name like war games, had an expectation of actual mafia gangs scheming and fighting between each other but there is no emotional heft or nada in this.
Very dissapointing. Was a labourious slog and wouldnt recommend.
May 10, 2018
Not your average Bat book. Very violent, depicts over the top gang violence with questionable plot decisions. Did Oracle really have to blow up the clock tower to get Batman to stop "killing" Black Mask? I mean, the art showed they were punching each other's lights out, kind of normal for Batman to do. He was angry sure, but there wasn't any hint that he was going to cross the line.
The epilogue in the second half of the book was what made it ultimately enjoyable. Bats stopped the war but he absolutely lost everything. This arc was about everyone at their lowest point and the art and writing show cased it much better than WG: Part 1. Paul Lee's art is very Gotham Central-esque and Andersen did a good job showing the Bat family's breakup. I find Book Two MUCH enjoyable than the first one.
The epilogue in the second half of the book was what made it ultimately enjoyable. Bats stopped the war but he absolutely lost everything. This arc was about everyone at their lowest point and the art and writing show cased it much better than WG: Part 1. Paul Lee's art is very Gotham Central-esque and Andersen did a good job showing the Bat family's breakup. I find Book Two MUCH enjoyable than the first one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 22, 2020Well, it’s a decent end to “War Games.” Things get pretty intense and there’s a major, consequential reckoning for Batman and much of his supporting cast. The story gets far too jumbled, though, and I have to suspend disbelief more than usual for some plot points. This crossover starts out well as another “Gotham in crisis” storyline, a la Contagion and No Man’s Land. But it collapses under its own weight in trying to be epic and shocking. I don’t think it sticks the landing. This collection, too, drags on with throwaway epilogue issues and the “War Crimes” four-parter. The latter contains a character decision that is utterly baffling to me, and one I’m surprised DC even considered.
“War Crimes” is probably worth reading for fans, as it contains a few significant moments in Bat Family history. But I can’t say it’s one of the better Batman crossovers.
“War Crimes” is probably worth reading for fans, as it contains a few significant moments in Bat Family history. But I can’t say it’s one of the better Batman crossovers.
April 29, 2025
It's almost impossible to give this volume an objective review because of the ending. The ending where they turn one of the most moral people in Gotham into a killer for no reason whatsoever. Even though Leslie Thompkins can be really annoying (especially in No Man's Land, my God) for her to have done this is just insane. And yeah the whole thing got retconned eventually but it still happened...
Besides that, this volume is infinitely superior to the first one, to the point I even wanted to give it 5 stars while reading certain parts. Black Mask is the absolute star of this book, every time he was on the page I was hyped. I loved the confrontation between him, the Joker and a shirtless Batman.
Besides that, this volume is infinitely superior to the first one, to the point I even wanted to give it 5 stars while reading certain parts. Black Mask is the absolute star of this book, every time he was on the page I was hyped. I loved the confrontation between him, the Joker and a shirtless Batman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2022
I remember collecting this story as a young teenager and vaguely remember enjoying it, now I'm older... Not so much. The first volume was MUCH more enjoyable and quite frankly easier to follow, which made some of the weaker moments passable. Book two however feels second rate at best. Some of the art is just terrible in my opinion, the dialogue in particular chapters is clunky and quite frankly the overall plot just descends into a steaming pile of you know what.
I'm giving two stars worth of credit because of the fantastic artwork by Brad Walker and the colourist who worked alongside him.
I'm giving two stars worth of credit because of the fantastic artwork by Brad Walker and the colourist who worked alongside him.
October 26, 2024
Not as good as the first volume. This one felt less tight, more disjointed and not as developed.
The ending is also really bad and out of character and cheapened the big moment of the entire arc. I won’t spoil anything here but the end really sucked.
Also hated, generally, Black Mask’s motivation and portrayal. There was one moment that showed how sadistic he can be but then the rest of it was a huge joke.
Definitely won’t re-read this one.
The ending is also really bad and out of character and cheapened the big moment of the entire arc. I won’t spoil anything here but the end really sucked.
Also hated, generally, Black Mask’s motivation and portrayal. There was one moment that showed how sadistic he can be but then the rest of it was a huge joke.
Definitely won’t re-read this one.
December 4, 2021
TBH I am more of a fan of the epilogue chapters than of the actual crossover, which (like most), spins its wheels and is chock-full of rather pointless action scenes. But when Gabrych wraps things up, there's much smoother storytelling and nice character moments. Except that final nonsensical plot twist that was retconned later lol
November 6, 2022
The plot of Book 2 delivers a satisfying conclusion to the narrative threads started in Book 1. The conclusion amounts to a soft reset of the bat family as it stood going into the crossover. The highlight of the art is the numerous covers by Jock.
August 8, 2017
A good conclusion with a major controversial event. Read the full review here
December 16, 2017
Conclusión de la épica saga de la guerra entre criminales más cruenta de Gotham, y el ascenso y la caída de Black Mask como el lider indiscutible del crimen.
May 24, 2018
Honestly if it weren’t for the shoehorned “twist” in the last few pages, it’d be 5 stars. This is better than the first book imo.
October 1, 2018
3.5 stars. Crazy weird ending of a good book.
February 15, 2019
Great second half to this great story arc. A truly unexpected twist ending that involves a long time Batman supporting character.
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