What do you think?
Rate this book
Batman Adventures (2003-2004) #1
The busiest day of Batman's life begins here, as someone breaks into Arkham Asylum, intent on hunting down everyone from the Joker to Poison Ivy. Batman must protect and recapture his biggest foes--even though he's just been outlawed by Gotham's surprising new mayor!
23 pages, ebook
Published April 30, 2003
56 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Dan Slott
1,996 books451 followersDan Slott is an American comic book writer, the current writer on Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, and is best known for his work on books such as Arkham Asylum: Living Hell, She-Hulk, Silver Surfer, The Superior Spider-Man, and Ren & Stimpy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 13, 2025
I don't really know what I was expecting out of this, but this definitely was not it. Still fun though.
The plotline is pretty simple but effective: The Penguin has been voted as mayor (what the fuck is up with the people of Gotham) and outlawed Batman, though the caped crusader still persists with his mission, just more discreet this time. Just kidding, he just goes drives the streets in his Batmobile at full speed, usually in the middle of a police chase where the police obviously don't stand a chance. Gordon's still faithful towards Batman, though, but he actually keeps it discreet. So, one night, where Batman is precisely doing the before mentioned, he gets told by Gordon that some dodgy malakas have broken into Arkham. Batman, always two thousand steps ahead, says he's already driving down to Arkham because apparently he's broken several federal laws putting various cameras and other Batman gadgets hidden well within the Asylum. So, once there, we find out that the Joker has gone soft and is no longer a psychopathic crime-fixated serial killer but instead a soft fly loving baby, and Harley Quinn is, of course, devastated. Turns out the dodgy malakas mentioned earlier are some of Al Ghul's men, but Batman breaks in in the nick of time and beats the shit out of these goggled ninjas. Two Face decides to become a good lad because of his stupid coin and helps Ratman keep the other Asylum patients inside. The ninjas escape and the police arrive. Batman tosses a Batarang at the searchlight and for some reason Gordon randomly gets a divine message beyond human understanding and then the comic ends.
There. I just spoiled the entire thing for you. Here are my thoughts:
I thought the art style was alright (from what I understood the guy who drew this up was the same guy that did the stuff for Batman the Animated Series) but I didn't love it. Batman looks like something out of a Phineas and Ferb x DC crossover and not the gritty, dark bleak Batman style that I absolutely loved in The Long Halloween. Also there were a lot of confusing questions that don't get answered (i.e Comissioner Gordon's batarang epiphany) but they probably will be answered in #2 so I'm gonna have to spend another 99 cents on a ebook version of Batman Adventures. But, in it's defence, this was in the nineties, where apparently epiphanies were the coolest things next to staying properly hydrated, so who am I to judge?
Anyway, I'm giving this three stars out of pity for the poor Joker who wouldn't hurt a fly.
The plotline is pretty simple but effective: The Penguin has been voted as mayor (what the fuck is up with the people of Gotham) and outlawed Batman, though the caped crusader still persists with his mission, just more discreet this time. Just kidding, he just goes drives the streets in his Batmobile at full speed, usually in the middle of a police chase where the police obviously don't stand a chance. Gordon's still faithful towards Batman, though, but he actually keeps it discreet. So, one night, where Batman is precisely doing the before mentioned, he gets told by Gordon that some dodgy malakas have broken into Arkham. Batman, always two thousand steps ahead, says he's already driving down to Arkham because apparently he's broken several federal laws putting various cameras and other Batman gadgets hidden well within the Asylum. So, once there, we find out that the Joker has gone soft and is no longer a psychopathic crime-fixated serial killer but instead a soft fly loving baby, and Harley Quinn is, of course, devastated. Turns out the dodgy malakas mentioned earlier are some of Al Ghul's men, but Batman breaks in in the nick of time and beats the shit out of these goggled ninjas. Two Face decides to become a good lad because of his stupid coin and helps Ratman keep the other Asylum patients inside. The ninjas escape and the police arrive. Batman tosses a Batarang at the searchlight and for some reason Gordon randomly gets a divine message beyond human understanding and then the comic ends.
There. I just spoiled the entire thing for you. Here are my thoughts:
I thought the art style was alright (from what I understood the guy who drew this up was the same guy that did the stuff for Batman the Animated Series) but I didn't love it. Batman looks like something out of a Phineas and Ferb x DC crossover and not the gritty, dark bleak Batman style that I absolutely loved in The Long Halloween. Also there were a lot of confusing questions that don't get answered (i.e Comissioner Gordon's batarang epiphany) but they probably will be answered in #2 so I'm gonna have to spend another 99 cents on a ebook version of Batman Adventures. But, in it's defence, this was in the nineties, where apparently epiphanies were the coolest things next to staying properly hydrated, so who am I to judge?
Anyway, I'm giving this three stars out of pity for the poor Joker who wouldn't hurt a fly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2021
Blast from the past
Two things I loved about this comic. 1)The drawing style is the same as from the kevin conroy-mark hamill batman animated series. 2)The comic pays a fitting homage to the first batman comic book from 1935 by reproducing bruce's prep stage scenes from that comic.
Other than this the comic didn't really stand out as such for me. But I don't hold that against it as the last batman comic I read was Batman : Black and White.
Two things I loved about this comic. 1)The drawing style is the same as from the kevin conroy-mark hamill batman animated series. 2)The comic pays a fitting homage to the first batman comic book from 1935 by reproducing bruce's prep stage scenes from that comic.
Other than this the comic didn't really stand out as such for me. But I don't hold that against it as the last batman comic I read was Batman : Black and White.
July 12, 2020
Good enough
and a better than expected homage to the variety (and “evolution”) of Batman’s foes. Still displeased by the “Arkham Asylum” motif of oversimplified criminal “crazy” but it comes with the Batman/Gotham City history.
and a better than expected homage to the variety (and “evolution”) of Batman’s foes. Still displeased by the “Arkham Asylum” motif of oversimplified criminal “crazy” but it comes with the Batman/Gotham City history.
March 30, 2024
No Asylum
Oswald Cobblepot has been elected mayor of Gotham City.
The Penguin has deemed Batman an outlaw.
But when alarms go off at the Arkham Asylum, something is most definitely amiss.
We learn that The Joker has undergone electroshock therapy. He doesn’t seem himself.
Appearances by Scarface, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, and Killer Croc.
With a break-in at the facility, lots of action ensues…especially once Batman arrives on the scene.
Bonus Content features a cameo from The Cavalier.
Oswald Cobblepot has been elected mayor of Gotham City.
The Penguin has deemed Batman an outlaw.
But when alarms go off at the Arkham Asylum, something is most definitely amiss.
We learn that The Joker has undergone electroshock therapy. He doesn’t seem himself.
Appearances by Scarface, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, and Killer Croc.
With a break-in at the facility, lots of action ensues…especially once Batman arrives on the scene.
Bonus Content features a cameo from The Cavalier.
September 9, 2020
The story itself is good but this is a prime example of when comics don't translate well to a tablet. The panels are cut off or presented wrong, dialog comes in the wrong order, etc.
Get this one as a physical copy only.
Get this one as a physical copy only.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2021
Great graphics and story
Loved this Batman comics! It was the typical Batman comics with a bit of humour, lots of action, lots of gadgets and lots of villains. Recommended to all Batman fans!
Loved this Batman comics! It was the typical Batman comics with a bit of humour, lots of action, lots of gadgets and lots of villains. Recommended to all Batman fans!
February 26, 2023
Cartoony Batman
Very Saturday morning cartoon take on Batman. Nice break from the usual dark fare. Set with the Penguin as mayor and Batman outlawed, when a mysterious group causes an Arkham break-in/out.
Very Saturday morning cartoon take on Batman. Nice break from the usual dark fare. Set with the Penguin as mayor and Batman outlawed, when a mysterious group causes an Arkham break-in/out.
December 23, 2025
Fun
In the same style as the Animated series. Penguin as mayor! Harvey calls Batman one of the good guys. Arkham again and fun putting all these villains in one place. Nice easy fun read.
In the same style as the Animated series. Penguin as mayor! Harvey calls Batman one of the good guys. Arkham again and fun putting all these villains in one place. Nice easy fun read.
April 18, 2020
Batman v Penguin
An entertaining little adventure with many of my favorite villains making appearances. One of the better entries into the inventory.
An entertaining little adventure with many of my favorite villains making appearances. One of the better entries into the inventory.
May 23, 2021
Yeah - it was ok. Basically the first issue of a 10 issue run - so works quite well as a FCBD issue. Wouldn't mind continuing to read the rest.
Read
June 10, 2022ABSOLUTELY AMAZING BATMAN STORY!
Batman at his purest. Excellent story. Everything you could want, in a format only TAS could provide. I love this.
Batman at his purest. Excellent story. Everything you could want, in a format only TAS could provide. I love this.
July 10, 2023
A LOT happened in this issue.
July 11, 2023
Read this to my grandson and I am counting it.
January 6, 2023
Issues 1-17 were great, especially #9, "The Couch". Nostalgic!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews