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Ragman (2017) #1-6
Ragman
A hero is born in this visionary reimagining of the Ragman mythos by writer Ray Fawkes and artist Inaki Miranda!
After a failed mission to raid a tomb in the Israeli desert, war veteran Rory Regan is plagued by the deaths of his partners. As Rory battles his guilt back in Gotham City, he discovers that what was in that tomb has followed him home, and it's about to change his life. But as Rory begins his journey, an evil is invading Gotham City, and it wants what he's discovered.
This new vision of the classic hero is presented here in RAGMAN, collecting issues #1-6.
After a failed mission to raid a tomb in the Israeli desert, war veteran Rory Regan is plagued by the deaths of his partners. As Rory battles his guilt back in Gotham City, he discovers that what was in that tomb has followed him home, and it's about to change his life. But as Rory begins his journey, an evil is invading Gotham City, and it wants what he's discovered.
This new vision of the classic hero is presented here in RAGMAN, collecting issues #1-6.
144 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2018
3 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Ray Fawkes
463 books83 followersRay Fawkes is the critically-acclaimed author of the comics and graphic novels Underwinter, Intersect, One Soul, The People Inside, The Spectral Engine, Possessions, and Junction True, as well as Batman: Eternal, Constantine, Justice League Dark, and Gotham by Midnight (DC), Wolverines (Marvel), Black Hammer '45 (Dark Horse), Jackpot! (AfterShock) and more. He is an Eisner, Harvey, and Shuster award nominee and a YALSA award winner.
Ray has been making comics for over 20 years, starting with and continuing the tradition of DIY fiction as well as working for many major comics publishers in the U.S. and Canada.
Ray has been making comics for over 20 years, starting with and continuing the tradition of DIY fiction as well as working for many major comics publishers in the U.S. and Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 20, 2024
I was glad to see DC had brought back Ragman until I saw how they mucked with him. The old Ragman has this rich backstory and this cool looking patchwork costume where every piece was an evil soul doing penance. He was created to protect the Jewish ghetto during WWII.
Now he's a soldier who found some mummy rags that somehow attracts demons. Fawkes tells a disjointed backstory that's difficult to follow. From what I can tell he completely ripped off Marvel's reinvention of Devil-Slayer. The last half of this book has two rhyming demons in it and the dialogue is impossible to follow.
Inaki Miranda's art is a sight to behold. He makes the book look slick even when the page is chaotic with a hundred things happening in each panel.
Now he's a soldier who found some mummy rags that somehow attracts demons. Fawkes tells a disjointed backstory that's difficult to follow. From what I can tell he completely ripped off Marvel's reinvention of Devil-Slayer. The last half of this book has two rhyming demons in it and the dialogue is impossible to follow.
Inaki Miranda's art is a sight to behold. He makes the book look slick even when the page is chaotic with a hundred things happening in each panel.
January 2, 2019
Jesus Christ
Aight if you can’t tell by the title of the review and the date I started reading it and the day I finished it, I had a tough time getting through this one. Guys this book is really frickin bad. Not the worst I’ve read this year, but definitely on the list. If I hear the words, “a generic mess” Imma think of this shit. And I mean generic, clichéd, boring, cringey, tired, and sometimes torturous. My god.
Where do I even start? Are the characters compelling? NOPE. From issue 1 this book is REEEERRRUUSHED as hell. No time for good set up. The entire of his version of Ragman is he is a man stuck by PTSD and survivors guilt. That’s the whole basis for his character. Other wise Rory is a cardboard cut out of any 99 cent hero with a tired old origin. The whole story structure is a cardboard cutout. The villains..............The villains......AHAHAHAHAIZOlMzn@..&.&&¥¥¥|£|£~*|+]¥’wdididi.
Sorry went insane there. Did anyone enjoy the Shakespeare unit in English class? NO! Instead of writing legitimately compelling villains that attack the heroes main insecurities, we got fuckin demons spewing out old English for 6 issues!!;!!!!!!!! 6!!!!! The only exception I’m gonna give is to Etrigan. Cuz he had been written that way for like a hundred years now. But goddam these villains were just nothing. Giant-ass monsters smashing shit on the basis that they are evil or some shit I don’t fuckin know. I don’t fuckin care.
Knock knock. Who’s there? Exposition. Get the hell outta here!!!!!!! Our old friend exposition makes an appearance and overstays it. But what did I really expect? For the story to show and not tell? Pfffff! An info-dump will happen a lot every issue What else is there to say? I think the artwork is good. Not great, but I won’t complain about it because I could never draw like this in a thousand years. Very detailed penciling and bright vivid colours. But the panel layout! Holy shit it’s terrible sometimes. And consistently terrible. Every few pages I’ll find my self confused on how the hell to read the page.
Usually I’d feel bad for smashing a book to pieces. Because I know how hard it is to write a good story and draw amazing art work. It’s a risky business and I always appreciate someone trying to bring new life into a title. But I only see this as a generic product with terrible ass villains and absolutely nothing interesting about the lead except his PTSD. Please skip this boring mess. Letter Grade: (D-)
Aight if you can’t tell by the title of the review and the date I started reading it and the day I finished it, I had a tough time getting through this one. Guys this book is really frickin bad. Not the worst I’ve read this year, but definitely on the list. If I hear the words, “a generic mess” Imma think of this shit. And I mean generic, clichéd, boring, cringey, tired, and sometimes torturous. My god.
Where do I even start? Are the characters compelling? NOPE. From issue 1 this book is REEEERRRUUSHED as hell. No time for good set up. The entire of his version of Ragman is he is a man stuck by PTSD and survivors guilt. That’s the whole basis for his character. Other wise Rory is a cardboard cut out of any 99 cent hero with a tired old origin. The whole story structure is a cardboard cutout. The villains..............The villains......AHAHAHAHAIZOlMzn@..&.&&¥¥¥|£|£~*|+]¥’wdididi.
Sorry went insane there. Did anyone enjoy the Shakespeare unit in English class? NO! Instead of writing legitimately compelling villains that attack the heroes main insecurities, we got fuckin demons spewing out old English for 6 issues!!;!!!!!!!! 6!!!!! The only exception I’m gonna give is to Etrigan. Cuz he had been written that way for like a hundred years now. But goddam these villains were just nothing. Giant-ass monsters smashing shit on the basis that they are evil or some shit I don’t fuckin know. I don’t fuckin care.
Knock knock. Who’s there? Exposition. Get the hell outta here!!!!!!! Our old friend exposition makes an appearance and overstays it. But what did I really expect? For the story to show and not tell? Pfffff! An info-dump will happen a lot every issue What else is there to say? I think the artwork is good. Not great, but I won’t complain about it because I could never draw like this in a thousand years. Very detailed penciling and bright vivid colours. But the panel layout! Holy shit it’s terrible sometimes. And consistently terrible. Every few pages I’ll find my self confused on how the hell to read the page.
Usually I’d feel bad for smashing a book to pieces. Because I know how hard it is to write a good story and draw amazing art work. It’s a risky business and I always appreciate someone trying to bring new life into a title. But I only see this as a generic product with terrible ass villains and absolutely nothing interesting about the lead except his PTSD. Please skip this boring mess. Letter Grade: (D-)
July 18, 2018
Pretty cool reinvention of Ragman. I liked the art and the more demonic nature of the costume is kind of fun, but it’s missing the rich history the previous version of the suit had. Also, even thought the art is excellent, the redesign of the costume is unremarkable. The original costume was so cool and looked like a patchwork collection of colorful rags. Very unique. This one is so spindly and makes him look more like a mummy.
August 1, 2025
I have waited 7 years to read this series, I’ve had 2-6 since they released by have yet to find the first issue. I read it on the DC app and this series was WELL worth the wait. I enjoyed it so much and the messages of grief and PTSD were done incredibly.
July 5, 2018
[Read as single issues]
Every few years, DC remember that they have a stable of supernatural characters that they aren’t doing anything with, like Deadman, the Demon, and Ragman, and bring them all back for new stories, which is what leads us here as Ray Fawkes and Inaki Miranda reimagine Rory Reagan for Rebirth in this new six issue mini-series.
I don’t know a lot about Ragman, I’ll be honest. I’ve always thought he was kind of Moon Knight-ish in his origin, and that’s the same vibe I get here. Rory’s fellow army men are all killed, their souls absorbed into his magical rags, and he can then use their power as his own which unfortunately brings him to the attention of the Demon Etrigan.
The relationship between Rory and his friends, as well as he and his father, is the lynchpin of this series. I won’t pretend that I can remember all of his friends’ names, but there’s something inspiring about a hero going into battle with his friends cheering him on, even if they are dead. He’s never alone, even as a solo hero, and that shines through. It’s nice to get different perspectives on things too, so when Etrigan begins operating under his own agenda there’s someone there to keep Rory from making all the wrong choices. This is definitely a supernatural story, but it has a very human heart that keeps it grounded.
I’ve been a big fan of Miranda’s artwork since Coffin Hill; she’s able to capture figures extremely well, and the inking always makes everyone look sleek and fluid. This skill isn’t lost even when things get nuts on these pages, with rags and ribbons flying around and monstrous demons all over the place. Each of these six issues is extremely consistent, and I hope DC realise what a gem they’ve got on their hands here.
Of all the supernatural characters that DC have, Ragman is probably the easiest one to reimagine in a different way, and I’d call this one a success. Solid writing, great artwork, and a lot of potential for follow-up if DC wish, or to fold him into a new Justice League Dark team.
Every few years, DC remember that they have a stable of supernatural characters that they aren’t doing anything with, like Deadman, the Demon, and Ragman, and bring them all back for new stories, which is what leads us here as Ray Fawkes and Inaki Miranda reimagine Rory Reagan for Rebirth in this new six issue mini-series.
I don’t know a lot about Ragman, I’ll be honest. I’ve always thought he was kind of Moon Knight-ish in his origin, and that’s the same vibe I get here. Rory’s fellow army men are all killed, their souls absorbed into his magical rags, and he can then use their power as his own which unfortunately brings him to the attention of the Demon Etrigan.
The relationship between Rory and his friends, as well as he and his father, is the lynchpin of this series. I won’t pretend that I can remember all of his friends’ names, but there’s something inspiring about a hero going into battle with his friends cheering him on, even if they are dead. He’s never alone, even as a solo hero, and that shines through. It’s nice to get different perspectives on things too, so when Etrigan begins operating under his own agenda there’s someone there to keep Rory from making all the wrong choices. This is definitely a supernatural story, but it has a very human heart that keeps it grounded.
I’ve been a big fan of Miranda’s artwork since Coffin Hill; she’s able to capture figures extremely well, and the inking always makes everyone look sleek and fluid. This skill isn’t lost even when things get nuts on these pages, with rags and ribbons flying around and monstrous demons all over the place. Each of these six issues is extremely consistent, and I hope DC realise what a gem they’ve got on their hands here.
Of all the supernatural characters that DC have, Ragman is probably the easiest one to reimagine in a different way, and I’d call this one a success. Solid writing, great artwork, and a lot of potential for follow-up if DC wish, or to fold him into a new Justice League Dark team.
December 5, 2022
This is not very well known! And it's better than I was expecting! Making the main spirits in Ragman's costume being fellow soldiers that died alongside him in the war was a very interesting concept. Seeing Shining Knight and Etrigan is always nice as well. Not the best comic in the world but I enjoyed it.
September 13, 2021
Intrigued, reminds me of The Mummy (Tom Cruise one) a little but has its own originality, I remembered this was a DC story only from the title card stating group therapy back in Gotham. Keen to read on.
January 3, 2022
This was dreadful. Bland character update for Rory Regan? Check. One of the most unnecessary redesigns of a perfect costume? Check. A confusing story full of edgelord demon stuff? Also check. The art here isn't bad, but this is about as inessential as it gets aside from that.
March 1, 2020
I have no investment in this character's previous incarnations, so the fact that they changed him did not bother me as much as others. This is a well crafted metaphor for PTSD, survivor guilt, and suicidal thoughts arising from those situations. It does come a little too blatant and abrupt with its advice, and loses any nuance, but it moved at a good pace and was interesting throughout. It does have a nagging feeling of being a left over '90s Image comic someone found and decided to publish in 2018. It starts off Shadowhawk-like and has several flashes of Spawn aspirations.
It would have been better without attempts to tie it to the wider universe through The Demon and Batwoman cameos.
It would have been better without attempts to tie it to the wider universe through The Demon and Batwoman cameos.
August 29, 2018
Hmmm. I love the cover, maybe my favorite cover of the year, but the story was kinda lacking. It started out really solid with the flashback and how it all happened, but just got boring as it rolled along.
September 4, 2018
Ragman details the origins story of Rory Regan as the Ragman in a six-issue mini-series. After a failed mission to raid a tomb in the Israeli Desert, marine veteran Rory Regan is plagued by the death of his partners all for a seemingly inconsequential pile rags – the Suit of Souls. This trade paperback collects all six issues in the 2017 mini-series.
Rory Regan battles his guilt for being the only member of his team to survive as he recuperates in Gotham City with his father as they run their antique store: Rags 'n Tatters. However, he discovered that what he uncovered in the tomb followed him home, transforming him into Ragman. Now the souls of the lain are wrapping Rory Regan in supernatural armor, calling on him to avenge their deaths and defend his people from demonic invasion.
As this major change in Rory Regan's life, said great evil has come to Gotham City to retrieve the pile of rags that followed Rory Regan home. He would do anything and use anyone to get the Suit of Souls – including the son of Rory Regan's sergeant. Fortunately, Ragman has an ally Etrigan the Demon. Katherine Kane as Batwoman also makes a cameo – after all when something odd happens in Gotham City – a bat is not too far behind.
Ray Fawkes penned the entire trade paperback and for the most part, I rather enjoyed his modern interpretation of the Ragman mythos. Having said that, while Fawkes captured the spirit of Ragman, I truly wished that it were closer to the original concept – not that I did not like the reinterpretation – I do, I just wished that it were closer to the source – it has a stronger and richer history. I wished the story flowed better, because it goes back and forth between Rory Regan's present and his memory of what happened six months ago in the Israeli Desert, which makes the story and flow rather disjointed.
Iñaki Miranda penciled the entire trade paperback and because she was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. I rather enjoyed her penciling style, which bring the supernatural to life. As for the character design, I prefer the pre-booted series design better than the one Miranda depicted. The pre-booted design of Ragman looked like his armor was made of rags – this one looked like a mummified version of Ragman.
All in all, Ragman is written and conceived rather well. It is an interesting and modernized take on the origins of Ragman – I just wished that it was examined more and that it resulted in a series, because it felt unfinished and the promise of a continuation seemed unanswered.
Rory Regan battles his guilt for being the only member of his team to survive as he recuperates in Gotham City with his father as they run their antique store: Rags 'n Tatters. However, he discovered that what he uncovered in the tomb followed him home, transforming him into Ragman. Now the souls of the lain are wrapping Rory Regan in supernatural armor, calling on him to avenge their deaths and defend his people from demonic invasion.
As this major change in Rory Regan's life, said great evil has come to Gotham City to retrieve the pile of rags that followed Rory Regan home. He would do anything and use anyone to get the Suit of Souls – including the son of Rory Regan's sergeant. Fortunately, Ragman has an ally Etrigan the Demon. Katherine Kane as Batwoman also makes a cameo – after all when something odd happens in Gotham City – a bat is not too far behind.
Ray Fawkes penned the entire trade paperback and for the most part, I rather enjoyed his modern interpretation of the Ragman mythos. Having said that, while Fawkes captured the spirit of Ragman, I truly wished that it were closer to the original concept – not that I did not like the reinterpretation – I do, I just wished that it were closer to the source – it has a stronger and richer history. I wished the story flowed better, because it goes back and forth between Rory Regan's present and his memory of what happened six months ago in the Israeli Desert, which makes the story and flow rather disjointed.
Iñaki Miranda penciled the entire trade paperback and because she was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. I rather enjoyed her penciling style, which bring the supernatural to life. As for the character design, I prefer the pre-booted series design better than the one Miranda depicted. The pre-booted design of Ragman looked like his armor was made of rags – this one looked like a mummified version of Ragman.
All in all, Ragman is written and conceived rather well. It is an interesting and modernized take on the origins of Ragman – I just wished that it was examined more and that it resulted in a series, because it felt unfinished and the promise of a continuation seemed unanswered.
November 25, 2021
So, there are some really good ideas here and Fawkes has an interesting re-imagining of Ragman but it did not come together well. Half the book I'm wondering why things are happening with most things never explained well and the rest explained on the last page. I think this would have been much better off without starring some of DC's magical characters. The art was very good though. Overall, a miss for me.
September 18, 2024
I've never read anything about the original Ragman but I liked the design on this one. The story started well but it finished in an atrociously cliche way that I had to wipe a star from my original rating. The art was damn fine though.
P.S. I hate Etrigan the Demon and his excruciating rhymes. He pretty much ruins every comic he sets foot in. Remember those New 52 Batwoman comics towards the end? Me neither.
P.S. I hate Etrigan the Demon and his excruciating rhymes. He pretty much ruins every comic he sets foot in. Remember those New 52 Batwoman comics towards the end? Me neither.
May 18, 2019
Easily the worst reimagining of a character I've ever come across. The costume design is terrible. Instead of the unique original patchwork "rag" costume we get a generic mummy with Batman ears. The story is full of horror cliches and some weak exploration of PTSD. Nothing compelling about Rory or his friends. Writing is weak, art is as good as it can be for this kind of story.
May 26, 2020
I love Ragman. He’s one of my favorite C list superheroes that deserves a modern story. Sadly this isn’t it. They reworked to much and took away all the best bits. The original costume is way cooler in design and the mythology behind it’s original origin was better.
As far as the actual story and art it’s not bad it’s just not Ragman.
As far as the actual story and art it’s not bad it’s just not Ragman.
January 2, 2021
The first couple of chapters were slow, but it picks up. It’s a recreation of the Ragman story. Still Rory Regan, but the suit of souls origins have changed, so that connections to Judaism are pretty much gone. It was fine, but I found the previous version of the suit of souls so much more compelling.
August 25, 2021
Part of the theme is survivor's guilt, which seems like a good thing to explore until you realize it's a ex-soldier who is fighting literal demons trying to kill a town of people and he keeps whining that he can't do it. His dead buddies who are in the Ragman suit with him help push him, but there's not much nuance in this volume.
September 14, 2025
Terrible.
Never been so bored in my life. This was first draft in print. The art was good but that's it. Its been a while since I read something this bad. Etrigan's rhymes were hilariously bad. I can see why we never see this character in today's comics. Flat out boring.
Never been so bored in my life. This was first draft in print. The art was good but that's it. Its been a while since I read something this bad. Etrigan's rhymes were hilariously bad. I can see why we never see this character in today's comics. Flat out boring.
August 27, 2018
A great reworking of the original.
September 20, 2018
Just awful.
December 24, 2018
Good, interesting character that I hadn’t heard of, some nice touches and a visit from Etrigan.
January 7, 2019
Felt like a cross between Spider-man, Daredevil and Spawn. Good idea but it looks like it will be a bit tragic to continue the story.
January 18, 2019
Really wish it would have been the original Ragman, not a new one.
July 2, 2019
The artwork is an easy 4*, but the reimagined look and dull villains are sadly both 2*.
March 12, 2020
Read a while ago so I won't review. It was descent though. 3 stars.
October 18, 2021
Art was pretty amazing story absolutely stalled in the last two issues.
October 14, 2024
Fun little read, made use of one of my favorite characters(Etrigan the Demon) so thats a win in my book everytime
November 25, 2025
Cool images and concept to reinvent the character, but the story is so by the numbers and without anything special that becomes very forgettable.
May 22, 2024
This is the only version of Ragman that I've read, so I can't compare it to any previous run the character has had.
The story itself felt condensed. It may have been better if given more time and space to breathe and explore the lore some more.
The art felt a bit jarring at times, as if there were at times too much going on in one panel or even a spread across 1/2 pages.
That being said, I would pick up another volume if they ever revisited the character as I like the concept of Ragman itself.
The story itself felt condensed. It may have been better if given more time and space to breathe and explore the lore some more.
The art felt a bit jarring at times, as if there were at times too much going on in one panel or even a spread across 1/2 pages.
That being said, I would pick up another volume if they ever revisited the character as I like the concept of Ragman itself.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews