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Batman: Dark Victory #7-13
Batman: Dark Victory Part 2
Collects Batman: Dark Victory #7-13
Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
35 people want to read
About the author
Jeph Loeb
1,589 books1,383 followersJoseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an Emmy and WGA nominated American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a Co-Executive Producer on the NBC hit show Heroes, and formerly a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost.
A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.
A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 7, 2025
5/5
Forget dark Victory, this should be renamed "Harvey Dent - The Two faces of crime". Because for all intents and purposes this is the Harvey Dent show, and i didn't even mind!
Firstly, he has to save our hero's on one occasion, yes, Harvey Dent despite being two face has to save our heroes, you heard that right. And not only that, he is given an absurd feat here, a feat that even batman doesn't have and a feat that imo is one of the coolest ones a guy could have. So cold. Tell me how in a comic with Mr Freeze two face is still the coldest man in the room???
Also my favourite piece of dialogue and potentially my favourite moment from the comic, "Harvey Dent is a married man, don't ever forget that." The context of the moment makes it blissfully beautiful, beleive me.
Alright, enough about the coldest man in the room, now onto dick grayson. I was really taken aback when he was introduced but I'm ngl to you it fits the story perfectly and intertwines masterfully with the plot. A very pleasant surprise and a much earlier introduction of Robin than I was ever expecting here from Loeb.
Once again Loeb also shows to really utilise batman's extensive rogue gallery, as we see a wide array of cameos that all seem to hit the sweet spot. (special shoutout to 'gangster joker' what a cool thing to do).
Batman is as brilliant here as he is across the entirety of this run. But even I have to admit he's standing in two-faces shadow for large parts of it.
I also quite enjoyed the twist and genuinely didn't see it coming.
And so it's with a deep sadness but a great appreciation that I wrap up the long halloween run from Loeb. It's been a great ride. Four 5s and one 4. Not too bad at all.
Forget dark Victory, this should be renamed "Harvey Dent - The Two faces of crime". Because for all intents and purposes this is the Harvey Dent show, and i didn't even mind!
Firstly, he has to save our hero's on one occasion, yes, Harvey Dent despite being two face has to save our heroes, you heard that right. And not only that, he is given an absurd feat here, a feat that even batman doesn't have and a feat that imo is one of the coolest ones a guy could have. So cold. Tell me how in a comic with Mr Freeze two face is still the coldest man in the room???
Also my favourite piece of dialogue and potentially my favourite moment from the comic, "Harvey Dent is a married man, don't ever forget that." The context of the moment makes it blissfully beautiful, beleive me.
Alright, enough about the coldest man in the room, now onto dick grayson. I was really taken aback when he was introduced but I'm ngl to you it fits the story perfectly and intertwines masterfully with the plot. A very pleasant surprise and a much earlier introduction of Robin than I was ever expecting here from Loeb.
Once again Loeb also shows to really utilise batman's extensive rogue gallery, as we see a wide array of cameos that all seem to hit the sweet spot. (special shoutout to 'gangster joker' what a cool thing to do).
Batman is as brilliant here as he is across the entirety of this run. But even I have to admit he's standing in two-faces shadow for large parts of it.
I also quite enjoyed the twist and genuinely didn't see it coming.
And so it's with a deep sadness but a great appreciation that I wrap up the long halloween run from Loeb. It's been a great ride. Four 5s and one 4. Not too bad at all.
November 9, 2025
Batman: Dark Victory, Part 2 is an explosive end to the Long Halloween trilogy.
While not the strongest volume overall in the series, I do think this one had the most memorable moments, almost all of them surrounding Two-Face. From the court breakout to his point-blank shooting of both Porter and the Hangman with no remorse, and leading the ragtag team of villains—Harvey Dent did it all.
The crime-noir elements were equally at their peak here. We all know I love a good street-level story, and the focus around Gotham’s crime families delivered just that. The focus on the Hangman’s killings was particularly effective; I found myself growing depressed the longer they went on, desperate for them to come to an end. That's the mark of a great mystery done right.
However, I still find myself wishing for more from Two-Face. It feels like for all he's been building throughout the entire series, he really didn't have that much to do compared to other characters in this volume, and I found his ending to be dissatisfying. As this is meant to be his definitive comic arc, perhaps I'll never be fully pleased.
Despite a slight disappointment with the finale of Two-Face's arc, the peak crime-noir atmosphere and unforgettable moments make this a solid conclusion and a very strong 4-star read.
While not the strongest volume overall in the series, I do think this one had the most memorable moments, almost all of them surrounding Two-Face. From the court breakout to his point-blank shooting of both Porter and the Hangman with no remorse, and leading the ragtag team of villains—Harvey Dent did it all.
The crime-noir elements were equally at their peak here. We all know I love a good street-level story, and the focus around Gotham’s crime families delivered just that. The focus on the Hangman’s killings was particularly effective; I found myself growing depressed the longer they went on, desperate for them to come to an end. That's the mark of a great mystery done right.
However, I still find myself wishing for more from Two-Face. It feels like for all he's been building throughout the entire series, he really didn't have that much to do compared to other characters in this volume, and I found his ending to be dissatisfying. As this is meant to be his definitive comic arc, perhaps I'll never be fully pleased.
Despite a slight disappointment with the finale of Two-Face's arc, the peak crime-noir atmosphere and unforgettable moments make this a solid conclusion and a very strong 4-star read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2023
It seems that the ending was also pretty good. Probably the most captivating Batman story I've read overall.
September 28, 2025
DARK VICTORY PART 2 brings with it the same urgency as the first half of the story. More, perhaps, since we’re closing in on the one-year mark of the first cop killing. Batman is slightly less lonely; he’s more trusting of Commissioner Gordon, further cementing their allyship. Just as importantly, we see the introduction of Dick Grayson who, by the end of the story, becomes Robin.
I like that Robin doesn’t make his debut until the climax. Bruce has always caught flak for bringing children into his war, as he should. He does this ostensibly to make them better people; to give them a positive outlet to channel their rage and sense of justice. If he’s going to do this, and he is, better to wait until they’re ready than act on his own loneliness and induct a soldier into a war the soldier has no chance of surviving in.
I like DARK VICTORY as much as THE LONG HALLOWEEN. Maybe more. VICTORY is a sequel that stands unabashedly on the shoulders of its predecessor. It brings to the table the same pattern (holiday killings) and the same mystery (who is the holiday killer?), not to mention Batman at his best as a detective. But it also adds new pieces. I love the slow but inexorable extermination of Gotham’s crime families by the “freak” supervillains. I love what the introduction of Robin brings to the story.
But this doesn’t have to be a case of liking one over the other. They’re both outstanding and should be read by every Batman fan, as well as by comic book readers of all stripes who appreciate great stories that respect their intelligence as readers.
Also, since I forgot in my review for PART 1, a huge shoutout to Jim Sale for his outstanding artwork. Characters, especially Batman, loom large; villains like The Joker are drawn in sharp, angular shapes. Shadows are thick with dread and tension. It’s all so good and complement Loeb’s writing perfectly.
I like that Robin doesn’t make his debut until the climax. Bruce has always caught flak for bringing children into his war, as he should. He does this ostensibly to make them better people; to give them a positive outlet to channel their rage and sense of justice. If he’s going to do this, and he is, better to wait until they’re ready than act on his own loneliness and induct a soldier into a war the soldier has no chance of surviving in.
I like DARK VICTORY as much as THE LONG HALLOWEEN. Maybe more. VICTORY is a sequel that stands unabashedly on the shoulders of its predecessor. It brings to the table the same pattern (holiday killings) and the same mystery (who is the holiday killer?), not to mention Batman at his best as a detective. But it also adds new pieces. I love the slow but inexorable extermination of Gotham’s crime families by the “freak” supervillains. I love what the introduction of Robin brings to the story.
But this doesn’t have to be a case of liking one over the other. They’re both outstanding and should be read by every Batman fan, as well as by comic book readers of all stripes who appreciate great stories that respect their intelligence as readers.
Also, since I forgot in my review for PART 1, a huge shoutout to Jim Sale for his outstanding artwork. Characters, especially Batman, loom large; villains like The Joker are drawn in sharp, angular shapes. Shadows are thick with dread and tension. It’s all so good and complement Loeb’s writing perfectly.
January 23, 2019
Temné vítězství plynule navazuje na Dlouhý Halloween a opět se řeší sériová vrah. Je to skvělá noirová detektivka, která vás nepustí, dokud neotočíte poslední stránku druhé knihy. Stejně jako u Dlouhého Halloweenu je to docela hodně zamotané, ale konec je zde, alespoň pro mě, jasnější a bez otazníků. V druhé knize mě docela potěšil zmodernizovaný origin Robina. Kresbu Tima Sala jsem si oblíbil už v Dlouhém Halloweenu. Sice mám k některým prvkům jeho kresby výtky, ale jeho kompozice, práce se stíny a celkově atmosféra je parádní.
May 26, 2019
A very satisfying conclusion of Dark Victory along with the introduction of Dick Grayson, the first Robin.
Loeb is a genius in the world of Batman and again the art style was just incredible, the pages comparing Robin and Bruce's childhood's designed in black and white and alternating in colour, were just stunning.
Loeb is a genius in the world of Batman and again the art style was just incredible, the pages comparing Robin and Bruce's childhood's designed in black and white and alternating in colour, were just stunning.
October 12, 2024
A great, mostly self-contained story focusing on the origin of the first Boy Wonder and the transition from Mafia villains to super-villains. It was easy to follow because next to no knowledge is required of the broader DC multiverse. Just a great detective story with suitable gloomy art.
A pleasant surprise!
A pleasant surprise!
September 29, 2025
Dark Victory absolutely knocks it out the park. who thought the sequel to the Long Halloween could be even better. This story really shines in narrating the transition of Gotham being run by cartels and crime lords to the uprising of more powerful era of cunning new age villains
December 27, 2017
Great to see Robin come! I loved the emotion in this book, the originality of the story, and to discover who did it! Still I don't like the illustrations.
August 9, 2018
No es gran cosa, ni original presentar de nuevo los orígenes de Dick Grayson.
January 7, 2019
4/130 (2019 Reading Challenge)
A great end to the story. Bringing in Robin & drawing the hangman case to a close. Great art & story.
A great end to the story. Bringing in Robin & drawing the hangman case to a close. Great art & story.
August 23, 2024
Termina un gran misterio y nos presentan a Dick y su inicio como Robin.
Muy bueno, paneles interesantes, popurrí de villanos y melancolía.
Muy bueno, paneles interesantes, popurrí de villanos y melancolía.
May 26, 2025
No recuerdo cómo estaban distribuidos los capítulos de Dark Victory en estos tomos pero los tuve mucho antes que el recopilatorio en inglés. Debería encontrarlos para revisar bien el contenido.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews