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Batman Damned #2
Batman: Damned #2
As Batman’s descent into the madness of Gotham City’s decadent underbelly continues, he must try to exorcise some of his demons…and who better to help than the Demon, Etrigan himself. And where there’s demons, there’s also a Deadman, a Spectre, an Enchantress and a host of other supernatural friends and foes—it’s a veritable Grand Guignol!
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2018
12 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Brian Azzarello
1,297 books1,108 followersBrian Azzarello (born in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American comic book writer. He came to prominence with 100 Bullets, published by DC Comics' mature-audience imprint Vertigo. He and Argentine artist Eduardo Risso, with whom Azzarello first worked on Jonny Double, won the 2001 Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story for 100 Bullets #15–18: "Hang Up on the Hang Low".
Azzarello has written for Batman ("Broken City", art by Risso; "Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire", art by Lee Bermejo, Tim Bradstreet, & Mick Gray) and Superman ("For Tomorrow", art by Jim Lee).
In 2005, Azzarello began a new creator-owned series, the western Loveless, with artist Marcelo Frusin.
As of 2007, Azzarello is married to fellow comic-book writer and illustrator Jill Thompson.
information taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Az...
Azzarello has written for Batman ("Broken City", art by Risso; "Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire", art by Lee Bermejo, Tim Bradstreet, & Mick Gray) and Superman ("For Tomorrow", art by Jim Lee).
In 2005, Azzarello began a new creator-owned series, the western Loveless, with artist Marcelo Frusin.
As of 2007, Azzarello is married to fellow comic-book writer and illustrator Jill Thompson.
information taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Az...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
December 13, 2018
The Joker’s still deaded and Batman and John Constantine are continuing to puzzle out whodunit - they don’t get much closer in Batman: Damned #2!
There’s disappointingly little development in the increasingly trite-seeming plot, which is surprising as there’s only one more issue to go before this storyline wraps! This issue is basically an excuse for more street-level interpretations of DC’s supernatural characters for no reason!
In the first issue we got Deadman and Zatanna, and here we get Jason Blood/Etrigan, The Spectre and Enchantress. And I’m actually quite impressed with these alternate representations of these characters. Etrigan is imagined as a dressy rapper and The Spectre is this demented homeless person and they both kinda work! Enchantress is basically just how she normally looks except Lee Bermejo makes her look awesome with his skills.
And that’s all Batman: Damned seems to be shaping up as: a really cool Batman art book. Azzarello seems to have written this as a vessel for Lee Bermejo’s amazing painted art only because I’m not getting anything from the story. As for the “Black Label” imprint, there’s nothing here quite so racy as the Bat-peen in the first ish, just some swears and graphic violence to let you know this is Adult Batman, yo!
Batman: Damned #2 is damned bleh. Unless you’re a collector or rabid fan of Bermejo’s art, I’d say most Batman fans can easily wait for the trade on this one.
There’s disappointingly little development in the increasingly trite-seeming plot, which is surprising as there’s only one more issue to go before this storyline wraps! This issue is basically an excuse for more street-level interpretations of DC’s supernatural characters for no reason!
In the first issue we got Deadman and Zatanna, and here we get Jason Blood/Etrigan, The Spectre and Enchantress. And I’m actually quite impressed with these alternate representations of these characters. Etrigan is imagined as a dressy rapper and The Spectre is this demented homeless person and they both kinda work! Enchantress is basically just how she normally looks except Lee Bermejo makes her look awesome with his skills.
And that’s all Batman: Damned seems to be shaping up as: a really cool Batman art book. Azzarello seems to have written this as a vessel for Lee Bermejo’s amazing painted art only because I’m not getting anything from the story. As for the “Black Label” imprint, there’s nothing here quite so racy as the Bat-peen in the first ish, just some swears and graphic violence to let you know this is Adult Batman, yo!
Batman: Damned #2 is damned bleh. Unless you’re a collector or rabid fan of Bermejo’s art, I’d say most Batman fans can easily wait for the trade on this one.
December 16, 2018
I’m a sucker for good art and this is just beauuuuutiful (and dark AF, and evil).
January 23, 2019
Vlastně se tam nic neděje, stejně jako v prvním sešitu, ale je to cool. Kresba je super a je to NOÁR. Méně penisů, ale o to více skoro sexuálních scén.
December 13, 2018
The only reason I’m giving this a four star rating instead of a five star is because I’m not sure that I love how it ended. I think I need a bit more time to sit on that part.
First things first: love the cover. I’m not sure if I’m accurate in assuming this, but it looks like a hat tip to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. At least, I hope it is. It’d be a nice touch. And it would explain some of the style changes we’re seeing (though another explanation is given at the big reveal at the end).
This was another intense issue to read, but it was wonderfully written. I feel like they’ve really perfected the pacing for Batman here. We had plenty of time to understand the depth of what was going on, but it never felt like it was dragging either.
It feels like it’s been forever between the first issue/book and the second. I hope that won’t be the case for the third issue, because I’m really anxious to see what happens next.
First things first: love the cover. I’m not sure if I’m accurate in assuming this, but it looks like a hat tip to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. At least, I hope it is. It’d be a nice touch. And it would explain some of the style changes we’re seeing (though another explanation is given at the big reveal at the end).
This was another intense issue to read, but it was wonderfully written. I feel like they’ve really perfected the pacing for Batman here. We had plenty of time to understand the depth of what was going on, but it never felt like it was dragging either.
It feels like it’s been forever between the first issue/book and the second. I hope that won’t be the case for the third issue, because I’m really anxious to see what happens next.
December 20, 2018
Told in a trademark Azzarello-Bermejo dark, gritty, noir-ish style, Batman Damned Book 2 masks its shallow story progression and simplistic story with a narrative that throws in all those words you can find in a dictionary for emo brooders and half-baked rappers trying to convey some silly messages with loose rhyme and pretentious street language. This installment is more of a shock entertainment that is made to fit under the Black Label category.
Now, is it worth a buy? For collection sake, it is. As the first of DC's black label line, Damned is sure to become a cult classic and an instant headturner in your comicbook shelf. It is worth buying for Bermejo's art alone. Azzarello is way more capable than his writing here, when he is really telling a story more than just writing some dark prose.
Yet I am still interested on how the team would end this mini-series though I don't expect much in book three.
Now, is it worth a buy? For collection sake, it is. As the first of DC's black label line, Damned is sure to become a cult classic and an instant headturner in your comicbook shelf. It is worth buying for Bermejo's art alone. Azzarello is way more capable than his writing here, when he is really telling a story more than just writing some dark prose.
Yet I am still interested on how the team would end this mini-series though I don't expect much in book three.
December 19, 2018
Fantastic art, but the story has completely lost me. This is the second volume in a 3 volume series and story-wise we're at the same exact place we were at the beginning of volume 1, which means that no doubt volume 3 will be paced at breakneck speed. The cloud of edginess in the first volume has now descended into a damp fog, and most of this volume is spent reciting trite Batman angst.
And because of all the controversy in the first volume, there is no more Batpenis. Not even a passing glance at a Batscrotum.
And because of all the controversy in the first volume, there is no more Batpenis. Not even a passing glance at a Batscrotum.
November 20, 2021
Един от най-заплетените случаи на Черния рицар продължава във втората (от три) части на „Батман: Прокълнат“, издадена у нас от Artline Studios. Както споменахме и в рецензията на първата част, „Батман: Прокълнат“ е първото заглавие, издаден под шапката DC Black Label, творбите в която са предвидени за пълнолетни читатели. На български от нея вече видяхме и първата част на „Харлийн“, както и сборното издание на „Батман: Последният рицар на Земята“. Жокера е мъртъв. А дали? След края на първа част, Батман вече започва да има съмнения. А нежеланото присъствие на Джон Константин също не му помага. Разходка до мрачните кътчета на Готам и сблъсък с престъпна групировка, превзела полицейското управление, може и да предоставят някои отговори…или да накарат Маскирания кръстоносец да се съмнява още повече в това каква всъщност е истината. Наред с това, Батман продължава и да бъде измъчван от неприятни спомени от детството си и неясното присъствие на Магьосницата. ---> https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...
October 16, 2025
3 ⭐ for issue #2
January 9, 2019
The impact of this storyline has much paly in this issue. Though the attraction of is just as before. A just another alternative journey of the world's most popular #Superhero #Batman. In this semi horror gothic style of story has so mant things to think about. Though the #hunter of the Batman is much like similar to the Marvel's Thanos. In #Thanos latest origin story where Mistress Death follows Thanos his entire life.
Here Batman is also haunted by the #Witch. Eagerly waiting for the next issue.
Here Batman is also haunted by the #Witch. Eagerly waiting for the next issue.
December 21, 2018
Beat on the bat, beat on the bat, BEAT ON THE BAT, WITH A BASEBALL BAT
No bat badingdon here. So let's focus on the Bat horror shall we. The issue had a little development happening and manly focus on the supernatural aspect of Gotham. Joker is dead and the enchantress is haunting bat. The Bruce flashback is also add's some info on what is Bruce's childhood actually is before the Crime Alley incident. Constantine and Dead man two big hotshot in DC's paranormal aspect is still here. What I actually like on this stand alone story is how different it is; the art is not my cup of tea yet is beautiful in its own right. I'm not also a fan of the text font their using. its spaghetti/gas like looking, I think they choose this to have some chilling horror vibe in it I dont know.
Yet again, I still don't know what to say about this series.
No bat badingdon here. So let's focus on the Bat horror shall we. The issue had a little development happening and manly focus on the supernatural aspect of Gotham. Joker is dead and the enchantress is haunting bat. The Bruce flashback is also add's some info on what is Bruce's childhood actually is before the Crime Alley incident. Constantine and Dead man two big hotshot in DC's paranormal aspect is still here. What I actually like on this stand alone story is how different it is; the art is not my cup of tea yet is beautiful in its own right. I'm not also a fan of the text font their using. its spaghetti/gas like looking, I think they choose this to have some chilling horror vibe in it I dont know.
Yet again, I still don't know what to say about this series.
November 18, 2021
Общите впечатления от Батман: Прокълнат - Книга #1 се запазват и в продължението - апокалиптично брутален арт, насложен върху делириумно объркан сценарий. Със сигурност ще препрочета книжките отново, като събера (а дано!) цялата серия, за да видя дали тогава няма да ги погледна с други очи. Но така или иначе, ще го повтарям до втръсване: Респект към Артлайн Студиос!!!
December 15, 2018
Not really enjoying this at all. One more issue. I guess I'll still read it to see how it ends.
December 14, 2018
Wow what a series! Great issue as well! Love it. Very dark and different, refreshing in an evil way!
December 30, 2018
Weaker than I remember the first issue being, but still interesting.
June 10, 2019
The second issue feels more stable, it got finally something like a framework for me. The story still got no firm direction but I finally got a grasp at the dynamic of the story. [spoiler]Joker is, or maybe not, dead [/spoiler], but it feels more about Batman's psychoanalysis than about that event. It somehow stirs the story, lurks here and there along the way and probably even started the whole thing, but it generally feels this may be Batman's personal purgatory, a circle of hell with Constantine instead roman poet Vergilius. Beside him, I appreciate the inclusion of other DC characters like Etrigan and Enchantress (i guess) who is actually quite scary.
July 29, 2019
The art in this book is FANTASTIC, which is good because, story wise, this series doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
Not only that, but the scene transitions don't make sense to me. Batman is at one place in the middle of something, then he is doing something else somewhere else without any transition or explanation two panels later.
Not only that, but the scene transitions don't make sense to me. Batman is at one place in the middle of something, then he is doing something else somewhere else without any transition or explanation two panels later.
March 21, 2020
For a second issue of much hyped limited series, I expected better plot, this felt like a filler.
Apart from the reveal, which was obvious nothing's too intresting.
oh yes I missed etrigan, prolly due to the fact that he was not in his original, raw form.
As stated earlier for the 1st issue, the art is over the top, lettering not much.
Apart from the reveal, which was obvious nothing's too intresting.
oh yes I missed etrigan, prolly due to the fact that he was not in his original, raw form.
As stated earlier for the 1st issue, the art is over the top, lettering not much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2018
The book is crazy. Really wonderful. Dont want to have yo wait two months for the next.
September 11, 2019
Intriguing plot on the dark side of DC, captivating artwork. Well done, hate that it left me hanging.
March 8, 2024
Вероятно единстваната причина тази история да бъде разделена в три книжни тела, които се премятат за минути, е да се издои читателят три пъти.
Иначе продължава да ми харесва мрачността на историята и пастелният арт. Третата част - довечера.
Иначе продължава да ми харесва мрачността на историята и пастелният арт. Третата част - довечера.
February 9, 2019
Why is Constantine narrating? What is Dead Man doing here? ... just not interesting enough for me.
December 15, 2018
No words. This read like a filler issue with no substantial plot or arc. There’s a black rapper caricature who’s in there just to be laughed at. Because this is the DC Black Label, the writer takes the opportunity to throw in as many F-bombs as possible. Constantine’s narration continues to be pedantic.
The art is mesmerizing but inconsistent. Constantine looks different in every panel and some of the lettering is hard to read. From time to time it was hard to tell what was happening in a panel or between panels because of the dark shadows. There’s such a thing as over working it.
Some of the narration felt disjointed - like the sentences didn’t flow from one panel to the next.
It was ok till Harley showed up and then it felt like the creators lost their minds - a woman! What do we do with her? How depraved can we make her? And those final panels like... I’m not sure what to make of them. The internet tells me someone died but it looked wrong. Something was off with the framing and I can’t figure out what it was.
After reading this I’m not sure I want to continue with the series. The first issue was still ok but skated by with this shock value; this one may be an ok chapter in the complete volume but as a standalone it’s a bit meh. Also, if the writers think by being edgy they can win readers they’re wrong.
The art is mesmerizing but inconsistent. Constantine looks different in every panel and some of the lettering is hard to read. From time to time it was hard to tell what was happening in a panel or between panels because of the dark shadows. There’s such a thing as over working it.
Some of the narration felt disjointed - like the sentences didn’t flow from one panel to the next.
It was ok till Harley showed up and then it felt like the creators lost their minds - a woman! What do we do with her? How depraved can we make her? And those final panels like... I’m not sure what to make of them. The internet tells me someone died but it looked wrong. Something was off with the framing and I can’t figure out what it was.
After reading this I’m not sure I want to continue with the series. The first issue was still ok but skated by with this shock value; this one may be an ok chapter in the complete volume but as a standalone it’s a bit meh. Also, if the writers think by being edgy they can win readers they’re wrong.
May 17, 2019
Para este segundo tomo, la serie mejora muchísimo. Los diálogos adquieren nueva profundidad, comenzamos a entender lo que están contando los autores, haciendo que la diferencia entre los flashbacks y lo actual sea muy notoria y las voces narrativas se identifican claramente también.
El ritmo de la serie y el ambiente noir, sumándole las imágenes de página completa sin diálogos que frenan completamente la lectura y hacen que pases las páginas en el momento en que Bermejo lo desea, hacen que esta sea una obra envidiable.
Si, la trama no es del todo de mi agrado, pero son los pequeños detalles (como Batman apagándole el cigarro a Constantine y de ahí poniendo muchas referencias a los cigarros en los flashbacks). Si bien este número es de lectura rápida, se disfruta como una serie o una película del Batman de Nolan, muy cinemático y dinámico en su acción.
Sigo sin entender realmente por qué Constantine es parte importante de esta serie, pero todo parece indicar que esto será revelado con un gran Boom al final del volumen.
Muy recomendable, definitivamente dividirá opiniones, se le ha anuncia y promocionado tanto que la gente va a esperar la obra más impresionante de Batman y no los sorprenderá, pero si llegas sin expectativas y te dejas asombrar, esta serie lo logrará desde las primeras páginas.
El ritmo de la serie y el ambiente noir, sumándole las imágenes de página completa sin diálogos que frenan completamente la lectura y hacen que pases las páginas en el momento en que Bermejo lo desea, hacen que esta sea una obra envidiable.
Si, la trama no es del todo de mi agrado, pero son los pequeños detalles (como Batman apagándole el cigarro a Constantine y de ahí poniendo muchas referencias a los cigarros en los flashbacks). Si bien este número es de lectura rápida, se disfruta como una serie o una película del Batman de Nolan, muy cinemático y dinámico en su acción.
Sigo sin entender realmente por qué Constantine es parte importante de esta serie, pero todo parece indicar que esto será revelado con un gran Boom al final del volumen.
Muy recomendable, definitivamente dividirá opiniones, se le ha anuncia y promocionado tanto que la gente va a esperar la obra más impresionante de Batman y no los sorprenderá, pero si llegas sin expectativas y te dejas asombrar, esta serie lo logrará desde las primeras páginas.
February 6, 2019
Again the artwork, left me completely breathless, there’s something unique on how hauntingly real this volume feels and it made me love it even more than the first one in this series. Thank goodness the monologues are heading somewhere in this one, ‘cause I was totally not feeling all that fake deep ponderation of the first volume. Although still a specter, the narrative felt so much better in this one and flowed naturally with what was happening and for that I’m awarding this one 5/5 stars, because not only the artwork kept me glued but the story also felt vivid and cohesive. I can’t wait for the next volume to be out
January 8, 2022
Грехота ще е да дам по-малко от пет звезди тук. За разлика от първата книжка, където казах, че има някои неща които хич не ми допадат, тук не мога да се оплача от нищо. Харесва ми хип-хоп заигравката, която върви през целия комикс, харесва ми и епизодичната роля на Гордън. А включването на Харли в края е култово, особено онази част в която изненадва Батман. Тук сюжета е ясно структуриран, за разлика от първата книжка, образът на прилепа е избистрен, а второстепенните персонажи са ясно изразени и със силни, да не кажа твърде силни характери.
Препоръчвам го! Нямам търпение за последната част имам големи очаквания за нея!
Препоръчвам го! Нямам търпение за последната част имам големи очаквания за нея!
January 22, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I think terms like "noir" and "gritty" are thrown around way too much in this genre. Hell, in crime fiction in general for that matter. Throw the term "pulp" in that list, too. However, I can't think of any better words to describe this one. It has a gritty noir feel with Constantine as the narrator of the story. This one also seamlessly weaves together the supernatural DC with the seedy, violent, Gotham City that Batman inhabits. I wish this were an ongoing, monthly series. The only thing I don't like about it is Batman's suit.
I think terms like "noir" and "gritty" are thrown around way too much in this genre. Hell, in crime fiction in general for that matter. Throw the term "pulp" in that list, too. However, I can't think of any better words to describe this one. It has a gritty noir feel with Constantine as the narrator of the story. This one also seamlessly weaves together the supernatural DC with the seedy, violent, Gotham City that Batman inhabits. I wish this were an ongoing, monthly series. The only thing I don't like about it is Batman's suit.
July 17, 2025
Disappointing is such a tame word for what I truly feel for this comic.
This was supposed to be the strong start to DC Black Label and now they’re just a reprint of old mature (and frankly better quality stories).
What issue two is, is just a series of pretty gothic panels with either:
1. A DC magical reference
2. A gory image
3. A close up to Batman's realistic face
At least it was a bold choice to make Jason Blood into a rapper, not a good one mind you, just bold.
This was supposed to be the strong start to DC Black Label and now they’re just a reprint of old mature (and frankly better quality stories).
What issue two is, is just a series of pretty gothic panels with either:
1. A DC magical reference
2. A gory image
3. A close up to Batman's realistic face
At least it was a bold choice to make Jason Blood into a rapper, not a good one mind you, just bold.
December 15, 2018
I know I should have waited until the next one was either out or closer to being released but I needed more NOW lol. This has been a great foray back into comics after idk how many years. It's darker than I remember Batman being..and I remember him being pretty dark. So I'm loving that. And that cover....ugh..i love it. But I'm a Harley fanatic. That ending left me thirsty for the next book.
December 23, 2018
Fantastic
Continues to be a landmark "adult" Batman series! Looking forward to issue three in a couple months! High quality production and artwork really help shape the darkness of the story.
Continues to be a landmark "adult" Batman series! Looking forward to issue three in a couple months! High quality production and artwork really help shape the darkness of the story.
May 13, 2019
This second volume was not nearly as good as the first. The art by Lee Bermejo is still magnificent, but the story by Brian Azzarello could have been much, much better. Still, I'm looking forward to more...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews