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Detective Comics by Peter J. Tomasi
Batman: Detective Comics, Vol. 2: Arkham Knight
As a new era dawns, the Batman is facing the most dangerous threat of his career! The Arkham Knight has arrived in Gotham City with an entire round table of deadly allies, and their first encounter will leave Batman shaken to his core.
After Batman's brutal battle with the Arkham Knight, things only get worse when one of his most important allies jumps into the fray, and ends up in way over their head!
Damian was so certain he could succeed against the Arkham Knight where his father failed--and not only was he wrong, but as it turns out, the Knight has a surprising plan for the son of Batman! But when the face behind the mask is finally revealed, we'll learn who's taken up the mantle of the Arkham Knight. What's their endgame? And what's the shocking secret that Batman never knew about a part of his life he'd taken for granted?
Unravel this thrilling mystery, as Peter J. Tomasi and artist Brad Walker continue the Detective Comics saga following the historic 1,000th issue of the longest-running comic book in North America.
Collects Detective Comics #1001-1005 and a story from Detective Comics #1000.
After Batman's brutal battle with the Arkham Knight, things only get worse when one of his most important allies jumps into the fray, and ends up in way over their head!
Damian was so certain he could succeed against the Arkham Knight where his father failed--and not only was he wrong, but as it turns out, the Knight has a surprising plan for the son of Batman! But when the face behind the mask is finally revealed, we'll learn who's taken up the mantle of the Arkham Knight. What's their endgame? And what's the shocking secret that Batman never knew about a part of his life he'd taken for granted?
Unravel this thrilling mystery, as Peter J. Tomasi and artist Brad Walker continue the Detective Comics saga following the historic 1,000th issue of the longest-running comic book in North America.
Collects Detective Comics #1001-1005 and a story from Detective Comics #1000.
144 pages, Paperback
First published December 17, 2019
15 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Peter J. Tomasi
1,387 books469 followersPeter J. Tomasi is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, such as Batman And Robin; Superman; Super Sons; Batman: Detective Comics; Green Lantern Corps; and Superman/Wonder Woman; as well as Batman: Arkham Knight; Brightest Day; Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors; Nightwing; Black Adam, and many more.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
In the course of his staff career at DC Comics, Tomasi served as a group editor and ushered in new eras for Batman, Green Lantern, and the JSA, along with a host of special projects like Kingdom Come.
He is also the author of the creator-owned titles House Of Penance with artist Ian Bertram; Light Brigade with artist Peter Snejbjerg; The Mighty with Keith Champagne and Chris Samnee; and the critically acclaimed epic graphic novel The Bridge: How The Roeblings Connected Brooklyn To New York, illustrated by Sara DuVall and published by Abrams ComicArts.
In 2018 New York Times best-selling author Tomasi received the Inkpot Award for achievement in comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
January 22, 2023
"It doesn't make any sense. How and why did so many different bat colonies all die off at the same time?" -- Batman, performing an animal autopsy in the Batcave
"Perhaps they were tired of 'hanging around.'" -- Alfred the butler, cracking wise for a moment
"Your cause and effect theory isn't what it used to be." -- Batman, in a dry rejoinder
"I felt a little levity was warranted - especially after sweeping up over a thousand bats and their guano." -- Alfred
It is said that "A story is only as good as its villain" (courtesy of author Luke Taylor for coining the quote), and ultimately said belief was on my mind by the conclusion of Batman: Detective Comics - Arkham Knight. I found this follow-up to be roughly on par with the initial volume Mythology, although it chooses to go in a slightly different direction with being a little more upbeat in tone with some proficient moments of humor, such as Batman verbally sparring with Alfred (see above) or Commissioner Gordon. This edition was heavier on the action scenes and crime-fighting aspect, as well as Robin (the Damian Wayne incarnation) getting to leap into the fray and kick some ass alongside dear ol' pater familias . . . to which I say MORE OF THIS, PLEASE! However, antagonist Arkham Knight's backstory was laughably dreadful - I found it too much of an extreme stretch (or maybe just lazy writing) that Gotham City's most notorious and incarcerated criminals were suddenly ALL falling over themselves to be lovingly parental-minded to an absurd degree - and did a severe disservice to the flow, because barring said explanatory flashbacks this was otherwise a satisfactory tale. The Reaper's appearance in the secondary tale was not bad, but that storyline needed to be fleshed out further and/or seemed to end just as things were getting interesting.
"Perhaps they were tired of 'hanging around.'" -- Alfred the butler, cracking wise for a moment
"Your cause and effect theory isn't what it used to be." -- Batman, in a dry rejoinder
"I felt a little levity was warranted - especially after sweeping up over a thousand bats and their guano." -- Alfred
It is said that "A story is only as good as its villain" (courtesy of author Luke Taylor for coining the quote), and ultimately said belief was on my mind by the conclusion of Batman: Detective Comics - Arkham Knight. I found this follow-up to be roughly on par with the initial volume Mythology, although it chooses to go in a slightly different direction with being a little more upbeat in tone with some proficient moments of humor, such as Batman verbally sparring with Alfred (see above) or Commissioner Gordon. This edition was heavier on the action scenes and crime-fighting aspect, as well as Robin (the Damian Wayne incarnation) getting to leap into the fray and kick some ass alongside dear ol' pater familias . . . to which I say MORE OF THIS, PLEASE! However, antagonist Arkham Knight's backstory was laughably dreadful - I found it too much of an extreme stretch (or maybe just lazy writing) that Gotham City's most notorious and incarcerated criminals were suddenly ALL falling over themselves to be lovingly parental-minded to an absurd degree - and did a severe disservice to the flow, because barring said explanatory flashbacks this was otherwise a satisfactory tale. The Reaper's appearance in the secondary tale was not bad, but that storyline needed to be fleshed out further and/or seemed to end just as things were getting interesting.
April 26, 2021
Bats are mysteriously dying across Gotham City - could it be connected to the return of the mysterious Arkham Knight? Time for Batman to do some detecting!
One of Peter Tomasi’s worst books was also called Arkham Knight and it was based on the Rocksteady video game so it’s amazing that he’s written another book called Arkham Knight that’s equally as bad! In the previous book, the character was awful - they were called that purely because the series of games was called “Arkham…” - and nothing about the character was actually connected to the asylum so the forced name didn’t make sense. Here, the new Arkham Knight’s name makes slightly more sense but the character is still awful - maybe even worse!
Nothing about the new Arkham Knight’s character or motivations is understandable. Everything about this character and story is beyond contrived and unconvincing.
What’s more shocking is that Tomasi manages to cram this book with stories featuring not just one of the worst Batman characters of all time but two: the Reaper, the villain from Year Two, is back and this time is reaping in Gay Paree and Crete. But, like the new Arkham Knight, this Reaper is also a newer, crappier version of the old, terrible character. Batman punches them - the end. Bleurgh. Can we agree to never feature the Reaper - and the Arkham Knight too - in anything ever again please, DC?
Peter Tomasi is one of the best Batman writers - there are some real gems in his New 52 Batman & Robin run, and the preceding volume of Detective Comics isn’t bad either - but he’s also unfortunately more than capable of producing some absolute stinkers and Detective Comics, Volume 2: Arkham Knight is definitely down there as one of them. Two godawful Batman villains in one book makes for a shockingly bad read - I highly recommend avoiding this!
One of Peter Tomasi’s worst books was also called Arkham Knight and it was based on the Rocksteady video game so it’s amazing that he’s written another book called Arkham Knight that’s equally as bad! In the previous book, the character was awful - they were called that purely because the series of games was called “Arkham…” - and nothing about the character was actually connected to the asylum so the forced name didn’t make sense. Here, the new Arkham Knight’s name makes slightly more sense but the character is still awful - maybe even worse!
Nothing about the new Arkham Knight’s character or motivations is understandable. Everything about this character and story is beyond contrived and unconvincing.
What’s more shocking is that Tomasi manages to cram this book with stories featuring not just one of the worst Batman characters of all time but two: the Reaper, the villain from Year Two, is back and this time is reaping in Gay Paree and Crete. But, like the new Arkham Knight, this Reaper is also a newer, crappier version of the old, terrible character. Batman punches them - the end. Bleurgh. Can we agree to never feature the Reaper - and the Arkham Knight too - in anything ever again please, DC?
Peter Tomasi is one of the best Batman writers - there are some real gems in his New 52 Batman & Robin run, and the preceding volume of Detective Comics isn’t bad either - but he’s also unfortunately more than capable of producing some absolute stinkers and Detective Comics, Volume 2: Arkham Knight is definitely down there as one of them. Two godawful Batman villains in one book makes for a shockingly bad read - I highly recommend avoiding this!
April 5, 2020
This is something of a strange book. Tomasi establishes the Arkham Knight character in the core DC universe. However, they have absolutely nothing to do with the video game version. It's not even the same character. What's strange about this is that Tomasi also wrote the various Arkham Knight comics that spawned from the video game. This is not a very compelling arc. Arkham Knight is kind of boring, talking nonsense as if they are a knight of old. It's a character I hope is quickly forgotten. Brad Walker's art though is great. A little overly busy but sharp and crisp.
Also included is an annual that is better than the main story with art by Travis Moore and Max Raynor. It's a sequel to Batman: Year Two featuring the return of the Reaper. I like how it tied into Grant Morrison's work as well with the Black Casefile and Batman, Incorporated.
I have to say Tomasi's return to Batman has been a bit of a disappointment so far. I absolutely loved the run he put together with Pat Gleason on Batman & Robin during the New 52 era.
Also included is an annual that is better than the main story with art by Travis Moore and Max Raynor. It's a sequel to Batman: Year Two featuring the return of the Reaper. I like how it tied into Grant Morrison's work as well with the Black Casefile and Batman, Incorporated.
I have to say Tomasi's return to Batman has been a bit of a disappointment so far. I absolutely loved the run he put together with Pat Gleason on Batman & Robin during the New 52 era.
July 2, 2021
This was a pretty good one. It starts off with DC #1000 and Batman facing his rogues and meanwhile we get this monologue from the new Arkham Knight about who Batman is and how he is more harmful than beneficial and she wants him to bring him in the light. And then we have him facing her and her Knights of the sun in a no holds barred fight and well first round they retreat then Damian investigating to find out who they are and when he does its a bit shocking. And from there we learn her origin and as far her origins go it ties very well into Batman's past and makes her a perfect antagonist for him. I really liked that part.
And then finally the face off and the holy judgement by her and what her fate will be. Another story is Batman going to Paris to face off against the new Reaper and we learn his history and all and the new one and that happens. That was a fun story. Batman going international and facing villains there too.
Its a good volume and sheds light on some important moments in Batman's history and how that has spawned villains plus having Arkham Knight and Reaper and how they both have been victims of Batmans crusade makes you think if he is even right. The art was really good here showing Batman in light and it gives you the classic 2000s type of vibe and it compliments the story really well. One of the better volumes.
And then finally the face off and the holy judgement by her and what her fate will be. Another story is Batman going to Paris to face off against the new Reaper and we learn his history and all and the new one and that happens. That was a fun story. Batman going international and facing villains there too.
Its a good volume and sheds light on some important moments in Batman's history and how that has spawned villains plus having Arkham Knight and Reaper and how they both have been victims of Batmans crusade makes you think if he is even right. The art was really good here showing Batman in light and it gives you the classic 2000s type of vibe and it compliments the story really well. One of the better volumes.
September 12, 2022
A very bland origin adventure that offers a backstory to a character that holds little staying power amongst the plethora of iconic Batverse names. It's yet another conflict built on misunderstandings and stubbornness, making the villain motivation feel weak and rather dense. With nothing of note to make it stand out, it's a book that will get lost amongst its superior peers.
March 28, 2020
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You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
Now teamed up with artist Brad Walker, writer Peter J. Tomasi continues his saga within the Detective Comics series following its 1000th issue as he brings into play a brand-new character to Gotham City who was only ever been introduced in the critically-acclaimed video game developed by Rocksteady Studios called Batman: Arkham Knight. This mysterious character looks to put an end to Batman while somehow knowing everything about him and his way of life—from his tactical in-combat strategies to his most secret personal relationships. While the original identity of the Arkham Knight would’ve needed comic book writers to retcon certain character arcs, writer Peter J. Tomasi looks to introduce a twist in his interpretation as he attempts to turn the character canonical.
What is Batman: Detective Comics: Arkham Knight about? On a solemn night, bats fall from the sky and send Gotham’s greatest detectives on an expedition for answers. Bruce Wayne’s first hypothesis lies in the only doctor who developed a bat serum but his visit sends him flying straight into the grasp of the mysterious Arkham Knight. Unable to identify the person behind the armour, the Arkham Knight continues their plan to purge the city of Gotham of its darkness by taking down the Dark Knight. Although they are driven with a knightly purpose bound to wreak havoc on Gotham, only Batman and his son can put an end to their round table of disillusioned villains.
What a ludicrous and mediocre attempt to introduce the Arkham Knight into the Detective Comics series. The only upside to this mess is that other writers can now work with something in the future and try to not only fix this mess but also offer the character some amount of relevancy in the grand scheme of things. Where writer Peter J. Tomasi mostly embraces failure is in the plot itself, worsened by ridiculous pacing and unexplainable character demeanors. Granted that he might have had a select few ideas that merit some form of appreciation, the rest tends to prompt undesired shock and incredulity. Amongst these oddities, I believe that a particular important sequence in the Arkham Knight’s origin story halfway through the story, regarding villains and their out-of-the-blue instinct for motherhood (this includes the Joker) sealed the deal for me and sent this volume into a dark alley of no return.
On top of collecting issues #1001-1005 of the Detective Comics series, this volume also includes the Annual #2 and a story contained within the celebratory #1000 issue. While it is enthralling and pays tribute to Grant Morrison’s Batman comic book run by referencing several of his work, including Batman: The Black Casebook and Batman Incorporated, this second-take on Batman: Year Two looks to also give another origin story of the infamous Reaper as Batman goes international to battle villainy. Ultimately bland and open-ended with no closure whatsoever, the only consistent element within the entire volume remains the artwork as artist Brad Walker does an impressive job in illustrating the main story arc while artists Travis Moore and Max Raynor simulate a similar style for the Annual #2 issue. The colouring is also great with thick colours and impressive contrasts to accommodate the action-heavy arc. But you know what they say: even solid artwork can’t always save poor story-telling.
Batman: Detective Comics: Arkham Knight is a second-rate origin story for a character blinded by revenge and ergo lacking in appeal.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
Now teamed up with artist Brad Walker, writer Peter J. Tomasi continues his saga within the Detective Comics series following its 1000th issue as he brings into play a brand-new character to Gotham City who was only ever been introduced in the critically-acclaimed video game developed by Rocksteady Studios called Batman: Arkham Knight. This mysterious character looks to put an end to Batman while somehow knowing everything about him and his way of life—from his tactical in-combat strategies to his most secret personal relationships. While the original identity of the Arkham Knight would’ve needed comic book writers to retcon certain character arcs, writer Peter J. Tomasi looks to introduce a twist in his interpretation as he attempts to turn the character canonical.
What is Batman: Detective Comics: Arkham Knight about? On a solemn night, bats fall from the sky and send Gotham’s greatest detectives on an expedition for answers. Bruce Wayne’s first hypothesis lies in the only doctor who developed a bat serum but his visit sends him flying straight into the grasp of the mysterious Arkham Knight. Unable to identify the person behind the armour, the Arkham Knight continues their plan to purge the city of Gotham of its darkness by taking down the Dark Knight. Although they are driven with a knightly purpose bound to wreak havoc on Gotham, only Batman and his son can put an end to their round table of disillusioned villains.
What a ludicrous and mediocre attempt to introduce the Arkham Knight into the Detective Comics series. The only upside to this mess is that other writers can now work with something in the future and try to not only fix this mess but also offer the character some amount of relevancy in the grand scheme of things. Where writer Peter J. Tomasi mostly embraces failure is in the plot itself, worsened by ridiculous pacing and unexplainable character demeanors. Granted that he might have had a select few ideas that merit some form of appreciation, the rest tends to prompt undesired shock and incredulity. Amongst these oddities, I believe that a particular important sequence in the Arkham Knight’s origin story halfway through the story, regarding villains and their out-of-the-blue instinct for motherhood (this includes the Joker) sealed the deal for me and sent this volume into a dark alley of no return.
On top of collecting issues #1001-1005 of the Detective Comics series, this volume also includes the Annual #2 and a story contained within the celebratory #1000 issue. While it is enthralling and pays tribute to Grant Morrison’s Batman comic book run by referencing several of his work, including Batman: The Black Casebook and Batman Incorporated, this second-take on Batman: Year Two looks to also give another origin story of the infamous Reaper as Batman goes international to battle villainy. Ultimately bland and open-ended with no closure whatsoever, the only consistent element within the entire volume remains the artwork as artist Brad Walker does an impressive job in illustrating the main story arc while artists Travis Moore and Max Raynor simulate a similar style for the Annual #2 issue. The colouring is also great with thick colours and impressive contrasts to accommodate the action-heavy arc. But you know what they say: even solid artwork can’t always save poor story-telling.
Batman: Detective Comics: Arkham Knight is a second-rate origin story for a character blinded by revenge and ergo lacking in appeal.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
December 24, 2019
Ouch. Cringes abound in Arkham Knight, which manages to be more disappointing and anti-climactic than the incredibly predictable video game the “character” originated from. The only highlight of the volume is the Reaper “Black Casebook” story.
June 25, 2019
After the end of Rocksteady's fantastic Arkham video game series, we now finally have the Arkham Knight in comic book continuity! So little to say I was interested to see who was the Arkham Knight as he is a cool villain, even though if you played the game, it's very obvious who's under the mask; but since they announced the comic book version would be someone else, I was interested to see who it was. So what did I think?
To start with the pros, this volume did provide a cool Batman & Robin story as we haven't gotten a good one since Tomasi wrote Batman & Robin back in the day. Tomasi definitely knows how to write that father and son dynamic you need in a book like this and it's the only time when I really like Damian as a character.
I won't spoil who the Arkham Knight is, but I overall found it a bit underwhelming. Tomasi does provide a good back story for the person behind the mask, but I don't know, the way DC was hyping it up, I was expecting a little more. The Arkham Knight's diabolical plan for Gotham in the finale also doesn't really make any sense. I will say the Arkham Knight's identity underwhelmed but did still surprise me and it wasn't obvious like it was in the game.
Overall though this was an okay volume.
To start with the pros, this volume did provide a cool Batman & Robin story as we haven't gotten a good one since Tomasi wrote Batman & Robin back in the day. Tomasi definitely knows how to write that father and son dynamic you need in a book like this and it's the only time when I really like Damian as a character.
I won't spoil who the Arkham Knight is, but I overall found it a bit underwhelming. Tomasi does provide a good back story for the person behind the mask, but I don't know, the way DC was hyping it up, I was expecting a little more. The Arkham Knight's diabolical plan for Gotham in the finale also doesn't really make any sense. I will say the Arkham Knight's identity underwhelmed but did still surprise me and it wasn't obvious like it was in the game.
Overall though this was an okay volume.
April 30, 2020
While not as strong as volume 1 I'm still enjoying my time with Tomasi's Batman run.
So the Arkham Knight from the video games was just the Red Hood. Here, they are a completely new character. They are hunting down Batman and trying to convince him the errors of his way. So Batman and Robin team up for some old time kickass adventure.
The negative is the story of the Arkham Knight is far fetched and the idea of aging is thrown completely out of the window. As if Harley Quinn is somehow 20 something at one point and now over 40? No way. So that part annoyed me as well as the annual just being okay. But I love Tomasi's Bruce, and his relationship and Damien is perfect. I also dug the fights, fun and over the top. Oh and Batman ACTUALLY being a Detective is always nice.
This was so damn fun Detective comics. Sure, it's not mind-blowing or as good as his Batman and Robin run but I'm enjoying it. A 3.5 out of 5.
So the Arkham Knight from the video games was just the Red Hood. Here, they are a completely new character. They are hunting down Batman and trying to convince him the errors of his way. So Batman and Robin team up for some old time kickass adventure.
The negative is the story of the Arkham Knight is far fetched and the idea of aging is thrown completely out of the window. As if Harley Quinn is somehow 20 something at one point and now over 40? No way. So that part annoyed me as well as the annual just being okay. But I love Tomasi's Bruce, and his relationship and Damien is perfect. I also dug the fights, fun and over the top. Oh and Batman ACTUALLY being a Detective is always nice.
This was so damn fun Detective comics. Sure, it's not mind-blowing or as good as his Batman and Robin run but I'm enjoying it. A 3.5 out of 5.
December 31, 2019
This was okay. The Black Case book issue at the end was more interesting than the entire Arkham Knight arc that made up the rest of this volume. I’ve seen Tomasi do better, and I’ve read better ‘Tec runs so this is just kinda meh to me. Hopefully the next volume will be better because I do see potential.
October 8, 2023
Stale and corny idea framed in a somewhat incoherent timeline. Art is serviceable.
September 15, 2019
Basic plot: The Arkham Knight seeks to eliminate the darkness of Gotham in a very literal sense.
The Knight's background story was an interesting one, and her delusion is intense. The story was tightly woven, and it moved along well. It seemed like there was a lot more focus on the villain than the hero here, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It was interesting and the ending indicates that this villain is nowhere near done. The art was good.
The Knight's background story was an interesting one, and her delusion is intense. The story was tightly woven, and it moved along well. It seemed like there was a lot more focus on the villain than the hero here, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It was interesting and the ending indicates that this villain is nowhere near done. The art was good.
November 30, 2019
A few too many groan-worthy twists send this arc spiraling into pointlessness.
And when a villain’s only motivation is to eliminate the Batman, I’m not convinced that “justice” is at stake, nor am I necessarily on Batman’s side. It’s a narrative paradox that would only be interesting if Batman had some self awareness about what he’s doing and why. Tomasi avoids the problem entirely by focusing only on moving the plot forward rather than digging into character psychology or moral conflicts.
[Read in single issues]
And when a villain’s only motivation is to eliminate the Batman, I’m not convinced that “justice” is at stake, nor am I necessarily on Batman’s side. It’s a narrative paradox that would only be interesting if Batman had some self awareness about what he’s doing and why. Tomasi avoids the problem entirely by focusing only on moving the plot forward rather than digging into character psychology or moral conflicts.
[Read in single issues]
September 15, 2019
- You DO realize I was Batman for quite a while before you came along and held a sword to my throat.
- Yeah, good times.
So much better than the previous arc! Since Batman and Robin Tomasi is one of my favorite Batman writers and now he's again at those levels. He really loves and gets these characters, their interactions and dialogue are perfectly on point.
Needless to say, Walker did a terrific job as he always does.
- Yeah, good times.
So much better than the previous arc! Since Batman and Robin Tomasi is one of my favorite Batman writers and now he's again at those levels. He really loves and gets these characters, their interactions and dialogue are perfectly on point.
Needless to say, Walker did a terrific job as he always does.
January 10, 2020
Awful. The Arkham Knight was a great character back in the day, it was a brand new character with some true reasons to hate Batman. It should’ve stay that way but DC decided to make him a canon character and they really screwed up. First of all, the backstory is boring as hell, it doesn’t feel reasonable at all, next, Astrid´s next plans are really predictable.
September 12, 2021
Pretty cool!
A little story with Batman & Robin working together again! Gotta say, after reading the mess Adam Glass & Tom King wrote with Bruce treating Damian horribly after Alfred’s death, it felt so weird reading a story where Bruce actually cared about Damian’s well being. It’s definitely a welcome difference. Bruce is not only concerned when Damian’s comms go off, but he also compliments him for things he did well.
The story itself is pretty great. I thought Astrid Arkham’s backstory was a very interesting one! I liked the concept behind it and it made for a new villain with an understandably misleading view of Batman.
It’s a recommend if you want a book with a better father/son dynamic than what we’ve gotten in other recent Batman books.
A little story with Batman & Robin working together again! Gotta say, after reading the mess Adam Glass & Tom King wrote with Bruce treating Damian horribly after Alfred’s death, it felt so weird reading a story where Bruce actually cared about Damian’s well being. It’s definitely a welcome difference. Bruce is not only concerned when Damian’s comms go off, but he also compliments him for things he did well.
The story itself is pretty great. I thought Astrid Arkham’s backstory was a very interesting one! I liked the concept behind it and it made for a new villain with an understandably misleading view of Batman.
It’s a recommend if you want a book with a better father/son dynamic than what we’ve gotten in other recent Batman books.
March 26, 2024
This is a great read and a very easy 5 out of 5 in my opinion. Although this is Vol 2 of a 3 vol set (I think) it leaves no open ends and starts without holding a previous vol information. It does read as a standalone.
A Batman like vigilante, Arkham Knight sets no conditions on the ending of crime in Gotham City. Filled with plenty of action from start to finish, the real star is the story line.
The illustrations are beautiful as are the colors and there use in accentuating the story line. That artwork also shows itself in the hardback cover, even more so than on the jacket cover.
A Batman like vigilante, Arkham Knight sets no conditions on the ending of crime in Gotham City. Filled with plenty of action from start to finish, the real star is the story line.
The illustrations are beautiful as are the colors and there use in accentuating the story line. That artwork also shows itself in the hardback cover, even more so than on the jacket cover.
January 9, 2020
Whats happened to detective comics :(
August 19, 2020
The Arkham Knight makes themselves known in the DC Universe proper as Peter Tomasi and Brad Walker's Detective Comics run continues.
Opening with the teaser story from issue #1000, the Arkham Knight story runs through #1000-1005. It's not a bad idea in theory, but I definitely feel like it's something we've seen before. There are only so many random members of this specific family that we can see before it gets a bit wrote. I like that the Knight tries to drag Batman into the daylight, literally, and Damian's role in the book feels well earned given all the work Tomasi did with the pair of them back during the New 52.
The annual included here is a bit more compelling, with the return of the Black Casebook and the Reaper as well. Possibly a little overlong (it is an annual after all), but a fun diversion, especially after the Arkham Knight main story.
Brad Walker handles most of the Arkham Knight story with his super-detailed artwork; I've always been hyper critical of his faces when I've seen his art before, but he's definitely improving. Doug Mahnke handles the prologue story, which is mostly splash pages so he really gets to let loose, while personal favourite Travis Moore tagteams the annual with Max Raynor. This is a very good looking book, all else aside.
Arkham Knight's alright (for fightin'), but not quite the big bombastic storyline that an issue 1000 deserved. The annual perks things up and saves the volume, as does the lovely artwork throughout.
Opening with the teaser story from issue #1000, the Arkham Knight story runs through #1000-1005. It's not a bad idea in theory, but I definitely feel like it's something we've seen before. There are only so many random members of this specific family that we can see before it gets a bit wrote. I like that the Knight tries to drag Batman into the daylight, literally, and Damian's role in the book feels well earned given all the work Tomasi did with the pair of them back during the New 52.
The annual included here is a bit more compelling, with the return of the Black Casebook and the Reaper as well. Possibly a little overlong (it is an annual after all), but a fun diversion, especially after the Arkham Knight main story.
Brad Walker handles most of the Arkham Knight story with his super-detailed artwork; I've always been hyper critical of his faces when I've seen his art before, but he's definitely improving. Doug Mahnke handles the prologue story, which is mostly splash pages so he really gets to let loose, while personal favourite Travis Moore tagteams the annual with Max Raynor. This is a very good looking book, all else aside.
Arkham Knight's alright (for fightin'), but not quite the big bombastic storyline that an issue 1000 deserved. The annual perks things up and saves the volume, as does the lovely artwork throughout.
February 9, 2020
I liked this, for the most part. I appreciate the effort involved in creating a new Batman villain. The origin for the Arkham Knight is fairly clever, though (of course) a bit far-fetched.
There's some good dialog here, though it's a bit clunky in places. Alfred and Damian both get a few good lines in. (Tomasi seems to have inserted some rock music lyrics into the story at a few points, and that didn't work well for me. It just seemed awkward.)
I also appreciate that the book had a consistent art team for this story, Brad Walker and Andrew Hennessy. I think they did an overall good job with it, moving the story along at a good pace and keeping things visually interesting.
There's some good dialog here, though it's a bit clunky in places. Alfred and Damian both get a few good lines in. (Tomasi seems to have inserted some rock music lyrics into the story at a few points, and that didn't work well for me. It just seemed awkward.)
I also appreciate that the book had a consistent art team for this story, Brad Walker and Andrew Hennessy. I think they did an overall good job with it, moving the story along at a good pace and keeping things visually interesting.
February 27, 2020
Depois de eu ter me decepcionado bastante com o primeiro volume da nova fase de Detective Comics - que aqui no Brasil passou a ser publicada em encadernados e não de forma fasciculada - este segundo volume já começa a trazer histórias no estilo de Peter J. Tomasi que costumamos curtir. Isso tem muito fundo de verdade porque ele reintroduz o Robin Damian Wayne nas histórias de seu pai, Bruce Wayne. Também nesse encadernado com uma arte caprichada de Brad Walker, temos a primeira aparição nos quadrinhos de um personagem que só havia aparecido nos videogames desde então: o Arkham Knight. Este personagem pareceu muito bem construído e como boas motivações, embora história em si deixe um pouco a desejar. Além disso, o encadernado traz o segundo annual de Detective Comics trazendo um personagem importante no Ano Dois do personagem do Cavaleiro das Trevas, que é o Ceifador. Esse anual, de certa forma, lida com o legado do Ceifador e apresenta, dessa vez, o desenhos também belíssimos do artista de Heróis em Crise, Travis Moore. Espero que essa fase continue engrenando.
March 27, 2022
This was a very original story even if it too some liberties with the established personalities and actions of characters. If you can overlook some of the plot holes, which I won't get into due to spoilers, it's a good read with good art. An interesting Batman villain is introduced that's a little different than his usual rogues.
February 15, 2021
It's a weak origin story that rests on lies and misunderstanding, but the adventure as a whole is fun.
November 17, 2021
The story overall was fine but I strongly disliked the art of this book.
October 2, 2024
Kreska - totalnie moja
Historia - fajna
Epickie plansze - 🧐 nie
Ogólne tempo Budy nie ma
Historia - fajna
Epickie plansze - 🧐 nie
Ogólne tempo Budy nie ma
January 20, 2025
Weird to take the Arkham Knight and make it a completely new character but the story is good.
March 3, 2025
i thought jason was the arkham knight so now i’m super disappointed. where is he
June 25, 2021
Reading Batman create more damaged villains you realize HE IS THE PROBLEM. Watching a billionaire and his kid disregard anything not in their world view.... not the time for it.
May 14, 2020
This Batman story was just bizarre with a character we've never heard of before being announced as having years of interaction with characters in the Batman mythos, and those same characters acting completely out of character. It honestly feels like a rejected story from the Silver Age.
July 30, 2020
Happy 1000th issue Detective Comics! Ooo! The introduction of a new villain! Someone who has broken through Batman's usual defenses! And woah! All of Gotham is in danger due to this new threat! So why is that when we get the big reveal of who this new antagonist is... it took an entire issue for facial recognition to come up with nothing and an entire issue after that for the Arkham Knight's father to exposit all the backstory... And... I don't care. A disaffected young adult who thought Batman was the cause of their mother's death has a grand plan to purge the city from their reliance on Batman and exterminate him in the process. So bold. So driven. So boring. So oft-repeated. At least the revelation produced the best part of the whole book:
Batman: So that explains why [spolier] sees me as a curse hanging over Gotham.
Robin: (smiling) Haven't we all at some point?
Batman: (glaring, looks away)
Robin: *tt* Just kidding.
And despite that brief moment of adolescent cluelessness, nothing of material changes... Well, except... Cool? A new character to add to the Rogues Gallery! Well, not really. This was a drag to read with very little reward to have slogged through it. So, Happy 1000th Issue, Batman! Maybe the Annual #2 will lead to a more interesting story...
Batman: So that explains why [spolier] sees me as a curse hanging over Gotham.
Robin: (smiling) Haven't we all at some point?
Batman: (glaring, looks away)
Robin: *tt* Just kidding.
And despite that brief moment of adolescent cluelessness, nothing of material changes... Well, except... Cool? A new character to add to the Rogues Gallery! Well, not really. This was a drag to read with very little reward to have slogged through it. So, Happy 1000th Issue, Batman! Maybe the Annual #2 will lead to a more interesting story...
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