What do you think?
Rate this book
Batman: Universe (2019)
Batman: Universe (2019-) #1
Available to comics shops for the first time! Following the theft of a priceless Fabergé egg, the Riddler leads the Dark Knight on a wild hunt after its true owner: Jinny Hex, descendant of Jonah Hex! Guest-starring Deathstroke, Green Arrow and dozens of Riddler look-alikes in stories by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Nick Derington, originally published in BATMAN GIANT #3 and #4!
Paperback
Published July 10, 2019
2 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Brian Michael Bendis
4,414 books2,575 followersA comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim (including five Eisner Awards) and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics. For over eight years Bendis’s books have consistently sat in the top five best sellers on the nationwide comic and graphic novel sales charts.
Though he started as a writer and artist of independent noir fiction series, he shot to stardom as a writer of Marvel Comics' superhero books, particularly Ultimate Spider-Man.
Bendis first entered the comic world with the "Jinx" line of crime comics in 1995. This line has spawned the graphic novels Goldfish, Fire, Jinx, Torso (with Marc Andreyko), and Total Sell Out. Bendis is writing the film version of Jinx for Universal Pictures with Oscar-winner Charlize Theron attached to star and produce.
Bendis’s other projects include the Harvey, Eisner, and Eagle Award-nominated Powers (with Michael Avon Oeming) originally from Image Comics, now published by Marvel's new creator-owned imprint Icon Comics, and the Hollywood tell-all Fortune and Glory from Oni Press, both of which received an "A" from Entertainment Weekly.
Bendis is one of the premiere architects of Marvel's "Ultimate" line: comics specifically created for the new generation of comic readers. He has written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man since its best-selling launch, and has also written for Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men, as well as every issue of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Ultimate Origin and Ultimate Six.
Brian is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel’s AVENGERS franchise by writing both New Avengers and Mighty Avengers along with the successful ‘event’ projects House Of M, Secret War, and this summer’s Secret Invasion.
He has also previously done work on Daredevil, Alias, and The Pulse.
Though he started as a writer and artist of independent noir fiction series, he shot to stardom as a writer of Marvel Comics' superhero books, particularly Ultimate Spider-Man.
Bendis first entered the comic world with the "Jinx" line of crime comics in 1995. This line has spawned the graphic novels Goldfish, Fire, Jinx, Torso (with Marc Andreyko), and Total Sell Out. Bendis is writing the film version of Jinx for Universal Pictures with Oscar-winner Charlize Theron attached to star and produce.
Bendis’s other projects include the Harvey, Eisner, and Eagle Award-nominated Powers (with Michael Avon Oeming) originally from Image Comics, now published by Marvel's new creator-owned imprint Icon Comics, and the Hollywood tell-all Fortune and Glory from Oni Press, both of which received an "A" from Entertainment Weekly.
Bendis is one of the premiere architects of Marvel's "Ultimate" line: comics specifically created for the new generation of comic readers. He has written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man since its best-selling launch, and has also written for Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men, as well as every issue of Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Ultimate Origin and Ultimate Six.
Brian is currently helming a renaissance for Marvel’s AVENGERS franchise by writing both New Avengers and Mighty Avengers along with the successful ‘event’ projects House Of M, Secret War, and this summer’s Secret Invasion.
He has also previously done work on Daredevil, Alias, and The Pulse.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 23, 2020
Ever since I heard that Bendis had left Marvel and joined DC I’ve wanted to read a Batman book written by him. And I got my wish! It’s not the main Batman title, or even Detective Comics (though I’m sure he’ll get around to writing both at some point down the line), but a new series: Batman: Universe. Unfortunately, like most wishes, this one kinda backfired on me - Batman: Universe #1 isn’t very good.
Riddler’s stolen a Faberge egg and Batman’s gotta stop him - what is this, an episode of Batman ‘66? Throw Jonah Hex and his modern-day descendant Jinny, Deathstroke and Green Arrow into the mix and you’ve got the “universe” angle (ie. this is a series about Batman and the many characters in his world).
The problem for me is that Bendis is doing on Batman what he’s been doing on Superman: telling the same generic kind of stories we’ve seen this character go through a hundred times before. This is the type of story I expect to come across in a Batman game: it’s recognisably Batman and straightforward but is basically just a vehicle to get Batman fighting lots of people, which is more fun to do in the Arkham games though not nearly so much fun to read in a comic.
Bendis still writes it in his smooth, slick style and Nick Derington’s art is easy on the eye - it’s just not terribly interesting to read. I expect there’s more going on here as Bendis hints at with Riddler and Jinny’s behaviour, and maybe this is one of those titles that read better in the collected edition rather than in the monthlies, but for now Batman: Universe #1 is an inauspicious start to the series.
Riddler’s stolen a Faberge egg and Batman’s gotta stop him - what is this, an episode of Batman ‘66? Throw Jonah Hex and his modern-day descendant Jinny, Deathstroke and Green Arrow into the mix and you’ve got the “universe” angle (ie. this is a series about Batman and the many characters in his world).
The problem for me is that Bendis is doing on Batman what he’s been doing on Superman: telling the same generic kind of stories we’ve seen this character go through a hundred times before. This is the type of story I expect to come across in a Batman game: it’s recognisably Batman and straightforward but is basically just a vehicle to get Batman fighting lots of people, which is more fun to do in the Arkham games though not nearly so much fun to read in a comic.
Bendis still writes it in his smooth, slick style and Nick Derington’s art is easy on the eye - it’s just not terribly interesting to read. I expect there’s more going on here as Bendis hints at with Riddler and Jinny’s behaviour, and maybe this is one of those titles that read better in the collected edition rather than in the monthlies, but for now Batman: Universe #1 is an inauspicious start to the series.
July 28, 2019
What is Batman Universe?
Is it like Batman Incorporated? The League of Extraordinary Batman? Great Lakes Batman?
Apparently, it is from the stories that Bendis did for the 100 Page Giants that Wal-Mart were selling. So does that mean if you have those, then these are redundant? I can’t quite tell.
Is this title an excuse for DC to maximize its Bendis titles on the shelf? Yes. Yes, it is.
That’s not a bad thing as this let’s him write Batman as he bounces through the DC Universe (there it is. Jenni Hex and randomly Green Lantern show up) with no real consequences. (Marvel should do something similar with Nick Spencer)
That’s generally a good thing. The Riddler bits are pure Bendis and it’s a pretty strong set up that sort of bottoms out at the end.
Nick Derrington’s Art is fantastic and the whole thing borders between something really great and something that’s pretty good but rather forgettable. Is this a team up book? Why are we jamming everything in it. Is this going to be a solid story or is this jump a dumping ground for ideas.
It does bode well that Bendis and Batman work well together. Batman is such a versatile character that he can survive about anything, anyway. I liked it quite a bit. I am just not sure if it is something I should be invested in.
Is it like Batman Incorporated? The League of Extraordinary Batman? Great Lakes Batman?
Apparently, it is from the stories that Bendis did for the 100 Page Giants that Wal-Mart were selling. So does that mean if you have those, then these are redundant? I can’t quite tell.
Is this title an excuse for DC to maximize its Bendis titles on the shelf? Yes. Yes, it is.
That’s not a bad thing as this let’s him write Batman as he bounces through the DC Universe (there it is. Jenni Hex and randomly Green Lantern show up) with no real consequences. (Marvel should do something similar with Nick Spencer)
That’s generally a good thing. The Riddler bits are pure Bendis and it’s a pretty strong set up that sort of bottoms out at the end.
Nick Derrington’s Art is fantastic and the whole thing borders between something really great and something that’s pretty good but rather forgettable. Is this a team up book? Why are we jamming everything in it. Is this going to be a solid story or is this jump a dumping ground for ideas.
It does bode well that Bendis and Batman work well together. Batman is such a versatile character that he can survive about anything, anyway. I liked it quite a bit. I am just not sure if it is something I should be invested in.
July 13, 2019
Nearly 4 stars. It starts of really strong but then loses it a bit through the middle. It's a good start though. Wasn't as Bendis-y as I expected it to be (like Event Leviathan). Will be checking the next issue out.
July 20, 2019
Good start! Intriguing enough to get me in. Not necessarily hard with Batman, but it did good, honestly! Looking forward how it will evolve!
April 22, 2020
I know a lot of people don’t like Bendis but this book was the most fun I have had with Batman in a very long time. The book doesn’t take itself very serious and provides a fun journey with plenty of detective work, adventure, team ups, intergalactic travel, time travel. I absolutely love the light approach and added humor. So many Batman stories are full of doom and gloom and it was extremely refreshing to go back to an almost 60s era Batman.
December 13, 2020
I understand classic looks and all, but, I'm not a fan of the trunks on Bats or Superman. You're a grown man, trunks go in the inside.
July 12, 2019
I was brought here for Nick's art. His run on Doom Patrol with Gerard Way was amazing, a big part of that being the art. It's so nice to look at in a cute, cartoon way, but it still works on characters like Batman.
And the fallen angel himself Brian Michael Bendis on writing duties. While everyone seems to hate this man with a passion I don't share that opinion. Although some of his later works at Marvel Comics felt a bit uninspired, you can't deny the man has an amazing back catalogue; Ultimate Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Alias being 3 of my favourite books from him. One thing that was always on point for me was his character dialogue. It always felt so natural in all of the books I've read of his. Alongside Nick's art it just clicks for me.
First issue in and I'm very intrigued to see where it goes from here. Fingers crossed!
And the fallen angel himself Brian Michael Bendis on writing duties. While everyone seems to hate this man with a passion I don't share that opinion. Although some of his later works at Marvel Comics felt a bit uninspired, you can't deny the man has an amazing back catalogue; Ultimate Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Alias being 3 of my favourite books from him. One thing that was always on point for me was his character dialogue. It always felt so natural in all of the books I've read of his. Alongside Nick's art it just clicks for me.
First issue in and I'm very intrigued to see where it goes from here. Fingers crossed!
September 25, 2019
Bendis takes on Batman, and sends him across the DC Universe! Although there were some high points to this first issue, I personally wasn't very impressed. Find out why by checking out my full review at Center Field of Gravity: http://www.centerfieldofgravity.com/b...
October 1, 2019
I'm pleasantly surprised by this first issue. I kind of expected Ben is to just write Batman the way he did Daredevil. Fortunately, it's a lot different than that, but still a good grounded Batman story. Some fun art too. Especially all the Riddlers.
July 28, 2019
I love the flipping of all the tropes and expectations in this issue. It's fun! And it was cool trying to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews