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Batman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition
Batman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition, Book 5
In the wake of the failed wedding between Batman and Catwoman, the Dark Knight runs afoul of the Penguin and faces some of his darkest fears.
In this new hardcover collection, the Penguin waddles into a turf war--and Batman is there to stop the violence. But the Penguin is on Batman's side for once, and the crime boss sees dangerous things on the horizon. How can he convince the Caped Crusader he's on the level? Plus, appearances by Professor Pyg, John Constantine and the boy who wanted to be Bruce Wayne--in the worst way possible! And then, someone is forcing Batman to relive some of his darkest, most traumatizing fears. How will he escape this torment? With a little help from the mysterious hero known only as the Question!
Collects Batman #58-63, #66-69, Batman Annual #3 and Batman Secret Files #1.
In this new hardcover collection, the Penguin waddles into a turf war--and Batman is there to stop the violence. But the Penguin is on Batman's side for once, and the crime boss sees dangerous things on the horizon. How can he convince the Caped Crusader he's on the level? Plus, appearances by Professor Pyg, John Constantine and the boy who wanted to be Bruce Wayne--in the worst way possible! And then, someone is forcing Batman to relive some of his darkest, most traumatizing fears. How will he escape this torment? With a little help from the mysterious hero known only as the Question!
Collects Batman #58-63, #66-69, Batman Annual #3 and Batman Secret Files #1.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published July 28, 2020
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146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 25, 2025
“So he can’t be happy AND be Batman?”
“What is it he says? You’ve heard him. “I’m Batman because I’m Batman”
He can’t be anything AND be Batman.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Oh, honey…
…do you think I care?”
A fairly precipitous drop in quality here, but you can’t help but be charmed by the ambition of a lot of this stretch. At least, I couldn’t anyway. And the double act of Weeks and Fornés don’t hurt neither, I must say.
But this is really King and the Gotham Gang Trying Some Stuff and I think this deep into a run, that’s pretty admirable; especially when a lot of this stuff is THIS particularly strange and actively off-putting in terms of the monthly experience.
Case in point, and maybe revealing my own stupidity when it comes to media literacy, absolutely did not clock that Bruce was in a sort of dream state at the start of “Knightmares”. Honestly, I just thought this was missing another element of a crossover I hadn’t heard of.
Like how it collects “The Price”, an arc I had absolutely no clue even existed. It has the BATMAN parts of that crossover, but not the Flash issues (much like it collected “The Button” in Book Two) so me, being the dumbass, was going “oh, okay, so I needed to get Detective Comics that month or find whatever separate thing DC collected these in apart from the Deluxe editions” (something else they do that annoys the shit out of me).
Turns out, nope, King is just putting Batman through some Jacob’s Ladder Scenarios (thus proving further his How Did This Get Made? fandom) because Flashpoint Batman and the Bane-if-He-Was-a-Bernie Wrightson-Monster are there now? Plus there is all the baroque language of the Penguin arc and the deflection of the Bat-Cat side-plot, which was really the stuff I was responding to the most! It’s frustrating.
Extra frustrating because of how much I enjoyed the previous volume and how much stuff I still AM vibing with here. The explicit turn from power fantasy, how increasingly theatrical the whole tone of the series is moving toward, the artwork (maybe the best Tony Daniel stuff in a bit? Question mark?).
Still having a time with this run but extremely curious now how I’m gonna respond to the endgame (and wondering if I would like Tynion into Zdarsky).
“What is it he says? You’ve heard him. “I’m Batman because I’m Batman”
He can’t be anything AND be Batman.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Oh, honey…
…do you think I care?”
A fairly precipitous drop in quality here, but you can’t help but be charmed by the ambition of a lot of this stretch. At least, I couldn’t anyway. And the double act of Weeks and Fornés don’t hurt neither, I must say.
But this is really King and the Gotham Gang Trying Some Stuff and I think this deep into a run, that’s pretty admirable; especially when a lot of this stuff is THIS particularly strange and actively off-putting in terms of the monthly experience.
Case in point, and maybe revealing my own stupidity when it comes to media literacy, absolutely did not clock that Bruce was in a sort of dream state at the start of “Knightmares”. Honestly, I just thought this was missing another element of a crossover I hadn’t heard of.
Like how it collects “The Price”, an arc I had absolutely no clue even existed. It has the BATMAN parts of that crossover, but not the Flash issues (much like it collected “The Button” in Book Two) so me, being the dumbass, was going “oh, okay, so I needed to get Detective Comics that month or find whatever separate thing DC collected these in apart from the Deluxe editions” (something else they do that annoys the shit out of me).
Turns out, nope, King is just putting Batman through some Jacob’s Ladder Scenarios (thus proving further his How Did This Get Made? fandom) because Flashpoint Batman and the Bane-if-He-Was-a-Bernie Wrightson-Monster are there now? Plus there is all the baroque language of the Penguin arc and the deflection of the Bat-Cat side-plot, which was really the stuff I was responding to the most! It’s frustrating.
Extra frustrating because of how much I enjoyed the previous volume and how much stuff I still AM vibing with here. The explicit turn from power fantasy, how increasingly theatrical the whole tone of the series is moving toward, the artwork (maybe the best Tony Daniel stuff in a bit? Question mark?).
Still having a time with this run but extremely curious now how I’m gonna respond to the endgame (and wondering if I would like Tynion into Zdarsky).
March 27, 2021
Frustrating as it is unfinished and incomplete.
Tom King’s comic book Batman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 5 (2020) is a rather frustrating read as DC chose not to include the conclusion to the Gotham Girl arc right in the middle of this comic. If deliberately choosing profit over their comic book readers, they’ve lost good will and left his book incomplete. King’s writing has been improving and intriguing with his overarching Batman and Catwoman story grounding this narrative, but it feels like the story is going nowhere because there’s like 7 chapters of dream sequences that leave Book 5 feeling unfinished. Too much time is wasted on the incomplete Gotham Girl arc, while the Bane against Batman narrative gets muddied with confusing dream sequence after dream sequence. I’m so confused.
Fortunately, Tom King is still a capable writer as his best with several killer stories herein Book 5 of his Batman: The Rebirth run. I loved seeing The Question interrogate Catwoman on Batman’s behalf for the sake of his sanity and peace of mind. King’s dream sequences do have their moments like his cool noir style detective chase of Joker into the sewers is enthralling. John Constantine’s appearance is pretty fun and blunt with his usual candor. I adored seeing Selina Kyle and Lois Lane have a bachelorette party at Superman’s Fortress of Solitude immensely. It’s legit funny.
Tom King’s Pyg sequence is straight out of a horror movie with blood and guts everywhere. It’s actually scary seeing Batman in a perilous situation that bloody raw and gory. The entire Penguin story is really sad and affecting. It’s nice to see Cobblepot be so reflective. I wish we saw The Penguin’s wife Penny so that his passage hit harder though. I think that was an oversight on Tom King’s part. Mikel Janin and Jorge Fornes’ artwork is pretty and has real character despite their cartoony look. Some of the stories look incredible like The Question, The Joker, and Catwoman’s stories.
Overall, Tom King is a fine writer with many ideas on how to emotionally connect readers to Batman through Bruce Wayne’s humanity. I merely wish he got to the point quicker as we’re left on an annoying cliff hanger with too many random dream sequences of no consequence.
Tom King’s comic book Batman: The Rebirth Deluxe Edition Book 5 (2020) is a rather frustrating read as DC chose not to include the conclusion to the Gotham Girl arc right in the middle of this comic. If deliberately choosing profit over their comic book readers, they’ve lost good will and left his book incomplete. King’s writing has been improving and intriguing with his overarching Batman and Catwoman story grounding this narrative, but it feels like the story is going nowhere because there’s like 7 chapters of dream sequences that leave Book 5 feeling unfinished. Too much time is wasted on the incomplete Gotham Girl arc, while the Bane against Batman narrative gets muddied with confusing dream sequence after dream sequence. I’m so confused.
Fortunately, Tom King is still a capable writer as his best with several killer stories herein Book 5 of his Batman: The Rebirth run. I loved seeing The Question interrogate Catwoman on Batman’s behalf for the sake of his sanity and peace of mind. King’s dream sequences do have their moments like his cool noir style detective chase of Joker into the sewers is enthralling. John Constantine’s appearance is pretty fun and blunt with his usual candor. I adored seeing Selina Kyle and Lois Lane have a bachelorette party at Superman’s Fortress of Solitude immensely. It’s legit funny.
Tom King’s Pyg sequence is straight out of a horror movie with blood and guts everywhere. It’s actually scary seeing Batman in a perilous situation that bloody raw and gory. The entire Penguin story is really sad and affecting. It’s nice to see Cobblepot be so reflective. I wish we saw The Penguin’s wife Penny so that his passage hit harder though. I think that was an oversight on Tom King’s part. Mikel Janin and Jorge Fornes’ artwork is pretty and has real character despite their cartoony look. Some of the stories look incredible like The Question, The Joker, and Catwoman’s stories.
Overall, Tom King is a fine writer with many ideas on how to emotionally connect readers to Batman through Bruce Wayne’s humanity. I merely wish he got to the point quicker as we’re left on an annoying cliff hanger with too many random dream sequences of no consequence.
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January 11, 2021Tom King's Batman run was polarizing for fans, but I am in the camp that believes his epic was strange, literary, haunting, beautiful, and lingering - more than any mainstream comic run in the last decade, I've thought a lot about what the portrayal of Batman says about him as a character and we, as consumers, who can't seem to get enough of him.
The story follows Batman dealing with the fallout of recent developments in his relationship with Catwoman. Batman is investigating whether or not Bane is actually in control of Arkham Asylum (and much of Gotham), though his leads don't seem promising and he mostly progresses on instinct. At the same time, he is trying to figure out why his surroundings seem suspicious and as if a mysterious force is manipulating them....
While the overall story has its share of detractors, the art is world-class. It's some of the best comic art I've ever seen, period. Gerads offers a feverish, scratchy encounter with Professor Pyg that elevates that B-list villain into someone truly scary. Fornes and Weeks add a spare style to Batman's detective work that evokes the mood and the clarity of action from the Animated Series. Amanda Conner's issue is hilarious and nails the necessary comedic timing. Janin's detail and ability to draw sweeping, romantic vistas is unparalleled. Frankly, the art is worth the price of admission alone.
At this point in the run you probably know if you are on board or not. If this review intrigues you, check out the first volume, I Am Gotham, and see if it tickles your fancy. Recommended.
The story follows Batman dealing with the fallout of recent developments in his relationship with Catwoman. Batman is investigating whether or not Bane is actually in control of Arkham Asylum (and much of Gotham), though his leads don't seem promising and he mostly progresses on instinct. At the same time, he is trying to figure out why his surroundings seem suspicious and as if a mysterious force is manipulating them....
While the overall story has its share of detractors, the art is world-class. It's some of the best comic art I've ever seen, period. Gerads offers a feverish, scratchy encounter with Professor Pyg that elevates that B-list villain into someone truly scary. Fornes and Weeks add a spare style to Batman's detective work that evokes the mood and the clarity of action from the Animated Series. Amanda Conner's issue is hilarious and nails the necessary comedic timing. Janin's detail and ability to draw sweeping, romantic vistas is unparalleled. Frankly, the art is worth the price of admission alone.
At this point in the run you probably know if you are on board or not. If this review intrigues you, check out the first volume, I Am Gotham, and see if it tickles your fancy. Recommended.
September 18, 2022
This is the first Tom King Batman book I’d call bad. Very little happens in this collection, and the characterization of Bruce/Clark feels way off. There’s seven issues of dream sequences ranging from pointless to okay, and there’s a decent Flash crossover in here - but this only collect two out of the four issues of that crossover! And this is a deluxe edition? Either collect all four issues, or none at all.
The art is fine, with a variety of artists throughout, but none of it stands out as amazing, so not even the art can bump this up.
At least it was a quick read, since nothing really happens, and the art isn’t that engaging…
The art is fine, with a variety of artists throughout, but none of it stands out as amazing, so not even the art can bump this up.
At least it was a quick read, since nothing really happens, and the art isn’t that engaging…
December 1, 2022
3.5 stars I think!!! Tom King’s Batman frustrates me so much, because at time it SOARS, and it’s really insightful and poetic and coupled with great art.
And then there’s an issue or two of bullshit.
And then it soars again.
This volume had both of those traits, but I liked them more often than not, hence the 4 star side of 3.5.
One volume left, then King’s Batman is finished! Ahhh!
And then there’s an issue or two of bullshit.
And then it soars again.
This volume had both of those traits, but I liked them more often than not, hence the 4 star side of 3.5.
One volume left, then King’s Batman is finished! Ahhh!
August 7, 2020
So Bane's plan is kicked off and Batman goes crazy.
The "Secret Files" issue contained a handful of Batman stories by various artists. My favorite being "The Nature of Fear".
The three issues that make up the "The Tyrant Wing" really through me for a loop. I hadn't read Batman for awhile so I had forgotten where Bane was after "I Am Bane" and when Flashpoint Batman joined the story. Plus who the hell is Penny?! When has Penguin had a wife? But most of all I just didn't like Bat's unhinged brutality. Like I know he's a bit messed up after Selina but come on.
The seven issues of "Nightmares" were a mixed bag of Batman stories that explored his pain. Part One was a look at King's Master Bruce character that I guess explored if Bruce didn't become Batman? Part Two had an interesting monolog from inside Batman's mind as he fights Professor Pyg but had a confusing ending. Part Three explains to the audience what's finally going on using a manifestation of Constantine. Part Four was the the best dream sequence that gives us a closer look at why Cat&Bat can't work. Though Part Five was completely pointless it was still cool, with a mostly silent chase sequence. Part Six was a crappie and weird alternate version of Bruce and Selina's bachelor/bachelorette parties. That only had one good moment when Clark gets real with Bruce. The ending with "The Last Dance" was a beautiful Cat/Bat issue that I guess had Bruce finally except that Selina was right. He can't be happy and be the Bat.
A lot of interesting stuff that kind of just felt like King was stalling.
The "Secret Files" issue contained a handful of Batman stories by various artists. My favorite being "The Nature of Fear".
The three issues that make up the "The Tyrant Wing" really through me for a loop. I hadn't read Batman for awhile so I had forgotten where Bane was after "I Am Bane" and when Flashpoint Batman joined the story. Plus who the hell is Penny?! When has Penguin had a wife? But most of all I just didn't like Bat's unhinged brutality. Like I know he's a bit messed up after Selina but come on.
The seven issues of "Nightmares" were a mixed bag of Batman stories that explored his pain. Part One was a look at King's Master Bruce character that I guess explored if Bruce didn't become Batman? Part Two had an interesting monolog from inside Batman's mind as he fights Professor Pyg but had a confusing ending. Part Three explains to the audience what's finally going on using a manifestation of Constantine. Part Four was the the best dream sequence that gives us a closer look at why Cat&Bat can't work. Though Part Five was completely pointless it was still cool, with a mostly silent chase sequence. Part Six was a crappie and weird alternate version of Bruce and Selina's bachelor/bachelorette parties. That only had one good moment when Clark gets real with Bruce. The ending with "The Last Dance" was a beautiful Cat/Bat issue that I guess had Bruce finally except that Selina was right. He can't be happy and be the Bat.
A lot of interesting stuff that kind of just felt like King was stalling.
May 31, 2021
The flow of this is terrible. We only get parts 1 & 3 of The Price arc involving Gotham Girl. This piece of annoyance is only the beginning of what disrupts the Bane/Penguin storyline. Then there's the ongoing dream sequences. They aren't bad (The one with Pyg drawn by Mitch Gerads is great) but it's so drawn out. By the time things begin to pick back up with the original story I felt so far removed and disconnected from the preceding events.
August 12, 2025
This volume is probably the weakest of Tom King’s run. There are still some great storylines here, but about half the book feels unnecessary—mainly because of an incomplete Flash crossover and the overly long Knightmares arc.
The book kicks off with The Tyrant Wing, a strong opening in which Penguin, grieving the loss of his wife (who… may actually have been a penguin?), tips Batman off that Bane is secretly running Gotham from Arkham Asylum. Trouble is, Bane appears to be catatonic. Is Penguin telling the truth? This arc shows Batman at his most frustrated and ruthless, hunting down and interrogating recently released Arkham inmates. This arc also marks the point where Flashpoint Batman—Bruce’s father from an alternate, darker timeline—steps out of the shadows to take on a greater role in the story.
Unfortunately, the momentum is derailed by two issues from a four-part Flash crossover. They’re awkwardly placed in the timeline (it should occur before The Tyrant Wing) and add little beyond showing Gotham Girl’s worsening mental state. Including only half the story feels both frustrating and unnecessary. Worse, they replaced the superb Batman Annual #3 that was originally solicited for this volume—a baffling editorial decision by DC, especially since the Annual doesn’t appear in any of the Deluxe Editions. I was really unhappy with this change to the mapping. Shame on DC.
Then comes the seven-part Knightmares arc. It’s not bad in concept—Batman is captured and dosed with Scarecrow’s fear toxin, experiencing a series of surreal nightmares that explore his psyche and his relationship with Catwoman—but it could have been told in half as many issues. Reading it monthly must have been frustrating, with the main story seemingly stalled for months. Fortunately, it flows better when read in one sitting.
Each issue is a different nightmare, with Batman gradually realizing what’s happening and gaining insights about himself and his relationship with Catwoman. Near the end, we see more of Flashpoint Batman’s alliance with Bane. I enjoyed some of these nightmare issues—especially the insightful moments between Batman and Catwoman, which were well done. There were also some nightmares that were entertaining, even though they felt more like filler, like Batman chasing a Joker acting like Roadrunner (beep beep) and Bruce and Selina’s bachelor and bachelorette parties. The appearances by Constantine and The Question were a nice touch as well. A few nightmares were pretty bizarre, and I’m still unsure if I missed some deeper meaning behind them.
Overall, The Tyrant Wing and about half of Knightmares are excellent; the rest… well, let’s just say I wish DC had made different choices.
The book kicks off with The Tyrant Wing, a strong opening in which Penguin, grieving the loss of his wife (who… may actually have been a penguin?), tips Batman off that Bane is secretly running Gotham from Arkham Asylum. Trouble is, Bane appears to be catatonic. Is Penguin telling the truth? This arc shows Batman at his most frustrated and ruthless, hunting down and interrogating recently released Arkham inmates. This arc also marks the point where Flashpoint Batman—Bruce’s father from an alternate, darker timeline—steps out of the shadows to take on a greater role in the story.
Unfortunately, the momentum is derailed by two issues from a four-part Flash crossover. They’re awkwardly placed in the timeline (it should occur before The Tyrant Wing) and add little beyond showing Gotham Girl’s worsening mental state. Including only half the story feels both frustrating and unnecessary. Worse, they replaced the superb Batman Annual #3 that was originally solicited for this volume—a baffling editorial decision by DC, especially since the Annual doesn’t appear in any of the Deluxe Editions. I was really unhappy with this change to the mapping. Shame on DC.
Then comes the seven-part Knightmares arc. It’s not bad in concept—Batman is captured and dosed with Scarecrow’s fear toxin, experiencing a series of surreal nightmares that explore his psyche and his relationship with Catwoman—but it could have been told in half as many issues. Reading it monthly must have been frustrating, with the main story seemingly stalled for months. Fortunately, it flows better when read in one sitting.
Each issue is a different nightmare, with Batman gradually realizing what’s happening and gaining insights about himself and his relationship with Catwoman. Near the end, we see more of Flashpoint Batman’s alliance with Bane. I enjoyed some of these nightmare issues—especially the insightful moments between Batman and Catwoman, which were well done. There were also some nightmares that were entertaining, even though they felt more like filler, like Batman chasing a Joker acting like Roadrunner (beep beep) and Bruce and Selina’s bachelor and bachelorette parties. The appearances by Constantine and The Question were a nice touch as well. A few nightmares were pretty bizarre, and I’m still unsure if I missed some deeper meaning behind them.
Overall, The Tyrant Wing and about half of Knightmares are excellent; the rest… well, let’s just say I wish DC had made different choices.
December 27, 2023
“He’s surrendered his weapon. All you’ve lost is blood.”
Fun issues, exciting set up for the eventual city of bane arc. This intrigue and subtle maneuvering has made me interested in being for the first time, honestly. Seeing that he does have a mind for this kind of subterfuge has been a delight. Penguin had a fun rule here and the breakdown of The poem, the Phoenix and the turtle of by William Shakespeare, was affecting. Disappointing itwas so short!! and disappointing that the knightmares arc was so long, though I am interested in seeing what the explanation for those will end up being.
The truth behind Catwoman’s decision to leave at the altar wasn’t some drama regarding how, she randomly found it essential that the world keeps Batman lol. In retrospect she has always been a self-serving person, the greater good suddenly mattering to her was why it was so bizarre to me! I think it was interesting conceptually and I woulda tolerated it like I did in the previous volume (+ it led to some good drama) but this makes more sense and honestly she’s a queen for her ultimate decision, which always was regarding if he could choose a marital vow over his suicidal vow!! Honestly what else could it have been?
It really puts what she talked about in volume 5 to Talia in context, because she claimed she knew he would always choose the vow but stupidly loved him anyway, but clearly she was lying to herself then or trying to speak something into reality that she could tolerate it. It makes sense, why would it be OK for this marriage to go through if he wouldn’t be 100% committed to her, and well, she should’ve verbalized that, and it’s truly messed up that she didn’t + ran away and messed him up more. But Batman needs to have to renounce something in compromise, a basic tenet of the institution of marriage. He didn’t know what he was getting into when he proposed to Batman, and that’s also on Bruce Wayne. If he comes to the conclusion himself and chooses to give up a vow over catwoman, this will be a wonderful development for him and I will have found a lot of satisfaction in this story choice!
“Two guys were looking at a flag, waving in the wind. They were arguing. 1 said the wind was moving, the other said the flag was moving. They can’t decide, so they asked their buddy and the buddy says: “You idiots. Don’t you know anything? It ain’t the flag. It ain’t the wind. It’s your mind that’s moving.” - The Question
Fun issues, exciting set up for the eventual city of bane arc. This intrigue and subtle maneuvering has made me interested in being for the first time, honestly. Seeing that he does have a mind for this kind of subterfuge has been a delight. Penguin had a fun rule here and the breakdown of The poem, the Phoenix and the turtle of by William Shakespeare, was affecting. Disappointing itwas so short!! and disappointing that the knightmares arc was so long, though I am interested in seeing what the explanation for those will end up being.
The truth behind Catwoman’s decision to leave at the altar wasn’t some drama regarding how, she randomly found it essential that the world keeps Batman lol. In retrospect she has always been a self-serving person, the greater good suddenly mattering to her was why it was so bizarre to me! I think it was interesting conceptually and I woulda tolerated it like I did in the previous volume (+ it led to some good drama) but this makes more sense and honestly she’s a queen for her ultimate decision, which always was regarding if he could choose a marital vow over his suicidal vow!! Honestly what else could it have been?
It really puts what she talked about in volume 5 to Talia in context, because she claimed she knew he would always choose the vow but stupidly loved him anyway, but clearly she was lying to herself then or trying to speak something into reality that she could tolerate it. It makes sense, why would it be OK for this marriage to go through if he wouldn’t be 100% committed to her, and well, she should’ve verbalized that, and it’s truly messed up that she didn’t + ran away and messed him up more. But Batman needs to have to renounce something in compromise, a basic tenet of the institution of marriage. He didn’t know what he was getting into when he proposed to Batman, and that’s also on Bruce Wayne. If he comes to the conclusion himself and chooses to give up a vow over catwoman, this will be a wonderful development for him and I will have found a lot of satisfaction in this story choice!
“Two guys were looking at a flag, waving in the wind. They were arguing. 1 said the wind was moving, the other said the flag was moving. They can’t decide, so they asked their buddy and the buddy says: “You idiots. Don’t you know anything? It ain’t the flag. It ain’t the wind. It’s your mind that’s moving.” - The Question
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2023
Oof, I don’t know, man. King is starting to lose me with this Batman run. I was never a big fan of the Bat/Cat stuff, which always read as kind of false and out of character to me, and now we’re finally past it and into a full deluxe hardcover’s worth of weak filler. I remember there was talk at one point when it was announced King would be leaving Batman earlier than expected (a mere 85 issues instead of 100), and people were annoyed because it seemed like DC wasn’t letting him finish his master plan. Well, if this volume is any indication, I really don’t think he had one.
The first half of this book is all setup for a showdown that does not occur for a very long time. Batman tries to determine if Bane is secretly pulling the strings of the Gotham criminal elite, and we kind of get an answer to this, but not before a big cliffhanger that… leads into a completely unrelated spin-off story written by Joshua Williamson and not even completely collected here. A truly insane choice by the DC editorial staff. The Williamson issues should’ve been lifted completely from this run, but oh well.
Then, once that sidetrack slog is over, instead of picking back up with the cliffhanger, we are treated to SEVEN ISSUES OF DREAMS. Seven issues that tell us nothing new about Bruce or Batman, nothing new about his current situation or how these dreams might change him or make him rethink his approach. It’s just seven issues of random stuff that is not really happening, all meant to inform us the base level facts about a character that has been around since 1939. Really, really did not like these issues. I can’t imagine reading them as they came out in single issue form! Seven months of this crap? You’d completely forget why Bruce is dreaming in the first place!
The book ends with the promise that Batman is finally going to face Bane, but good lord. This felt substantially worse than anime filler. At least in anime filler you get to watch Goku fight some random turtle man or whatever. This time around it’s like 7 months of someone telling you about this one weird dream they had. Absurdly ill-conceived. Woof.
The first half of this book is all setup for a showdown that does not occur for a very long time. Batman tries to determine if Bane is secretly pulling the strings of the Gotham criminal elite, and we kind of get an answer to this, but not before a big cliffhanger that… leads into a completely unrelated spin-off story written by Joshua Williamson and not even completely collected here. A truly insane choice by the DC editorial staff. The Williamson issues should’ve been lifted completely from this run, but oh well.
Then, once that sidetrack slog is over, instead of picking back up with the cliffhanger, we are treated to SEVEN ISSUES OF DREAMS. Seven issues that tell us nothing new about Bruce or Batman, nothing new about his current situation or how these dreams might change him or make him rethink his approach. It’s just seven issues of random stuff that is not really happening, all meant to inform us the base level facts about a character that has been around since 1939. Really, really did not like these issues. I can’t imagine reading them as they came out in single issue form! Seven months of this crap? You’d completely forget why Bruce is dreaming in the first place!
The book ends with the promise that Batman is finally going to face Bane, but good lord. This felt substantially worse than anime filler. At least in anime filler you get to watch Goku fight some random turtle man or whatever. This time around it’s like 7 months of someone telling you about this one weird dream they had. Absurdly ill-conceived. Woof.
July 12, 2021
Minor complaint: this is the last hard copy of this run that I have. That DC isn't releasing or hasn't scheduled Vol 6 is complete madness. What a dishonor on this run.
Now that this is rapidly accelerating to the endgame, this volume is basically a three issue arc that sets up what's going to happen next and then a bigger arc that takes place entirely in the dreamscape of Batman's mind. In so many ways this is that calm before the storm, an opportunity to deal with some emotional baggage before what I'm imagining is going to be a completely insane, nonstop thrillride as this train pulls into the station.
The first arc, the one that's about The Penguin teaming up with Batman as revenge against Bane (whom The Penguin claims is fully in control of Arkham Asylum) is really fantastic. It's great to see this new twist on The Penguin, one that is true to the character while also showing him to be something more than you would imagine.
(Full disclosure: I fully skipped the Flash crossover because it's not Tom King and it was hard to care...)
But that second, longer arc. The one about Batman's dreams... It's somewhat cliche to live within dreamscapes like this, but the art changes, the types of stories King chooses to tell.... all of these things help to enhance and inform Batman and his psyche. It's hard to even pick out a favorite because so many stand out, from the bachelorette party at the Fortress of Solitude to the final issue that goes into why Selina left and Batman's culpability within that decision she made...
All of these paint this richer picture of Batman that help to make things better. I love the experimentation here and seeing what Tom King does at this juncture. Can't wait for the rest.
4.5 Stars (rounded down)
Now that this is rapidly accelerating to the endgame, this volume is basically a three issue arc that sets up what's going to happen next and then a bigger arc that takes place entirely in the dreamscape of Batman's mind. In so many ways this is that calm before the storm, an opportunity to deal with some emotional baggage before what I'm imagining is going to be a completely insane, nonstop thrillride as this train pulls into the station.
The first arc, the one that's about The Penguin teaming up with Batman as revenge against Bane (whom The Penguin claims is fully in control of Arkham Asylum) is really fantastic. It's great to see this new twist on The Penguin, one that is true to the character while also showing him to be something more than you would imagine.
(Full disclosure: I fully skipped the Flash crossover because it's not Tom King and it was hard to care...)
But that second, longer arc. The one about Batman's dreams... It's somewhat cliche to live within dreamscapes like this, but the art changes, the types of stories King chooses to tell.... all of these things help to enhance and inform Batman and his psyche. It's hard to even pick out a favorite because so many stand out, from the bachelorette party at the Fortress of Solitude to the final issue that goes into why Selina left and Batman's culpability within that decision she made...
All of these paint this richer picture of Batman that help to make things better. I love the experimentation here and seeing what Tom King does at this juncture. Can't wait for the rest.
4.5 Stars (rounded down)
February 23, 2023
Of all the collected volumes of Tom King’s epic Batman run, this feels the most disjointed. That is due, in part, to the decision to only include half of a tie-in comic that would have helped continue (and potentially wrap up) Gotham Girl’s arc. It’s a baffling decision - one that occurred earlier when only two issues of “The Button”’were included - and it throws off the pace completely. The second is in the “Frightmares” arc as we are served issue after issue - albeit incredibly beautifully drawn issues - of hallucinations that Batman is experiencing. It’s pretty to look at and the possible implications of things to come are certainly foreboding but it does tread water as we head towards the much anticipated “City of Bane” finale.
August 11, 2020
Somehow I still find this series compelling despite an incredibly slow moving plot and at times repetitive dialogue. This volume also includes only two parts of a Batman/Flash crossover leaving that story unresolved. The Penguin centered issues are easily the strongest with some effective character work and beautiful art. It's time for the overall narrative to pick up speed or risk losing all momentum. With Tom King's Batman/Catwoman series no longer solicited in single issues I am growing concerned that his vision will never have a proper conclusion.
December 17, 2020
My first complaint is how this book was collected. This book was missing some issues thus failing to tell the whole story. DC should of removed those two issues and made this book $5 cheaper. My second is the writing. I don't know if Tom King even knew what he was writing but surely I didn't. It was a mess. There were some good issues but the bad outweigh the good. The only good thing about this book was the art. A lot of great talent. Love seeing Amanda Connor doing some interior artwork.
November 19, 2021
Not as incredible as the preceding books. Also, doesn't include the Flash issues of the Batman/Flash crossover, so a pretty big fuck you to the readers. After that, is an interesting look at 7 knightmares (knice) while Batman is supposedly trapped somewhere, but the problem is there's too many and it doesn't advance the story. That being said, I still enjoyed reading them! But this seems to be coming to a head with Bane and I just wanna get thereeeeeeeeee.
January 26, 2024
The majority of this volume is made up of the “Knightmares” arc, and while I loved the concept of each issue being drawn by a different artist, the story as a whole dragged on way too long. I do look forward to seeing what Flashpoint Batman’s plan is to make Bruce stop being Batman, but this specific volume just felt like a stepping stone to that.
May 18, 2024
Bringing me back
This brought me back into the swing of things, and Im looking forward to book 6 now. I am upset with the ending and quite honestly Im still processing it because I just finished it. Batman is being racked with nightmares and anger, and Im excited to see how it wraps up.
This brought me back into the swing of things, and Im looking forward to book 6 now. I am upset with the ending and quite honestly Im still processing it because I just finished it. Batman is being racked with nightmares and anger, and Im excited to see how it wraps up.
Read
October 14, 2023Consistent at least. The art continues to MASSIVELY impress. The pacing continues to be wayyyyy too stretched out. The final arc especially, it is 7 issues (!!) and should have been 2. The Williamson tie in was skippable.
August 12, 2020
Love Tom King but this is a confusing, scattershot volume of Batman. Does very very little to advance the overall narrative King has been building with Bane. Bat. Cat.
July 13, 2022
3.5 stars
January 8, 2023
Not as thrilling or evocative as the other entries in his Batman run, Tom King still delivers one of the more thoughtful Batman adventures in some years.
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