What do you think?
Rate this book
Batman (2016)
Batman, Vol. 12: City of Bane, Part 1
Eisner Award winner Tom King reunites with Mikel Janin as he continues his best-selling Batman run. Batman faces his most personal battle yet as he is locked in a life or death battle with... his father?
Ever since Batman's impending wedding went south on him, the Caped Crusader has had the sinking suspicion that there has been someone lurking in the shadows setting events into motion. After the attempted assassination of Nightwing he starts to question his commitment to his war on crime, his relationships and even his own sanity.
There has been an unseen hand orchestrating these events. And while the true villain has yet to reveal himself, his minions are starting to step forward and break the Bat down once and for all--beginning with Thomas Wayne, the Batman from the Flashpoint Universe!
Collects Batman #75-79.
Ever since Batman's impending wedding went south on him, the Caped Crusader has had the sinking suspicion that there has been someone lurking in the shadows setting events into motion. After the attempted assassination of Nightwing he starts to question his commitment to his war on crime, his relationships and even his own sanity.
There has been an unseen hand orchestrating these events. And while the true villain has yet to reveal himself, his minions are starting to step forward and break the Bat down once and for all--beginning with Thomas Wayne, the Batman from the Flashpoint Universe!
Collects Batman #75-79.
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2020
46 people are currently reading
519 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
June 14, 2020
4.5 stars
Ok. Now we're getting somewhere again.
This was fun to read and (mostly) I understood everything that was happening.
I swear, I've kept up with this title, but I guess I didn't understand what was real and what was just inside of Bruce's fever dreamin head. When did Gotham Girl turn evil and team up with Thomas Wayne? And when did Bane & Bat-Dad take over Gotham?
I missed something.
But I don't even care. We're back to Selina & Bruce doing their thing and it's better with them together.
Bonus: none of the weird hallucinogenic sing-song issues with voice-overs of obscure folktales.
I love (and I can't stress this enough!) the back and forth between Batman and Catwoman.
I really don't care what King does as long as he keeps this couple together.
Will they? Won't they?
Wait. I may have spoken in haste. Somebody is going to have to explain what the hell happened here because I'm just not...what?!
They'll fix that, right?
Right?
Ok. Now we're getting somewhere again.
This was fun to read and (mostly) I understood everything that was happening.
I swear, I've kept up with this title, but I guess I didn't understand what was real and what was just inside of Bruce's fever dreamin head. When did Gotham Girl turn evil and team up with Thomas Wayne? And when did Bane & Bat-Dad take over Gotham?
I missed something.
But I don't even care. We're back to Selina & Bruce doing their thing and it's better with them together.
Bonus: none of the weird hallucinogenic sing-song issues with voice-overs of obscure folktales.
I love (and I can't stress this enough!) the back and forth between Batman and Catwoman.
I really don't care what King does as long as he keeps this couple together.
Will they? Won't they?
Wait. I may have spoken in haste. Somebody is going to have to explain what the hell happened here because I'm just not...what?!
They'll fix that, right?
Right?
July 2, 2020
Gotham City is safe - the villains are in charge. Having weaponised Psycho Pirate, Bane controls the villains, as well as Gotham Girl, with Flashpoint Batman at his side. With the Bat broken and the Cat nursing him back to health on their honeymoon-that-never-was, it’s up to Robin to bring the fight to Bane. Should he fail, there is a terrible price to pay. Gotham City is safe - but at what cost?
I really enjoyed City of Bane Part 1! I’m so glad to see the quality of the series return after a shaky couple books and it’s a welcome surprise as I expected the downhill turn to continue.
It’s interesting to see the new status quo: Hugo Strange as Commissioner Gordon, Ventriloquist as Alfred, Joker and Scarecrow as cops, even if some of it went on a bit too much (Gotham Girl sticking it to Captain Atom? I agree he’s the suck but that’s just filler - NOBODY was wondering what that dude was up to during all of this). I like how Bane is largely kept off stage, only occasionally appearing to wreak havoc - his absence makes him seem more menacing.
Damian going toe-to-toe with Flashpoint Batman was fun and I didn’t expect THAT character death even though I know it’s never going to stick. Flashpoint Batman in general was always compelling to see - out of all of the books that came from that event, Brian Azzarello/Eduardo Risso’s Batman story was easily the standout so I’m happy to see more of this viciously villainous alternate Batman.
I really didn’t expect but appreciated Tom King picking up the wedding storyline again. I thought it was done but I liked that he revisited Bruce and Selina’s relationship to give readers a more satisfying conclusion than what we got a few books ago. I do think they make a great couple, their banter is cute and it makes Batman’s recovery to health all the more convincing - love heals just as much as medicine.
Far and away what impressed me the most was the artist line-up. Tony S. Daniel, Mikel Janin AND Clay Mann all drawing pages? Just one of these guys would’ve made for a stunning book but all three - I mean, just, wow. Beautiful, beautiful pages. They’re all super-talented artists who’ve done amazing work before but this book contains some of the best art I’ve seen from them.
Daniel’s pages were the best, drawing nearly all the Gotham stuff, but Janin’s Damian/Flashpoint Batman fight sequence and Mann’s honeymoon pages were all incredible. Even if King’s script had completely sucked (and it didn’t), I’d still be recommending Batman fans check this book out for the art alone. Bellissimo!
The flaw for me was Bane’s motivation - really, all this power and he just wants to rule Gotham? It seems such a small goal. And controlling just the villains too? So I guess it’s all to do with giving an almighty fuck you to Batman - Bane broke him (again), took his city and put his rogues gallery in mock positions of power. But that still… yeah, it still seems really small and pathetic of Bane. Superhero comics, eh?
Regardless of that, Batman, Volume 12: City of Bane, Part 1 is an entertaining and gorgeous book - a return to form for the series with Tom King and co. looking to bow out of their largely excellent Batman run triumphantly and in style.
I really enjoyed City of Bane Part 1! I’m so glad to see the quality of the series return after a shaky couple books and it’s a welcome surprise as I expected the downhill turn to continue.
It’s interesting to see the new status quo: Hugo Strange as Commissioner Gordon, Ventriloquist as Alfred, Joker and Scarecrow as cops, even if some of it went on a bit too much (Gotham Girl sticking it to Captain Atom? I agree he’s the suck but that’s just filler - NOBODY was wondering what that dude was up to during all of this). I like how Bane is largely kept off stage, only occasionally appearing to wreak havoc - his absence makes him seem more menacing.
Damian going toe-to-toe with Flashpoint Batman was fun and I didn’t expect THAT character death even though I know it’s never going to stick. Flashpoint Batman in general was always compelling to see - out of all of the books that came from that event, Brian Azzarello/Eduardo Risso’s Batman story was easily the standout so I’m happy to see more of this viciously villainous alternate Batman.
I really didn’t expect but appreciated Tom King picking up the wedding storyline again. I thought it was done but I liked that he revisited Bruce and Selina’s relationship to give readers a more satisfying conclusion than what we got a few books ago. I do think they make a great couple, their banter is cute and it makes Batman’s recovery to health all the more convincing - love heals just as much as medicine.
Far and away what impressed me the most was the artist line-up. Tony S. Daniel, Mikel Janin AND Clay Mann all drawing pages? Just one of these guys would’ve made for a stunning book but all three - I mean, just, wow. Beautiful, beautiful pages. They’re all super-talented artists who’ve done amazing work before but this book contains some of the best art I’ve seen from them.
Daniel’s pages were the best, drawing nearly all the Gotham stuff, but Janin’s Damian/Flashpoint Batman fight sequence and Mann’s honeymoon pages were all incredible. Even if King’s script had completely sucked (and it didn’t), I’d still be recommending Batman fans check this book out for the art alone. Bellissimo!
The flaw for me was Bane’s motivation - really, all this power and he just wants to rule Gotham? It seems such a small goal. And controlling just the villains too? So I guess it’s all to do with giving an almighty fuck you to Batman - Bane broke him (again), took his city and put his rogues gallery in mock positions of power. But that still… yeah, it still seems really small and pathetic of Bane. Superhero comics, eh?
Regardless of that, Batman, Volume 12: City of Bane, Part 1 is an entertaining and gorgeous book - a return to form for the series with Tom King and co. looking to bow out of their largely excellent Batman run triumphantly and in style.
May 4, 2020
As with every volume during King's run, I'm always unsure if I'm going to like it when I first start it. Then I get hooked in as I start to remember what's happened so far. I have a feeling my trepidation would dissipate if I read all 85 issues straight through. King likes to reference things that happened long ago, which could be in a trade from 3 years ago. I can't recall things that quickly in my old age.
In this specific volume we get a peak into what Gotham looks like as the City of Bane. A couple of major things happen and then we get two of the best issues King has written since he broke up the Bat and the Cat. Bruce and Selina finally get some time to unpack their feelings. King writes the hell out of these relationship issues. I never thought I'd really care about romance in my superhero comics but dammit, King makes me yearn for it. After reading his Bat and the Cat, I'd love to see Tom King take over Amazing Spider-Man and set Peter and MJ's relationship straight.
The art is its usual stellar self with some of the regular rotating group of artists: Tony Daniel, Mitch Gerads, Clay Mann, and Mikel Janin.
In this specific volume we get a peak into what Gotham looks like as the City of Bane. A couple of major things happen and then we get two of the best issues King has written since he broke up the Bat and the Cat. Bruce and Selina finally get some time to unpack their feelings. King writes the hell out of these relationship issues. I never thought I'd really care about romance in my superhero comics but dammit, King makes me yearn for it. After reading his Bat and the Cat, I'd love to see Tom King take over Amazing Spider-Man and set Peter and MJ's relationship straight.
The art is its usual stellar self with some of the regular rotating group of artists: Tony Daniel, Mitch Gerads, Clay Mann, and Mikel Janin.
April 24, 2020
Oh, ye of little faith. You thought one of the best comics writers of our time had run out of gas, that he had essentially killed one of the best Batman runs of all time. But he knew what he was doing. Even if he seems to be heading into a Part 2, Volume 12 that may superficially seem like the conventional typical Big Finish, we return to one of the core elements of the run, yes, true, Cat returns, to team with Bat, the Knight with the Lion, to lead the war against Bane and his team of supervillains.
You wanted to know if they would ever talk about the break-up and possibly get together again? Well, you get your wish, with all the romantic dialogue, their figuring out what happened when the break-up occurred, and sure, in the south of France, why not, rekindling the love that never really went away, such good writing, and such lovely pastels and line work contrasting the other sections, the typical--but also very good--superhero artwork, as they train and prepare to take back the City of Bane to give it back to the citizens of Gotham.
A Covid-19 moment, in the light of the very real horrors of what is going on in New York City (aka Gotham)? I think so, yes, because comics at their best have never been purely escapist fantasies, they are always about the world we live in, the world of now, about conquering evil and the eventual triumph of good. Nice work, King and company. I'm ready for the Big Finish.
You wanted to know if they would ever talk about the break-up and possibly get together again? Well, you get your wish, with all the romantic dialogue, their figuring out what happened when the break-up occurred, and sure, in the south of France, why not, rekindling the love that never really went away, such good writing, and such lovely pastels and line work contrasting the other sections, the typical--but also very good--superhero artwork, as they train and prepare to take back the City of Bane to give it back to the citizens of Gotham.
A Covid-19 moment, in the light of the very real horrors of what is going on in New York City (aka Gotham)? I think so, yes, because comics at their best have never been purely escapist fantasies, they are always about the world we live in, the world of now, about conquering evil and the eventual triumph of good. Nice work, King and company. I'm ready for the Big Finish.
April 23, 2020
Remember when I said I was pretty much over Bane and ready to move on after Vol. 11? Well, that’s still true. And, yet, this volume kept me more than interested. Part of that is because Daniel and Mann draw Batman like I make margaritas—with incredible skill, artistic flair, and inimitable grace. But, King also managed to somehow make this compelling, largely by a shocking twist involving Alfred (hey-oh!) and a lot of Bat/Cat time (which included Bruce sporting a fake porn mustache, the worst “disguise” since Clark Kent’s glasses).
Bring on Vol. 13.
Bring on Vol. 13.
September 18, 2019
Hell yeah. This is the first half of Tom King's final act on Batman, and it's some of his best material in a while. A lot of hanging threads are coming together here, and while I wished we'd see a bit more of the actual City of Bane, I am much more happy to spend more time on Bruce and Selina. Yes, King's underappreciated romance writer side is back in full swing here, and it's so satisfying to circle back to the relationship that kickstarted this entire ~80-issue run. One more volume to go, and I absolutely can't wait to see how it ends (even if truthfully I don't want it to end at all).
December 4, 2019
Batman has lost. Gotham is lost. Bane has won.
The city of Gotham is now under control of Bane. Who is with bane? Well you have Thomas Wayne, who basically is Batman without a moral code. Then you have Gotham girl, who took out the entire Justice League within minutes. So in other words, you got one of the strongest teams who've taken over Gotham, even scaring other villains to follow them. Damien won't take that sitting down and decides to go in to take care of business. On the flipside you also have Batman...or Bruce I should say, recovering from his failure. With that you have the return of Catwoman and they finally settle their messy relationship.
Overall, really nice jump in quality after the last two meh volumes. This one gives us plenty of great action scenes, a cool set up for Bane and his take over, some shocking deaths, and also a much needed recovery story and closure. I thought the art was also fantastic. I will say the pacing was odd and structure kind of sucked out the suspense a little too much for me at one point. Overall though, this is back to the quality I expect from King on Batman. A 4 out of 5.
The city of Gotham is now under control of Bane. Who is with bane? Well you have Thomas Wayne, who basically is Batman without a moral code. Then you have Gotham girl, who took out the entire Justice League within minutes. So in other words, you got one of the strongest teams who've taken over Gotham, even scaring other villains to follow them. Damien won't take that sitting down and decides to go in to take care of business. On the flipside you also have Batman...or Bruce I should say, recovering from his failure. With that you have the return of Catwoman and they finally settle their messy relationship.
Overall, really nice jump in quality after the last two meh volumes. This one gives us plenty of great action scenes, a cool set up for Bane and his take over, some shocking deaths, and also a much needed recovery story and closure. I thought the art was also fantastic. I will say the pacing was odd and structure kind of sucked out the suspense a little too much for me at one point. Overall though, this is back to the quality I expect from King on Batman. A 4 out of 5.
April 22, 2020
I continue to be so conflicted and confounded by this story that it's legitimately frustrating. The writing can be SO GOOD sometimes, and then so stilted or ridiculous at others. The art is phenomenal, but the story it's required to tell is a convoluted, self-gratifying clusterf*ck. Some of the relationships and personalities shine and have wonderful, heartfelt, or badass moments. Then others make NO sense and are completely out of character. Overall, I wanted to give it 3 stars. Right down the middle. But I had to dock it an extra star because it was just so frustrating to read.
January 5, 2022
This volume was epic!
We finally see Bane take over the city and the new status quo and well Thomas being Batman and how he operates ad its funny seeing how the city is quiet from the outside with the villains taking control and well Damian is having none of it and when he enters there and what happens next is a shocking moment, the reverberations of which are still felt and yeah its emotional for sure. And wow its brutal personally commenting on it.
Then the reunion of Bruce and Selina as in the middle of this chaos they take time to reform themselves and come up with a plan to take down Bane once and for all and in the process rediscover themselves and their love and understanding they are "better together" and I love the whole sequence and fight with Magpie and Bruce getting a newfound vigor and all that plus the art by TD is so good and Selina looks so gorgeous and makes you love her beauty! The final fight is here!
We finally see Bane take over the city and the new status quo and well Thomas being Batman and how he operates ad its funny seeing how the city is quiet from the outside with the villains taking control and well Damian is having none of it and when he enters there and what happens next is a shocking moment, the reverberations of which are still felt and yeah its emotional for sure. And wow its brutal personally commenting on it.
Then the reunion of Bruce and Selina as in the middle of this chaos they take time to reform themselves and come up with a plan to take down Bane once and for all and in the process rediscover themselves and their love and understanding they are "better together" and I love the whole sequence and fight with Magpie and Bruce getting a newfound vigor and all that plus the art by TD is so good and Selina looks so gorgeous and makes you love her beauty! The final fight is here!
February 10, 2025
I loved the anti-utopian version of Gotham, controlled by Bane and Thomas Wayne as Batman. Seeing Joker and Riddler as detectives reporting to Dr. Strange, along with Professor Pyg as a GCPD officer, brutally slaughtering an old man over an apple, contributed to the city's noir, absurd and darkly comedic atmosphere. President Lex allowing the city to be ruled without interference made for an intriguing political backdrop. Very much like the events in today's or everyday's political world—decisions best for their own yet leaving the citizens unprotected. The parts with Bruce and Selina were well done, but issues 78 and 79 felt stretched and could have been combined into a single issue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2019
Basic plot: While Bat and Cat prep for a return to Gotham, Damian confronts Bane and Thomas Wayne.
I HAVE SO MANY EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW.
This volume was a roller coaster of ups and downs. Damian's entry into Gotham has devastating consequences. Bat and Cat together are everything I want them to be, and it positively terrifies me that it may end the same way it did before. The art was gorgeous. The story was much more cohesive and moved at a steady pace.
There is a reckoning clearly coming, and I look forward to seeing it.
I HAVE SO MANY EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW.
This volume was a roller coaster of ups and downs. Damian's entry into Gotham has devastating consequences. Bat and Cat together are everything I want them to be, and it positively terrifies me that it may end the same way it did before. The art was gorgeous. The story was much more cohesive and moved at a steady pace.
There is a reckoning clearly coming, and I look forward to seeing it.
April 22, 2020
Broken once again by Bane, Bruce awakes to find himself in Paris in the care of Selina Kyle. The pages of them talking about what went wrong in their relationship are great. But the rest of Tom King's epic has just come down to once again letting all the villains out of Arkham Asylum so they can take over Gotham City. What an unoriginal concept! Even the death of a major character (not even his first death) can make this seem important.
I just wish it had been a whole book of Bruce and Selina talking.
I just wish it had been a whole book of Bruce and Selina talking.
September 29, 2019
Just lots of set up for the next volume. You also have to REALLY suspend your disbelief that all of the insane criminals of Gotham are holding down jobs as cops (yes, evil cops, but still). Like, the Joker is ok with just having a 9-5 job now?
September 22, 2019
Some of the best Batman, period. It'll be sad to see King go after #85.
Read
October 19, 2020Bane controls Gotham through deals with very powerful people. The usual villains are now authorities. Don't worry. Batman is going to return even though his alternate world father, Thomas Wayne, is also Batman.
Fast read.
MY GRADE: B plus.
Fast read.
MY GRADE: B plus.
January 17, 2020
Bane finally takes Gotham, and he settles some new rules to pacify the city. Villains running the GCPD, chaos and people dying. Batman (Thomas W.) and Gotham Girl “protect the city” in a very violent way. While Bruce and Selina are away from Gotham, they try to fix their relationship and also are planning to take Gotham again.
The Bat-Family also tried to take Gotham, but as a result, Robin is taken hostage and Alfred is dead.
The Bat-Family also tried to take Gotham, but as a result, Robin is taken hostage and Alfred is dead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2021
Bane has the awesome powers of the Psycho-Pirate and full control of so many powerful supervillains. And he has the best plan ever! NOT get involved with any big franchise-wide status quo and crossover event/crisis/whatever. Instead he's just going to sit in Gotham and mind his own business. Who needs Lex Luthor's doom whatevers? Who needs global domination? Just sit in Gotham and no one will care except Batman so you'll be fine.
But Batman is still alive and off having a honeymoon/training session with Catwoman where they talk about life and stuff.
It's neat! Good set-up, some good artists on the team, and the plot is finally going somewhere!
But Batman is still alive and off having a honeymoon/training session with Catwoman where they talk about life and stuff.
It's neat! Good set-up, some good artists on the team, and the plot is finally going somewhere!
September 9, 2020
This was better than the last three volumes but it still felt like the story was treading water, I hope it picks up in part two!
January 17, 2021
Pretty good. I knew about the big spoiler, so that part didn’t land like it would have had I not known. But I’m excited to see how this story ends.
January 18, 2021
5 🌟
Bane has taken over Gotham and banned all members of the Bat family from entering. Bruce recovers from being injured.
Bane has taken over Gotham and banned all members of the Bat family from entering. Bruce recovers from being injured.
April 14, 2020
You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
Pain and suffering have not been unknown to Bruce Wayne. He has seen death, he has faced it, he has come back from it, and he has helped many avoid it. However, he is not invulnerable to all and nothing. He has weaknesses and writer Tom King looks into exploiting them till his time comes to hand over the writing stick to James Tynion IV upon writing his 85th issue. For his grand finale, he looks into setting the table to a two-part event where everything he’s built up since the beginning is finally tied into an intimate and personal confrontation with one criminal mastermind who will do anything to break the Bat. Collecting issues #75-79 of DC’s Rebirth Batman comic book series, Eisner-Award winning writer Tom King delivers the penultimate story arc to his run called City of Bane Part 1.
What is Batman: City of Bane Part 1 about? The Dark Knight has been on an unstoppable spiral down a dark alley ever since his wedding went south on him. From loved ones being targeted by an assassin to a journey through nightmares manipulated by a mysterious figure, something simply seemed odd for Bruce Wayne. The events he’s witnessed to this day couldn’t have been incidental as everything hints at a madman who has been orchestrating it all from the very beginning. Broken down to his knees as he began to question his commitment to fighting crime, he’s now on a journey towards recovery while his beloved Gotham City is flipped upside down in the hands of Flashpoint Batman, also known as Thomas Wayne.
In a very choppy story-telling style, where plot holes are the norm, writer Tom King looks into preparing the ground to his grand finale by offering readers a glimpse into the newly-formed Gotham City where villains are in control of society through a very special dictatorship: villains go down, heroes go out. The story arc also presents in parallel a seance between Catwoman and Batman as they mend their relationship and offer each other advice and insight into what went wrong between them and what could be from now on. Writer Tom King’s fixation over this relationship that composed a great part of his run as well as his love for the dynamic between Batman and the iconic villain Bane, since the beginning of his time on this canonical comic book series, has now become intoxicating to the franchise and barely succeeds in capturing the complexity of these relationships.
It doesn’t help that this story arc also features a significant death that was, unfortunately, accompanied by a rushed and poor execution (no pun intended). An unconscious feeling tells me that writer Tom King has a very twisted understanding of pacing in regards to story-telling within his Batman comic book run, especially when he is capable of writing incredibly profound and thought-proking stand-alone stories (see The Sheriff of Babylon, for example). Where this first parter might fail in terms of narrative, it, however, endeavours in artwork with a phenomenal contribution coming from multiple artists who have helped Tom King throughout his Batman run. Filled with stunning panels, including full-page and four-square page artworks that present divine artistic sceneries, it would be a shame to not mention the quality in colour, in design, and in vision. from the remainder of the creative team behind this story arc.
Batman: City of Bane Part 1 is a flawed foundation to a grand finale inviting the Caped Crusader to embrace his own shortcomings as a person and as a hero before he enters the stage.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
May 6, 2025
The end is near as following the fight of the two Batmen from the previous volume, one has become victorious and returns to Gotham. Only for that Batman being Thomas Wayne, the ruthless gun-wielding vigilante who, along with Bane, has taken over the city with a number of the greatest rogues gallery as the new law and order for Gotham.
As this volume covers the first five issues of Tom King’s final arc of his extensive Bat-run titled City of Bane, the majority of this volume is about showcasing that very city. Considering we have previously seen Gotham under a villainous conquest, whether it is Knightfall, Zero Year or even The Dark Knight Rises (of which Bane was a key player), King puts a fresh spin towards this familiar concept.
From the Joker and the Riddler both acting like they’re in a buddy cop show, whilst Huge Strange takes over the role of a police commissioner, Thomas Wayne’s Batman will answer their call as he, along with his trusted sidekick Gotham Girl, will take on the villains that resist Bane’s leadership. Drawn by frequent Batman artist Tony S. Daniel, whose art stunningly fits well with the grittiness of Gotham, King gets to show off his black sense of humour in how amidst the chaos going on by the villains, they are maintaining a sense of order. You also get a few pages drawn by King’s frequent collaborator Mitch Gerads, featuring Professor Pyg taking pleasure with his new role as a police officer.
Obviously the heroes have to take action, and I don’t mean Flashpoint Batman and Gotham Girl, who are initiating their brand of justice. Ignoring the advice of Tim Drake AKA Red Robin, Damian Wayne as Robin goes solo as he’s willing to take on his grandfather from an alternate universe. Drawn by Mikel Janin, the issue is predominately an action sequence as King captures the voice of Damian, who out of nowhere uses a Zatanna spell against Gotham Girl. However, as the fight continues, only does Damian realise the grave mistake he makes as witnesses the death of someone close to him.
Considering what’s happening in Gotham, where’s Bruce Wayne? After being saved by his ex-fiancée, Selina Kyle, Bruce is determined to get back to the city and defeat Bane. Under the insistence of Selina, who believes that Bruce is not ready, together they train whilst being the first time either one of them has talked to the other about their failed wedding. What often works best about King’s run is less about the plot and more so than the characters, in particular the relationship between the Bat and the Cat. Even after what happened the last time they were together, as well as being opposite sides of the law, they have a better understanding of themselves that is deeply moving.
As two people dressed in theatrically black outfits chasing one another, Batman and Catwoman have always been sexy, something that artist Clay Mann understands. Taking place in an exotic location, Mann gets very playful in the last two issues, from the Bat and the Cat training on a beach or climbing up a cliff, to Bruce (rocking his Matches Malone moustache) and Selina bathing in their swimwear. As the two lovers talk about their history, this allows Mann to draw two stunning splash pages, one referencing their Golden Age union on a boat, the other being their street fight from Year One.
Much of this volume may have some big moments, feels more like a big tease to the grand finale in the next volume. However, what works best is when it’s sexy time between the Bat and the Cat, which makes me excited to read King and Mann’s upcoming Batman/Catwoman.
As this volume covers the first five issues of Tom King’s final arc of his extensive Bat-run titled City of Bane, the majority of this volume is about showcasing that very city. Considering we have previously seen Gotham under a villainous conquest, whether it is Knightfall, Zero Year or even The Dark Knight Rises (of which Bane was a key player), King puts a fresh spin towards this familiar concept.
From the Joker and the Riddler both acting like they’re in a buddy cop show, whilst Huge Strange takes over the role of a police commissioner, Thomas Wayne’s Batman will answer their call as he, along with his trusted sidekick Gotham Girl, will take on the villains that resist Bane’s leadership. Drawn by frequent Batman artist Tony S. Daniel, whose art stunningly fits well with the grittiness of Gotham, King gets to show off his black sense of humour in how amidst the chaos going on by the villains, they are maintaining a sense of order. You also get a few pages drawn by King’s frequent collaborator Mitch Gerads, featuring Professor Pyg taking pleasure with his new role as a police officer.
Obviously the heroes have to take action, and I don’t mean Flashpoint Batman and Gotham Girl, who are initiating their brand of justice. Ignoring the advice of Tim Drake AKA Red Robin, Damian Wayne as Robin goes solo as he’s willing to take on his grandfather from an alternate universe. Drawn by Mikel Janin, the issue is predominately an action sequence as King captures the voice of Damian, who out of nowhere uses a Zatanna spell against Gotham Girl. However, as the fight continues, only does Damian realise the grave mistake he makes as witnesses the death of someone close to him.
Considering what’s happening in Gotham, where’s Bruce Wayne? After being saved by his ex-fiancée, Selina Kyle, Bruce is determined to get back to the city and defeat Bane. Under the insistence of Selina, who believes that Bruce is not ready, together they train whilst being the first time either one of them has talked to the other about their failed wedding. What often works best about King’s run is less about the plot and more so than the characters, in particular the relationship between the Bat and the Cat. Even after what happened the last time they were together, as well as being opposite sides of the law, they have a better understanding of themselves that is deeply moving.
As two people dressed in theatrically black outfits chasing one another, Batman and Catwoman have always been sexy, something that artist Clay Mann understands. Taking place in an exotic location, Mann gets very playful in the last two issues, from the Bat and the Cat training on a beach or climbing up a cliff, to Bruce (rocking his Matches Malone moustache) and Selina bathing in their swimwear. As the two lovers talk about their history, this allows Mann to draw two stunning splash pages, one referencing their Golden Age union on a boat, the other being their street fight from Year One.
Much of this volume may have some big moments, feels more like a big tease to the grand finale in the next volume. However, what works best is when it’s sexy time between the Bat and the Cat, which makes me excited to read King and Mann’s upcoming Batman/Catwoman.
September 26, 2019
- You shouldn't steal. It leads to trouble.
- You shouldn't catch me. It leads to a whole lot more than trouble.
- You shouldn't catch me. It leads to a whole lot more than trouble.
February 19, 2021
3.5* This volume was much better than the last two volumes. The artwork by Mike Janin and Clay Mann was superb 👏
December 23, 2025
pas mon arc préféré....
July 17, 2020
A good comic in two parts.
First, we get a terrific look at Gotham under Bane, with Joker and Riddler working as police partners being the most amazing buddy-cop show that I'll never get to see.
Second, we get back to the story of the Cat and the Bat, which languished after the misfire of King's mid-run.
Overall, this is King at his best, producing a truly mature and truly enthralling comic.
First, we get a terrific look at Gotham under Bane, with Joker and Riddler working as police partners being the most amazing buddy-cop show that I'll never get to see.
Second, we get back to the story of the Cat and the Bat, which languished after the misfire of King's mid-run.
Overall, this is King at his best, producing a truly mature and truly enthralling comic.
February 15, 2021
Just what no one wants, half a comic of punchy action marred by union with half a comic of sappy meditations on the nature of love.
August 28, 2025
3.2 (biblio)
August 22, 2023
This was pretty confusing and out there. But the most confusing part may be how Batman spent most of the book dressed up like Magnum PI.
November 19, 2020
City of Bane Part 1 is some quality slow burn lead up to the grand finale. We get a better picture of a Bane-controlled Gotham, with Thomas Wayne and Gotham Girl cracking the whip on both villains and citizens. We also see Batman recuperate from his many recent losses - most covered in what I recall to be dream sequences over the course of the previous two volumes. So, it's nice to have a coherent Bruce Wayne back again, to say the least.
Not much happens, per se, in City of Bane Part 1, but the packaging is gorgeous, the dialogue is tight, and the general sense of things coming to a head is well-crafted. After bottoming out in Batman, Volume 11: The Fall and the Fallen, I'm once again on board with Tom King's run and looking forward to the big conclusion.
Not much happens, per se, in City of Bane Part 1, but the packaging is gorgeous, the dialogue is tight, and the general sense of things coming to a head is well-crafted. After bottoming out in Batman, Volume 11: The Fall and the Fallen, I'm once again on board with Tom King's run and looking forward to the big conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews