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The Next Batman: Second Son #1-12
Batman: Second Son
DER STEINIGE WEG ZUM NÄCHSTEN BATMAN In naher Zukunft wird Jace Fox zum nächsten Batman – doch seine Geschichte beginnt im Hier und Jetzt! Nach dem verheerenden Joker-Krieg will der neue Bürgermeister von Gotham City alle maskierten Verbrecherjäger verbieten, vor allem Batman und seine Getreuen. In dieser Situation kehrt Jace nach Gotham zurück und muss sich seiner Vergangenheit stellen, wegen der er einst die Stadt verließ. Außerdem ist Jace‘ Bruder Luke insgeheim der Verbrechensbekämpfer Batwing, der den Schurken Ratcatcher jagt, um seine und Jace‘ Schwester zu retten. Und Luke ist gar nicht gut zu sprechen auf den zweiten Sohn der Familie Fox, dem ein steiniger Weg zum Helden bevorsteht … Die ersten Schritte von Jace Fox auf seinem Weg zum Dunklen Ritter von Morgen, in Szene gesetzt von Oscar-Gewinner John Ridley (12 Years a Slave), Travel Foreman (ANIMAL MAN), Tony Akins (WONDER WOMAN) und anderen. ENTHÄLT: THE NEXT BATMAN: SECOND SON 1-4
140 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2021
3 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
John Ridley
217 books92 followersJohn Ridley IV (born October 1965)[2] is an American screenwriter, television director, novelist, and showrunner, known for 12 Years a Slave, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He is also the creator and showrunner of the critically acclaimed anthology series American Crime. His most recent work is the documentary film Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982–1992.
Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 16, 2021
This was a blast to read through!
It starts with the return of Jace to Gotham and we see his bitter relationship with Luke and his father. His family is complex. He is here to work on some secret mission vs Tyler Arkadine as he is trying to stop this criminal. Then we see the drama that surrounds the family and its intriguing. I love the slow reveals and all and finally we get to see what happened when he was 17 and that led to the damage in the family and where he was all those years. And then he fights this assassin named Morrigan which was cool.
Luke is fighting Ratcatcher to try to find some cure for his sister. Shady things with his father and Simon Saint. His mother in some legal things. And police against the masks and so its a new day in Gotham and everyone surrounding Jace are getting so much character development. Its intriguing to see the origins of it considering we have seen what happens in Future State. And what he finds in the end.
I love the slow nature of the story and the way they reveal whats going on, the family drama, the mysterious past, new enemies, changing days in Gotham after Joker War and A-Day and so much more and where he is headed is exciting. I like the art for the most part and I read it in digital and it makes for a better read to binge it. Good stuff and I can't wait where he goes next in Fear state.
It starts with the return of Jace to Gotham and we see his bitter relationship with Luke and his father. His family is complex. He is here to work on some secret mission vs Tyler Arkadine as he is trying to stop this criminal. Then we see the drama that surrounds the family and its intriguing. I love the slow reveals and all and finally we get to see what happened when he was 17 and that led to the damage in the family and where he was all those years. And then he fights this assassin named Morrigan which was cool.
Luke is fighting Ratcatcher to try to find some cure for his sister. Shady things with his father and Simon Saint. His mother in some legal things. And police against the masks and so its a new day in Gotham and everyone surrounding Jace are getting so much character development. Its intriguing to see the origins of it considering we have seen what happens in Future State. And what he finds in the end.
I love the slow nature of the story and the way they reveal whats going on, the family drama, the mysterious past, new enemies, changing days in Gotham after Joker War and A-Day and so much more and where he is headed is exciting. I like the art for the most part and I read it in digital and it makes for a better read to binge it. Good stuff and I can't wait where he goes next in Fear state.
August 19, 2022
A good book, but it us only half the origin story. This leads into the Future State I Am Batman mini series. If the whole origin of the Next Batman was covered here I I would have prefered it, but I do understand with changes this big coming to Gotham four issues would not be enough.
Gotham us changing. From the Mayor, the GCPD, the Fox family to the citizens. Masks good or bad are no longer welcome. The Fox ate a family divided. Though the have the same final goals, they don't seem to get along. The return of the black sheep of the family only seems to cause more friction. What us the Big fame secret and how far will they go to cover it up.
The first part of the setup to the Future State Gotham starts here. A much darker side to the Fox family us shown here. A good look at the door to be Next Batman as well. The only downside of this book fir me was as it was getting to the great stuff it finished to setup the next series. The book finishes with a one page with four thumbnails of the varient covers of issues one to four.
Gotham us changing. From the Mayor, the GCPD, the Fox family to the citizens. Masks good or bad are no longer welcome. The Fox ate a family divided. Though the have the same final goals, they don't seem to get along. The return of the black sheep of the family only seems to cause more friction. What us the Big fame secret and how far will they go to cover it up.
The first part of the setup to the Future State Gotham starts here. A much darker side to the Fox family us shown here. A good look at the door to be Next Batman as well. The only downside of this book fir me was as it was getting to the great stuff it finished to setup the next series. The book finishes with a one page with four thumbnails of the varient covers of issues one to four.
March 8, 2022
The Next Batman: Second Son collects issues 1-4 (originally released as digital series 1-12) written by John Ridley with art by Travel Foreman and Tony Akins.
Jace Fox has returned to Gotham as a changed man but his family still sees him as a problem child. Facing challenges from his family and coming home to a city he hasn't lived in for years, Jace must come to the decision who he wants to be.
This volume serves as an origin and a set-up for the Future State event and the ongoing I Am Batman series. I was confused for half the book as I thought a lot of the previous events that character were alluding to were told in a previous book, only to be revealed in the third act of the book. The book sets up a lot of the family drama that Jace will have to endure in his solo series, but it is worrying that many of the Fox family members come off as not very likable. The art is nothing to write home about as some of it is incredibly generic. This isn't an exciting book, by I think it serves it's purpose
Jace Fox has returned to Gotham as a changed man but his family still sees him as a problem child. Facing challenges from his family and coming home to a city he hasn't lived in for years, Jace must come to the decision who he wants to be.
This volume serves as an origin and a set-up for the Future State event and the ongoing I Am Batman series. I was confused for half the book as I thought a lot of the previous events that character were alluding to were told in a previous book, only to be revealed in the third act of the book. The book sets up a lot of the family drama that Jace will have to endure in his solo series, but it is worrying that many of the Fox family members come off as not very likable. The art is nothing to write home about as some of it is incredibly generic. This isn't an exciting book, by I think it serves it's purpose
December 27, 2021
Garbage book. Might be an interesting story if they were original characters but to turn Lucius Fox and his family into such awful people is the worst. Also, 4 issues for $34 Canadian feels like a complete rip off. I bought the first story twice because DC gave it two different names with the hardcover and trade paperback version. I’m officially done with this Next Batman. Too bad because it could have been really cool.
August 7, 2022
Die Entstehung eines Batman
Fazit: Eine emotionale Hintergrundgeschichte zu Jace Fox, die mich zwar nicht abschreckte, aber zumindest irritierte. Gesamt: 3/5
Inhalt: In "Batman: Second Son" erzählt John Ridley die Vorgeschichte zum neuen Batman Tim aka Jace Fox. Der hatte sich nach einem tiefgreifenden Fehler in der Vergangenheit eigentlich von seiner Familie losgesagt und versucht mit einem Leben als Vigilant Verantwortung zu übernehmen, aber Lucius lässt seinen Sohn aus Vietnam zurück nach Gotham holen, um dessen Unterstützung einzufordern. Doch Jace ist nicht mehr Tim und an den vielen kleinen Rissen an der Oberfläche droht die Familie zu zerbrechen...
Bewertung: "Batman: Second Son" ließ mich zwiegespalten zurück. Auf der einen Seite bin ich froh, dass man sich für den neuen Batman die Zeit nimmt eine vernünftige Backstory zu etablieren. "Future State" war zwar aus meiner Sicht definitiv keine Glanzleistung aber der Batman sah cool aus. Mir gefällt es auf jeden Fall, dass Ridley einen emotionale Vergangenheit für Jace erzählt und dem Leser so den Antrieb des Fox-Sohnes näher bringt. Auf der anderen Seite war "Batman: Second Son" nicht grade das spannendste Werk. Das Familiendrama der Fox wird extrem weit ausgelegt...an manchen Stellen zu weit. Neben den beiden Schwestern Tiff und Tam waren alle Charaktere (ja auch Jace) entweder durchgängig oder an vielen Stellen zutiefst unsympathisch. Natürlich sollte dies so sein, um die nachhaltigen emotionalen Wunden darzustellen, aber die beste Voraussetzung für eine liebenswerte Geschichte ist es wirklich nicht. An vielen Stellen habe ich mich frustriert von dem Comic wiedergefunden. Hinzu kommt, dass der Zeichenstil nicht außergewöhnlich ist. Nicht falsch verstehen: Der Band sieht gut aus. Aber besonders ausgefallen oder künstlerisch wertvoll ist er auch nicht.
Fazit: Eine emotionale Hintergrundgeschichte zu Jace Fox, die mich zwar nicht abschreckte, aber zumindest irritierte. Gesamt: 3/5
January 13, 2022
I think I would’ve liked this more if it actually gave us the full origin story for Jace instead of just the lead in. I still like it, and Jace is starting to come into his own as a character, but this easily could’ve been two more issues. Would’ve given I Am Batman more room to just jump into its story as well.
June 13, 2021
I must have gotten like 75% into this one, and I just couldn’t finish it. I found the writing really bland, sad to say. I find the character of Jace fascinating, but the writing just wasn’t doing it for me. 2.5/5 stars
May 9, 2022
In some ways this run feels exclusively like a prequel, which can be fine - but it really hinges on what's coming next and doesn't stand on its own. I really wish this had more development, because I kept checking and re-checking that I wasn't missing some part of the story.
October 9, 2021
I am really surprised by how much I enjoyed that. I wasn't overly enamored by the Future State: Next Batman titles, and he's kind of just fizzled off since then. But I was intrigued by "I Am Batman" so I figured I best read his backstory first, and boy am I glad I did. I have so much more appreciation for this character now that I've gave it a chance. This really delves deep into ‘why’ Jace is trying to turn a corner and move on from his past. It took me by surprise at first, but in a good way. His ‘come to Jesus’ moment gives the character a much deeper feel than just “Lets make a black Batman” and then forget about him 5 minutes later. There's actual empathy, and in just 4 issues you get a wider sense of being, and understand why he goes on to become what he does.
The art is a little wonky here and there, but you almost see past that as the writing is so good. And this is easily Ridley’s best comic work so far, as I've found all his other stuff pretty bland.
5 ⭐ all the way.
The art is a little wonky here and there, but you almost see past that as the writing is so good. And this is easily Ridley’s best comic work so far, as I've found all his other stuff pretty bland.
5 ⭐ all the way.
February 20, 2022
I don’t really have much to say about this book as there isn’t much to it.
It’s the start of the Fox family’s story post-Joker War. Tim ‘Jace’ Fox is brought back to Gotham by Grifter on his father’s orders. We learn over the course of the book that Jace has been away because of a hit and run accident as a teenager that Lucius devoted a lot of money to basically covering up. The book ends with Jace discovering a Batman costume and realising Lucius works for Batman.
In the background, the ‘good’ son Luke uses his Batwing identity to try to hunt down Joker and fails and to hunt down Ratcatcher to find a cure for their Tam (who was apparently infected with something in issues of Batwing ages ago?) and fails. He then spends 90% of the book moping and whining.
Ratcatcher was perhaps the highlight of the book for me as I literally cannot remember the last time I saw him in comics. He might be dead now, but his daughter’s been introduced and Ratcatcher 2 was one of the highlights of James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, one of my favourite DC films of all time. So I’m excited to hopefully see her develop.
Otherwise, it’s basically 4 issues of nothingness. The story is just about to start when the book ends. They’re compelling characters so I do want to pick up the following volume (I Am Batman) which I hope will actually have a plot.
I haven’t spent much time with most of the Fox family before this, but I do worry Ridley’s take on Lucius seems a bit out of character. But I’m still willing to go along for the ride and see where it takes us once Ridley actually manages to get started.
It’s the start of the Fox family’s story post-Joker War. Tim ‘Jace’ Fox is brought back to Gotham by Grifter on his father’s orders. We learn over the course of the book that Jace has been away because of a hit and run accident as a teenager that Lucius devoted a lot of money to basically covering up. The book ends with Jace discovering a Batman costume and realising Lucius works for Batman.
In the background, the ‘good’ son Luke uses his Batwing identity to try to hunt down Joker and fails and to hunt down Ratcatcher to find a cure for their Tam (who was apparently infected with something in issues of Batwing ages ago?) and fails. He then spends 90% of the book moping and whining.
Ratcatcher was perhaps the highlight of the book for me as I literally cannot remember the last time I saw him in comics. He might be dead now, but his daughter’s been introduced and Ratcatcher 2 was one of the highlights of James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, one of my favourite DC films of all time. So I’m excited to hopefully see her develop.
Otherwise, it’s basically 4 issues of nothingness. The story is just about to start when the book ends. They’re compelling characters so I do want to pick up the following volume (I Am Batman) which I hope will actually have a plot.
I haven’t spent much time with most of the Fox family before this, but I do worry Ridley’s take on Lucius seems a bit out of character. But I’m still willing to go along for the ride and see where it takes us once Ridley actually manages to get started.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2021
Every crisis has its lasting effects. Joker War has upended many facets of Batman's world and one (of many) lasting effects was the transfer of the Wayne riches to the Lucious Fox and his family. In the Batman book, we see just a short glimpse of Lucious' demeanor now in control of the Wayne estate when talking to Bruce, but what we learn here is that the Fox family had a lot of stuff going on... and for a long time... where it's not really that out of character what we saw in the Batman book.
The Fox family has always been one of money, resources, and power and that's all coming to a head now with Jace (Tim) Fox coming home to help resolve an old standing issue from his and his family's past. Batwing seems to be continuing a story being told in his book about the poisoning of his sister by Ratcatcher, but that seems to add to the growing family drama and strife. And all these things under the guise of changing attitude in Gotham's City Hall about the "masks" (what a better word to use than the "capes") and costumed vigilantes. Renee Montoya is now the GCPD Commissioner and is being forced down a road that looks to eventually outlaw vigilantism by the "masks".
Now maybe I'm a noob and the Fox family has had their history and background explored recently, but I think this is a great world-building story in a world of Batman characters that, it sometimes feels like, have nowhere to grow.
I applaud John Ridley's The Other History of The DC Universe series and know there's an authencicity that these struggles of wealth, power, race, privilage, guilt, and revenge is coming from. I this is a great addtion to the Batman line of stories and hopefully an open door to a side of the Bat that we haven't seen before.
The Fox family has always been one of money, resources, and power and that's all coming to a head now with Jace (Tim) Fox coming home to help resolve an old standing issue from his and his family's past. Batwing seems to be continuing a story being told in his book about the poisoning of his sister by Ratcatcher, but that seems to add to the growing family drama and strife. And all these things under the guise of changing attitude in Gotham's City Hall about the "masks" (what a better word to use than the "capes") and costumed vigilantes. Renee Montoya is now the GCPD Commissioner and is being forced down a road that looks to eventually outlaw vigilantism by the "masks".
Now maybe I'm a noob and the Fox family has had their history and background explored recently, but I think this is a great world-building story in a world of Batman characters that, it sometimes feels like, have nowhere to grow.
I applaud John Ridley's The Other History of The DC Universe series and know there's an authencicity that these struggles of wealth, power, race, privilage, guilt, and revenge is coming from. I this is a great addtion to the Batman line of stories and hopefully an open door to a side of the Bat that we haven't seen before.
October 6, 2021
This was initially announced as replacing the main Batman line after "5G" and I was very excited for it--however, I've largely had a muted response to John Ridley's work here. I loved "The American Way" and "The Other History of the DC Universe" so this was been a bit of a disappointment.
It's admittedly a nice shakeup of the Batman dynamic, but the stories aren't very splashy or exciting. There are a few tweaks to the forumla that help remove the stink of a "Rich White Man beating down the poor and insane" -- Jace actually says he's appropriating it into something better. Yet, what that is isn't entirely revealed. There are glimmers, like not turning first time offenders and youth directly to the police and giving them alternatives; there's less smashing of bones, etc.
But as Jace even comments something to the effect of "Us people? Do you mean us, Black people? Or us, Rich people?" The thread being, that Jace is still from a well-to-do family (Lucius of course worked for Bruce and was COO of Wayne Enterprises). It's just not as "radical" was I was expecting, and I think that's MY problem expecting it from a mainstream corporate book.
The being said, the family dynamic is extremely well-written, just a tad slow for my tastes and it's not quite as action packed as other Bat-titles currently on the stands now.
It's admittedly a nice shakeup of the Batman dynamic, but the stories aren't very splashy or exciting. There are a few tweaks to the forumla that help remove the stink of a "Rich White Man beating down the poor and insane" -- Jace actually says he's appropriating it into something better. Yet, what that is isn't entirely revealed. There are glimmers, like not turning first time offenders and youth directly to the police and giving them alternatives; there's less smashing of bones, etc.
But as Jace even comments something to the effect of "Us people? Do you mean us, Black people? Or us, Rich people?" The thread being, that Jace is still from a well-to-do family (Lucius of course worked for Bruce and was COO of Wayne Enterprises). It's just not as "radical" was I was expecting, and I think that's MY problem expecting it from a mainstream corporate book.
The being said, the family dynamic is extremely well-written, just a tad slow for my tastes and it's not quite as action packed as other Bat-titles currently on the stands now.
December 28, 2021
There's basically no "Batman fighting villains" in this book. It's purely about the character and personalities of the various members of the Fox family. The reader gets an inside look at the family dynamics and just what is driving the two older sons as well as Lucious. Ridley gives a realistic and believable portrayal of people, yet also makes notable commentary on racism and the "privileges" of being rich, what is right and wrong whether or not you have money, and the decisions people make in order to keep their wealth and power. For these reasons alone I give this four stars.
The art is suitable. The story has a lot of dialogue so there's no need for big splash pages or highly detailed panels. It's more personable, showcasing facial expressions and feelings for the characters.
While I didn't care much for the Future State stories, this "man behind the mask" really appeals to me.
The art is suitable. The story has a lot of dialogue so there's no need for big splash pages or highly detailed panels. It's more personable, showcasing facial expressions and feelings for the characters.
While I didn't care much for the Future State stories, this "man behind the mask" really appeals to me.
August 18, 2022
This felt like a teaser for another series. Not much happens in it although a lot of things are alluded to. It's really the Fox family drama. Not much really happens in the series. There's a lot of showing how the city is transitioning into Fear State. There are a lot of references to Luke Fox's Batwing series so you may want to read that first, but it's not a requirement to get the story here. That would be for completionists only.
The art in this is subpar as well, almost just sketches. I know this was a digital first series. Did they only plan for people to read this on their phone? DC did release it as a regular comic afterwards.
The art in this is subpar as well, almost just sketches. I know this was a digital first series. Did they only plan for people to read this on their phone? DC did release it as a regular comic afterwards.
November 8, 2021
After the events of the Joker War and the ideas presented in Future State, we get in this volume the start of Jace Fox (son of Lucius Fox, current owner of Waynetech; and brother of Luke Fox, who is Batwing) as the "Next Batman". Jace has learned some skills in the time he was gone, including fighting and spying. Driven by a desire to save Gotham from itself, Jace begins to take up the cowl, even though Gotham is cracking down on "masks", the DC word for costumed vigilantes.
Overall, I wasn't really pumped about the story in Future Watch, so this one left a similar taste in my mouth. It's not bad, just not really my thing.
Overall, I wasn't really pumped about the story in Future Watch, so this one left a similar taste in my mouth. It's not bad, just not really my thing.
January 17, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It was truly an origin story showing a character who was estranged from his family and the complexities of the family. Now returning after a long time things have gotten a lot more complex and now he is trying to find his place back in the family. All while in pursuit of an international smuggler. It explores the Fox family like I’ve never seen, and shows the impact living in Gotham could have on any family. The one problem I have is that it only leads up to the The Next Batman in Future State. I wish we had seen him do the cape and cowl but I guess that’s for another time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2022
The art gave me almost Chiang's Paper Girls but not quite, and honestly probably kept me reading way past when I would normally DNF. I agree with others, the weakness to me wasn't the art or Jace, it was the lack of a strong story or emotional punch to it all. For most readers, myself included, Jace is a fairly new character but the story just didn't feel high stakes or Batman-enough for me.
August 6, 2022
Prodigal son
When you 1st look at the story it seems cut and dry Bad son comes home good son took care of everyone while he was gone. The Fox family was rich and had a good life to anyone looking in at them. With the Wayne fortune in Lucius hands. Everybody is trying to get a piece of it. That is just the background to this quite Dysfunctional family. I can't wait for this to play out during this writer's run.
When you 1st look at the story it seems cut and dry Bad son comes home good son took care of everyone while he was gone. The Fox family was rich and had a good life to anyone looking in at them. With the Wayne fortune in Lucius hands. Everybody is trying to get a piece of it. That is just the background to this quite Dysfunctional family. I can't wait for this to play out during this writer's run.
July 13, 2021
An enjoyable series, nice to see the origin of Jace's Batman from Future State. As it goes though, it's a little slower for something to pick up as it comes out, so if I come back to this I'm going to be picking it up in the trades. So that's my suggestion, if you're interested in John Ridley writing a black batman, hit up the trade.
July 24, 2021
I enjoyed the Future State title and am enjoying this as far as it setting up and leading to that story and the different family dynamics. I get where someone picking this book up might find it lackluster for a Batman title but that previous knowledge from FS definitely builds some of the anticipation albeit at a smaller degree.
April 12, 2022
Cool story about the Fox family and Jace becoming the new Batman. Only reason I’m saying four stars is the “digital-first” chapters felt so short, I could have read twice the length and enjoyed it at least as much.
April 11, 2024
I disegni di Foreman sono davvero mediocri e dimenticabili. Le figure ed i volti per esempio sono spesso eccessivamente stilizzati.
Il costume di Batman/Batwing di Luke Fox e’ davvero brutto: troppo tecnologico e quelle alette son ridicole.
La storia e’ noiosissima: capisco che debba fare da introduzione ad una nuova serie/miniserie, ma sembra una telenovela familiare stile Dallas.
Perché far pronunciare ai personaggi così tante parolacce, se poi sai che dovrai censurarle?
Il costume di Batman/Batwing di Luke Fox e’ davvero brutto: troppo tecnologico e quelle alette son ridicole.
La storia e’ noiosissima: capisco che debba fare da introduzione ad una nuova serie/miniserie, ma sembra una telenovela familiare stile Dallas.
Perché far pronunciare ai personaggi così tante parolacce, se poi sai che dovrai censurarle?
July 15, 2024
The problem with most of these digital-first titles is that everything feels rushed and kinda half-baked. I get that it's a different timeline, but Lucius Fox is so far away from any other depiction I know that it's jarring.
February 7, 2022
3.5
Goes deep into the Fox family dysfunction. It reworks Lucius a bit more as a man with faults.
Goes deep into the Fox family dysfunction. It reworks Lucius a bit more as a man with faults.
March 13, 2022
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this story, but I did. It's kinda short, but that's okay once in a while.
May 18, 2022
Wow. I felt like this should have been a book about Lex Luthors family with how scummy everyone is. My goodness.
August 23, 2022
Bad art, lousy dialogue, and the Second Son never even becomes The Next Batman. Gets one extra star for Katana saying "Jace-san."
March 23, 2023
There is nothing special about this comic. It should have been much longer.
April 24, 2023
A new Batman from the Fox family and a different one with family and wealth dynamics to keep me reading.
June 8, 2025
Not a very exciting story but sets up how the next Batman comes into play.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews