Tom King Batman

Batman 16-20, 23-24

Batman Annual 1

Original review.  This is the arc where Bane comes back to Gotham to reclaim the Psycho Pirate, fighting his way through Arkham and its inmates only to lose to a Batman headbutt.  It’s fine, but the highlight doesn’t come until the last page:

The random Swamp Thing team up has its amusing moments too.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Pretty good

Batman 25-32

Original review for The War of Jokes and Riddles.  My original thoughts still stand, though I enjoyed it more this time around.  Mikel Janin’s art still blows my mind away.  Here’s my second pass on standout moments:

Josh Middleton variant.

The timing on the narration and the "bangs" is morbidly, exquisitely hilarious.

It's a skilled artist who can make a man in a bowler hat look menacing.

Joker + Knock Knock Grammar Joke = Thing I didn't know I needed

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Good

Batman 33-35

Batman and Catwoman fight Talia in order to prove Selina’s innocence in the murder of 237 people, in a very roundabout way.  Some nice Joelle Jones art and humor with the Bat-Family.  

Dual wielding like Drizzt Do'Urden.

Not surprised Selina doesn't have weapon proficiency in longsword.

Nice analysis of the Batman.

This floats on the cusp of Pretty Good and Good, but it manages to coast by on the rating of the last arc.  

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Good    

Batman 36-37

As I said the first time around, this is a complete delight of a story.  Bruce, Selina, Clark, and Lois on a double date is as fun of a time as I’ve had reading a comic.  Tom King does the parallel narration thing that’s a Jeph Loeb trademark, but I daresay he does it even better.  

I lol'd here.

I LOVE these issues.  

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Pure Joy

Batman Annual 2

Just a really, really good Batman/Catwoman story.   There’s something about their relationship that continues to feel contrived and forced, but damn if King doesn’t still manage to sell the romance right.

Gorgeous, gorgeous Lee Weeks art.  I didn’t know he could do this.

Michael Lark is no slouch either. This is legit as sweet of a Batman ending as Dark Knight Returns.

Regret buying: No

Would buy again: Yes

Would read again: Yes

Rating: Really good