About: Batman: Detective Comics, Vol. 8: On the Outside by Bryan Hill & Michael Moreci (illustrated by Miguel Mendonca, Phillip Briones, and Sebastian Fiumara) is a graphic novel which continues the story of the aftermath of the events which led to the Gotham Knights team take down the monster they helped create. This graphic novel collects issues #982-986. 144 pages Publisher: DC Comics Language: English ISBN-10: 1401285287 My rat­ing for Batman: Detective Comics, Vol. 8: On the Outside  — 4 Buy Batman: Detective Comics, Vol. 8: On the Outside from Amazon.com* More Books by Bryan Hill* More Books by Michael Moreci* Thoughts: The ideas which drive Batman: Detective Comics, Vol. 8: On the Outside by Bryan Hill & Michael Moreci (illustrated by Miguel Mendonca, Phil Briones, and Sebastian Fiumara) aren’t new, Batman’s past actions come back to haunt him. However the writers do execute them in a different way, making Bruce very protective as he realizes that he is doing no favors to the people who trust him. The new villain, Karma, is very interesting with dark origins, a well done villain and a very good opponent for the Gotham Knights. The interaction of Black Lightning with the team really speeds up the story. I’m…

About: Batwoman, Vol. 2: Wonderland by Marguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV (illustrated by Steve Epting and Ben Oliver) finds the heroine battling the Many Arms of Death. This issue, part of DC Comics’ Rebirth, collects issues #7 – 11. My rat­ing for Batwoman, Vol. 2: Wonderland  — 3 Buy Batwoman, Vol. 2: Wonderland  from Amazon.com* More Books by Marguerite Bennett More Books by JamesTynion IV Thoughts: Batwoman certainly is the new breakout character in the Rebirth DC universe. I really enjoyed the previous graphic novels I read and Batwoman, Vol. 2: Wonderland by Marguerite Bennett and James Tynion IV (illustrated by Steve Epting and Ben Oliver) was a solid edition. I like the new Arkham Asylum game style Scarecrow, but he still not a worthy villain – the writers solved that issue by making him a tool for the Many Arms of Death. There is very little character development to any of the characters in the book, very little interaction between Kate and her father (a major plot point in the series), which I thought was fascinating and could have really anchored the narrative. The art is great and matches the messy psyche of the story-line. This is one of…

The Victim Syndicate has turned all of Gotham against Batman and his team in protest. They also kidnapped Clayface while threating to release dangerous criminals from Arkham Asylum unless Batman unmasks himself on live TV.

About: Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 5: A Lonely Place of Living (Rebirth) by James Tynion IV continues the Rebirth series where we see Batman building a team of heroes. This graphic novel collects issues of Detective Comics #963-968 and Annual #1. 144 pages Publisher: DC Comics Language: English ISBN-10: 1401278221   My rat­ing for Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 5: A Lonely Place of Living — 3 Buy Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 5: A Lonely Place of Living from Amazon.com* More Books by James Tynion, IV Thoughts: I keep enjoying the Rebirth series, one of the few graphic novels which I’m anxiously awaiting to read. Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 5: A Lonely Place of Living (Rebirth) by James Tynion, IV continues this addicting story-line. I enjoyed this graphic novel, it has some great moments but I thought the narrative was convoluted and difficult to follow. One of the reasons I really enjoy comics is the ability to tell a story through words and pictures, it keeps the story both complex and clean if done right. I also thought that this was a departure from a “Batman” story into something else. There is a lot going on in this volume, time travel, older (and…

About: Batman Detective Comics (Rebirth) Vol. 3: League of Shadows by James Tynion IV. This volume collects issues #950-956 of the Rebirthed Batman Family Team-Up title. 184 pages Publisher: DC Comics Language: English ISBN-10: 1401276091 My rat­ing for Batman Detective Comics (Rebirth) Vol. 3: League of Shadows  — 5 Buy Batman Detective Comics (Rebirth) Vol. 3: League of Shadows  from Amazon.com* More Books by James Tynion, IV Thoughts: I really believe that Batman Detective Comics (Rebirth) Vol. 3: League of Shadows by  James Tynion, IV is one of the best graphic novels I read in the last few years. The team Batman put together of Batwoman (Kate Kane), Azarel, Batwing (Lucas Fox), Clayface (Basil Karlo), and Orphan (Cassandra Cain) is really coming together cohesively and make for an excellent, character driven storyline. This book is focused on Orphan, Cassandra Cain, daughter of assassins who was brought up to be a living weapon, and the new/old Batgirl. Orphan is my favorite character of the new Bat-people lineup, she has a great background story and is an all-around great character. Mr. Tynion has done a fantastic job on this issue, he raised the story and team building to another level. While the book certainly focuses on Orphan, several…

The Unknowns are a strange team up, which frankly I enjoyed. Clayface was my new favorite, and The Demon Etrigan is always fun to read. I don’t believe that Batwoman needed a team though, I enjoyed it much more when she was played off as being on the fringes of the Bat family, working alongside them but not with them.

I believe that the Kate Kane Batwoman will become one of DC Comics most successful new characters

About: Batwoman Vol. 5: Webs (The New 52) by Marc Andreyko (illustrated by Jeremy Haun and Trevor McCarthy) is a continuation of the story of Kate Kane, the new Batwoman who is not so much part of the Bat family. This graphic novel collects issues of Batwoman #25 – #34 as well as Batwoman Annual #1. 272 pages Publisher: DC Comics Language: English ISBN-10: 1401250823 My rat­ing for Batwoman Vol. 5: Webs  — 3 Buy Batwoman Vol. 5: Webs  from Amazon.com* More Books by Marc Andreyko Thoughts: I was on my merry way to reading the graphic novels in this series and was very glad to borrow Batwoman Vol. 5: Webs (The New 52) by Marc Andreyko (illustrated by Jeremy Haun and Trevor McCarthy) from my friend. I noticed was that the creative team has changed, which could go either way – I’m always game. The first thing I noticed is that this Batwoman is not the same Batwoman that has been established in the previous graphic novels. She’s corny, has some cheesy lines and the stories seemed rushed. I liked the new villains and enjoyed the team that Batwoman surrounds herself with. I enjoyed the art, it was not as unique as the previous…

About: Batwoman, Vol. 4: This Blood Is Thick by J.H. Williams III, W. Haden Blackman, and Trevor McCarthy (Illustrated by Francesco Francavilla, Walden Wong, Sandu Florea, and Derek Fridolfs, colored by Guy Major) is a continuation of the DC52 series introducing kate Kane as the new Batwoman. This graphic novel collects comics #18-24. 160 pages Publisher: DC Comics Language: English ISBN-10: 1401246214 My rat­ing for Batwoman, Vol. 4: This Blood Is Thick  — 4 Buy Batwoman, Vol. 4: This Blood Is Thick  from Amazon.com* More Books by J.H. Williams III More Books by W.Haden Blackman Thoughts: After the excellent Batwoman Vol. 3: World’s Finest, I was looking forward to the next installment, crossing my fingers that the creative team is on a roll. The good news is that they are, Batwoman, Vol. 4: This Blood Is Thick by  J.H. Williams III, W. Haden Blackman and  Trevor McCarthy (Illustrated by Francesco Francavilla, Walden Wong, Sandu Florea, and Derek Fridolfs, colored by Guy Major) continued to expend the Batwoman world with style, action, and an excellent story-line. The story-line not only highlighted Batwoman, but also her girlfriend Detective Maggie Sawyer (and old favorite of the DC Universe) who certainly proved she can handle herself without the protection of her…

I really like where the writers of the issue were going with the characters and the world they built around them. Kate Kane, Batwoman, refused to join the Batman team when asked, and only wears his symbol as a source of her inspiration.