Batman #96
Story: James Tynion IV
Art: Jorge Jimenez
Color: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Reeling from the effects of the worst Joker toxin attack ever, Batman is on the run through Gotham City, pursued by the dark shadows and voices that haunt his past and present! As the Joker’s plan materializes, the only person who can save Batman from the brink of true madness…is Harley Quinn?! Plus, who is the mysterious new figure known as Clownhunter?
“The Joker War” officially kicks off with Batman #95! Batman and Bruce Wayne have been stripped of their toys and wealth. The Joker has siphoned every dollar taking over Wayne Enterprises and is using the media and elected officials to play his game.
Written by James Tynion IV, there’s a lot to like about this beginning chapter of “The Joker War”. But, there’s also a lot there that feels like we’ve seen it all before. The concept of the rich superhero having their wealth stripped and company seized is something that regularly happens. Green Arrow and Iron Man have experienced it, if not multiple times. So, in that essence, Batman #95 doesn’t deliver a whole lot new. There are a lot of interesting details to make it worth checking out though.
Much of the issue dances around the two sides jockeying for position. It’s focus is the opposing factions taking stock of what assets they have. With Lucious Fox controlled by Punchline, the Joker’s crew taps into the material and tech hidden away at Wayne Enterprises. They also use the information at their disposal to paint a picture of a billionaire secretly funding Batman, and the media to demand that technology is returned. It’s a battle of public relations not just wits and fists. Batman has no idea what’s compromised so takes his opportunity to see where things stand and what the Joker is in control of.
Tynion does a good job of setting up the back and forth. Tynion also teases the game played between these two characters for years. By using his first case against the Joker, we see why Batman fears him and the psychological aspects of their relationship. And this is where the issue, and storyline, has the best chance of standing out. There’s a back-and-forth between these two that is hopefully explored more. What’s done here is an interesting set up that indicates we’ll see it. While the general plot is “been there, seen that,” the relationship between the two is unique, for example the Joker could easily unmask Batman but chooses not to. He knows Bruce’s trauma and looks to be using that somehow. These are the small things that stand out.
The art by Jorge Jimenez is pretty solid. Along with color by Tomeu Morey and lettering by Clayton Cowles, the look of the comic is solid. The fight between Batman and Punchline is well framed and though the comic lacks really dynamic splash pages or moments, there’s a tenseness to the art that really fits the story well. It feels like the coiling of a spring before an explosion of energy down the road.
Batman #95 isn’t an explosive start but it delivers an interesting start. There’s a lot of fascinating choices, the police standing up for Batman as an example, that will hopefully pay off nicely down the road. This feels like the opening of an epic film, a slow opening but one that does a fine job of setting things up. If you’re interested in “The Joker War.” Batman #95 is worth checking out. But, if you’re new to Batman and want to see what this story is about, you may walk away wondering what the buzz was about.
Story: James Tynion IV Art: Jorge Jimenez
Color: Tomeu Morey Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics
Batman #95
Written by James Tynion IV
Art by Jorge Jimenez
Colors by Tomeu Morey
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Main cover by Jorge Jimenez and Tomeu Morey
The Joker variant cover by Francesco Mattina
1:25 Cardstock variant cover (The Joker) by Jorge Jimenez and Tomeu Morey
Standard and Variant cover price $3.99 US
1:25 Cardstock variant cover price $4.99 US
On Sale July 21, 2020
32 Pages
“Joker War,” Part One
It’s coming… The final showdown between Batman and The Joker explodes in Batman #95, part one of “Joker War,” on sale Tuesday, July 21! Here’s a look at some fantastic art by Jorge Jimenez and Tomeu Morey!
It was always going to come to this. The Clown Prince of Crime and the Dark Knight Detective go head-to-head for the last time. The Joker has never wanted to win before, he’s never wanted his battle with Batman to end, but now his motivation has shifted. He has decided that one way or another, this will be the final chapter to their story. “Joker War” begins here!
“Their Dark Designs” wraps up in Batman #93, the opening arc of writer James Tynion IV‘s run on the iconic character. While the issue is action-packed and full of excitement it’s also at times predictable, especially its ending.
The cover really says it all. Batman #93, and the arc as a whole, is just a “journey to Joker War,” the next big story. It’s a setup of what’s coming giving Tynion time to establish his take on Batman. It’s a transition arc of sorts introducing new characters while acting as a post-mortem for the previous run.
The issue has Batman squaring off with The Designer, the character who has been the focus of this arc. Like a magician revealing his tricks, we see everything that was planned and hinted at previously. The Designer’s various projects with Gotham’s villains is gone over one by one before the inevitable physical showdown. It’s also revealed why The Designer’s overall plan would have failed. There was an x-factor, an agent of chaos, whose goals didn’t align with the master planner. And that’s when we go down the rabbit hole learning who The Designer really is and where things go from there.
It’s an interesting moment in the comic as it becomes clear, this is all a setup for “Joker War.” Where the comic ends has been telegraphed for some time and isn’t surprising at all. Where Tynion takes it will be the interesting thing. There’s been some willingness to explore Bruce Wayne’s soft diplomacy. We were finally seeing that being wielded. Now, the question is, where does that go from here? What does this all mean for Bruce and Gotham?
The art by Guillem March and Javier Fernandez is fantastic. They’re joined by Tomeu Morey and David Baron on color and Clayton Cowles on lettering. The art has been a highlight of this run and this issue is no exception. There’s something that really pops with the art style and color choices. There’s also some fun with the eventual physical fight playing it off with a swashbuckling flair. I’s all very pleasing to the eye and overall there isn’t quite the use of splash pages you might expect. It also helps key moments as opposed to dramatic entrances, even if that key moment is told in a panel on a page with numerous other panels. Others may have dedicated a larger footprint for the moment or even an entire spread.
“Their Dark Designs” is an interesting arc. It’s an entertaining read but the landing doesn’t quite stick as it is revealed it directly ties into “Joker War” as opposed to being two stories running side by side. It takes what was an interesting new villain for Batman and turns him into a puppet, deflating the balloon. It’s not bad and does the job of transition from the last run to the current but by issue’s end, something felt a bit off. It no longer was the self-contained storyarc, it’s just the beginning of something much longer.
Story: James Tynion IV Art: Guillem March, Javier Fernandez
Color: Tomeu Morey, David Baron Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.85 Recommendation: Read
Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – TFAW – Zeus Comics
BATMAN #94
written by JAMES TYNION IV
art by GUILLEM MARCH and RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
Main cover by TONY S. DANIEL and TOMEU MOREY
The Joker/Punchline variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
1:25 The Underbroker variant cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
On Sale July 7, 2020
“Their Dark Designs” reaches its thrilling climax in Batman #94, on sale Tuesday, July 7 and here’s your first look at interior pages by Rafael Albuquerque and Guillem March!
The Designer’s machinations have left Batman’s life in tatters! Gotham City’s ambitious rebuilding has skittered to a halt as new powers are rising to shape its destiny—and Batman is powerless to stop them! With no Alfred or Bat-Family to lean on, the Dark Knight stands alone against the ascendance of his greatest adversary!
“Their Dark Designs” has been rocking the world of Batman. In it, he faces a new foe, the Designer, who has been working in the shadows for years. While Batman #92 is part 7 of the story, it’s an interesting issue. It balances being an almost standalone issue with the big picture story-arc.
Written by James Tynion IV, his kick-off storyline on this pillar of a series has been interesting. With it, he’s blended near standalone issues with a greater storyline. That’s created an interesting read that has been enjoyable on multiple levels and shows it’s something that can be achieved.
The issue has two main storylines. The first involves Batman going against the Riddler. Gotham has been turned into a giant crossword puzzle and only Batman can play the game to solve it. It’s a great battle of the minds really switching things up on the last few issues which have highlight Batman’s other aspects like his physical ability or combat skills. It’s a nice story where intelligence is raised above brawn when it comes to Batman, but, there’s some punching elsewhere.
There’s so many great moments in this segment from Riddler getting increasingly frustrated to Batman showing off just how smart he is by solving the answers. Deathstroke provides some humor to the story as well and has me wanting a team-up where the two are on the same side.
The second half of the comic features Catwoman and Harley Quinn going after the Underbroker to get some money but they run up against the much anticipated character Punchline, Joker’s new partner. We get the expected fight and it’s all interesting but the hype makes it feel a bit like a letdown. Punchline just doesn’t stand out yet as a character and feels like a generic fighter with knives who has a little clown makeup on. Hopefully we get more of something but so far the character doesn’t feel like she quite fits in to the Joker’s insanity.
The art by Guillem March is top notch. With color by Tomeu Morey and lettering by Clayton Cowles, there’s pages that’ll have you linger. Batman in the Bat -train looks amazing and the opening with the Penguin, the character has rarely looked better. The Riddler has gone from a goof to terrifying in design. It’s just a fantastic match of writer and artists.
Batman #92 is a fantastic balance by providing a story that can be enjoyed on its own and tying into the bigger story-arc. It entertains with lots of action, some humor, and thrilling moments. Batman #92 leaves the fighting to others and focuses on the intelligence of Batman as he battles a nemesis. It’s a nice change from previous issues. Tynion is nailing it on his run and this only makes the upcoming “The Joker War” even more anticipated.
Story: James Tynion IV Art: Guillem March
Color: Tomeu Morey Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – TFAW – Zeus Comics
Batman #93 goes on sale June 23 but we’ve got an early look at the eagerly anticipated issue. The Designer finally crosses swords (literally) with Batman as he reveals his grand plan for Gotham’s worst criminals to finally take control of the city! And if that’s not enough, this must-have issue features the showdown that every comic book fan has been waiting for, as Punchline squares off against Harley Quinn!
Batman faces off with the Designer as “Their Dark Designs” nears its epic climax! In the last year, Batman has lost more than he could have imagined, and now he faces a cost so dear it will change the course of his life. And there is worse on the horizon. Amid all the horror, he can feel the drumbeat of battle. “The Joker War” is coming, and Gotham City will never be the same!
Batman #93, “Their Dark Designs,” Part 8, is by writer James Tynion IV, artists Guillem March and Javier Fernandez, and colors by Tomeu Morey and David Baron. It features a main cover by Tony S. Daniel and Tomeu Morey and a “Harley Quinn variant” by Francesco Mattina.
Check out these interior pages featuring awesome art by Guillem March and Javi Fernandez, and don’t miss this issue when it hits comic book stores and participating digital retailers on Tuesday, June 23!
Momentum keeps building as Batman heads to “The Joker War,” and “Their Dark Designs” hits its penultimate chapter with April’s Batman #93, featuring major revelations on the Designer’s plan!
Batman #93, featuring the shocking end to the initial encounter between Punchline and Harley Quinn, is from the creative team of writer James Tynion IV and artists Guillem March, Javier Fernandez, Tomeu Morey, and David Baron. And that fight is truly shocking! DC has a first look at just how exacting Punchline can be with her blades.
And it’s more than Punchline punching and Harley Quinn pounding back! Batman faces off with the Designer as “Their Dark Designs” reaches its epic climax! In the last year, Batman has lost more than he could have imagined, and now he faces a cost so dear it will change the course of his life. And there is worse on the horizon. In the midst of all the horror, he can feel the drumbeat of battle. “The Joker War” is coming, and Gotham City will never be the same.
Batman #93, on-sale April 15, has a main cover by Tony S. Daniel and an open-order variant cover by Francesco Mattina. DC has also added a Batman #93 variant cover spotlighting Jorge Jimenez‘s art of the Designer, the central antagonist of “Their Dark Designs.”
Ahead of “Joker War” launching in Batman #95 on May 20, tensions are rising in Gotham City! To give readers a hint at the epic showdown in the pages of Batman #93 and 94, fan-favorite cover artist Francesco Mattina’s variant covers featuring Harley Quinn (on Batman #93) and Punchline (on Batman #94) have been revealed!
The final two chapters of “Their Dark Designs” by James Tynion IV and Guillem March, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles will arrive in shops Apr 15 and May 6, and will feature a cutthroat confrontation between the Clown Princess of Crime and the Joker’s new Second-in-Command, who has already propelled sellouts and social media buzz!
Meanwhile, Batman faces off with the Designer without Alfred (R.I.P.) or Bat-Family to lean on. In these thrilling issues putting a spotlight on the chaos in the Dark Knight’s life, he stands alone against the ascendance of his greatest adversary!
“Joker War” is coming, and Gotham City will never be the same!
Batman #90 has sold out ahead of its March 4 on-sale date and is rushing back to press for a second printing! This marks the second straight pre-on sale sellout for the series, following Punchline’s debut in Batman #89.
Batman #90 Second Printing reprints part five of “Their Dark Designs,” written by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Jorge Jimenez and Tomeu Morey. This issue is a special flashback to the early days of the Designer’s plan and will arrive in stores with a recolored version of its original cover by Jimenez.
Batman #90 shows how the Designer started pulling the strings of Gotham City’s greatest criminal minds: The Joker, Catwoman, the Riddler, and Penguin. Along with Jimenez’s take on the classic versions of those villains, the issue also includes the artist’s depictions of modern-day Batman and Catwoman, plus Harley Quinn.
