drew1013's review against another edition
4.0
Where the last volume had Batman acting totally unlike himself in fundamental ways, this volume has him acting unlike himself in more acceptable ways. Lovey-dovey, saccarine, middle school dialogue is painful at times, but there are some sweet moments in this one that move us forward toward the wedding between Batman and Catwoman, even if the tone is slightly off throughout.
Catwoman fights the ex (Talia), Superman and Lois Lane go on a double date to a carnival with Bats and Cats, and there’s a sappy future issue that feels a bit out of place, showing what will (can?) happen later in the timeline between Bruce and Selina when they’re old. There’s also a flashback issue to their early days, telling how they came to, em, understand one another.
Overall, pretty good. Again, I have to kind of rail on the dialogue and how the two of them sound like what a teenager would imagine two people in love sound like (pet names repeated ad nauseum, saying “I love you” at the most ridiculous times, etc)
I’ll share my favorite moment from the book, during the double date. In order to get into the carnival, the couples have to dress up as superheroes. But instead of dressing as expected, Bruce wears Superman’s suit and vice versa. Lois is Catwoman, and Selina is in a tight dress (she gets into the carnival about how you’d expect her to). So, they go through the tunnel of love and here come Supes and Lois, dressed as the other two, saying how nice it was. A moment passes, and here comes Selina-as-Lois riding on top of Bruce, still making out after the ride is over.
So Batman is still acting strange (see: dialogue), but there’s kind of an out for writer Tom King: maybe Bats seems different because... he’s happy? Or getting there, at least.
I’m sure it’ll all be fine. Right? Yeah, totally.
Catwoman fights the ex (Talia), Superman and Lois Lane go on a double date to a carnival with Bats and Cats, and there’s a sappy future issue that feels a bit out of place, showing what will (can?) happen later in the timeline between Bruce and Selina when they’re old. There’s also a flashback issue to their early days, telling how they came to, em, understand one another.
Overall, pretty good. Again, I have to kind of rail on the dialogue and how the two of them sound like what a teenager would imagine two people in love sound like (pet names repeated ad nauseum, saying “I love you” at the most ridiculous times, etc)
I’ll share my favorite moment from the book, during the double date. In order to get into the carnival, the couples have to dress up as superheroes. But instead of dressing as expected, Bruce wears Superman’s suit and vice versa. Lois is Catwoman, and Selina is in a tight dress (she gets into the carnival about how you’d expect her to). So, they go through the tunnel of love and here come Supes and Lois, dressed as the other two, saying how nice it was. A moment passes, and here comes Selina-as-Lois riding on top of Bruce, still making out after the ride is over.
So Batman is still acting strange (see: dialogue), but there’s kind of an out for writer Tom King: maybe Bats seems different because... he’s happy? Or getting there, at least.
I’m sure it’ll all be fine. Right? Yeah, totally.
jenniferlynnkrohn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sodope's review against another edition
5.0
The rules of engagement: Batman and Catwoman will go rescue the girl that killed lotta people, so they can engage with no worries, the problem is that the girl is at Thania Al Ghul's territory
Super friends : Lois Lane wants to meet Selina Kyle before she marries Bruce, funny adventure between Bats, Cat, Sups and Lois
Some of these days: Cute story of Selina's and Bruce's future
Super friends : Lois Lane wants to meet Selina Kyle before she marries Bruce, funny adventure between Bats, Cat, Sups and Lois
Some of these days: Cute story of Selina's and Bruce's future
cleheny's review against another edition
2.0
This is about 2.75 stars for me. I'm finding myself increasingly annoyed by certain aspects of King's writing, even as I really like other parts.
The first arc, The Rules of Engagement, find Batman and Catwoman journeying to Khadym, a fictional haven for all sorts of bad people, and one that no one may enter, per the rules created by Batman and the Justice League. But rules are for people other than Batman and Catwoman, so off they go. I'm not sure what kind of tone King was trying to strike in the first part. It opens with Catwoman shooting a foundering horse (because they're travelling over 12 hours in a desert), and then she and Batman exchanging endearments. I don't know if this was an attempt at humor, but it came off as unbelievably callous.
I really dislike the tendency of Batman writers (and fans) to fetishize Batman--the human who can beat anyone because he's so brilliant and well-prepared. In the world in which Batman lives, that's simply impossible. The only plausible explanation is that he is superhumanly intelligent. But that explanation can't be permitted because it would make him a metahuman, which defeats the concept of why Batman is impressive.
I had thought King less likely to fall into that trap, but not only does he have Batman do something that no one else (even the Martian Manhunter) can do, Catwoman suddenly becomes the most amazing fighter ever. No one can stop her, and the course of her swordfight with Talia is ridiculous.
I am becoming a bit tired of King's narrative device of having characters mirror each other's dialogue. The 2-part Superfriends story gets at some of the tension between Batman and Superman, as well as their admiration for each other. But almost the entirety of the first issue is Catwoman and Batman, and Lois and Superman, having parallel conversations. I think it's supposed to be revelatory, but it comes off as contrived.
What continues to make King's run worth the read are the character moments. Whether it's another great scene with Bruce's sons learning about his mission and engagement, Dick supporting Damian, or Bruce and Clark and Lois and Selina bonding, the connections between the characters feel real. And there's a fantastic moment where Bruce and Clark team up to take down a mugger--this is who these guys are and it shows how well they work together and complement each other.
The first arc, The Rules of Engagement, find Batman and Catwoman journeying to Khadym, a fictional haven for all sorts of bad people, and one that no one may enter, per the rules created by Batman and the Justice League. But rules are for people other than Batman and Catwoman, so off they go. I'm not sure what kind of tone King was trying to strike in the first part. It opens with Catwoman shooting a foundering horse (because they're travelling over 12 hours in a desert), and then she and Batman exchanging endearments. I don't know if this was an attempt at humor, but it came off as unbelievably callous.
I really dislike the tendency of Batman writers (and fans) to fetishize Batman--the human who can beat anyone because he's so brilliant and well-prepared. In the world in which Batman lives, that's simply impossible. The only plausible explanation is that he is superhumanly intelligent. But that explanation can't be permitted because it would make him a metahuman, which defeats the concept of why Batman is impressive.
I had thought King less likely to fall into that trap, but not only does he have Batman do something that no one else (even the Martian Manhunter) can do
Spoiler
(hit a pitch from Superman and knock it out of the park)Spoiler
Throughout the fight, Talia narrates how incredibly well-trained and proficient she is--and it's clear that this isn't ego-maniacal ranting. Yet Catwoman doesn't simply hold her own--she beats her, all the while saying that she (Catwoman) has only picked up a sword 3-4 times (including this one). It would be fine if Catwoman beat Talia using her other skills--her agility, speed, willingness to fight in an "underhanded" fashion--but the resolution of this fight is just a way to make Batman seem more awesome through the reflected glory of his awesome fiancee.I am becoming a bit tired of King's narrative device of having characters mirror each other's dialogue. The 2-part Superfriends story gets at some of the tension between Batman and Superman, as well as their admiration for each other. But almost the entirety of the first issue is Catwoman and Batman, and Lois and Superman, having parallel conversations. I think it's supposed to be revelatory, but it comes off as contrived.
What continues to make King's run worth the read are the character moments. Whether it's another great scene with Bruce's sons learning about his mission and engagement, Dick supporting Damian, or Bruce and Clark and Lois and Selina bonding, the connections between the characters feel real. And there's a fantastic moment where Bruce and Clark team up to take down a mugger--this is who these guys are and it shows how well they work together and complement each other.
pavram's review against another edition
4.0
Originalna subverzija i pozitivni anti-klimaks; kad je retko, retko je. Zdravo je videti superheroje kao, ne čak ni heroje, nego samo ljude sa, eto, malčice ekstremnijim hobijima.
4+
4+
19lindsey89's review against another edition
4.0
This volume made me laugh out loud several times. I enjoyed that the focus wasn't on taking down a big bad villain. It was about Bruce and focusing on him as a person.
I loved the issues where Superman was hurt that Batman didn't call him to tell him about the engagement. The dynamic of these larger-than-life men unable to talk about their feelings was excellent.
But I could not figure out why Catwoman was meowing. ALL. THE. TIME.
I loved the issues where Superman was hurt that Batman didn't call him to tell him about the engagement. The dynamic of these larger-than-life men unable to talk about their feelings was excellent.
But I could not figure out why Catwoman was meowing. ALL. THE. TIME.
stewreads's review against another edition
4.0
Bitchin’! Batman’s banging broads before bashing baddies, basically beyond bemoaning Bane’s back-breaking battle. Bye bye brooding bachelor Bruce; baseball batting badass Bruce’s better.
angelwolf45's review against another edition
3.0
It was ok.
It was an ok read.
I enjoyed this book it was interesting but still just ok.
It was an ok read.
I enjoyed this book it was interesting but still just ok.
nathanaeljs's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this volume almost unreservedly. It has so many things I like, the Batman/Catwoman pairing, the Batkids sibling bickering, Dick being a great older brother to Damien (easily my favorite Batkid duo), and superheroes actually being friends and talking to each other and doing normal human being things. People who like their Batcomics plotty will probably hate this volume and gripe about fan service or whatever, but I don't care. It is delightful.