joshgauthier's review against another edition
4.0
The continuation of King's storyline in this volume is excellent. Though less developed than some of the previous arcs--due mainly to length--it continues stretching Batman to the edges of his capability and morality in the face of unyielding challenges and even greater trauma. The writing is strong and the excellent art has some dramatic moments of storytelling as well--all leading to a dramatic twist that I did not expect and am not certain what to think of--though I am curious to see how it plays out.
The following shorter stories from other writers are fine--though art and writing did not stand out to me much either.
However, the final arc focusing on Alfred's role in Batman's life proved to be surprisingly touching--well written and providing an emotional counterpoint to King's work with the series. Overall, the start and the end of the volume are notably strong and carry the briefer interludes that lie in between.
The following shorter stories from other writers are fine--though art and writing did not stand out to me much either.
However, the final arc focusing on Alfred's role in Batman's life proved to be surprisingly touching--well written and providing an emotional counterpoint to King's work with the series. Overall, the start and the end of the volume are notably strong and carry the briefer interludes that lie in between.
all4spite's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
3.0
Annual #3 is a five-star issue to me, and I need to write that somewhere because I can't let it skew the rating. Outside of that this is still pretty meh.
georgezakka's review against another edition
3.0
There had to be another Tom king Batman volume that was down, nothing is perfect.
The tyrant wing - the tyrant wing is composed of three stories, one being the tyrant wing which was only 3 issues which was about penguin confessing to Batman that name was running Arkham, Batman: secret files which was full of a bunch of short stories, and Batman: annual #3 which focused on Alfred.
My thoughts - the tyrant wing wasn’t the best story wise but I really liked the last issue where Batman goes to Arkham to confront bane and I like how I get a lot of daredevil Netflix vibes from it. Batman secret files was pretty boring, the short stories didn’t have special art and no interesting stories, the only good one was one with detective chimp. Batman annual 3 was the best part of the book because you see the struggle of Alfred and the stress he goes through. I don’t recommend you buy this.
Overall meh book.
The tyrant wing - the tyrant wing is composed of three stories, one being the tyrant wing which was only 3 issues which was about penguin confessing to Batman that name was running Arkham, Batman: secret files which was full of a bunch of short stories, and Batman: annual #3 which focused on Alfred.
My thoughts - the tyrant wing wasn’t the best story wise but I really liked the last issue where Batman goes to Arkham to confront bane and I like how I get a lot of daredevil Netflix vibes from it. Batman secret files was pretty boring, the short stories didn’t have special art and no interesting stories, the only good one was one with detective chimp. Batman annual 3 was the best part of the book because you see the struggle of Alfred and the stress he goes through. I don’t recommend you buy this.
Overall meh book.
carlbruce1979's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
garthranzz's review against another edition
3.0
The first half of this arc, easily four stars. But the last half knocked a full star off. Great cliff hanger at the end of the third issue but spending the next three in a series of dreams was too much. I trust King to pull this up but it feels like an unneeded extension just to get another trade out of the title.
rhyno0401's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
drew1013's review against another edition
4.0
What a tease! There’s a HUGE reveal halfway through the book and then the other half cuts away to unconnected short little stories. I feel a little cheated with this trade, but I’m also really intrigued by this reveal, especially in the hands of Tom King.
roseblight's review against another edition
4.0
If I could give this a 4.5/5 I would, it's very nearly perfect. The Batman Secret Files #1 drags the whole volume down a bit, being an anthology it's quality is mixed. Everything else was fantastic.
sodope's review against another edition
4.0
Main plot was pretty okay, Penguin seems to be working for Bane as Batman goes nuts trying to catch him. He goes all the way across Gotham kicking ass trying to find if it's true that Bane runs Arkham; but no one gives him the reason.
Secret Files was meh, and annual #3 is pretty lovely, it remarks the importance of Alfred not just as Bruce's right hand, but as a father.
Secret Files was meh, and annual #3 is pretty lovely, it remarks the importance of Alfred not just as Bruce's right hand, but as a father.