Comic Vine Review

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All-Star Batman #1 - My Own Worst Enemy Part 1; The Cursed Wheel Part 1

5

Scott Snyder returns and teams up with John Romita Jr to bring a new load of misery upon Batman.

The moment many of have been waiting for is here. Scott Snyder is back writing Batman. You'll notice right away, this isn't a simple continuation of the previous Batman volume. Snyder is now working with different artists and aside from the art, there's a big change in the vibe of the book.

It seems Batman has gotten himself into a bit of trouble. Deciding to take Two-Face to an undisclosed location in order to put a stop to his diabolical plans, Two-Face threw a big monkey wrench into the plan. Batman is now the most wanted man in the state because of the offer Two-Face put out. We're used to seeing Batman take on crazy threats and odds; this is a case where he truly doesn't know what to expect. He'll be facing danger around every corner. It won't be the same as fighting his normal enemies.

John Romita Jr's pencils and Danny Miki's inks with Dean White's colors capture the energy in this new environment Batman is now fighting in. There's a level of grittiness as Batman is forced to take different means to try to deal with Harvey Dent. He won't be able to rely on his normal toys and gadgets. Snyder is giving us a new take on Two-Face and the art team is showing how creepy and dangerous he can be.

If that wasn't enough, there's an eight-page back up also written by Snyder with pencils and inks by Declan Shalvey and color by Jordie Bellaire. It's a great look at Duke Thomas and how he got to be in his current position.

All Star Batman may be another series with the Caped Crusader written by Scott Snyder, but it's definitely not the same Batman book you read before. Snyder is giving us a new take on Two-Face as well as placing Batman in a situation that just might be out of his comfort zone. Batman is usually prepared for anything, but he'll have his hands full trying to complete this mission. John Romita Jr's art and Dean White's colors look fantastic and nicely capture the vibe of the story. To make things even better, we get a cool back up with art by Declan Shalvey and color by Jordie Bellaire. This book is continuing the new trend in the Batman Rebirth titles by having a different flavor to it. Each title feels separate and makes the reading experience more exciting. All Star Batman is off to a great start, and you'll be on the edge of your seat waiting for the next chapter.

60 Comments

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NightFang3

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Scott Snyder most really hate Alfred, he puts the old guy through so much.

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jsphsmth

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Tynion, King AND Snyder. It is truly a great time to be a Batfan.

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Vitacura

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Scott Snyder most really hate Alfred, he puts the old guy through so much.

He likes torture Alfred, but he really, really hates Robin

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SpiderAidan

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@nightfang3: He tortures Alfred but Scott Synder hates horse

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apokos7

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Edited By apokos7

Great issue, really enjoyed it. Excited to see where it goes next. Good to have Scott Snyder back.

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the_stegman

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the_stegman  Moderator

Yes to Snyder. No to Romita Jr.

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Wandering_Wand

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Definitely hit the ground running on this one. Promising to be an awesome series.

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bighero6

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The writing is A1 but the art may make me drop this.

It's rotating artists. Romita won't be permanent.

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NightFang3

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@spideraidan said:

@nightfang3: He tortures Alfred but Scott Synder hates horse

Hasn't he laid off of hurting horses since Death of the Family?

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xblah_blahx

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The writing and story was excellent. But man oh man, that art is just plain terrible.

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dondave

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Edited By dondave

I loved the art, this was Romita's best work in years.

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wrucebayne

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Edited By wrucebayne

All worth it for the glorious Batwink.

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OptimucCrime

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I haven't read it yet but the quality of the paper is amazing.

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wowlock

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Are they really gonna make Alfred BETRAY BRUCE ? After all this, just for Two-Face's blackmail ?

And Batman winking... I don't know if this is the main-universe Batman or a similar but a diffrent one ? O.o

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chaos911

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@wowlock: C'mom man, use spoiler blocks for those who haven't read it. I read it, but still

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casper4690

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@wowlock: yeah the batwinking was funny xD . It's great because it shows the differences between the current batman writers . Tom kings batman resembles a wiser, calculatory, distant , knowledgeable batman . I picture him resembling that of the batman or JL animated series, more serious deameanor .

While Snyder's batman is more heavy in monologue, and seems more talkative and has a slight hint of a sense of humour. I don't mind the contrast and both writers know how to write their batman. Tynions batman in detective comic's seems more family orientated and accepting towards his peers, since it's a team book . As someone stated above , it's a great time to be a batman fan.

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deactivated-5d2b83d5a0d79

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@dondave said:

I loved the art, this was Romita's best work in years.

Yeah

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Maddpanda531

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Overall, I think this was a really fun issue. I've always enjoyed Snyder's take on the Caped Crusader and I'm glad he's sticking around for Rebirth. Looking forward to seeing where this story goes.

Still don't get why Duke Thomas is a thing, though. He still hasn't done anything. It feels like everytime he shows up, he just stands around while people talk about how great he is. I'd much rather they just had Damian act as Batman's partner again, like he should be.

Also really not a fan of the excessive $4.99 price point. Hope that doesn't continue

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TheKinfing

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All worth it for the glorious Batwink.

Don't forget the Bat-Saw!

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Carnivius

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I really enjoyed it. One of my fave comics in weeks. I've always had a soft spot for Romita Jr's art from way back in Spider-Man and loved it here. Gives that new Batsuit a nice solid chunky feel I really like. :)

Also Batman with a chainsaw is something I never knew I wanted to see until it happened here. :P

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Elpizo

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While the art was not amazing, I really enjoyed this issue. In Snyder I trust

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ILostTheKey

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Edited By ILostTheKey

@dondave said:

I loved the art, this was Romita's best work in years.

I felt the same

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ILostTheKey

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Overall, I think this was a really fun issue. I've always enjoyed Snyder's take on the Caped Crusader and I'm glad he's sticking around for Rebirth. Looking forward to seeing where this story goes.

Still don't get why Duke Thomas is a thing, though. He still hasn't done anything. It feels like everytime he shows up, he just stands around while people talk about how great he is. I'd much rather they just had Damian act as Batman's partner again, like he should be.

Also really not a fan of the excessive $4.99 price point. Hope that doesn't continue

I agree on Duke, but it was an oversized issue so I understand the price being what it is.

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Klark_Cent099

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it was ok....the art ruined it for me

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Eto

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Edited By Eto

@apokos7 said:

Great issue, really enjoyed it. Excited to see where it goes next. Good to have Scott Snyder back.

Yeah man! It's on its way to The Netherlands, I can't wait. Damn, I have to wait till monday :(

I hope I'll be satified with both story and art.

I'll also read RHATO, was the issue good though?

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owie

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owie  Moderator

I thought this was really solid. I'm surprised to find that I may be reading two Batman series, with the Tom King one also good. I thought Romita's protrayal of Two Face was great. The splash page of him in the corn was really impressive, great color work on that too. I also liked all the bumbling villains. And it was a lot of fun to see Batman in the corn. A road trip should be a lot of fun.

The backup story wasn't as interesting.

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apokos7

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@eto: Red Hood and the Outlaws was fine, quite enjoyable. I found the Rebirth special issue to be a little better though. Still a solid read.

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Maddpanda531

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@ilostthekey: Yeah, I know, I just don't like the idea of an ongoing comic where every issue is $5, especially when the rest of DC's line is significantly cheaper. Plus, Snyder said he'll be doing "oversized" issues that'll cost even more.

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RedHood1047

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@eto: rhato shows lots of promise. Please buy it, I need Jason Todd in my life

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Mrfuzzynutz

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The 'Food for Thought' line, The Bat-Chainsaw, The Bat-Wink and the Bat Fist Bump, were all epic

but I almost tapped out with Romita's opening page and designs of Firefly and Killer Moth, that was a bit to much of what is bad about Jr's work, but he settled in nicely for the rest of the book

I was looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint at all

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Eto

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Eto

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@eto: rhato shows lots of promise. Please buy it, I need Jason Todd in my life

I'm supporting the title! I mean, Jason is my favorite character after Batman.
I can't wait to read it. Hope Lobdell will keep this up :)

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Ezekael

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Never liked Romita's art, kinda killed it for me. I'll wait this one out, if it ends up getting a lot of accolades I'll check it out in trade.

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RustyShackleford

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I love Snyder's work on Batman! I liked Romita Jr. in the past, but I felt like it was a bit of a weird combo here. I would've given it a 4 out of 5 just because of that. Not saying the art was bad, but perhaps a bad fit. The part I was most interested in was the idea about training presented in the back up. I was really intrigued with that and to learn more about that system. I think it's really cool that the artists will be cycled in and out. I think there's some incredible talent coming down the line.

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Gotham331

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Love Snyder's writing. Not a fan of Romita's art. It's like a great MC with a mediocre DJ.

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TheMantisShrimp

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Curious if anyone remembers or knows what happened to two-face after the Batman and Robin arc (briefly named Batman and Two-Face on the cover) he was in. The arc ended with two face shooting shooting himself in the head, although it was somewhat off panel.

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apokos7

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@themantisshrimp: I was wondering whether they were going to address that too. On the one hand it could disrupt the story's momentum but on the other hand it could ground it into continuity while also validating Tomasi's story as important. And that would be amazing since Tomasi is a great writer and his run on Batman and Robin was great. Just a small nod would be nice.

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DD208

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I guess i'm the only one who thinks the art was better than the story. Romita's anatomy may not be as good as others but his page layout is still top notch. And Jock's cover was the best of the bunch.

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jim158

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Art was average. The back story needs to develop a bit more to make it comprehensive.

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TheMantisShrimp

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@apokos7: Yeah, I kinda don't care that Snyder didn't say anything but at the same time why would editorial allow Tomasi to end that arc the way he did if they weren't going to make sure it was referenced when the character returned.

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DD208

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Curious if anyone remembers or knows what happened to two-face after the Batman and Robin arc (briefly named Batman and Two-Face on the cover) he was in. The arc ended with two face shooting shooting himself in the head, although it was somewhat off panel.

I thought this series was supposed to be stand alone, non-continuity.

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ArtisticNeedham

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how is this take, I haven't read, different? And dangerous?

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jsphsmth

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@dd208: No, this series is in continuity. They have been trying hard to make that point on all the interviews and panels involving this series.

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jim158

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@apokos7: I thought the Red Hood book was great pencils. Story was also great. That was my first Red Hood comic and I'm pretty sure I'm hooked.

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jim158

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@jsphsmth: @apokos7: If all of these Batman titles are in continuity that will make for some awesome reading.

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mad_maxx

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Edited By mad_maxx

It took me a minute to get behind the story and dialogue. Half way through I really got behind where this is going. The $4.99 tag is kinda of bummer. But I plan to stick with it at the moment. The ink and colors for this first issue were superb in my opinion. It's a great time to be a batfan!

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Fiafico

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Edited By Fiafico

This was awesome. I'm intrigued in what Alfred betrayal it's going to mean and about Romita Jr's art i have always had mixed feelings about his art I think I'm on board whit the results in here.

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jb681131

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Wait ! What !? Scott Snyder is still writting a Batman Comics after is awfull New 52 run !

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