Batman Eternal: Volume 1 (The New 52)

by James Tynion IV

Other authorsDustin Nguyen (Illustrator), Riccardo Burchielli (Illustrator), Dave Stewart (Colourist), Andy Clarke (Illustrator), John Layman (Author), Tim Seeley (Author), Brad Anderson (Colourist), Ray Fawkes (Author), Scott Snyder (Author), Blond (Colourist), Guy Major (Colourist)24 more, John Kalisz (Colourist), Rob Leigh (Letterer), Dave McCaig (Colourist), Jeromy Cox (Colourist), Trevor McCarthy (Illustrator), Derek Fridolfs (Illustrator), Nick J. Napolitano (Letterer), Steve Wands (Letterer), Kyle Higgins (Author), Chris Conroy (Editor), Guillem March (Illustrator), Tomeu Morey (Colourist), Dezi Sienty (Letterer), Mikel Janin (Illustrator), Guillermo Ortego (Illustrator), Katie Kubert (Editor), Carlos M. Mangual (Letterer), Jason Fabok (Illustrator), Jason Fabok (Cover artist), Taylor Esposito (Letterer), Emanuel Simeoni (Illustrator), Ian Bertram (Illustrator), Matt Humphreys (Editor), Dave Wielgosz (Editor)
Paperback, 2014

Tags

fiction, DCU, Batman, comic, graphic novel, action, super heroes, framed, vigilantism, corruption, The New 52, Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne (DC), James Gordon, James Gordon Jr., Barbara Gordon, Jason Todd, Batwoman (Kate Kane), Harvey Bullock, Maggie Sawyer (DC), Julia Pennyworth Perry (DC)
, Jason Bard (DC), Jack Forbes (DC), Arthur Brown (Cluemaster (DC)), Professor Pyg (DC), Catwoman, The Spectre, Sebastian Hady (DC), Alexander Sartorius (Doctor Phosphorus (DC)), Joseph Blackfire (DC), Carmine Falcone, Vicki Vale (DC), Harper Row (Bluebird (DC)), Cullen Row (DC), Lucius Fox (DC), Lucas Fox (Batwing (DC)), Tim Drake, Mahreen Zaheer (DC), The Penguin, The Joker, Nancy Strode (DC), Warren Spacey (DC), Arkham Asylum, Stephanie Brown (DC), Ted Carson (Firefly (DC)), Lyle Bolton (Lock-Up (DC)), Imperceptible Man (DC), Mister Combustible (DC), Mister Mosaic (DC), Phillip Cobb (Signalman (DC)), Lincoln March (DC), Crystal Brown (DC), Aaron Helzinger (Amygdala (DC)), Agatha Zorbatos (DC), Elliot Caldwell (Wrath (DC)), Ignatius Ogilvy (Emperor Penguin), Gotham Gazette, Jim Craddock (Gentleman Ghost (DC)), Duela Dent (Joker's Daughter (DC)), Tiger Shark, Otto Kruft (Fishnet (DC)), Lark (DC), Batman Inc., Crazy Shy Lolita Canary, Jiro Osamu (Mister Unknown / Batman of Japan (DC)), Ghost Dragons (DC gang), crime, Santiago Vargas (Gaucho (DC)), Tristessa Delicias (Scorpiana (DC)), Starfire (DC), Lois Lane, Rex Calabrese (Leo Leone the Lion (DC)), The Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Margaret Pye (Magpie (DC)), Philip Reardon (Ten-Eyed Man (DC)), Martin Ware (Mister Bygone (DC)), Achilles Milo (Technomancer (DC)), Maxie Zeus (DC), Sergei Alexandrov (DC), Simon Ecks (Doctor Double X (DC)), estranged child, Thaddeus Volt (DC), Marcus Row (DC), Jade McKillen (DC), Thomas Elliot (DC), Zachary Gate (The Architect (DC)), Jose Fernandez (Doctor Falsario (DC)), DC's Batman Eternal, butler

Description

In the wake of Forever Evil, the world looks at heroes in a different light, creating tension between Batman and his allies and the Gotham City Police Department. When a gang war breaks out and new villains arise, it's up to the Dark Knight, Batgirl, and others to turn the tide as best as they can-but will the GCPD be a help or a hindrance?

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2014-12-02

Physical description

480 p.; 10.18 inches

Publication

DC Comics (2014), Edition: 1st Printing, 480 pages

Pages

480

ISBN

1401251730 / 9781401251734

Local notes

Set after Dick Grayson's outing and apparent death in "Forever Evil".
Collects issues #1 through 21 of "Batman Eternal", a one-year weekly ongoing title established to mark the character's 75th anniversary. The title covers the current timeline in Gotham as published during the other Batman titles arcs set in the past during 'Zero Year'. This means that the chronology of Snyder/Tynion's run is 1. Zero Year, 2. City of Owls, 3. Death of the Family and Requiem, 4. BATMAN ETERNAL, 5. Endgame, 6. Batman & Robin Eternal / Super Heavy.
Additionally, the ongoing "Batman Incpororated" happened concurrently to the beginning of the run and ended right before Requiem.

This volume also includes the introduction and origin of Stephanie Brown as The Spoiler in The New 52's revamped continuity, as well as reintroducing a (living) Carmine "The Roman" Falcone to the DCU. It also shows the first reappearances of Hush since "House of Hush" and of The Architect since "Gates of Gotham".

Library's rating

Library's review

This book starts out very strong indeed, with James Gordon inadvertently causing the deaths of over a hundred civilians, and the ensuing trial making up the main throughline for the rest of the book. The selfless heroism of Gordon is always one of the more potent emotional wells of the extended
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Batman mythos, and this is no exception. His stalwart insistence to face justice, and the effect it has on his friends and allies, make for compelling reading.

Unfortunately, the later parts of the book falter a bit. There is a completely inorganic and out of place feeling subplot with heavy supernatural and science fiction elements that detracts from the cohesive feel of the story whenever it appears. And some of the twists and resolutions later on feel a bit overly easy. But overall, this stayed a strong read from beginning to end, and I'm eagerly noting down yet another win for Snyder and Tynion in my Batman consumption. Will definitely be reading the rest of this run.
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Rating

½ (34 ratings; 3.7)

User reviews

LibraryThing member ssimon2000
Wow!

I wonder what the brainstorming sessions were when the writers and story-boarders were developing this complex storyline. Unusual and little-known characters showing up, driving the story into seemingly random directions. It's really fascinating!
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