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Batman #16 - Castle of Cards; Judgement Review

5

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Batman is getting closer to finding out what the next part of Joker's crazy scheme is. You might not be prepared for what Batman finds out.

The Good

I have been enjoying the various Death of the Family tie ins but as much as I love the Joker as a villain, we've been getting too much. That isn't a knock against any of the individual issues but we're getting Joker-overload. At least that's how I was feeling until I read this issue. It's been said before once or twice before but Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo make a superb team. You'll remember last issue left off with Batman entering Arkham Asylum to see what Joker was doing there. From the very first page you get a scene of the perverse nature of his twisted mind.

Once again, we get an opening narrative from Batman as the events unfold. We are so used to seeing Batman charge into the fire and that's part of what makes many forget he is a non-super-powered hero. It's a little disturbing in a way to hear a brief bit of concern over Alfred but, at the same time, it'd be a disservice to their relationship if Bruce didn't have the slightest concern over his safety.

Whether it's swollen lips or toes, Capullo makes you feel the grotesque nature of what is going on through his art. How many times have we seen Arkham Asylum in comics? It's Capullo's art along with Jonathan Glapion's inks and FCO Plascencia's colors that make it a memorable visit. It's hard not to gush over this series month after month but we truly are lucky to have such an amazing and talented team working on all aspects of the books.

It is interesting to note that Batman may have been negligent over the state of Arkham. It's always been a curious part of the Batman comics for me. There have been arguments whether or not Batman enjoys hunting down the criminals he locks up when they constantly escape. Obviously that can't be the case but something more should be done. Batman has been busy with the Court of Owls and Joker's recent attacks elsewhere. I just couldn't help but wonder when the last time he visited the place. The result is a creepy and eerie backdrop to the story.

The build up of the story is a fun ride. Snyder and Capullo throw some truly bizarre visuals are way as Batman works his way through Arkham in search of Joker. It's such an insane scenario. How Batman can remain so calm is a true testament to how focused and dedicated he is to being Batman. We all know that Joker's mind is a dark and twisted place but seeing what's on display here is almost disturbing.

There's a two-page spread here that is a sight to see. Joker is looking nastier and nastier.

The Bad

Batman punches a horse. But maybe he did it with such precision and in just the right spot as to not injure it.

There's a little jump between the events of the main story and the back up. Of course because we have art by two different artists (Capullo and Jock), there's bound to be different interpretations of the characters present. It's just unfortunate that there wasn't a little tighter continuity from one page to the next.

The Verdict

We're getting a lot of Joker stories though out this Death of the Family event. This is where we get to see how twisted and ruthless Joker really is. Luring Batman to Arkham Asylum is the perfect setting for what may be the final act in his crazy scheme. It's not often you feel sorry or tired for Batman. That's the feeling you get here. Scott Snyder sets up a disturbing scenario and environment and Capullo, Glapion and Plascencia do an extraordinary job of creating the visuals for it all. You almost have to wonder who is more twisted, Joker or the creators for being able to come up with the all the visuals. BATMAN is always a comic I like to read several times. I always read it at least twice before writing up the review and then pick it up again later. You just can't get enough. We know each issue won't result in the end for Batman but because of the dark tones of the story, you can't help but actually get a little worried for all involved. Part of me doesn't want to know what's going to happen next issue but of course there's no way anything or anyone could stop me from reading it.

79 Comments
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Posted by doordoor123

Okay.

Posted by sheldipez

The comic that everyone should be buying every month.

Posted by TheCheeseStabber

Batman punches a horse. But maybe he did it with such precision and in just the right spot as to not injure it.

That was the first thing I read when I returned to the site after being sick....

Posted by G_Money_Christmas

Gah! I want to read this review so much, but I don't want to know anything about what might be happening in the next issue!

Posted by dboy4dashing

Trying hard to not read!

Edited by MuyJingo

The gushing over the team each month is getting a bit annoying. You are essentially saying the books are flawless, which is definitely not true.

As much as I normally like your reviews, it seems this books always gets an instant 5, whatever problems it may have.

Edited by NightFang

@TheCheeseStabber said:

Batman punches a horse. But maybe he did it with such precision and in just the right spot as to not injure it.

That was the first thing I read when I returned to the site after being sick....

Glad you're feeling better and if Batman could punch a shark than a horse shouldn't be a problem.

Posted by RedQueen

As usual I'll be picking this up. The fact that the story takes place in Arkham Asylum is an added bonus. Always love it when it's incorporated into stories.

Posted by G-Man

@MuyJingo: Keep in mind, we don't have half stars. A five star doesn't mean it's an absolute perfect/instant classic. It means it's a kick ass comic that I enjoyed the hell out of when reading. So keep that in mind. 5 is great, 4 really good, 3 okay, 2 not so good, 1 what the heck? Plus, each review has a bunch of words explaining. In no time have I ever used the word 'flawless.' You can see there's even something written in the "BAD" section. It's important to actually read our reviews and not just focus on the rating.

Staff
Edited by MuyJingo

@G-Man said:

@MuyJingo: Keep in mind, we don't have half stars. A five star doesn't mean it's an absolute perfect/instant classic. It means it's a kick ass comic that I enjoyed the hell out of when reading. So keep that in mind. 5 is great, 4 really good, 3 okay, 2 not so good, 1 what the heck? Plus, each review has a bunch of words explaining. In no time have I ever used the word 'flawless.' You can see there's even something written in the "BAD" section. It's important to actually read our reviews and not just focus on the rating.

I did read the review, it's why I used the word gushing in my comment. I respect it as your personal opinion, I've just noticed a disconnect when the community will be mentioning problems and seeing it as more of a 3/4 star issue, but it never gets lower than 5 on here. You've given every single issue of Batman 5 stars, even when you've mentioned that it has had problems. So even when there are problems, it will still get 5 stars. But again, I get it's a person opinion.

Posted by TheCheeseStabber

@NightFang: Thanks I wonder how BatCow feels about it

Posted by StMichalofWilson

Batman can punch whoever he chooses, he's the Goddamn Batman!

Edited by G-Man

@MuyJingo: Well, I've had people jump on my case for the 'problems' I've sometimes mentioned in BATMAN comics. The one here, the change from the main story to the back up bothered me but each has great art in its own right. Is that enough to knock it down a star? I didn't think so. And YES, the main point of ANY review by ANYONE is it is a personal opinion. So you know I love Batman and great Batman stories. If I give something a 5, maybe it'd be a 4 or 4.5 in your opinion. I've also been clear about what I don't like in other comics. So over time, my likes and dislikes become evident and you can relate the review to your personal taste.

Edit: And I just noticed, iFanboy gave this a 5/5 and Newsarama gave this a 10/10, if that means anything. So maybe I'm not the only one 'gushing,' right?

Staff
Posted by MrShway88

@G-Man said:

@MuyJingo: Well, I've had people jump on my case for the 'problems' I've sometimes mentioned in BATMAN comics. The one here, the change from the main story to the back up bothered me but each has great art in its own right. Is that enough to knock it down a star? I didn't think so. And YES, the main point of ANY review by ANYONE is it is a personal opinion. So you know I love Batman and great Batman stories. If I give something a 5, maybe it'd be a 4 or 4.5 in your opinion. I've also been clear about what I don't like in other comics. So over time, my likes and dislikes become evident and you can relate the review to your personal taste.

Edit: And I just noticed, iFanboy gave this a 5/5 and Newsarama gave this a 10/10, if that means anything. So maybe I'm not the only one 'gushing,' right?

Burn!

Posted by MuyJingo

@G-Man said:

@MuyJingo: Well, I've had people jump on my case for the 'problems' I've sometimes mentioned in BATMAN comics. The one here, the change from the main story to the back up bothered me but each has great art in its own right. Is that enough to knock it down a star? I didn't think so. And YES, the main point of ANY review by ANYONE is it is a personal opinion. So you know I love Batman and great Batman stories. If I give something a 5, maybe it'd be a 4 or 4.5 in your opinion. I've also been clear about what I don't like in other comics. So over time, my likes and dislikes become evident and you can relate the review to your personal taste.

Edit: And I just noticed, iFanboy gave this a 5/5 and Newsarama gave this a 10/10, if that means anything. So maybe I'm not the only one 'gushing,' right?

You used the word gushing originally, not sure why you're putting it in quotes now. Maybe this issue really is that great. Other issues certainly haven't been, with other outlets giving some issues less than 4 stars. Yet you give every single issue, all 16 of them, 5 stars. It is a personal opinion, and that's fine. It just seems your not willing to criticize this comic or be as harsh with it as you are with other comics. I guess that's my point. All 16 Batman issues you gave 5 stars, not one of them had a problem that merited 4 stars. I guess I just find it hard to understand. I didn't mean to offend you and I'm sorry if I have.

Posted by JLDoom

@G_Money_Christmas said:

Gah! I want to read this review so much, but I don't want to know anything about what might be happening in the next issue!

I know right?

Posted by Zeeguy91

@MuyJingo: A book can have flaws, but still receive a 5-star rating. If you look at the Bad section of the review, Tony doesn't just say "nothing wrong here", he actually looks for flaws in the book. That's pretty much how all the reviews are on this site. They gauge on whether the good outweighed the bad and even books that garner 4 star of 5 star ratings have flaws. That doesn't mean that its still not a great book or that it doesn't deserve a 5/5.

Posted by darkwingdan

Great review here's a chink in the armor of the Batman #16 - CBR did not give it a "perfect score" of 5/5. A very disappointing rating of 4.5/5. *sarcasm*

I also just want to throw in my two cents on this whole "Batman got a 5/5" debacle. Reviews exist mainly to help people in deciding whether or not to pick up a title. And keep in mind, reviews are essentially one person's opinion about the quality of a comic, book, movie, song, whatever. The thing about opinions is that they differ from person to person. You shouldn't let one person's opinion invalidate your own. Someone may not think Batman is the greatest title out there. That's perfectly fine. But if you know that the site's reviewer of a title has consistently been positive (and that the rating scale means that a 5/5 means "great," not "flawless comic that deserves recognition among the pantheon of great comics such as ASM #121 or Batman #251"), should you really be surprised if the latest issue also gets a very favorable review? Complaining about a reviewer's opinion not matching up with your own is pretty childish.

Posted by G_Money_Christmas

On eBay, bidding on the black and white variant is starting at $80!

Posted by evilvegeta74

@MuyJingo: You make an interesing point! But the one thing I've noticed here ,is that if you go against anything Batman related, you are subject to becoming public enemy number one here, due to the excessive amount of Bat- Fanboyism/ Batman Fans. I admit I not the biggest Batman fan ,but the character has earned respect through time. I do find it almost impossibe to give a comic book, a 5/5 rating every issue 1- 16. That's G-Mans opinion and Irespect it as well as your opinion to the fullest, and appreciate the valid points you have made, you too G-man.

Posted by Cavemold

cant wait

Posted by MadeinBangladesh

THIS IS GONNA BE CRAZYYY CAN WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Green_Tea_Light

This issue even out yet - how can people be disagreeing with this review?!

Anyways - This will certainly be something I pick up!

Posted by alex6166

No matter what, I'm not getting spoiled on this issue before I have a chance to read it. You can't tempt me.

Posted by sinsear912

am i the only person that thinks this book is over rated?!

Posted by Weave16

Hey Don't worry, Is a massive hypocrite. He commands you understand his opinion whilst simultaneously disregarding yours. Also the dude is into censorship. He banned a friend of mine from posting because he expressed his own opinion regarding his review.

Posted by MuyJingo

@Zeeguy91:

@evilvegeta74:

I'm sorry if my comments are seen as an attack. Not my intention at all. I really do think it is ridiculous that all 16 issues have gotten a 5/5. It seems like G-Man is a lot more forgiving with Batman, far more than other books.

Let me point something out.

The review for Batman #8 got 5/5, the bad was that it was not noted how much time had passed since the last issue and in the review for Batman #12 the bad was that 2 different artists on one issue were inconsistent to the point it took him out of the Story. Still, it got 5 stars, with the community only giving it 4.0

Yet, Green Lantern #7 only got 4 stars, when the only bad thing was that it was the start of the arc so things were just building up. Surely that's something that would apply to the start of all arcs? The bad in Issue 8 was simply that too much new stuff was being given? Surely learning more about the changes is a good thing, yet here it was a negative. Green Lantern #11 also got only 4 stars, because there wasn't enough action?

I just used GL as a reference point because it's one of the main comics that come out each month. Maybe I just don't understand the review system, but when GL has flaws that the Batman comic shares it seems to lose a star, but the Batman comic doesn't.

Maybe the reviews are based more on enjoyment and not dissecting the story or art? I'm not sure. It might help to have more of an explanation sometimes. It's just odd that 16 issues of a comic all get 5 stars, when other comics seem to lose a star without really having criticisms, or having the same criticisms as a 5 star comic.

Nothing more to say, and I don't want to be seen as attacking so I will leave it at that.

Posted by mcbean

@darkwingdan: I totally agree

Posted by NightFang

@TheCheeseStabber said:

@NightFang: Thanks I wonder how BatCow feels about it

Forget about Bat-Cow and what about Bat-Cat or Bat-Dog, wheres PETA when you need them?

Edited by Teenage_Fansub

I dunno if there'll be a review of Batman and Robin, but I just read it and I think it made it very obvious what's on the plate for Bruce.

Don't unspoiler unless you're caught up, but to see if anyone else agrees, do we think it's... Robin's face?

Posted by frankcmu

So fantastic... The best reason to go digital is so you can read this early in the AM... I get my coffee open up my IPad and start my adventure... Very nicely done :D

Posted by TheCheeseStabber

@NightFang said:

@TheCheeseStabber said:

@NightFang: Thanks I wonder how BatCow feels about it

Forget about Bat-Cow and what about Bat-Cat or Bat-Dog, wheres PETA when you need them?

With Comet The SuperHorse getting his sexual harassment claims sorted with super girl

Posted by SeanFoster

@Teenage_Fansub said:

I dunno if there'll be a review of Batman and Robin, but I just read it and I think it made it very obvious what's on the plate for Bruce.

Don't unspoiler unless you're caught up, but to see if anyone else agrees, do we think it's... Robin's face?

I just read both issues, I think you're right. The cover of Batman 16 makes sense with that theory too.

Posted by Kesho_Ronin

my review for this comic and batgirl #16 and batman and robin #16 is just one word.

WOW

Posted by G-Man

@Weave16: Nice misinformation. I haven't banned anyone myself in years. Have you read the comments when I said I liked parts of AVENGERS VS X-MEN? We don't ban people when they don't agree with our opinions.

Staff
Edited by Kesho_Ronin

the best part of the comic is where joker breaks down two faces psyche

has anybody notices the FLY in this comic?

go to my profile to see some pictures from the comic that i cut out the text

Posted by BatWatch

I would like to have loved this issue, but I'm afraid it ended up just being average. It has a lot of awesome things going on with it, but it also has a lot of complete crap. I found over twenty errors with it. I mean, come on!

Also, who cares if Batman punched a horse. Who wouldn't punch a horse if their life depended on it?

The BatWatch Review is up.

@Kesho_Ronin said:

my review for this comic and batgirl #16 and batman and robin #16 is just one word.

WOW

There was really a lot of problems with it. Didn't you find any fault in it?

@Kesho_Ronin said:

the best part of the comic is where joker breaks down two faces psyche

has anybody notices the FLY in this comic?

go to my profile to see some pictures from the comic that i cut out the text

The flies are buzzing around because Joker's face is slowly rotting. Capullo mentioned it an interview. Kinda gross but cool.

Posted by KnightofSteel

Although I do find this story arc very decompressed I am enjoying Snyder's depiction of Joker. This issue really drove home the fact that the Joker is not only twisted unlike any other Gotham baddie but is always prepared and unpredictable. Much the same as his character in The Dark Knight movie -- many similarities in that fact.

Edited by Kesho_Ronin

@BatWatch:

i don't know,i kinda liked it.i like the mystery that scott has put in the comic.

yeah but there is a scene where fly shows behind batman and joker isn't even near him.now i know there are corpses but they put a lot effort to po the fly in almost every possible scene.i think it's some kind of a BATFLY :D but yeah it's probably just joker's face that stinks

Posted by Reignmaker

Just read this issue and it was AWESOME! 6 stars out of 5. Yeah, I typed that right.

Nerd rage is going to happen over this series because Batman gets a lot of love. People who b*tch about positive reviews are just jelly. Simple as that. Nothing to get worked up about.

Posted by SmashBrawler

I really, really liked this issue. It could even be my favorite one so far. Especially because it brought back elements from Snyder's writing that I had missed from his 'Tec days. Suspense, tension. Good stuff.

Posted by derf_jenkins

I hope I get more from this story than to see that Joker is crazy. I have known that for many years.

Edited by mcauburn
Posted by SmashBrawler

@mcauburn said:

Quick question;

SPOILER WARNING: Click here to reveal hidden content.
Does anyone know what the tapestry is refering to? I recognise the scene from when Jason Todd died, but I don't recognise the others. Joker holding a baby?

That's No Man's Land. Which doesn't make any sense considering the plot of Court of Owls, but whatever.

Posted by Weave16

Not really. His name is TDK_88. A part of your team have stopped him from making comments just because he criticized you on your review on New Avengers 1. Directly or indirectly you "employe" these people to moderate so the censorship is on you.

Posted by Ijan092

Scott Snyder has made the perefect presentation of a twisted and disturbing joker.... is working I am officially disturbed... did anyone else notice like there is some kid of reference of The Human Centipede?

Posted by Dark_Guyver

This issue.....wow!!! Best one so far in my opinion!

Posted by BIGALWILLIAMS

This issue is messed up-in a good way.Reminds me of some of the demented style of work Snyder did in the Black Mirror.

Posted by MuyJingo

@BatWatch: I read your review and you make some good points, but many of the errors you cite are not errors and can be easily explained away. This is one of the few issues that Snyder has done that is anywhere near the praise that people give.

Posted by maruko101

@Ijan092:My thoughts exactly! I remember Scott talking about this in an interview. He actually left the library while looking for visual references for this issue, so that people wouldn't see what he's doing on the screen and call the cops....

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