Batman: The Dark Knight #23.4 - The Meat & the Marrow

I hated this comic too. I hated Ann Nocenti's Catwoman issues (Don't think I read more than 2 or 1 1/2.) One of the things I hate about her writing is that she tends to mention everything going around in the world with the character or whatever the character is doing. For e.g. Catwoman would usually say, "Oh, now I'm moving on the roof slowly which is made of purple colored brick & would easily be able to take my weight if I take one step at a time with my purple boots..." etc. This comic suffers from that too. Other than that, everything else was bad as well. Maybe the art was the only thing that was alright.

what a dump of a comic and a writer

as I was reading this I kept wondering why it was so horrible...I knew that most of the Villains Month books were written by no names so I wasn't expecting to find it written by anyone I knew...then I saw that it was continued in Catwoman and I knew that such crap could only have been written by Nocenti

It had me at the underwater cat in the carrier bag...

I have a suggestion for you fellow readers. If you want to save your money only for the good comics, but do still want to see how crappy this issue was without wasting a dime, just download it as a torrent. I'm not saying to do so for all the comics, but if you're really that undecided about this comic......then...

@herx: lol I saw the melted cover too, whoever did that's hilarious considering how much this is going for. I read it in the store and it sucked I'm shocked its such high demand

You guys clearly didn't include boob factor . . . In 3-D! Five stars for cover boobs.

Haha. I do my best.

@crazyscarecrow: Yeah.

More importantly the Monk has actual abilities that make him a serious threat.

This messed up bimbo on the other hand is just a normal person that the writer thought would somehow magically be a villain. Because the only qualification for "super villain" is having a bad childhood and a razor. Done. 5 minute villains by Ann Nocenti now available, just add a sliiiiiim connection to a more well known character (Joker) and watch all the suckers buy the comic.

A broken bike is more threatening than this waste of ink.

As for the Clock King, yeah I could deffo see him against Green Arrow. Ollie needs more classic villains and the Clock King is a good challenge with some unique skills.

Definately one of the worst comics ive ever read

lol don't worry. Your response is sufficient and clearly given thought :)

That's good enough for me.

True, I understand your point. I'm just saying that I have a lot of respect for the New 52. I agree that there are a lot of issues with it. And believe me, I know there are a lot of problems. But...there are a lot of good things that have come with it. Green Lantern changed NOT AT ALL except for some aspects of certain stories (i.e. Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, etc. being dead for Blackest Night and stuff) so there's that. Batman was only changed a little bit.

I really wish that there was a way to somehow extend the time from 5 years (6 years for Batman and a few others) to like 10 years.

I really love what James Robinson did with Earth-2 (and I'm hoping that Taylor doesn't ruin it).

I'm sorry, I'm just rambling now. That's not really a cohesive response to your response, but I'm doing my best. It's been a long day. xD

What the f*** is wrong with some people.

Wow. Now I never cared about this character when DC announced her and I deffinantly don't get the hype for this issue (geez, $50-$130 on ebay? And one copy with a melted 3d cover selling for $17.50?) I just avoided it and went for ocean msster, bane, croc, the secret society and black adam. And I'm glad I didnt pick this issue up.

@comicfan11: I totally forgot about the Monk. With New 52 they could've made him a major villain for the Dark Knight. He has only been around since 1939. I think he deserves some stardom.

Clock King should be with Green Arrow. Clock King is often a GA villain which I think Ollie needs more of.

I think them bringing back Joker's Daughter would've been good if she was still from Earth 3. They brought that Earth back anyway and making a big deal about it. Why not have a character from that Earth stay on this Earth? Also I feel like this version could've worked with a better writer.

I agree that there are a few that I enjoy (Batman by SS,or Green Arrow,etc) but in general I hate it. It is nothing compared to the old universe. Just a disapppointment in every respect. The only good thing I can say about it is that I like some of the books. But the emotional investment in the characters is gone....hell,every thing about the old universe is gone. This is almost like....like some sort of empty shell that can't fit the shoes.

I mean,near the end the old universe had it's faults too,but I feel that nothing that couldn't be fixed.

I do agree,also Superman Unchained and there are some (although very few) revisions of characters I enjoy,but in general,I hate it. It's nothing compared to the old universe.

hear hear!!

villians month has been terrible

dont believe any have been worth while

I have been following you guys for years and I have never seen a one star review. Hell half the reviews you give each week are five stars, so you know this issue had to suck. (I read it and yes it did, really really sucked)

What's funny is my LCS sold out of the 3D covers for this very quickly. Figured this would be trash though. At least villains month is over.

Man this was a weird book. I do not know what editor thought it was a good idea in the world we live in of kids cutting themselves that we would make a character that mutilates herself and others to "free" them.

Now I just feel bad for Ann Nocenti I mean DC get her a writing partner or a better hands on editor do not just let someone fail.

Wow!
glad i didnt pick it up. I was almost about to pick this over scarlet spider

Glad I didnt waste my bat-bucks on this, never liked pre-new 52 duela dent either

I honestly didnt think it was that bad i am nto upset at spending a few dollars on it

I think it's pretty funny that possibly the worst book of the month is worth the most, I guess that goes to illustrate that quality does not equal dollar value, seriously this book is hitting $50 on eBay already!

I disagree. Green Lantern (and all it's supporting books. Except maybe Larfleeze which I haven't checked out yet) is still holding strong (even without Johns, Tomasi, and Mahnke). The Synder/Capullo Batman series is phenomenal every month. I know the changes can be frustrating sometimes, but I still thoroughly enjoy Justice League Dark and Justice League each month. Sure there are issues I have with it. Namely Wally West, Donna Troy, Stephanie Brown, etc. showing no signs of life (except for in Dan Didio's Christmas Facebook post evidently). I think that overall, I don't mind it. Looking back, do I wish they hadn't done this permanently and just had this be a parallel world? Sure! I really want that Judd Winick and Aaron Lopresti Justice League International chasing down Max Lord story! But shit happens and that's the way life works and the point of my rambling is: I like the New 52. It has a lot of problems, but really...what doesn't?

This. Heck they could also use more obscure villains like the Mad Monk (who is actually a threat to Batman and not some messed up bimbo with no skills whatsoever). Or the Wraith, or KGBeast, or Clock King or any other character that can actually do something and has an interesting back story.

Just compare the Monk (immortal vampire cult leader) with...this thing (random messed up civilian).

Furthermore why is this character even named the "Joker's Daughter"?

She has nearly nothing to do with the Joker whatsoever (apart from the mother of all coincidences with Joker's Face).

I guess by that logic Scavenger and his men who found Atlantean weaponry after Throne of Atlantis are all "Ocean Master's Sons". Heck they are at least trained mercs with high tech gear.

How are we even supposed to care about a villain who is not believable as a villain in the first place?

Why does this character even exist and wastes pages that could be used for an actual villain and not some random person that is not believable as a threat at all.

This alongside the Lobo and Creeper take the cake for worst Villains Month issues.

Sounds like this was an issue that could have been spent on something more interesting. Like the Secret Society (which I hear was all about the Outsider), Dr. Psycho, Brother Blood, Dr. Destiny, Felix Faust or one of those Cold Flame people Constantine cant seem to get away from.

HA, knew it! Bring back Duela Dent!

I tried giving her a chance but it was terrible. It hurts to think people actually spent the normal amount nevermind the jacked up prices.

There has been so much hype for this issue and yet, I can't help but wonder where it came from in the first place. My first impression of Joker's Daughter was, "That's horrible."

I feel sorry for the people overpaying for this on ebay.

Ann Nocenti needs to leave DC and never ever come back.

You know what would be interesting to see? Ann Nocenti and Rob Liefeld co-writing a book together with Liefeld doing the art. Then we could finally see the worst comic book ever written.

Totally agreed. This issue was garbage.

To be fair, The New 52 has had some pretty good stuff like Aquaman and Flash and Scott Snyder's run on Batman and Superman.

Um, This is a new child ? Not the one that died in TKJ? Hope New52 didn't retcon that...

Either way my response: "WAAAHT?"

Wow. Is villains month this much disappointing? so few reviews. lol.

God Damn it I gotta pick this up for a friend and I cant hold a comic without reading it... God Damn.

@g_man This may just be my favorite review of yours. Love that you called it how it was and did not pull any punches.

Glad I didn't spend the $50 every comic book store in town was charging for this.

Hopefully, Jackanapes the gorilla will make his triumphant return during Forever Evil and put an end to her, lol.

God I can't wait for villains month to be over. But I am really excited for Forever Evil #2

No. Although the funny thing about the Anarky being the Joker's son storyline is that the issue where Lonnie is revealed to not be the Joker's son was written by Alan Grant but never sent off to be drawn by DC editorial.

This concept always seemed rather grotesque on its face. Pun very much intended. Never really had any interest checking this out, now I know not to.

lol of course it was going be bad! lol.

Why oh why does DC keep Ann Nocenti around?

I'm not downing her past work, cuz I've heard from fans that her Daredevil was actually pretty good, but she's obviously not on her game at the moment.

Its funny for the people who payed $49 on ebay for this 3D issue just to have it suck hardcore.

This one's a stinker.

this was one of the worst one shots i have ever read it really sucks

After reading this review, I am SO glad I decided against getting this.

This comic was pure garbage!