Batman: Arkham Knights, Vol. 1 by Peter J. Tomasi

Genre: Superhero Comics

Series: Batman: Arkham Knights

Publisher: DC Comics (July 14, 2015)

Length:144 pages

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Now calling the case of Batman: Arkham Knights, and whether it is worth reading or not.

OPENING STATEMENT: In this prequel to the video game of the same name, it has finally happened: Batman has killed the Joker! The Clown Prince of Crime having crossed a line that even the Dark Knight cannot overlook. The death has resulted in Arkham City (North Gotham’s Arkham Asylum) being locked down tight, but there is no time for Bats to recuperate from his physical and emotional injuries, because the Joker has left a posthumous surpise for Gotham City!

ARGUMENT #1 (OR WHY THIS IS GREAT!): This comic collection has it all: action, humor, vibrant art, a cool video game tie in, and great villains (Joker might be dead, but he still manages to put in an appearance!)

ARGUMENT #2 (OR WHY THIS ISN’T GREAT.):The story jumps around a lot, so much so that it seems you need a more than passing familiarity with the video games to fully appreciate the plot. A plot that really is nothing more than the standard Bat tale of our hero trying to thwart a villain from unleashing destruction on Gotham; something that seems to happen every other day. And during it all, Harley Quinn kisses the Penguin, which was really beneath her.  (You can do better than that, girl!)

CLOSING STATEMENT: This is an entertaining Bat story. Sure, you might appreciate it more if you are already a fan of the video games, but your unfamiliarity with them won’t keep you from understanding what is going on and being amused by it all. Honestly, this comic collection is a must read merely because of Joker’s video will. I mean, the scenes of (arguably) Bats greatest villain leaving him and Gotham a gift is too twisted not to cherish.

I received this book from DC Comics and Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.

Buy the book at Amazon.