For anyone out there who has ever wanted to root for a bad guy who eviscerates someone as he asks them “What walks on four feet in the morning, two in the afternoon and three at night?”*…have I got a book for you.Forget Adam West’s biff-sock-pows; this incarnation of Batman makes even Frank Miller’s grimmest and grittiest look like the Muppet Babies (though, in Miller’s version, I have zero doubt that Gonzo would have an uncontrollable fetish for those white-and-green striped socks N [...]

The Joker’s lost his sense of humour and he’d kill to get it back - specifically Batman but also anyone standing in his way. Like The Riddler, whose ego won’t allow anyone else to take down Batman but him. And so the two go head to head in all-out war on the Gotham streets, roping in every villain in town in Batman, Volume 4: The War of Jokes and Riddles. I’ve been surprisingly enjoying Tom King’s Batman run a lot though I’ve also been waiting to see how long it’ll be before he wri [...]

If you asked me to name top 5 villains of Batman both Joker AND Riddler would be on my list. While Joker is insane and his unpredictable tactics make him interesting, Riddler cold calculated, overbearing personality makes him almost as equally interesting. Put them together and at each other throats? Now thatat sounds like a book made for me. The story starts with Bruce speaking with Selina and telling her what happen years ago. When Joker couldn't laugh anymore and Riddler couldn't solve the pu [...]

FINALLY! Finally, a solid, well-done solo Rebirth Batman story! I was not a fan of the first three volumes in this series, but this one really made up for it. Tom King has had some great ideas in this series but until now, they've all been fumbled by messy storytelling. This one was concise and compelling, I'd love to see them make a movie out of it!Bruce has recently proposed to Catwoman but before she answers, in an effort for her to really know the man he is, he wants to confess during a bout [...]

Tom King is firing on all cylinders with The War of Jokes and Riddles. An incredibly tense, emotional and downright scary story of a mob war between two of Batman's greatest villains, the Joker and the Riddler. I could get a bit nitpicky and say that not every story beat here works well, but damn, the overall result is still incredible, reaching Zero Year levels of impact. Speaking of which, in my opinion Tom King has already surpassed Scott Snyder as the Batman writer, and if his run keeps goin [...]

The Joker and Riddler go to war. We just see windows into the war instead of the war as a whole. While there were parts of this I liked (Kite Man, surprisingly), there was a lot that didn't ring true. For one, all of these villains picking a side. There are way too many egos involved for villains such as Two Face and the Penguin to willingly work for someone else. King's writing is often unclear. For a long time in this I was unsure if this was supposed to be a flashback or in current time. The [...]

Pretty good! So The War of Jokes and Riddles has been a pretty good batman arc that's been happening low key while Snyder is doing his METAL story. I think overall I liked this one! So the story is Batman telling Catwoman the story of The War of Jokes and Riddles, which is basically in the same vein as The Long Halloween I feel, where its this year long story, with Batman's entire rogues gallery. In the story, Joker cannot laugh, he doesn't find anything funny anymore; then a war breaks out betw [...]

You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.With unique charisma and a never-before seen story, writer Tom King, alongside artists Mikel Janín, June Chung and Clay Mann, resuscitate the hopes of fans with what will probably go down as one of the most intriguing wars that the Dark Knight and Gotham have ever faced.Taking place after the events of the New 52’s Zero Year, The War of Jokes and Riddles tosses two of the most unpredictable villains in a pursuit of happiness. Narrated by Bruc [...]

I've read a lot of Batman throughout my life. There's been plenty I've had to muscle thru, but also a lot I couldn't put down. This was the latter. You've done it, Tom King, you've made me fall in love with your Batman. An even greater compliment is that this style of story also doesn't fit with my typical preference. *SPOILER* I'm not big on the entire rogues gallery appearing throughout a single storyline. It usually just feels like the writers attempt at a summer blockbuster on paper - a reas [...]

When it comes to Tom Kings Batman run so far i only read Vol 1 I am Gotham.And i wasn't that impressed by it, i thought it was good and entertaining story.I read a couple of issues after that before i got bored and the only reason i came back to read this story was because of issue 24 to find out the answer to the question that was set up.My major complaint when it comes to tom kings writing is that his narration can be a little annoying.Especially when describing a character that's not going to [...]

I really loved the characterizations of the Joker and the Riddler in this book. They came across as very dangerous and mysterious figures. Also, it explores Batman's insecurities, and a dark secret that he must tell Catwoman before she responds to his proposal. Oh, and we get Catwoman's answer in this volume. Without giving any spoilers, I can say that this book sets up an very interesting future for this series.

I'm not following this Rebirth title. Actually, I'm not following any of the Rebirth titles, but I watched this review of The War of Jokes and Riddles on Youtube the other week and the dude did a good job of convincing me to check it out. So I went out and picked up the run. I liked the covers and the art immediately worked for me, all 8 issues have some AWESOME 2-page spreads that make for spectacular eye candy!Tom King was the other thing that sold me. I am currently enjoying his Mister Miracl [...]

You can definitely say that Batman has the greatest rogues gallery in comics for many reasons. Each villain is so distinctive that there have been many stories about these characters that even steal the spotlight away from the Dark Knight, which was a curse during the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher cinematic era. Although there is a section of the audience that would suggest that the villains are the only interesting element in the Bat-mythos — something that the TV series Gotham seems to suggest [...]

I think King wanted this to be over the top epic, but it just read as really average for me. I mean how much can you really draw out a story centered on two villains pitted against each other before it gets old. Especially the whole dinner scene that was really meh.

This is the best Batman comic I've ever read in all my life, and the illustrations are perfect for the story.Questo é in assoluto il miglior numero di Batman che io abbia mai letto e le illustrazioni sono perfette per raccontare questa storiaANKS TO EDELWEISS FOR THE PREVIEW!

Really good that is hurt by a choppy issue 3 and 4.World: The art is great, this is the Joker I love, the Riddler that is interesting to me and the splash pages are so good. The art is subtle and brings so much emotions to the story without a single word bubble (just look at Joker when he's thinking). The world building is also fantastic, pulling in the past of the characters and building towards the new status quo of Batman in the Rebirth universe. The pieces that King plays with and the Rogues [...]

Tom King is a fantastic writer and while he is doing good work with Batman you can't help but feel he could be doing something original. The conflict is interesting and anything with the joker involved is worth the time to read. My only complaint is the arc, as it doesn't have anything epic to add to the Batman world. The artwork is top notch and has that new 52 vibe. King is clearly heading into the realm of one of the memorable writers, but I feel the talents are wasted on Batman.

A fun story of Gotham's past, and a war between the Joker and the (dark and gritty) nu52 Riddler. It offers a great view of how demented Gotham can be, and even if the Riddler claims that not all stories are about Bats, this story definitely is. It's a good look into Bruce's psyche, something that's been continually the case in King's Batman.

This was my very first Batman graphic novel. Prior to this, my only knowledge of Batman is through the movies ( I know.d, but true). Even though this is Vol. 4, I still really enjoyed it despite not knowing some of the back stories between some of the characters.The artwork is just incredible. I can't say this enough!

Malo sam nakaradno uskočio u ovog novog Betmena, ali ovo nije bilo loše - svakako je čudno (i originalno) te i vredi videti Džokera kako se mršti. Samo pobogu zašto Ridler izgleda kao žigolo? 3+

I think the main problem is that I have quite a specific view of the Riddler, and have problems with how this portrays him. For one thing, he's too muscular! For another I can't see him walking around woth his shirt unbuttoned. For another his actions just read as slightly off to me?Ah well, at least we'll always have Bane!

This has to be one of the all time best Batman stories I have ever read. And in most ways, it's not even a Batman story. The focus is more on the Riddler and the Joker. And that, in my opinion, is all for the good. Not that I don't like Batman, but this was a refreshing change of focus by expanding the world in which Batman lives.Tom King's story had me from the first page. I haven't read such a captivating superhero comic in a long time and everything from the story, to the art, to the dialog, [...]

This was so close to being 4 stars for me. It starts off beautifully, pitting the Riddler and Joker against each other, redefining each of them for Rebirth, with Batman in basically what is Year 2. However, some of the execution felt uneven with the flow and plot seeming disjointed at times. There are some excellent scenes of intimidation and fear and some truly heartfelt moments when King creates an new origin for Kite Man. While the overall reason for telling the story is about Batman, most of [...]

3,75 Está bien, no le puedes poner muchas pegas, pero tampoco llega con toda la fuerza que quiere llegar a esa ultima pagina. Bien, pero no me ha emocionado, cosa que en el tejado anteriormente, si lo hizo.

I had eagerly grabbed Vol. 4: The War of Jokes and Riddles at my library once it hit the new release shelf -- it had been about four months since I had read the previous books. I was curious to see status of Bruce and Selina after some of the prior developments, if nothing else.Well, in the first ten pages (view spoiler)[a police detective is graphically slashed to death in an interrogation room, then a police officer is shot in the back and an innocent bystander is gunned down for witnessing th [...]

I really didn’t enjoy the last volume, I am Bane, and I was starting to wonder if Tom King wasn’t really all that. With this volume, my worries are greatly allayed. Really dark, super atmospheric art, and great storytelling. At first I was confused until I realized it was a flashback, but that’s a minor point. Really great takes on the joker and the riddler that make them King’s own. Can’t wait for the next volume to see what happens, it’s at the end of the flashback, and with Batman [...]

Nothing in King's run on Batman ever matters. Remember when Bane got his back broken, but he was fine the next issue? Or when Bane broke into the bat cave hanged three robins, but no one died? So in this volume we are treated to more things that look "cool" but will once again never matter. Riddler shot in a fatal manner? Don't worry he will be back with the worst scar in all of comics. Riddler and joker fight a dumb war because that would be cool and they bring all the bad guys ever. Batman is [...]

Kings philosophy on what makes a war between joker and Riddler interesting is apparentlyhaving conversations, skipping over anything interesting they're doing tactically in the war, having unbelievable dinners with Bruce Wayne, and randomly assigning the villains to each side.Plus doesn't Two face know who Batman is? Why is he just standing there going along with Bruce's plan at the dinner?Boring interludesI'm out at part 4, having read 6 issues (including interludes)This is just a mess, pretent [...]

The War of Jokes and Riddles brings the Rebirth era of Batman to a crucial turning point.In the present day, Bruce Wayne recounts a harrowing chapter of his early days as Batman. A critically depressed Joker and a manic Riddler wind up on a collision course over which of them has the right to kill Batman. The adversaries force Gotham City’s colorful array of villains to pick sides, sparking a brutal war with horrifying collateral damage. Batman tries to stop the bloodshed using both his person [...]

I read the entirety of Scott Snyder's and Greg Capullo's Batman in just 5 days. It was an experience that was beyond words and I honestly felt that if one were to lay all the art, action and plot aside; they truly brought something new to the character. I won't go into it a lot, but suffice it to say that it was a completely new translation of the concept of Batman in the 21st century and I was glad to have read it. I was also equally sad when it ended and Tom King took over.Right off the bat, i [...]