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Batman by Ed Brubaker #2
Batman By Ed Brubaker Vol. 2
BRUCE WAYNE IS A WANTED MAN.
Vesper Fairchild, former girlfriend of Bruce Wayne, has been found shot to death in Wayne Manor. Bruce—the police’s prime suspect—is immediately taken into custody, awaiting trial for murder. But how can Batman prove his alter ego’s innocence if he’s stuck behind bars?
As the case unfolds, Bruce Wayne’s life and reputation in Gotham are all but destroyed. Batman is left with a cling to his now-shattered civilian life as Bruce Wayne? Or abandon that name completely and embrace his other identity, living solely as Gotham’s Dark Knight?
Awarding-winning writer Ed Brubaker (GOTHAM CENTRAL, SLEEPER), along with artists Scott McDaniel (NIGHTWING) and Andy Owens (GREEN ARROW), make the Caped Crusader into Gotham’s most wanted fugitive!
Collects BATMAN #598-607.
Vesper Fairchild, former girlfriend of Bruce Wayne, has been found shot to death in Wayne Manor. Bruce—the police’s prime suspect—is immediately taken into custody, awaiting trial for murder. But how can Batman prove his alter ego’s innocence if he’s stuck behind bars?
As the case unfolds, Bruce Wayne’s life and reputation in Gotham are all but destroyed. Batman is left with a cling to his now-shattered civilian life as Bruce Wayne? Or abandon that name completely and embrace his other identity, living solely as Gotham’s Dark Knight?
Awarding-winning writer Ed Brubaker (GOTHAM CENTRAL, SLEEPER), along with artists Scott McDaniel (NIGHTWING) and Andy Owens (GREEN ARROW), make the Caped Crusader into Gotham’s most wanted fugitive!
Collects BATMAN #598-607.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2016
7 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Ed Brubaker
1,799 books3,031 followersEd Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. He was born at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 15, 2022
It's never a good thing when you're reading a DC book and you flip the page to the next issue and see a text page that begins "Previously". My next thought is always "Goddammit, another crossover where DC didn't collect all of the issues." A large portion of this takes place during the Bruce Wayne: Murderer / Fugitive storyline. I suggest reading that first before picking this up. That being said, there is enough of the story here to pick up the major points of what is going on. Brubaker's writing style hasn't fully developed here. It's not as gritty, he lets Scott McDaniel's art do the talking in a lot of places. But these are all solid Batman stories here and the last 3 issues are pretty great. Sean Phillips also does a fill in issue which is really solid. It's one of their hidden gems, early collaborations.
May 23, 2021
I'm not giving this 2 stars based on the writing, per se, though it's definitely hit and miss. This is just a classic poorly-constructed DC book no one should bother reading. Of all of the issues collected in this paperback, only one of them is a standalone story not directly connected to the "Bruce Wayne: Murderer/Fugitive" crossover storylines. There is just absolutely no reason to read this book. If you want to read this story, you should instead read the respective "Murderer" and "Fugitive" TPBs that DC also released.
Something about this feels almost calculated. The very first story in this stands completely on its own. So why not include it in Batman by Ed Brubaker Vol. 1, drop the whole "Vol. 1" part, and then just advertise within that book that people should read the next crossover storylines for more by the same writer? Cramming a bunch of single chapters of a story, without all the connective tissue, is just idiotic and a waste of time. It's insane to me how often DC commits this very sin, tricking you into going out and buying something else entirely to get the full story. For single issues this is fine, since you're just promoting crossovers, but to do it in trade paperbacks? What the hell is this? And why do they do it so often?
Anyway, the answer is money, but just be forewarned that this is not worth reading. Skip it!
Something about this feels almost calculated. The very first story in this stands completely on its own. So why not include it in Batman by Ed Brubaker Vol. 1, drop the whole "Vol. 1" part, and then just advertise within that book that people should read the next crossover storylines for more by the same writer? Cramming a bunch of single chapters of a story, without all the connective tissue, is just idiotic and a waste of time. It's insane to me how often DC commits this very sin, tricking you into going out and buying something else entirely to get the full story. For single issues this is fine, since you're just promoting crossovers, but to do it in trade paperbacks? What the hell is this? And why do they do it so often?
Anyway, the answer is money, but just be forewarned that this is not worth reading. Skip it!
November 21, 2016
A big chunk of this volume covers the Bruce Wayne: Murderer? / Bruce Wayne: Fugitive arc that crossed over several titles. You're not going to get every part of the story here, but you will see several of the key moments, including the conclusion and my favourite moment where Dick confronts Bruce over a decision he's made that deeply impacts the relationship between the two.
Scott McDaniel illustrates the majority of this book, in my mind he represents the early days of my exploration of Batman comics. And I'm still a big fan of his art.
As an added bonus to Brubaker fans, we get to see his long time collaborator Sean Phillips take his hand at illustrating Gotham for an issue. A particularly important issue at that.
While the majority of this book seems to focus on the overarching storyline, there are enough stand-alone tales to make this worth picking up even if you've already read the Fugitive/Murderer series.
Scott McDaniel illustrates the majority of this book, in my mind he represents the early days of my exploration of Batman comics. And I'm still a big fan of his art.
As an added bonus to Brubaker fans, we get to see his long time collaborator Sean Phillips take his hand at illustrating Gotham for an issue. A particularly important issue at that.
While the majority of this book seems to focus on the overarching storyline, there are enough stand-alone tales to make this worth picking up even if you've already read the Fugitive/Murderer series.
September 22, 2017
This is great stuff actually. Bruce Wayne has been framed for the murder f a loved one. Facing depression and the upswell of memories around his unresolved grief for the murder of his parents years before, he must fight himself before he can fight those responsible. Plenty of action and a bit of anguish to chew over, this is vintage stuff.
December 7, 2017
Excellent. Bruce Wayne is set up for a murder he didn't commit -- the murder of someone close. And it very nearly tears him apart by making him choose between Bruce Wayne and Batman. Which half is the real person? And how do those nearest him react? A really great Batman yarn.
March 20, 2017
3,5*
I liked this second volume much better than the first one.
My main complaint would be that most issues are part of the "Bruce Wayne murderer/fugitive" storyline and you only get Brubaker's issues. Ok, you can connect the dots if you've got half a brain but still, I hate it when they do that.
These are good stories, good managed tension, lots of action, some introspection for Batman but not as moaning as it was last volume. Solid Brubaker if not his best stuff by far (the guy's at its best on creator owned obviously).
The first issues, not related to this event, were less impressive. I knew who Nicodemus was the very second I saw him in civilian dress. So much for suspens!
Once again Scott McDaniel delivers but I'm still convinced he's better paired with Karl Story than Andy Owens on inks.
There's also two small pieces done and drawn in a 60's fashion I totally overlooked (this stuff bores me to hell I'm afraid) and an issue drawn by Sean Phillips (Yeah!) where the detective in charge of Thomas and Martha Wayne has a weird Richard Roundtree look to him. Over the years it seems like half G.C.P.D. has been lead investigator in a very large time frame!
All joke's apart, a good if not amazing volume, that can be read as a stand-alone.
I liked this second volume much better than the first one.
My main complaint would be that most issues are part of the "Bruce Wayne murderer/fugitive" storyline and you only get Brubaker's issues. Ok, you can connect the dots if you've got half a brain but still, I hate it when they do that.
These are good stories, good managed tension, lots of action, some introspection for Batman but not as moaning as it was last volume. Solid Brubaker if not his best stuff by far (the guy's at its best on creator owned obviously).
The first issues, not related to this event, were less impressive. I knew who Nicodemus was the very second I saw him in civilian dress. So much for suspens!
Once again Scott McDaniel delivers but I'm still convinced he's better paired with Karl Story than Andy Owens on inks.
There's also two small pieces done and drawn in a 60's fashion I totally overlooked (this stuff bores me to hell I'm afraid) and an issue drawn by Sean Phillips (Yeah!) where the detective in charge of Thomas and Martha Wayne has a weird Richard Roundtree look to him. Over the years it seems like half G.C.P.D. has been lead investigator in a very large time frame!
All joke's apart, a good if not amazing volume, that can be read as a stand-alone.
December 25, 2017
A large part of this book is from the Bruce Wayne: Fugitive event, which was one of the best Bat-eras ever. Rucka & Brubaker on Bat-books, plus Kelley Puckett on Batgirl. Good times. Some of this is largely overshadowed by how good Brubaker has become, but there are still a lot of good moments, and a standout single issue with Sean Phillips. McDaniel's art is a little too cartoony (sometimes looking lazy; I blame the production schedule of monthly comics) and rubbery; he tries to add a dynamic touch with some extreme angles and foreshortening a la Howard Porter, but isn't always able to pull it off. I forgot how "daddy issues" Fugitive was, but this was a fun re-read.
May 15, 2024
The writing and art are solid but the low rating comes from the fact that this collection is just a mismatch of two different DC events and the only issues here are the Brubaker ones. You will read "part one" of the event and then because it crossed over multiple titles the next issue in this collection is like "part seven" or something. I get trying to collect authors works but this really felt like it should be just a collection of everything in the events
November 30, 2024
I was surprised at how many people jumped up and told me that Brubaker was good. I’m convinced but now I have to hunt down the $100 Gotham Central Omnibus which I have seen but have no been able find at a better price!
But, I’m always glad to discover good writing paired with good art in comics!
If I’m not mistaken… Anne has had several good reviews of Brubaker’s ‘noir’ stories!
The first stories are very cool and dark as (you knew this was going to happen) some toughs in prison try to manhandle the sissy Bruce Wayne, but when the lights go out find out they’ve bitten off more than they could chew.
Actually Bruce Wayne then escapes prison, causing the Bat-Family to freak out, begging Bruce to let them help clear his name. But Batman disses them all. Seems he feels like ‘thank god I’ve shed that lame-ass secret identity! Now I can just be Batman all the time!’.
Parts of it don’t quite work. Like him and Nightwing getting into fist fight. I don’t have a lot of experience with ‘fathers’ but it just seems unlikely that you’re going to duke it out with yours.
The next story is a twister you couldn’t have foreseen.
And so the next afternoon, our heroes meet with Professor Nichols, a scientist who has helped them travel back in time on several occasions…
Yeah, well I’m pretty sure I’ve reviewed some of these crazy time-travel stories Batman used to get up to in the past, and the artistry pretty exactly matches those old-timey square jawed Batman tales.
Apparently Batman and Robin have never heard of the ‘Butterfly Effect’ because they have no problem changing time.
Following the discovery of a dime-store novel with ‘Tales of the Black Bat’ they go back in time to find a ‘conductor on the Underground Railroad’ and help him meet up with Harriet Tubman.
And Robin is still saying “Jeepers!”
Batman gives a little extra to his punch: ”That’s from President Lincoln!”
A very strange tale, but a fun look back at tales that would NEVER have been told at the time the art was done like that.
The next story - “Joker Tips His Hat!” Is obviously a homage to the Batgirl & Robin team ups that regularly occurred in Batman Family magazines. The FINALLY made an omnibus of those stories I remember with great fondness - I can’t wait till it comes up on my reading list! Mike Grell did a lot of the issues!
That’s was a fun story. Doesn’t advance the saga, but a blast anyway.
”For starters—let’s see you two kiss!
”Sorry.. Batgirl… can’t fight it…
”Me… either… Robin…
”Oh, leave it to a feminist-liberal to suggest that cities have karma… I suppose they get reincarnated, too, and Gotham was once Atlantis, right?”
”Always wondered what you did to that guy to make go that soft, though….”
“Held him upside down in front of an oncoming train.”
The Turning Point is an incredible story. I’m starting to connect the dots and I think Brubaker is a writer that Anne’s really fond of. I can see why.
Not fond of the artist that took over for Scott on this issue, but it isn’t bad work by any means.
Reasons is a great story with Batman trying to figure out who he really is, and Catwoman also trying to figure out who Batman is. Nice stuff.
I’m beginning to see why Anne likes Brubaker so much.
We don’t often get Batman stories where Bruce Wayne questions the validity and methods of being Batman. It’s very good.
So many have been sacrificed, for the sake. Of one man’s pride.”
It’s subtle, but its cool. Part of Nightwing and Batman’s relationship depends on Nightwing competing with Batman. Seeing if the son can out-due the father. Not in any resentful way, but it’s just their way of playing with each other. Of bonding.
Death-Wish For Two is a fun story. Cain has confessed to killing Vesper, making Bruce Wayne innocent. But Bruce Wayne still hasn’t come out of hiding.
Cain is being prosecuted but Batman knows that someone will try to kill him - if for no other reason than to gain a reputation. The one who has taken the contract is Deadshot, one of the top assassins (next to Cain!).
So Batman is trying to convince Cain to ‘lighten up’ and not be so hard on himself!
So, how do I save a man who wants to die?
I haven’t read much of Cain outside the origin story of Batgirl (Cassandra Cain). There might not even be more, but he’s pretty funny here.
”Good plan. I’d shoot me, too.”
”You know how much I HATE guns?”
Damn! That was good! I’m starting to connect that this may be the same Brubaker Anne is always going on about in “noir’ comics. I’m going to have to pick up some of this stuff….
5 stars and an easy keeper. And Scott McDaniels made Batman as cool as he made Nightwing!
But, I’m always glad to discover good writing paired with good art in comics!
If I’m not mistaken… Anne has had several good reviews of Brubaker’s ‘noir’ stories!
The first stories are very cool and dark as (you knew this was going to happen) some toughs in prison try to manhandle the sissy Bruce Wayne, but when the lights go out find out they’ve bitten off more than they could chew.
Actually Bruce Wayne then escapes prison, causing the Bat-Family to freak out, begging Bruce to let them help clear his name. But Batman disses them all. Seems he feels like ‘thank god I’ve shed that lame-ass secret identity! Now I can just be Batman all the time!’.
Parts of it don’t quite work. Like him and Nightwing getting into fist fight. I don’t have a lot of experience with ‘fathers’ but it just seems unlikely that you’re going to duke it out with yours.
The next story is a twister you couldn’t have foreseen.
And so the next afternoon, our heroes meet with Professor Nichols, a scientist who has helped them travel back in time on several occasions…
Yeah, well I’m pretty sure I’ve reviewed some of these crazy time-travel stories Batman used to get up to in the past, and the artistry pretty exactly matches those old-timey square jawed Batman tales.
Apparently Batman and Robin have never heard of the ‘Butterfly Effect’ because they have no problem changing time.
Following the discovery of a dime-store novel with ‘Tales of the Black Bat’ they go back in time to find a ‘conductor on the Underground Railroad’ and help him meet up with Harriet Tubman.
And Robin is still saying “Jeepers!”
Batman gives a little extra to his punch: ”That’s from President Lincoln!”
A very strange tale, but a fun look back at tales that would NEVER have been told at the time the art was done like that.
The next story - “Joker Tips His Hat!” Is obviously a homage to the Batgirl & Robin team ups that regularly occurred in Batman Family magazines. The FINALLY made an omnibus of those stories I remember with great fondness - I can’t wait till it comes up on my reading list! Mike Grell did a lot of the issues!
That’s was a fun story. Doesn’t advance the saga, but a blast anyway.
”For starters—let’s see you two kiss!
”Sorry.. Batgirl… can’t fight it…
”Me… either… Robin…
”Oh, leave it to a feminist-liberal to suggest that cities have karma… I suppose they get reincarnated, too, and Gotham was once Atlantis, right?”
”Always wondered what you did to that guy to make go that soft, though….”
“Held him upside down in front of an oncoming train.”
The Turning Point is an incredible story. I’m starting to connect the dots and I think Brubaker is a writer that Anne’s really fond of. I can see why.
Not fond of the artist that took over for Scott on this issue, but it isn’t bad work by any means.
Reasons is a great story with Batman trying to figure out who he really is, and Catwoman also trying to figure out who Batman is. Nice stuff.
I’m beginning to see why Anne likes Brubaker so much.
We don’t often get Batman stories where Bruce Wayne questions the validity and methods of being Batman. It’s very good.
So many have been sacrificed, for the sake. Of one man’s pride.”
It’s subtle, but its cool. Part of Nightwing and Batman’s relationship depends on Nightwing competing with Batman. Seeing if the son can out-due the father. Not in any resentful way, but it’s just their way of playing with each other. Of bonding.
Death-Wish For Two is a fun story. Cain has confessed to killing Vesper, making Bruce Wayne innocent. But Bruce Wayne still hasn’t come out of hiding.
Cain is being prosecuted but Batman knows that someone will try to kill him - if for no other reason than to gain a reputation. The one who has taken the contract is Deadshot, one of the top assassins (next to Cain!).
So Batman is trying to convince Cain to ‘lighten up’ and not be so hard on himself!
So, how do I save a man who wants to die?
I haven’t read much of Cain outside the origin story of Batgirl (Cassandra Cain). There might not even be more, but he’s pretty funny here.
”Good plan. I’d shoot me, too.”
”You know how much I HATE guns?”
Damn! That was good! I’m starting to connect that this may be the same Brubaker Anne is always going on about in “noir’ comics. I’m going to have to pick up some of this stuff….
5 stars and an easy keeper. And Scott McDaniels made Batman as cool as he made Nightwing!
December 9, 2019
4.5
I'm still surprised by how much I love Ed Brubaker's Batman. Brubaker is funny and sharp, and it comes right across in his Batman, who I love.
I actually didn't like Batman: Bruce Wayne, Murderer? and Batman: Bruce Wayne, Fugitive, Vol. 1 when I read it years ago. I also didn't like the cross-over issues I read in Batgirl Vol. 3: Point Blank, so I assumed I'd dislike Brubaker's issues too. I couldn't have been more wrong. (See, I'm still surprised by him!)
Brubaker's Batman takes this opportunity to strip himself of his Bruce Wayne identity (since Bruce Wayne is now a wanted fugitive and his public life is now no more, he gives himself over fully to being Batman for the first time in his adult life. He is devoted to Batman & is liberated by the singular identity.) and it. is. fascinating!
They think Bruce Wayne should be on his knees... Begging for mercy.
On his knees in an alley...
On his knees in his parents' blood...
...Always weak.
But right now, for these short sharp moments in this dark cell...
...There is no Bruce Wayne.
Ahhhh! So good!!
Dick Grayson/Nightwing: "...And you're just going to walk away from it? How can you do that?"
Batman: "Because there is no Bruce Wayne."
Dick: "What are you saying?"
Batman: "Bruce Wayne is a mask I wear, that I've been wearing since I was a child... But it's become a liability, so it's over."
Dick: "You can't... You can't mean that..."
Batman: "I do. Bruce Wayne and his troubles aren't my concern anymore."
Dick: "So, where does that leave us, then?"
Batman: "You have your jobs, do them."
Dick: "No. Us.. You and me... If there is no Bruce Wayne, then who is Dick Grayson the adopted son of? Who raised me? Can you answer that?
Batman: "I'm leaving now, and whatever is left of Bruce Wayne is saying up in that house..."
Wow, right?
So I shouldn't expect them to understand the sense of relief I have now...
Knowing that nothing stands between me and my work... my mission.
No face on the front page. No one to lock away in a cell.
No one forced to pretend the world is a better place.
Heavy stuff there, Batman.
The Turning Point is exactly that, a turning point for Batman. It's a fantastic issue with great art (by Sean Phillips). The detective who was on the Wayne murder case years ago now contacts Batman to take his unsolved case over for him. Batman is forced to confront Bruce Wayne again and the character development and writing are just top-notch.
And speaking of character development, can we give it up for a Batman who smiles when he saves two kids by plucking them out of the path of getaway car? (Just like his friend, Superman. :) btw)
And how about a Batman who gets called "boy scout" by Catwoman? ;)
And a Batman who's inner dialogue says "Ow..." when he gets shot in the chest?
Man, I love Brubaker's Batman.
I thought that in many ways Bruce Wayne died along with his parents...
And the mask I've shown the world all these years is the remnant of what that child was before that night.
But it's not true. My codes, the rules I live by --these ideals come from my father... From Thomas Wayne...
That's why I couldn't let even a killer like Tony Rulyanchik get shot.
Because he wouldn't have either. He believed in the sanctity of all life.
Ah, bless him.
Bruce/Batman then calls in all his Batkids (+ Alfred <3) to thank them and apologize for having been difficult these last few months.
(From Bruce Wayne, Murderer?/Bruce Wayne, Fugitive) The reasoning behind Cain's whole game was bleh, but Brubaker does a good job with the dialogue -enough to mask the bleh as much as he can.
The one imperfect blemish(s) on this volume are the two random "classic" issues stuck in the middle for some reason, Mystery of the Black Bat! and Joker Tips His Hat!.
I appreciate that they put this book together in chronological order of issue #, but they really should have either bumped those two to the end of the book, or left them out entirely.
I'm still surprised by how much I love Ed Brubaker's Batman. Brubaker is funny and sharp, and it comes right across in his Batman, who I love.
I actually didn't like Batman: Bruce Wayne, Murderer? and Batman: Bruce Wayne, Fugitive, Vol. 1 when I read it years ago. I also didn't like the cross-over issues I read in Batgirl Vol. 3: Point Blank, so I assumed I'd dislike Brubaker's issues too. I couldn't have been more wrong. (See, I'm still surprised by him!)
Brubaker's Batman takes this opportunity to strip himself of his Bruce Wayne identity (since Bruce Wayne is now a wanted fugitive and his public life is now no more, he gives himself over fully to being Batman for the first time in his adult life. He is devoted to Batman & is liberated by the singular identity.) and it. is. fascinating!
They think Bruce Wayne should be on his knees... Begging for mercy.
On his knees in an alley...
On his knees in his parents' blood...
...Always weak.
But right now, for these short sharp moments in this dark cell...
...There is no Bruce Wayne.
Ahhhh! So good!!
Dick Grayson/Nightwing: "...And you're just going to walk away from it? How can you do that?"
Batman: "Because there is no Bruce Wayne."
Dick: "What are you saying?"
Batman: "Bruce Wayne is a mask I wear, that I've been wearing since I was a child... But it's become a liability, so it's over."
Dick: "You can't... You can't mean that..."
Batman: "I do. Bruce Wayne and his troubles aren't my concern anymore."
Dick: "So, where does that leave us, then?"
Batman: "You have your jobs, do them."
Dick: "No. Us.. You and me... If there is no Bruce Wayne, then who is Dick Grayson the adopted son of? Who raised me? Can you answer that?
Batman: "I'm leaving now, and whatever is left of Bruce Wayne is saying up in that house..."
Wow, right?
So I shouldn't expect them to understand the sense of relief I have now...
Knowing that nothing stands between me and my work... my mission.
No face on the front page. No one to lock away in a cell.
No one forced to pretend the world is a better place.
Heavy stuff there, Batman.
The Turning Point is exactly that, a turning point for Batman. It's a fantastic issue with great art (by Sean Phillips). The detective who was on the Wayne murder case years ago now contacts Batman to take his unsolved case over for him. Batman is forced to confront Bruce Wayne again and the character development and writing are just top-notch.
And speaking of character development, can we give it up for a Batman who smiles when he saves two kids by plucking them out of the path of getaway car? (Just like his friend, Superman. :) btw)
And how about a Batman who gets called "boy scout" by Catwoman? ;)
And a Batman who's inner dialogue says "Ow..." when he gets shot in the chest?
Man, I love Brubaker's Batman.
I thought that in many ways Bruce Wayne died along with his parents...
And the mask I've shown the world all these years is the remnant of what that child was before that night.
But it's not true. My codes, the rules I live by --these ideals come from my father... From Thomas Wayne...
That's why I couldn't let even a killer like Tony Rulyanchik get shot.
Because he wouldn't have either. He believed in the sanctity of all life.
Ah, bless him.
Bruce/Batman then calls in all his Batkids (+ Alfred <3) to thank them and apologize for having been difficult these last few months.
(From Bruce Wayne, Murderer?/Bruce Wayne, Fugitive) The reasoning behind Cain's whole game was bleh, but Brubaker does a good job with the dialogue -enough to mask the bleh as much as he can.
The one imperfect blemish(s) on this volume are the two random "classic" issues stuck in the middle for some reason, Mystery of the Black Bat! and Joker Tips His Hat!.
I appreciate that they put this book together in chronological order of issue #, but they really should have either bumped those two to the end of the book, or left them out entirely.
October 22, 2019
The second volume of Ed Brubaker’s BAMAN is at its core an interesting look at the duality Bruce/Batman – and very humanistically comes down on the side of family and community. I very much like that it’s a big ole refutation of that fandom chestnut of “Bruce Wayne is duh mask!!!”
It’s also not shy about just throwing in real wacky one-off adventures (the Joker stealing Mad Hatters hat, Batman & Robin time travel to civil war times in Dick Sprang drawing style) which I am 100% in favor of!
BUT haha well, you’re still reading a collection of the mainstreamiest superhero comics, which means that the mystery of WHO IS FRAMING BRUCE WAYNE is a rather hilarious “lex Luthor who also never appears in this comic but he was super pissed at wayne from like a crossover event from a couple years back”
OK but who is the GUY CARRYIN IT OUT this one is personal OK???
Well it’s never before mentioned David Caine, dad to new Batgirl Cassandra Caine (the latter of whom briefly appears in this book in a couple Batfamily crowd shots), who hates Baman for taking his daughter from him and also was presumed dead I guess.
Like come on if you read two collections which are a single run of a single writer you expect shit to be MOSTLY self-contained here? The drama and action is good but hoo boy even tho Brubaker keeps the revelations mostly within Batbooks you’re like “I have a larger than your average audience member’s knowledge of Batfamily lore, I shouldn’t be going huhh??”
It’s also not shy about just throwing in real wacky one-off adventures (the Joker stealing Mad Hatters hat, Batman & Robin time travel to civil war times in Dick Sprang drawing style) which I am 100% in favor of!
BUT haha well, you’re still reading a collection of the mainstreamiest superhero comics, which means that the mystery of WHO IS FRAMING BRUCE WAYNE is a rather hilarious “lex Luthor who also never appears in this comic but he was super pissed at wayne from like a crossover event from a couple years back”
OK but who is the GUY CARRYIN IT OUT this one is personal OK???
Well it’s never before mentioned David Caine, dad to new Batgirl Cassandra Caine (the latter of whom briefly appears in this book in a couple Batfamily crowd shots), who hates Baman for taking his daughter from him and also was presumed dead I guess.
Like come on if you read two collections which are a single run of a single writer you expect shit to be MOSTLY self-contained here? The drama and action is good but hoo boy even tho Brubaker keeps the revelations mostly within Batbooks you’re like “I have a larger than your average audience member’s knowledge of Batfamily lore, I shouldn’t be going huhh??”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2019
Se suele comentar que la verdadera máscara de Bruce Wayne es su identidad pública y que lo que es él es un justiciero oscuro y dolido contra el mundo al que ha decidido arreglar a hostias. En esta colección escrita por Ed Brudaker Bruce Wayne desaparece totalmente debido a que es acusado de un asesinato de un ex novia. Además Batman se aleja de ellos al no querer limpiar su nombre y sentirse liberado al solo ser Batman. ¿Sucumbirá el héroe a ser un caballero oscuro a tiempo completo o redescubrirá lo que es ser Batman tras una temporada difícil que le ha obligado a cambiar tras lo que le ocurrió al comisario Gordon?
La historia me gusta, tiene varios momentos, surgen nuevos personajes. Pero mi mayor crítica es que la sutilidad brilla por su ausencia y todo es a brocha gorda. Quizá por haber cogido una etapa aislada sin contexto me he perdido como Bruce Wayne se ha reducido pero en lo leído más allá de un personaje recordándole el asesinato de sus padres, no hay mucho que haga recapacitar al personaje. Uno espera una mejor historia de caída y ascenso moral del personaje. Dicho esto, me parece una buena e interesante historia.
La historia me gusta, tiene varios momentos, surgen nuevos personajes. Pero mi mayor crítica es que la sutilidad brilla por su ausencia y todo es a brocha gorda. Quizá por haber cogido una etapa aislada sin contexto me he perdido como Bruce Wayne se ha reducido pero en lo leído más allá de un personaje recordándole el asesinato de sus padres, no hay mucho que haga recapacitar al personaje. Uno espera una mejor historia de caída y ascenso moral del personaje. Dicho esto, me parece una buena e interesante historia.
May 4, 2021
Batman by Brubaker #2 is the second collection of Bat tales by crime writer Brubaker and follows Batman's journey to learning who he really is.
The story opens with Bruce Wayne being set up for the murder of his former girlfriend, Vesper Fairchild - forcing him (as Bruce) to have to escape from prison. Not to find Vesper's killer, but to shed the Wayne identity and devote himself to being Batman full time.
Through the collected ten issues, he discovers that Bruce is not the mask, but it's a series of adventures that force him to face his truth that makes it a journey that he isn't even aware he's on.
Among the highlights are a new villain/anti-hero, Nicodemus, who plans to burn the evil that is Gotham City (at least in his mind) to the ground, and two journeys into the past: a ten-page fifties, time traveling tale (with art calling to mind '50s artist Dick Sprang) and a six-page Batgirl and Robin tale that homages the camp Batman comics of the sixties (recalling the art of Carmine Infantino).
The two trips to the past serve as a fun counterpoint to the hard-boiled atmosphere of the rest of the story.
The story opens with Bruce Wayne being set up for the murder of his former girlfriend, Vesper Fairchild - forcing him (as Bruce) to have to escape from prison. Not to find Vesper's killer, but to shed the Wayne identity and devote himself to being Batman full time.
Through the collected ten issues, he discovers that Bruce is not the mask, but it's a series of adventures that force him to face his truth that makes it a journey that he isn't even aware he's on.
Among the highlights are a new villain/anti-hero, Nicodemus, who plans to burn the evil that is Gotham City (at least in his mind) to the ground, and two journeys into the past: a ten-page fifties, time traveling tale (with art calling to mind '50s artist Dick Sprang) and a six-page Batgirl and Robin tale that homages the camp Batman comics of the sixties (recalling the art of Carmine Infantino).
The two trips to the past serve as a fun counterpoint to the hard-boiled atmosphere of the rest of the story.
February 12, 2019
The final Ed Brubaker Batman collection has some high points, to say the least, but the fact that it takes place in the middle of a huge Batman crossover hurts it overall. Readers get to enjoy Brubaker's writing but only get about 20% of the overall story. Bruce's actions here, and in the overall Fugitive storyline, still bother me. He has been through so much in his life and should have handled this better. Once again, Scott McDaniel's art shines. The confrontation Batman and Nightwing was glorious and sad. The book is probably something can be skipped if you read the main Fugitive book.
May 6, 2020
So when I bought this volume I wasn’t aware that this is pretty much all of the Batman only issues from Bruce Wayne: Murderer and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive. It adds one extra issue in the beginning. You get a good portion of the Murderer and Fugitive story in this collection but it is still missing some integral issues from Detective Comics, Gotham Knight, Nightwing, Birds of Prey, Batgirl, and Robin. I would only recommend this volume for completionists or if you want an abbreviated version of the Murderer/Fugitive storyline. All that said, these are good stories.
March 23, 2022
No está mal, pero en mi opinión está por debajo del nivel general de la obra de Brubaker. Hay un par de historias cortas intercaladas con e estilo campy de los 60, pero en general la historia para de como Batman se da cuenta que Bruce Wayne es el disfraz y que la verdadera persona es Batman, para luego de manera consciente retomar la identidad de Bruce Wayne como algo real. No es que se sienta genuino o justificado, pero el conflicto es interesante y estaría mejor tener más profundidad allí. No es un cómic que recomendaría fácilmente pero tiene un par de cosas rescatables.
January 11, 2023
Si queres saber toda la saga de Bruce Wayne asesino y prófugo no es está el tomo. Acá solo se publican los números de Batman con Brubaker al mando con un Dark Knight que renuncia a la que dice es su verdadera máscara de multimillonario. Es la perdida de la razón a la redención con un Scott McDaniel desatado dejando sus últimos nros en la serie. Buen cierre con probablemente uno de los mejores guionistas de este siglo.
El dibujante nos da al Batman más dinámico y sería perfecto salvó x ese Batimóvil de juguete que dibuja.
El dibujante nos da al Batman más dinámico y sería perfecto salvó x ese Batimóvil de juguete que dibuja.
March 22, 2021
Not as good as volume 1. It's really one long story with very little interruption though there are 'transition' pages that catch you up so apparently there were intervening issues unrelated to the major story. At one point there is a segue to a retro-looking (and preachy) Civil War story drawn in a '50s style. Not sure whether this was Brubaker's work or some unrelated filler to flesh out an issue. In any event, it was an annoying interruption to the flow of the main story.
January 17, 2021
The stories were mostly your basic “Batman trying to understand who he is” -stuff. I have read much better ones, but I’ve read much worse ones too. And then there were the gaps in the storyline which were covered with these “Previously” text boxes. That was a bit irritating. But I did enjoy the art - especially Scott McDaniel’s.
November 2, 2025
This books is 95% content from Bruce Wayne Murderer the Fugitive but it still reads very fluidlywth a great job done to keep in the loop of what has happened in other parts of the crossover.
It’s a great read overall with some of Brubaker touches like the episode with Sean Philips focusing on a dying former police inspector.
Great stuff
It’s a great read overall with some of Brubaker touches like the episode with Sean Philips focusing on a dying former police inspector.
Great stuff
August 23, 2019
This is the first Batman comic I've read since DC broke Batman's back in the "Bane" disaster back in around 1990. I missed reading Batman and this was a pretty good return to what I liked about Batman as he does his detective work.
January 19, 2021
The vast majority of the volume is part of the Bruce Wayne: Murderer/Fugitive crossover, and also collected in those volumes. The good thing is that apart from one or two chapters, most of it is also quite readable on its own.
August 30, 2025
Early brubaker. This one doesn’t collect the whole arc, which was disappointing and the reason for 3 stars. Then there’s the weird retro stories sandwiched in there which I actually really enjoyed but broke up the main story too much.
May 15, 2019
Didn't like the story as much as the art.
March 19, 2022
It's Batman. Would've given it 10 stars if I could've. 🦇😉
January 22, 2023
Standard Batman ongoing run fare.
February 3, 2023
I love Ed Brubaker's crime work and I thought he would be a good fit for Batman. This is okay but it didn't wow me. It seemed a little uneven.
July 16, 2024
Nice Read
Decent storyline and good page turner. I recommend this book. I had almost forgotten about this story. Download today. You won't be disappointed.
Decent storyline and good page turner. I recommend this book. I had almost forgotten about this story. Download today. You won't be disappointed.
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