Batman 1: Their Dark Designs Hardcover – 20 Oct. 2020

This volume continues the ongoing continuity from Batman vol.13 but has been given a volume 1 designation in recognition of this being a good jumping on point for new and returning readers. Included are Batman #85-94 and Batman Secret Files #3 as well as a variant cover gallery. There are a few artists at work here with the lead being taken by Guillem March but there is a consistent look and feel which means that the reader does not get distracted by jarring style changes. Overall, decent to very good art across the whole book. The storyline by James Tynion concerns Bats ongoing struggle against a villainous plot involving the Penguin, Joker and the Riddler and introduces the new character Punchline. It sets the scene for the next chapter in the Batman life story as well as being an interesting read in its own right. The focus is on Batman and to a lesser extent, Catwoman so not much sign of the other Bat hangers on who have plagued the Bat books in recent years. The Batman Secret Files section is really a bonus but doesn't connect that much to the main storyline. Overall, a nice book for Bat fans old and new.

Wow I thought things were going to calm down, was I ever wrong!It is a new Gotham. After the events of City of Bane, Gotham, Batman/Bruce and the whole Bat family have been rocked to their foundations like never before. Now round two is an earthquake.A plan made years in advance, by a criminal mastermind with the help of some of Gotham's top villains at the time have been put into motion. Even the villains involved are running scarred. The devil is in the details.I like the fact that Batman/Bruce is taking a different direction after what he has been through and lost. What he will realise is he still has more to lose. The dynamic has also needed to change as part of the loss.An epic start to this story arc. I can't wait for the next part. Great story and artwork. Every chapter starts with a issue cover then there is a varient cover gallery at the end.

A batman story, well known characters, a random plot that ends in an unexpected expected way. Some fight scenes and banter.

Great story changing directions and then pulling the the Batman down nearly on all levels…. How will he come back from this… some might say never corner deadly injured animal….what will the dark knight become !

I started reading Batman comics with Scott Snyder's amazing run with "The Court of Owls". Unfortunately, Dc lost me completely with Tom King his run. It was an absolute disaster and everyone hated the rebirth era for batman. Luckily, James Tynion, who co wrote with Scott Snyder during his run, penned the critically acclaimed "Detective Comics" during the rebirth era.That run was a more traditional sequel to the universe Snyder set up and that continued trom both Batman Eternal & Robin Eternal.This new run, by James Tynion is the book we all have been hoping for. He is a genious and this first volume was incredible. Can't wait for Joker War in 2021!

Not read any Batman in a while after some questionable Joker choices but this was riveting. I’m going to have to get the rest now and see what happens.

Excellent book setting the tone for the events to come. This is a Batman tale which while working well as a standalone book, really comes into its own when read with Joker war.

Great story and really nice art. This is the 1st Batman story I’ve found really compelling in a long, long time. I hope this continues through the next few volumes. If you’ve not read Batman in a while then this is a great jumping on point. I’ll definitely be buying the next volume, Joker War.

There’s a lot of stuff to drink out there! You can get a mixer, a breezer, and cocktail, a straight shot, you can have a whiskey and cigar, you down a red bull, and you can choose from a selection of craft beer that’ll make your eyes bulge these days. And all of these are good and right in their time, but there’s nothing like a good ol classic cold one! Just a simple Pilsner, nothing fancy, nothing crazy, but everything great, everything you’ve come to know and love.This is what this comic is, a straight up basic Pilsner, not in the simplistic sense but in the nostalgic homey sense. In the sense of comfort food, of everything you could ask for.The comic doesn’t do anything extravagant or spectacular, it’s simple, straightforward, and to the point and that what makes it great. The art is great and evocative, the story is intriguing and tightly plotted, the characters well developed, and the narrative is well written and simple to follow. The fights are great and the lead up is enticing! I’m really excited to see where this goes!This comic is all the good things about Batman, not watered down. A great read and looking forward to more summer nights on the porch with an ice cold Batman beer in my hand!

James Tynion is one of my favorite new writers. He takes Batman down a dark path. Each of his villains are also on a very dark path. This is 12 steps past where authors of days gone by would take us. His training makes more sense, his way of doing things becomes more clear. This is the Batman Gotham deserves.

Uno de los mejores cómics de Batman leídos hasta la fecha muy recomendable vibrante y unos dibujos tremendos cinco estrellas

Excelente historia que le da un nuevo aire al personaje con nuevos y viejos villanos. La calidad del libro es muy buena y su precio es aún mejor. No se engañen esto no es relleno, es el inicio de una nueva trama que continúa con the Joker war y las nuevas ideas que llevan a cabo en esta historia revitalizan a Batman de una manera que no se había hecho desde Scott Snyder.

Prendere la penna in mano per scrivere nuove storie di Batman dopo la conclusione della saga di Tom King non era certo facile. James Tynion ci è riuscito senza alcun problema, dando il via con questo volume ad un nuovo arco narrativo che sconvolgerà per sempre lo status dell'uomo pipistrello. Disegni fatti molto bene.4 stelle solo perchè la storia fa da antipasto a qualcosa di più grande.