Batman: Kings of Fear #5 Review

Fear This

Writer: Scott Peterson
Artist: Kelley Jones
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: December 19, 2018
Cover Price: $3.99

I was into Kings of Fear for a couple of issues, but I have been waiting for something to grab me since.  I love Kelley Jones' art but little else that we've been getting each month.  Does this penultimate issue turn things around?  Let's find out...




We open the issue with Batman seeing what Gotham would be without him.  It's not totally original, but I am always up for a little "It's a Wonderful Life"  action, especially at this time of year.  We get to see some of the biggest rogues in all new lives and I did get a chuckle at one that didn't change so much.

It's also about what Batman (Bruce?) could have done if he wasn't always punching things and people.  The problem is, it doesn't go far enough and devolves into just talking and philosophical rants.

Batman finally admits he ruined Gotham and then takes a page of prodding to stand up.  That's the problem here, there are ideas, but it takes forever to get to them and even then you have to wade through a bunch of nonsense to get fully involved.  The issue ends with a bunch of pages of Batman maybe giving himself a double dose of antidote and screaming over and over.

This book is always a quick read, but this issue felt even thinner than usual.  Peterson continues to give us a mystery, but it's based on lack of information more than anything else.  What we are left with is nice art and little else.  By the way, I think Scarecrow is the Arkham doctor from the first issue.

Bits and Pieces:

I really don't have much to say about this issue or series in general.  I love Kelley Jones' art, but there just isn't much story to justify this many issues.  Oh well, one more issue and then we can just move on and forget about it.

5.0/10