Art by: Jorge Jimenez
Colors by: Tomeu Morey
Letters by: Clayton Cowles
Cover art by: Jorge Jimenez, Tomeu Morey
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: January 2, 2024
Batman #141 begins the rematch of the century when Failsafe orders Batman to retire or face the consequences.
Is Batman #141 Good?
Where did this Chip Zdarsky disappear to in 2023? Batman #141 hits the ground running with a brutal fight for survival that picks up (almost) where the first Failsafe arc left off. This time, Failsafe has a system update that makes Batman's fight even harder.
When last we left Batman, his three-way fight between himself, Joker, and Zur-En-Arrh ended badly. Joker got the Bane backbreaker treatment, and Batman got knocked out. When he awoke, he found his savior was the long-absent Failsafe speaking with Zur-En-Arrh's voice.
Now, Batman uses his wits, his robotic hand from another universe, and scrap parts lying around Failsafe's lab to beat the multi-tiered version of himself. Ultimately, more than Batman's best is needed.
If you're wondering what's the big twist or shocking reveal, there isn't one. Batman #141 is effectively one fight from start to finish, ending on a "to be continued..." moment that promises revelations in the next issue.
What's great about Batman #141? For the man who can beat any opponent when he has enough time to plan, there's almost no greater opponent for Batman than one who doesn't give Batman a moment to breathe, let alone plan. Failsafe is one of the more formidable foes Batman has faced in years, and adding Zur-En-Arrh's mind into the unstoppable robot's body pays off with exciting action.
Where did this Chip Zdarsky disappear to in 2023? Batman #141 hits the ground running with a brutal fight for survival that picks up (almost) where the first Failsafe arc left off. This time, Failsafe has a system update that makes Batman's fight even harder.
When last we left Batman, his three-way fight between himself, Joker, and Zur-En-Arrh ended badly. Joker got the Bane backbreaker treatment, and Batman got knocked out. When he awoke, he found his savior was the long-absent Failsafe speaking with Zur-En-Arrh's voice.
Now, Batman uses his wits, his robotic hand from another universe, and scrap parts lying around Failsafe's lab to beat the multi-tiered version of himself. Ultimately, more than Batman's best is needed.
If you're wondering what's the big twist or shocking reveal, there isn't one. Batman #141 is effectively one fight from start to finish, ending on a "to be continued..." moment that promises revelations in the next issue.
What's great about Batman #141? For the man who can beat any opponent when he has enough time to plan, there's almost no greater opponent for Batman than one who doesn't give Batman a moment to breathe, let alone plan. Failsafe is one of the more formidable foes Batman has faced in years, and adding Zur-En-Arrh's mind into the unstoppable robot's body pays off with exciting action.
Watch our Batman #141 Video Review
What's not so great about Batman #141? The issue's greatest failing isn't the issue itself but everything neglected in a nearly year-long break it took to get back to this point. The last time Batman saw Failsafe, the robot took over Gotham City and turned Barbara Gordon into a mind-controlled cyborg. What happened to all of that? How did Zur-En-Arrh get inside Failsafe if the two haven't seen each other in nearly a year? Is Zur-En-Arrh still inside Batman's mind? If not, how does that work? If Penguin never really dies, why is Failsafe still active?
These are all good questions that should have been fleshed out between the first Failsafe arc and now. Since they weren't developed, you have to go with the notion that most of 2023 in Zdarsky's run never happened (that's probably a good thing) to make it work as if Batman's disappearance into the multiverse just happened yesterday. That doesn't explain how Gotham City and Barbara simply went back to normal, but it's a step in the right direction.
How's the art? Fantastic. Jorge Jimenez is showing why he's easily one of the Top 3 artists on any DC title with dramatic action and amazing figure work. Between Jimenez on Batman and Mora on World's Finest, the bar is set for peak superhero comics.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces:
Batman #141 gets back to basic (and ignores most of 2023) by picking up the next round against Failsafe. The action is fast and furious, Batman appears locked in a no-win scenario, and Jimenez's art is stellar.
8/10
Endless fun of endless gameplay. basketball random is proof that sometimes, less really is more. This charming little game is a reminder that the best things in life come in simple packages.
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