What do you think?
Rate this book
Batman (2016) (Single Issues)
Batman (2016-) #157
With the Court of Owls’ plan revealed and the city in chaos, Batman must find the strength to fight a war on multiple fronts and save Gotham from disaster. The fates of Jim Gordon, the Riddler, and all of Gotham rest in the hands of the Dark Knight in a climactic issue so big it takes two superstar artists to bring it to life!
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2025
About the author
Chip Zdarsky
884 books873 followersChip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.
Source: Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 11, 2025
"Così va il mondo."
February 5, 2025
Aside from still feeling kind of duped about DC trying to market this arc like a return of the Court of Owls, this was a pretty good wrap up to the run. I wish they’d continue with this new sort of humanitarian side of Bruce, but I expect it will need to take a backseat during Hush 2 and then I fear it might be something we never circle back around to. I would’ve liked to see more involvement for the family at the end of this run as well, since they had such a presence earlier. It was, however, nice to see so much of Leslie, here. She really felt like part of the family. In the long run, I don’t think people will remember tech entrepreneur Riddler, or KGBeast’s stint as Commander Star, and I hope we forget everything that happened with Jim Gordon. This probably won’t be a “Court of Owls” event people go out of their way to read, either. But as a Batman story, and a lesson learned by Bruce Wayne, it was satisfying.
April 1, 2026
Que finalização de arco, finalizou da forma como iniciou com a queda de um avião mas agora teve todo um desenvolvimento que me deixou conectado, chip me conquistou nesse final até medeu vontade de pedir para ele continuar com o batman mas Matt vem ai…
February 9, 2025
What a bombastic issue, every moment the pieces fall into place perfectly for the most Batman ending possible, really awesome! As we left the last issue, commander star has been revealed as KGBeast, riddler was duped by Leonid and the Russians to get a program that can hack into anything, and we now see as Batman is racing to catch up with their jet before it can get back to Russia, as Jim is dealing with Nygma in a skyscraper that just blew up! Tetch was able to mind control a handful of people who he got out and had disarm a majority of the bombs, but the one on the top floor still went off! And we see as Nygma, Gordon, and Nygma’s bodyguard sit in the rubble.
Batman is able to catch up with the jet using the Batmobile, and then launch himself out just in range to grapple to the jet! The Russians see it as an acceptable causality to leave KGBeast behind as he rallies the city to riot in the streets, but their success is not available for long, as Batman blows the door open and launches himself into the jet. Swiftly beating up the trained guards protecting Leonid.
Back in Gotham, commander star is leading the people throw the streets, burning everything to the ground all in the name of being against handouts. Handouts given out by people like Rowan, the del of Wayne enterprises. As KGBeast shoots down a cop trying to protect her, he drags her front and center to make an example out of her.
Meanwhile at the skyscraper in ruins, Nygma is trying to choke and kill Jim for ruining everything, and destroying what he had built. But before Nygma can really do anything the floor below them caves in and they are sent tumbling!
Back on the airplane Batman is having to shuffle between fighting mercs and saving one of them from falling out. Stuck between holding onto a man through the drag and trying to stay inside, Leonid decides to make it 10x harder by shooting at Batman. In return Batman deflected the shots using his armored gauntlets, inadvertently sending some of the bullets ricocheting into the cabin and one directly into Leonid. The plane is going down and Batman finally pulls that merc back inside, in Leonid’s dying breath he answers Batman’s question and explains the angle with Commander Star. At this point the play for Nygma’s technology makes sense, but bring Gotham and trying to tear down Bruce Wayne, why?? The way Leonid sees it, Gotham city and all its horrors ruled by the wealthy few is the prime example of American. It’s the Russian boogeyman then use to scare children, a symbol of everything wrong in the country. All the people needed was a little push…that’s it…all that damage for propaganda.
The plane is going down and it needs a place to land, Batman gets on the comms to Harvey and orders a street to be fully cleared. Harvey orders all units to get on it immediately…but Savage tries to get on the radio and delay it, claiming that Batman is trying to draw attention from the protest. HELL NO, Harvey says screw it and makes sure the order goes through anyway, they aren’t listening to Savage. Back on the plane, Batman is securing everyone still alive and making preparations for a rough landing. He dumps the fuel, but they still have a problem. He knows the plane’s wingspan and knows it’s too long. He has to ditch the wings, but they have to go at the same time or they will roll. Using his ignitable putty, he deploys a bit on each wing. He then straps two guns from the mercs and grapples himself to the outside of the plane. Then doing the most Batman thing ever, he gets on top of the falling plane and shoots both putty at the same time, causing both wings to explode and fall off simultaneously!!
The plane descends into the empty street right in front of the protest and where KGBeast is hanging Rowan from a light post. And of course Batman doesn’t even take a second to breath before hopping out of the plane, using a batarang to cut down Rowan, and the. Immediately going in on KGBeast! Now that he knows who it really is, it’s on sight!!
Back at the collapsing skyscraper, Kim is able to grab Nygma right as he is falling and use a grappling hook from the belt Batman gave him to swing to safety!! Technically they forgot all about Nygma’s bodyguard but I’m sure they will be fine lol, this scene was awesome! Let’s go Jim!! Jim really understates it when he says he may not be a good man…but he’s doing his best.
Back on the street, KGBeat and Batman and going blow for blow and but barman clearly has the upper hand, even with KGBeast getting his hand and neck fixed. In their fight everything starts to rush back to batman, he was making people’s lives better through Gotham, not through terror but through giving people a chance and what they need to make it better…and they POISONED IT! Through the rage barman is able to knock off and equip one of commander star’s own wrist swords. Locked in combat Batman is able to slice off the hand KGBeast usually has as a robotic arm (hahaha can’t let him keep that), but then once KGBeast went down Batman didn’t stop. Even begging himself to stop all of his anger let loose on KGBeast even as he felt the eyes of the people looking to him. As he looks around he has a speech in him about falling for the rhetoric of a masked man…but he is wearing a mask as well. Instead he simply stands up and walks away through the crowd, it’s a win…but doesn’t feel like it.
The end of this issue we jump a week into the future as we see Bruce Wayne at a free clinic, there to meet a man named William…his possible brother. Turns out William is a nurse and he dropped the case against Bruce. When asked why, he revealed he never wanted to win, money would be nice but look at how much trouble it constantly causes for Bruce Wayne. He’s glad to see that Bruce has grown up and is doing more to smoke a difference, but seeing what Bruce became (the billionaire playboy) he saw it as a chance to make Bruce feel Ike he could lose it all at a moment notice, like so many people living paycheck to paycheck feel everyday. Additionally, they did the dna test…they aren’t related and he doesn’t want Bruce’s company or his money…that can change a person and he is happy as he is. Although Bruce’s father may have made a mistake with William’s mother in the past he spent the last years of his life making up for it and helping the people of Gotham…and that’s all William wants to see Bruce do as well.
As Bruce goes back out to his car he is greeted by Leslie. In her eyes it’s back to business as usual, they aren’t related. But something still sticks with Bruce…how do you move on from the past? So much of his life revolves around not moving on, always holding onto his parent death. How does he forgive his father for his mistakes how does he forgive himself for failsafe and Jason? And then there is Jim and the mayor, how does he face him now? Leslie has a simple answer, “you look at him as a friend.” Jim is a human…so be human with him.
Later that night we see as Batman joins Jim on the rooftops to share a cup of coffee. The court of owls are back underground, he isn’t sure if they knew about the Russians or were duped, Tetch isn’t talking and the riddler is already on bail claiming the glasses were setup by the Russians. His is probably going to buy his way out. Koyuki is never talking to Jim again, and Jim is thinking of reapplying to the force. He knows vandal would put him at the bottom but with Harvey fired there needs to be someone keeping Vandal in check. But most importantly Jim feels like he has to prove himself again. He keeps remembering back to that night with the mayor, barman saw it as eel when he was punched the glasses broke. Even though Tetch’s mine control has lingering effects, Jim still felt the anger that pulled the trigger. As barman beings to grapple away after getting a call of a break-in he reassures Jim that he is not alone. Mistakes were made and they are both only human and all they can try to do is continue to be good men…that’s what really counts.
Batman is able to catch up with the jet using the Batmobile, and then launch himself out just in range to grapple to the jet! The Russians see it as an acceptable causality to leave KGBeast behind as he rallies the city to riot in the streets, but their success is not available for long, as Batman blows the door open and launches himself into the jet. Swiftly beating up the trained guards protecting Leonid.
Back in Gotham, commander star is leading the people throw the streets, burning everything to the ground all in the name of being against handouts. Handouts given out by people like Rowan, the del of Wayne enterprises. As KGBeast shoots down a cop trying to protect her, he drags her front and center to make an example out of her.
Meanwhile at the skyscraper in ruins, Nygma is trying to choke and kill Jim for ruining everything, and destroying what he had built. But before Nygma can really do anything the floor below them caves in and they are sent tumbling!
Back on the airplane Batman is having to shuffle between fighting mercs and saving one of them from falling out. Stuck between holding onto a man through the drag and trying to stay inside, Leonid decides to make it 10x harder by shooting at Batman. In return Batman deflected the shots using his armored gauntlets, inadvertently sending some of the bullets ricocheting into the cabin and one directly into Leonid. The plane is going down and Batman finally pulls that merc back inside, in Leonid’s dying breath he answers Batman’s question and explains the angle with Commander Star. At this point the play for Nygma’s technology makes sense, but bring Gotham and trying to tear down Bruce Wayne, why?? The way Leonid sees it, Gotham city and all its horrors ruled by the wealthy few is the prime example of American. It’s the Russian boogeyman then use to scare children, a symbol of everything wrong in the country. All the people needed was a little push…that’s it…all that damage for propaganda.
The plane is going down and it needs a place to land, Batman gets on the comms to Harvey and orders a street to be fully cleared. Harvey orders all units to get on it immediately…but Savage tries to get on the radio and delay it, claiming that Batman is trying to draw attention from the protest. HELL NO, Harvey says screw it and makes sure the order goes through anyway, they aren’t listening to Savage. Back on the plane, Batman is securing everyone still alive and making preparations for a rough landing. He dumps the fuel, but they still have a problem. He knows the plane’s wingspan and knows it’s too long. He has to ditch the wings, but they have to go at the same time or they will roll. Using his ignitable putty, he deploys a bit on each wing. He then straps two guns from the mercs and grapples himself to the outside of the plane. Then doing the most Batman thing ever, he gets on top of the falling plane and shoots both putty at the same time, causing both wings to explode and fall off simultaneously!!
The plane descends into the empty street right in front of the protest and where KGBeast is hanging Rowan from a light post. And of course Batman doesn’t even take a second to breath before hopping out of the plane, using a batarang to cut down Rowan, and the. Immediately going in on KGBeast! Now that he knows who it really is, it’s on sight!!
Back at the collapsing skyscraper, Kim is able to grab Nygma right as he is falling and use a grappling hook from the belt Batman gave him to swing to safety!! Technically they forgot all about Nygma’s bodyguard but I’m sure they will be fine lol, this scene was awesome! Let’s go Jim!! Jim really understates it when he says he may not be a good man…but he’s doing his best.
Back on the street, KGBeat and Batman and going blow for blow and but barman clearly has the upper hand, even with KGBeast getting his hand and neck fixed. In their fight everything starts to rush back to batman, he was making people’s lives better through Gotham, not through terror but through giving people a chance and what they need to make it better…and they POISONED IT! Through the rage barman is able to knock off and equip one of commander star’s own wrist swords. Locked in combat Batman is able to slice off the hand KGBeast usually has as a robotic arm (hahaha can’t let him keep that), but then once KGBeast went down Batman didn’t stop. Even begging himself to stop all of his anger let loose on KGBeast even as he felt the eyes of the people looking to him. As he looks around he has a speech in him about falling for the rhetoric of a masked man…but he is wearing a mask as well. Instead he simply stands up and walks away through the crowd, it’s a win…but doesn’t feel like it.
The end of this issue we jump a week into the future as we see Bruce Wayne at a free clinic, there to meet a man named William…his possible brother. Turns out William is a nurse and he dropped the case against Bruce. When asked why, he revealed he never wanted to win, money would be nice but look at how much trouble it constantly causes for Bruce Wayne. He’s glad to see that Bruce has grown up and is doing more to smoke a difference, but seeing what Bruce became (the billionaire playboy) he saw it as a chance to make Bruce feel Ike he could lose it all at a moment notice, like so many people living paycheck to paycheck feel everyday. Additionally, they did the dna test…they aren’t related and he doesn’t want Bruce’s company or his money…that can change a person and he is happy as he is. Although Bruce’s father may have made a mistake with William’s mother in the past he spent the last years of his life making up for it and helping the people of Gotham…and that’s all William wants to see Bruce do as well.
As Bruce goes back out to his car he is greeted by Leslie. In her eyes it’s back to business as usual, they aren’t related. But something still sticks with Bruce…how do you move on from the past? So much of his life revolves around not moving on, always holding onto his parent death. How does he forgive his father for his mistakes how does he forgive himself for failsafe and Jason? And then there is Jim and the mayor, how does he face him now? Leslie has a simple answer, “you look at him as a friend.” Jim is a human…so be human with him.
Later that night we see as Batman joins Jim on the rooftops to share a cup of coffee. The court of owls are back underground, he isn’t sure if they knew about the Russians or were duped, Tetch isn’t talking and the riddler is already on bail claiming the glasses were setup by the Russians. His is probably going to buy his way out. Koyuki is never talking to Jim again, and Jim is thinking of reapplying to the force. He knows vandal would put him at the bottom but with Harvey fired there needs to be someone keeping Vandal in check. But most importantly Jim feels like he has to prove himself again. He keeps remembering back to that night with the mayor, barman saw it as eel when he was punched the glasses broke. Even though Tetch’s mine control has lingering effects, Jim still felt the anger that pulled the trigger. As barman beings to grapple away after getting a call of a break-in he reassures Jim that he is not alone. Mistakes were made and they are both only human and all they can try to do is continue to be good men…that’s what really counts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2025
Excellent finale to this story arc and Zdarsky’s run. At first I wasn’t sure about “The Dying City,” but this last episode really tied it all together beautifully. Loved the social class commentary, which also appeared in Zdarksy’s Daredevil run in 2019.
Sad it’s over, but looking forward to Matt Fraction taking the Batman helm next (after this “Hush” sequel). I am also very happy that Jorge Jimenez is staying on as main artist. Love that guy.
Sad it’s over, but looking forward to Matt Fraction taking the Batman helm next (after this “Hush” sequel). I am also very happy that Jorge Jimenez is staying on as main artist. Love that guy.
April 11, 2025
4.5 🦇’s overall for the arc (not necessarily this issue) because it felt more like classic Batman than this book has in a while.
April 13, 2025
Batman is handing out asses! (☞ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)☞
The overall theme of this arc really seemed to focus more on the humanity of the characters than on the villains or plot. The way this issue resolves everything definitely makes the plot feel like it's in the backseat. The Court of Owls weren't necessary or even really utilized decently. It's more about "good men" making mistakes as flawed humans who can fall yet try to be better. Not a terrible message, honestly, but the story could've been more cohesive and less convoluted. And I didn't like Gordon's admission at the end or Batman shrugging it off. Justice is his thing. No matter what. And if that is how it went down? Batman should not shrug that off.
The overall theme of this arc really seemed to focus more on the humanity of the characters than on the villains or plot. The way this issue resolves everything definitely makes the plot feel like it's in the backseat. The Court of Owls weren't necessary or even really utilized decently. It's more about "good men" making mistakes as flawed humans who can fall yet try to be better. Not a terrible message, honestly, but the story could've been more cohesive and less convoluted. And I didn't like Gordon's admission at the end or Batman shrugging it off. Justice is his thing. No matter what. And if that is how it went down? Batman should not shrug that off.
February 7, 2025
This is a compelling issue of Batman that features everything I love from the character, especially Bruce Wayne being humbled by his city. The conflict is relevant with current events in real life. Batman is fighting a Russian agent disguised as a patriot. Sound familiar?
I'm a sucker for comics that incorporate current events, on top of great writing and art of course!
I'm a sucker for comics that incorporate current events, on top of great writing and art of course!
February 13, 2025
Siento que es un final hiper abrupto pero no sé cómo entre el guion de Zdarsky bien enfocado en finiquitar todo lo posible el arco pero sobre todo dando alas para la maravilla gráfica de Jorge Jiménez en clave de blockbuster comiquero que casi podría parecer que condensa The Dark Knight Rises.
No anima mucho cierto status quo con Jim Gordon.
No anima mucho cierto status quo con Jim Gordon.
February 8, 2025
Great ending to Zdarskys run on Batman. Bruce and Gordon are broken men, but at least they’re good men. I wanted more out of this story, but hopefully we get some more resolution and story in the next issue… Hush 2 🤫
February 25, 2025
Can someone remind me how Bruce got rich again? Bruce and Batman being broke (though he still had conveniently enough money to setup mini batcaves across the city) was a thing not so long ago (and didn't Savage bought the Manor?). I lost track of his fortune...
February 16, 2025
An okay end to an uneven run. I’ll be interested to see how Loeb and Lee pick up the title. After their Hush sequel.
February 17, 2025
From bad to worse, can’t wait for this run to be over.
February 23, 2025
This was a fun wrap-up to the run and ultimately an entertaining and touching ending. I've had my ups and downs with this one, but I am glad it ended on a good note.
June 20, 2025
I guess it was fine overall.
May 20, 2025
Great ending to this arc!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews