Batman is having a renaissance like never before. First, we had The Batman release in theaters back in 2022 that reminded people how exciting it can still be seeing a superhero movie. Then, we had DC Comics get brave and bold and decide to create the Absolute Universe last year, which resulted in the bombastic Absolute Batman title. A few weeks ago, DC Comics announced a new LEGO Batman game Legacy of the Dark Knight, which resulted in a perfectly normal level of excitement from fans.
And of course, the reason we’re all here: DC Comics reset the main Batman title for the first time since 2016. Did you know this will only be the fourth time in the character’s history Batman has had a #1? Outside of his first series’ #1, the title has only been reset for The New 52, DC: Rebirth, and now this. Yet, so much has changed for Batman since his last #1. So, what are Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez bringing to the table that requires a complete series reset? Well, let’s get into it.
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Matt Fraction has written some of my all-time favorite books, such as Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon and Sensational Spider-Man Annual #1. And while he briefly wrote the character during the hit mini-series Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen: Who Killed Jimmy Olsen?, I’ve been eager to see his long-term interpretation of Batman. And it doesn’t disappoint. Batman has lost a lot over the last few years: his fortune (for a time), his love, and most importantly, his father figure Alfred Pennyworth. And it’s evident the constant loss is starting to make Bruce a bit more jaded, if that were possible, but without some of the same intense personality as before. Here, he’s almost apathetic at times. It feels like he’s accepted the reality that bad things happen and it’s simply his job to prevent them. Seeing how Fraction has Batman address this comes in the most peculiar way, yet the story completely benefits from it. Through this story, readers are able to connect with Batman’s humanity through one of his most bizarre conversations yet. Moreover, Fraction’s first issue on Batman shows how readers can expect this story to carry a more emotional undertone and will push Bruce out of his comfort zone, which helped this issue to feel very meaningful.
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Outside of this, the story is rather captivating despite its very simple premise. While it is primarily focused on Batman and Killer Croc, we find out a lot about how this Batman series is going to try to stand apart from its predecessors. This story pulls from every corner of Batman’s supporting cast by showing us who some of Bruce’s important allies can be expected to be here while also gearing us up for the series’ first huge conflict. Although it might seem like Killer Croc is the real threat, it’s actually Police Commissioner Vandal Savage. And while it’s still a bit jarring to see Vandal Savage running Gotham City’s police force, it works well to reflect how Gotham is always in a constant cycle of corruption that, despite the changes over time, means Batman’s mission will never really end.
In the spirit of Batman’s never-ending mission, it’s time to talk about the huge revelation in this issue: Alfred is back. And while it’s not the way we’d all wish, Fraction’s incorporation of the character adds a familiar tone of both wit and heart the series has been lacking for years. Although there could be a whole can of worms we could unpack about the use of A.I. in Batman’s life, I think it’s best summed up as how Batman’s mental health is always a bit on the fragile side, and his use of it here directly speaks to his internal conflict with loss. As a result, Batman #1 is a fantastic reset for the character which longtime readers, those who have taken a break from the series, or anyone new to the character, will find immersive.
Jorge Jiménez has drawn a LOT of Batman in his career. While he first drew Batman’s New-52 Earth-2 counterpart about a decade ago, he has remained a constant main artist for The Caped Crusader for several years now, being the main artist for both James Tynion IV’s and Chip Zdarsky’s Batman runs. Yet, this is my favorite rendition of his Batman. And a huge part of that is the suit; I love the giant logo. Its prominence helps it feel sharp and very intentional by Bruce to remind criminals who’s out there protecting Gotham. Additionally, while I understand why the Black and Gray Batsuit is iconic, ever since we got rid of the Batman’s DC: Rebirth suit, I’ve been a little tired of seeing it since it feels a bit lackluster. With that, seeing Tomeu Morey bring out the electric blue suit for this run was definitely the best thing they could’ve done. This suit both is an homage to several iconic Batsuits while also paving its own way by becoming something all new and all different. Additionally, the Batmobile gets a new look, and it is awesome. Since it looks a bit like Robert Pattinson’s Batmobile, it isn’t entirely new, but the car feels like a perfect fit for the series. Seeing as the Batsuit is reminiscent of Neal Adams’ era, it’s only fitting the Batmobile follows the same trend by being akin to a muscle car. As a result of these nuanced changes, the tonal shift this series opens with creates a more inviting and familiar environment while adding modern twists.
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Outside of how spectacular the new Batsuit and Batmobile are, this is a stunning issue. Jorge Jiménez seems to only be getting better with every issue he draws. In this book, Jiménez breaks out of his typical pencil habit and drew a few pages the old-fashioned way and inked them himself. While we know of one page that was for sure drawn by hand, there are a few other pages he decided to hand-draw in this issue in order to celebrate Batman’s fourth #1 in history. This issue is sharply drawn, with dynamic art that turns a primarily detective story into one full of detail. Additionally, Jiminez takes liberty showcasing all of Batman’s gadgets in a way akin to unlocking them in an Arkham game. Another point worth noting is that Tomeu Morey does an outstanding job bringing vibrant colors into the issue which help create a more vibrant story full of life and raw emotion. Altogether, this is a beautifully illustrated comic from start to finish.
So, is Batman #1 really that special? Is it a worthy way to restart a legendary series, or is it a cash grab? So far, it definitely seems like more than just another renumbering attempt. If we compare the prior three, each has brought something new to the table, an introduction to the character, a hard reset of the mythos, and a merging of histories. So, what does this one bring?
After years of convoluted stories trying to prove Batman’s relevance in a modern era, Batman #1 (2025) is a comforting reset for the character that attempts to prove Batman’s relevance will always simply be: he’s Batman. It doesn’t need to be overcomplicated or extravagant, it just needs to be interesting, and the rest will follow. But there’s much more to capture one’s attention in this issue because Gotham finally feels alive again. While it’s often considered its own character, I think this issue is a prime example of what this means by introducing several new characters who are sure to be pivotal players in this arc. Thanks to the emphasis on characters outside of Batman, things feel livelier. This story succeeds and will likely stand the test of time because it’s a reminder that Batman’s importance stems from his humanity and hope for a better tomorrow.
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