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offworldcolony's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best. A simple and well written story that makes sense of the utilitarian leaning Ra’s and his relationship with Talia, Robin, Batman and more importantly the world he’s inhabited for 700 years. It’s an affecting story that is worth knightfall/no mans land level of crossover. Poignant, timely and progressive without sacrificing what makes each character themselves. So good that you forget it’s more like one good day…
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I'm actually shocked at how good this is, especially because this is TT. Reis art is amazing, but I didn't like how little Talia and Damian had to do.
I'm actually shocked at how good this is, especially because this is TT. Reis art is amazing, but I didn't like how little Talia and Damian had to do.
james_anderson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
vernip's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sometimes the one-shot what-if story where the villain wins doesn't always make sense.
Despite his meticulous planning, the not!Liam Neeson still gets the attention of the Dark Knight Detective with a scheme to make the world a more environmentally friendly place.
Why?
Cuz his favorite wolf species that he's been using as a pet just went extinct.
...
I mean, sure. Go ahead & pull notes from John Wick. Good enough reason for anyone to lose their marbles!
But because it's Ra's Al Ghul, a name synonymous with the extra life factory known as Lazarus Pits, both Batman and Ra's survive to see the other succeed; the Demon's Head with putting his green-thinking puppets in place, and Batman to enact personal bloody revenge cuz some kinda victory better than none?
Whatevs. Still fascinating seeing two brilliant minds & deadly fighters go up against each other.
Despite his meticulous planning, the not!Liam Neeson still gets the attention of the Dark Knight Detective with a scheme to make the world a more environmentally friendly place.
Why?
Cuz his favorite wolf species that he's been using as a pet just went extinct.
...
I mean, sure. Go ahead & pull notes from John Wick. Good enough reason for anyone to lose their marbles!
But because it's Ra's Al Ghul, a name synonymous with the extra life factory known as Lazarus Pits, both Batman and Ra's survive to see the other succeed; the Demon's Head with putting his green-thinking puppets in place, and Batman to enact personal bloody revenge cuz some kinda victory better than none?
Whatevs. Still fascinating seeing two brilliant minds & deadly fighters go up against each other.
bjoernschneider1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
vigneswara_prabhu's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
a's al Ghul is a character who'd best fit the saying 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions'. As well as the villain who sees himself as the hero in his own story. He's one of the members of Batman's Rogues gallery, who is driven by a higher purpose, and one who you would likely empathize with; were it not for the fact that his methods tend to largely be genocidal.
Ra's, I felt, has been a perfect foil for Batman, in a manner different from the Joker. Where the Joker's brand of Anarchy contrasts Batman's need for rules and order, Ra's is more of Bruce's intellectual and physical equal. Both have the skills, training, and resources at their disposal to see their respective missions to fruition.
Yet where the similarities get more evident, is the sheer drive that Ra's and the Bats have to their ideals; to the point that they're willing to sacrifice themselves for the mission at hand. But due to those same ideals the two men find themselves on diametrically opposite sides. Batman cherishes each life and is willing to spend his last drop of devotion to its preservation. While Ra's considers his own species to be a blighted virus that's slowly but surely destroying the planet and feels no qualms in culling them down to size; and is willing to be the butcher's hand that does the deed. It's the perverted version of 'The Good of the Many, outweigh the Good of the few', with humanity on one scale, while the survival of the planet itself on the other.
For these reasons, the reader might be inclined to agree with him, and in cases sympathize with his cause. But many of his plans involves eco-terrorism, and careful orchestrated regime changes, or outright genocide, which puts a lot of innocent lives at risk. As mentioned before Ra's finds these losses to be acceptable, but they're really not.
His story also showcases the conflicting feeling he has to the one he affectionately calls 'the detective'. At one point Ra's wanted the caped crusader to be his successor, seeing in him the very same qualities that made the Demon's head such a force to be reckoned with. But Batman's moral compass and stubborn will means that he will never compromise on justice and join Ra's in his crusade. But still, converting the Dark Knight to his cause is Ra's' White whale.
And let's face it, at this point they're basically a dysfunctional family. His daughter is Batman's on again off again love interest, his baby momma, and his grandson is the latest iteration of Robin. Their paths are fated to intertwine in one way or the other.
It's good reading a story that explores the various complexities of their relationship. Regardless of what others say, I dig Damian Wayne as Robin, and seeing him and his father facing off against Granddaddy creates much tension and conflict.
One Bad day for Ra's Al Ghul, is not as good as Batman: One Bad Day - The Riddler #1, but it does justice to the gravitas of the character. One which I suggest you read.
Ra's, I felt, has been a perfect foil for Batman, in a manner different from the Joker. Where the Joker's brand of Anarchy contrasts Batman's need for rules and order, Ra's is more of Bruce's intellectual and physical equal. Both have the skills, training, and resources at their disposal to see their respective missions to fruition.
Yet where the similarities get more evident, is the sheer drive that Ra's and the Bats have to their ideals; to the point that they're willing to sacrifice themselves for the mission at hand. But due to those same ideals the two men find themselves on diametrically opposite sides. Batman cherishes each life and is willing to spend his last drop of devotion to its preservation. While Ra's considers his own species to be a blighted virus that's slowly but surely destroying the planet and feels no qualms in culling them down to size; and is willing to be the butcher's hand that does the deed. It's the perverted version of 'The Good of the Many, outweigh the Good of the few', with humanity on one scale, while the survival of the planet itself on the other.
For these reasons, the reader might be inclined to agree with him, and in cases sympathize with his cause. But many of his plans involves eco-terrorism, and careful orchestrated regime changes, or outright genocide, which puts a lot of innocent lives at risk. As mentioned before Ra's finds these losses to be acceptable, but they're really not.
His story also showcases the conflicting feeling he has to the one he affectionately calls 'the detective'. At one point Ra's wanted the caped crusader to be his successor, seeing in him the very same qualities that made the Demon's head such a force to be reckoned with. But Batman's moral compass and stubborn will means that he will never compromise on justice and join Ra's in his crusade. But still, converting the Dark Knight to his cause is Ra's' White whale.
And let's face it, at this point they're basically a dysfunctional family. His daughter is Batman's on again off again love interest, his baby momma, and his grandson is the latest iteration of Robin. Their paths are fated to intertwine in one way or the other.
It's good reading a story that explores the various complexities of their relationship. Regardless of what others say, I dig Damian Wayne as Robin, and seeing him and his father facing off against Granddaddy creates much tension and conflict.
One Bad day for Ra's Al Ghul, is not as good as Batman: One Bad Day - The Riddler #1, but it does justice to the gravitas of the character. One which I suggest you read.
unladylike's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars for being one of the best stand-alone Batman/Ra's Al Ghul stories, thanks to Tom Taylor and some very good art.
olio's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
stressedspidergirl's review against another edition
4.0
ok so this didnt feel like a bad day for anyone but Batman. Well a bad few months for him for sure. This was an interesting take on Ras and I would have liked to seee him come from a different area given the name and cultural implications in BTAS where I got the vibe of like, middle eastegypt vs some sort of northern forest, but is it terrible I read this and was kind of on his side? Like oh okay well I mean ... 27 people or so to save the entire planet and put in charge people who dont want to destroy it? I mean... Bruce Im usually with you and Im not pro death penalty or anything but I think in some cases we could make exceptions...
jk ... maybe
But either way I thought this was definitely an intereting read and posed some interesting questions. And it was definitely a shock seeing Batman just get gutted like a fish and drop dead like that. Just to pass on hsi cowl Super dramatically for nothing. But I think I would read this again so its worth hanging onto.
jk ... maybe
But either way I thought this was definitely an intereting read and posed some interesting questions. And it was definitely a shock seeing Batman just get gutted like a fish and drop dead like that. Just to pass on hsi cowl Super dramatically for nothing. But I think I would read this again so its worth hanging onto.