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jordannedunn's review
4.0
First, a thank you to Edelweiss and DC Comics for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Duke is not a character I would ordinarily be interested by but he is an interesting lens through which to see the Bat Family – not mention he adds some much-needed diversity to the group.
Building on what Snyder started in his Batman series, Snyder & Patrick write a brilliant story in which they really showcase Duke and his unique set of skills. This book, whilst being called ‘Batman & the Signal’ (and featuring all the Bat-family members and some old favourites from We Are Robin) is really all Duke’s with Bruce playing much more of a supporting character role.
This story follows him as he helps to solve crimes with his mentor, whilst also trying to establish what sort of hero he is and what his place is within the larger group dynamic. This latter part is the central focus of the story and really endeared Duke to me as a character; his feelings of inadequacy and feeling the need to repeatedly prove his worth are ones many people can relate to and are showed brilliantly in his reflective style of narrative.
I especially like the art; the layout and design of the panels on every page alone is something to enjoy, but I also really enjoyed the black and yellow accented pieces and action scenes. I really like Duke’s costume design too, I think it fits perfectly with the corner of Gotham that he has carved out as his to protect.
Overall, I’d consider this a great jumping on point for anyone interesting in reading about Duke, the Bat-family or comics in general. That being said, though you don't have to have read We Are Robin prior to reading this (I haven't), I would recommend it as it will add a little more context.
Writing Quality – 7/10
Image/Illustration Quality – 8/10
Character Development – 9/10
Overall – 8/10
Find my full review on my blog, Bloodthirsty Little Beasts.
I really enjoyed this book. Duke is not a character I would ordinarily be interested by but he is an interesting lens through which to see the Bat Family – not mention he adds some much-needed diversity to the group.
Building on what Snyder started in his Batman series, Snyder & Patrick write a brilliant story in which they really showcase Duke and his unique set of skills. This book, whilst being called ‘Batman & the Signal’ (and featuring all the Bat-family members and some old favourites from We Are Robin) is really all Duke’s with Bruce playing much more of a supporting character role.
This story follows him as he helps to solve crimes with his mentor, whilst also trying to establish what sort of hero he is and what his place is within the larger group dynamic. This latter part is the central focus of the story and really endeared Duke to me as a character; his feelings of inadequacy and feeling the need to repeatedly prove his worth are ones many people can relate to and are showed brilliantly in his reflective style of narrative.
I especially like the art; the layout and design of the panels on every page alone is something to enjoy, but I also really enjoyed the black and yellow accented pieces and action scenes. I really like Duke’s costume design too, I think it fits perfectly with the corner of Gotham that he has carved out as his to protect.
Overall, I’d consider this a great jumping on point for anyone interesting in reading about Duke, the Bat-family or comics in general. That being said, though you don't have to have read We Are Robin prior to reading this (I haven't), I would recommend it as it will add a little more context.
Writing Quality – 7/10
Image/Illustration Quality – 8/10
Character Development – 9/10
Overall – 8/10
Find my full review on my blog, Bloodthirsty Little Beasts.
disniq's review
5.0
- I love Duke
- He's so grounded and also very sarcastic in a way I relate to very much, but not in a mean way
- The way he often feels inadequate but carries on anyway speaks to me on a personal level.
- He's doing it his own way!! Finding his own path! Good for her dot gif!
- This tpb also includes the Cursed Wheel minis, and the Role Call short, which are both great little Duke centric stories I'm happy to own
gothamshire's review
3.0
I wanted to like this, I WANT to like Duke Thomas, but making him a meta in Gotham City was the wrong move. I like the idea of a daytime crew but the villain in this was a whole mess. This could've been a compelling story by just focusing on Duke's family and his journey as a hero. Bruce constantly telling him how great he is just rings weird and aside from Cass there's no connection between him and the rest of the Batfam. Just too much trying to be done at once and SPARE ME with the meta stuff that somehow has to do with dumb old nth metal.
cryptidtinkerer's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bicanthropus's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
rashthedoctor's review
1.0
My God! Did Scott Snyder really write this ? Coz this is awful , the worst think I have read from Snyder .
This is basically a push for Duke Thomas , in the hopes that people like it and then Duke becomes a big thing like other batfamily member . However it's really hard to make a fascinating Batfamily member when the existing one are so brilliant . Duke at least has a very distinct and unique identity .
Duke unlike other 'Bats' is not relying on the usual bat-family motif , he is working in day and he has powers and as a whole , he stands unique and separate from the usual Bat-family gimmick . Simply put he is Signal , not a "Robin"
The problem though , is that no one really like Duke as a character , there's nothing alluring in Duke Thomas's character and there's certainly isn't any character development that we might have seen so far . In fact the whole super power thing ... Where did those power thingy came from ? Did I miss some comics or storyline ? Coz I never knew that ? And what exactly are his powers ? And who was the villain ?
The story was written as if everyone reading is already familiar with those answers , I for one certainly wasn't . Maybe I need to do more reading to answer those questions , but as of now I don't like Duke , I don't understand Duke and apparently I don't know Duke
And finally the art and plot of this issue ... It made no sense , I could draw holes in the plot as big as my fist here and even ignoring those flaws , the story was boring and created no excitement for me whatsoever. For a story set in Day time in the Bat-universe , this appeared more bland and dull than any night time storyline .
Simply put , it's a big fat NO for me .
This is basically a push for Duke Thomas , in the hopes that people like it and then Duke becomes a big thing like other batfamily member . However it's really hard to make a fascinating Batfamily member when the existing one are so brilliant . Duke at least has a very distinct and unique identity .
Duke unlike other 'Bats' is not relying on the usual bat-family motif , he is working in day and he has powers and as a whole , he stands unique and separate from the usual Bat-family gimmick . Simply put he is Signal , not a "Robin"
The problem though , is that no one really like Duke as a character , there's nothing alluring in Duke Thomas's character and there's certainly isn't any character development that we might have seen so far . In fact the whole super power thing ... Where did those power thingy came from ? Did I miss some comics or storyline ? Coz I never knew that ? And what exactly are his powers ? And who was the villain ?
The story was written as if everyone reading is already familiar with those answers , I for one certainly wasn't . Maybe I need to do more reading to answer those questions , but as of now I don't like Duke , I don't understand Duke and apparently I don't know Duke
And finally the art and plot of this issue ... It made no sense , I could draw holes in the plot as big as my fist here and even ignoring those flaws , the story was boring and created no excitement for me whatsoever. For a story set in Day time in the Bat-universe , this appeared more bland and dull than any night time storyline .
Simply put , it's a big fat NO for me .
jenniferlynnkrohn's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
fishfish's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lukeisthename34's review
3.0
A bit lost. Even with what seems like all the info about the character I still feel a bit lost.