Batman #14 Review

 

Batman #14: Bad Seeds Week 7 Part 1 Review

Writer: Matt Fraction

Artist: Matteo Scalera

Colorist: Tomeu Morey

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Cover Artist: Matteo Scalera & Tomeu Morey

Variant Cover Artists: Dan Mora; Dustin Nguyen; Ryan Sook; Kyuyong Eom; David Aja; Jim Lee & Alex Sinclair; Dan Quintana

Editors: Jessica Berbey & Rob Levin

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99 US/$5.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: October 7, 2026

 

While Vandal Savage orders police officers back to GCPD Headquarters, Batman protects frightened people from angry plants. He dispenses his Bat-Breathers to those in need and directs them to Gotham Harbor. As Batman assists the exodus, Savage shrugs at those left behind. So, what if a few people die? The Torus that supports him will still find ways to keep him in power.

 

Can Batman prevent the people caught amid Vandal Savage’s war with Poison Ivy from becoming statistics in history books? And who can help Batman safeguard Gotham? Let’s leap into Batman #14 and see!

 

Story

Outside Pennyworth Manor, thieves arrive to burgle it. They claim they’re just redistributing the wealth to more deserving people. Yet while they break into philanthropist Bruce Wayne’s home, Batman journeys beneath Gotham. As the thieves ignore the superbloom’s threat to themselves and their families, Batman seeks to save their city. Yet to do so, he must secure the aid of another villain.

 

While the thieves invade the home Bruce Wayne named after her great-uncle, Verity Pennyworth studies Batman’s records. Thanks to his superior telecommunications, she can speak with Batman while most cellphones and radios no longer work. The thieves' assertion that rich people plan for every contingency may not be true. Still, Bruce Wayne's long-term commitment to safeguarding Gotham helps him protect it even under the direst conditions in Batman #14.

 

As the thieves pay lip service to class struggle, Verity also tests the boundaries of her relationship with her new employer. The Brit may have foisted herself on Batman, thanks to unexpected provisions in her granduncle's will. Yet she clarifies her commitment to his team, even as she insists he respect her position. So, while Batman focuses on saving Gotham from Poison Ivy’s superbloom, he guides Verity through what she needs to know, so she can help him safeguard the city he loves in Batman #14.

 

Art

As the double-cab pickup pulls to a stop, the GCPD markings on the doors and the lightbar on the roof should make people feel safe. Yet the thieves, wearing GCPD uniforms and Batman masks, mock both sets of Gotham's protectors. Unbeknownst to them, Verity sits at a desk, studying papers and items from Batman's evidence boxes. Her earhook earbud may clash with her brass chamberstick. Yet another item Verity studies shows a disturbing parallel with the "police" invading her home.

 

As Matteo Scalera portrays the imminent confrontation between Verity and the thieves, Tomeu Morey adorns Batman #14 with a luminous palette. Without electricity, candles illuminate Verity’s domain, while moonlight and the thieves’ flashlights light their way. As the ambient light evokes Poison Ivy's concerns about long-term sewer planning, Batman also uses a flashlight to aid his journey. But when he reaches a ledge above his enemy's kingdom, the light-blue and red buildings evoke the lightbar atop the thieves' pickup.

 

Clayton Cowles fills white balloons with uppercase black letters, while blue edging and red splotches surround Bat-com balloons. As dialogue grows bold with intonation and shrinks with lowered voices, off-camera dialogue also appears in colored boxes. The yellow boxes link Verity with another woman navigating a long-term relationship. Blue narrative boxes link Batman, his longtime foe, and the thieves as people capable of safeguarding Gotham, if only they have the will to do so. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Any long-term working relationship is like a marriage. Bruce Wayne didn't realize that his late friend had made provisions for his replacement. But as Bruce tries to accommodate Verity Pennyworth's quirks and differing viewpoints, he journeys below Gotham to meet an enemy who has also struggled to make long-term relationships work in Batman #14.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

For more of the Bad Seeds Event, see

 

Poison Ivy #47: A Batman: Bad Seeds Prelude: Preview 

 

Batman: Bad Seeds – Sunset #1 Preview 

 

Batman #13: Bad Seeds Week 2 Part 1 Preview 

 

Batgirl #23: Bad Seeds Week 2 Part 2: Preview 

 

Batman: Bad Seeds: Gotham Central #1--Bad Seeds Week 3 Part 1 Review 

 

Batwoman #7: Bad Seeds Week 4 Part 1 Review 

 

Detective Comics #1113: Bad Seeds Week 4 Part 2 Preview  

 

Catwoman #91: Week 4 Part 3 Preview 

 

Nightwing #142: Bad Seeds Week 4 Part 4 Preview  

 

Harley Quinn #66: Bad Seeds Week 5 Part 1 Preview  

Poison Ivy #48: Bad Seeds Week 6 Part 1 Review 

 

Batman #14 Preview

 

While Vandal Savage orders police officers back to GCPD Headquarters, Batman protects frightened people from angry plants. Batman gives out his Bat-Breathers to those in need and directs them to Gotham Harbor. But while Batman assists the exodus, Savage shrugs at those left behind. So what if a few people die? The Torus that supports him will still find ways to keep him in power.

 

Can Batman prevent the people caught amid Vandal Savage’s war with Poison Ivy from becoming statistics in history books? And who can help Batman safeguard Gotham?  

 

Here's all the info from DC Connect: 

 

 

Batman #14: Bad Seeds Week 7 Part 1 Preview

Writer: Matt Fraction

Artist & Cover Artist: Matteo Scalera

Variant Cover Artists: Dan Mora, Dustin Nguyen, & Ryan Sook

1:25 Variant Cover Artist: David Aja

Foil Variant Cover Artist: Dan Mora

Bad Seeds Spot Foil Variant Cover Artist: Kyuyong Eom

Clayface Movie Variant Cover Artist: Jim Lee

Kingdom Come 30th Anniversary Variant Cover Artist: Dustin Nguyen

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 40 Pages

Price: $4.99 US | Variant Cover $5.99 US (Card Stock) | Variant $7.99 US (Foil)

Release Date: October 7, 2026

 

 

Fraction & Scalera Turn Up The Heat On

Bad Seeds With The Coldest Villain In Town!

 

 

As the night wears on & the threat of dawn looms, Batman must search for answers from the one man capable of stopping Ivy & the bloom. Elsewhere, Verity Pennyworth must defend the Manor from all manner of threats—& they’re about to discover they picked the wrong house to mess with.

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us. 

 

For more of the Bad Seeds Event, see

 

Poison Ivy #47: A Batman: Bad Seeds Prelude: Preview 

 

Batman: Bad Seeds – Sunset #1 Preview 

 

Batman #13: Bad Seeds Week 2 Part 1 Preview 

 

Batgirl #23: Bad Seeds Week 2 Part 2: Preview 

 

Batman: Bad Seeds: Gotham Central #1--Bad Seeds Week 3 Part 1 Review 

 

Batwoman #7: Bad Seeds Week 4 Part 1 Review 

 

Detective Comics #1113: Bad Seeds Week 4 Part 2 Preview  

 

Catwoman #91: Week 4 Part 3 Preview 

 

Nightwing #142: Bad Seeds Week 4 Part 4 Preview  

 

Harley Quinn #66: Bad Seeds Week 5 Part 1 Preview  

Poison Ivy #48: Bad Seeds Week 6 Part 1 Review 

 

Batman #13 Preview

 

Some claim that Gotham never changes. They argue that the city just finds new ways to hurt its inhabitants. So, Poison Ivy tried to make Gotham a shining beacon of how Humans could make their world greener. But when the people turned against her, and the Parliament of Trees wanted revenge for Bog Venus' murder, Poison Ivy gave them the city. Gothamites can stay as the air grows toxic to Humans. Or they can flee, and perhaps survive elsewhere. At least, for awhile.

Batman knows the clock is winding down to zero hour. But can he prevent Poison Ivy and Vandal Savage's war from destroying his city? And is it too late to prevent Ivy's terraforming from choking Human life out of the world?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

Batman #13: Bad Seeds Week 2 Part 1 Preview

Writer: Matt Fraction

Artist & Cover Artist: Matteo Scalera

Variant Cover Artists: Dan Mora, Dustin Nguyen & Ryan Sook

1:25 Variant Cover Artist: David Aja

Foil Variant Cover Artist: Dan Mora

Dark Knight Returns Variant Cover Artist: Dan Mora

Hispanic Heritage Month Variant Cover Artist: José Ladrönn

Bad Seeds Spot Foil Variant Cover Artist: Guillem March

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 40 Pages

Price: $4.99 US/Variant $5.99 US (Card Stock)/Variant $7.99 US (foil)

Release Date: September 2, 2026

 

 

Vandal Savage Puts Ivy in The Crosshairs!

A Batman: Bad Seeds Tie-In!

 

 

Somewhere in the headquarters of the Gotham City Police Department, Vandal Savage hides a chemical weapon designed to kill Poison Ivy…but if Ivy dies, there will be no ending the bad night of Bad Seeds, for Gotham City or anywhere else.

 

No power. No comms. A heavily-armed private militia tasked with bringing him down on orders of the worst person in Gotham. All holed up together within an impenetrable fortress.

 

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

For what happened last time, see:

 

 

 Batman #12 Preview,

 

 

Poison Ivy #47 Preview, and

 

 

Batman: Bad Seeds – Sunset #1 Preview. 

Batman: The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween #10 Preview

 

 

Some creators cast long shadows. While enthralling comic fans, Tim Sale's art influenced Batman filmmakers Matt Reeves and Christopher Nolan. Actor Christian Bale also drew upon Tim Sale's imagery in his portrayal of Batman. As his frequent contributor, Jeff Loeb, brings this saga about families reaches its conclusion, Tim Sale's influence remains, reminding us of his contributions to the DC Comics family.

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Batman: The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween #10

Writer: Jeph Loeb

Artist: Matteo Scalera

Cover Artists: Tim Sale, Matteo Scalera, Adam Hughes & David Finch

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $4.99

Release Date: October 29, 2025

 

The final issue of the epic story written by Jeph Loeb featuring stunning art by Matteo Scalera! It’s all been leading to this—the heart-pounding conclusion to Batman: The Long Halloween: The Last Halloween! Don’t miss it!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

The Ambassadors Library Edition HC Review

 

Writer: Mark Millar

Artists: Frank Quitely, Karl Kerschl, Travis Charest, Olivier Coipel, Matteo Buffagni & Matteo Scalera

Colorists: Frank Quietly, Vincent MG Deighan, Michele Assarasakorn, Dave Stewart, Giovanna Niro & Lee Loughridge

Letterer: Clem Robins

Cover Artist: Frank Quitely

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Price: $49.99

Release Date: December 25, 2024

 

While countries like China and Russia carve up Antarctica, someone builds a technological marvel on Earth’s southernmost continent. Those who stumble across it awaken far away, unable to recall their discovery. What is happening in this city of the future on the continent dedicated to scientific research? And how will advancements made there benefit our world? Let’s pull on our Lycra suits, leap into The Ambassadors Library Edition HC, and find out!

 

Story

Dr Choon-He Chung is serving a life sentence in the Cheongju Women's Correctional Institution. She wants to change that. Aided by Oksana Petrov, the South Korean scientist unlocks the Human condition. While building her Antarctic city, she develops a range of superpowers she can draw on. Now, all she lacks is freedom. That's where her knowledge of artificial intelligence comes in handy.

 

In The Ambassadors Library Edition HC, Choon-He Chung downloads her consciousness into a lookalike android. Then she announces a competition. Choon-He wants to share her discoveries with people around the world. She doesn't insist that they be bastions of morality. What matters most is a desire to help others and a willingness to represent their respective countries. Some work in lowly positions in society. Others profit from hurting others but vow to turn over a new leaf. Each of Dr Chung’s superheroes will enjoy health and long life. While doing good, they can borrow up to three superpowers at a time, relayed from Dr Chung's Antarctic stronghold.

 

Dr Chung’s actions threaten the countries that dominate our world. Her handful of superheroes can take on the armies of the superpowers, end wars, and protect countries from natural disasters. In Mark Millar's story, Choon-He's greatest threat is her ex-husband. Jin-Sung never loved her. Instead, he waited for the opportunity to capitalize on her discoveries by falsifying the evidence that imprisoned her.

 

While Dr Chung builds her superpowered version of Jeff Tracy’s International Rescue Corps, her ex-husband builds a team of billionaires. Jin-Sung’s recipients control the internet and the world media. After amassing fortunes, ruling the workforce, and influencing the masses, Jin-Sung’s billionaires want to further their legacies by living forever in The Ambassadors Library Edition HC.

 

Art

Mark Millar teamed with artists Frank Quitely, Karl Kerschl, Travis Charest, Olivier Coipel, Matteo Buffagni, and Matteo Scalera to capture panoramic shots like a plane flying over a domed city and a ship entering a Junk-filled Chinese harbor. Choon-He hovers above a stage while her assistant hobbles using a cane. Superheroes climb onto pogo stick-like supports to descend into a secret lair before roaring onto the streets in an exotic sportscar. Choon-He marvels as she watches orange and yellow-green fire streak through the evening sky, knowing the man flying like a bird (or a plane) used to need an oxygen tank to breathe.

 

Frank Quietly, Vincent MG Deighan, Michele Assarasakorn, Dave Stewart, Giovanna Niro & Lee Loughridge wield loaded palettes to convey gang wars in Rio De Janeiro, a rescue on a snow-covered mountain, and a man flying above a burning Australian village. They contrast these with scenes painted with limited colors in The Ambassadors Library Edition HC. People watch a red, blue, and yellow superhero on a screen in a grayscale viewing room. An organic gray spiral elevates glowing red letters circling a globe. Gray, beige, and tan fill the Oval Office as the President worries about the threats to the United States multiplying.

 

Clem Robins fills dialogue balloons and narrative boxes with uppercase black lettering that grows bold for inflection and enlarges for volume. Sound effects help us hear soldiers mowing down the opposition, villains making their bones, and an aggrieved ex-husband shattering furniture with a single blow. As superheroes bond over capturing a gang of thieves, we glimpse their takedowns through giant, colored sound effects. Biff! Pow! Smash! Thanks to Dark Horse Comics, Millarworld, and Netflix for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Should people who accomplish much win the most substantial prizes? Or are those who selflessly help others most worthy of power? One of history's prominent influencers claimed that those who doubled their investments (or talents) were most worthy of being entrusted with more. Then, he granted his followers eternal life regardless of their social status, wealth, or business acumen. The Ambassadors Library Edition HC ponders people's worthiness of receiving superpowers, the responsibility to represent their countries, and freedom from the limitations of age and disease.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Standstill #1 Review

 

Writer: Lee Loughridge

Artist: Andrew Robinson

Colorist: Lee Loughridge

Designer & Letterer: Rob Tweedie

Cover Artists: Andrew Robinson, Cary Nord & Matteo Scalera

Publisher: Image Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: August 21, 2024

 

A man dressed in a Hawaiian shirt orders cocktails in a biker bar. He insults the club members' attire. They drag him off his barstool and slam him into the wall. Will he become the Murder City Devils' latest victim? Or can he turn the tables on the angry bikers? Let's leap onto our Harleys, ride into Standstill #1, and find out!

 

Story

We don't learn the man's name. But the grin on his face bespeaks his confidence. He takes his time, upping the ante, with one comment after another steadily increasing their ire. The bartender announces the man finally lit the fuse when the bikers drag him into the corner. He presses a shotgun into the man's face. Suddenly, the man isn't in their hands. He leans against the bar again. He admires a long knife. He wonders if it is what the bikers used to kill a woman.

 

Colin Shaw's wife is leaving him. Lara is tired of living in this small town. She hopes leaving will prompt Colin to stop obsessing about past failures and spinning conspiracy theories. But instead of channeling his energies into a new project, Colin returns to the basement after she roars off in her red convertible. He works late into the night, studying news from around the globe. Someone has gotten past elaborate security to attack corporations, rob banks, behead drug lords, and disgrace or kill monarchs. Colin didn't perform these acts. Yet he believes his invention enabled them to carry out these seemingly impossible tasks.

 

In Standstill #1, Lee Loughridge begins an epic tale about a device that can stop time and a man who uses it to right wrongs. The government realizes someone stole the device, and they have no way to track it. Colin Shaw is their only hope. Can he build another and help them prevent the thief from destabilizing the international community?

 

Art

The nameless man swaggers through the bar in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts. He smokes a cigarette using a long holder. The men around him wear leather, denim, and scarves over their heads. Tattoos adorn their skin. He smiles while they frown. Even when they drag him away, he never loses his grin. Corky, the burly bartender, gathers with the others before the bar when the man does his strange disappearing and reappearing act. Then his eyes bulge, and his jaw drops as he clutches a bloody knife with tattooed fingers spelling a four-letter word.

 

The nameless man's green and yellow shirt shines bright amid the subdued tones of the darkened bar. The green is reflected in the backlit bottles along the wall, while the cigarette flame and the downlight over the pool table echo the yellow in the man's shirt. Lee Loughridge contrasts these bright colors with orange and purple, while color washes and black dots increase the atmosphere in this den of iniquity.

 

Andrew Robinson utilizes horizontal layouts across two pages in Standstill #1. Panels often stretch across the pages, and arrangement ignores staple boundaries. The big screen treatment unfolds quickly, from the sun-dappled greenery outside Colin Shaw's traditional American house to a late-night diner painted in subdued yellows, browns, and greens, Colin's basement office illuminated by two widescreen monitors, and a red and white plane flying over puffy white clouds in the bright blue sky. The nameless man rides in First Class. Yet now his attire is subdued, and the man beside him usurps his King Of Cool image. But the blue glow of the nameless man's wrist bracelet reminds us who is in charge.

 

Rob Tweedie slips uppercase black letters into white dialogue balloons. The letters grow bold for intonation and swell for raised voices. Sound effects elevate the taut opening scene, as the bikers slam the man into a wall and pound their fists into bricks when he vanishes. Thanks to Image Comics for providing a copy for review.   

 

Final Thoughts

If you could put the world on pause, you could go anywhere and perform any action without anyone being the wiser. As the inventor of such a device tracks the man who stole it, Standstill #1 ponders how quickly this godlike ability would corrupt whoever uses it.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

For more covers see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.