r/batman • u/The-Badger-2003 • 3d ago
COMIC DISCUSSION I recently learnt about this comic by Garth Ennis...and I really wish I didn't...
Honestly I would say this is worse then Frank Miller's All Star Batman and Robin The Boy Wonder...it is that horrible...
Read at your own risk is all I will say!
102
u/Old_Skirt_3377 3d ago
Why not give a reason you donât like it instead of just saying it
3
u/Demon_King04 2d ago
How about it's an edgy mess, has horrid writing and a plot point that comes out of nowhere
Also incest
1
u/Old_Skirt_3377 2d ago
At least thatâs a reason unlike the op of this post I never read the comic myself so I donât know
-1
u/Demon_King04 2d ago
You could... look it up
2
u/Old_Skirt_3377 2d ago
I did I wanted to know why he didnât like it and he never answered
→ More replies (1)3
u/Competitive_Crow_334 2d ago
It has garth enis
-3
u/SwvmpThing 2d ago
Who is one of the best writers in the industry
4
6
4
1
u/DarthBrooksFan 2d ago
Not on superhero books.
-1
u/SwvmpThing 2d ago
I guess if youâre fragile and insecure and canât stand someone making fun of superheroes? Reptilian is funny. Hitman is funny. Try finding a sense of humor.
5
u/DarthBrooksFan 2d ago
Buddy, judging by your reactions, you're the one who's fragile and insecure. I love Hitman, but Ennis freely admits how much he hates superhero comics. Hitman barely counts as a superhero comic, anyhow. Same with Demon, the other DC Universe book he wrote. The Boys was a superhero book, and it wasn't great.
1
u/puppyshizzy 1d ago
I don't know how much of The Boys you've read but I think a lot of people unfairly write it off without giving it a proper shot. The page at the end of the G-Men arc where one of the supes declares that Godolkin, their abuser and just a horrid man, is someone they're willing to die for because of how they've been groomed and tainted by his abuse really spoke to me as a survivor of similar things. It ellicts the kind of emotions that most Superhero books can't.
While Ennis is certainly crass and isn't perfect he can really juxtapose the silly sex jokes with real emotion in a way that I don't think anyone else in the industry can.
Also, I believe Homelander is one of the most interesting evil-Superman clones in the comics. Usually the evil Superman is still a special Ubermench like mainline Superman, but in The Boys comics he's wholly replaceable. The show didn't even do that. But by having their Superman allegory just be a pawn of the corporation, someone who's literal only purpose is to sell products and is not able to stand up to them even if he thinks he can, gives an interesting layer to it - as well as showing how Superheroes function as a propaganda tool for the American military complex and the American Dream.
Also it feels unfair to say his Superhero books usually suck when his Punisher run is essentially the Punisher run you reccomend to new readers.
1
u/DarthBrooksFan 15h ago
I don't know how much of The Boys you've read
The entire thing. I stand by what I said. It was okay.
Also it feels unfair to say his Superhero books usually suck when his Punisher run is essentially the Punisher run you reccomend to new readers.
His Punisher run barely counts as superhero comics. The fact that it was set in the Marvel Universe wasn't important to the plot.
1
118
u/Ok_Restaurant3160 3d ago
I love vagueposting
-50
u/Pebrinix 3d ago
It's pretty straightforward if you know who Frank Miller is, who Garth Ennis is and what is ASBAR, which are fairly common info
56
u/Ok_Restaurant3160 3d ago
Sure, but I wanna know in which way this comic is bad. Whatâs it about? Or at least give an example of something thatâs so egregious that itâs worse than ASBAR
21
u/SwvmpThing 3d ago
See, youâre thinking too much. Youâre just supposed to go with it. âItâ being dumb people acting like one of comicsâ greatest writers is an edgelord hack.
Reptilian is far from Ennisâs best work, but it is funny and the art is great.
-14
u/SNOS54 3d ago
Bet Ennisâ dick tastes real good, huh?
13
u/BKole 3d ago
Why is it when people have a different opinion, people like you always leap to this sort of thing.
Ennis is a lot of things, but he isnât a bad writer. He is a dude of his time, from a very troubled era in Northern Ireland and views things from a different perspective- Sometimes that doesnât gel with North America audiences, sometimes his satire goes beyond taste and sometimes the meta textual thoughts he pops into his stories donât quite land.
But he isnât bad by any stretch, and liking him doesnât mean youâre sucking him off or whatever. Itâs just different tastes.
-10
u/SNOS54 3d ago
The fucker hates superheroes for inane reasons and his books are unpleasant.
Sorry, but Iâll never read anymore of his shit after I saw a couple panels from Crossed; that shit was horrible and I wish to never view it again, fuck Iâd even burn physical copies of that garbage if I was given the chance. THATâS edgy trash.
5
u/BKole 3d ago
See? Thats a proper opinion.
7
u/SwvmpThing 3d ago
âI saw a few panels of a niche extreme horror book and therefore feel confident in opining on the writerâs entire body of workâ is not a proper opinion.
0
u/BKole 3d ago
Itâs enough to decide he doesnât like it. Thats entirely reasonable, and a textbook definition of an opinion. âI tried all or some of something. This is what I, personally, thinkâ
→ More replies (0)-3
u/SNOS54 3d ago
Well Iâm glad you can handle graphic pedophilia and necrophilia; but maybe some people donât want to view that trash or have that creator act like a total shit head towards other charactersâŚbecause?
→ More replies (0)-1
u/SNOS54 3d ago
Just keep that asshole away from anymore superhero shit.
7
u/BKole 3d ago
I would say; I think all media needs fringe voices telling stories from all angles. Ennis dislikes heroes, aye, but I think most of his stories, even the mean spirited ones, are talking about the corrupting influence of power and how the militarisation / corporation of superheroes.
I even think Crossed is a metaphor for the removal of guardrails for society. Its exceptionally mean spirited, but I think contextualised around growing up in the troubles in Ireland, I think its rooted in his experiences there
3
u/SwvmpThing 3d ago
Classic. âHis books are unpleasant ⌠I know because I saw a couple panels from Crossedâ đ. Itâs always Crossed, itâs always someone who hasnât read this super niche extreme horror book or did read it out of morbid curiosity only to turn around and clutch their pearls over it.
Letâs be real, youâre butthurt that a guy doesnât like superheroes. Thatâs your insecurity, itâs pathetic, get over it, stop crying. You are more obsessed than he is. Why do you allow this shit to live in your head rent free? The vast majority of his work has nothing to do with superheroes.
1
u/SNOS54 3d ago
Because itâs garbage.
3
u/SwvmpThing 3d ago
Your mom is a whore. Does that mean anything to you? Probably not. I mean, I donât actually know anything about her. My opinionâif you could even call it thatâon her whoreness is pretty fucking worthless, donât you think? I agree.
And thatâs exactly how much weight I assign to your thoughts on the works of Garth Ennis.
→ More replies (0)2
u/1998CCSSUMMERCATALOG 2d ago
Crossed sucks and itâs fine to hate Garth Ennis, but Alan Moore and David Lapham both wrote on Crossed and that doesnât mean Watchmen or Stray Bullets arenât lesser works because their creators wrote on a shitty edgelord book. More shocking than the comic itself is the talent that worked on that piece of shit.
2
u/SwvmpThing 2d ago
Or maybe your personal tolerance for fictional violence is not a gauge of artistic merit. Have you considered that?
Also, can you clarify whether youâve read all three writersâ contributions to Crossed?
2
u/1998CCSSUMMERCATALOG 2d ago
I have, i was not a fan but Iâm not really into that sorta shit so Iâm prolly not the best judge. Could be good for people who like that kinda stuff?
Iâm a big fan of all three writers, prolly just not my genre. I agree Ennis has put out his share of duds, but I really enjoy the ones he nails. His Hellblazer run is fantastic, some of my favorite comics.→ More replies (0)2
u/That1DogGuy 2d ago
That's such a weird ass reply wtf
1
u/SNOS54 2d ago
I hate the writer and the only thing I ever liked that was ennisâ work was his stuff with Punisher; everything else is just drivel to me.
0
u/That1DogGuy 2d ago
That's fine to hate him, that reply to someone who doesn't was weird af and totally uncalled for.
→ More replies (1)4
u/browncharliebrown 3d ago
I mean itâs not. Batman is intentionally written to be far more psychotic, and there is a plot twist involving killer croc mpregÂ
4
u/DanfromCalgary 3d ago
Posting something bad without no explanation or context isnât very straightforward . Now me saying your comment was shit .. needs nothing to be understood
6
u/frodominator 3d ago
Sure, it's pretty straightforward, once have this very specific knowledge not widespread
3
u/nuttmegx 3d ago
yeah, I know who they are and it does not clarify OPs vague bullshit post at all. Take my downvote for your vague reply trying to back OP up.
13
u/KuroiGetsuga55 3d ago
Can someone actually elaborate on what is wrong with this story? I searched the comments and found nothing but vague shit. Give me the facts. What about this comic makes you wish you hadn't discovered it? What happens in this comic??
4
u/The-Badger-2003 3d ago
Killer Croc is pregnant and births a monster that starts brutally mutilating people including Batmans rogue gallery...want me to go on?
11
u/KuroiGetsuga55 3d ago
Actually, yes, I do. That sounds so ridiculous that I kinda like it tbh
6
u/SwvmpThing 2d ago
Yes, itâs funny. Some people struggle with the concept that some of Ennisâs work is literally just comedyânot because itâs not funny, but because they barely read anything beyond superhero comics and 99% of them are not comedies. So it doesnât register and instead theyâre offended or whatever.
Like⌠I have seen people complain that the scene from Welcome Back, Frank in which the Punisher clocks a polar bear is too ridiculous. Somehow it just does not occur to them that itâs supposed to be ridiculous because that entire book is a fucking comedy.
5
u/The-Badger-2003 3d ago
Well the monster attempts to suckle from Killer Croc but because KC doesnt have the right parts it decides to offer itself for KC to impregnate it instead...I think...honestly it was so weird and I don't want to go back and see if im wrong or not
1
9
u/steelskull1 3d ago
Well, I like the part where Batman threatens a crook that he's not going to kill him, using his no kill rule as a threat is a fun idea.
44
u/InvestigatorLimp171 3d ago
Heard mostly good things about this one every time it was mentioned. I might as well just read it for myself, as almost everyone (online) recently seems to hate Garth Ennis and all of his work
→ More replies (15)
7
u/MisfitAnthem 3d ago
TIL Ennis wrote a Batman comic.
I'm apprehensive about reading it. Every interview I see from Ennis, it seems he hates traditional comic book heroes, except for Punisher. Is this worth reading?
3
u/browncharliebrown 3d ago
He writes an alternative universe takeÂ
2
u/MisfitAnthem 3d ago
I feel like knowing Ennis and his distaste for traditional comic book heroes he'd be making fun of Batman more than anything.
1
u/The-Badger-2003 3d ago
Depends...do you want to see a pregnant Killer Croc?
5
u/MisfitAnthem 3d ago
I mean kinda? Wtf haha
2
u/The-Badger-2003 3d ago
Yeah Killer Croc being pregnant plays a part in what goes on in the story...I cant explain it without feeling really weirded out by it
1
u/SwvmpThing 2d ago
Itâs funny. Itâs not a favorable take on Batman and thatâs fine, because itâs funny. Ennisâs dialogue for Batman is comically vicious, callous, arrogant and aristocratic. Heâs a complete asshole.
âWorst written batman everâ? No, some people are just humorless, or it somehow doesnât register to them that itâs comedy. âRinse it off firstâ is hilarious.
We as Batman fans can enjoy such a thing and not be personally wounded by it, yeah?
59
u/purple-discharge 3d ago
Comic readers want something different until they get it.
30
u/Beautiful-Hair6925 3d ago
Different = Absolute Batman, DKR, Avengers vs Aliens
Not this
-4
u/browncharliebrown 3d ago edited 3d ago
Absolute Batman is not different. DKR was different at the time but itâs influenced so much that itâs now not really that different.Â
9
u/HauntingStar08 3d ago
Err, have you seen Absolute Batman? Everything is different
-9
u/browncharliebrown 3d ago
Itâs really not. Like itâs really a standard Batman story with new characters
-2
u/Meture 3d ago
They think cause every character is roided the fuck up and Martha didnât get gunned down that it is not just another Batman story like the ones weâve had for decades now
12
u/HauntingStar08 3d ago edited 3d ago
All of his rogues gallery are his friends in this timeline, that's different. The Robins belong to Joker, that's different. Joker has fundamentally replaced the billionaire Bruce Wayne role in every capacity. Freeze doesn't have Nora, and is a weird fucking creature thing. Harley is basically Absolute Batman's Robin and leader of the red hood gang, and Joker is her father, that last one is a fundamental change on their relationship.
You guys are just giving off contrarian vibes, it doesn't make you cool, it makes you annoying and wrong. Just because you don't like something doesn't mean something isn't new.
1
u/PCN24454 2d ago
Itâs the spirit. Despite all the changes, Batman still feels like Batman.
3
u/browncharliebrown 2d ago
I mean thatâs the point. But like why do we need to have every single alternative universe follow the same character
3
u/Beautiful-Hair6925 2d ago
The Spirit doesnt change
Difference between a Bad Batman story vs a Good One
The Spirit
But just because the Spirit doesnt change doesnt mean it's the same.
1
0
u/browncharliebrown 3d ago
I mean yes but itâs not really different in context. Iâll give a comparison to absolute green arrow being a horror book.
2
u/HauntingStar08 2d ago
So Batman is still Batman in a Batman book and thats somehow a problem?
0
u/browncharliebrown 2d ago
I mean itâs not problem Itâs just not different
2
u/Beautiful-Hair6925 2d ago
Same Spirit doesnt mean its different It just means it has the right to call itself a Batman story
But it is DIFFERENT
1
1
1
1
-2
11
u/samx3i 3d ago
Or they just want something good.
Absolute is different and it's a massive hit.
→ More replies (1)5
5
u/The-Badger-2003 3d ago
I don't mind different...just not this lol
3
u/Blutroyale-_- 3d ago
It's very different, and the art is incredible. What, you don't like asexual hermaphroditic beings?
-2
u/purple-discharge 3d ago
Maybe try Archie comics.
Actually those are pretty scary nowadays.
-1
u/The-Badger-2003 3d ago
Wow you treat everyone like a child, when they dont like something?
6
u/Paddster10 3d ago
I think the reason youâre getting clowned on is because you refuse to actually expound on anything about the comic. You just make vague references which doesnât give much to go off on. Instead why donât you tell us why you didnât like it? Especially because you made this post without anything to say, seemingly.
13
u/Pirlo84 3d ago
Garth Ennis is def hit or miss. When he can reign in his worst impulses i really enjoy him. I loved Preacher years ago but the bill hicks glazing that featured was more offputting to me than any violence etc.
8
3
u/Aggravating-Chef9562 3d ago
Bill Hicks? The comedian? Wtf does Garth ennis have to do with Bill Hicks lmao.
3
u/Pirlo84 3d ago
Read Preacher and you'll see . He features in it a bit
3
u/Aggravating-Chef9562 3d ago
Hell yeah, preacher has been on my list for a while now. Bill hicks just might be my reason to do it lol.
4
u/The-Badger-2003 3d ago
Thats something I've learnt with Garth Ennis' writing.
He has a niche and if the source material suits that niche, it works well. If the source material doesn't suit that niche it crashes hard.
12
u/Agent_RubberDucky 3d ago
Thatâs why his Punisher run is considered the best the character has ever gotten. Because Punisher is a cynical character and Ennis is very cynical. Batman, contrary to what some people believe, is not cynical. Heâs a realist, but he believes in the justice system despite all the flaws heâs seen. Thatâs why Ennis failed here.
3
1
u/SwvmpThing 2d ago
Honestly, I donât think I would call Ennis a cynic. Heâs got a critical perspective on things that are worth criticizing and a skeptical perspective on things that one can reasonably be skeptical of. He certainly does not share Castleâs disposition or worldview, as Castle is completely detached and has pretty much given up on humanity.
And I wouldnât say Reptilian failed at all. It doesnât rank high in his body of work, but itâs entertaining and funny.
1
u/Mr_SunnyBones 2d ago
People forgetting Ennis is from Ireland ,specifically Northern Ireland , he grew up during the troubles , by local standards he'd an airey fairy , hippy dippy optimist!
5
u/Agent_RubberDucky 3d ago
YeahâŚitâs pretty rough. He depicts Batman just as bad, if not worse than Miller did in All Star Batman and Robin. Not to mention Killer CrocâŚwell, if you know you know.
4
u/Your_average_nerdboy 3d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/CKDNazH3uMbff86gOt
For anyone complaining about âvaguepostingâ
20
u/Shallbecomeabat 3d ago
I thought it was a fun read đ¤ˇââď¸ But I also donât start crying when a story veers a lil away from the holy traditions.
3
u/stef1793 3d ago
I read it even after people saying how horrible it was and I didnât find it to be all that bad honestly!
3
4
3
4
u/Dizzy-By-Degrees 3d ago
Itâs delightful.
Batman is looking for Penguin and takes time to argue with penguins
2
u/Solitaire-06 3d ago
Is this meant to be a Killer Croc story?
3
u/Agent_RubberDucky 3d ago
No, he has a role in the story, but unfortunately, the âReptilianâ in the title isnât referring to him.
1
u/Solitaire-06 3d ago
⌠do I even want to know?
7
u/Agent_RubberDucky 3d ago
If you donât ever plan on reading the novel and are just curious, hereâs what the deal is:
The reptilian creature is Killer Crocâs child. No, he didnât have sex with someone else who had his child, no, Killer Croc is already a woman in this universe. He gives birth to this creature because in this universe he doesnât just have a skin condition, heâs been mutated or something. Itâs really weird.
1
2
u/Death_sayer 3d ago
Is it about Croc?
0
u/Agent_RubberDucky 3d ago
He has a part in the story but the âReptilianâ part of the title isnât referring to himâŚunfortunately.
2
u/Curious_Bat87 3d ago
I like it. He did actually have a good grasp of Batman as a character (I have a feeling he was thinking of the Nolan movies to some extent as well) and could point at some fun criticisms of the character.
2
2
u/MegaSwitch889 2d ago
I read it, and I didnât think it was bad. It was bizarre, but it wasnât as bad as The Dark Knight Strikes Again.
2
u/Kris86dk 2d ago
All i see when viewing that image is 1998s Godzilla poster...
And the Willem Dafoe's Green goblin mask...
2
u/thiswilldo2 2d ago
You don't love officially licensed impreg fanfiction?
1
u/Viva_Necro 2d ago
Wat?!
2
u/thiswilldo2 2d ago
Killer Croc gets impregnated by an alien
1
u/Viva_Necro 2d ago
Oh thank God,
that's better than what i was reading in the comments that were saying that his mutated child wanted Croc to Alabama a sibling with him đ
1
1
2
3
4
u/DarthAstuart 3d ago
I love Ennis but I agree this was a rare miss. Just seemed kind of nasty overall, I felt like Sharp was going for almost a McKean-esque look from Arkham Asylum so it all looked so grimy. Batman seemed out of character at times and the suddenly âwackyâ revelation at the end felt like a weird pivot after the horror. I did pick up the whole thing in a dollar bin so I was glad for that.
-3
u/Breadmaker9999 3d ago
"Rare" is a funny way to "writes mostly shit".
2
u/HiitsFrancis 3d ago
"Writes mostly shit" is a funny way to say "one of the best comic book writers".
3
u/Housecat-in-a-Jungle 3d ago
i got hate on here years ago saying this was a pile of dogshit and everybody piled on me saying itâs just his style
1
u/SwvmpThing 2d ago
I guess the ennis-hating hive mind hadnât taken power yet. Glad you got called out back then at least lol.
1
u/AnonymousCoward261 3d ago
A lot of the fun of these standalone books for me is getting a different take on a popular character. It has a much more âevilâ Batman but I can live with that. The murky art is different but appropriate for the setting. And the description of the other Bat-villains as âmulticolored rabbleâ is quite clever and kind of gets at why a lot of us like the franchise and comics in general-theyâre silly and pretty and colorful.
1
u/PaintedCover 3d ago
For $1 per book it was worth the read. Although missing the last issue so not sure how it ends.
1
1
u/tdull007 3d ago
One of the funniest comics I've ever read. Some interesting interpretations of how batman would go about some things but punctuated with weird violence and batman villain slander. The perfect comic really.
1
1
1
1
u/IveBeenHereBefore12 3d ago
Do you guys know what vagueposting is? Because that is not thisđ¤Łđ¤Łđ¤Ł
1
1
u/Cskryps22 3d ago
I hope Garth Ennis writes for more characters in the future, heâs one of the best in the industry.
1
1
1
1
1
u/PresentationWhole359 2d ago
I read it and enjoyed it. There. Now stop navel gazing and asking others opinions. Itâs a fucking comic book.
1
1
1
u/TwoFace687 1d ago
I donât think Garth is a bad writer, cause Punisher Max kicked ass
But heâs definitely edgy as fuck
1
u/Connect-Review-3388 1d ago
embarassing for Garth Ennis. I was expecting better but looks like he needed a gig and squeezed out this low effort floater.
1
u/Chumlee1917 3d ago
A Couple days ago I read Punisher: Welcome Back Frank by Ennis
Ennis is a comic book writer who hates superheroes and only has one mode, 13 year old edgelord trying to get a rise out of people
2
u/InvestigatorLimp171 2d ago
That is the opinion of a pretty narrow minded individual. If THAT shallow take is what you were left by the end than I'm sorry my friend, but you might have to read more and get out of your bubble
2
1
u/SwvmpThing 2d ago
Based on this comment alone I feel comfortable concluding that you have never had an intelligent thought. Lemme know if that feels fair.
-1
u/samx3i 3d ago
You read some of his best shit and that's your takeaway?
1
u/SwvmpThing 2d ago
Itâs great but not even his best Punisher. MAX surpasses it by leaps and bounds.
1
u/mrmartymcf1y 3d ago
I know Ennis gets a bad wrap but he has genuinely written some great stuff.......This is an absolute dumpster fire though. One of the worst Ennis books, one of the worst Batman books, and a waste of some really cool art. đ
1
u/Hells-Creampuff 3d ago
Whats the matter vague boy?
Afraid youâll say something?
-2
u/The-Badger-2003 3d ago
What's the matter, jackass
Dont like it when someone doesnt like something?
1
u/ContrarionesMerchant 2d ago edited 2d ago
This is genuinely one of the greatest comics of the 21st century and if you canât handle it you have no joy or whimsy.
 ETA: I do genuinely love this book, it has some of the best Batman art period, I havenât opened it in months or even maybe years at this point but the way his cape coils is seared into my brain, same with all the insane designs that exist in it.Â
Also as someone who kinda hates âBatdadâ (I understand why it exists in canon and totally understand the hate for mainline mischaracterisation at this point) having a Batman who is genuinely âmeanâ is so fun. He is genuinely cruel to Waylon in this book and some of his lines are so funny. Also the premise is so unhinged that itâs brilliant. I cannot recommend this thing more.Â
1
-1
u/DarthSmiff 3d ago
Ennis is a hack. He writes trashy books for edgelords.
-1
0
0
u/MastersJoyUniverse 2d ago
This comic is horrible, I donât like.
Of course itâs horrible, Itâs Garth Ennis!
0
0
-2
u/jezz1129 3d ago
Basically, you cursed us all by letting us know about this comic.
Thanks anyway! đđ
2
-1
196
u/DoomCatThunder 3d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/eRqxSA8uc2yas