Batman Vol. 4 #3 review time. I finally pulled this one from the stack on my desk last night. It’s been sitting there since my last run to the shop, just waiting for a quiet evening. You know how it is, sometimes the pull list grows faster than the free time, especially when work decides to throw a few logistics curveballs my way.
When this reboot kicked off with Batman Vol. 4 #1, I’ll admit I was cautious. We’ve seen so many “new eras” for Gotham that they start to blur together after a few decades of collecting.
But Fraction is building something here that feels… distinct. It’s less about the gadgets and more about the pressure cooker Gotham has become.
Batman Vol. 4 #2 gave Tim Drake a much-needed spotlight, and now, with issue #3, we start to see the cracks in the foundation really widen.
Let’s talk about it. But as always, spoilers are ahead. If you haven’t cracked the cover yet, go read it first. Or don’t. I’m not your boss.
The Story: Chaos by Design (Spoiler Warning)
Batman Vol. 4 #3 doesn’t waste time trying to be polite. It opens right in the thick of it, and frankly, I prefer it that way.
We start with Huston Gray’s civics project interview going sideways. One minute he’s recording a nice chat about Gotham’s history, the next, he’s filming Robin helping an injured Batman escape a crime scene. And then, the kicker, Commissioner Savage planted evidence to frame them. It’s a classic move, I suppose, but it works. It sets the tone immediately: the police aren’t just useless; they’re actively the enemy again. Reminds me a little of the Year One days, just with better tech.
Then we shift to the hospital, and this is where the writing actually shines. Savage squeezing the oxygen tube of a surviving officer to force a false testimony? That’s cold. Not super-villain theatrics, just cold, bureaucratic evil. It makes you hate the guy instantly, which is exactly what a good villain should do.
The Crown of Storms plot finally gets some explanation too, via a televised debate between Hugo Strange and Dr. Anna Zeller. A device to regulate brain electricity? Nothing good ever comes from Gotham scientists messing with brains. We all know this. Nygma trying to steal it to stop the noise in his head was a nice touch, though. It makes the Riddler feel less like a gimmick and more like a desperate man.
If I had to nitpick, the scene with Damian complaining about university felt a bit… typical. “Formal education offers me nothing.” We get it, Damian, you’re a genius assassin. But Bruce insisting on art and history? That’s the good stuff. It shows he’s trying to raise a son, not just a soldier.
The Art: Quiet Moments in a Loud City
Jorge Jiménez is doing heavy lifting here. The action is great, obviously, the man knows how to draw a cape in the rain, but it’s the smaller moments that caught my eye this time.
Take the hospital scene with Bruce and Tim. There’s a panel where Bruce is visiting Tim, and Bernard is there.
Look at the body language here. Bruce looks… tired. Not “brooding superhero” tired, but “middle-aged father who is worried sick” tired. And Bernard? He’s casual, handing over flowers, making a joke about “bro weekends.”
The contrast is fantastic. You have the weight of Batman’s crusade on one side, and a kid just trying to be a normal human being on the other.
Jiménez uses the lighting from the hallway to separate them, almost like they’re in different worlds. It’s subtle. You might miss it if you’re just flipping through for the fight scenes, but it’s there. And the background details, the TV showing the debate, the busy waiting room, make Gotham feel lived-in. It’s not just a stage for Batman; it’s a place where people actually have to wait for doctors.
Is Batman Vol. 4 #3 Worth Collecting?
As a collector, I’m always asking: does this issue matter long-term?
Batman Vol. 4 #3 feels like a builder issue. It’s setting up the Crown of Storms arc and establishing Savage as a major threat. It’s not a first appearance of a major character key (unless you count the Crown itself as a character, which, knowing comics, might happen), but it’s a crucial chapter if you’re collecting this run.
Current Market Note (Jan 2026):
- Cover A (Jiménez): You can still find this at cover price or slightly above. It’s a beautiful cover, standard trade dress.
- Cover G (Aja Variant): This 1:25 incentive is the one people are watching. David Aja’s design work is always sharp. I’ve seen it floating around online for about $40–$50 USD. If you like minimalist covers, it’s a nice grab, but don’t overpay.
- Condition Check: Watch out for the spine on this one. The paper stock DC is using lately is decent, but the black ink on the cover shows stress lines easily. If you’re picky about 9.8s, check the corners before you leave the shop. Read: Comic Book Grading Scales Explained.
Final Verdict
Batman Vol. 4 #3 is a solid bridge. It moves the pieces where they need to go, Batman framed, villains conspiring, and the family stressed. It’s not an explosive issue, but it’s a necessary one.
Fraction’s dialogue is sharp Open season on the Bat-Family, and Jiménez makes even a hospital waiting room look interesting.
If you’re on the fence about the reboot, I’d say stick with it. It’s finding its footing. Score: 8.5/10. Read Batman Vol. 4 #4 Review: The Minotaur Audit (Major First Appearance Alert).
