They did, but if you schedule things correctly, that doesn’t mean you have to have an artist shift.
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Okay, I just saw this take on Simon Saint over on Reddit and had to share it:
After a couple whole arcs about both Bane and Joker hatching flawless plans to utterly break Batman, it’s refreshing to have someone whose plan just completely collapses before it even begins, forcing him to madly scramble through the rubble for at least a semblance of damage to control. Just watching him flail around, flop sweating over the mountain of bad choices into even more bad choices is one of my favorite parts of Fear State so far. Just an absolute failman, I love it.
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I am a bit disappointed that Simon Saint wasn’t more of a Grand Admiral Thrawn type of villain, but he is kind of hilarious in his collapse.
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Especially at the point we’re at in the event. He went from “I will save this broken city from itself” to “BURN THE CITY AND SALT THE EARTH” real quick.
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Yeah. Part of me wonders if Simon Saint was intended to be a longer-term villain, since we know that Fear State was going to be an event, but maybe Tynion had more plans for Saint later that he wrapped up early. Dunno!
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Batman Secret Files: Peacekeeper 01 #1
While we got the broad strokes of what Sean Mahoney’s life was like before becoming Peacekeeper, it was interesting to see it from his perspective. From the first flashback, where we see Sean’s father tell the story of how their ancestor was screwed over by the elites of Gotham, giving them the lesson always to take what is owed to them, definitely helps explain a lot of his motivation we see from the character during this scene.
It was also interesting to see someone who is more outside of the traditional circle of Batman characters. You normally just see these corrupt cops that Gordon takes out of the force as just simple bad guy fodder, but it’s interesting to see their perspective of suddenly having to find a new way to provide for their family. It’s even harder to see the system of Arkham being anything but utterly inept from the side of the guard who has to deal with these super-criminals. It was also cool to see Dr. Joy from the Arkham City mini-series in the Arkham sequence as well.
Overall, not a bad one-shot. It doesn’t do anything revolutionary or surprising for the character, but it does help better fill him out.
Catwoman #36
A good continuation of what happened last issue. It was cool to see Selina teaming up with all these morally grey villains for the heist to rescue Ivy. I do feel like this was a bit of a Flanderized version of Harley in this issue – a little too quirky and not really funny. But that could just be from the fact that there’s so many characters and she’s not the main focus.
Nightwing #85
Really, this issue feels like it should be called Batgirl #85, because it’s mostly Barbara’s story and perspective. It’s rather appreciated, because at this point Barbara had mostly been a supporting character and hadn’t had her own ongoing for…almost a year if I’m looking at these books right.
And what’s cool is that it kind of deconstructs and asks interesting questions about Barbara and her activities as Oracle – with Seer now in control of Babs’ vast surveillance network, you can see how easily such a person with that kind of power could become corrupt and dangerous.
As much as I’m enjoying the Batgirls title right now, as well as her role in the Nightwing title, this does remind me of how much I miss Barbara having her own title.
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I was really surprised at how much I liked the Peacekeeper one shot. I think the fact that it diagnoses so many problems without preaching for one solution (though it definitely preaches against a couple 
), and that even though Sean is a horrible person, it creates a good connection between him and the reader. Plus, it really fills out the backstory we’ve seen Tynion slowly building through Joker and Batman.
I feel that Babs is starting to take the right place in the Batgirls title. I think everyone here knows that I’m a Steph fan first and foremost, but I love Cass and Babs too, and I was concerned when they advertised Batgirls as “two is better than one” - when I think they should have gone with “three is better than one”. The fact that they seem to be on board with this now is the right way to go, and I hope that they can find a good balance for the trio - Babs not taking all the focus, nor the other two - all three being equally important.
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Detective Comics #1044
It’s funny, I believe last issue I complimented how they were able to add the Vile elements from the previous arc so that it feels like a continuation instead of just swerving for the big crossover event. While I mostly still think that, the complication added at the end of this issue of the vile parasites coming up from the sewers almost feels like too much. Like, we already got the Magistrate and Peacemaker 01 causing chaos, Seer using disinformation and lies to make it that no one believe anyone, and Scarecrow’s doing his thing, do we need the Vile parasites flopping around too?
The back-up setting up Arkham Tower and the upcoming Shadows of the Bat event works well enough, though I do find it odd that they use the “Now” script text when showing stuff like Nakano talking about Arkham Tower, because “Now” should be the Fear State story. Then it mentions the fact that Arkham Tower is based off of Hugo Strange’s S.A.F.E. building from the Harley Quinn book, which implies that it should take place after Fear State. Kind of funny to have a story that takes place after the event – I mean, we all knew that characters like Batman would likely survive, but still.
Harley Quinn #8
You would think that a Harley Quinn book would be the one least connected to the events of an event and just do it’s own thing around it, but I’m honestly kind of surprised at how it not only connects, but feels vital to the events of Fear State, while not losing mark of what the series was doing before.
I enjoyed the stuff with the Gotham City Sirens reunion + Gardner, and how Keepsake comes in to add to the chaos. There’s some good funny gags here (did…did we just witness Harley and Ivy roleplaying as Green Arrow and…Speedy?), and great action.
But I think the bit that I really liked was the exploration of Kevin. It was sweet seeing him try to help the city while using Harley as an inspiration, and seeing him recognize where he went wrong in life, how his being ostrasized took him down the wrong path and looking to redeem himself.
I’m fairly certain I’ve read solicits after the event that mentions Kevin, so I’m pretty sure he comes out of this alright…but if he doesn’t, I’m rioting.
Task Force Z #1
It’s weird, for a book that’s labeled as part of an event, we really don’t see a lot of the stuff that’s in the event. It’s almost as if they cynically added this book to the event checklist to get unsuspecting people to buy it! 
Seriously though, while the Fear State connection is tenious at best, this was a decent start to an intriguing sounding series. The idea of Red Hood, the “Robin who died,” dealing with zombie supervillains is a bold one and can either be really cool or really dumb depending on the creative team. So far I would say there is just enoug of intriguing mystery to want to see where this is going, which is probably what the intend was.
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I agree that the Vile parasite doesn’t really add to Fear State, but I kind of feel like that storyline went on too long. Tamaki’s Tec run is great, but that particular part of it should have ended a lot sooner than it did.
The Phillips Harley run has been quite good! I just wish I could figure out how to put the whole Fear State run together in order - I THINK it happens after the Ram V Catwoman arc, but I’m not 100% sure. Kevin is such a great creation from the run!
I wouldn’t count Task Force Z at all - surprised that it is. Weird! The series is quite fun, though! Or miniseries, I guess.
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Batman #116
Again, this definitely pushes the plot along better…I think. I think the problem I’m having in terms of the pacing of the event is that I’m not sure if that’s because of all the tie-ins or if the main story itself doesn’t have a lot in there. I think once I’m done reading the whole event, I’ll read through the main Batman issues to see how different it feels.
Anyway, there’s some good action with Ghost-Maker fighting the Magistrate, and there was some good interaction with The Scarecrow…well, before he got cacked by Peacekeeper 01. It’s kind of a shame, since this is supposed to be his event, but it is interesting to see the goon sort of take on the main villain role right now. Plus who knows, Crane could still have some tricks under his dirty, straw-covered sleeves. I’m also looking forward to seeing where the Ivy and Ivy interaction goes.
As for the Batgirls back-up, this reminded me of when this first came out, I heard people getting mad about the Clocktower being blown up and people genuinely thinking that DC was killing off Steph and Cass. Oy, that was dumb. Anyway, it was nice to see Cass and Steph interact like this and I like the sort of status quo that these issues were setting up for Batgirls.
Speaking of the Clocktower, this also reminded me of War Games when the Batman editorial decided to blow up the Clocktower in that story…without telling Gail Simone, who was writing Birds of Prey at the time. If I remember right, she was PISSED, and had her book moved to the Superman office at the time, which is partly why the book moved to Metropolis at the time. I’m sure that it was planned properly here in Fear State, but it does give off a similar vibe.
Arkham City: The Order of the World #2
This was a really good, creepy issue. I like how it takes these over the top and crazy superhero/villain ideas and tweaks them in such a way that it feels frighteningly possible. I think the best example of that is some drug addicts capturing Doctor Double X and using his energy form/powers to get high. Like, of course that’s some skeevy crap that would go on if people with that kind of power existed.
Doctor Joy and Ten-Eyed Man’s dynamic is also interesting. Ten-Eyed is just as creepy as before, but Joy is interesting, because you can’t really tell if she’s still in the right state of mind or if she’s going native. I also liked how they explained what “Arkham City” means in this series – but you thought they were just using the video game name to market it! I mean, I’m sure it helped, but still, curious to see where this series goes.
Batman: Urban Legends #9
First, there’s a pretty strong end to the Batwoman story…or should I say Red Alice? It was interesting seeing her sort of recognize and embrace both sides of herself in a way that feels like it could be a good step for her…or it could allow her to fall back into the depths of madness. It’s superhero comics, so, y’know, it can go either way. I will say I was a little disappointed because I thought Cassandra was also going to be in this tale, which would have been interesting, given what happened in Tynion’s Detective Comics, but you can’t have it all, I suppose.
Meanwhile, while Tweedledee and Tweedledum’s story doesn’t really factor into Fear State, it has perhaps the scariest foe of them all…the American healthcare system. 
Seriously, I wasn’t too sure about this story at first, but it got more interesting seeing characters that are normally bit roles take a spotlight in a story that can be quite sympathetic.
Azrael’s story was interesting – I think I liked the version of Azrael we saw in Tynion’s Detective Comics and I don’t really see how he went from that to this (maybe it’s explained in Justice League Odyssey? I have to read that run one of these days). But still, it’s pretty well done, I liked how the book takes care to pit itself in continuity, like mentioning books previously read for this event like Arkham City and Task Force Z. Definitely curious to see who this angel lady is.
Finally, the Outsiders story was cool. I dug the framing device of Future State Duke telling the Fearful how his past was changing as it was happening, definitely got the Ozymandias vibe with the whole “We did it 35 years ago” bit, in a good way. I kind of felt like characters like Tim and Clownhunter were a little extraneous, didn’t really add much to the story, but nothing too bad. I am a little curious as to what horrific alternate future the Outsiders were fighting in the end. I don’t think I would mind seeing a continuation of that.
I Am Batman #3
This was a solid mid issue – it had some good action sequences, a couple of interesting character moments, and I liked how this continues to get better at continuity, with how Ridley fits the Arkadine plot that’s been going on since Second Son in with Simon Saint and the Magistrate.
I also liked how the story uses the themes of the overall event in terms of the people we see as part of Seer’s army trying to take out this juvie hall, and how it’s filled with normal people who life has ground them down to accepting something, anything to feel special. It’s used exceptionally well with the Anarky shooter, who tries to cheer Jace’s mom up by saying killing the guy who was going to kill her made her special too. Yeeesh.
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Batman #117
Yeah, if you weren’t sure that the checklist wasn’t exactly a proper reading order, the first half of the issue really tells you that’s the case, showcasing stuff that would have happened in Nightwing, Catwoman, and the Gardener one-shot before all of this. The reading order of this is one thing, but something I think is more annoying is that with the exception of the stuff with Ivy in Catwoman, they don’t have an editor’s note for it so that if one was just reading the Batman title, some of this stuff is going to feel way out of nowhere.
Anyway, as for the book itself, I think it was a solid climax. The fight between Batman and Peacekeeper 01 was well drawn and kinetic, but that felt kind of mandatory and expected. I think the more interesting parts were the reunion of the Ivys and Batman talking down Miracle Molly. Considering the themes of people evolving from tragedy and influence, I think Ivy being able to embrace all sides of herself and both Bruce and Molly having a heart to heart moment about having faith in other people were very well done and what makes this story more than just rote action beats.
Also, the Batgirls back-up was solid. It’s basically set up for their series, and it’s done well, though not a lot to talk about. I did find it kind of funny that Babs just had Cass and Steph holed up and isolated in a crummy motel for several days when she was basically shacking up in comfort with her caked-up beefcake boyfriend. I see how it is, Babs. I see what you did there. 
Batman Secret Files: The Gardener #1
I think when it came to all the new characters Tynion created during this time, The Gardener was the one who from first impressions felt the most superfluous. Sure her sleek design and plant monster pets made her stand out visually, but what makes her stand out from Poison Ivy? I don’t know if the one-shot really does anything to change that, but it does do some interesting character building for Ivy more than anything.
I think the best part of the story was the backstory of Bella getting involved with the sort of plant scientists in DC, not just Ivy, but Woodrue and even the Hollands before the Swamp Thing ever came to be. The idea of all these idealistic scientists slowly falling apart because of the toxic magnetism of Woodrue was interesting and probably could have been a full story by itself.
A nagging issue I kind of have with this at the moment is the whole idea of Bella taking out the “pure” piece of Ivy. I think it feels like the writers trying to mellow out continuity in a way that doesn’t really do what I think they’re trying to do, and I don’t think it makes Gardener feel all that sympathetic. Like, are we supposed to be happy that she basically non-consensually ripped out a piece of Pamela’s mind?
Still, it was an interesting one-shot at least, with some GORGEOUS art by Christian Ward.
Catwoman #37
This is where I would talk about Catwoman #37…if it was on here!
Seriously, I guess there was a delay or something because even though it’s listed as part of the releases that was in that checklist, it’s not on here until next week. Anyway…
Nightwing #86
Oddly, there isn’t a lot to talk about here, mostly because some of the big beats already happened in other books, specifically Batman in both the main story and the Batgirls back-up. It was odd that the Batman book seemed to have Steph, Cass and Tim there when taking down Simon Saint, but here it’s just Dick and Babs and the others are rescuing random kids that are in a paramilitary base for…reasons. There was also some cute little shipping things involving the other three and finding out Dick and Babs kissed. Also, I’ll have to look and check, but I think this is the first and only time we’ve seen Tim even remotely interact with Steph since the whole coming out stuff in Urban Legends.
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I still think Batman 117 is a better ending to Fear State than Batman 100 was an ending to Joker War, because it felt like Batman himself was more essential to the plot - his connection to Miracle Molly wasn’t something any other Batfamily member could have done. It’s not quite as self contained as Joker War - the Nightwing issues are pretty essential if you want to know what the Batfamily actually does - but it just satisfies me a bit more.
The Batgirls backup is cute, but…what was Babs actually thinking? That was weird.
Gardner issue was cut, but I really didn’t enjoy it that much. That’s partly because I really don’t buy the “Poison Ivy didn’t do anything wrong” approach that DC seems to be going with, at least at this point, especially when Tynion spent a fair amount of time showing that Harley herself actually hurt people and that she is trying to change.
I will be very curious to see what you think of Omega! 
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Ok. That’s the clarification I was looking for. Just finished Catwoman #37 & was thinking the same thing. Good thing I took the time to read it all the way through. Or I would’ve posted- does anyone know…?- I got my answer while reading reviews, that’s a bargain lol…
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