Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » DC Comics » REVIEW: ‘The Batman Who Laughs,’ Issue #4

REVIEW: ‘The Batman Who Laughs,’ Issue #4

Lizzy GarciaBy Lizzy Garcia04/10/20193 Mins ReadUpdated:07/31/2021
The Batman Who Laughs #4 - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

The Batman Who Laughs #4 - But Why Tho

The Batman Who Laughs #4 is published by DC Comics, written by Scott Snyder, with art by Jock, colors by David Baron, and letters by Sal Cipriano. The issue follows Bruce Wayne after has fully become something closer to the enemy he is trying to defeat, The Batman Who Laughs, after self-administering a Joker toxin.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

This issue starts off with Bruce trying to remind himself of happiness, which he says in his darkest moments and during the worst missions is his children, and ultimately seeing the world through their eyes. This panel shows a joyful Dick Grayson swinging as Robin over the streets of Gotham only to quickly cut back to the Batcave where a strung-out Bruce Wayne attacks Alfred before coming back to his senses. The moment between Bruce and Alfred is heart-wrenching as Bruce begins to strangle a much older Alfred who feels he has once again failed his pseudo-son.

Despite Batman’s no-killing rule, he has always toed the moral line and in this issue, he takes another step closer to the deep end. Here, he continues his quest to stop the Batman Who Laughs before he kills another Bruce Wayne from the multiverse and gets one step closer to activating the Last Laugh. Now, with the continued help of James Gordon Jr., Batman must also stay ahead of his smartest villain yet, and the most dangerous Dark Knight in the dark multiverse: the Grim Knight.

This issue was absolutely haunting. A memorizing and depressive sort of haunt that is similar to the dread felt in the Dark Knights: Metal event. That being said, it’s much more intimate. While the stakes aren’t world-ending per se, Bruce is very close to losing himself and everyone he loves.

Ultimately, Bruce has voluntarily gone insane in hopes of defeating the Batman Who Laughs. He is out of options and out of time. Synder has been working up to this story since his “Black Mirror” arc within his Batman run and it is a testament to his ability as a storyteller to continue weaving so many elements from previous arcs into these panels.

The entire book consists of flawless panel transitions from Jock making it hard at times to decipher, if even for a moment, which Batman is on the page. While it is confusing for a second, this decision makes sense considering where Bruce’s head is quickly going. Additionally, Cipriano’s lettering work is filled with brilliant visual cues that show how quickly Bruce’s mental state is deteriorating. Soon every other word is painted in the red, dripping font that is so classically officiated with the Batman Who Laughs.

Snyder and Jock’s horror roots continue to work in their favor throughout this book. This is my favorite Batman book on shelves right now and while a lot of people gave mixed reviews toward Dark Knights: Metal, I encourage them to pick up this book anyway. It has all the elements that make a dark Batman story work – deep psychological themes revolving around Father complexes, the darkness of the human psyche, the Joker’s idea of “One Bad Day,” and a compelling villain that Bruce is so far, unlikely to beat.

Overall, The Batman Who Laughs #4 is another incredible issue and with only two more remaining in the mini-series, I am bittersweet to see its conclusion.

The Batman Who Laughs #4 is available now wherever comic books are sold.

The Batman Who Laughs #4
5

TL;DR

It has all the elements that make a dark Batman story work – deep psychological themes revolving around Father complexes, the darkness of the human psyche, the Joker’s idea of “One Bad Day,” and a compelling villain that Bruce is so far, unlikely to beat. Overall, The Batman Who Laughs #4 is another incredible issue and with only two more remaining in the mini-series, I am bittersweet to see it’s conclusion.

  • Buy Via Our ComiXology Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Lemon Pepper Huggz,’ Issue #1
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Batman,’ Issue #68
Lizzy Garcia

Related Posts

Absolute Batman Issue 12 cover

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Batman’ Issue 12

09/10/2025
Red Hood Issue 1 cover

REVIEW: ‘Red Hood’ Issue 1

09/10/2025
Cover of Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 6

09/03/2025
Cover of Absolute Superman Issue 11 that features an image of Brainiac

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Superman’ Issue 11

09/03/2025
Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 11

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ Issue 11

08/27/2025
Justice League Unlimited Issue 10

REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 10

08/27/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5
Anime

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

By Allyson Johnson09/11/2025

The ragtag group faces down the mysterious kaiju in the thrilling and beautifully animated DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here