Batman forms his own Suicide Squad | Batman: I Am Suicide

No one at ComicPop condones or encourages suicide. If you ever feel headed in that direction, at any point, we strongly urge you to call this number, any time of the day or night: 1-800-273-8255.
ComicPop is a few friends talking about comic books. The ComicPop team brings a bunch of unique points of view to every single discussion about a comic book, graphic novel, character or story arc. You can find full conversations about your favorite titles from Marvel and DC Comics, plus a few pretty key independent comics. If you're looking for a long, funny conversation about Batman or a deep dive into why Spider-Man is so neurotic, check out the hours and hours of amusing, insightful and downright stupid conversations about some of your favorite comic books over the years. If you're a longtime comic book reader or just starting out, make sure to subscribe right now!
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[@luckyafro4991]

You can always tell when Ben is going to tell a joke and when Ben is disappointed that he couldn't cut in to say the joke

[@ZB3003]

Y'know, I'm gonna go out on a limb here. I don't think Sal likes Tom's run on Batman.

[@batnick7230]

Supermans Chin really? I thought it was some of his favorite Batman stories!😂😂😂 Yeah I can agree with sal on the fact that Tom King may not no Batman all that well so yeah, I’m pretty sure your right.

[@samslash9]

Now they are pals. Strange right?

[@Tamaki742]

@@samslash9 You can be friends with someone even if you don't like their work.

[@superjlk_9538]

@@samslash9 Sal likes his other work. He just doesn’t think Batman is a good fit for him. I agree. I liked the first half of King’s run. And then it was sour

[@samslash9]

@SuperJLK _ most definitely. Tom king's human target is amazing, and dont even get me going about his superwoman book. Just fantastic!

[@EC-ed1zg]

“The cats * *feral cat noise* * out of the bag!” Literally crying lol. Easily one of the best moments of Back Issues.

[@adammillan8332]

He got that from Seinfeld. The episode when everyone learns Kramer's first name.... Cosmo.

[@WannabeWryter]

49:50 time stamp.

[@rennythespaceguy7285]

Along with the bit where they out of nowhere go on a tirade about Back to the future part 3

[@EtcEtcEtcFilms]

I am Suicide is basically a prime example of the classic comicpop-ism; the "ridiculously circuitous scheme"

[@landonny]

My favorite comicpop-ism

[@EtcEtcEtcFilms]

well i mean the phrase probably is not unique to the channel, but Sal does say it a lot lol

[@youssefhamed4053]

"Hey Clark, I need you for like 2 minutes" 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@herushaliam4649]

Honestly, as someone who hasn't been enjoying Tom King's Batman when everyone else has sung its praises no matter what, I find Sal's Tom King rants cathartic.

[@aisnota5192]

Nobody likes Tom King's run. Not even DC.

[@accidentalmadness1708]

Oh how things change in a year and a half

[@WannabeWryter]

30:11 That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Also, I don't think Tom King understands how suicide work?

[@FatSnorlax]

Another thing about the Batman wanting to commit suicide thing is that he HAS DIED! MULTIPLE TIMES! Why didn't he stay dead?! Because he is committed to his crusade!!!

[@megamonmon]

Tom king batman and sal? This is gonna be fun

[@batnick7230]

megamonmon I can’t wait until the war of jokes and riddles on back issues bc you know it’s gonna be good!

[@LILjokeTeddyBear]

This was just a long bat scheme put in motion so Batman could get laid

[@batnick7230]

Hamburgerler's Revenge pretty much yeah.

[@lucaslieu]

“You missed your molars” and “that was exactly 67 seconds” killed me

[@jmail1984]

"Why is Batman being a douche?" - every Batman story

[@kiddankula5480]

Low key I wanna see a raw uncensored unedited video of sal just letting out a Huge Tom king rant to the point where he has to hold his chest Midway

[@batnick7230]

Kid Dankula that could go on for hours.

[@TheArtofMore1]

This is my first back issues. I never knew it was this fun. I love passive aggressive Sal! More, I want more!

[@comicpop]

Enjoy! kzbin.info/aero/PLDHGagKHrNsVhegSneNIXzD40CEbYTdqG

[@jabezcreed]

Give in to joy that is Back Issues!

[@shanejohnson8403]

One of us...... One of us.....

[@batnick7230]

Wilson - The Storyteller watch the others they are so funny. Not only will you know about good books but you get a laugh out of them reviewing it too

[@doogless]

I understand why Batman fans don't like King's run, but I think "what if Batman tried to be happy" is one of the most interesting questions his comics have asked in a long time.

[@the_rose_garden01]

The question is great, the execution of it...leaves much to be desired

[@superjlk_9538]

I liked the run until the wedding was called off

[@kylarh4425]

@@superjlk_9538 same

[@dylanclifton3893]

The writing is mostly a mess

[@liverusrock6789]

Back issues of King's Batman? Oh shit *runs and grabs popcorn* Let the epic Sal rants begin!

[@Brax1982]

Batman Logic: "I just wanna diiiiiieeeee. Who can relate? woo!" After reading this craptacular arc I Was Suicide, as well.

[@jonasprilla610]

I find it so strange how Tom King has missed the mark with Batman (in my opinion). He did such a great job with Vision,Omega Men, & Mr Miracle.

[@Brax1982]

Mr. Miracle has an issue which consists almost entirely of Orion asking yes/no questions to the titular character, with nearly identical panels. The very first question/answer already posing a paradox. The last two setting a "clever trap" displaying no understanding of how premise and conclusion work. A fucking masterpiece.

[@TylerTramz]

I just don't buy a Bruce/Selina relationship anymore. Loeb portrayed it so poorly in Hush with Batman acting like a lovesick teenager and now King seems to be forcing the romance in his run. I'm so disillusioned with it at this point, that I'd rather see Bruce with a regular woman. I don't think romance is a huge part of Batman's character to begin with, but if it's present, let Bruce have a semi normal relationship at this point.

[@timshady237]

It’s not my favorite Batman run, but Tom King makes Bane infinitely more interesting/terrifying than he has been for the last 15 years - not to mention the (surprisingly) fascinating portrayal of The Ventriloquist. Bonus points for the “ridiculously circuitous scheme” haha

[@landonny]

That's true but... At what cost.

[@famuel2604]

Bane was actually really cool in secret six

[@mikesmith145]

I winced when I read your comment and misread Bane as Batman until I quickly reread it lol

[@frozenwing123]

OMG!! Thank you Sal for that cat out of the bag line. I was having such a crappy week. when I saw that I laughed so hard that I start crying

[@sonicjr53]

Just from that ending you guys should've called it a late Valentine's day episode lol

[@Jeff-nb4cu]

i like Bane's description in this particular arc. If I remember correctly, he is not using venom or even relying on it, he is just using his own brains/skills.

[@landonny]

49:50 OUT OF THE BAG

[@MrFifamaster94]

Thank you! I forgot what episode this happened in and spent like 2 hours looking for it! This has to be one of the funniest moments from this show😂😂

[@masterrance]

King’s reasoning for Batman being the suicide is probably something I would relate to if I was still a teenager religously listening to Linkin Park.

[@anasnaufal7861]

masterrance Yes. I would also feel that way. And also RIP Chester Bennington.

[@walterHonwana]

I religiously listened to linkin park from 2004 to 2012. And I can't relate, it still feels dumb

[@aisnota5192]

CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWLING IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN MY SKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@alexandrumarin8981]

Linkin Park is cool

[@WannabeWryter]

30:11 That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Also, I don't think Tom King understands how suicide work?

[@thatnovoguy1378]

LOL Sal's reaction @ 51:22 perfectly sums up my feelings about the "Tom King Run"

[@ctl6985]

I love watching these old episodes where he's talking about King being a "fan" of the show and then how many times he's actually talked to him

[@ricardorios2355]

I kind of wish Tiff was also on this one because I remember her having different opinion on this story. It would been cool to see why Tiff and Sal differ on this.

[@yungoldman2823]

well to be fair that goes against the premise of the show since she already read it.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

I wonder if I can slip in watching this during my exam. *looks over shoulder* What do you think, Professor?

[@Grievousish]

Hey, if my "boss" for reviewing comics can be a fan, so could your professor

[@gotrac8121]

Just Some Guy with a Mustache it's like the middle of the day on this side of the planet... I think

[@darrenfromwales7978]

Just Some Guy with a Mustache I hope your exam went well, wishing the best from the uk

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

Thanks, Darren. In terms of the exam, what matters is that we still have our health.

[@darrenfromwales7978]

Just Some Guy with a Mustache good thought's, and along the way we will laugh with Sal ethan and Bens coming and going hair

[@normansmith9009]

I kinda hoped that Tiffany would show up in front of the camera and say: "And then she slashed his throat?"

[@32SamMoore]

I know Sal hates it, but will you guys ever do Futures End? I love when you guys do comics that were complete shit shows and you rip on them lol 😂

[@matiasleon9657]

Soneone did send them all the TPBs so it's just a matter of time

[@TevyaSmolka]

i agree futures end would be awesome to see on back issues

[@SpiralSine6]

They’ve said they will not do Future’s End, sadly.

[@TevyaSmolka]

bummer

[@spiderjeranimo4992]

Yeah the bad comics do seem to make for the best episodes.

[@batnick7230]

36:30 is my favorite part bc it was so hilarious how wester goes up to psycho pirate and knocks him out. That and the conversation with it.

[@tristanbastille8554]

This is one of your guys best episodes! I couldn't stop myself from laughing!

[@TevyaSmolka]

yay i am hoping you guys can cover Superman volume 2 next because that would be fun

[@comet_omlette]

I watched this episode again and realized Sal at 49:50 was quoting/imitating the exact way Kramer said a line from Seinfeld.

[@myconiusmaximus1022]

7:50 don't worry! there's still time for an even worse and more disappointing Batman event. Tom King will supposedly be on Batman until issue #100.

[@rlccomics2614]

YESSS! Sal-Tom King rants incoming!

[@OleanderRainbow]

All I can say that'll contribute to the conversation is that I like that Punch and Jewelee have a healthy relationship even in spite of their villainous status. (I'm a sucker for 'villains in love' as a thing in storytelling. Especially when it's really sweet and healthy.)

[@JoshMunroe]

47:30 "Dammit, I was aiming for the leg!"

[@kylelundy802]

Wow that ending was...inspiring? Yes. Inspiring. Great episode as always!

[@Thelonesomeviking]

This episode was really great, one of my top 5 back issues for sure 😁

[@tromusic7815]

If Batman is suicide, wtf is Robin? 😅

[@WannabeWryter]

Yeah between this and Heroes in Crisis, I dont think Tom King understands mental health all that well.

[@r.babylon2885]

Assisted Suicide

[@flywheelshyster]

@@r.babylon2885 LOL

[@aisnota5192]

Suicide Pervention.

[@kevinbeatsman6998]

Dr. Kevorikian

[@WhelmedButReady]

Sal can you do more Back Issues from the Snyder/Capullo run? I just watched the Elseworlds Exchange about the run and with all the good stories it'd be a shame to only highlight 2 of them

[@hacksawjimthuggin4957]

Badass. I was just listening to the I am Gotham episode last night.

[@quigglesscribbles]

I can't tell if Sal is serious about The War of Jokes and Riddles or not.... Either way I like the book and hope they do a Back Issues on it.

[@bacsilva]

Quiggles Scribbles I like the Kite Man thing, but the actual war was a huge disappointment to me. The battle between Deadshot and Deathstroke ranges for two weeks and got two splash pages? Bullshit.

[@Chenso2099]

Also, the villains act so out of character in service of the story, which is lame and lazy, irritating even.

[@lastmattstanding4753]

Cats outta the bag I'm pickin this up! Great episode and funny as hell!

[@djimenez789]

This was a good episode. Lmao please do more like this

[@Evyscreations]

I cannot for the life of me figure WTF "She stole the night" means.

[@superjlk_9538]

Someone else said it’s that Catwoman stole a good death from him? It’s stupid either way

[@panthor109thabest7]

The Batfamily might have died on this mission

[@oatmat]

this is gonna be amazing

[@BBmetalhead04]

Nothing like ending a long day than with an episode of Back Issues.

[@TylerTramz]

To add to your little tangent on New 52, Rebirth, and the Batman timeline: They thought they could possibly condense all of Batman's history into 6 years, despite Damian being 11 or 12 at this point and despite taking in three Robins. Knightfall still somehow happened, but Jean Paul Valley's Azrael also got rebooted so who the fuck knows who took over for Batman back then. A lot of thought went into the New 52.

[@eddiet1237]

You guys should definitely do the Thor God butcher and God bomb storyline by Jason aaron I would suggest doing both at the same time because they are the continuation of the same story but I'd love to see the reactions of the non linear storytelling and the crazy things that's happen within the story keep up the great work

[@superjlk_9538]

Batman being a suicidal act makes sense in a vacuum. He will NEVER stop being Batman. Eventually it will get him killed (but comics will die as a medium before they let Batman stay dead). This perspective falls flat when you consider that Batman has sidekicks…..so is Batman knowingly sentencing them to death? Isn’t that murder?

[@jessegonzalez6982]

Hey Sal I think when batman said she stole the night from me he was referring to the fact that Catwoman saved him from dying when holly slashed him and kicked him out the window. Catwoman stole a night where he could die as batman in the way that he probably envisioned. Keep making awesome videos

[@sakura5697]

Oh my! 😂 this is amazingly so glad that Sal explained so many of my problems with Batman rebirth

[@Mrgokujr2012]

I like the design of Batman's suit in this. Mainly the logo.

[@infamouscavalier9446]

fun episode. I actually forgot about the punch and jewel thing. It's quite interesting that they have their own counterparts in doomsday clock

[@andrewmatseshe7343]

Haha! Oh man. You guys. The ending.

[@LunyMilky]

I'm amazed how you guys didn't connect the movies/comics trend kind o' thing aaaaaand... just like when Wonder Woman movie came out more Wonder Woman comics/features appeared, back when Suicide Squad came out everywhere DC could, they stamped the word suicide or Amanda Waller suggesting the formation of other random suicide squads ;’) So yeah, I’d bet this was a mix of ‘by comitee‘ with ‘what story would I like to tell amongst this crazzyness?..’

[@Marcus-xk9im]

Awesome shirt Sal!

[@macksonedinis3670]

a back issues of the "superfriends" arc wold be fun

[@Kosm92]

ethan mixing it up will become a great gif

[@dylanlewis5113]

Batman watched "Return of the Jedi" and was inspired by Luke's weirdly complicated rescue plan.

[@gregsanders61]

The War of Jokes and Riddles was a good story if you look at it own it's own, but I've heard that if you look at the story as an allegory for war (I can't remember which war it was, but it was a war Tom King served in). Under that light, I've heard that the War of Jokes and Riddles is really something else. Also R.I.P. Kiteman.

[@liverusrock6789]

Funny thing about King's take on Batman being Bruce's suicide, he did an Annual where that is not what happens to him.

[@GitShiddy]

This is when I switched from Batman to Detective....one of the best decisions I've ever made.

[@superjlk_9538]

Detective was so much better in the Rebirth era. I just couldn’t get into King’s run. I like the premise but the execution just isn’t Batman

[@DylanSpringsteen44]

Detective was awesome while Batman was sad and boring. I thought it was pretty solid but once the romance between Bruce and Selina became the focus it went downhill FAST.

[@FatSnorlax]

On a freezing night like tonight, a riff on this shitty story is just what I need XD

[@skywriter9532]

This thumbnail perfectly captures how I feel about this run lol

[@rivwilson9330]

So keen to see the boys react to more Tom king Batman one day Soon haha

[@LifeOfBoogie803]

“We met on a boat , no we met when I was a whore “ 😂😂😂😂

[@sumavargas3147]

Cool shirt Sal!

[@th-xh7ss]

I do quite like Tom king’s run, but this one is probably the weakest of them all. Anyway, great video as always!

[@thomasjohnson1885]

Thomas Hallett War of jokes and riddles is the weakest then I am suicide than I am Gotham the best being I am bane just from how cool it is.

[@MasoomRana]

I think the series gets very good with WoJ&R. The first 3 arcs are weakish but not weak.

[@hartthorn]

I can get it in the sense that Batman couldn't necessarily know the CONTEXT of each encounter. So he's basically playing Stratego with Bane, where all the pieces are known, it's the layout that's up in the air. They can move the pieces to certain approximations of where they're going to be best deployed based on schematics, but it's predicting the moves that's important.

[@hartthorn]

And the "first meeting" story seems like the trope of Catwoman remembering the first time SELINA met Batman, but Batman remembering the first time he met Catwoman.

[@HollyTellingStories]

Oh, this is going to be fun 😊

[@r.babylon2885]

I just got this book and the next day it's HERE! YES!

[@chojikiba]

Best way to enjoy Batman comics is with the Comic Pop crew

[@thatFAE]

Wedding ring looks good on Sal

[@FatSnorlax]

Haha love that ending XD

[@whocares-tg5ci]

I saw that they picked up the first few volumes of Uncanny X-Force on letters page so I'm just waiting for them to review that beautiful madness lol

[@Benm701]

Bat...... Cat.....

[@megamonmon]

Ben M Donkey!

[@liverusrock6789]

Robin?

[@anasnaufal7861]

Live To Rock Kitten?

[@MaximumSpider19]

Penguin?

[@thegloriouswizard5270]

Joker!

[@WannabeWryter]

30:11 That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Also, I don't think Tom King understands how suicide work?

[@levismith4515]

This was the story which made me give up on Tom Kings Batman.

[@batnick4433]

I always figured that with The Ventriloquist, his condition just got so bad to the point that he became dependent of a more dominant figure real or imaginary.

[@Sicod79]

Batman does date night WAY better than I do. Respect Bats, Respect.

[@codystahl5935]

"I'll move heaven and hell to prove your fuckin innocence" hahaha

[@alexandrumarin8981]

24:35 at this point a superhuman individual in perfect physical shape, on a level beyond that of even Captain America, a truly perfect pure specimen that has trained since birth, held a perfect diet his whole life, has twice the muscle mass of regular Homo Sapiens and inherited the genes of Arnold Schwarzenegger would have died 3 times over if he tried to do what Batman does. Wolverine would have at the very least fainted and be out for hours from snapping his back (spine) back into place. No. This is just a bad book.

[@MrYTGuy1]

Best guess I have for why Batman keeps saying that thing over and over again. Tom king watched princess Bride and liked the inigo Montoya, killed my father, prepare to die spiel.

[@McComrade3765]

So 8yr old Bruce Wayne watched lethal weapon and created batman?

[@dakeating23]

Fun fact Jeff Johns is still working on Doomsday Clock.

[@cicolasnage5684]

Fun fact: it’s done.

[@VarangianVigilante]

Tom King made me chancel the Batman title ... I am so looking forward to the end of his run.

[@noahbaia2902]

It only gets worse. The sad thing is...He said he has 100 issues planned...

[@VarangianVigilante]

At least I am saving money xD. Weird thing is that he follows me on twitter and I don't know why.

[@supernintendo6983]

Varangian Vigilante That is the reason why I like Detective Comics better. I just don't get Tom Kring's direction. Why is he doing this? He is like the Dan Slott of DC.

[@grantswann9328]

Love the shirt sal

[@MrRoccoandhunter]

Do Superman Earth One vol 2 I bet Tiffany and Ben would cry listening to Clark's cat story.

[@dylanbrowder1749]

Bane explains that Superman cant help bc the league must go by UN rules and Batman doesn't want to use the bat-family because Bane is extremely dangerous and they're not expendable to him.

[@donb7519]

since when does the league follow fucking un rules and what the fuck does that mean for batman whose also on the league

[@gigamantisman]

I know you guys are probably saving it for the week when the Infinity War movie comes out but I'll suggest anyways that you should review Marvel's Infinity event comic; given that it was a very 'meh' story (I think) but will obviously be a big inspiration for the film.

[@Marcus-xk9im]

So either Bens hair has grown back miraculously fast or this was recorded before the shave

[@yohsephcassidy7324]

awesome fucking episode.

[@dieboyandy5150]

I absolutely ABHOR Tom King's Batman. It's like Super Emo and makes Bruce look like a God damned idiot with even more psychological problems than he's previously shown. It just seems like every story he writes (ESPECIALLY Heroes in Crisis, Christ..) has to always delve into a broken psyche King wants to pawn off on our favorite heroes. I miss Scott Snyder!!! Also, I try to find every way to use "the cat's MEOW outta the bag" in everyday conversation now, Thanks Sal!

[@kofteburger]

This is when the fun begins.

[@KennethKralyJr]

I've liked some arcs of Tom King's Batman but again some are better than others nothing is prefect. The 1st arc was my favorite but others are hit and miss for me.

[@bobbyimpollonia8855]

"The most modern of Batman writers don't want to write about Alfred or their relationship" (32:55) Snyder's run focused on Alfred and their relationship often and handled it really well