This is one of the best graphic novels I have read this year - which is a pretty big compliment since I have been trying to average one a week. I found the story line interesting and consistent with CWTV and other Rebirth comics I have read this year. I love the Reverse Flash and was super jazzed about his appearance, and overall I just found the writing and art to be top notch. This is not the first comic I’ve read from rebirth this year that paralleled Batman with another hero/villain, but I enjoyed the way it was done - the art parallel during a scene where he fought the Reverse Flash was awesome and the parallels between Batman and The Flash were great as well. This is a book I would buy for my collection.

A quick volume almost as quick as it's main character The Flash. The plot was confusing(but which Flash comic isn't?) but an interesting insight into the possibility of a much bigger player manipulating the timelines of our heroes...

See review in link below.

This is one of the best comic books I have read recently. The story is excellent (loved the badge!). and the art work is stunning. You probably need some understanding of the flashpoint paradox before reading this to understand some of the nuances within the story.. Highly recommended however.

'Batman/The Flash: The Button Deluxe Edition' by Joshua Williamson and Tom King collects the 4 issue crossover series from Batman #21-22 and The Flash #21-22. If you haven't read anything about Flashpoint, I suggest you start there or you will be feeling a bit lost.

During DC Rebirth #1 last year, Batman found an odd smiley face button with blood on it in his batcave. How it got there is supposedly the premise of this series. What we get instead is a story involving Flashpoint, Reverse Flash and Thomas Wayne. The cosmic treadmill makes an appearance too. Most of this won't mean much if you aren't familiar with Flashpoint.

Instead of the story I expected, this one went in surprisingly different directions. The events here are leading up to the 12 issue Doomsday Clock series where the Watchmen characters will interact with DC characters. There is a brief tease on the last panel. I expected this series to do more than a little toe dip in the Watchmen universe, but I found the story and art quite satisfying and I'm glad I read it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Thank you to DC and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this title. The following is my honest review.

I really enjoyed this and definitely am looking forward to Doomsday Clock later this year! Which is really what this book is for, to set things up for Doomsday Clock. The big crossover with Watchmen. The art was great, the pacing was great. It was genuinely fun to read!

If you have no plans to read Doomsday Clock, then you won't enjoy this as much, as it really is set up. It has a sense of completion, but the ending is very much left open.

I like this a lot, but I was expecting more interaction with the Watchmen, I thought we were going to meet them on the Batman world. The art of this was amazing, it was the best part of this. Because is an introduction to the real crossover with the Watchmen, its okay.
Because Doctor Manhattan was the one who killed Reverse Flash, I was expecting to see him more, but its okay, is an introduction to the real crossover. I have high expectations on Doomsday Clock.

This is actually a continuation of DC Universe: Rebirth. I wished this work could have told readers that since it would rather be confusing reading this without first knowing what happened in that previous work. Here in this present volume we see the continuation of the flashpoint event continuing in which time has been changed by someone or something in the DC Universe. We see the hero Batman and the superhero the Flash team up to try to figure out what’s going on with everything and who is behind the deliberate and malicious changing of time.
Unlike the first book here you see Batman and Flash going through the speed force together to try to figure out what’s wrong and while they are going through it they encounter certain things and people that were unexpected. I loved the twists and turn. As the story goes on you also see the Flash and Batman meet various individuals though there’s a sense where one asks what they were seeing or hearing things that were real or just an illusion of “possible worlds” in the speed force.
Like the DC Universe: Rebirth I enjoyed the fact that this was a continuation of a mystery; the story telling certainly created heightened suspense and it builds anticipation for DC’s new “Rebirth” series across the DC universe. I thought it was amazing to see the continuity without skipping a beat with the different authors between the first work and the second work; that was a really smooth transition and I would have guessed both works was authored by the same person. Overall a fun read.
NOTE: This book was provided to me free by DC Comics and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

I liked that they put the lead in to DC's next big event, Doomsday Clock, in the normal Batman and Flash comics. You want to make sure you've read Flashpoint and DC's Rebirth one-shot first. This is all leading in to who was behind the creation of the new 52, which any comic fan knows who it is once that button showed up (and if you still had doubts, you see his hand at the end of this.)

OK, the Reverse Flash shows up, knocks the snot out of Batman and steals the button. The Flash and Batman crack out the cosmic treadmill to follow along and return to Flashpoint. A couple of JSA members pop up at points in the book. Yay! (The JSA is one of the things I miss most since the new 52 started. Without them, you don't have the legacy of characters passing on the torch that was unique to DC.) So Batman and Flash make it back to our world and then we get a little teaser for Doomsday Clock.

Jason Fabok's art is exquisite. DC better keep him happy. Howard Porter's art has gotten more anime influenced lately. He draws such ugly faces now. There's also something about the color palettes with his art that is off-putting as well.

Okay, for months now we have heard of this mysterious event that will crossover Watchmen into the DCU knows as Doomsday Clock and we've all been waiting on baited breath for more hints and what not.

Well "The Button" is the road to Doomsday Clock; collecting BATMAN #21-22 and THE FLASH #21-22, this four issue crossover gives us all this drama and action as Barry and Bruce find themselves in the Flashpoint universe. Now, I'm not going to say more because if you were one of the ones waiting for the release of the collected series you're in for a treat. And, if like me you have a subscription at your local comic book shop and you picked up every issue like your life depended on it, then you already know how awesome this story is (I mean we see Bruce's dad as Batman again) and what answers our boys will find.

We've covered story, now lets talk art and covers. When these issues released they were released in variant lenticular covers and two of those now grace the covers of the hard cover deluxe edition.

The Covers:
Despite having all the issues and the variant covers, my collection felt a little lonely without the hard cover set. So which did I choose? I chose the one with Batman and Flash running side by side. Personally I felt that one was way cooler and really encompassed the teamwork between Batman and Flash and they try to solve this mystery.

The Insides:
Like the covers, the art inside does not disappoint. By the end you'll like treadmills and caves.

Basically, if you haven't read, go get yourself a copy and get ready for the release of Doomsday Clock.

Rating 4 out of 5
(had to wait to long for what comes next)

Issues & Hardcover purchased at Collector's Paradise in Pasadena
Digital ARC provided by NETGALLEY

This book was excellent. A truly great continuation of several points in the DC universe. I'm not sure its a great starting point for those who haven't been reading along, but for those who have, it's incredibly rewarding.

I thought Tom King and Joshua Williamson created a very good crossover so make sure you read Flashpoint then DC Universe Rebirth One Shot because this is a continuation from those. I like that DC is tying things together and that the authors made this such a fun story to read which made me feel like it was a good use of my time. The teasing of The Watchmen keyed me up as I poured through this.

We get a great opening that will draw you in which is always a plus. The fast pace and well timed action keep you flying through these stories and it becomes a pleasurable game of seeing which characters are going to pop up next within the plot. When you finally make it to the end we get a cliffhanger that will leave you feeling energized for the next issue.

Batman and Flash together – how can that not lead to an entertaining crossover for fans of the duo? The banter between Batman and Flash was done well and made their interactions humorous to read; you could feel like these conversations could actually happen if they existed.

Having artwork by two different artists took some getting used to because they have very different styles and they are each inputting their own viewpoint into the art. The colors chosen were done well and helped bring the pictures to life but at times some of the art didn’t have the same level of energy I’ve seen in other pieces they’ve done. It wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t “I wish I could blow this up and put it on my wall” either.

As long as you’ve read the stories needed to get here then I highly recommend you check out this Crossover because it hits the high notes needed to inject some fun and excitement into the brand.

From the publisher: The Watchmen begin their invasion of the DC Universe here in this deluxe graphic novel BATMAN/THE FLASH: THE BUTTON, complete with a lenticular cover!

The cataclysmic events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 continue here! The Dark Knight and the Fastest Man Alive, the two greatest detectives on any world, unite to explore the mystery behind a certain blood-stained smiley button embedded in the Batcave wall. What starts as a simple investigation turns deadly when the secrets of the button prove irresistible to an unwelcome third party--and it's not who anyone suspects! It's a mystery woven through time, and the ticking clock starts here!

Written by breakout stars Tom King and Joshua Willamson, with art by Jason Fabok (JUSTICE LEAGUE) and Howard Porter (SUPERMAN), this crossover is one of the most-talked about events in all of comics. This deluxe edition graphic novel features a lenticular cover and collects BATMAN #21-22 and THE FLASH #21-22.

DC's Rebirth event was a way to restore/correct their comics to a more traditional history. There have been so many different world-shattering events, that the continuity spun out of control. So, Rebirth was to fix all of that, while still making the books friendly to new readers. One of the great mysteries hinted at in the book was the return of the Watchmen to the DC Universe.

Jump ahead to Batman/The Flash: The Button by Tom King and Joshua Williamson. Batman and the Flash are investigating a mysterious smiley face button (with a blood stain on it) that showed up in the Batcave during the Rebirth special last summer. The button appears to be the same one the Comedian (of Watchmen fame) wore. In the course of their investigation, Batman is confronted by Reverse-Flash, who grabs the button for the power it's emitting. Chaos ensues from there, with time travel, alternate universes/histories, and deaths all around them. And at the end, some questions are answered, but more are asked, as this story leads into the Doomsday Clock event (another Watchmen reference).

I enjoyed this book, and have liked seeing this mystery unfold. I'm one of those readers who didn't care for the New 52 or the results of Flashpoint, and I like the creativity that DC is using to restore some of the traditional history to it's line-up without erasing (again) even more continuity. Whether you are a fan or not, I also think using the Watchmen and bringing them into the mainstream DC Universe is a clever idea. King and Williamson have done a nice job with this story, revealing what they can, yet making it very personal to both Batman and Flash.

I really enjoyed Batman/The Flash: The Button, by Tom King and Joshua Williamson, and recommend it to fans of the Rebirth event. I look forward to seeing where this story continues to go in the future.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

In November, DC Comics are releasing a 12 issue maxi series which brings The Watchmen into this DC continuity. This 4 issue mini-crossover sets up what will happen.

Batman has a smiling yellow button with some blood on it, but when he is unable to figure out who the owner of the blood belongs to, he enlists the help of The Flash. Since both Batman and The Flash are both amazing at solving mysteries, for both of them to be unable to find an answer to something plays on both of their minds. Things start to change however when Batman casually throws the button onto a table next to an object which causes events to occur that neither Batman or The Flash expect.

The art style managed to bring out the best of both Batman and The Flash. I personally have not been liking the art style that has been used in The Flash Rebirth recently, I found that this one seemed to work; hopefully this art style will continue for both Batman and The Flash.

Whilst not necessary currently, I would completely recommend reading The Button because I am sure that events that occurred during this will play a significant part in what is to come.

The biggest issue I have for myself as well as other readers is this: If you feel like you won’t have any qualms over The Watchmen being involved in the story, you’ll probably enjoy the premise, as it is meant to be a prelude to Doomsday Clock. The artwork is great and I wouldn’t assume to expect anything less. The writing itself was a bit predictable. I could see that ending coming a mile away and I imagine most other readers could too.

I can’t see any reason not to recommend Batman/The Flash: The Button Deluxe Edition to other readers, particularly if you’re looking forward to Doomsday Clock (though you could actually skip this story if you wanted to). It’s not a particularly long read, but great for a rainy afternoon or to spread across a few class periods.

Tom King and Joshua Williamson's Batman/Flash: The Button presents the next most significant meeting of Batman and the Flash since Flashpoint. Button is momentous as potentially the first Batman title crossover with another title outside the Bat-family at least since "Lonely Place of Dying." The book is admirably drawn by Jason Fabok and Howard Porter, who also wonderfully gets to draw again both the Flash title and also the Justice League Watchtower. Tom King's first part to the story, a brutal issue-long fight between Batman and the Reverse-Flash that only spans a story minute, is a slice of dynamic storytelling for the ages -- I'd welcome King continuing to write the Flash title. All the writers and artists do well, and Button is a fun Batman/Flash team-up; I'd be equally happy to see the titles do this again or see something the same between another two titles.

One of the biggest mysteries and tantalizing clues to come out of the confusion of DC's recent Rebirth is the yellow smiling Button with a drop of blood on it; hidden inside the Batcave. You would have had to have been on a distant moon not to recognize the Button as belonging to the Comedian of The Watchmen comics. A classic series from 1986 -1987 by the great Alan Moore. The Watchmen comics take place in a world where there are no Batman and no Flash and no Superman, so the possibility that in all the madness that has been DC's Convergence and the Rebirth, the two worlds are now to collide has had comic fandom on edge.

Now, a full year later, in Batman 21 & Flash 21, the story begins.

The Button has been a puzzle the caped crusader cannot quite work out. What is it and how did it wind up in the Batcave. More so, why is it emitting a radioactive frequency. When it acts up even more, Batman reaches out to The Flash and as he waits, someone else arrives. Someone who wants the Button. Professor Eobard "Zoom" Thawne, the Reverse Flash, the man who murdered the Flash's mother. The Batman is no match for Thawne who proceeds to beat the crap out of him. But before Thawne can finish the Batman the power of the Button transports Thawne and then returns him. But what comes back is dying and decomposing at an incredible rate. As he dies Thawne cries out that he has seen God.

The tale continues in Batman 22 and Flash 22.

Flash and Batman, using something call the Cosmic Treadmill, travel back to the Flashpoint, where the power and frequency began. Flashpoint, if you have never read that particular storyline, do so, it may be the best Flash story ever told. They appear in the Batcave where the power is centered. A Batcave occupied by that timeline's Batman; Dr. Thomas Wayne. Thomas is awaiting his death as the armies of Wonder Woman and Aquaman invade Wayne Manor. When Bruce appears with the Flash, Thomas and Bruce, father and son, face the enemy together.

Thomas Wayne - "You were my world, son. I delivered you myself...and the moment I saw you...I knew every choice I'd ever made had been the right ones...because they led to you. You're the greatest gift this life has ever given me. And there is more I should have shared in that letter, so listen to me...DON'T BE BATMAN. Find happiness. Please. You don't have to do this. Don't do it for me. Don't do it for your mother. Be a father for your son in a way I never could be for you. Let the Batman die with me..."
This is not your normal Batman book and the Button will not be your normal comic book story. No, DC is planning something big. The Batman. Flashpoint revisited and still to come, the Watchmen? No, Convergence was a tease. This appears to be the DC story of the year right here.

Bruce (as a child) - "I'm sorry I fell into the cave, dad."

Dr. Thomas Wayne - "Sometimes we fall, son...but always remember...Waynes never stay down...WE RISE."

The Button is another fine example of why DC Comics are so much better today than what Marvel is putting out. There is a great story here, a becoming, a tale that will hold you fast and have you searching the comic stand for the pieces you have missed.

Batman/The Flash is the prelude to a comic event that will have everyone gasping and hunting down for the issue they have missed.

Another great tale by DC.

When you walk away from comics for a period of time you find yourself a tad lost when you return. Such is the case here while reading this book. I know of the whole “Flashpoint” storyline but never had the chance to read it so referencing it didn’t help my understanding of things much. But that didn’t prevent me from plunging in and reading this tale.

It opens with Batman in the bat cave looking over an item he and Barry “The Flash” Allen came across on the return of Wally West to their world. Comic fans will automatically recognize the button, a smiley face with a drop of blood across it, as the button found in the classic DC comic series THE WATCHMEN. I’d heard that characters from that universe were scheduled to enter that of the mainstream DC titles but this was my first exposure to it.

The button laid next to the mask of Psycho Pirate in the cave sparks and provides Batman with a glimpse of his father in his costume just as the Reverse Flash, Eobard Thawn, shows up. He pummels Batman who is stalling for time, waiting for an assist from Barry who’s finishing up his own case. But before he arrives something takes Thawn out. When Barry arrives the two detectives begin to dig in to find out what is going on and how the button is involved.

Time travel, dimensional travel and chasing down clues follow as the two work together to find out why Thawn was still alive and where he came from. It leads them to an alternate timeline The Flash thought was long gone when the events of Flashpoint took place. Someone is manipulating time and space and by the end of the book we still aren’t quite sure who, how or why. But odds are we will soon.

The book compiles the issues that made up the story as well as variant covers collected in the back pages. The story by Joshua Williamson and Tom King is easy enough to follow even if like me you’ve walked away for some time. The artwork by Jason Fabok and Howard Porter was crisp, clean and felt like a mix of Jim Lee and Scott Kollins. Was it done well enough to entice me to go back to reading the comics to find out where it goes? Absolutely.

If like me you’ve been gone for a while you might visit the world of DC online via fans sites to find out what’s going on. Then pick up this book to start the journey to find out what happens nest. It’s worth picking up.

So, my brother, nerd partner in crime, has been excited about this storyline since it was announced and kept trying to explain it to me. Wasn't really getting me though, seemed interesting but not top of my pile interesting. He didn't do it justice because what I just read was so amazing and intriguing. Bruce and Barry teaming up, nods to characters of past, tying back to flashpoint, history changes, one giant mystery that needed both the greatest detective and forensic extraordinaire. This story was awesome and I'm now a lot more excited for Doomsday Clock then I had been.