Batman Vol. 5: Rules of Engagement (Rebirth) (Batman: Dc Universe Rebirth, 5) Paperback – May 1, 2018

Batman's on again off again romance with Catwoman has culminated with their engagement and the idea that Bats is trying to finally be happy. To start, however, the pair have jetted off to the desert to a forbidden city ruled by Talia al Ghul. At first, the opening arc seems a bit strange but the payoff is solid: Holly, Catwoman's lifetime friend who murdered two hundred men, has been in hiding with Talia's people since she disappeared back in Volume Two. For Catwoman and Batman to actually tie the knot, Holly has to come out of hiding and take the punishment that is coming to her (recall that in King's series, Cat took the fall to protect Holly and became an extremely wanted woman). After the pair confront Talia ("the ex") they have a double date with Superman and Lois Lane. Finally, the series jumps from the past to the start of Catwoman and Batman's relationship in the New 52 timeline to a possible future in which the two live a happy and long life together before Batman's passing. King's scripting remains an absolute triumph and his exploration not only of Batman and Catwoman's relationship, but also of Bat's friendship with Supes, Cat's new friendship with Lois, and the dynamic duo of Nightwing and Damien remains staggeringly good. The double date is an instant classic story arc and seeing the on going debate over whether or not Batman could hit a pitch thrown by Superman play out is hysterical. The art is also fantastic thanks to a bevy of guest artists including the fantastic Joelle Jones who was recently tapped to helm the new Catwoman solo series.

Batman has finally made up his mind to marry Catwoman, but what do his ex-wife, young son Damian and Superman, the people closes to him think? This episode also includes the two "good friends"'s inner thoughts about each other and a date where they swap roles.

Getting ready for Batman's engagement. Been trying to complete the wedding arc for Batman and really excited to continue reading this.

Now that Batman and Catwoman have decided to take their relationship to the next level, this volume and the next two are a tour of familiar friends and enemies before the Wedding, showing how the decision affects Batman's world, as well as deepening the Bat/Cat relationship. Normally, I'm not a fan of TPBs that are just a loose collection of stories, but this volume is worth it for the Superman/Lois and Bruce/Selina double date alone. It really is a wonderful, self-contained look at Superman and Batman's friendship that explores how much the two respect and admire one another. It's funny, heartwarming, and a great look at both characters. There is a story about Batman visiting his ex, Talia, in an attempt to clear Catwoman's name for crimes she did not commit, and this is fine, but probably one of the weaker stories in the volume. And finally, there are a couple of issues that further explore Batman and Catwoman's long history with one another, as well as an ambiguous tale about their future (maybe an elseworlds-type tale or an actual glimpse into the future, it's not yet clear). All in all, it's a fantastic volume, with some stories that are better than others, but the Superman double date is clearly the highlight of the whole thing.

The last page alone is worth the five star rating. The stories with Talia and Lois and Clark are very good, even if the dialogue is a little off sometimes.

Beautifully written and poetic, this Tom King authored run of Batman is simply incredible. I guess it is not a spoiler to say at this point that Batman and Catwoman appear to be getting hitched: this volume continues to explore their relationship, their history, their connections, developing the idea of two hyper-talented, painfully injured people who have found their match in each other. The section "Super Friends" and the final section are particularly powerful. There's not a lot of action here, but King is doing an amazing job exploring the mythos of Batman.The art is beautiful throughout, but is especially so in the Clay Mann drawn "Super Friends" story.

This is one of the best graphic novels I have read. This is why I enjoy DC's books so much. Tom King has written a great series of stories that everyone can enjoy. This was a story about people who happen to be heroes. I loved Bruce, Selena, Clark, and Lois at the fair.

I really enjoyed the art and I loved the dialogue, but I am just having trouble buying some of the character's actions.King's version of Batman seems so rash and thoughtless sometimes. I really do love Batman and Catwoman together, but I just have trouble believing Batman would take such risk and jeopardize his family and other loved one's this much. Also, he just seems to be going into a lot of things these days with not much of a plan and seems to be acting a bit more selfish and irrational these days. Oh well, I guess this is how a Bat becomes domesticated, and this is the direction DC wants to go, and I am so torn between wanting to see Batman happy but also missing the old detective style Batman comics.On a side note *Spoiler ahead*, how on earth does Catwoman a person who has picked up a sword according to herself "twice" go toe to toe and actually beat Talia? I am all for the good guys winning, but can we keep it in reason? Do I like Selina more than Talia, hell yes, but I still would like to think that the current head of the League can put up a better fight (no offense Selina) and I think King has overpowered Selina a lot these days. I mean she has got the skills but she is a cat burglar, not a trained assassin...I did enjoy the second story (since apparently I just need to embrace the idea that Batman is now apparently more focused on domestic stories than detective ones). The interaction between Superman and Batman, and Lois and Selina were well written. I really can believe this is the kind of interaction these characters would have, also I love Clayman to the art was an extra special treat!