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caitcoy's review against another edition
3.0
This is another tough one for me to rate, particularly because the game is so damn good that any other representation is going to suffer a little in comparison. It was a little confusing as to when exactly in the timeline of the game the events in this story take place as it seems to bounce around quite a bit. Paul Dini is absolutely one of my favorite storytellers when it comes to Batman and ESPECIALLY when it comes to Harley. I really don't feel like anyone else can write her better. Dini does do a great job with the different characters, particularly Harley and Joker. The artwork is gorgeous and I was actually very impressed by that part. I ended up deciding to just give this three stars because I honestly didn't feel like it added all that much to the game and was a bit confusing. A good read if you're a Batman fan but not one I'd consider essential reading.
nushrika's review against another edition
2.0
Hmm maybe since it's a prequel for the videogame the plot wasn't very thought out. It just wasn't very exciting to read. It was okay.
earlapvaldez's review against another edition
3.0
For a graphic novel that bridges two video games, I think this is a good one as it goes back to the important roots of Batman's supervillains before the establishment of Arkham's city. A must-read for the fan of the video game.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
2.0
You know those cinematics they show now at the beginning of video games? The one where they have a little narrative to set up whatever story the game is supposed to have before you can actually start playing? That is basically what this book is. It is nothing more than the set up for the Arkham City video game. There is no conclusion because it leads in to whatever point the game starts at. Fans of the game will probably like this. Of course, you do have to get past the pretty preposterous premise that Gotham goes with martial law and basically walls off a section of the city to turn it into a prison and mental asylum (then again, this is DC, so this may not be as farfetched for comics). Story here is pretty minimal, but you get a nice look at some of the main villains; keep in mind the premise is just the excuse to get Batman to confront all the popular villains in the game.
One redeeming quality of the comic is the art. The art work for this volume is very good, and for that, it may be worth picking up. In terms of story, it is barely so-so. As I mentioned, fans of the game will probably gobble this up. Everyone else, you may be better off picking up other Batman stories with more substance to them. Anyhow, an easy, short read. This is definitely a borrow if you can book, not buy.
One redeeming quality of the comic is the art. The art work for this volume is very good, and for that, it may be worth picking up. In terms of story, it is barely so-so. As I mentioned, fans of the game will probably gobble this up. Everyone else, you may be better off picking up other Batman stories with more substance to them. Anyhow, an easy, short read. This is definitely a borrow if you can book, not buy.
angelwolf45's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the games and I really had a fun time reading this graphic novel.
If you liked the game that this was based on then you may enjoy the graphic novel. This goes into more of the background to the Arkham City. I really liked the more information we got but the game give you enough to go on and makes sense if your not a reader.
I loved the characters and the story. It gave me more understood more and I wanted to know more when playing the game.
The art in this is stunning and I enjoyed reading anything that has to do with Batman. It was fun to read and made me love the Arkham City game more because of reading this graphic novel.
If you liked the game that this was based on then you may enjoy the graphic novel. This goes into more of the background to the Arkham City. I really liked the more information we got but the game give you enough to go on and makes sense if your not a reader.
I loved the characters and the story. It gave me more understood more and I wanted to know more when playing the game.
The art in this is stunning and I enjoyed reading anything that has to do with Batman. It was fun to read and made me love the Arkham City game more because of reading this graphic novel.
vanessakm's review against another edition
3.0
Eh, this was alright. It was competently drawn and there are a fun cavalcade of Batman villains here (all of the usual suspects + Hugo Strange.) The story involves the Mayor of Gotham, in the aftermath of the new City Hall being blown up at its dedication ceremony, creating a walled-off city within the city to house its criminals. This doesn't just include supervillains like The Joker, but petty crooks of all sorts as well.
The city is, naturally, called Arkham City.
That would be a cool concept to explore from a story perspective, as there are genuinely haunting moments as small-time criminals beg to not be thrown into this Escape From New York hellscape. But this graphic novel pretty much exists as backstory for the crazy popular video game of the same name and I'm not a gamer. My favorite parts were, of course, the Harley Quinn and Catwoman bits and the (originally published as digital) comics in the coda, particularly the Nightwing-ish one about Robin (again, of course.)
Ok, but inessential. If you are a player of the Arkham City game, YMMV.
The city is, naturally, called Arkham City.
That would be a cool concept to explore from a story perspective, as there are genuinely haunting moments as small-time criminals beg to not be thrown into this Escape From New York hellscape. But this graphic novel pretty much exists as backstory for the crazy popular video game of the same name and I'm not a gamer. My favorite parts were, of course, the Harley Quinn and Catwoman bits and the (originally published as digital) comics in the coda, particularly the Nightwing-ish one about Robin (again, of course.)
Ok, but inessential. If you are a player of the Arkham City game, YMMV.
supeskenobi's review against another edition
4.0
A brillaintly entertaining tease of one of the best video games of all time. Paul Dini continues to proove why he is one of the greatest writers to ever approach 'The Dark Knight'.
rimahsum's review against another edition
5.0
I finished playing the game of before (Batman's Arkham Asylum). Super amazing game, really.
Anyways for those who have finished the game, IT IS A MUST FOR YOU TO READ THIS COMICS. It truly acts as the link to the upcoming game Batman's Arkham City. If not, hope that in the game they will recap what happened in the comics, there.
However so, I just did not like the fact they did not elaborate sufficiently on the new Arkham warden-turned Gotham mayor to build Arkham City. It did not say it specifically, but was explained by the author's note. I did not see construction of walls also. It was too quick - cut.
The story goes, as far as it is (its a limited issue), its great! It HAS a hint of Detective Comics, and with the updated Batman gadgetry, suits and vehicles.
The Joker is amazing here (along with Harlequin), and other villains make a cameo.
I guess this really sets the tone for the upcoming game, which I can't wait further!
A Good Read!
Anyways for those who have finished the game, IT IS A MUST FOR YOU TO READ THIS COMICS. It truly acts as the link to the upcoming game Batman's Arkham City. If not, hope that in the game they will recap what happened in the comics, there.
However so, I just did not like the fact they did not elaborate sufficiently on the new Arkham warden-turned Gotham mayor to build Arkham City. It did not say it specifically, but was explained by the author's note. I did not see construction of walls also. It was too quick - cut.
The story goes, as far as it is (its a limited issue), its great! It HAS a hint of Detective Comics, and with the updated Batman gadgetry, suits and vehicles.
The Joker is amazing here (along with Harlequin), and other villains make a cameo.
I guess this really sets the tone for the upcoming game, which I can't wait further!
A Good Read!
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