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kathrynkao's review against another edition
5.0
I was so excited to read this book, given my love for Batman/the Batfamily. Since I'm more familiar with Batman than with Superman, I had already read or at least heard of a lot of the story arcs in the Batman comics, at least from the '80s on. However, it was great to read about them in a bigger cultural context, as well as in the context of the light-Batfamily-grimdark loner cycle that Weldon outlines. As I mentioned in my [b:Superman: The Unauthorized Biography|16116967|Superman The Unauthorized Biography|Glen Weldon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356462153s/16116967.jpg|21934818] review, I didn't get into comics until my first grad program, which gives me an outsider view of all the nerdrage that happens throughout Batman's changes, but I'm definitely not a normal (most childless adult women do not have all of Batman: The Animated Series, The Justice League Unlimited, and Batman Beyond, let alone have watched every episode multiple times). Tracking the bigger picture of Batman's many incarnations, as he cycles from light to dark, is fascinating, and gives me a greater appreciation for Batman's mythology--one of the things I love about comics, and about Batman specifically.
My minor quibble is that there's not a lot of mention of Batman's supporting cast, aside from Dick Greyson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake. Huntress and Barbara Gordon are namedropped, but since Batman-as-head-of-a-sprawling-Batfamily is my favorite incarnation, I really would have liked a little more exploration of that aspect. This isn't really the book for that, but I love Helena Bertinelli and Cassandra Cain so much, I wanted to read about them! I'm glad Carrie Kelly (first female Robin!) got a shoutout, but Stephanie Brown was also a Robin, and I'm really curious about the fan reaction to that (and how that storyline happened at all).
Personal preferences aside, Batfans of all types and normals alike can get a lot out of this book. Now I need to go find a copy of [b:Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth|1818336|Planetary/Batman Night on Earth|Warren Ellis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1188769612s/1818336.jpg|1817904], which I did not know existed despite having read what I was told was all the Planetary trades some years ago (shakes fist at the 20something boys who got me into comics and neglected to mention this book that includes two of my favorite things, Batman and alternate universes).
My minor quibble is that there's not a lot of mention of Batman's supporting cast, aside from Dick Greyson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake. Huntress and Barbara Gordon are namedropped, but since Batman-as-head-of-a-sprawling-Batfamily is my favorite incarnation, I really would have liked a little more exploration of that aspect. This isn't really the book for that, but I love Helena Bertinelli and Cassandra Cain so much, I wanted to read about them! I'm glad Carrie Kelly (first female Robin!) got a shoutout, but Stephanie Brown was also a Robin, and I'm really curious about the fan reaction to that (and how that storyline happened at all).
Personal preferences aside, Batfans of all types and normals alike can get a lot out of this book. Now I need to go find a copy of [b:Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth|1818336|Planetary/Batman Night on Earth|Warren Ellis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1188769612s/1818336.jpg|1817904], which I did not know existed despite having read what I was told was all the Planetary trades some years ago (shakes fist at the 20something boys who got me into comics and neglected to mention this book that includes two of my favorite things, Batman and alternate universes).
pages_n_puzzles's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! And I highly highly recommend getting the audiobook. Weldon's narration is hilarious, personal, and adds a great touch to the book. Great for nerds and normals alike.
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised at how delighted I was at Weldon's writing — the arch and witty style never got old. The only time the author's voice grated was in his relentless mockery of those he classifies as "nerds." Although I think that fanboys who decry any change from their personal conception of Batman are absurd, Weldon seems to have a special hatred of them, and I think spends a little too much time mocking. However, this is just a quibble — The Caped Crusade is a well-written and wonderfully personal account of Batman and superhero history, carried by Weldon's incisive wit.
librarimans's review against another edition
4.0
A fun look at the history of Batman and his cultural impact. My only complaint is they didn't bother fact checking the final chapter as there a number of errors (wrong artist credits, wrong release dates, and in one instance attaching the wrong creative team to a book), in a book that was otherwise spot on.
theskyisnew's review against another edition
3.0
It was decent! I went back and forth on the rating. There's nothing really wrong with it, I think book would be great especially for casual fans or people interested in analyzing step by step the behind the scenes of Batman. It's just that I already know all of this information so it felt like just reading anything I would have written. Plus I was hoping for a little more analysis and personal theory by the end. Some more discussion of "nerd" vs "normal." It was good just not great. Still a quick and nice read!
antisocial_auntie's review against another edition
5.0
A thorough history of the creation, changes, and the larger impact Batman had on culture. Since I wasn't alive when it started and don't care to read the huge library of back issues, I found this interesting and informative. It helps that it was written by someone whose nerd view I already respect from the NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast. Having this read by the author was extra enjoyable for me since I am already used to his voice discussing nerd culture.
jhaubnerreads's review against another edition
5.0
A super (no pun intended) entertaining and compulsive read. I don't know a lot about Batman as a comic, but I've enjoyed the movies and love a deep dive on any kind of cultural icon. I really enjoyed Glen Weldon's writing and voice -- it's like a friend just nerding out with you over something. From the comic origins to the rises and falls in popularity and the sudden emergence of Hollywood's blockbusters, he covers everything, but it never feels overwhelming or academic.
If you loved Jill Lepore's THE SECRET HISTORY OF WONDER WOMAN, you'll love this one, too!
If you loved Jill Lepore's THE SECRET HISTORY OF WONDER WOMAN, you'll love this one, too!
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
(3.5) As a history of the development of the Batman character through different eras and mediums, it works well. Weldon teaches the reader a lot and sheds new light on a variety of things. For instance, I didn't know Batman's original gig was defending the wealth and goods of New York/Gotham's 1%. Weldon is also very good at providing details to support the book's thesis: that Batman is an "inkblot" character, upon whom people are welcome to project whatever images they want to. There is no one "correct" version of Batman; Weldon gives agency to all.
Where the book falls flat, and why I'm docking it a .5 star even though I enjoyed it, is Weldon's condescending sneer towards nerds. He wants to create a synthesis between the development of Batman and the inevitable nerd-rage that accompanied every change to the character, but it just rings bitter and hollow. Weldon is very good at calling out the venal misogyny, roid rage, gay panic and other sentiments that diehard Batman fans have expressed. Where he fails is showing how Batman's fan base is somehow unique in this regard from the fan base of any other cultural medium. You could almost set your clock to a Weldon spiel on "nerds" and it really does nothing more than drag the book down.
Overall, it's a fun read, whether or not you're a Batman fan. Just not sure that the first part (history of Batman) meshes well with the other ("rise of nerd culture").
Where the book falls flat, and why I'm docking it a .5 star even though I enjoyed it, is Weldon's condescending sneer towards nerds. He wants to create a synthesis between the development of Batman and the inevitable nerd-rage that accompanied every change to the character, but it just rings bitter and hollow. Weldon is very good at calling out the venal misogyny, roid rage, gay panic and other sentiments that diehard Batman fans have expressed. Where he fails is showing how Batman's fan base is somehow unique in this regard from the fan base of any other cultural medium. You could almost set your clock to a Weldon spiel on "nerds" and it really does nothing more than drag the book down.
Overall, it's a fun read, whether or not you're a Batman fan. Just not sure that the first part (history of Batman) meshes well with the other ("rise of nerd culture").
lckrgr's review against another edition
5.0
I rarely give five stars to books. I reserve that for only my absolute favorites or ones that I personally cannot find any flaws with. This was one such book for me. I read Weldon's Superman book and enjoyed that, and so naturally was looking forward to reading this one. I love Weldon's casual and playful writing style. Combine that with a cultural history of Batman and it makes for a very fun treatise on nerd culture. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Batman, fandom, or who enjoys listening to Weldon on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour.
Such fun. I hope he has plans for another book in the future.
Such fun. I hope he has plans for another book in the future.
darthraggy's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting, insightful dive into Batman's long history in all forms of media.