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huntercamp's review
4.0
Really eerie story about a doctor in Arkham Asylum. Sam Keith does a great job of sucking in the reader with his writing, and uses his art to terrify them. I couldn't put it down.
tailored_books's review
3.0
Solid 3 star read.
I know a lot of people aren't crazy about the art but, personally, I thought it was a perfect representation of the characters within the story. The way the artist chooses to illustrate his characters perfectly aligns with the madness and diluted minds of the inmates within the asylum. I went into this expecting to be disappointed but I was pleasantly surprised.
I know a lot of people aren't crazy about the art but, personally, I thought it was a perfect representation of the characters within the story. The way the artist chooses to illustrate his characters perfectly aligns with the madness and diluted minds of the inmates within the asylum. I went into this expecting to be disappointed but I was pleasantly surprised.
lunaseassecondaccount's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this. The narrative is, admittedly, all over the place, but I read this as to be following the Asylum patient's thought process. I enjoyed the artwork and the sketchy type of way Keith drew. Also, Batman was nowhere to be seen- yay!
My only complaint is that I wish there had been more Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
My only complaint is that I wish there had been more Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
caitcoy's review
4.0
I'm struggling with rating this one because parts of it I loved and parts of it bored/confused me so 3.5 stars it is.
I honestly think that my expectations were just too high. I was just left wanting more by the end of it. Arkham Asylum: Madness follows the story of a nurse named Sabine who works in Arkham Asylum. I honestly think they're all fucking crazy just for setting foot in that building but guess you gotta get money however you can in Gotham.
Kieth does an excellent job portraying the creepy, fucked up feel of Arkham in both the writing and particularly the artwork.
Batman doesn't show up at all in this but that's honestly a good thing as the focus here is really on the interaction between the psychopaths and the nurses and doctors. The thought of Joker collecting things (and the way that turns out) was so perfectly dark and messed up that I couldn't help but love it.
And Harley! She was so damn wonderful that I was left wanting so much more of her.
But I found that the people who worked at Arkham bored the shit out of me. I mostly liked Sabine but the personal drama between nurses, doctors and guards just didn't interest me.
And I will admit that parts of this book confused the hell out of me. That could easily have been Kieth's intent (God knows I didn't understand [b:Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth|22374|Batman Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth|Grant Morrison|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388209338s/22374.jpg|1807553] either but McKean's artwork majorly won me over on that one). It just kept me from fully engaging and being super happy with the story.
Overall, still a very dark and fun story about how the creepiness and dark past and present of Arkham Asylum infects not only the building but all those inside it.
I honestly think that my expectations were just too high. I was just left wanting more by the end of it. Arkham Asylum: Madness follows the story of a nurse named Sabine who works in Arkham Asylum. I honestly think they're all fucking crazy just for setting foot in that building but guess you gotta get money however you can in Gotham.
Kieth does an excellent job portraying the creepy, fucked up feel of Arkham in both the writing and particularly the artwork.
Batman doesn't show up at all in this but that's honestly a good thing as the focus here is really on the interaction between the psychopaths and the nurses and doctors. The thought of Joker collecting things (and the way that turns out) was so perfectly dark and messed up that I couldn't help but love it.
And Harley! She was so damn wonderful that I was left wanting so much more of her.
But I found that the people who worked at Arkham bored the shit out of me. I mostly liked Sabine but the personal drama between nurses, doctors and guards just didn't interest me.
And I will admit that parts of this book confused the hell out of me. That could easily have been Kieth's intent (God knows I didn't understand [b:Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth|22374|Batman Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth|Grant Morrison|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388209338s/22374.jpg|1807553] either but McKean's artwork majorly won me over on that one). It just kept me from fully engaging and being super happy with the story.
Overall, still a very dark and fun story about how the creepiness and dark past and present of Arkham Asylum infects not only the building but all those inside it.
sjj169's review
4.0
I think this is my favorite book with the Joker in it ever. Batman will have to get over it for a few since he didn't show up for work the day this book was made. That slacker.
This is the story of a nurse's workday at the Arkham Asylum. She starts the day with her husband and son driving her to work. She tells her son what a wonderful work place she has and how all the inmates there should be shown forgiveness and caring feelings. Uh yeah.
Once there after gossiping with her co-worker..she admits how really bad it is.
The place is full of the bad guys that Batman has put away.
And of course..my favorite baddie of all.
So what has the Joker been up too since being committed?
He has taken up arts and crafts!
Including a former guards leg. It's a work of art people! Back off the man.
Plus, he has taken up watching Antiques Roadshow.
Hey, he is the good one for awhile here. Just don't mess with his collectibles.
There is all kinds of freaky deaky going on at the Asylum. Including hooking up for some nooky in some of the rooms.
....and it all boils down to not screwing with the mom. Joker..you should know better.
This book is dark and fun. Go read it.
Hulk-boy made me do it.
This is the story of a nurse's workday at the Arkham Asylum. She starts the day with her husband and son driving her to work. She tells her son what a wonderful work place she has and how all the inmates there should be shown forgiveness and caring feelings. Uh yeah.
Once there after gossiping with her co-worker..she admits how really bad it is.
The place is full of the bad guys that Batman has put away.
And of course..my favorite baddie of all.
So what has the Joker been up too since being committed?
He has taken up arts and crafts!
Including a former guards leg. It's a work of art people! Back off the man.
Plus, he has taken up watching Antiques Roadshow.
Hey, he is the good one for awhile here. Just don't mess with his collectibles.
There is all kinds of freaky deaky going on at the Asylum. Including hooking up for some nooky in some of the rooms.
....and it all boils down to not screwing with the mom. Joker..you should know better.
This book is dark and fun. Go read it.
Hulk-boy made me do it.
snugglor's review
2.0
The artwork in this comic really isn't my style. There are a lot of different styles crammed onto each page and it made it hard for me to focus. I'm also not especially fond of the interpretations of the various inmates. Dreads for Harley? No way!
The story is okay. It documents a twenty-hour period in Arkham Asylum and follows one particular nurse as she pulls a double shift. Nothing much actually happens, but the asylum itself does come across as a living character.
There's no sign of Batman, in case that's a deal breaker.
I borrowed this from my local library and was happy with that. Had I paid the sticker price I may have been a little disappointed.
The story is okay. It documents a twenty-hour period in Arkham Asylum and follows one particular nurse as she pulls a double shift. Nothing much actually happens, but the asylum itself does come across as a living character.
There's no sign of Batman, in case that's a deal breaker.
I borrowed this from my local library and was happy with that. Had I paid the sticker price I may have been a little disappointed.
maexboi's review against another edition
3.0
I really really like the art style especially when it made me kind of uncomfortable...
But as much as I like the idea of this graphic novel exploring the darkest corners of a casual human being, I have to say, the first third/half is rushed and full of lame chliches.
I guess it is okay, for that it tries to explore the villain-genre and transfer it to a new level, but the characters and the plot itself could have been worked out much better. (For example I had a really hard time connecting with the main character until right before the very end)
But as much as I like the idea of this graphic novel exploring the darkest corners of a casual human being, I have to say, the first third/half is rushed and full of lame chliches.
I guess it is okay, for that it tries to explore the villain-genre and transfer it to a new level, but the characters and the plot itself could have been worked out much better. (For example I had a really hard time connecting with the main character until right before the very end)
inthelunaseas's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this. The narrative is, admittedly, all over the place, but I read this as to be following the Asylum patient's thought process. I enjoyed the artwork and the sketchy type of way Keith drew. Also, Batman was nowhere to be seen- yay!
My only complaint is that I wish there had been more Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
My only complaint is that I wish there had been more Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
dsbookie's review against another edition
3.0
While I enjoyed this comic, it was not as good as the others I have read recently. This one focuses more on the fact that these villains are cruel with not much reasoning behind their actions. They torment the staff because it is fun and they get off on it.
The story itself was weak to me, but it was still entertaining for what it was.
Like I said, it was not my favorite, so I don't have much to say about it.
The story itself was weak to me, but it was still entertaining for what it was.
Like I said, it was not my favorite, so I don't have much to say about it.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
4.0
First, what I need to say upfront: this is one of those books about peripheral characters in a series. It is the kind of story that you may or not like, and it is often a book just made to milk a franchise. With that out of the way, overall, it is a fairly good book, even though it does start very slow at first. However, once the pace picks up, it does hold on to you until the very end. In addition, the author does provide a pretty nice afterword with a dedication that is a bit of a twist. Worth a look for that.
The real strength in this book is the art. That is why I tagged it for my "art and photography" shelf as well as for my "graphic novels and comics shelf." Sure, there is a story in here: the story of one of the nurses working at Arkham Asylum, but you know the real interesting stuff are the inmates, and we do get a pretty good look at some of them. The nurse's story is kind of so-so. Now, the Joker as always steals the show and delivers a few twists and turns. However, as I said, the strength is really in the art and images of the book. The book is a pleasure to just look at and linger over. Definitely worth reading just for that.
The real strength in this book is the art. That is why I tagged it for my "art and photography" shelf as well as for my "graphic novels and comics shelf." Sure, there is a story in here: the story of one of the nurses working at Arkham Asylum, but you know the real interesting stuff are the inmates, and we do get a pretty good look at some of them. The nurse's story is kind of so-so. Now, the Joker as always steals the show and delivers a few twists and turns. However, as I said, the strength is really in the art and images of the book. The book is a pleasure to just look at and linger over. Definitely worth reading just for that.