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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This was my first forray into the huge world of Batman. I'm still not entirely sure whether it was the ideal start, but one has to start somewhere; and after having read "The Dark Knight Returns" I'm really glad I chose this one to start with. And Batman or no Batman, this is an absolutely fantastic piece of art.
First of all, it was good to start with something familiar - I've loved Dave McKean's work ever since I read "Sandman", obviously. And I don't think I've ever seen a comic where the art fit so well to the story like with this one.
On April 1, Arkham Asylum is taken over by its inhabitants, and according to the Joker's demands, Batman has to go in there, alone, in order to save the hostages. The Joker wants to show him that this, rather than the "sane" world, is where Batman belongs. At the same time, we also learn about the history of the Asylum, and the result is a wonderfully twisted tale of the past and the present.
I was genuinely creeped out by the story and the art and the lettering (the Joker especially comes to mind), and the atmosphere was really - well, creepy and uncanny. I love it when that happens, since I don't tend to scare that easily. It really pulled me in, and it truly felt like I was in Arkham Asylum with Batman and his adversaries.
In this edition, there is also the script of the comic plus some notes by Grant Morrison. I found them rather helpful and really really interesting (I always love to read how comics come into existance - I still am such a novice to this world and it's fascinating to peek behind the curtain). I was rather confused by most of the villains, since I pretty much only knew the Joker and Two-Face, but even though I suspect a lot of things went over my head, it was still a really enjoyable read. And more than that. It became an instant favourite, and I cannot recommend it enough.
First of all, it was good to start with something familiar - I've loved Dave McKean's work ever since I read "Sandman", obviously. And I don't think I've ever seen a comic where the art fit so well to the story like with this one.
On April 1, Arkham Asylum is taken over by its inhabitants, and according to the Joker's demands, Batman has to go in there, alone, in order to save the hostages. The Joker wants to show him that this, rather than the "sane" world, is where Batman belongs. At the same time, we also learn about the history of the Asylum, and the result is a wonderfully twisted tale of the past and the present.
I was genuinely creeped out by the story and the art and the lettering (the Joker especially comes to mind), and the atmosphere was really - well, creepy and uncanny. I love it when that happens, since I don't tend to scare that easily. It really pulled me in, and it truly felt like I was in Arkham Asylum with Batman and his adversaries.
In this edition, there is also the script of the comic plus some notes by Grant Morrison. I found them rather helpful and really really interesting (I always love to read how comics come into existance - I still am such a novice to this world and it's fascinating to peek behind the curtain). I was rather confused by most of the villains, since I pretty much only knew the Joker and Two-Face, but even though I suspect a lot of things went over my head, it was still a really enjoyable read. And more than that. It became an instant favourite, and I cannot recommend it enough.
The story wasn't as interesting as I had hoped, tho I'm sure some of it went over my head like a lot of Morrison's work does, but holy shit the art in this was AMAZING!
Gorgeous art, extremely evocative but grim grim grim, though I'm not surprised by that. Darker than my tastes run in comics but wholeheartedly recommended reading it for the brilliant artistry alone.
I understand this a popular but polarizing graphic novel, and I can understand why people don't like this one. I had to stop reading this after the first couple pages. Every time the Joker said something I could barely read what he was saying, as the font is irregular and the text is red against the varying backgrounds. It is possible I found it particularly difficult because I am colorblind but I think it would be an undertaking even if I had perfect vision. Additionally, I thought the artwork was terrible. I found it ugly, creepy, and generally hard to look at. Just not my cup of tea.
If you like the typical batman storylines and artwork then don't read this.
I found the artwork amazing. It truly adds to the words on the page. Amazing!
I found the artwork amazing. It truly adds to the words on the page. Amazing!
«Ma io non voglio andare fra i matti", osservò Alice.
"Beh, non hai altra scelta", disse il Gatto. "Qui sono tutti matti. Io sono matto. Tu sei matta."
"Come lo sai che sono matta?" chiese Alice.
"Per forza", disse il Gatto, "altrimenti non saresti venuta qui.»
Alice nel Paese delle Meraviglie
(Lewis Carroll)
"Beh, non hai altra scelta", disse il Gatto. "Qui sono tutti matti. Io sono matto. Tu sei matta."
"Come lo sai che sono matta?" chiese Alice.
"Per forza", disse il Gatto, "altrimenti non saresti venuta qui.»
Alice nel Paese delle Meraviglie
(Lewis Carroll)
The art in here is just fantastic--moody, dark, and it definitely invokes a kind of insane and disorganized vibe. There really isn't much of a story to speak of, however, as this was really more of an inventory of the various crazy villains locked up in the asylum.
I had a major issue with the lettering in here. Normally comic artists strive to strike a mood and stay legible with their lettering, but there are plenty of times this is downright painful to try to squint at the words. The Joker's text is particularly ill chosen.
Still, I can definitely see why this is often in the top lists for Batman comics (and often graphic novels in general).
I had a major issue with the lettering in here. Normally comic artists strive to strike a mood and stay legible with their lettering, but there are plenty of times this is downright painful to try to squint at the words. The Joker's text is particularly ill chosen.
Still, I can definitely see why this is often in the top lists for Batman comics (and often graphic novels in general).
What a fascinating read! The art is trippy as hell and enhances the disorienting, claustrophobic nature of the asylum. I’d almost call some of the panels psychedelic, as the colors and textures blur together and smear unsettlingly. Put together with the full script and notes from Grant Morrison, this comic/script fusion is hands-down one of the most unique comics I’ve ever read.
