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bucketoffish's review against another edition
4.0
I really like the art style and form of storytelling in this graphic novel. It's not really so much a typical Batman comic though, in that it doesn't really include a lot of the stuff people care about when it comes to the character, and Batman's characterization is vastly different from his usual self.
The actual superheroics are incredibly subdued. There isn't much fighting, and when there is, neither Batman nor the villains seem much more impressive in combat than an ordinary person. With the typical superhero stuff laid aside though, the comic instead leans super heavily into the psychedelic and gothic horror elements of Batman. The entire book is a surreal dreamlike trip.
The actual superheroics are incredibly subdued. There isn't much fighting, and when there is, neither Batman nor the villains seem much more impressive in combat than an ordinary person. With the typical superhero stuff laid aside though, the comic instead leans super heavily into the psychedelic and gothic horror elements of Batman. The entire book is a surreal dreamlike trip.
jagussow's review against another edition
This book wasn't for me.
Gorgeous art from Dave McKean but the story felt undercooked
Gorgeous art from Dave McKean but the story felt undercooked
pan1ni's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
drbeesmd's review against another edition
4.0
as someone who doesn’t read comics and doesn’t really care much about batman, i wanted to read this pretty much just because of the stylization. and upon finishing this, i’m surprised at how much i really fucked with batman here. i was really happy to learn that this batman doesn’t really do any of the batman shit i find boring. this man is pushed to his breaking point, and not in a “he almost kills someone but decides his code of honour is more important,” way. he’s as dangerous and unhinged as the inmates here. which is the point, and i love that.
it’s an incredibly dark depiction of this world. a house that’s been haunted for decades, and everyone that was forced inside just happens to be rotting anyway. it’s kind of gorgeous in it’s own twisted way. the way batman’s villains are depicted is so fucking fun. they’ve all completely lost any sense of humanity. two face sticks out to me the most, the idea of him being unable to decide anything after getting his coin taken away by the asylum director is just… perfect. i’m not a batman fan but god i can gush about this characterization all damn day.
and i mean the art. c’mon man. absolutely jaw dropping. it’s so fucking terrifying the way the panels feel as melted and grotesque as everyone inside the asylum is. they meld together and twist in a way that just boggles my brain, but in the best way imaginable. those panels of the joker man. fucking hell. nightmare inducing, and that’s exactly how it should be.
i knew i would like this, but i’m really pleasantly surprised at just how much i ended up connecting with it past that. it could probably stand to be a little longer, but i’m not unhappy with the length as it stands. short and sweet. or short and frightening more like.
it’s an incredibly dark depiction of this world. a house that’s been haunted for decades, and everyone that was forced inside just happens to be rotting anyway. it’s kind of gorgeous in it’s own twisted way. the way batman’s villains are depicted is so fucking fun. they’ve all completely lost any sense of humanity. two face sticks out to me the most, the idea of him being unable to decide anything after getting his coin taken away by the asylum director is just… perfect. i’m not a batman fan but god i can gush about this characterization all damn day.
and i mean the art. c’mon man. absolutely jaw dropping. it’s so fucking terrifying the way the panels feel as melted and grotesque as everyone inside the asylum is. they meld together and twist in a way that just boggles my brain, but in the best way imaginable. those panels of the joker man. fucking hell. nightmare inducing, and that’s exactly how it should be.
i knew i would like this, but i’m really pleasantly surprised at just how much i ended up connecting with it past that. it could probably stand to be a little longer, but i’m not unhappy with the length as it stands. short and sweet. or short and frightening more like.
sperks's review against another edition
2.0
Story/Dialogue: 4.5/5 Visuals: 2/5 Overall: 2.5/5
Arkham Asylum was a mixed bag for me.
The visuals ranged from compelling and profound (Arkham flashbacks) to ugly and just plain unpleasant to look at (the Joker). I suppose that's the point, but it still detracted from my enjoyment. Joker's text was also difficult to decipher at times; spending an extra minute on a page just trying to figure out what a psychotic clown is saying is not my idea of a fun time.
However, the comic really shines when it comes to the story and dialogue. Everything was so f**ked up and it was great. Not sure what that says about me; I try not to examine it too closely.
But the visuals were just... eh.
Arkham Asylum was a mixed bag for me.
The visuals ranged from compelling and profound (Arkham flashbacks) to ugly and just plain unpleasant to look at (the Joker). I suppose that's the point, but it still detracted from my enjoyment. Joker's text was also difficult to decipher at times; spending an extra minute on a page just trying to figure out what a psychotic clown is saying is not my idea of a fun time.
However, the comic really shines when it comes to the story and dialogue. Everything was so f**ked up and it was great. Not sure what that says about me; I try not to examine it too closely.
But the visuals were just... eh.
zacktheguy's review
2.0
This is the sort of work that I appreciate more than I enjoy. It read like a bad trip with all the hysterics of an episode of Criminal Minds on speed. A neat addition to the Batman library nonetheless.
alixblck's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
digimoe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25