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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Morrison at his most morrison? I wasn't sure what to expect but I'm glad I went in open minded because I really enjoyed this.
I'd actually argue the storytelling part isn't that insane. It's pretty easy to tell what's happening. I especially liked the focus on trying to help mentally ill people try to get better. The fact Joker is thought of as a lost cause by both Batman and the people of Arkham was a bit hysterical though. I also have to say the back and forth between the present and the one who had built AA was great, a slow decent into Madness really captured the feel of an Asylum before it even was one. The ending? Perfect as well.
Now where the book loses me a bit is the art. Don't get me wrong, some of it is amazing. The gritty close up of the teeth when Batman is angry/struggling, Joker's insane, disgusting, twisted look, the dialogue choice with the coloring boxes. All that was great. But at times I had a very hard time telling what was happening. Sometimes SO dark all I could do was kind of make out what the scene was going for, but also, questioned myself if I was seeing things.
I feel like this book might improve on multiple reads. What I liked is it was short enough to warrant a few re-reads down the line in my life. As it stands now though, a 4 out of 5.
I'd actually argue the storytelling part isn't that insane. It's pretty easy to tell what's happening. I especially liked the focus on trying to help mentally ill people try to get better. The fact Joker is thought of as a lost cause by both Batman and the people of Arkham was a bit hysterical though. I also have to say the back and forth between the present and the one who had built AA was great, a slow decent into Madness really captured the feel of an Asylum before it even was one. The ending? Perfect as well.
Now where the book loses me a bit is the art. Don't get me wrong, some of it is amazing. The gritty close up of the teeth when Batman is angry/struggling, Joker's insane, disgusting, twisted look, the dialogue choice with the coloring boxes. All that was great. But at times I had a very hard time telling what was happening. Sometimes SO dark all I could do was kind of make out what the scene was going for, but also, questioned myself if I was seeing things.
I feel like this book might improve on multiple reads. What I liked is it was short enough to warrant a few re-reads down the line in my life. As it stands now though, a 4 out of 5.
Lots of potential here, but it didn't go anywhere. Yes, the art is amazing in itself, and some of the psychological theories are interesting. But it's all rather...empty.
Grafică excepțională (chiar cred că nimeni nu poate desena ca Dave McKean), violență superbă, cuvintele lui Morrison te fac să te cutremuri și să te îndoiești de tot ce crezi că știi despre oamenii din poveste, cartea asta funcționează pe mai multe nivele decât e legal.
Recomand oricui vrea să citească ceva superlativ!
Recomand oricui vrea să citească ceva superlativ!
I had to read this twice to absorb everything. The art is great, and typical to most comic books. Thankfully, there were writer's notes after the story so I could find out about everything I missed or overlooked.
El arte es espectacular y esta edición es preciosa. La historia de Arkham está guay pero esta versión de Batman es bastante rareta, se siente out of character.
I think it would be very difficult for me not to love this. I appreciate Morrison, I appreciate McKean (especially Sandman), and this version has not only the graphic novel, but also the first draft of the script - full of insights that would never be available (or worth sharing) for other books.
Top-notch.
Side note: There are reviews on here that give this one star because it doesn't follow the plot of the video game. Think about that for a minute.
Top-notch.
Side note: There are reviews on here that give this one star because it doesn't follow the plot of the video game. Think about that for a minute.
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve been trying to read more dark classic Batman and I definitely liked this better than the Killing Joke. That being said I’m so burnt out on the visual style and allusions of Sandman and since this was illustrated by Dave McKean I just kind of got the ick and was reminded too much of that but that’s not anyone’s fault. I liked McKean’s style, I just kind of let out a groan when I see it. I think I would have thought this was a 5 two years ago. I wasn’t particularly thrilled with the revelation that the thing plaguing Arkham’s mother is a bat and that’s why they hate Batman or whatever. Maybe I haven’t thought deeply enough about it. I also laughed out loud when Arkham roasted Hawkins. The set up for that was good. The printing that I read of this which I think is an anniversary edition makes the Joker’s dialogue way too light and I had a hard time reading anything that wasn’t bold. Anyway! This is all just nitpicking. I think it’s good. I’m putting all the TWs in graphic bc I found it all pretty intense and wouldn’t say the effect of any of it is moderate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Violence