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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
A very interesting edition, particularly for those of us with a pop culture background who have never been attracted to the medium of comic books or graphic novels. Being able to read the initial full script and notes of the story's author and experience the final published version, with the artwork of the illustrator and the input of the publisher, all together in one volume is what made reading it beneficial to me. I'm not going to become a comics fan any time soon, but I now feel like I have a stronger understanding of the medium. Recommended for anyone interested-in-but-not-a-fan-of comics. The experience uses the same parts of the brain as reading a play does, and made the content just as enjoyable.
Dark and complex, there is no way this book should work as it breaks traditions and plays with conventions. The damn thing is gripping though. Only to be started if you have enough time to finish it, as putting it down part-way through will break the spell.
This is one of those rare books that benefits from repeated reading without the need to wait a while between sittings.
This is one of those rare books that benefits from repeated reading without the need to wait a while between sittings.
I had read this once before and remembered liking it, but after this time around I'm really not a fan. I actually like the artwork, but just as other reviews have said some of the dialogue, especially Joker's lines, are very difficult to read. It also seems a bit disjointed. Example: I didn't realize Clayface was in it and I don't really know what happened to him. Batman just kind of wanders around, kills Killer Croc and then leaves. Kind of a weak story. But not before he says of the main antagonist that it was ok he died.
Everything is too abstract. The story, the artwork, the themes. Just needed dialing back a few degrees to allow the reader a way in.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
absolutely amazing graphic novel with such great illustrations and writing. Loved it and it made me want to read more Batman.
Visually stunning. Deeply dark Barman tale. My only quibble was that it was really hard to read the Jokers dialog in the red text. This is not for everyone but I found it compelling.
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.