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bookish_emily's review against another edition
5.0
Paul Dini's blunt and candid tale of survival and healing is accompanied by wonderful illustrations in this powerful graphic novel. It is courageous of Dini to share the struggles of his recovery, and I think many will find inspiration in his story. I imagine the narrative will resonate particularly with others who have grown up with the Batman characters as their imaginary companions. At the end, Dini poses the question: "Who cares about my story?" He answers: "I care." That care and determination shines through in this moving work.
oumaima_mekni's review
4.0
Wow! Seriously, wow! I had entirely different expectations for the story but I'm amazed by how things turned up. I have to admit I was kind of scared for how much I could relate to the narrator, even remotely. The struggle of being unnoticed, overlooked, uncared for and most importantly fighting with your own demons can bring anyone down, to their darkest despair. But still, sometimes we have to cling to the tiniest shard of hope left in us and unearth our inner strength so we can get by.
And I'm going to show this for anyone who tells that comics are just brainless entertainment for kids and teenagers.
And I'm going to show this for anyone who tells that comics are just brainless entertainment for kids and teenagers.
krishnu's review
5.0
4 years, after I read this masterpiece for the first time, I am forced to revisit it. But that is how books work for me. I end up revisiting and re-thinking about books long after I've read and abandoned them.
This book has to be one of the best comic books that I've ever read.
Focus is on how Paul Dini seeks consolation and therapy in his art, and how he uses it to heal his mental trauma. More than just being a true story, the comic demonstrates the power of fiction of how it influences the way we think, and see ourselves.
Pain tends to be cyclic. People who are suffering tend to give it forward.
But, not all who were bullied, become bullies.
Some people figure out ways to dissipate the pain without causing more pain.
Some people, like Paul Dini, figure out ways to transform the pain into art.
This book has to be one of the best comic books that I've ever read.
Focus is on how Paul Dini seeks consolation and therapy in his art, and how he uses it to heal his mental trauma. More than just being a true story, the comic demonstrates the power of fiction of how it influences the way we think, and see ourselves.
Pain tends to be cyclic. People who are suffering tend to give it forward.
But, not all who were bullied, become bullies.
Some people figure out ways to dissipate the pain without causing more pain.
Some people, like Paul Dini, figure out ways to transform the pain into art.
xsleepyshadows's review
5.0
The art style in this is beautiful (i'm pretty sure it's water color) I like how especially the difference between the style of reality and his imagination has more color that adds to his life. I was once a daydreaming kid and got it basically worked out of my through school life, I can connect with him well and i'm glad he got to animate cartoons and contribute to the things I watched and dreamed about as a kid. This is a touching story and I enjoyed it so tremendously! ~Ashley
worldofjoel's review
3.0
In full disclosure, outside of Sunday morning newspapers, I've never read a comic book. I love comic book characters and used to love watching the cartoons growing up, but never got into reading comic books. That changed when the latest pick for my book club, GamersRead was Dark Night: A True Batman Story. When I first heard I thought I might be reading a full-blown Batman comic but instead quickly realized that we were in for something completely different.
Dark Night: A True Batman Story is actually a re-telling of Paul Dini's horrific mugging in Los Angeles while he was working for Warner Bros. The comic picks up right before the mugging where Paul was beaten nearly to death by two guys on his way home from a date. Paul was already struggling with his own demons in which he depicts with some of the famous Batman villains like The Joker. There is a certain cleverness to this comic book that weaves in these Batman tropes with a man who's lived and breathed these characters for decades.
What I struggled with though was that although the tale harrowing, there was nothing particularly interesting in the way the Paul weaved in his inner demons with that of Batman. I understood the novelty early on and afterward, it began to feel just like that, a novelty. In some ways, I felt like I knew the entire story only a quarter of the way through. I did love the art style and the way that it changed quite drastically depending on what was happening within the story.
Granted its hard for me to be a big comic book critic since this is literally the first full comic book I can remember reading. But I will say I was completely middle of the road with this. It's an interesting concept, a sad story, and one that I think was well told. I just didn't necessarily find the connection between these characters that he loved to his own internal struggle to be that compelling.
Dark Night: A True Batman Story is actually a re-telling of Paul Dini's horrific mugging in Los Angeles while he was working for Warner Bros. The comic picks up right before the mugging where Paul was beaten nearly to death by two guys on his way home from a date. Paul was already struggling with his own demons in which he depicts with some of the famous Batman villains like The Joker. There is a certain cleverness to this comic book that weaves in these Batman tropes with a man who's lived and breathed these characters for decades.
What I struggled with though was that although the tale harrowing, there was nothing particularly interesting in the way the Paul weaved in his inner demons with that of Batman. I understood the novelty early on and afterward, it began to feel just like that, a novelty. In some ways, I felt like I knew the entire story only a quarter of the way through. I did love the art style and the way that it changed quite drastically depending on what was happening within the story.
Granted its hard for me to be a big comic book critic since this is literally the first full comic book I can remember reading. But I will say I was completely middle of the road with this. It's an interesting concept, a sad story, and one that I think was well told. I just didn't necessarily find the connection between these characters that he loved to his own internal struggle to be that compelling.
modkuraika's review
4.0
It's hard to say whether this is a memoir or a legitimate Batman story. I'd say it's both, and both play to each other's advantage. Reminds me of American Splendor. Personal, insightful, uplifting.
jasmiinaf's review
5.0
This works surprisingly well. The story is hopeful but quite dark and it was interesting to read a very different Batman story.