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barrosd12's review against another edition
4.0
Black Mirror is a good read, although not all it was chalked-up to be. As far as tone-setting for the Nolan Batman movies, the influence is very clearly drawn from this comic as well as several other ones. However, the main story here is a bit hokey. I would drop it another point, but the detective work on display as well as the noir elements bump the rating back up. Ultimately though, the more interesting story that starts off with the current Batman being gassed with a toxin ends up with a very run-of-the-mill psychopath story that really is violent for the sake of being violent. I'm not typically one to shy away from this sort of violence, but it felt needless and the ending feels disjointed and weird. The entire run was a series of episodes from the comics, so it necessarily feels like picking up a story where it left off a while ago.
Overall, I'm criticizing the hype more than the book itself, the book is okay-to-good, if you enjoy Batman stories, this one is a pretty good one. Not as good as say, Year One, but still good.
Overall, I'm criticizing the hype more than the book itself, the book is okay-to-good, if you enjoy Batman stories, this one is a pretty good one. Not as good as say, Year One, but still good.
remlezar's review against another edition
5.0
Scott Snyder may be young and relatively new to the industry, but he is quickly settling in as one of the top working writers. When it comes to Batman, Snyder is fantastic. He shows an understanding of the character that only finds rivals in the best Batman stories ever written. Black Mirror sits just fine on the shelf next to Year One, Long Halloween and Dark Knight Returns. Based on what I've read so far of Snyder's work on the Batman relaunch with the so called "new 52," I expect to see more of his work on that same shelf. If you like Batman, comics in general, or just a damn good story, I cannot recommend this collection enough. Snyder is a guy worth keeping an eye on.
ericbuscemi's review against another edition
3.0
There is a lot going on in this graphic novel. Firstly, Bruce Wayne is off founding Batman Incorporated, so Dick Grayson is now Gotham City's Batman, which took me a while to adjust to in itself. Then throw in his support team of Red Robin, Oracle and Commissioner Gordon, and a host of villains including The Dealer/Man-Bat, Sonia Zucco, Roadrunner, Tiger Shark, Joker, and James Gordon Jr. -- a lot of them totally new to Batman's universe -- and I was struggling to keep my head above water.
There is some great stuff in here, such as the character of James Gordon Jr., a non-mask-wearing villain, and the perspective and personality of a new, different Batman, who is not drawn to protect the city for the same reasons as Bruce Wayne, and doesn't think or act the same way either (this panel is a great example of that). However, there is also some questionable stuff in here as well, such as the dead orca found in the bank lobby in the opening pages of the Hungry City issue.
All in all, while I enjoyed this, it also made me glad for the New-52 reboot, which brings things back to a simpler time, where Bruce Wayne is Batman, and I don't feel so lost in a universe I have spent so much time in.
There is some great stuff in here, such as the character of James Gordon Jr., a non-mask-wearing villain, and the perspective and personality of a new, different Batman, who is not drawn to protect the city for the same reasons as Bruce Wayne, and doesn't think or act the same way either (this panel is a great example of that). However, there is also some questionable stuff in here as well, such as the dead orca found in the bank lobby in the opening pages of the Hungry City issue.
All in all, while I enjoyed this, it also made me glad for the New-52 reboot, which brings things back to a simpler time, where Bruce Wayne is Batman, and I don't feel so lost in a universe I have spent so much time in.
swingdingaling's review against another edition
I like his Bat Book.
It has a different bat and it's cool. The new bat is not like the old one but it's also not a totally unfamiliar bat experience.
It has a different bat and it's cool. The new bat is not like the old one but it's also not a totally unfamiliar bat experience.
geekbrocade's review against another edition
5.0
The great thing about the Batman universe is how it quickly draws you in and keeps you invested into all the characters. Batman is back but Bruce Wayne is off recruiting others to join the Batman "franchise" if you will while Grayson picks up as Batman in Gotham.
Sure, it's different from having Bruce Wayne as Batman but Scott Snyder does a pretty damn good job with this arc!
All I can say is, I feel deeply sorry for Commissioner Gordan. Poor soul.
Sure, it's different from having Bruce Wayne as Batman but Scott Snyder does a pretty damn good job with this arc!
All I can say is, I feel deeply sorry for Commissioner Gordan. Poor soul.
sbelasco40's review against another edition
5.0
Well, this was terrifying. I haven't read a lot of the more recent Batman arcs because it's my impression that they're not very good, but this came highly recommended and it's VERY good. Things that are awesome about it: Dick-Grayson-as-Batman, interesting in ways I didn't necessary expect (circus backstory metaphors! He's nicer and slightly less gloomy than Bruce Wayne!); lots of Jim Gordon, always more Commissioner Gordon; Barbara Gordon, being fabulous and a science genius and a badass; the arc had some substantial surprises; CREEPY AS FUCK; Alfred. The artwork is beautiful too. Gotham is a character in itself, which is neat - there's this whole darkness-that-creates-personal-transformation-and-strength narrative going on that I haven't seen done this well since WATCHMEN.
jasmiinaf's review against another edition
5.0
A great Batman comic. Very dark, sad and a bit creepy but the story gets an A+ from me. Scott Snyder has a talent of breaking hearts it seems.
caitcoy's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those Batman stories that I can't help but read again and again. The Black Mirror is very firmly in my top ten Batman stories and honestly it might be my favorite. I'm sure that counts as heresy since it features Dick Grayson as Batman but it just strikes that perfect tone between dark, gritty Gotham and badass Batman. At the core of Black Mirror is just how dangerous of a city Gotham is. The first half of the book covers Dick Grayson's attempt to deal with a dangerous group of people who have been corrupted both by their own power and by the darkness inherent in Gotham. This is tied in neatly with the second half which is one of my favorite stories ever and which deals primarily with the Gordons. When Commisioner Gordon's prodigal son, James Jr, shows back up in Gotham, both the father and Barbara (now Oracle) must deal with the fallout. Grayson is such a fantastic Batman that it's impossible not to fall in love with him. He has all the dark, gritty character of Bruce but with that smartass humor that made me love Nightwing. The mix of horror and humor is absolutely perfect and the artwork is just gorgeous. I honestly don't have enough words for this one. The whole story was so menacing, so wonderfully dark and creepy and so Batman that I just can't help but love every second of it. If you're a Batman fan, it is a must-read!
littlemascara's review against another edition
5.0
Best Batman trade I've read in years; more Dick Grayson, please!