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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
this one is a real mixed bag. like with a lot of comics, i have issues with the pacing. it really would have benefited from being longer; there are characters that we only see on a single page that are listed on the back of the book (for instance, scarecrow, who batman never even directly faces). grant morrison also has some sort of weird problem with sex which is obscured somewhat by the fantastic art but becomes very obvious when you read the script (same with some transmisogyny). theres also, of course, some homophobia with the writing of the joker
but! theres some good things too. highlights include: amadeus arkham's plotline and i really like harvey dent in this.
but! theres some good things too. highlights include: amadeus arkham's plotline and i really like harvey dent in this.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Okay now. I get the hate. This comic is ahead of its time. It's experimental. It breaks the norms of a typical panel by panel comic strip. It's so much more though.
Reading it the first time, I was lost. I'm not familiar with all the antagonists in the Gotham universe so a few (e.g Clayface and Milo) threw me off guard and I was confused as hell. But because I had to write an essay on Morrison or Miller: who reinvented Batman in a more powerful way, I chose Morrison and OH MY GOD rereading it with Morrison's notes makes SO MUCH FUCKING SENSE.
The symbolism Morrison and McKean included, my gosh. Freud's shadow archetype, pisces, egyptian symbols, alice in wonderland, Psycho, madonna-whore complex, colour theory*, the list goes on.
*Batman’s black-background with white lettering, which emulates gothic and grim but it also literally represents black-and-white mentality or dichotomous thinking and is classified as a personality disorder. With this disorder, people ‘tend to see themselves, others, and the world as either “all good” or “all bad.” Batman definitely views the world in the most extreme way. In contrast, Joker’s red-toned words, which, much like his character, is unrestrained and not once fitted in a speech bubble.
I highly recommend giving it a second read-through.
Reading it the first time, I was lost. I'm not familiar with all the antagonists in the Gotham universe so a few (e.g Clayface and Milo) threw me off guard and I was confused as hell. But because I had to write an essay on Morrison or Miller: who reinvented Batman in a more powerful way, I chose Morrison and OH MY GOD rereading it with Morrison's notes makes SO MUCH FUCKING SENSE.
The symbolism Morrison and McKean included, my gosh. Freud's shadow archetype, pisces, egyptian symbols, alice in wonderland, Psycho, madonna-whore complex, colour theory*, the list goes on.
*Batman’s black-background with white lettering, which emulates gothic and grim but it also literally represents black-and-white mentality or dichotomous thinking and is classified as a personality disorder. With this disorder, people ‘tend to see themselves, others, and the world as either “all good” or “all bad.” Batman definitely views the world in the most extreme way. In contrast, Joker’s red-toned words, which, much like his character, is unrestrained and not once fitted in a speech bubble.
I highly recommend giving it a second read-through.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The art style presented an interesting take that often left the events and dialogue indiscernible. As for the characterization of Batman, while a different take with much potential, the entire narrative falls flat at Morrison's lack of understanding as to who Batman is.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
An awesome comic! I'm not very knowledgeable about the whole comic world, so I love being able to read one like this and enjoy it without knowing a whole lot of back story.
I also loved the whole lunatics taking over the asylum story and how it showed some weakness in Batman and his being broken down, but triumphing in the end...sort of. Creepy and horrifying, but in an awesome way.
Plus Dave McKean's art is amazing and I just can't get enough of it. I think it fit the story perfectly and brought a whole other level of horror to what was happening, both with Batman and the story of Arkham's founder.
I also loved the whole lunatics taking over the asylum story and how it showed some weakness in Batman and his being broken down, but triumphing in the end...sort of. Creepy and horrifying, but in an awesome way.
Plus Dave McKean's art is amazing and I just can't get enough of it. I think it fit the story perfectly and brought a whole other level of horror to what was happening, both with Batman and the story of Arkham's founder.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix