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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I can't say I loved this novel but I certainly liked it. It is one of Grant Morrison's earlier stories and therefore it goes for more interesting concepts than what a comic might typically attempt. Like many young minds turned on by intellectual things, however, Morrison is a bit like a hummingbird, flitting from one idea to the next without unifying a comprehensive underlying concept. Also, there might be a little nonsense involved.
From the notes on the text by Morrison:
"PAGE 20: The idea of the Joker's 'super-sanity' haunted me for years and eventually developed into my theories of multiple personality complexes as the next stage in human consciousness development."
Yeah... so that happened.
Despite the cocaine-paced mind wanderings of a guy who is really interested in theoretical ideas the end result is, well, intriguing. Dave McKean's artwork pulls the story into an atmospheric dimension of chaos and is able to excuse much of the eclectic "theory projects" Grant sets out to write by allowing them to fall under the umbrella of unsettling madness. That is where this story shines the most. There is enough dread and emotional violence in the narrative that the spilling out of Morrison's ambitions becomes yet another rabbit-hole which fits neatly in the tale.
Here's an example of what I mean, again from Morrison's notes:
"In Qabalistic numerology, Christ = Satan = Messiah, which is why Croc appears here in crucifixion pose, taking the place of Christ on this blasphemous cross. In this scene, Batman reunites Christ and Serpent, then confronts and overcomes his own attachment to his Mother in a perverse nightmare of lizards, lace and bridal embroidery.
"Much of this subtextual material was lost on the casual reader but that didn't seem to stop us from shifting mega-amounts of copies. I do believe that people respond emotionally to deep mythical patterns whether or not they actually recognize or "understand" them as such, but the fact that book launched at the time of the outrageously successful Batman film by Tim Burton probably helped more than anything else."
I'd say that last line is a pretty huge understatement. The first Tim Burton Batman film inspired feverish consumption. However, I'm glad this book landed success. While there may not be much to take away from this novel, per say, Morrison's ambitions are unlike much before it in the history of the genre. His early success gave him the space he needed to develop his ideas further without having to dig himself out of a failed project.
There is value to this novel. It's creative energy, intellectual ambition, and re-imagining of the genre all make it a worthwhile read.
From the notes on the text by Morrison:
"PAGE 20: The idea of the Joker's 'super-sanity' haunted me for years and eventually developed into my theories of multiple personality complexes as the next stage in human consciousness development."
Yeah... so that happened.
Despite the cocaine-paced mind wanderings of a guy who is really interested in theoretical ideas the end result is, well, intriguing. Dave McKean's artwork pulls the story into an atmospheric dimension of chaos and is able to excuse much of the eclectic "theory projects" Grant sets out to write by allowing them to fall under the umbrella of unsettling madness. That is where this story shines the most. There is enough dread and emotional violence in the narrative that the spilling out of Morrison's ambitions becomes yet another rabbit-hole which fits neatly in the tale.
Here's an example of what I mean, again from Morrison's notes:
"In Qabalistic numerology, Christ = Satan = Messiah, which is why Croc appears here in crucifixion pose, taking the place of Christ on this blasphemous cross. In this scene, Batman reunites Christ and Serpent, then confronts and overcomes his own attachment to his Mother in a perverse nightmare of lizards, lace and bridal embroidery.
"Much of this subtextual material was lost on the casual reader but that didn't seem to stop us from shifting mega-amounts of copies. I do believe that people respond emotionally to deep mythical patterns whether or not they actually recognize or "understand" them as such, but the fact that book launched at the time of the outrageously successful Batman film by Tim Burton probably helped more than anything else."
I'd say that last line is a pretty huge understatement. The first Tim Burton Batman film inspired feverish consumption. However, I'm glad this book landed success. While there may not be much to take away from this novel, per say, Morrison's ambitions are unlike much before it in the history of the genre. His early success gave him the space he needed to develop his ideas further without having to dig himself out of a failed project.
There is value to this novel. It's creative energy, intellectual ambition, and re-imagining of the genre all make it a worthwhile read.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
I would give it 5 stars of they actually made it easy to read what Joker was saying.
Actually made me hate the pages that he was in.
Actually made me hate the pages that he was in.
…
I'm trying to form words to describe how I felt about this because… I really have no words.
On one hand, I liked it how different it was from the typical comic book outline, but on another hand, I found the difference unnecessary at times.
I did get what the story was trying to accomplish. I really do. But the illustrations, the weird transition from past to present, took me out of the reading experience quite a lot of times. I started this a few months ago, and I only finished it now. While I appreciate their attempt to provide a unique storytelling technique, it just didn't work for me.
- The story was interesting enough that it got me reading. We, actually, follow two storylines here. One is in the present, with Batman, and the other one is set in the past, wherein we meet Amadeus Arhkam, the founder of Arkham Asylum, and there, we see how and why lost his marbles.
- The illustrations were atrocious. It was horrible. But that's because I have a particular taste in art, and this, was something that didn't appeal to me. For the story it was trying to tell, the weirdness or the illustrations draws you away from the story and not suck you in. It could work for some other story, but not for this. I don't care what their intent for this was. I really don't. It just didn't work.
- The Batman we see here, didn't interest me. I found he was a bit boring. Meeh. He made stupid and reckless decisions. That's all I can say.
I'm usually all for unique narrative styles, but the way this story was told was faaaar too much for me.
Trippy.
That would have do. I think it's the only word, right now, that I can use to describe it. The entire story, the illustrations feels like it's either or drugs or on marijuana. I can't really tell you, which is which, but you get what I mean. It's too artsy for my taste, and I consider myself an artsy person.
Could have been better, really.
I'm trying to form words to describe how I felt about this because… I really have no words.
On one hand, I liked it how different it was from the typical comic book outline, but on another hand, I found the difference unnecessary at times.
I did get what the story was trying to accomplish. I really do. But the illustrations, the weird transition from past to present, took me out of the reading experience quite a lot of times. I started this a few months ago, and I only finished it now. While I appreciate their attempt to provide a unique storytelling technique, it just didn't work for me.
- The story was interesting enough that it got me reading. We, actually, follow two storylines here. One is in the present, with Batman, and the other one is set in the past, wherein we meet Amadeus Arhkam, the founder of Arkham Asylum, and there, we see how and why lost his marbles.
- The illustrations were atrocious. It was horrible. But that's because I have a particular taste in art, and this, was something that didn't appeal to me. For the story it was trying to tell, the weirdness or the illustrations draws you away from the story and not suck you in. It could work for some other story, but not for this. I don't care what their intent for this was. I really don't. It just didn't work.
- The Batman we see here, didn't interest me. I found he was a bit boring. Meeh. He made stupid and reckless decisions. That's all I can say.
I'm usually all for unique narrative styles, but the way this story was told was faaaar too much for me.
Trippy.
That would have do. I think it's the only word, right now, that I can use to describe it. The entire story, the illustrations feels like it's either or drugs or on marijuana. I can't really tell you, which is which, but you get what I mean. It's too artsy for my taste, and I consider myself an artsy person.
Could have been better, really.
If you open this book up and take a few peeks, you may be appalled at the artwork. It's messy, smeary, and sometimes unrecognizable. It's when you start reading the story that you realize the artwork is intentionally unappealing, and it is intentionally meant to disturb you. This is one of the most horrific graphic novels I've read. It's about the infamous insane asylum in Gotham, and the way it's conceived makes the reader feel insane while reading. It's a disturbing and essential piece of literature. Especially for all Batman fans.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Pedophilia, Torture
Like most things that Grant Morrison writes this can come off as pretentious nonsense. In fact, at a first pass, I was ready to rate this much lower. The story does not fit the normal feel of a Batman book. The art is messy. The lettering is unreadable at times. However, the 25th anniversary edition has the original script along with notes from Morrison. It helped see why a lot of the choices were made and brought clarity to the overall vision. Maybe I should not rate the book four stars if it takes extra commentary to appreciate the content. In the end, it felt much more satisfying with the notes there. Beware that this is definitely not a book for everyone, and in many senses, does not fit the mold of a typical comic.
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Creepy, disturbing, fascinating, and definitely one of a kind.