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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This was deeply bizarre in a way I loved. I love this art style and the way it was peiced together. The story was still clear, I could tell what was going on, while being delighted with all the visual art. I loved it.
I feel kinda bad for rating such a special comic so low especially since I’ve always seen it highly recommended as one of the must read Batman comics. For a while I’ve wanted to at least experience it first hand.
I pretty much have the exact same feelings as most of the other low reviews on here. Though the artwork was extremely unique and at times very beautiful in it’s dark way, majority of the other times it was a bit of an eyesore, especially the weird font used for Jokers speech which was tough to read. Maybe it should have only been used for the occasional word or sentence for effect. Then the plot was very incoherent to the point where I could barely follow what was going on. Some bits were ‘woa’, others were just ‘huh?’ I pushed through it the best I could in the hope that it would end up making more sense as it went on, but then it ended and I just thought well then...
Overall I just didn’t enjoy the uncomfortable vibes it tries to create. I was close to rating it 3 stars because it is definitely one of a kind but then it’d be level with many books that I enjoyed much much more, so that’s why I went with a 2. I can see why some people would love it but simply put; it wasn’t for me.
Also I absolutely did not read the 100 pages of script at the end of the special edition for the comic I literally just read because are you crazy?
I pretty much have the exact same feelings as most of the other low reviews on here. Though the artwork was extremely unique and at times very beautiful in it’s dark way, majority of the other times it was a bit of an eyesore, especially the weird font used for Jokers speech which was tough to read. Maybe it should have only been used for the occasional word or sentence for effect. Then the plot was very incoherent to the point where I could barely follow what was going on. Some bits were ‘woa’, others were just ‘huh?’ I pushed through it the best I could in the hope that it would end up making more sense as it went on, but then it ended and I just thought well then...
Overall I just didn’t enjoy the uncomfortable vibes it tries to create. I was close to rating it 3 stars because it is definitely one of a kind but then it’d be level with many books that I enjoyed much much more, so that’s why I went with a 2. I can see why some people would love it but simply put; it wasn’t for me.
Also I absolutely did not read the 100 pages of script at the end of the special edition for the comic I literally just read because are you crazy?
Might have been the printing of the version I read or something. I found the dialog hard to read. The art style didn't click with me, though, I did appreciate it.
Pretty dense stuff. It's still clear that Batman is a rather ridiculous character to put into such a dark, psychological story, and Morrison's script notes in the back confirm that the artist, Dave McKean, felt this way. Speaking of whom, his art here is as good as ever, which is saying something. Even in the somewhat confusing/pretentious parts of the story, the gorgeous art pulls you through.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the book that inspired the Arkham Asylum video game. The Joker takes over Arkham asylum for April fools day and along with Two- Killer, Killer Croc, Scarecrow etc. they will spare the hostages on one condition, that Batman join them in Arkham where he belongs. This delves deep into the mindset of the villains, its very psychological especially as we learn about the founder Amadeus Arkham's own past and how the asylum was built.
The artwork does leave a lot to be desired. But it doesn't detract too much from reading and does reflect the feel of madness that is a prevalent theme in the book
The artwork does leave a lot to be desired. But it doesn't detract too much from reading and does reflect the feel of madness that is a prevalent theme in the book
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It was such an interesting art style and I loved the interweaving of ideas and characters.
I was going to give it 5 stars but then I saw other people's reviews talking about how out of character Batman was and how it was being dark for dark's sake. I can definitely see those being negative parts of it so that made me take a star off!
I was going to give it 5 stars but then I saw other people's reviews talking about how out of character Batman was and how it was being dark for dark's sake. I can definitely see those being negative parts of it so that made me take a star off!
Far more like it - not perfect (it reads as it probably was: the work of someone thinking this is probably the one and only time he can play with these characters and thusly going completely to town) but so much more interesting than The Killing Joke
Partly this is because the highfaluting research and mad stuff, which is always part of the Morrison appeal, is kept very much as a background vein, totally responsible for the structure and the plot but never overt. This is why Moore’s work on Promethea and From Hell is so good: it remains in the background. As soon as we get to Lost Girls and late LOEG it’s like being submitted to a very long, very boring lecture on how clever he is. Anyway. Less of that. The barking mad stuff is actually designed cleverly as Morrison’s own notes explain. This just gives you another level of appreciation of the work rather than being necessary to enjoy the comic
It also finds so much more to do with the Joker, who is genuinely threatening and “other” here. Killing Joke’s Joker is a petty sadist. This guy feels unhinged and dangerous and unpredictable and deeply other. The attempt to make him camp doesn’t quite work out as Morrison intended but I think he’s probably realised that himself and gone some way to find new stuff to do with sexuality over the years. The rest of the villains are also far more threatening than they should be
And this is because of McKean. I’m not a huge fan of McKean because I love his black and white stuff and he’s constantly trying to find new ways to express himself. Thusly I appreciate him more than I like him, but Morrison uses him here like he uses Yeowell in Zenith: all shapes and oddness and weirdness and shades and otherness. It works brilliantly
It’s probably fair to call this the work of a still developing talent, but Morrison succeeds here because he pitches wildly and at least 80% of it works. It’s quite the thing
Partly this is because the highfaluting research and mad stuff, which is always part of the Morrison appeal, is kept very much as a background vein, totally responsible for the structure and the plot but never overt. This is why Moore’s work on Promethea and From Hell is so good: it remains in the background. As soon as we get to Lost Girls and late LOEG it’s like being submitted to a very long, very boring lecture on how clever he is. Anyway. Less of that. The barking mad stuff is actually designed cleverly as Morrison’s own notes explain. This just gives you another level of appreciation of the work rather than being necessary to enjoy the comic
It also finds so much more to do with the Joker, who is genuinely threatening and “other” here. Killing Joke’s Joker is a petty sadist. This guy feels unhinged and dangerous and unpredictable and deeply other. The attempt to make him camp doesn’t quite work out as Morrison intended but I think he’s probably realised that himself and gone some way to find new stuff to do with sexuality over the years. The rest of the villains are also far more threatening than they should be
And this is because of McKean. I’m not a huge fan of McKean because I love his black and white stuff and he’s constantly trying to find new ways to express himself. Thusly I appreciate him more than I like him, but Morrison uses him here like he uses Yeowell in Zenith: all shapes and oddness and weirdness and shades and otherness. It works brilliantly
It’s probably fair to call this the work of a still developing talent, but Morrison succeeds here because he pitches wildly and at least 80% of it works. It’s quite the thing
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I decided to pick up and read this book on a whim, and I do have to say it is not for the faint of heart. Dark does not nearly describe how creepy and horrify this book is. However I mean that in a good way, and I believe that is the point of the book. I will say one should not pick up this book if you have never read a comic before, but if your into comics and Batman, and would like to read something more in the horror category, I definitely would give this novel a read, especially if you get the copy I have because it has a lot of behind the scenes stuff that allows the reader to see what went into making this graphic novel.
Additionally I have to say the art, is amazing. It's definitely not conventional but its still beautiful, and at some points reminded me of Picasso's art style.
Additionally I have to say the art, is amazing. It's definitely not conventional but its still beautiful, and at some points reminded me of Picasso's art style.
El arte de esta novela gráfica es increíble. Y no hay que esperar menos de Dave McKean. Su estilo es muy marcado y cada hoja es una obra de arte. Nunca habia leido un comic de Batman pero estoy segura de que éste no es uno convencional. En realidad es más reflexivo y explora a los personajes, y acerca a Batman más a un hombre que a un superhéroe y lo hace reflexionar en su propia locura.
Esto es un deleite para los ojos, así que me encantó.
Esto es un deleite para los ojos, así que me encantó.