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hakimbriki's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting study of the psyche of Bruce Wayne/ Batman. Part 1 left me unimpressed but that's my fault - I keep heightening my expectations when it comes to Neil Gaiman. Part 2 was more interesting, ethereal and sad. The beautiful, classic Gaiman ending is hands down the best thing about this book.
revisins's review against another edition
3.0
I understand the need to fill a book with extra material to make it worth printing, you just need to make sure the material is of a certain quality. I understand why DC would just take any and all Neil Gaiman written material and throw it into a collection with his two part stint that the collection is titled for--it just becomes to jarring.
The stories are all of quality...just not meant to be read all together. You're led to believe that there is a thematic through line--when there just isn't. The smaller pieces written by Gaiman as well are strong and nice nuggets of comic book story telling.
As individual stories they would all get higher ratings. As a collection it's a three star. Annoying, I know. I typically detest reviews that complain about how material is presented. Just be warned...of you want just the two part story "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" read just that. This hodgepodge collection muddies the waters.
The stories are all of quality...just not meant to be read all together. You're led to believe that there is a thematic through line--when there just isn't. The smaller pieces written by Gaiman as well are strong and nice nuggets of comic book story telling.
As individual stories they would all get higher ratings. As a collection it's a three star. Annoying, I know. I typically detest reviews that complain about how material is presented. Just be warned...of you want just the two part story "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" read just that. This hodgepodge collection muddies the waters.
coleycole's review against another edition
3.0
I was expecting transcendent awesomeness from the combination of The Gaiman and The Bat, but it left me feeling... eh. Good, but not as awesome as I've come to expect from The Gaiman.
unladylike's review against another edition
3.0
Although I absolutely love Neil Gaiman and usually the writing makes or breaks a comic for me, I felt strongly that the art in this volume far surpassed the innovation and depth of the writing.
bymaniak's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bjoernschneider1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mimi3's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
nomadtla's review against another edition
5.0
[a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg] has a way of making everything he writes read like a piece of great literature. This story is no exception. Charged with writing the "final" Batman story Neil goes beyond the norm and shows us why we need super heroes. It's not about the struggles they face or how they die. It's about that unending heroic spirit. To stand in the face of evil or injustice and get back up when it knocks you down. "You don't get Heaven or Hell. Do you know the only reward you get for being Batman? You get to be Batman."
The art by Andy Kubert enhances the story by mimicking the way certain artists have drawn Batman and his rogues through time.
There are 4 other stories in this trade paperback written by Neil Gaiman and taking place in Gotham as well. Three are interesting takes on the origins of some of Batman's villains. The fourth ("A Black and White World") is probably the second best story next to the one for which the book is titled. It looks at these characters lives off the page. What if they were just like actors appearing for us in their set scenes (panels), but were not as good or nefarious as we make them out to be. Much like Gaiman's other works (American God's, Neverwhere) this story shows us another world that dwells just under our perception and around every corner when we're not looking. Which is always where Mr. Gaiman shines because he sees those worlds that we do not, and populates them with all the interesting characters that dart in and out of our dreams.
The art by Andy Kubert enhances the story by mimicking the way certain artists have drawn Batman and his rogues through time.
There are 4 other stories in this trade paperback written by Neil Gaiman and taking place in Gotham as well. Three are interesting takes on the origins of some of Batman's villains. The fourth ("A Black and White World") is probably the second best story next to the one for which the book is titled. It looks at these characters lives off the page. What if they were just like actors appearing for us in their set scenes (panels), but were not as good or nefarious as we make them out to be. Much like Gaiman's other works (American God's, Neverwhere) this story shows us another world that dwells just under our perception and around every corner when we're not looking. Which is always where Mr. Gaiman shines because he sees those worlds that we do not, and populates them with all the interesting characters that dart in and out of our dreams.
kaigairg's review against another edition
4.0
http://greenmanreview.com/book/book_gaiman_batman.html