You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by fsmn36
Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth by Grant Morrison
5.0
Having stepped away to gain some perspective and reading the author's final draft and comments at the end truly make me realize what an accomplished feat of genius and craftsmanship this graphic novel is, besides my initial appreciation for the art but confusion at the mystical setting. Essentially re-reading, I can tell that this story requires multiple readings to understand it's complexity and while I understand how I read mysticism (and the ink scratch drawings of many pages and characters) as reminiscent of 80's Constantine stories, I am more fully in tune with Morrison's intended themes and story and it does feel like a true Batman story, if perhaps the Batman of another earth. This Batman is the darkest parts of Bruce and his Batman figure the way The Dark Knight is the efficient and brutal side of him. I actually applaud the exclusion of Robin in this (though its funny that the exclusion came about because he was too campy(?) for McKean) because the Robins are representative of Bruce's nurturing side, directly in conflict with the image of a repressed and psychologically scarred man presented here. At the same time, Morrison's twisted use of Robin in Joker's dialogue is intriguing.
I will say I'm glad the campy Rocky Horror type transvestism theme for the Joker was overruled. It feels both unnecessary and disgustingly transphobic, reading it now. It's also too stereotypical (using gender reversal as a depiction of a villain). The language used but combined with the more traditional look of the Joker (if more creepy based on the artistic styling) does feel like the best choice.
Basically, especially reading the authors notes, I am in awe of the layers of detail, knowledge, craft, and intelligence used to create this book. I think one could read it 10 times and still learn or connect something new on the 11th.
I also enjoyed learning the connections with Neil Gaiman - somehow things seem to make more sense knowing that. I now desperately need to pay attention to McKean's Coraline and The Graveyard Book art, even if it's not as transformative as the art in Arkham.
I will say I'm glad the campy Rocky Horror type transvestism theme for the Joker was overruled. It feels both unnecessary and disgustingly transphobic, reading it now. It's also too stereotypical (using gender reversal as a depiction of a villain). The language used but combined with the more traditional look of the Joker (if more creepy based on the artistic styling) does feel like the best choice.
Basically, especially reading the authors notes, I am in awe of the layers of detail, knowledge, craft, and intelligence used to create this book. I think one could read it 10 times and still learn or connect something new on the 11th.
I also enjoyed learning the connections with Neil Gaiman - somehow things seem to make more sense knowing that. I now desperately need to pay attention to McKean's Coraline and The Graveyard Book art, even if it's not as transformative as the art in Arkham.