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A review by bozimus
Batman: No Man's Land by Greg Rucka
2.0
This is the novelization of the Batman graphic novel "No Man's Land". I have not read the graphic novel, so I cannot comment on how close the novel followed the events in graphic novel.
In a nutshell, an earthquake devastates Gotham. The U.S., not wanting to face the cost of a clean-up, makes Gotham a "no man's land", essentially abandoning the city and those who refuse to leave it. Lawlessness descends upon the city and Batman (plus his allies) are left to restore civilization to Gotham.
It took me a long time to finish this book. Something always felt "wrong" about it. I like dark fantasy and I am not squeamish when it comes to violence. But this book was a little too dark/violent for me. I think the proper phrase is "over the top". Add that characteristic to my opinion that Rucka's versions of the main characters didn't jive with my mental views created a feeling of "wrongness" that just wouldn't go away.
There are some good points about the book that kept me reading. The pacing was appropriate and there was plenty of pathos (maybe too much pathos in places). Other fans of Batman may like it more than I did.
I would give it 2.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars.
In a nutshell, an earthquake devastates Gotham. The U.S., not wanting to face the cost of a clean-up, makes Gotham a "no man's land", essentially abandoning the city and those who refuse to leave it. Lawlessness descends upon the city and Batman (plus his allies) are left to restore civilization to Gotham.
It took me a long time to finish this book. Something always felt "wrong" about it. I like dark fantasy and I am not squeamish when it comes to violence. But this book was a little too dark/violent for me. I think the proper phrase is "over the top". Add that characteristic to my opinion that Rucka's versions of the main characters didn't jive with my mental views created a feeling of "wrongness" that just wouldn't go away.
There are some good points about the book that kept me reading. The pacing was appropriate and there was plenty of pathos (maybe too much pathos in places). Other fans of Batman may like it more than I did.
I would give it 2.5 stars if Goodreads allowed half stars.