A darkly imaginative graphic novel
|
Artistically, this graphic novel is fairly unique. A Dark atmosphere is created using heavy ink and watercolours, which perfectly describe the story of Arkhams journey into insanity, and Batmans confrontation of some of his most and least famous enemies. Clockwork cogs over dark backgrounds, with slightly smeared white sketchy lines, batman is often just drawn as a dark shadowed silouette with the recognisable mask. The Joker is a terrifying cavorting bloodless figure with red painted eyes and lips,arithe with dark sexual intent.The mad hatter is a pipe smoking hallucigenius with a lined face and lank wisps of hair under his hat, claiming to "have things to tell" batman. The novel realistically breathes life into batmans villains in a way that is more fantastic yet more terrifing.
The thing that really struck me about Arkham asylum is that it cannot just be limited to describing the artwork, the writing is easily just as astonishing. The book fascinated me in the morbid way i enjoy watching horror films, it delves into batmans psyche and that of Amadeus Arkham.Inparticular there is a moment at the beginning where batman reveals his fears to jim Gordon- he is afraid that when he walks through the asylum gates it will "feel like coming home", providing the first suggestion in the book that batman is possibly as equally insane as his foes.
Arkham asylum stays with me, and i recommend it to anyone who is interested in a dark strangely compelling batman tale, but i warn you that this is not a fairy-tale. It has grotesque moments, but they all contribute to this remarkable piece of work.
|
|
|
An absolute masterpiece
|
I am not, on the whole, the greatest superhero fan. However I should point out that this is NOT a superhero book. This is probably the greatest bit of comic book art since Bill Sienkiewicz "Stray Toasters". Dave Mckean's art has become slightly more his own since Black Orchid and he makes more use of multiple textures which suits the "barely keeping it together" tone of the book beutifully.
It is also one of Morrisons best bits of work. Up there with "mystery play".
Esentially the lunatics have taken over the asylum and, led by a high heeled Joker, they demand that Batman joins them. As the Dark Knight attempts to regain control we flash back to the very first madman to inhabit the asylum - Dr Arkham's mother and then later himself. It comes complete with echos of the future to comes and the most disturbing Mad Hatter ever. The Hatter usually comes across as a slightly weak character but Morrison has completely transformed him into something much more sinister.
Essentially, the book it great.
|
|
4 and a half *'s really.
|
|
this book is great for bats fans and others alike. for the fans itexplains the start and history of one of the most important buildings inbats' life. for newbies and non-fans it introduces a fair few of thevilians. I found the artwork unusal but nice. it seemed to suit the storywell. the only problem i had at all was it seemed a little short.
|
|
|
Caped Crusader or Masked Madman?
|
|
This stunning addition to the Batman graphic novels asks the question that has been asked bysensible people since Batman's first appearance: what kind of nutter dresses like a bat and stalks the streets at night? Luckily, this has been effectively answered by playwrite (and indie band member) Grant Morrison, whilst being gloriously illustrated by the dark visions of Dave McKean. If your serious about your graphic novels, you should already have this, if you just appreciate them: what are you waiting for? This book is one of few graphic novels I've read that is any where near as thought provoking as Neil Gaiman's Brief Lives, or better still, The Kindly Ones. The theme is ofcourse, insanity: Bruce Wayne's insanity, the insanity inside the walls of Arkham Asylum (both that of the inmates and doctors), and ultimately, the insanity outside.
|
|
|
2200 year recipe
|
Not following the modern path, but rather choosing a 2200 year recipe, Grant Morison made a story to remember.
The play is strictly governed by the rules of an ancient Greek tragedy. Characters are tragic in the original term. Their future is decided from the very beginning. That they may know, deep inside, what they are and where they will end, makes no difference. They must endure the whole path of apocalyptic events that will drive them to the inner illumination and the completion of their struggle. Not being strong enough to divert from their line of destiny, even when foretelling is quite obvious, characters are distilled and remade through the process and their agony to postpone the inevitable, which is to face the oncoming revelation of oneself. At the end, redemption rarely comes, and each character confronts truth in its own unique way.
Morison masters the plot effectively, and even uses the more complicated tool of the ancient tragedy: the choir (look for the voices of the madmen). This tribute to the oldest rules of western theatrical play comes to completion when Batman finally passes through a gate with the inscription "ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ
ÃÃÃÃÃ", which is ancient Greek and translates as "to know yourself".
Take all that, add the astonishing artwork by Dave McKean, and you result in a piece of artwork one rejoices to study. The 9th art in one of its finest moments, and a marvelous story where one can even "smell" the psyche of the heroes
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada