Best Batman Ever...? I doubt that....
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Batman is probably the most iconic superhero in existence (apart from the nutcase with the S on his chest). The fact he has no powers makes him fascinating. His origin also. Now I don't doubt that Frank Miller saved Batman from the humiliation of the 60s TV show. He also made way for some of the dark knights later greatest storylines (the death of Jason Todd for example). But personally I believe that Miller did for Batman exactly what Joel Shumacher did for him in Batman and robin. He changed him too much. I do agree that Bob Kane probably didn't intend Batman to end up camp, and nearer to Millers version. But this Batman is a disturbed, grumpy old man, harking on about how young or old he feels, depending on what part of the book your at. The story is half decent becoming slightly tired towards the end. The artwork is interesting to begin with but slowly deteriorates into a mess. The Joker is probably for me the most dissapointing part. The clown prince of Crime is shown here as a murder crazed fool, not the cunning calculated Joker created by Kane. There are also hints of him altually fancying Batman, leading to a very poorly conceived final confrontation. I not even going to mention the version of Robin in this awful graphic novel. The first part of the story is decent and enjoyable to read. The second is acceptable. The following i grew fed up with. I can't even remember whether or not i finished it. I would burn it if not for part 1 of the novel. Read something else such as Alan moore's incredible Batman short The Killing Joke or the Lee/Loeb partnership of Hush, people who actually know what they are doing. Not this tripe. I would also recommend Millers Year One his only interesting work with a real Batman. But not Miller's All star batman and robin, showing a crazed Batman cackling over the rooftops of Gotham, this time shouting about how much he loves himself but not even saved by Jim Lees genious artwork. Now that i would definetly burn. I was generous with two stars for the interesting first part, and the half decent page spreads placed mostly in the early half of the novel. And get this. Theres a sequel. I won't be reading it. Wish i'd never read this, and just got back to Alan Moore...
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It almnost won me over...........only almost
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Being someone who had read the Batman comics of the 60s and also a fan of Tim Burton's first two Batman films and of the animated series,I had resisted trying Miller's Batman as I had only browsed the Graphic novel in the past,however I decided to see what the fuss was about and bought it.I have to say that although it is an excellent read in itself I have one or two reservations about it and though this probably 'IS' Batman as Bob Kane intended,his depiction of Superman is sacriligeous and the moronic Mutants just got on my nerves,in the end as a Batman affectionardo I have to say that it belongs in the bin.due to poor reviews of the sequel 'THE DARK KNIGHT STRIKES AGAIN ' I won't be buying it.
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Is it a bird? No, it's a plane. It's Frank MIller
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You don't have to like Batman to enjoy this (although you probably will after reading it :D). This *amazing* graphic novel will grab you by the throat, and you'll struggle to put it down until you are done.
Believe it or not, this is better than his Sin City work (by a long way) and better than the popular 300 (by a long long long long way).
Guaranteed to make your heart beat faster, claustrophobic and tense, this is sheer genius, and definetely in the Top Ten graphic novels of all time. Many would say it is #1. If you have any interest in comics, BUY it now.
The only downside to readig this, is that you will look long and hard before you reach these dizzy heights again.
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This book has changed the way I think about comics
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Just before reading 'The Dark knight returns' I read 'The Long Haloween' and I loved it! So i thought it might be difficult for this book to top it. But it did! It has so much depth and is written amazingly. Batman himself is completly believable and the scenes with the Joker werr probably the best portrale of thier realationship that I have ever seen.
If you like Batman, read it!
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A brilliant Batman tale
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Much has been written about Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns, however to describe it as "overrated" would be pure folly. This tale of hope and redemption may not be delivered in a familiar fashion, but its story hides a real heart which is has been rarely matched in the intervening years.
The story relies on a lack of subtlety which is aimed at key figures in popular culture and society (such as President Reagan), however this is no negative point and the way the book aims to place a morally dubious character (Batman) in a world characterised by murky dealings and violence is a brilliant aspect to the series.
The way in which the series is best viewed is the fact that it created a universe in which comic books and superheroes could deal with real problems to society, in a fashion which relied on intricate storylines mixed with art which was eye-catching and bold.
Buy it and enjoy it.
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