book_cryptid's review against another edition
4.5
this was so cooool
seeing such a classic comic character in all the different art styles was so much fun. really, the way each story looked so different and so unique is my favorite part about this book. i'm not an avid comics reader, but this really made me appreciate the art behind drawing/writing comics and how cool all comic artists are. ily all, and can't wait to read the other volumes <3
seeing such a classic comic character in all the different art styles was so much fun. really, the way each story looked so different and so unique is my favorite part about this book. i'm not an avid comics reader, but this really made me appreciate the art behind drawing/writing comics and how cool all comic artists are. ily all, and can't wait to read the other volumes <3
rashthedoctor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
So this is a bunch of short stories about Batman's various bit sized adventures pencilled and writted by a variety of authors , portraying different styles to their narrative and often, but not always, focussing on deeper meaning in their storylines , and other times simply focussing on action , adventures and pure fun.
It was a very enjoyable read , much of the time feeling like more Batman -esque in their plot and characters portrayal than many modern day Batman story. The only difference here is that , as the name suggests, all the stories are in black and white .
I reduced half a star for this book since some of the art style was really painful to watch , i know many would defend such styles but sometimes style could hamper vision and ergo sometimes style should be second to simplicity .
Over-all it was a fast read that was enjoyable throughout and had so many brilliant moments that i lost count .
It was a very enjoyable read , much of the time feeling like more Batman -esque in their plot and characters portrayal than many modern day Batman story. The only difference here is that , as the name suggests, all the stories are in black and white .
I reduced half a star for this book since some of the art style was really painful to watch , i know many would defend such styles but sometimes style could hamper vision and ergo sometimes style should be second to simplicity .
Over-all it was a fast read that was enjoyable throughout and had so many brilliant moments that i lost count .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Gore, Alcohol, and Death of parent
iffer's review against another edition
4.0
I, like many others, and not generally a fan of short story collections/compilations. The quality is usually too varied, and I prefer longer story arcs. Batman: Black and White is a huge exception to this. Every single story is much better than average; the art is phenomenal; the short stories are well-conceived.
I'm not quite sure why fans of "Western"/superhero comics aren't generally fans of black an white art (ironic, since it seems like the opposite with photography). The examples in Batman: Black and White are superlative, and black and white is perfect, not only because Batman is all about operating from the shadows, but because the artists use the "restriction" to black and white to capture the cohesive moodiness of each short story.
Some stories are closer to "cannon," such as Bruce Timm's, while others are only tangentially related to Batman in plot, but fitting because of their mood and themes. I'm glad that the editors and creators pushed this through, in spite of concerns that no one would buy it!
I'm not quite sure why fans of "Western"/superhero comics aren't generally fans of black an white art (ironic, since it seems like the opposite with photography). The examples in Batman: Black and White are superlative, and black and white is perfect, not only because Batman is all about operating from the shadows, but because the artists use the "restriction" to black and white to capture the cohesive moodiness of each short story.
Some stories are closer to "cannon," such as Bruce Timm's, while others are only tangentially related to Batman in plot, but fitting because of their mood and themes. I'm glad that the editors and creators pushed this through, in spite of concerns that no one would buy it!
roseblight's review against another edition
5.0
There will never be a comic like this again, genuinely one of the most impressive team of talents ever put together. It's easily one of the most consistently fantastic comic anthologies, almost every story here is beautifully illustrated and at the very least interesting.
There are plenty of standouts but I specifically want to point out Kevin Nowlan (Easily one of my favorite Batman stories I've ever read), Matt Wagner, Gary Gianni, and Bruce Timm as having especially great entries.
There are plenty of standouts but I specifically want to point out Kevin Nowlan (Easily one of my favorite Batman stories I've ever read), Matt Wagner, Gary Gianni, and Bruce Timm as having especially great entries.
thatdruffguy's review
3.0
As this is a collection of short stories, I will give each story a 1 to 5 star rating and then average the ratings for the total book rating.
1. Perpetual Mourning - 3
2. Two of a Kind - 3
3. The Hunt - 2
4. Petty Crimes - 3
5. The Devil's Trumpet - 4
6. Legend - 1
7. Monster Maker - 3
8. Dead Boys Eyes - 2
9. The Devil's Children - 4
10. A Black and White World - 5
11. Good Evening, Midnight - 3
12. In Dreams - 3
13. Heist - 3
14. Bent Twigs - 4
15. A Slaying Song Tonight - 2
16. An Innocent Guy - 5
17. Monsters in the Closet - 2
18. Heroes - 3
19. Leavetaking - 3
20. The Third Mask - 2
Overall - 3
1. Perpetual Mourning - 3
2. Two of a Kind - 3
3. The Hunt - 2
4. Petty Crimes - 3
5. The Devil's Trumpet - 4
6. Legend - 1
7. Monster Maker - 3
8. Dead Boys Eyes - 2
9. The Devil's Children - 4
10. A Black and White World - 5
11. Good Evening, Midnight - 3
12. In Dreams - 3
13. Heist - 3
14. Bent Twigs - 4
15. A Slaying Song Tonight - 2
16. An Innocent Guy - 5
17. Monsters in the Closet - 2
18. Heroes - 3
19. Leavetaking - 3
20. The Third Mask - 2
Overall - 3
bloodravenlib's review
4.0
This is a very good comics anthology. The comics are drawn in black and white, which gives the collection a very classic feel and look that can range from noir to gritty. Mark Chiarello, one of the editors, wrote in the introduction about pitching the idea to DC: "Most everyone at DC tells me it won't sell. No one likes black and white comics. No one likes anthologies." The series did go on to be a success and win awards. I will write and add that some of us do like black and white comics when done right, and this series definitely does it right by bringing together a great group of artists. And some of us do like anthologies when they feature good stories. This collection does bring some pretty good writers. I did not give it that fifth star because, like most anthologies, this one did have a story or two that was just so-so. For me, it was often that the story may have been a bit short, maybe I wanted to see more. However, that little detail aside, this is a very solid collection of Batman stories that I think both hard fans and casual readers will enjoy.
I will note that the anthology includes the Neil Gaiman story "A Black and White World," drawn by Simon Bisley, where Batman and Joker are waiting to go "on scene" (like in the old Looney Tunes cartoons). I had read that story elsewhere, but I can't recall where at the moment. Anyhow, it is a favorite of mine. If you have not read it, you should. I think Gaiman did a fun thing with that story. I also enjoyed the Two-Face story. Many of the tales deal with small scenes and vignettes rather than big battles with the big villains. This gives the stories an element of poignancy at times that is a nice and different look, maybe more humane, at the Dark Knight.
I will certainly look forward to the second volume.
I will note that the anthology includes the Neil Gaiman story "A Black and White World," drawn by Simon Bisley, where Batman and Joker are waiting to go "on scene" (like in the old Looney Tunes cartoons). I had read that story elsewhere, but I can't recall where at the moment. Anyhow, it is a favorite of mine. If you have not read it, you should. I think Gaiman did a fun thing with that story. I also enjoyed the Two-Face story. Many of the tales deal with small scenes and vignettes rather than big battles with the big villains. This gives the stories an element of poignancy at times that is a nice and different look, maybe more humane, at the Dark Knight.
I will certainly look forward to the second volume.
pjammaz's review against another edition
4.0
A great Batman book overall, and I really dig the different styles of art and story-telling. However, the stories are too short, so it is difficult to really get invested in most of them. Some stories are better than others, but that is to be expected.
seanwpace's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great anthology of Batman stories created by writers and artists that range from legendary in the Batman world to first timers with the character who bring unique takes to the page in word and art. It's hard to capture everything in a short Goodreads review. The subjects and genres present cover a wide range and give a great example of the various places and roles that Batman can occupy and what the character can mean to different people. I'm also finding that I am a big fan of black and white comics. This is a very highly recommended collection for Batman fans.