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thatdruffguy's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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.
antimagiczone's review
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
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.
dumblydore's review against another edition
4.0
Some really great short stories by some of the greatest artists and writers in the Batman canon. I think I'll be getting the next two volumes too.
nnebeluk's review against another edition
4.0
This is a quality collection of different stories relating to Batman. Some show him as a silent assassin, some as a tough bruiser and some just aren't about him solving murders at all. I think my favorite has to be the one where the father kills his son's cat and then wants Batman to defend him. It showed a very humane side of the character.
I felt the black and white approach was not crucial to the work, but I can see how it added a certain level of grit to the whole proceedings. Overall it was a great collection of stories that didn’t bring anything new to the Batman mythos, just gave you more of what you love.
I felt the black and white approach was not crucial to the work, but I can see how it added a certain level of grit to the whole proceedings. Overall it was a great collection of stories that didn’t bring anything new to the Batman mythos, just gave you more of what you love.
thebibliophiledoctor's review
3.0
Who isn't a batman fan?
I bet everyone likes batman.
I would have loved to read something good and different, this wasn't though. Moving on to next batman comic.
I bet everyone likes batman.
I would have loved to read something good and different, this wasn't though. Moving on to next batman comic.
bowienerd_82's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent anthology of art and stories. Some really good stuff in here, most notably, Neil Gaiman's story.
thecommonswings's review
4.0
The worst stories in this - Strnad/ Corben’s weirdly racially dubious story aside - tend to be those that try too hard to be different. Gaiman tries to be too clever and is matched in overreach by Bisley doing his lazy Bisliest nonsense; Bolland doesn’t think his story through and basically wants an excuse to draw lots of famous Bat-villains; the muddled Otomo story which I wonder is hampered by bad translation. The rest are glorious because they not only understand the attraction of Batman’s noir roots but also realise that a simple story told well is far more interesting than a clever story told badly. These are not stories needing twists or turns and Batman is not a character who really works in that milieu: he’s a complex figure hiding behind a simple mask who always is at his best when there’s a puzzle to unpick. And these stories mostly allow that side to come through
Some of the stories are incredibly simple but allow for some gorgeous, gorgeous artwork: Timm’s bold strokes, Munoz’s spidery noir, Simonsons’ fantastic and bold lines, Williams’ scrawl, Wagner’s use of space, Sienkiewicz’s knotty art matching probably my favourite writing in the book and Gianni’s cross hatching are probably my favourites but they’re all good apart from Bisley’s phoned in grotesqueries and Corben’s worryingly strange racial caricatures which make for a slight hiccup in an otherwise stunning book
Some of the stories are incredibly simple but allow for some gorgeous, gorgeous artwork: Timm’s bold strokes, Munoz’s spidery noir, Simonsons’ fantastic and bold lines, Williams’ scrawl, Wagner’s use of space, Sienkiewicz’s knotty art matching probably my favourite writing in the book and Gianni’s cross hatching are probably my favourites but they’re all good apart from Bisley’s phoned in grotesqueries and Corben’s worryingly strange racial caricatures which make for a slight hiccup in an otherwise stunning book