terrorkobra's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
laissezfarrell's review against another edition
2.0
Inconsistent. The Francavilla stuff was stronger.
evanmc's review against another edition
5.0
This story arc breathed new life into Batman, for me personally. The character of Gordon's son presented a character who teetered just on the edge of insanity in a way that called to mind some of the great Joker stories (Namely Killing Joke). The Francavilla art was particular a highlight.
kiralovesreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
shribatman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
shanyreader's review against another edition
3.0
Someone hold me...someone hold me...(rocks back and forth, crying, while holding a teddy bear)
That's basically my reaction to this book.
One Star for the drawings. They're not bad, but they're just not my style. I feel like it was just a bit sloppy. I know it's a common art style for some graphic novels of today, but this just didn't really pull me in. It's not because of the gore or anything, it pulls that off really well and it's jolting and scary, but it's just...lacking in some parts for me. Too much shading or a really odd choice of colors.
Two Stars for Plot + Characters: I was a bit lost on the plot and had to background a few characters, but I also felt...it was kind of all over the place. I mean, we start off with a black market dealer, then we go to James Gordon Jr. (who will haunt me in my dreams!), and then we go to the roadrunner, the killer whale, Tiger Shark, back to Jimmy-boy, and the whole time I'm trying to catch up or understand what the main plot is supposed to be. Every little story seemed to be connected, but it was really just, such an odd book for me. I don't mind this Batman, though I feel his personality...is in another book somewhere; and the star was really James Jr.
Also that freakish ending. That REALLY freakish ending.
I appreciate that this book is trying to show that Gotham is a city of Nightmares (because it IS, it IS!), but I felt like it was just a bit too cliche and "We-are-standing-in-the-middle-of-a-crime-scene-and-yet-I-shall-give-a-monolouge-on-how-evil-Gotham-really-is." It just seemed to come out of nowhere.
BUT anywho, another thing that just made me think the book was decent, was the Joker. The Joker wasn't funny! He was scary! He was violent yes...but he was...delusional. He wasn't that focused and Lol-funny guy I know and love...he was ranting about some type...OH. OH! I get it now! His bat-speech actually makes complete and total sense now. Ohk. Just had an epiphany. But yeah, save the Riddlers for the Riddler, puddin'. You should stick to being funny :)
And that is my review of Batman: The Black Mirror, approximately 10 minutes after closing the last page and giving a good long shiver.
That's basically my reaction to this book.
One Star for the drawings. They're not bad, but they're just not my style. I feel like it was just a bit sloppy. I know it's a common art style for some graphic novels of today, but this just didn't really pull me in. It's not because of the gore or anything, it pulls that off really well and it's jolting and scary, but it's just...lacking in some parts for me. Too much shading or a really odd choice of colors.
Two Stars for Plot + Characters: I was a bit lost on the plot and had to background a few characters, but I also felt...it was kind of all over the place. I mean, we start off with a black market dealer, then we go to James Gordon Jr. (who will haunt me in my dreams!), and then we go to the roadrunner, the killer whale, Tiger Shark, back to Jimmy-boy, and the whole time I'm trying to catch up or understand what the main plot is supposed to be. Every little story seemed to be connected, but it was really just, such an odd book for me. I don't mind this Batman, though I feel his personality...is in another book somewhere; and the star was really James Jr.
Also that freakish ending. That REALLY freakish ending.
I appreciate that this book is trying to show that Gotham is a city of Nightmares (because it IS, it IS!), but I felt like it was just a bit too cliche and "We-are-standing-in-the-middle-of-a-crime-scene-and-yet-I-shall-give-a-monolouge-on-how-evil-Gotham-really-is." It just seemed to come out of nowhere.
BUT anywho, another thing that just made me think the book was decent, was the Joker. The Joker wasn't funny! He was scary! He was violent yes...but he was...delusional. He wasn't that focused and Lol-funny guy I know and love...he was ranting about some type...OH. OH! I get it now! His bat-speech actually makes complete and total sense now. Ohk. Just had an epiphany. But yeah, save the Riddlers for the Riddler, puddin'. You should stick to being funny :)
And that is my review of Batman: The Black Mirror, approximately 10 minutes after closing the last page and giving a good long shiver.
matt4hire's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent Batman story. Snyder's become one of my favorite new writers, mostly because he writes some fairly dark and disturbing comics. There's a constantly unsettling vein running through all his work, and this volume's no exception. The conclusion to the chapter "Skeleton Key" was especially disturbing...you could see it coming, but not quite like that, for some reason. Such good writing throughout.
bohboh's review against another edition
5.0
Great artwork, compelling story, Gordon family crime drama episodes - A whole lot to love about this book.