Reviews

Batman: Arkham Asylum Anniversary Edition by Grant Morrison, Dave McKean

wereallinthegutter's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

benorolfo's review against another edition

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2.0

The art takes the form of a whirling dream-state that I appreciate greatly. Who doesn't like trippy psychedelic symbolisms, especially in such an edgy character as Batman? That being said, I don't think that the story it was trying to tell achieved the same heights it was visually churning out. The writing was hardly cohesive, which I think was intentional to let its unorthodox graphics carry most of the weight of messaging--but nonetheless it was really hard to enjoy as a "read" overall, it's better to see it as an extensive and experimental soliloquy.

liamroush's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hstapp's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed this book, the artwork was well done, but the text tended to be a bit hard to read. Sometimes the panels are laid out confusingly so it can be easy to loose your way. There is also a lot of jumping around so that the story is hard to follow.

amy_da1sy's review against another edition

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1.0

Honestly so bad. There was basically no redeeming features other than the actual illustrations were good

redshirt2004's review against another edition

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2.0

The story was decent but the art was hard to follow.

alwroteabook's review against another edition

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5.0

Interesting take on Batman and his relationship with Arkham Asylum, adding a supernatural aspect to the history. The art was great, very dark and broody, but I found some of the Joker's text hard to read. Still, well worth a look for Batfans.

jexjthomas's review against another edition

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3.0

The actual Batman/Joker plot isn't so great, but the subplot with Amadeus Arkham is fantastic, and this is some of the most beautiful, intense artwork in any comic ever.

upsidedown10's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This one was interesting. I mostly liked it. I thought it was a work of art. It wasn't exactly a Batman comic, but it sure was something. I think that if you go into this thinking that the asylum is just full of Scarecrow's Fear Toxin, everything makes sense and it's great. I loved that we don't ever really get to see Batman; he's always a silhouette or an extreme closeup. He's nebulous and ethereal, which fits for the dreamlike quality of this story. 

eddie_9009's review against another edition

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4.0

Do I like the plot? no, am I too in love with this type of art to give a shit? Yes