ugmug's review
4.0
The fourth issue of Creature of the Night has finally arrived after a year+ of delays and it was almost worth the wait. Kurt Busiek tries to capture the same magic that he created with Superman: Secret Identity and he mostly succeeds. The story of Bruce Wainwright hits all of the right Batman notes while also changing things up enough to remain interesting. A huge focus has been placed on Bruce's mental health and it really illustrates problems with Batman as a popular character. This is, perhaps, the most interesting part of Batman: Creature of the Night.
Most of this comic's faults involve the formula Busiek uses. While the plot is completely different from Superman: Secret Identity, the way it has been crafted is not. Since Batman comics exist in this universe, Busiek creates analogous characters in his world which coincidentally have links to a real-world Batman. It works, but the skeleton shares so much of the same DNA with Busiek's legendary Superman story that the similarities between Creature of the Night and Secret Identity are difficult to overlook. The most glaring flaw in Creature of the Night is the lettering for all of Alfred's internal dialog; it's tiny fucking cursive and it's difficult to read. The letterer made a horrible decision with the lettering in that regard. Thankfully, the lettering for other characters and dialog is fine.
Gripes aside, Creature of the Night is an interesting and beautiful comic that is worth a read for a different take on Batman. Kurt Busiek doesn't quite reach the same heights he did in Secret Identity, but he gets close. Batman traditionalists may not care for this interpretation of Batman, however, those with an open mind may find something to enjoy.
Most of this comic's faults involve the formula Busiek uses. While the plot is completely different from Superman: Secret Identity, the way it has been crafted is not. Since Batman comics exist in this universe, Busiek creates analogous characters in his world which coincidentally have links to a real-world Batman. It works, but the skeleton shares so much of the same DNA with Busiek's legendary Superman story that the similarities between Creature of the Night and Secret Identity are difficult to overlook. The most glaring flaw in Creature of the Night is the lettering for all of Alfred's internal dialog; it's tiny fucking cursive and it's difficult to read. The letterer made a horrible decision with the lettering in that regard. Thankfully, the lettering for other characters and dialog is fine.
Gripes aside, Creature of the Night is an interesting and beautiful comic that is worth a read for a different take on Batman. Kurt Busiek doesn't quite reach the same heights he did in Secret Identity, but he gets close. Batman traditionalists may not care for this interpretation of Batman, however, those with an open mind may find something to enjoy.
baggednboarded's review
5.0
Not a book for first timers. An excellent else world story for hardcore Batman fans and casuals alike. Dark with a realworld tone keeping you grounded while making you question everything, very fun read.
revolution666's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
fishfish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bstratton's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best Batman stories I’ve read in a while. Busiek gets right to the emotional core of the character and elegantly reveals its limitations and problems. And John Paul Leon’s art is just so gorgeous. It’s terribly unfair that we didn’t get 30 or 40 more years of his work.
tabman678's review
4.0
There is more then one way to be Batman. I think the best parts of these four issues are how it shows the weakness of a mythic hero like Batman just to turn it around and show strengths as an example and as an ideal.
joshbrown's review
4.0
Really interesting "real world" take that I only wish ended up being even more grounded. But a cool change of pace nonetheless.