Batman Books - Page 6

Batman: War on Crime

Paul Dini, Alex Ross

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

By a team who knows Batman like no other 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 12 people found this review helpful.

Continuing the collaboration started with Superman: Peace on Earth, Dini/Ross continue their look at DC's Big Three (+ Captain Marvel) :-) with Batman: War on Crime.

No one--and I mean *no one* (I'm looking at you, Frank Miller!)--knows Batman better than Dini. How he continues to have fresh ideas after writing x number of Batman: The Animated Series episodes I'll never know, but god bless him for it.

His Batman is an amalgamation of the Batman shown to us by all the major creators who have come before: at once campy, grim, obsessive, frightening, determined, even possibly crazy.

And yet Dini puts his own mark on the Dark Knight Detective.

Ross's artwork, of course, is unspeakably gorgeous.

Highest possible recommendation.

Visually stunning.... 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

This is one of the four large formatted books written by Paul Dini (Batman The Animated Series, Mad Love) and illustrated by Alex Ross (Kingdom Come, Marvels, Uncle Sam). The premise of the story is simple...it is basically a day/night in the life of Bruce Wayne/Batman. However, just because it is a simple premise does not mean that it is not enjoyable. The story basically revolves around a boy whose parents are killed in a robbery. This case interests the Dark Knight because it has intimate parallels with his life. But the similarities end there because unlike Bruce Wayne, the boy has no financial endowment left by his parents and soon turn to crime. This leads the Batman to question his own life and motivation as to whether he would not do the same thing if he had the financial backings stripped away as well. A pretty standard premise but with Paul Dini's writing style, it is quite enjoyable.

Now for the art....stunning. There is no other way to describe it. This is how Batman would look in real life. The costume stays true to the comics and is a far departure from the rubber and leather outfits shown in the movies. Also, forget the overly muscled, vein popping, juiced up characters usually portrayed in comics. This is how Batman should and would look. Alex Ross is truly a master of his craft and this book is mainly a showcase for his talent.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone. It is recommended for adults and children (there are no graphic violence as prevalent in some comics). You do not have to be familiar with any of Batman's history or complicated continuity in order to enjoy this book. Highly recommended.

Batman: 4 Adventure Stories (Scholastic Reader Collection Level 3)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Perfect for young readers 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This book is a perfect combination of classic Batman illustrations with easy to read text. My 5-yr old son begs me to read it to him and can read a little from the text himself. We like that it has 4 different, fun stories, each about one of The Dark Knight's traditional villains. My son likes the Catwoman story best - especially the passage where Batman announces over the police radio: "this is Batman! A police car has been stolen!" It is a quality product, well-bound hard cover.

loved it 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

My four year old son loves this book. Its a chapter book, so a little old for him, but its his first Batman book and he loves it. My 6 year old daughter enjoys it, too, because Catwoman is in it. So I can read it to both of them!

Editorial Review:

These four beginning chapter book readers, bound in a 6 x 9 paper-over-board format, feature the exciting adventures of everyone's favorite Caped Crusader -- Batman!This bind-up includes:Batman #1 -- Time ThawBatman #2 -- The Copycat CrimeBatman #3 -- The Mad HatterBatman #4 -- The Purr-fect Crime

Batman: Death and the Maidens

Greg Rucka, Klaus Janson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Subtle and insightful 5 out of 5 stars.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.

This is a beautifully done story. The art is very well executed and is a strong compliment to the thoughtful, intelligent and powerful story told by Rucka. Lots of people didn't seem to "get" the story, and clue into its subtle power. This is not a flash bang superhero story. This is a story about the characters of Batman, R'as Al Ghul and R'as estranged daughter Nyssa. The characters drive the story, not some artificial plot. The centerpiece is the parallel stories of Batman/Bruce Wayne and Nyssa and how their pasts have shaped them. The story revolves around the two characters coming to terms with their past and parentage and the choices between being shaped by the past or ruled by it. In the center, like a manipulating spider is R'as, spinning webs with which he hopes to carry on his apocalyptic vision for the Earth. The conflict between Batman and R'as has been a compelling corner of the Batman mythos. Batman seeks to save the world by intervening and being and example, a warrior fighting to end the never-ending war against evil and injustice by working with the world as it is. R'as wants to start the world over, by destroying the bulk of humanity and then taking over as the "enlightened" ruler of a new Utopia. The resolution shows the strengths of Batman and R'as as respective hero and villain and begins a new chapter for the competing visions toward saving the world. If you are ready for an introspective, thoughtful and ultimately powerful story, this is the graphic novel for you.

Editorial Review:

This intense new standalone Batman graphic novel stars one of the Dark Knight's most enigmatic adversaries: Ra's Al Ghul - the featured villain in the forthcoming movie Batman Begins! 600 years old, Ra's Al Ghul has spent his existence trying to wipe out humanity. But now, with his life draining away, Ra's turns to Batman, to help save him, whether to aid his ancient namesis, Batman's decision may be wrested from him when another party enters the fray with their own terrible agenda! Written by Greg Rucka (Gotham Central), with artwork by Klaus Janson (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns), Batman: Death and the Maidens is as cerebral as it is visceral!

Batman's Guide to Crime & Detection (DK Readers: JLA)

Michael Teitelbaum

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

BEST book for boys who want to be SUPER HEROES! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

We checked this book out from our library for my youngest son, who is nearly 5, because he LOVES superheroes.

Now, I am EXTREMELY scrutinous over which literature and shows pertaining to superheroes my children are allowed to watch as I believe most of this type of media is overly mature and the graphics are definitely adult oriented.

Although this does feature some sophisticated sketches of Batman and some of his arch enemies, it all serves a very REAL purpose! This book features a brief (1-2 pages) historical overview of who Batman is, then the rest of the book describes the tools that Batman uses and how they translate to real life heroes - crime detectives and their labs!!!

How great is that???? My oldest son (7), who is obsessed with learning about community heroes: Police, Firefighters, Military Heroes, etc. has consumed this book and is now keeping a "journal" of questions and sketches inspired from this book.

This is a must for little boys of all ages, as it really helps them formulate a translation for all that imagination and excitement that superheroes generate.

Editorial Review:

The Dark Knight of Gotham, the world's greatest detective, takes readers behind-the-scenes in the world of law enforcement, showing how the world's police catch the bad guys.

Batman : The Purr-fect Crime (Scholastic Reader Level 3)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Excellent bridge to chapter books 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

My son is a huge fan of super heroes. These books have been a great bridge to chapter books. The chapters are 3-5 pages in length, and alternate full pages with half pages, with the whole book running about 25-30 pp. There are illustrations from the (apparently) original comic books, which helps keep his interest. When we first started reading these, he would read one chapter a night; we have worked our way up to the whole book, and it was great for his confidence!

The story lines are intersting and there is good action to keep it moving, but the series is definitely geared toward kids. There isn't any over the top or excessive fighting like you see in some superhero books. Batman is a great role model - the books show that a large part of succeeding at what you try is to think it through first.

I would (and do!) recommend these books.

Editorial Review:

Kids will enjoy reading this adventure-filled story featuring a favorite and timeless superhero--The Dark Knight, Batman!

Batman: Turning Points

Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

ABOVE AVERAGE IS ALL 3 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Batman: Turning points collects the five issue mini series with five distinctly different but connected stories that explores the unique relationship between Batman and Commissioner Jim Gordon. The five stories are culled from various points throughout their lives. The opening story, "Uneasy Allies" takes place early in Batman's career when Gordon is still a police captain, and dealing with the stress of an impending divorce and a deadly hostage situation.

"And Then There Were Three" is the first story in which Gordon finds out about Robin. Gordon is none too happy about Batman putting a child in harm's way and the friction is intense between the two as Batman explains his reasons for allowing Robin him to become his partner. The art in this story is by Joe Giella who has been in comics for sixty years! While his art isn't as flashy as most modern artists, it's a credible, old-style look and takes advantage of today's superior printing technology and Giella's art is surprisingly good.

Speaking of old pro's, longtime Batman artist Dick Giordano pencils the third story, "Casualties of War." This story takes place not long after the events seen in Batman: The Killing Joke. In that story the Joker kidnapped Gordon and shot his daughter Barbara, paralyzing her. Batman is dealing with the guilt of those events, and hesitant to answer the Bat signal, even when a serial killer is terrorizing Gotham City.

The stories are a mixed bag. "The Ultimate Betrayal" is a ho-hum story following Batman's defeat at the hands of Bane and Azrael taking over as the new Batman. Despite the new look and violent methods, Gordon doesn't seem to realize that this Batman isn't the same man he's known for years. And this guy made Commissioner?

Overall, Turning Points is good and it's nice to see guys like Giella and Giordano still doing quality work after all these years. None of the stories were great, but none of them were terrible either. Give this one 3 ½ out of 5 stars.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

Editorial Review:

BATMAN: TURNING POINTS centers on the ever-changing alliance between Batman and Commissioner Gordon, starting with the early days in which the duo struggled to earn each others' trust.

As the Dark Knight and Gotham City's top cop fight the forces of evil, they also must learn to rely on one another -- even in the midst of utter chaos in the city both men have sworn to protect!

Batman Archives, Vol. 2 (DC Archive Editions)

DC Comics

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Follow Up! 5 out of 5 stars.
23 of 26 people found this review helpful.

Great addition to the collective series. BATMAN: ARCHIVES, VOLUME 2 covers the Batman stories from Detective Comics #51-70.
Featured in Volume 2 are:
1. After her debute in Batman #6, the character of Linda Page begins to appear in DETECTIVE COMICS--beginning with issue #54; the Batplane is shown transforming into a speedboat, a precursor to the Bat-Boat.
2. The Penguin first waddles into Gotham City in #58. This is actually a very good & entertaining story and we can see why the character became so popular.
3. Issue #59 Features a quick return for The Penguin with Batman & Robin hot on his trail; Batman's secret laboratory features an actual Rogues' Gallery for the first time...kept inside a file cabinet!
4. #60 incudes a zany Joker story; It also introduces the Bat-Signal summoning the Dynamic Duo; The Batmobile races across the pages of Detective Comics after being introduced in Batman #5.
5. In #61 the Batplane gets a new and sharper look.
6. Issue #62 features a great Joker cover and continues to focus on recurring villains.
7. #64 "The Joker Walks the Last Mile!" features guess who?
8. The cover of Detective Comics #65 shows Batman & Robin greeting the Boy Commandos. Although the Dynamic Duo never meet the Boy Commandos inside the pages of DC, the Boy Commandos served as backup stories. Unfortunately, these backup stories are not included in this Archive collection because they focus only on the Batman and Robin stories.
9. In the first of a two-part story, #66 features the first appearance of Two-Face (a.k.a. Harvey Kent, later renamed Harvey Dent). Here, Harvey's fiancee is also introduced as Gilda Gold--many years later, she will be renamed as well.
10. Issue #67 interrupts the Two-Face continuation in order to give us a Penguin cover and story.
11. #68 continues the face-off between Batman & Two-Face.
12. #69 features another Joker story.

Editorial Review:

With Robin by his side, Batman has tirelessly protected Gotham City from the criminals and predators that stalk its streets. Battling a wide variety of eccentric villains and overcoming a plethora of deadly threats, the Dynamic Duo has forged a bond of unbreakable trust and friendship. Reprinting classic tales from the 1940s, BATMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 2 features Batman and Robin during their earliest days of crime fighting as they encounter the maniacal Two-Face and the manipulative Penguin for the first time.

Batman Begins: The Visual Guide

Scott Beatty

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great Batman Begins book! 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This is a very good book. If you are familiar with the Star Wars Visual Guides then you will love this book! Though its more of a storybook then the Star Wars guides but this is awesome. It has really neat pictures from the movie all in color and many great pictures of the characters. I would love more books like this that studies on feature films! If you love the Batman Begins film and/or Batman in general then I strongly recommend this book!

Editorial Review:

Uncovering the real story of Batman, from the events that have shaped the Dark Knight to the friends and foes who know only half the truth, Batman Begins: The Visual Guide is the ultimate book for any fans of this extraordinary hero.

Batgirl: Year One (Batman)

Scott Beatty, Chuck Dixon

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A welcome look back at a classic heroine 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

DC Comics' Batgirl: Year One trade paperback collects the entire 9-issue 2003 series by Scott Beatty, Chuck Dixon, Marcos Martin and Alvaro Lopez.

I'll admit to having a total fanboy crush on Batgirl, so I was eagerly anticipating this re-telling of her origin. Given the fact that Robin: Year One (Batman) was quite good and Batman: Year One is one of the greatest Batman stories ever, the bar was set pretty high for this series. For the most part, Dixon et al do not disappoint.

Chuck Dixon is uniquely familiar with the Batman supporting cast, so he was the perfect choice for this project. He and Beatty serve up a relatively lighthearted tale in which Barbara Gordon's attempt to defy her father's wishes turns into an unexpected career fighting crime. The series covers her initial adventures, her unlikely nemesis the Killer Moth, early encounters with Batman, and team-ups with the Black Canary and Robin. The only drawback is that Batgirl's motives never seem equal to the choices she makes. Even Batman pointed this out when asking her why she chose this particular life. Still, the series is enjoyable, and maintains a fun and lighthearted feel throughout, particularly the times where Batgirl and Robin interact.

The fanboy in me might have preferred someone like Adam Hughes or Terry Dodson to provide artwork for this series, but Marcos Martin and Alvaro Lopez do an admirable job. Their work is very similar to Steve Rude's on the Worlds Finest miniseries, and is reminiscent of both Robin: Year One and the Batman animated series, which makes for a great complement to the type of story Beatty and Dixon provided.

Overall, Batgirl: Year One was an enjoyable look back at a classic character that, for obvious reasons (and if you haven't read Batman: The Killing Joke, you need to do that now) doesn't get much attention. The creators involved have crafted a fun and exciting adventure that is a perfect match to the nature of the character.

Showcase Presents: The Brave and the Bold - The Batman Team-Ups, Vol. 2

Bob Haney, Dennis O'Neil

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

More Great 70's Batman Team-Up Action 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is another great Showcase book by DC. The stories are self contained in one issue and don't drag out for months in a prolonged manner just to sell a tpb. Batman is fairly close to the Dark Knight we all know and love but is a little bit less despondant in his personality. Great art and fun stories featuring most of the DC 2nd division heroes of the early 70s. I guess this title was used by DC to keep some characters active by throwing them in with Batman so they would not be forgotten.It's definitely worth buying for 12 bucks or so.

Check, Batman! You're in the Haneyverse. 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Ok, bone weary of people bleating about how these books are in black & white.
Newsflash for the few comic fans who still don't know: Showcase Presents & Marvel Essentials are in black & white, ok? Get over it. It's still exceptional value for money.
As for B & B 2, well, it's clearly a VAST improvement on vol 1. Sure there is some great Neal Adams stuff in the previous volume, but there's a lot
of old tat as well.
Herein, you get Adams, Nick Cardy and THE Brave & Bold artist, ( Also the best Batman artist ever. Discuss. ) Jim Aparo, along with stories from the
insane genius of Bob Haney.
Haney was the kind of writer who never let realism, continuity or even simple logic get in the way of a good story. And his B & B stories are always mad flights of fun. Remember when comics were FUN?
( For instance, in vol. 1, witness the Bats / Sgt. Rock tale, where he gets around the tricky problem of having two characters from different times meet, by having Bats simply say " Back when I was in WW2, I met Sgt. Rock ", when we all know this is impossible. You have to admire that kind of chutzpah. )
Similarly, when teamed with Aparo, Haney seems let off the leash, and promptly puts Bats through: Being possessed by the ghost of a wooden legged sailor / Selling his soul to the Devil / Foretelling the exact date of his own death and, in the best story, being paralyzed in a wheelchair.
( Which stops him chasing the bad guy not one iota. )
This is brilliant, brilliant stuff, and well worth your money.
Don't let anyone tell you different.

Editorial Review:

Over 500 pages of classic adventures are included in this value-priced volume! Batman joins forces with the DC Universes greatest heroes in these tales fromthe early 1970s, including Black Canary, The Teen Titans, The Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and many others