This new 52 collection is well put together, admittedly not fresh off the press by any stretch of the imagination but, definitely the perfect starting point for following the modern Batman.
A brilliant re-telling that revitalises the lore of the dark knight from street level. It takes you across changing backdrops and perspectives of people from different communities. Capullo (my favourite penciler) captures the visual heart and soul of Gotham life with his drawing skill. Likewise, Snyder’s stories unfold with new characterisations that make up this legitimate orthodoxy. His portrayal of real human emotional struggles, financial hardship and psychological fragility pull you into Gotham; making you appreciate with why this sociopath ended up hunting crooks dressed as a bat.
The stubbornness and angry determination of this young
Contrarian Bruce Wayne, is bought to life in his rough thuggish appearance. He has no abilities like the
Superman or the
Flash do. I couldn’t stop reading, following the painful ordeals this traumatised brute felt, was captivating—this multifaceted character matured with each page.
His attempts at doing the right thing were sometimes questionable. However, helping the innocent with his vigilante war on crime was realistically, his way of suppressing his own inner demon—refusing to kill, choosing to punish felons, sometimes to the brink, gave him the reign of control in his life.
Alfred Pennyworth is forced to
step up—you would have to be dead to not feel the ups and downs. The bad guys are wonderful. The
Riddler is an exceptional example of a cerebral narcissist, and Capullo illustrated him flawlessly. I love the continuity, as years later, Riddler shows up in issues of Batman Rebirth, I am Bane and the war of riddles and jokes—his persona and his appearance are the same.
The court of owls are a conspiracy theorists kind of evil organisation. These spooky illuminati knock-offs will be important in future stories after the new 52. I very much loved their ‘we are everywhere’ kind of threat.
Then we have the presence of the red-hood gang shaking things up not to mention the other well conceived criminals but, above all, the most sinister bad guy was the Joker!
This inhuman monster-clown truly brings the chaos and adorns a fresh horror film-like quality.
Making Hannibal Lecter look like a regular Arkham Asylum inmate,
this even more twisted version of the clown prince is without a doubt one of my favourite villains in modern fiction mixing Patrick Bateman, Tyler Durden and Shakespeare’s Iago. To see this comicbook persona brought to life accurately in cinema would be phenomenal, but Warner Brothers aren’t quite there yet. Think Disney-DC collaboration with Tobe Hooper and James Wan or something. Perfect, but it'll never happen.
The plots and sub-plots in these stories aren’t complicated they’re rich, which makes them progress easily, like an enjoyable car journey across a beautiful part of the world.
Snyder's involvement of extra talent, such as James Tynion IV and Jason Fabok was a great decision. Tynion IV wrote the impressive Detective Comics Rebirth which, I strongly recommend Fabok, provided the artwork for the
Batman/Flash: The Button, an essential crossover story, which connects to
Watchmen!
However, there are always negatives to everything. One negative with this set is 'Bloom'. Bruce Wayne is not at his usual capacity in this book. I personally take my comic book fiction with a touch of forgiveness and a slice of imagination; it helps with digestion.
Unfortunately, I had to resort to full on self deceit with this one. Having said that, it’s volume nine of a ten graphic novel set and its a Billy-no-mates of a book for me, because, it didn't fit in with the others books with regards that cynical realism and believability they were going for.
It’s that song you tend to skip on your favourite album. That’s not to say you won’t like it, as it’s purely marmite. I have heard people swear by it, however, some people marry their cars or preach anti-natalism. Essentially, anyone claiming to be a fan of the caped crusader, will certainly have a few of these graphic novels on their bookshelf.
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