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karliclover's review
2.0
The only thing I liked about this book was the art. Jim Lee's art is breath-taking here. That's the only reason I gave this book two stars and not one. The man has chops.
Other than that, this is one of the worst books I've ever read. Batman is horribly portrayed. He does things that he would never do in a canon story, which makes this completely unbelievable. That whole thing with Black Canary? Wow, really?
And it's not only Batman that's out of character, Miller makes Hal Jordan a complete idiot and Wonder Woman a feminist bitch. I'm sure Superman would have been just as bad if he were in it more. Also, the Joker has tattoos. Why?
Unnecessarily vulgar language was thrown all over the place. There is, of course, the famous line "I'm the goddamn Batman." Dick Grayson even says "That is totally queer."
All of that said, I do, however, suggest that everybody read this just to see how bad it is. But don't buy it. Just sit in Barnes and Noble and read it.
Other than that, this is one of the worst books I've ever read. Batman is horribly portrayed. He does things that he would never do in a canon story, which makes this completely unbelievable. That whole thing with Black Canary? Wow, really?
And it's not only Batman that's out of character, Miller makes Hal Jordan a complete idiot and Wonder Woman a feminist bitch. I'm sure Superman would have been just as bad if he were in it more. Also, the Joker has tattoos. Why?
Unnecessarily vulgar language was thrown all over the place. There is, of course, the famous line "I'm the goddamn Batman." Dick Grayson even says "That is totally queer."
All of that said, I do, however, suggest that everybody read this just to see how bad it is. But don't buy it. Just sit in Barnes and Noble and read it.
sam_el's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the story and the art is top notch, but this Batman is a @#$%! Seriously, this guy is NOT a hero; he's more like the Punisher. It's an interesting reinterpretation of the character, but damn is it dark.
juliaz_13's review against another edition
I'm fascinated by this series the way people are fascinated by Mount Everest death stories. It's like something out of a fever dream. It cannot be described and it cannot be starred.
sasha_in_a_box's review
4.0
I'm fairly new to the comic book world, I'm only now foraging into the Batman universe... I loved this one! Batman is insane and over the top, in an oddly believable way. The way he outsmarted everybody was great, especially Superman, since I've never ever ever liked him. Not too happy about Frank's treatment of Green Lantern since he's not too bad, but the yellow room scene was pretty ingenious.
Another thing that didn't sit well with me was the oversexed art. Now the art itself was fantastic, I loved most of it! And I might get some grief for being a girl and of course not liking the abundance of hot babes... but come on, it's too much. It's cheap and unnecessary.
Another thing that didn't sit well with me was the oversexed art. Now the art itself was fantastic, I loved most of it! And I might get some grief for being a girl and of course not liking the abundance of hot babes... but come on, it's too much. It's cheap and unnecessary.
caitcoy's review against another edition
1.0
If you somehow made it through Dark Knight Strikes Again and thought it couldn’t possibly get any worse, I have some bad news for you.
I have heard so many horror stories about this book that honestly the only reason I read it was for value of not being able to look away from the total trainwreck (thanks Anne). And even going in knowing that wasn’t enough to save me from the all-consuming, fiery rage that this inspired in me. I cannot imagine how pissed I would be if I actually expected “All Star” to mean good.
I don’t even really know where to start with this. The basic premise is that Frank Miller looked at Batman and thought, “He’s just not edgy or gritty enough. I know! I’ll take away all his empathy, add in some child abuse and a dash of misogyny!” The end result is a Batman who’s so far from sane that Joker wouldn’t know what to do with him.
Hands down the worst part of the entire thing is his relationship with Robin. Apparently Batman has been stalking Dick Grayson as a potential prospect for a partner in his war on crime in Gotham. So when Dick’s parents get murdered right in front of him, Batman doesn’t waste a day letting him grieve for them. Grief is for the weak! Dick might actually think and realize that Batman is batshit insane and we can’t have that.
So he literally kidnaps the kid, slaps the shit out of him for being freaked out and then tosses him in the Batcave and disappears. Then later gets mad at Alfred for giving the kid some clothes and something to eat because Batman wanted him to get hungry enough to eat the rats in the cave for…reasons?
There’s also a lot of nonsensical shit talking to the criminals he’s beating up:
And I’m guessing Batman’s understanding of chemistry is a bit different than mine:
And “best” of all, women in this comic exist only to be man-hating lesbians who still have a thing for Superman:
Or a bunch of women whose only role is to be sexed by Batman or rescued by him or both:
Or to randomly attack people because it’s "that time of the month.”
I got tired of Frank Miller’s bullshit a long time ago but I hate you so much for that, you fucking asshat.
Other than kidnapping Robin, there is no real story here. Joker shows up to murder a few women but not actually interact with Batman, Green Lantern shows up to prove how smart Batman is by comparison (it would appear Hal has had a lobotomy recently), Catwoman exists for Batman to feel sad over and Jim Gordon shows up because apparently he’s required to in a Batman story. None of it makes any fucking sense, none of it feels like a goddamned Batman story and it fulfills its trainwreck reputation from start to finish. Even Jim Lee’s artwork can’t save this one.
I’m pretty sure there aren’t enough words in the English language to explain how fucking terrible this is and what a goddamn travesty it is that Miller is still allowed to touch any Batman story so I’ll just leave it with this:
I have heard so many horror stories about this book that honestly the only reason I read it was for value of not being able to look away from the total trainwreck (thanks Anne). And even going in knowing that wasn’t enough to save me from the all-consuming, fiery rage that this inspired in me. I cannot imagine how pissed I would be if I actually expected “All Star” to mean good.
I don’t even really know where to start with this. The basic premise is that Frank Miller looked at Batman and thought, “He’s just not edgy or gritty enough. I know! I’ll take away all his empathy, add in some child abuse and a dash of misogyny!” The end result is a Batman who’s so far from sane that Joker wouldn’t know what to do with him.
Hands down the worst part of the entire thing is his relationship with Robin. Apparently Batman has been stalking Dick Grayson as a potential prospect for a partner in his war on crime in Gotham. So when Dick’s parents get murdered right in front of him, Batman doesn’t waste a day letting him grieve for them. Grief is for the weak! Dick might actually think and realize that Batman is batshit insane and we can’t have that.
So he literally kidnaps the kid, slaps the shit out of him for being freaked out and then tosses him in the Batcave and disappears. Then later gets mad at Alfred for giving the kid some clothes and something to eat because Batman wanted him to get hungry enough to eat the rats in the cave for…reasons?
There’s also a lot of nonsensical shit talking to the criminals he’s beating up:
And I’m guessing Batman’s understanding of chemistry is a bit different than mine:
And “best” of all, women in this comic exist only to be man-hating lesbians who still have a thing for Superman:
Or a bunch of women whose only role is to be sexed by Batman or rescued by him or both:
Or to randomly attack people because it’s "that time of the month.”
I got tired of Frank Miller’s bullshit a long time ago but I hate you so much for that, you fucking asshat.
Other than kidnapping Robin, there is no real story here. Joker shows up to murder a few women but not actually interact with Batman, Green Lantern shows up to prove how smart Batman is by comparison (it would appear Hal has had a lobotomy recently), Catwoman exists for Batman to feel sad over and Jim Gordon shows up because apparently he’s required to in a Batman story. None of it makes any fucking sense, none of it feels like a goddamned Batman story and it fulfills its trainwreck reputation from start to finish. Even Jim Lee’s artwork can’t save this one.
I’m pretty sure there aren’t enough words in the English language to explain how fucking terrible this is and what a goddamn travesty it is that Miller is still allowed to touch any Batman story so I’ll just leave it with this:
misha_ali's review
3.0
I was expecting better.
In parts, the dialogue here is really strange and took me out of the story completely.
However, I quite liked the art, so I'll give it a three overall.
In parts, the dialogue here is really strange and took me out of the story completely.
However, I quite liked the art, so I'll give it a three overall.
adamcagey's review against another edition
2.0
This is my least favorite read in several years by a wide margin. I should admit up front that I’m not much of a superhero fan, but I had high hopes since Miller has written some of my favorite superhero comics. Those hopes weren’t met.
Miller is writing in the same staccato style that he used to such feat effect in Batman: Year One and the early years of Sin City, but it reads almost like parody. In fact, viewing this book as parody is the only way it makes sense to me. Parody of Miller’s early style, and parody of superhero comics for adults. The main stylistic element at play here is to make every character the least likable version you can imagine, and have Batman say “goddamn” every other word.
Over nine issues, Miller introduces half the DC cast of characters, and a number of plots, and resolves none of them. I know that the story continues, but, goddamn, I have no stomach to read more.
#Bookstagram #BookReview #GraphicNovel
Miller is writing in the same staccato style that he used to such feat effect in Batman: Year One and the early years of Sin City, but it reads almost like parody. In fact, viewing this book as parody is the only way it makes sense to me. Parody of Miller’s early style, and parody of superhero comics for adults. The main stylistic element at play here is to make every character the least likable version you can imagine, and have Batman say “goddamn” every other word.
Over nine issues, Miller introduces half the DC cast of characters, and a number of plots, and resolves none of them. I know that the story continues, but, goddamn, I have no stomach to read more.
#Bookstagram #BookReview #GraphicNovel
bryce_is_a_librarian's review against another edition
5.0
No the rating is not a misprint. Don't buy the hype this book is genius. Or should I say this book is "The Goddamned Genius"
Then again I kinda sorta liked "Southland Tales" so what are you listening to me for?
As always Miller plays it without a net. That leaves a guy open to ridicule but it can also lead to some pretty awesome stuff. This reads like a comic book written by John Waters. I can understand why this has got most of comic fandom's panties in a bunch. Miller's MO seems to be to take all the air out of icon's he's spent his career, well making iconic. And he's brutal about his work portraying a beloved troupe of characters as morons, fascists, insane, impotent psychopathic, and just plain incompetent. It's delicious stuff, Miller unloading both barrels at the grim and gritties who tried to follow his notes but had no idea what music old Frankie was playing. It's brilliant parody with Miller taking the trend he created to it's logical extreme, he takes it to eleven. Pushing everything as far as it can go. It's not every comic book where you see a twelve year old carny punch The Green Lantern so hard that he requires a tracheotomy.
Miller treats these characters like people should, as characters who've gone through a hundred revisions and will go through a hundred more, characters who should be played like jazz, rather then placed in airtight Mylar bags.
Sure there's some sloppy stuff here like when Superman starts his morning routine by crushing a random milk carton before lighting his trusty future telling newspaper on fire. But it's all good for a laugh.
Look I'll admit I'm a late comer to comics I don't have the same reverence for these characters that long time fans do. But to my way of thinking the Industry could use much more of the anarchic work of Miller, and much less of the stunningly pompous, incomprehensible, and oh so respectful Final Crisis.
Then again I kinda sorta liked "Southland Tales" so what are you listening to me for?
As always Miller plays it without a net. That leaves a guy open to ridicule but it can also lead to some pretty awesome stuff. This reads like a comic book written by John Waters. I can understand why this has got most of comic fandom's panties in a bunch. Miller's MO seems to be to take all the air out of icon's he's spent his career, well making iconic. And he's brutal about his work portraying a beloved troupe of characters as morons, fascists, insane, impotent psychopathic, and just plain incompetent. It's delicious stuff, Miller unloading both barrels at the grim and gritties who tried to follow his notes but had no idea what music old Frankie was playing. It's brilliant parody with Miller taking the trend he created to it's logical extreme, he takes it to eleven. Pushing everything as far as it can go. It's not every comic book where you see a twelve year old carny punch The Green Lantern so hard that he requires a tracheotomy.
Miller treats these characters like people should, as characters who've gone through a hundred revisions and will go through a hundred more, characters who should be played like jazz, rather then placed in airtight Mylar bags.
Sure there's some sloppy stuff here like when Superman starts his morning routine by crushing a random milk carton before lighting his trusty future telling newspaper on fire. But it's all good for a laugh.
Look I'll admit I'm a late comer to comics I don't have the same reverence for these characters that long time fans do. But to my way of thinking the Industry could use much more of the anarchic work of Miller, and much less of the stunningly pompous, incomprehensible, and oh so respectful Final Crisis.
zkendall's review against another edition
2.0
Batman is a too much an anti-hero here. He's a sociopath showing very little humanity.
As far as writing and drawing it was fine. I don't have much comic experience.
As far as writing and drawing it was fine. I don't have much comic experience.