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darkknight79's review against another edition
4.0
As a longtime Batman fan, I enjoyed the book. It's a story that feels driven by what I assume is the author's passion project, fighting against child sex crimes. Certainly a worthy cause. That being said, Batman is the only real character from that universe we spend any meaningful time with, his Butler Alfred the only other with minimal time. None of his famous rogues gallery or supporting characters appear. I still enjoyed the story and found it to be a quick and engaging read. Definitely worth a look.
envy4's review against another edition
3.0
This book was kind of all over the place. The beginning has nothing to do with the ending. However, I liked that at the end they give you real information about the crime Batman is fighting.
rashthedoctor's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The title actually does describe the plot as in this tale Batman has to deal with Child trafficking and pedophiles , so yes it really does talk about The Ultimate Evil .
That basic premise is what brings in the ratings , at times the book is too bleak to read and go through , but it all Hits home and it's actually worth a read just to realize how important the subject matter is .
All said however the plot brings in a twist that i wasnt pleased about and even ignoring that the book read as a mess , with Batman acting very un Batman and the whole plot moving in a lot messy confusing pace . The art style didnt help as every thing looked ugly .
Overall it's an awful book, but the subject matter is really important
That basic premise is what brings in the ratings , at times the book is too bleak to read and go through , but it all Hits home and it's actually worth a read just to realize how important the subject matter is .
All said however the plot brings in a twist that i wasnt pleased about and even ignoring that the book read as a mess , with Batman acting very un Batman and the whole plot moving in a lot messy confusing pace . The art style didnt help as every thing looked ugly .
Overall it's an awful book, but the subject matter is really important
archeann's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
It’s very out of character for Batman, in my opinion. Like the author read a two paragraph summary and then ran with it. Good otherwise, feels comic book ish.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Child abuse
eddyg32's review against another edition
5.0
I was absolutely SHOCKED at how dark this book got. What a great take on Batman and a evil that is truly scary and somewhat real world.
alexandriadesruisseau's review
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
sean67's review against another edition
2.0
The aims in this book were noble, and there were parts that were good, but overall it felt forced and contrived and never was comfortable even in its own skin.
It was more preaching than plot.
More of a lecture than a story.
It was more preaching than plot.
More of a lecture than a story.
moobs's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I am a huge Batman fanatic, he is my favorite interest I have ever had, but this book felt very lack luster and I was at most, disappointed
.
Batman and Bruce were written as if they were two people, Bruce being a hollow shell of sorts, having no real emotion besides his C-PTSD. I felt as if that was very mischaracterized, and I find it even more odd that Bruce, being a grown man, had no idea what child trafficking or pedophilia was (even in the 90’s??). And THEN having an existential crisis over it… felt very weird to me! That’s just not how Bruce or ‘The’ Batman acts.
I understand the message the writer was trying to give, hence the 3.5* rating, but the writing and characters were very Not Great!
The way the child abuse/trafficking itself was written was weird as well, especially the part where the ONE victim that is interacting with Bruce and Rhama is then named after Rhama’s dead sister/cousin. Just very weird to me.
Not to mention, the way Martha was a Childcare agent/investigator (which was kept secret for some reason???), and her left over notes were left for Bruce to receive from Alfred right when he has this existential crisis? And they were locked away in the most mysterious way?!
Very weird to me personally.
I personally would not recommend this book, but it was an ok read.
A nice thing I **do** have to say is the writer seems like a nice guy, he does have first-hand experience in that field since he is a child/youth abuse lawyer, and I can bet some of this is even based off his experiences. I do admire people who stand up against child abuse. /shrug
.
Batman and Bruce were written as if they were two people, Bruce being a hollow shell of sorts, having no real emotion besides his C-PTSD. I felt as if that was very mischaracterized, and I find it even more odd that Bruce, being a grown man, had no idea what child trafficking or pedophilia was (even in the 90’s??). And THEN having an existential crisis over it… felt very weird to me! That’s just not how Bruce or ‘The’ Batman acts.
I understand the message the writer was trying to give, hence the 3.5* rating, but the writing and characters were very Not Great!
The way the child abuse/trafficking itself was written was weird as well, especially the part where the ONE victim that is interacting with Bruce and Rhama is then named after Rhama’s dead sister/cousin. Just very weird to me.
Not to mention, the way Martha was a Childcare agent/investigator (which was kept secret for some reason???), and her left over notes were left for Bruce to receive from Alfred right when he has this existential crisis? And they were locked away in the most mysterious way?!
Very weird to me personally.
I personally would not recommend this book, but it was an ok read.
A nice thing I **do** have to say is the writer seems like a nice guy, he does have first-hand experience in that field since he is a child/youth abuse lawyer, and I can bet some of this is even based off his experiences. I do admire people who stand up against child abuse. /shrug
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Pedophilia
thebenjaminl's review against another edition
2.0
Batman takes on a child sex trafficking ring, except this doesn’t feel like a Batman story, nor should it, and the writing is atrocious.
jmanchester0's review against another edition
4.0
This is not your usual Batman story.
I've always Iiked the characterization of Batman as urban legend. Something about that resonates with me and seems in keeping with criminals being a "superstitious and cowardly lot". If Batman isn't mysterious and makes public appearances, that would take away from the fear he creates.
But this could almost read like the last Batman story. It pulls him out of the fantasy superhero world he lives in, and puts him in the real world, facing the real ugliness that exists there. And from that, I should think, there's no going back.
And I find it odd that after so many years fighting the dregs of society, he has this existential crisis and suddenly wants fight the lowest of the dregs of this society.
That being said, it's an interesting story, and well-written, though the subject matter is a bit dark. But it's probably good - more awareness always needs to be raised about child trafficking - even if it takes a Batman story to do it. And read the piece at the end, an eye-opening article about the child sex trade.
I've always Iiked the characterization of Batman as urban legend. Something about that resonates with me and seems in keeping with criminals being a "superstitious and cowardly lot". If Batman isn't mysterious and makes public appearances, that would take away from the fear he creates.
But this could almost read like the last Batman story. It pulls him out of the fantasy superhero world he lives in, and puts him in the real world, facing the real ugliness that exists there. And from that, I should think, there's no going back.
And I find it odd that after so many years fighting the dregs of society, he has this existential crisis and suddenly wants fight the lowest of the dregs of this society.
That being said, it's an interesting story, and well-written, though the subject matter is a bit dark. But it's probably good - more awareness always needs to be raised about child trafficking - even if it takes a Batman story to do it. And read the piece at the end, an eye-opening article about the child sex trade.