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nitzer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookish_whispers's review against another edition
3.0
This was just okay. I wanted to like it more than I did, which bums me out a bit. Normally I love Scott Synder's stuff, and I was excited for a Batman and the Shadow mashup. For all their faults I've always had a love for the old detective stories.
However, this was just okay, and maybe it's been so long since I've heard any of The Shadow episodes. But, I went into this thinking I knew what I was going to get myself into. Sadly I was let down a little and the use of The Shadow character. Honestly, I disliked him a lot and tried to block him out as much as possible. Everything else was what I expect for one of Synder's graphic novels.
As for the story itself, I always really like that the way Synder writes both Batman and Alfred. We got to see neet "bat gadgets", and I thought the storyline was solid. And, I'm always down for Joker to pop in to go toe-to-toe with Batman. I liked the idea of everything going back to Gotham's first murder, and a killer who hunts Gotham's 'best'. Because let's be honest the list of honest, good guys in Gotham is small.
Throughout the whole story, I wished the Shadow hadn't gotten involved. I got quickly got sick of him. He seemed more concerning with forcing this idea that he mentored Bruce. I didn't mind that he had this sort of black and white view of crime-fighting. But by the second monologue of 'you were my replacement'. Dude, suck it up, Bruce said no. Deal with it, bigger fish.
Also, the whole circumventing the issue until it's too late. I hate it. If the Shadow would have checked his ego from the get to and explained things to Bruce, maybe we have gotten a different ending. But, here are an old man. Here we are. Though, I did enjoy those just desserts at the end for the Shadow.
I liked the artwork that was done for this as well. It's a darker pallet with little pops colors with The Shadow and the Joker. Some of the panels have a lot going on, but the artwork flows so well it's easy to keep pace with the movement of everything. There were a lot of little details, especially with the Batsuit.
Feel like the art was my favorite part about this, the story was secondary. And, honestly, I could have done with the Shadow just being any the start of this and just letting Bruce handle the rest as Batman. The Shadow didn't add anything to this story but annoyance. But, it still held a lot of what I love about Synder in this, it was a quick and fun read.
However, this was just okay, and maybe it's been so long since I've heard any of The Shadow episodes. But, I went into this thinking I knew what I was going to get myself into. Sadly I was let down a little and the use of The Shadow character. Honestly, I disliked him a lot and tried to block him out as much as possible. Everything else was what I expect for one of Synder's graphic novels.
As for the story itself, I always really like that the way Synder writes both Batman and Alfred. We got to see neet "bat gadgets", and I thought the storyline was solid. And, I'm always down for Joker to pop in to go toe-to-toe with Batman. I liked the idea of everything going back to Gotham's first murder, and a killer who hunts Gotham's 'best'. Because let's be honest the list of honest, good guys in Gotham is small.
Throughout the whole story, I wished the Shadow hadn't gotten involved. I got quickly got sick of him. He seemed more concerning with forcing this idea that he mentored Bruce. I didn't mind that he had this sort of black and white view of crime-fighting. But by the second monologue of 'you were my replacement'. Dude, suck it up, Bruce said no. Deal with it, bigger fish.
Also, the whole circumventing the issue until it's too late. I hate it. If the Shadow would have checked his ego from the get to and explained things to Bruce, maybe we have gotten a different ending. But, here are an old man. Here we are. Though, I did enjoy those just desserts at the end for the Shadow.
I liked the artwork that was done for this as well. It's a darker pallet with little pops colors with The Shadow and the Joker. Some of the panels have a lot going on, but the artwork flows so well it's easy to keep pace with the movement of everything. There were a lot of little details, especially with the Batsuit.
Feel like the art was my favorite part about this, the story was secondary. And, honestly, I could have done with the Shadow just being any the start of this and just letting Bruce handle the rest as Batman. The Shadow didn't add anything to this story but annoyance. But, it still held a lot of what I love about Synder in this, it was a quick and fun read.
lookhome's review against another edition
3.0
Snyder's story proves a valiant, if flawed, attempt at mixing the origin stories of two Pulp Heroes.
Though the overall story arc proves a little lacklustre, it does offer new and intriguing villains and adds a supernatural element that comfortably fits into the Batman Mythos.
As for the villain, the arc proves a little underwhelming.
The Story of Cain and Abel is ripe for comic book treatment but it ends up being all to reminiscent of Snyder's previous Court of Owls.
A good rather than great story comic that should do for fans of both Batman and the Shadow.
At least there's no bellied Baldwin in this take.
Though the overall story arc proves a little lacklustre, it does offer new and intriguing villains and adds a supernatural element that comfortably fits into the Batman Mythos.
As for the villain, the arc proves a little underwhelming.
The Story of Cain and Abel is ripe for comic book treatment but it ends up being all to reminiscent of Snyder's previous Court of Owls.
A good rather than great story comic that should do for fans of both Batman and the Shadow.
At least there's no bellied Baldwin in this take.
rashthedoctor's review against another edition
2.0
Man this was awful . I hated almost 90% of the book.
The plot was something that's been done before , the action scenes were confusing , the dialogues were messed up , the art was wierd ... I hated everything about this except the prologue
The plot was something that's been done before , the action scenes were confusing , the dialogues were messed up , the art was wierd ... I hated everything about this except the prologue
matteldritch92's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
bookmason's review against another edition
1.0
What a horrible mess this is!
Doesn't do justice to either character and messes Batman's history up.
Loved old Shadow pulp novels and even DC short revival in the 70s.
Avoid this, it is so outside Batman canon no need to remember it exists.
Doesn't do justice to either character and messes Batman's history up.
Loved old Shadow pulp novels and even DC short revival in the 70s.
Avoid this, it is so outside Batman canon no need to remember it exists.
mxdx1974's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
cthuwu's review against another edition
4.0
i don't know what to think about this one. i'm not going to review it like i normally review books because i honestly don't even know how i'd do that.
the art? good.
the writing? great?
the weird plot twist where the shadow was given his powers by what looks like... cthulhu? uh.... what?
now, the majority of shadow related media that i consume is the radio show with just a dite of the 80s/90s era comics so this is uh kinda just out there for me. even the newer comics i've read didn't involve shads being an interdimensional being sent by the great old ones to maintain truth and justice on earth.
this plot point was a lot for me and even the artists drawing the joker like the fuckboy reject that he is didn't make up for it so it's a solid 4/5 for me.
the art? good.
the writing? great?
the weird plot twist where the shadow was given his powers by what looks like... cthulhu? uh.... what?
now, the majority of shadow related media that i consume is the radio show with just a dite of the 80s/90s era comics so this is uh kinda just out there for me. even the newer comics i've read didn't involve shads being an interdimensional being sent by the great old ones to maintain truth and justice on earth.
this plot point was a lot for me and even the artists drawing the joker like the fuckboy reject that he is didn't make up for it so it's a solid 4/5 for me.
jbleyle63's review against another edition
3.0
As a long reading fan of both characters I was eager to get to this title when release was announced in early 2017. Bob Kane and Bill Finger, the creators of Batman, were obviously inspired by The Shadow. Snyder gives a nod to this inspiration in this story by placing The Shadow as a disguised mentor directly to Bruce Wayne in his journey to becoming Batman. Enjoyed this one for most part but felt Stag mystery plot ended a little too abruptly.