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bouncy_knight_reads's review against another edition
ghill22's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aprilmarie's review
4.0
Well... this is different. A Batman tale that is truly dark. The Joker is dead and no one has claimed the deed. What's the problem? Bruce can't remember his actions during this time. Did he finally snap and kill The Joker? Bruce is coming undone and is holding on to his sanity by a thread. When he reaches out for help, the unexpected hand of John Constantine is offered ... or is it? You never really know with him.
The script slow-paced, moody and nebulous. There is some action and a lot of internal strife yet not much insight as to where we're going. Like Bruce, you're not sure what's real or imaginary. And we can't trust the narrator. There are some revelations regarding Bruce's childhood that are surprising and disturbing. I can already hear the screams across the DC-verse. This is the first of a 3 book series. All will be revealed soon enough.
But that ARTWORK though! It is simply stunning. I was not familiar with Bermejo by name but I am a fan now. His work is emotional, surreal and intense. Gotham is dark, gritty and dangerous. Bruce is beautifully broken. My eyes feasted on each page. I am so glad I picked up a print version. I'm not sure digital could do it justice.
I want more, more, more.
The script slow-paced, moody and nebulous. There is some action and a lot of internal strife yet not much insight as to where we're going. Like Bruce, you're not sure what's real or imaginary. And we can't trust the narrator. There are some revelations regarding Bruce's childhood that are surprising and disturbing. I can already hear the screams across the DC-verse. This is the first of a 3 book series. All will be revealed soon enough.
But that ARTWORK though! It is simply stunning. I was not familiar with Bermejo by name but I am a fan now. His work is emotional, surreal and intense. Gotham is dark, gritty and dangerous. Bruce is beautifully broken. My eyes feasted on each page. I am so glad I picked up a print version. I'm not sure digital could do it justice.
I want more, more, more.
cheshirecat123's review
5.0
Phenomenal art and such an interesting story so far! Love how dark it is!
quirkycatsfatstacks's review
5.0
There have been so many spinoff and miniseries coming out of Batman’s arc lately, I almost overlooked this one. I can’t tell you how glad I am that I took the time to read this one! Seriously, if there’s one Batman miniseries you read this year, let it be this one.
This is a darker telling of Batman and his antics, both in regards to the plot, perspective, and art style. But it all works together perfectly. The tone compliments the art style, and both reflect the plot in perfect balance.
Here we find Batman getting himself in a mess, as per usual. Unlike usual though…things go poorly for him. Okay, that isn’t exactly out of the norm for him either, but it certainly seems and feels like things go slightly worse for him than usual.
Side note: in regards to the introductory scene of this series. Holy cow! I won’t spoil it by saying exactly what happened, but man! If ever I needed an example of Batman not being a perfect good guy archetype, this would be it. I understand he was injured and possibly delirious, but those were not the actions of a good man.
Ahem, moving on. The biggest twist of the whole plot has to be the person that’s telling the story. And no, it isn’t Batman. Nor is it anybody we typically see running with Batman, or any part of the Bat family. I was shocked…but I’m also really into this new perspective. It also explains the darker tones being shown. Here’s a hint for those impatient few out there: you can narrow the character down by the title of this series.
I’m not sure where this plot is going to go just yet…but I am incredibly excited to see what happens next. I feel like this comic is the perfect example of the dark tones the recent round of movies was trying to hit. Granted, that’s my personal opinion and I haven’t actually seen those movies…so…grain of salt.
I’m completely in love with the art for this issue. It’s hyper-detailed and stylized at the same time. It’s strikingly beautiful, with lots of motion and stylistic shading. Sometimes the full image won’t be visible on a page, having a chunk of it concealed by shadow. But it actually works really well in this context.
This is a darker telling of Batman and his antics, both in regards to the plot, perspective, and art style. But it all works together perfectly. The tone compliments the art style, and both reflect the plot in perfect balance.
Here we find Batman getting himself in a mess, as per usual. Unlike usual though…things go poorly for him. Okay, that isn’t exactly out of the norm for him either, but it certainly seems and feels like things go slightly worse for him than usual.
Side note: in regards to the introductory scene of this series. Holy cow! I won’t spoil it by saying exactly what happened, but man! If ever I needed an example of Batman not being a perfect good guy archetype, this would be it. I understand he was injured and possibly delirious, but those were not the actions of a good man.
Ahem, moving on. The biggest twist of the whole plot has to be the person that’s telling the story. And no, it isn’t Batman. Nor is it anybody we typically see running with Batman, or any part of the Bat family. I was shocked…but I’m also really into this new perspective. It also explains the darker tones being shown. Here’s a hint for those impatient few out there: you can narrow the character down by the title of this series.
I’m not sure where this plot is going to go just yet…but I am incredibly excited to see what happens next. I feel like this comic is the perfect example of the dark tones the recent round of movies was trying to hit. Granted, that’s my personal opinion and I haven’t actually seen those movies…so…grain of salt.
I’m completely in love with the art for this issue. It’s hyper-detailed and stylized at the same time. It’s strikingly beautiful, with lots of motion and stylistic shading. Sometimes the full image won’t be visible on a page, having a chunk of it concealed by shadow. But it actually works really well in this context.
haunted_air's review
4.0
The art, it's GORGEOUS! (the white font is a bit hard to read though) The story was ok, we'll see.
Constantine, Zatanna & Deadman!!!! ♡♡♡
Constantine, Zatanna & Deadman!!!! ♡♡♡
mistled's review
So is "DC Black Label" a way to tell 'adult' stories in the way that "Ultimates" was Marvel's? That is to say, an excuse to make all of the 'good' people into unrepentant assholes? Considering they turn Thomas Wayne into a womanizer in issue #1, it certainly seems like they're using the same teenager's definition of 'adult' that Marvel was.
Otherwise, this issue is... interesting. The plot is intentionally vague and 'spooky' and a little all over the place. It could end up extremely good or a complete disaster in future issues. For now, I'm giving Brian Azzarello the benefit of the doubt, but not much of one considering.
Otherwise, this issue is... interesting. The plot is intentionally vague and 'spooky' and a little all over the place. It could end up extremely good or a complete disaster in future issues. For now, I'm giving Brian Azzarello the benefit of the doubt, but not much of one considering.
noeliasreadings's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25