A review by heartpages
Batman: Death by Design by Chip Kidd

5.0

I was debating 4-5 stars and decided to round up on originality alone. My hesitation was that it took me a few stops and starts to finish, which is unusual for a graphic novel I really love.

This novel, all black and white, replays some very early 1940's art style, and is super wordy. It's more a story than an action-packed thrill ride. So it reads like a book, not a comic. Is it ok for me to say that? I'm a comic fan, people. But mostly I just want to read stories about Batman and look at him while I'm doing that. I don't need 17 different shots of his fist in a villain's face, or muscles ripping through the costume. A simple frame with a word bubble will do. So this suited me just fine.

I got the sense, from the well-crafted mystery and the afterward, that the authors worked really hard for authenticity here. I applaud that. The work paid off, and really looks passionate. The Joker is just drawn so perfectly. Some of the drawings look less pro than you'd expect, but the end note says they were not retouched or erased in any way. Which is extraordinary, and deserves 5 stars for that alone. Batman without cosmetic touch-up is still awesome - I'd expect nothing less.

Plus, my husband's name is a major character in this book. My husband has a rare name and that charmed me, I will admit.