Thursday, 23 August 2018
Batman
Director: Tim Burton
Screenplay: Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren, from a story by on Sam Hamm, based on characters created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger
Starring: Micheal Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Billy Dee Williams, Micheal Gough, Pat Hingle, Jack Palance
Running Time: 121 minutes
Genre: Action, science-fiction, fantasy, superhero
In Gotham City, reporter Alexander Knox (Wuhl) is investigating the mysterious "Batman" terrorizing the city's criminals. No-one takes Knox seriously except photojournalist Vicki Vale (Basinger). The trail leads them to eccentric billionaire Bruce Wayne (Keaton). Meanwhile, the city's police department are desperate to bring down powerful crime boss Carl Grissom (Palance) and his ruthless enforcer Jack Napier (Nicholson). Realising that Napier is having an affair with his girlfriend, Alicia (Jerry Hall), Grissom sets him up during a raid on a chemical works. Batman intervenes and badly injures Napier, who is presumed dead. Shortly afterwards Gotham City's underworld is taken over by a mysterious and deadly new criminal known as The Joker, who plans a horrific revenge on the good people of Gotham City.
This is kind of a difficult film because it gets a lot right, and when it's good it's brilliant, but it gets a lot wrong, and when it's bad it is terrible. At the time it came out Batman was probably best known to general audiences from the campy 1960s TV series with Adam West and Burt Ward, but in the world of comics writers such as Frank Millar, Alan Moore and Grant Morrison were bringing a much darker and grittier version of the Dark Knight with critically acclaimed stories such as The Dark Knight Returns (1986), Year One (1987), The Killing Joke (1988) and Arkham Asylum (1989). The film combines both aesthetics, despite the gloom and surprising levels of violence, a lot of it is as camp as anything in the TV series. As you would expect from Tim Burton, the film has a lot of visual style. Borrowing a lot from the shadowy world of traditional film noir, Gotham City is an almost surreal blend of 1920s, 1940s and 1980s styles. Micheal Keaton does a great job as Bruce Wayne and Batman, although his casting was controversial at the time, with some fans deeming him not muscular enough for the role, as well as the fact that he was best known as a comedy actor. He makes Bruce Wayne a strange and slightly sinister character (although to be fair, it is a little strange to dress up in an animal costume and beat up criminals every night), however it is slightly odd the amount of times that Batman get his ass kicked in the film. He's knocked over a couple of times and gets knocked out and unmasked once by a gaggle of random goons (which include Mac McDonald, best known as Captain Hollister in Red Dwarf (1988-present)). However Jack Nicholson is perfect as The Joker. However, the film's biggest flaw is that it totally demystifies The Joker, because it gives him a definitive origin, whereas the character works better when he is ambiguous, as well as forcing a connection between the Joker and Batman. Kim Basinger is good as Vicki Vale, although she is not given enough to do. The film's unsung hero, however is Robert Wuhl as Alexander Knox. It's an interesting idea to have a superhero story told from the point of view of an investigative journalist and Knox adds a lot of humour to the story, and he is the main character early in the film, but then he pretty much gets written out and abandoned.
The film was released to huge publicity in the summer of 1989, and, when viewed with later Batman films, seems like kind of an oddity. Tim Burton openly stated that he had no interest in comics, and the filmmakers don't really seem to connect with the Batman mythology and it's characters.
Batman (Micheal Keaton) investigates The Joker (Jack Nicholson) in Batman
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Batman: The Cult
Year of Publication: 1991, originally published as Batman: The Cult issues 1 to 4 in 1988
Number of Pages: 208 pages
Genre: Grpahic novel, superhero, crime, horror
Summary: Batman is investigating a bizarre series of crimes targeted at the criminals of Gotham City, many of whom are mysteriously disappearing in violent circumstances. His investigation leads him to the mysterious and charismatic preacher Deacon Blackfire who has set up a base in the sewers of Gotham and is recruiting an army of the homeless and the disenfranchised.
However Blackfire captures Batman first. Held prisoner, Batman is starved, drugged and brutally tortured both physically and psychologically. Almost totally broken down he comes under Blackfire's malevolent influence.
As Blackfire's plans for Gotham become clearer, Batman has to face his worst fears and nightmares if he has any hope of saving the city.
Opinions: The 1980s were kind of a watershed for Batman. With the collapse of the Comic Code, which had heavily restricted the content of American comics since the 1950s, creators were able to write books for an adult audience and had greater freedom in their depiction of darker themes and violence. The Batman series took full advantage of this new freedom in such stories as Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns and Year One, Alan Moore's The Killing Joke and Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum, and this series The Cult, which often seems to be unjustly neglected.
Right from the opening this chilling psychologial drama, originally published as a four part mini-series in 1988, depicts Batman in his weakest state. Plagued by horrific nightmares and hallucinations and sadistically tortured the story explores some of darker areas of Batman's psyche. In a way, Blackfire's purge of the criminal element of Gotham isn't too different from the Dark Knight's own crusade, however unlike Batman, Blackfire is more than happy to kill. Of course, the impact is not just on Batman himself as the whole of Gotham City is brought to it's knees by Blackfire's brutal army. Robin features heavily in the story and here he really comes into his own, becoming more than just the side-kick, which he is often depicted as.
This was quite controversial on it's first publication due to it's depictions of violence. The level of violence is high for a Batman book but it is justified in terms of the story that is being told. The art is effectively dark and moody.
This is a must-read for Batman fans.
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Saturday, 18 June 2011
Comics Round-Up # 5
Written by Peter Milligan
"Trying to turn myself into Gemma Constantine. Maybe tonight I've finally become Gemma Masters."
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NORTHLANDERS # 41
Written by Brian Wood
Illustrated by Marian Churchland
Thor's Daughter. The Outer Hebrides, A.D. 990: Birna Thorsdotter is the fourteen year old daughter of a powerful man who pretty much owns the island and is paid by travellers for his advice and opinions. Birna's mother died some time earlier. After her father is murdered by some of his own men, Birna is left completely alone with no status and no protection. Despite her fear and grief, Birna realises that she has to step up and survive in a hostile world and reclaim her birthright.
Northlanders is an endlessly fascinating series. Despite being linked by a common backdrop (the Viking age, approximately the late 8th to 11th centuries in Northern Europe) each storyline is completely self contained with completely different characters and even different artists for each story. This issue contains a single issue story concerning the resourceful Birna Thorsdotter who has to avenge the death of her father and earn her birthright from her family's enemies. The story has the feel of an old folk tale and benefits immensely from beautiful and evocative artwork from Marian Churchland. Treasure this series while you can because apparently it has been canceled by Vertigo and is scheduled to finish in March 2012.
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CINDERELLA: FABLES ARE FOREVER # 5
Written by Chris Roberson
Illustrated by Shawn McManus
Published by Vertigo
Cinderella, Fabletown's premier spy, is hot on the trail of the murderous criminal mastermind Dorothy Gale, who is working for a sinister Shadow Fabletown. In an attempt to flush out her enemy, Cinderella decides to deliberately step into a trap that Dorothy has set for her. However, Dorothy has an ace up her sleeve.
This is the fifth installment of a six issue spin off from the popular comic Fables, which featured popular characters from fairy tales and folklore existing in a contemporary universe. This story recasts Cinderella as a secret agent, and Dorothy Gale (from The Wizard of Oz) as a villainous criminal mastermind, along with monsters, magical spoons, witches and wizards and a plot straight out of one of the James Bond books by Ian Fleming (the title is a reference to Fleming's book Diamonds Are Forever and subsequent film). The mix of styles works very well and the story is told with plenty of humour and there are plenty of enjoyable twists and turns along the way. Since this is the fifth of a six part story it's too late really for newcomers to the comic, but wait around a couple of months and check it out when it's released as a graphic novel.
"Don't worry, the fall won't hurt you. But stopping certainly will."
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Written by Tony S. Daniel
Illustrated by Steve Scott and Ryan Wynn
Published by DC
Pieces, Part Two. Harvey Dent (aka "Two Face") is shocked to discover that his beloved Gilda is alive after all, despite the fact that he thought he killed her. However Gilda is now with his enemy, mobster Mario Falcone, and is trying to kill him. Dent is then captured by Edward Nigma (aka "The Riddler") and his "daughter" Enigma. To his surprise, the Riddler offers to help him and informs him that Gilda is being held by Falcone against her will. With all the confusion, Dent is desperate to retrieve his "Two Face" coin (one side is clear but the other is badly scarred and Dent uses it to decide whether the Harvey Dent or Two Face part of his psyche should be in control). To complicate the situation for Batman, he has to watch out for Kitrina Falcone (aka "Catgirl") who has gotten in way over her head. The Caped Crusader has his work cut out for him.
It's complex enough in stories when you have two sides being played off against each other, whereas here you have three sides being played against each other with Batman stuck in the middle. It is a dark and complex plot, full of twists and turns and double crosses The main problem being that Batman himself is kind of pushed to the background with all the other stuff going on around him. While this is probably not going to become one of the classic Batman stories it is a solid slice of Gotham City adventure, mixing both action and detection, which will please fans.
"From now on, I'm killing anyone who pops up."
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NORTHLANDERS # 41
Friday, 15 April 2011
Comics Round-Up # 4
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This is one of the best new comic series around. The Li'l Depressed Boy, whose name is not revealed (the other characters usually call him "L.D.B.") and is drawn as a living human-sized rag doll who all the other (human) characters treat as entirely normal. The on-going story revolves around L.D.B.'s romance with hip, lively girl Jazmin. The artwork is stylish and impressive and the script is sweet, funny, charming and effortlessly cool. In it's feel, it's reminiscent of the Scott Pilgrim comics. If you're not reading this yet, it is definitely worth checking out. This issue features an appearance by real-life Los Angeles rock band The Like.
NORTHLANDERS # 39
Written by Brian Wood
Illustrated by Simon Gane
Published by Vertigo
The Siege of Paris, Part 3. In a conclusion of a three part story based on the real-life Viking Siege of Paris which lasted between 885 to 886, the Parisian defences have been breached and the Vikings prepare to sack the city while Mads is left to ponder the price of peace.
Northlanders is a series of comics telling fictional stories based around historical events during the Viking Age. It doesn't have a running central cast instead the main characters change with each storyline. The comic is very gruesome but beautifully illustrated with art that effectively captures the look of the paintings of the period (another hallmark with Northlanders is that the principal artists change with each storyline. The script is intelligent and witty. Mixing action wih an intelligent, historically based script, this is well worth checking out
CINDERELLA: FABLES ARE FOREVER # 3
Written by Chris Roberson
Illustrated by Shawn McManus
Published by Vertigo
Super-spy Cinderella has confronted the ruthless Dorothy Gale on three occasions, each time narrowly managing to escape with her life. This time Cinderella has to protect a defector from a rumoured shadow Fabletown. However Dorothy is after him as well and she isn't working alone.
This is a six issue spin-off from the Fables comics series. This story is a spy story set in the Fables universe. The title being a play on the 1956 James Bond novel Diamonds Are Forever by Ian Fleming. It works well actually, having a James Bond style spy narrative set in the world of magic and fairy-tales. There is plenty of humour and action, and Cinderella is an appealing lead. This is worth checking out.
THE UNWRITTEN # 24
Written by Mike Carey and Peter Gross
Illustrated by Mike Carey, Bill Gross and Al Davison
Published by Vertigo
Stairway to Heaven. A selection of talking animals from all levels of story climb an infinite stairwell at the top of which they believe is a Golden Door, behind which may be Heaven. One night they encounter the vicious, foul-mouthed rabbit Mr. Bun who is determined to lead the group to the top for his own reasons, and heaven help anyone who tries to top him - or tries to help him.
This comic is a new one on me, but from this single issue story I'll certainly be checking out the others. Grotesque, surreal, violent and genuinely disturbing, this features some memorable artwork and characters.
HELLBOY: BUSTER OAKLEY GETS HIS WISH
Written by Mike Mignola
Illustrated by Kevin Nowlan
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Kansas, 1985: A farm is troubled by a bizarre series of cattle mutilations which could be attributed to a coven of teenage Satanists. When red-skinned, stone-handed demon Hellboy, of the Bureau of Paranormal Research, investigates, he quickly discovers that there is another reason for the mutilations.
This one off story is really strange, featuring impressive artwork and an entertaining script, which has a fun X-Files feel. Hellboy is an enjoyable character, and this story is pretty strange even by Hellboy standards. It should appeal to both fans and newcomers.
DC COMICS PRESENTS - BATMAN: ARKHAM
Written by Dennis O'Neil, Alan Grant and Paul GristIllustrated by Chris Swan, John Dell, Kevin Somers, Dave Taylor, Frank Teran, Carl Critchlow, Chris Chuckry, Coy Turnbull, Dan Davis, Kurt Hathaway and Gloria Vasquez
Published by DC Comics
This contains four stories revolving around the notorious Arkham Asylum in Gothan City. It opens with a very short piece illustrating the dark history of Gotham City. Then a guard becomes the prize in a macabre story contest involving the Joker, Killer Croc, the Riddler, Vox, the Scarecrow and Witch. Next a man is sentenced to Arkham following a brutal murder, but he protests his innocence, however he has to survive not only his fellow inmates but also the brutal treatments. Finally Batman recruits the Joker and friends to the Justice League of Arkham.
This is a great collection featuring some bizarre and genuinely disturbing tales. The two central stories in particular are definitely impressive. The "DC Presents" and "Vertigo Resurrected" lines are a really good way of reprinting older stories that don't fit into conventional grpahic novels or trade paperbacks.
LI'L DEPRESSED BOY #3
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Comics Round-Up # 2
Written by Mark Millar
Art by John Romita, Jr
Published by Icon
New York teenager David Lizewski, on the surface a normal high-school student, by night puts on a superhero costume, and despite having no powers or training, becomes "Kick-Ass". Joining a team of similar amateur superheroes, Dave is surprised to learn that one of the team is his best friend at school. As the team prepare for their first mission, twelve year old Mindy McCready (aka "Hit Girl") struggles to keep a promise to her parents that she will give up the superhero business and not have any more contact with Kick-Ass and friends.
The comic has the same blend of humour and violence of the original Kick-Ass series and subsequent film, and will doubtless please anyone who enjoyed the film or earlier comic. You don't even really need to have either seen the film or read the earlier comic series to enjoy this one. The script is clever and frequently very funny, and the artwork is beautifully done, lavish, colourful and detailed. I'm looking forward to the next issue already, and a movie version is in the pipe line.
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by R. M. Guera
Published by Vertigo
This series concerns the Oglala Lakota residents of the Praire Rose Reservation (known to the locals as "The Rez") in South Dakota. In You Gotta Sin to Get Saved, Part Three: Hearted, Dino Poor Bear reflects on what drove him to commit a very bad, and as yet unidentified, act. He dwells on news reports about a missing 14 year old girl and his friendship with a woman with whom he is in love, but who sees him as just a friend.
This is another powerful installment in what is a really great comic-book series. It is a dark and gritty series which manages to take in political corruption, organised crime and even the nature of evil, as well as all the big and small facets of life on the reservation. This issue consists of a number of seemingly minor events, which nonetheless seem set to have major consequences. Dino is a likeable and engaging character so it is interesting to see what it is that drives him to commit the act, whatever it turns out to be. If you're not reading this series yet, it is definitely worth checking out.
Written by Marjorie Liu
Art by Ryan Stegman, Michael Babinski and John Rauch
Published by Marvel
Collision: Part One. Laura (aka "X-23") is apparently a perfectly normal sixteen year old girl. However, she is a clone of superhero Wolverine, with adamantium claws on her hands and feet, the ability to almost instantly heal from any injury and heightened senses, she was created to be the perfect weapon. Attempting to regain the humanity that has been denied to her, she teams up with X-Man Remy LeBeau (aka "Gambit") and heads for the violently corrupt island nation of Madripoor to confront the secrets of her past and shut down the Weapon X program, which created her, for good. Laura decides to enlist the help of Daken, the mutant son of Wolverine, to help her. However Daken has his own agenda.
It's not unusual in comics to have female versions of popular superheroes who are frequently identical to the male version except with a big bust and tighter costume. X-23 is an interesting character, though. Created as an assassin her first instinct in any confrontation is to kill her opponent, however she is always trying to fight this impulse. Added to that is the fact that she desperately wants the normal life that was denied to her. Obviously, the fact that she looks a little like Ellen Page doesn't hurt either. This is a fun installment of the title, with plenty of action and some good back and forth between Laura and Gambit. The artwork isn't quite as good as it was last week, but it is still effective enough. Definitley recommended for X-Men fans.
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Rafael Albuquerque
Published by Vertigo
Ghost War: Part One In this title, the twentieth century in America is seen through the eyes of a new race of vampires, stronger, faster and powered by the sun, with their only weakness being gold. It is 1943 and the US has entered the Second World War. Human Henry Preston is married to beautiful vampire and one time Hollywood star, Pearl. Living in Hawaii, with Henry employed by the Signal Corps of the US Army, he is depressed by the fact that he is getting older while Pearl remains eternally young. Desperate to enlist, he is given the chance when he is approached by Agent Hobbes, member of the Vassals of the Morning Star who are dedicated to wiping out vampires. The US are planning an assault on the island of Taipan, but Hobbes' intelligence indicates that it is home to a nest of vampires. However, Henry has very good reason not to trust Hobbes.
This is an intriguing and unusual series, which manages to put a fresh spin on the heavily overdone vampire mythos. The artwork is distinctive and effective, and the writing is intelligent, witty and it also even manages to be quite scary at times. As has been heavily promoted in Vertigo comics this past month, this is a really good jumping on point for newcomers to the series and is very well worth checking out.
Written by Andy Diggle
Art by Davide Gianfelice and Matt Hollingsworth
Published by Marvel
Attorney Matt Murdock is blind. However his other sense function with superhuman sharpness creating a kind of radar sense. For years he fought crime in New York City in the guise of Daredevil, the Man Without Fear. However, as Daredevil, Matt made a serious mistake and people died. Tormented by his conscience, Matt leaves New York, determined to put costumed superheroics behind him. However, in New Mexico, Matt passes through a small town where the corrupt police force are doing business with gun runners. Despite not wanting to get involved, Matt knows that he cannot let it go on.
For those who are only familiar with Daredevil from the critically slated 2002 Ben Affleck film, Daredevil, this may come as a surprise, being a dark, tough, Western noir story. Matt Murdock is an interesting character, as someone who is desperately trying to escape his past and himself, and just wants to be left alone, but is still compelled to fight injustice. The artwork isn't spectatculr, but is not bad, and this story (this issue is the third part of a four part mini-series) is a good introduction and relaunch for the character.
Written by El Torres
Art by Gabriel Hernandez
Published by IDW
Just outside of Tokyo lies the deep, dark forest Aokigahara, one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in Japan and also one of the most famous suicide spots in the world. According to legend, the spirits of those who died there still roam in the deep forest. Among those called to the forest is American Alan Talbot who is haunted by the vengeful ghost of his girlfriend Masami who killed herself in Aokigahara after he finished with her, as well as Ryoko Wanatabe, who is obsessed with searching for her father who disappeared in the forest when she was a child.
This is the fourth and final issue of what has been a genuinely disturbing and creepy horror comic. Similar to movies such as Ring and The Grudge this startling ghost story should appeal to all fans of Asian horror, and features some superb artwork. If you can get a hold of this and the previous issues, or a trade paperback version, it is well-worth checking out.
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Francesco Francavilla
Published by DC Comics
Lost Boys: Comissioner Jim Gordon is trailing an recently released prisoner named Roy Blount, who he is convinced is a brutal child murderer nicknamed "the Peter Pan Killer". As he trails Blount he is reminded of an old case which remains unsolved. The mysterious disappearance of his daughter's best friend. A case which is deeply personal for Gordon in more ways than one.
This is an astonishingly bleak and disturbing story which focuses almost entirely on Comissioner Gordon (Batman only features on one page). There are no conventional superheroics here, instead it is a tough crime story which provides an intriguing new slant on a character who tends to be often overlooked in the Batman universe. In the flashbacks to Gordon's old family life it shows him in a less than perfect light (for example his overreaction to his young son dressing as The Joker for Halloween). The artwork is impressive and clearly distinguishes between the two time zones in which the story is set. A moody and powerful issue.
Written by Todd McFarlane and Arthur Clare, story by Arthur Clare
Art by Aleksi Briclot
Published by Image Comics
A powerful entity preying on human souls has got dangerously out of hand, upsetting the delicate balance between Heaven and Hell. Architect Angel Ethan is determined to stop it, but she cannot get near the creature. The only one who can is deceased CIA Assassin Al Simmmons, who has been returned to Earth as a Hellspawn (nicknamed "Spawn"), a soldier in Hell's army. Spawn is reluctant until Ethan tricks him into believing that his human brother, Marc Simmons, has been caught by the entity.
This is an interesting one-shot from the ongoing Spawn comic series. It doesn't really fit into the current chronology of the series, and on it's own is an entertaining but not spectacular entry into the series. However, if you have never read Spawn before, this is a good taster of what the series is like. Blending gruesome supernatural horror with urban grit, the story is always interesting. The artwork is moody and effective, although the white text tends to get lost in some of the pages, meaning it can be difficult to make out the dialogue.
PICK OF THE WEEK:
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Sunday, 26 December 2010
Batman: Year One
Year of Publication: 1987
Number of Pages: 143 pages
Genre: Graphic novel, action, superhero, adventure
Summary: Jim Gordon, a cop with a chequered past, moves to the crime ridden town of Gotham City with his pregnant wife Barbara to join the police department. However he soon finds out that the police department is completely corrupt, and that the corruption reaches to the highest levels of the city authorities. As one of the few honest cops on the force, Gordon soon finds himself a target of not only the criminals but also his fellow officers. Meanwhile, Gotham's wealhtiest resident, playboy Bruce Wayne, returns to the city after twelve years abroad. Shortly afterwards, Gordon finds himself investigating a powerful new vigilante on the scene. A mysterious costumed figure known as Batman.
Opinions: In the 1980s DC Comics decided to revamp many of their long-running superhero titles, by going back to basics and reinventing or expanding upon their origin stories. This book, which was originally published as a four part story in the Batman comic, details not only Bruce Wayne's first year as Batman, but also the future Comissioner Gordon's first year in the Gotham City Police. The book doesn't radically change the origin story of Batman, but it does expand on it, and provided a huge influence on the future development of the character. A year previously Frank Miller had written the acclaimed and controversial Batman: The Dark Knight Returns which returned the character to the dark, gritty, ambiguous character he had been in the beginning, and this book keeps the gritty feel of Dark Knight Returns. The story is fast moving and energatic and provides a refreshing take on a familiar tale, and the dynamic artwork complements it well. This is a must-read for Batman fans and especially for fans of the movies Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2008) bith of which, while not being direct adatations, borrowed many elements from Year One.
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Saturday, 9 October 2010
Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth
Year of Publication: 1989
Number of Pages: 216 pages
Genre: Graphic novel, superhero, horror, fantasy
Story: On the outskirts of Gotham City, Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, founded in the 1920s by Dr. Amadeus Arkham, has housed some of Gotham City's most dangerous criminals and now the lunatics have take over the asylum as, lead by the Joker, the inmates riot taking over the asylum and taking the staff hostage. Their main demand is for Batman to join them in the asylum. In the dark, twisting corridors of Arkham, Batman has to encounter his deadliest adversaries as well as coming face to face with his own heart of darkness.
Opinions: The book moves between the present day narrative of Batman in Arkham Asylum and the tragic story of the founding of the asylum by Amadeus Arkham in the 1920s, told through journal entries. The narrative weaves together multiple references from the Tarot to religion, from Lewis Carroll to Philip Larkin, and from Alfred Hitchcock's film Psycho (1961) to Lindsay Anderson's film O Lucky Man! (1971). It moves away from the gritty realistic approach to superhero comics that were popular in the late 1980s with the likes of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen (published in 1987) and Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns (published in 1986) to present a surreal, nightmarish vision. Destroying any lingering ideas of Batman as the colourful baddie-bopper from the 1960s TV series, this presents the Dark Knight as more or less borderline psychotic. There are frequent references to the fact that Batman is not really much different from his villains, who are presented here as more pathetic, grotesque and horrific than ever before.
The surreal artwork by Dave McKean incorporates his usual multimedia style which mixes painting, sculpture, text and photography emphasises the fact that the book is a psychological horror story. More of a nightmare than waking reality.
While this won't be to everyone's tastes, this is one of the darkest and most disturbing of all the Batman stories and is strongly recommended.
The popular video game Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) is loosely based on the graphic novel.
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