★★★★★ 5
Like chocolate truffles
Format: Paperback
First off, this is a review of volume 1.
I got several Batman graphic novels recently and get one out when I have a block of uninterrupted time for it. I thought that given the short-story format, that I'd leave this in the car and read one or two stories when I had a few minutes to kill. Sure - that's what I say when I get a box of candy too - just one or two at a time - make the box last for a month. LOL - I got going and finished the whole book in one sitting. The short stories are not all great, but even the weakest is worth at least three stars. Some of the others are wonderful. The most unexpected were the best: "A Black and White World" a Neil Gaiman story which features Batman and Joker in a way you've never seen them before, and "A Slaying Song Tonight" a Batman Christmas story.... who'd ever think of that?
The art is varied - which is the point isn't it. Some I liked a great deal and others didn't move me, but each reader will have different tastes. I learned about some artists with which I wasn't familiar. I'm new to comics and graphic novels, so this was a great way to gain some exposure to some legends.
A previous reviewer seemed to feel the black and white art limited the artists. I thought the short story format and the black and white art boiled the work down to it's most powerful essence. The stories didn't waste a word. The art didn't hide behind color. It was like each story was stripped down to the bare essentials.
And no comic character is more natural for a black and white treatment than the Bat. It was like a film noir movie marathon!
Volume One at the very least is a must-own part of any Batman collection. Highest recommendation!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2009
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