Batman
1986
- graphic novels
- comic books, strips
- nyt:paperback_graphic_books=2012-01-07
- batman (fictitious character)
- comics & graphic novels, superheroes
- batman (fictitious character), fiction
- crime, fiction
- fiction, fantasy, general
- fiction, humorous, general
- cartoons and comics
The story
"A man doesn't live forever-- a legend does. From the moment he declared war on crime, the Batman knew his story would eventually come to an end. But for each soul he has touched, either as an ally or an enemy, a lover or a friend, an inspiration or an obsession, the life of the Dark Knight-- and its tragic conclusion-- is viewed differently. Now those closest to the Caped Crusader gather for his memorial service. Stories are told, feelings are revealed and tears are shed in a final retrospective of Batman's long and astonishing career. And for those of you who think you know the Dark Knight, prepare to find out you never did" -- dust jacket flap.
What it’s like
Heavy black ink shadows and clean, deliberate linework over a rain-slicked, sodium-lit Gotham, with crisp, orderly panel grids that slow the eye down. The vibe is hard-boiled noir with a tired, melancholy edge, best read in one unhurried sitting on a rainy night. Its pacing alternates between quiet captioned narration and sudden bursts of kinetic action, and its emotional register stays grave and reflective, with a retrospective framing that looks back on a life spent in the dark. Expect brutal fights, criminal menace, and some adult content, with gore kept mostly on the page and the harshest moments landing as impact rather than spectacle. It suits readers who want the grit and moral weight of crime fiction in a visual form, and fans of mature, character-driven superhero stories who like art that favors mood and shadow over bright action.
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