Litsy

Batman and the Mad Monk | Matt Wagner, Rob Leigh

pick

This is a Batman at the start of his career story.

It follows on from another story but works as a standalone.

I was surprised by this one as it had a vampire theme to it and was surprisingly violent.

It's a Batman battles a vampire cult story, and I enjoyed it a lot.

25 likes

shanaqui

Batgirl: Silent Running | Scott Peterson

so-so

I thought I'd reread this since I liked the *idea* of Cassandra Cain. I feel her Batgirl design is unsexualised and batlike in a pretty neat way, but I don't love a lot of the art in this one, and it's hard to fully follow without context.

12 likes

Robotswithpersonality

Batman Vol. 2: the Bat-Man of Gotham | Chip Zdarsky

so-so

That was a LOT. Not entirely certain if this particular storyline continues after this book, but at least for now, I think I've had my fill of alternate worlds where Batman is in even rougher shape.
The multiverse, the look at Batman and the Joker, their psychology, remains interesting, but the emphasis on endless battle is exhausting. I'm glad to see Tim go looking, but the poor boy's still full of drama, 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/2 obviously my preferred story lightener is Nightwing, and he wasn't featured.
And one could argue, the catalysts put forth in Batman: Failsafe, the robot and the subconscious, are not resolved. If the story continues beyond this volume, that makes sense, but it makes for a less satisfying ending to this one, and the story within this volume was not engaging enough to make me want to pursue the finale. 💁🏼‍♂️ 2w

10 likes1 comment

AnnCrystal

Batman Begins | Dennis O'Neill

How crazy is my obsession with Batman?

When I first watched the TV commercial for this product, I immediately considered it perfect...for a mini Bat-Signal 😂.

🤔 🔦✨🦇✨ Wonder...😜👀.

#zeal4batman

22 likes

JLaurenceCohen

Batman Vol. 2: the Bat-Man of Gotham | Chip Zdarsky

so-so

The tour through different universes was exhilarating, but Batman's time in exile in another universe was pretty boring. The biggest problem is that back-up artist Mike Hawthorne's art just isn't very good.

RamsFan1963 I borrowed this from the library, but now I might skip reading it 3w

JLaurenceCohen @RamsFan1963 you can honestly read the next volume without missing much 3w

25 likes2 comments

Robotswithpersonality

Batgirl: Year One | Chuck Dixon, Scott Beatty

pick

Oh yes. I love the vintage feel, the sense of going back to Batgirl's orgins now, in a way that obviously plays off lore that has developed over the years, e.g. the Oracle/Cassandra references, the hint of something with Dick, the ominous whisper in references to the Joker.
The writers and artists did a great job of presenting a recognizable character with a bit more youthful hubris and pep, 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? contrasted by a more dour, demanding figure in the Batman, and a truly creepy villain in the arsonist/murderer Firefly. Killer Moth continues to flabbergast me by his unique brand of clueless chutzpah and the fact he has yet to expire though his own foolishness.
I enjoyed the balance between depicting a young woman frustrated by the limiting requirements of ideal career fields, a repeated pattern of men telling her she literally didn't 4w

Robotswithpersonality 3/? measure up, showcased alongside a forthrightness in all things - if the young men around her are going to vague flirt, she's stating clearly 'ask me out or go away'. She's also clear with Robin when he needs to back off with the more-than-just-flirting.
Back to the vintage style I mentioned, there's some dated terms that Babara is using to refer to Black Canary, bad she is consistently acknowledging when her efforts are overshadowed by more 4w

Robotswithpersonality 4/4 established heroes in the mix, but I'll take the positive that she's her own advocate, similar to incapacitating the purse snatcher, it's still nice to see proto-feminist messaging especially if the comic feels like it might be marketed to a younger audience. 🤷🏼‍♂️ (edited) 4w

10 likes1 stack add3 comments

Robotswithpersonality

Batman Vol. 1: Failsafe | Chip Zdarsky

pick

Aaaarrggh cliffhanger! The only reason the writers and artists are forgiven is because I can get the next volume immediately from my library. Yet another benefit of reading backlist!
This was off the chain, just ridiculously improbable survival in action-packed scenarios, Brucie baby having officially planned TOO MUCH and yet too little, creating a Matryoshka doll of Batmans with various levels of advisable approaches to the criminal element, 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Always touching, seeing all those who come to his aid, and those glimpses of how much he cares for them.
Always engaging seeing how the Bat deals with a seemingly unbeatable foe.
I saw absolutely nothing about the Penguin situation coming. I always love a surprise Catwoman moment/focus, as the latter storyline turned out to have. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality 3/3 That last story was haunting, but then any narrative focused on Batman's ethics, where he draws the line, and his psychology, how he feels about his actions, his purpose, will suck me in.
On to the next! 1mo

9 likes2 comments

JLaurenceCohen

Nightwing Vol. 5: Time of the Titans | Tom Taylor, C S Pacat