16 réponses à ce sujet

[Il Divo]

Greetings all.

 

I've always been a huge fan of comic books, especially graphic novels. Watchmen is one of my favorite stories of all time and I'm also a huge fan of Neil Gaiman's Sandman. I always liked the idea of Batman as a character (huge fan of the Nolan trilogy also), but I stayed away because I found it difficult to figure out where to start, until recently.

 

A list of Batman graphic novels I've recently read: Batman: Year One, The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Haunted Knight, the Killing Joke, Robin: Year One, Bat Girl: Year One, A Serious House on Serious Earth, and (most recently) The Dark Knight Returns.

 

Overall, I'm pretty happy with my decision to get into the whole Batman thing, but I'm having a lot of difficulty getting behind the Dark Knight Returns. There's definitely good parts to it: love everything with the Joker, loved watching Bruce struggle with putting the mask back on, and loved the resolution with Superman, but I'm still finding myself let down.

 

The art style seems very bland, there's an over-use of  TV panels where we watch what news reporters debate Batman, and the whole Mutants of Gotham plot point was very dull. Any chance someone might be able to clue me in on what makes The Dark Knight Returns so amazing? Something maybe I've overlooked, which stands out in their minds as fantastic?

 

If not, does anyone have any other recommendations for old Bruce Wayne/Batman style stories which close out the mythos?

 

Thanks in advance and happy birthday to the dark knight.

[TheChris92]

Old Bruce Wayne stories? I don't think there are any good ones beyond Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns. The sequel, The Dark Knight Strikes Again is not quite on the same level. I suppose there is Bayman Beyond, although it is an animated series as opposed to a graphic novel. It did, however, sort of close the chapter of Bruce Wayne & the Joker in a similar fashion to The Dark Knight Returns.

[TheClonesLegacy]

I hate Frank Miller with a passion, the talentless hack, only reason Dark Knight Returns gets it's constant praise is because it was an unexpected release given most people were only familiar with the Adam West Batman, hence the whole "Bam, Pow, Comics aren't for kids anymore" crap. It's an ok story, but he can't write any other DC character properly at all. His interpretation of Superman makes me want to hurl, and the less said about Wonder Woman the better *gags*

 

Anyway, good Batman stories...well Scott Snyders work on the New 52 Batman is worth checking out, Court/Night of Owls are stories I'll give consistent praise, and Death of The Family was pretty good too.

Zero Year was just ok...

 

I'm more of a Cartoon/movie guy, so what I can recommend is...

Batman The Animated Series, Mask of the Phantasm, Batman Vs. Dracula (I also recommend the Red Rain graphic novel), and of course, Batman Beyond along with Return of the Joker.

[Raizo]

I hate Frank Miller with a passion, the talentless hack, only reason Dark Knight Returns gets it's constant praise is because it was an unexpected release given most people were only familiar with the Adam West Batman, hence the whole "Bam, Pow, Comics aren't for kids anymore" crap. It's an ok story, but he can't write any other DC character properly at all. His interpretation of Superman makes me want to hurl, and the less said about Wonder Woman the better *gags*
 

I'm not really a fan of the way he draws his characters but he certainly knows how to frame a panel. I think he would make a very good director. As for his writing, well I have not read enough of his stuff to form a proper opinion but once again he seems to be a good idea man. I agree with your assessment with the 'Dark Knight Returns'. My older brother gave me copy when I was very young and told me it was something every comic book fan had to read, I thought it was okay but I really did not get the hype, Watchmen on the other hand lives up to its reputation.

[TheChris92]

The stories mentioned above doesn't exactly fit the criteria the OP is asking for but if he is open minded to anything Batman then I'd mentioned more in my previous post.

[wolfsite]

Bruce Timm created an Animated Short for the 75th Anniversary:

 

Batman: Strange Days

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=IFwOS2R9o_8

 

A 3 minute short which harkens back to the old movie serial style.

 

 

Figured I would post this here rather than do another thread about Batman.

[TheChris92]

Bruce Timm & Paul Dini were the core of DC Animated. I shall forever miss them.

[In Exile]

I'm not really a fan of the way he draws his characters but he certainly knows how to frame a panel. I think he would make a very good director. As for his writing, well I have not read enough of his stuff to form a proper opinion but once again he seems to be a good idea man. I agree with your assessment with the 'Dark Knight Returns'. My older brother gave me copy when I was very young and told me it was something every comic book fan had to read, I thought it was okay but I really did not get the hype, Watchmen on the other hand lives up to its reputation.

 

His style works for Batman because of what a gritty interpretation of Batman is like, but his Superman (esp.) interpretations (and this applies to other DC heroes too) is more off the mark than Man of Steel was for Jonathan Kent. 

[TheClonesLegacy]

And again Wonder Woman.
"Outta the way Sperm Bank!"
He was payed to write that. Think about that for a minute.
Though that was from ASBAR, where Frank couldn't write anything properly.
Hence why Crazy "Goddamn Batman" Steve exists.

[TheChris92]

All Star Batman and Robin might have been the most atrocious tripe ever, but it doesn't change the quality of Year One & Dark Knight Returns. A more morally grey Batman, a female Robin whom I actually liked over the annoying Dick Grayson, and a climatic stand off with his long time enemy. It functions rather well as a portrayal of a tired old Bruce Wayne who's had all he can take and struggles with his own moral code. Year One established an interesting aspect on Gotham's underworld, and how corruption can come from anywhere, even among the upholders of justice.

[Giga Drill BREAKER]

I hate Frank Miller with a passion, the talentless hack, only reason Dark Knight Returns gets it's constant praise is because it was an unexpected release given most people were only familiar with the Adam West Batman, hence the whole "Bam, Pow, Comics aren't for kids anymore" crap. It's an ok story, but he can't write any other DC character properly at all. His interpretation of Superman makes me want to hurl, and the less said about Wonder Woman the better *gags*
 
Anyway, good Batman stories...well Scott Snyders work on the New 52 Batman is worth checking out, Court/Night of Owls are stories I'll give consistent praise, and Death of The Family was pretty good too.
Zero Year was just ok...
 
I'm more of a Cartoon/movie guy, so what I can recommend is...
Batman The Animated Series, Mask of the Phantasm, Batman Vs. Dracula (I also recommend the Red Rain graphic novel), and of course, Batman Beyond along with Return of the Joker.

Are you looking forward to Son of Batman?

[TheClonesLegacy]

Might watch it.
Wasn't big on Justice League War tho.

[Raizo]

I wish I knew how to link stuff. You're in luck Il Divo, IGN has an article on the best 25 Batman graphic novels, not surprisingly 'The Dark Knight Returns' is listed as number one, none the less if you are looking for recommendations this is the place to look.

Much like yourself I have been looking for a few recommendations when it comes to Batman graphic novels ( the only ones that I have read are DKR, Hush, Batman Year One and Batman and son ) so I found this list very helpful.

 
Anyway, good Batman stories...well Scott Snyders work on the New 52 Batman is worth checking out, Court/Night of Owls are stories I'll give consistent praise, and Death of The Family was pretty good too.
Zero Year was just ok...
 

At the end of the day I went with Scott Snyders New 52 Batmans graphic novel collections ( Court/Night of Owls books ) neither are on IGN's list although they do recommend Snyders Black Mirror. You my friend are shaping up to be this threads Batman expert.

[TheClonesLegacy]

...I'm okay with that.

[Il Divo]

Thanks all for the replies! Also, feel free to use this thread for any Batman-related topics. I just TDKR was a good starting point.

 

As for other stories I've checked out, I did see Mask of the Phantasm, which I thought was absolutely amazing. A great combination of Year One, plus its own side story. I have seen the first two episodes of Batman Beyond which were great, but I haven't had the chance to give Return of the Joker a shot, so I might start there.

 

In the comics department, would someone be able to explain to me what order to read Court of Owls, City of Owls, and Night of Owls in? Thanks in advance.

[Kaiser Arian XVII]

I haven't watched the Batman movie after Dark Knight yet. What a shame.

I have over 50 movies on my watch list and I don't have enough time to watch many of them.

[Il Divo]

I haven't watched the Batman movie after Dark Knight yet. What a shame.

I have over 50 movies on my watch list and I don't have enough time to watch many of them.

 

If you get a chance, I'd recommend it. Just recently actually I did a trilogy run of all three movies and I have to say I find them all on par with each other in terms of quality.