 Smart tribute to years of Batman creativity |
| Review Date: July 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Traveling professor, Texas |
This is a great comic book for fans of the Batman, for readers who will appreciate a whole range of allusions to various incarnations of this hero over time. It is a brilliant tribute to one of the classic comic book heroes. Those who do not know the history of the character may miss some of the references.
The use of alternate stories may trouble readers who want a straight-forward adventure story -- what Gaiman is providing is an imaginative tribute to the various ways this superhero has been imagined by his creators over the time. It is not a linear story with beginning--middle--end in that order but a series of possible explanations, a series of alternative universes, all of which are tied to the final visions of the hero on the edge of death. What is most amazing is that in the process of imagining all of these possibilities for the Batman, Gaiman is both faithful to various past creators of the hero and completely original.
In many ways, this is a postmodern Batman and a brilliant book by one of the greatest masters of the graphic novel. |
Review of Gaiman's 'Caped Crusader'
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| Review Date: March 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Ryan S. Mease, Chicago, IL, USA |
| The original comic within this volume, 'Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader,' is one of the most interesting takes on the Batman cycle that I've ever seen. I won't speak specifically, but I should emphasize the presence of death and its outcome. Furthermore, this deluxe edition contains a few other comics, including an origin of Poison Ivy and The Riddler; these are interesting, but no where near as compelling as the centerpiece. |
A wonderful way to end... and begin.
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| Review Date: September 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Baton Rouge Brent, Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
To say I was apprehensive about purchasing this book is a bit of an understatement. After the frenetic, confusing mish-mash of Grant Morrison's "Batman: RIP" and "Final Crisis" ("Final?" let's hope so...) I was concerned that this book would be more of the same, and I just didn't want to see one of my favorite characters be ruined any further.
However, "Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader" proved to be an absolute joy to experience. The story led off in a bit of a confusing way, but it all came together in a masterful way thanks to Neil Gaiman. The end is touching, sentimental, and even fatalistic as it comes full circle. Andy Kubert's art is impeccable and gives us clever glimpses of different artisitic interpretations of the Batman, such as that of Frank Miller and Simon Bizet (possibly Kelley Jones) just to name a couple.
This is an excellent book and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Cheers!
B |
One for the ages
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| Review Date: August 2, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Chris Sadler, Folsom, CA |
At first glance, Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader is a pretty decent look at Batman. Good, but nothing special. But that's the thing, this isn't a work that's meant to be read and then put back on the shelf. It's meant to be read through many times, mulled over, thought about and discussed. This is no simple batman story; it's an ode to the character that we've all come to love. And it's a must-have for any fan of the dark knight.
Gaiman's writing is, as always, top-notch. This kind of story can fall apart in the hands of lesser authors, but Neil comes through in spades. We're given just a glimpse of so many of the character's we're familiar with, and he manages to encapsulate what makes them them, while adding his own distinct style to the subtext.
Many of the characters, and especially Batman himself, are seen at different times as several of the interpretations they've gone through throughout the years. At times, this device can come off as a desperate attempt to ride along the coattails of those classic stories, but here they are instantly recognizable as loving nods to some of the caped crusader's most celebrated adventures.
The ending is something that will surely divide fans of this tale; not regarding its quality, but simply because it is left so open to interpretation. There are several meanings one can take away from this story, which is really the way it should be; there are as many interpretations of the character of Batman as there are fans, and a straightforward tale simply doesn't do this icon justice.
As for the art, I must say I was never extremely impressed with Kubert's art. Until now. This comic has made a die-hard fan of me. He channels a great deal of the most famous batman artists throughout the years, every design from Bob Kane's original to Jim Lee's work in All Star Batman & Robin. And when his own Batman shows up towards the end, he absolutely shines. He gives batman's friends and foes the same treatment, along with a brilliant couple of pages of shout outs to some of the greatest stories - and greatest moments - of batman's epic journey through the years.
There are also a few extra stories by Gaiman in the back of the book. Nothing as astoundingly good as the main event, but they certainly don't detract from it; and I for one will gladly take as much Gaiman as I can get.
All in all, Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader is an absolutely amazing piece of work. It gets better every time I read it. I can't guarantee you'll adore it the same way I do, but as long as you're a fan of Batman this is absolutely not to be missed.
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Perfect new addition to the mythology
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| Review Date: September 6, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. D. Mattson, |
| Even though Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors, I was apprehensive as to what he could add to one of my favorite mythologies. Well, he blew me away. I realize now that with his unusual, dark, and poetic way of looking at the universe there was no way he could mess things up. Some of the devices, such as gathering everyone from the past at a funeral, are common, but even those are employed with a twist. The story is fascinating and an appropriate addition to a mythology enhanced and changed forever in 1986 by The Dark Night Returns. But a review of this book would not be accurate without stating that the art of Andy Kubert is stunning and raises the book to a higher level. Both writer and artist borrow from the past and make it their own - a practice which should satisfy the diehard Batman fans. This a book that must be owned and read more than once. |
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