Batman: Death in the City

Batman: Death in the City

CONSISTENTLY GOOD STORIES FROM DINI

The latest Batman trade paperback collects Detective Comics issues #827 - 834. This isn't one continuous storyline as the back description might have you believe but rather a few stories which are tenuously linked. The opening tale, "Double Talk" features the return of Scarface, with a new ventriloquist pulling the strings, no pun intended. Batman goes undercover to find out who the new villain is...In the second story, "Shark Bite" Batman and the Riddler are both on the trailer of a killer who murdered an old friend of Bruce Wayne's. One of the best stories is the two parter called "Siege." Bruce Wayne is hosting an anti-terrorism conference at Wayne Towers with several world leaders when a series of explosions rocks the building. A terrorist using a gun that shoots out a liquid explosive is fully intent on bringing Wayne Tower down ala the Twin Towers. This was a great story. Batman along with Robin were at their most resourceful in tracking down and trying to stop the terrorist, But then, how do you stop a man who is on a suicide mission? Dini shows Bruce Wayne and Batman at his best, utilizing all his skills and Robin is calm and collected, even when his life is in great peril. The new Ventriloquist returns in "Kind of Like Family." Harley is turned down for parole with Bruce Wayne casting a deciding vote to keep her locked up. Scarface breaks Harley out of prison to use her skills in a major heist. Harley has to decide whether to aid Scarface and be free, or if she wants to truly gain her release through legal channels. One of the better depictions of Harley the person rather than Harley the villain that I've read. The final story is the two-part "Trust." Batman teams with Zatanna to investigate the death of one of the Zatanna's former assistants. But the magician responsible for her death turns out to be something much more sinister than Batman had bargained for. Dini's story features a good deal of tension between Batman and Zatanna as a result of the events in identity Crisis and the pair are finally able to reconcile. It's also revealed for the first time that her father Zatara was friends with Bruce Wayne's father, Thomas and worked on various charitable functions with him. Dini shows a remarkable consistency as Detective Comics writer. While none of them may be earth-shatter, his tales are always solid and that shows in this volume as there isn't a clunker on the whole lot. The art is excellent throughout but I enjoyed Don Kramer's work on "Kind of Like Family" the most. He brought a certain charming innocence to Harley Quinn that made the story stand out.

Not what I expected.

For me, this book seemed to much like the Batman animated series. The stories were not very "dark" and they just didn't seem as hard edged as I would like a Batman story to be (or as the cover would lead you to beleive). The art in this book seems very average. Nothing special with that. A couple people die, there is some blood, and Batman appears to be a pretty good detective, but I just wasn't that impressed. I would recommend this book to a child between the ages of 8-10 or to someone who was a fan of the cartoon.

Dini Has Does it Again

Dini has done it yet again! The mastermind behind Batman the Animated Series, Batman Beyond and even more famous DC animated shows takes his spellbinding writing to the next level in this intensely beautiful and interesting graphic novel. Not only are the stories filled with loads of twists and turns but the art by J.H. Williams III, another alumni of DC fame, delivers the characters you know and love with breathtaking art. This book will be worth the money and I'm sure you'll read more than once.

A GREAT READ!!!!

I AM A HUGE BATMAN FAN, THAT BEING SAID, I AM BIASED AS TO ANYTHING BATZ RELATED, BUT I AM ALWAYS WARY NO MATTER WHAT TOWARDS STORY(1st)& ART (2nd). OVER THE YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN BATMAN STORIES WITH A GREAT STORY WITH TERRIBLE ART, AND GREAT ART WITH TERRIBLE STORIES. THIS BOOK HAS GREAT STORIES AND GREAT ART...I'VE BEEN AWAY FROM COMICS FOR AWHILE NOW...I HAVE A HUGE BATMAN AND BATMAN FAMILY COLLECTION OF COMICS AND BOOKS, AFTER I SAW BATMAN BEGINS, I WAS SUCKED BACK IN AGAIN. PAUL DINI ISNT THE SOLE WRITER IN THIS COLLECTION, AND THEIR IS MORE THAN 1 ARTIST CONTRIBUTING...BUT THE WHOLE MASS OF TALENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A GREAT ADDITION TO THE BATMAN MYTHOS. CUDOS!!!

Outstanding

Having been a Batman fan for many years, I've found the Dini stories begun in the "Batman:Detective" collection refreshing. The stories return to Batman's sometimes overlooked role as the world's greatest detective. These are stories, tales, intimate looks into the intellectual (and human?) side of Batman. Watch as he forms uneasy alliances with former foes . . . and former friends. My favorite tale involves Batman and Zatanna teaming up to solve a case that brings about a deadly encounter with an unexpected foe. The plot weaves together a mystery with a touching story from Bruce Wayne's past. The image of Zatanna as a girl blowing magical bubbles, and its reappearance in Batman's mind during a certain scenario bring a chill. The splash pages in between stories rivet me everytime - the black and white images bring out the most stunning emotions. If you like the artwork and the effects it brings to the stories, check out some of the "Batman: Black and White" collections. This book does nicely on its own, but when you read it in conjunction with the "Detective" collection, it takes on a unique flavor that leaves you hungry for more.

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