★★★★★ 5
One of the best Bat stories that I've read.
Format: Paperback
Coming off from The Long Halloween, Jeff Loeb and Tim Sale give us the sequel to their popular story tale in which we see Batman go at it with another year long mystery, while also giving us an origin story for the first Robin, Dick Grayson. After reading this book, I have come away having with even more love of the Dark Knight's mythology, while coming to see this as my favorite Batman story that I have read, even if it doesn't stand as well on its own.
ON the narrative side of things, Loeb delivers a story fairly similar to the one he gave in The Long Halloween, though I feel this one is a bit more polished than Halloween was. Some have said that the retreading of plot structure have limited the way Loeb's later works are read, but I myself have no problem with it (for the most part), Loeb manages to do enough differently that you don't feel like you're reading the exact same story. The real big negative I'd have to give this graphic novel is that it really doesn't stand as well by itself than if you had read The Long Halloween. While I myself read that story before coming in to this one, I did see many connections that I would assume would through off any newcomers who hadn't read the prior story. But I will say that this is the story that had me invested the most emotionally. Without giving away any spoilers, that last page in the novel gave me such a cathartic experience that I really came to appreciate certain aspects of the Dark Knight's mythology, and how themes of loneliness were touched upon in a very genuine way.
Looking at the art for the novel, Sale's work has improved much from The Long Halloween. I always mention in reviews concerning Sale that I was originally not a fan of his art, but after going through his work, you can't help but admire the level skill he manages to put in his drawings. There is a very big noir feeling in this novel (a plus for ) that is just delivered so well that any preferences in art I may have against Sale are put away in admiring the way he plays with lighting in the story. My biggest complaint for the art, which is a more of a personal thing really, is that I do not like the "pixie" costume they gave Robin (which is his default costume that many would associate him with). I have never really liked this costume, probably never will, but again, this is just me.
Overall, I would say I really enjoyed the novel and would have to recommend it to any fans of the Batman (although I'd make sure you have read The Long Halloween first). This has come to be one of my most favorited Batman stories I've read, and I hope others will receive the same level of satisfaction that I have.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2014
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