May 07 2009
Batman and Robin are All Stars
I have a recommendation for everyone. Read the All Star Batman and Robin series. It is absolutely amazing. This is Frank Miller knowing he’s Frank Miller, so he just had fun with writing Batman this time around. The art by Jim Lee fits the tone of the comic perfectly, and as always is great to look at.
A lot of people don’t like that Frank Miller made this version of Batman very violent. That is what I like most about this Batman. He will set criminals on fire, loves breaking bones, and will start playing tonsil hockey with Black Canary while fighting off scores of criminal. Then tell her to shut up when they’re in the Batmobile. This is a Batman who kidnaps Dick Grayson, smacks him around, and makes him eat rats. This Batman is scarier than Christian Bale.
The important thing here though is to just read it as Frank Miller having fun with the character. Batman has been depicted in a lot of different ways; he even started his crime fighting career carrying a gun. This is just the super violent, merciless, womanizing version of Batman. Plus this series introduced us to the famous line: “I’m the goddamn Batman”. What else could you ask for?
Hey Jordan, Frank from BK here. I tried replying to the email you sent me. Keep having it bounce back. Is there another email address you have?
www.bamkapow.com
Interesting. Every other review I’ve read of this series has stated that Miller’s and Lee’s styles just don’t mesh well together and that Batman has a different personality every issue. I might have to find out for myself.
It’s definitely an over the top presentation. The key here is too just think of it as more of a satirical Batman, and then it becomes a lot of fun. Jim Lee’s super detailed drawings go well with the super serious tone of Miller’s writing, at least in my opinion. I just find it an entertaining read, it might be one of those unintentionally funny comics.