Batman

Black & White, Vol. 1

by Neil Gaiman, Frank Miller

Paperback

English language

Published Sept. 26, 2007 by DC Comics.

ISBN:: 978-1-4012-1589-7

(127 reviews)

"A man doesn't live forever-- a legend does. From the moment he declared war on crime, the Batman knew his story would eventually come to an end. But for each soul he has touched, either as an ally or an enemy, a lover or a friend, an inspiration or an obsession, the life of the Dark Knight-- and its tragic conclusion-- is viewed differently. Now those closest to the Caped Crusader gather for his memorial service. Stories are told, feelings are revealed and tears are shed in a final retrospective of Batman's long and astonishing career. And for those of you who think you know the Dark Knight, prepare to find out you never did" -- dust jacket flap.

12 editions

Mollarom reviewed Batman by Frank Miller (Batman)

Review of 'Batman: Year One' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Best Batman story I've read.

nerd teacher [books] reviewed Batman by Frank Miller (Batman)

Frank Miller is garbage.

1 star

This book is boring, and the issues it brings up? It doesn't even address them. It's strange because this is one of those books (or collections) that is held up as being part of 'the best' of Batman.

It makes me wonder if anyone could even conceive of an interesting Batman, if that's the case.

Like, here are some issues brought up:

Adultery and figuring out how to deal with emotions and relationships. It's not really addressed. Only handled as a "This was going to be a secret, but I had to tell my wife because someone threatened to out my cheating." Vague mentions of the marriage counsellor. The other half -- dealing with it -- isn't even done at all; it's just the typical Men Writing Men Who Think of All Attractive Women As Objects of Sexual Desire (and not quite as people). Even by the mid-1980s, this ... …

This book is boring, and the issues it brings up? It doesn't even address them. It's strange because this is one of those books (or collections) that is held up as being part of 'the best' of Batman.

It makes me wonder if anyone could even conceive of an interesting Batman, if that's the case.

Like, here are some issues brought up:

Adultery and figuring out how to deal with emotions and relationships. It's not really addressed. Only handled as a "This was going to be a secret, but I had to tell my wife because someone threatened to out my cheating." Vague mentions of the marriage counsellor. The other half -- dealing with it -- isn't even done at all; it's just the typical Men Writing Men Who Think of All Attractive Women As Objects of Sexual Desire (and not quite as people). Even by the mid-1980s, this ... plot device? Had found its way into being a trope, particularly since people refuse to actually DISCUSS how relationships evolve and change.
Lots of weird things like "growl from Africa." Like, what? Why would you even SAY this?
Scripty writing. Who let someone choose this? Granted, I recognise that disabled people were overlooked (as we still are today), but scripty writing should be avoided because HELLO, DYSLEXIC PEOPLE READ, TOO. For future reference.

Wellington Mitrut reviewed Batman by Frank Miller

Review of 'Batman' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Neil Gaiman é um dos melhores autores de quadrinhos que já existiram. Fato. Da onda britânica que invadiu e dominou tudo nos anos 80 ele talvez seja o mais intimista, o que mais faz chorar.

Esta obra não faz juz à Gaiman, não que seja ruim, é um ensaio sobre quem é o Batman e seus diversos nuances, sobre como o vimos e como evoluiu como personagem até a data de lançamento da HQ, mas sejamos francos, nao é o melhor trabalho de Gaiman.

Gaiman já tratou deste assunto, a morte, de maneiras mais intimistas e inteligentes em Sandman. Apesar de achar ligeiramente fraco, é uma das histórias obrigatórias pra quem quer ler e se aprofundar nas obras envolvendo o Morcegão.

Me lembrou muito o que Tom King fez nas mensais do Batman, dando sentimentalismo e profundidade a uma personagem que geralmente é o estereótipo da SOUFODICE

A. Rivera reviewed Batman by Frank Miller

Review of 'Batman' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

This is a very good comics anthology. The comics are drawn in black and white, which gives the collection a very classic feel and look that can range from noir to gritty. Mark Chiarello, one of the editors, wrote in the introduction about pitching the idea to DC: "Most everyone at DC tells me it won't sell. No one likes black and white comics. No one likes anthologies." The series did go on to be a success and win awards. I will write and add that some of us do like black and white comics when done right, and this series definitely does it right by bringing together a great group of artists. And some of us do like anthologies when they feature good stories. This collection does bring some pretty good writers. I did not give it that fifth star because, like most anthologies, this one did have a story or two that was just so-so. For me, it was often that the story may have been a bit short, maybe I wanted to see more. However, that little detail aside, this is a very solid collection of Batman stories that I think both hard fans and casual readers will enjoy.

I will note that the anthology includes the Neil Gaiman story "A Black and White World," drawn by Simon Bisley, where Batman and Joker are waiting to go "on scene" (like in the old Looney Tunes cartoons). I had read that story elsewhere, but I can't recall where at the moment. Anyhow, it is a favorite of mine. If you have not read it, you should. I think Gaiman did a fun thing with that story. I also enjoyed the Two-Face story. Many of the tales deal with small scenes and vignettes rather than big battles with the big villains. This gives the stories an element of poignancy at times that is a nice and different look, maybe more humane, at the Dark Knight.

I will certainly look forward to the second volume.

A. Rivera reviewed Batman. by Frank Miller

Review of 'Batman.' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

A pretty good collection written by Neil Gaiman. The title story definitely reflects the dream-like quality of story telling that Gaiman is known for. It is a good tale for the final Batman tale. The art is very good as well and suits the story. I did find myself wishing some of the stories the villains told about Batman were longer, or that more people got to tell Batman stories. The book also contains some other tales. The black and white story may be of interest to fans of the old Warner Brothers cartoons, the ones where they did those scenes of characters like Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd waiting behind stage for their turn to perform. This is what you get in the black and white story, only it is Batman and the Joker waiting to go on scene. I found this one particularly amusing. There is also a …

Adrián Astur Álvarez reviewed Batman by Frank Miller (Batman)

Review of 'Batman: Year One' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

I appreciate that this is a different take on the Batman story and I found the portrayal of Lieutenant Gordon very interesting, particularly how his struggle with infidelity paralleled his discovery of a vigilante, but there didn't seem to be many ideas here that extended beyond the lore itself. It is possible that whatever made this novel unique has already been absorbed into the culture through the recent Christopher "I can't handle moral ambiguity" Nolan films. Certainly this is a grittier Batman than the 60s comics. It is entirely possible that my reading is jaded by a sense of having already seen this idea before. Still, it is further evidence of there not being enough depth of theme in the writing.

Terrance reviewed Batman by Frank Miller (Batman)

Review of 'Batman' on Goodreads

4 stars

Frank Miller's vision of an ageing Bruce Wayne once again taking up the mantle of Batman in the near future is one of the most well told and defining points in the Batman mythos. A must read for fans of Batman and comic lovers.

Daniel Andrlik reviewed Batman. by Frank Miller

Review of 'Batman.' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

A fine tribute to Batman and the mythos surrounding him, written with obvious love by Neil Gaiman. It didn't blow my hair back, but its a fine "conclusion" for the Batman story. At least until he inevitably reappears.

HokieGeek reviewed Batman by Frank Miller (Batman)

Review of 'Batman: Year One' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I never knew superheros could be so interesting and deep! I am now a Batman fanatic thanks to Frank Miller and this book. This book also opened up a world of tights for me which I had previously looked down upon. The story is rich and realistic and I couldn't get enough of it!