Batman: Noel

OK, you want me to tell you a story? Batman: Noel is quite a graphic novel. It takes a tip from Charles Dickens and creates its own version of "A Christmas Carol," minus the ghosts. It is a commentary on the Dark Knight, a vigilante who tends to cross the line that others would fear to cross (Gordon said that). It's a narrative piece, where someone (we find out who at the end) is telling his kid a story, about Scrooge (Batman) and how he meets three people who make him take a look at his life and make some changes. As the novel says, some people need a wake-up call like getting hit with a baseball bat before they change! The hint of Christmas is muted in favor of a story of a guy (Bob) who is running some money for the Joker. The Batman jumps on Bob in his search for the Clown of Crime. The Bats has a run-in with Catwoman (who is nicely drawn) and Superman. The final confrontation with the Joker is meaningful and exciting in its storyline and art. Lee Bermejo draws some great panels. His use of shadow and light and conveying mood and mystery is really exciting. If I could nitpick, it's in the way he throws sweat and spit around. It's a good device to use, but it's over and over again to a point where the "spit" loses interest for me! Lee also wrote the story and the man really has a talent for the written word. Minimal, yet keeps it informal and interesting. Bottom Line: This is NOT an adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It's a deep, dark and sometimes frightening look at a man who has crossed the line and has lost all hope in his quest to beat down the criminal element and "reduce the criminal surplus population!" It's a story that a man can change with some conviction and some tough love! Highly recommended.

You know the story of "A Christmas Carol." Even if you've never read the original book by Charles Dickens (which you absolutely should), you know this story. You know this story because EVERYONE has done a version of this story. Disney, the Muppets, the Looney Toons, just to name a few of the stranger (but well done) versions. Add "Batman:Noel" to that list. Easily the best thing about this book is the artwork. Put Lee Bermejo up against someone like Jim Lee, Ivan Reis, or Greg Capulo, and he will hold his own. This book is just gorgeous to look at. The realistic artwork is just beautiful in almost every panel. The backgrounds are extremely detailed, giving Gothom a Gothic appearance (which it should have had from the beginning, if you think about it). (Be warned now: there is one panel of Tim's face that, while well drawn, is terrifying. Sometimes more realistic is not the best choice. It is one panel, but it's worth mentioning.) But never fear: Bermejo is almost as good a writer as he is an artist. Drawing from the source material when necessary, this is a story with a double meaning. Batman is portrayed as both the Dark Knight, and himself being Scrooge. The narration, taking place over the story of Batman hunting down the Joker, gives the impression that Batman is so focused on solving crimes, he's forgotten a bit of his humanity. The way the story is told is fantastically done. You have to buy "Batman:Noel." It is one of the best comics I've read, and a great Christmas story to boot. Seriously, go buy it. Why are you still reading this? Why haven't you bought this book yet?!

Batman Noel is a spectacular graphic novel. First, the art is amazing. It is dynamic and really contrasts between lights and shadows. I've seen some different Batman art forms and this is one of my favorites. Not only that, but the other characters in the novel (I won't give any away) are drawn and colored to really show off their personalities, which greatly enhances their role in the novel. They go from static, side characters to containing a sense of depth that can only come from great art. ***Minor Spoiler*** As Batman is displayed at different times in his life, the art even goes the extra mile to show his personality and disposition which adds a lot to the story. Speaking of the story, I am hard pressed to not say that the story in Batman Noel is one of the better graphic novels I have read in a long time (which makes me feel a little bit like a traitor because I am a huge fan of Superman and I even enjoyed Batman Noel a little more than the recent novels I have read with Superman). I won't give any details away about the plot or overall story line, but the creativity that went into showing Batman and Charles Dickins side by side blew my mind. It seems kind of silly to put Batman and A Christmas Carol together but somehow this just works in Batman Noel and makes for an excellent read. You don't even need to know a lot about Batman to be able to pick up the novel and read it, so those unfamiliar or new to Batman should not be discouraged. I strongly suggest that anyone interested in Batman picks up this amazing novel and gives it a try. I seriously doubt you will be disappointed.

Awesome storyline and keeps you guessing

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Great art. Super interesting take on Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Ottima storia del cavaliere oscuro, che lo vede protagonista di una rivisitazione riuscitissima del famoso "A Christmas Carol" di Charles Dickens. La storia, narrata in terza persona da un tirapiedi del Joker, vede Batman (che riveste i panni dello Scrouge di Dickens) durante la notte di Natale affrontare tre "fantasmi" che lo porteranno a riflettere sulle conseguenze delle sue azioni. Disegni e colori meravigliosi!

Dibujo impresionante. Historia entretenida.