Gearing Up for Batman: Graphic Novel Grabbers for Movie Fans

Christian Bale once again dons the legendary cape and cowl for the lead role in The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13), scheduled for release by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 20 in traditional and IMAX theaters. Following on the heels of Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2008), the movie marks the much-anticipated conclusion to director Christopher Nolan’s renowned film trilogy, which features a darkly realistic and emotionally nuanced incarnation of the iconic DC Comics character originally created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939. When Gotham is terrorized by a new menace, a formidable villain named Bane (Tom Hardy), Batman must return to protect the city he loves. Anne Hathaway joins the cast as the enigmatic Selina Kyle, otherwise known as Catwoman, and a number of actors reprise their roles, including Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne’s butler and confidante; Gary Oldman as Gotham City Police Department Commissioner Gordon; and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, head honcho of Wayne Enterprises and gadget-designer extraordinaire.

Teens can visit the movie’s official website to check out action-and explosion-packed video previews, peruse a gallery of full-color film photos, and download movie poster images for their desktops and mobile devices. They can also try their hand at “The Fire Rises,” an online strategy game that casts participants in the role of one of Bane’s underlings with the mission of looting and pillaging Gotham City while evading police. YAs interested in more information can cruise over to the Batman Wiki to access in-depth character profiles, overviews of movie plots, info about TV shows and video games, a look at Batman’s decades-old comic-book history, and more. Crammed with click-on cross references, this fan-created site is illustrated with artwork reproductions, photos, and videos.

Great Reads for Batman-iacs

The opening of The Dark Knight Rises is sure to fuel interest in all things Batman and inspire teens to seek out the source material. Consider shoring up your Caped Crusader comics collections by purchasing and/or displaying these fan-grabbing titles.

Get the Big Picture

Daniel Wallace’s Batman: The World of the Dark Knight (DK, 2012; Gr 7 Up), a handsome volume jam-packed with full-color artwork, introduces the crime-fighting paragon and navigates through more than seven decades of comic-book history. After recounting the character’s creation and his 1939 comic-book premiere, eye-catching spreads delve into topics such as Batman’s suit, utility belt, weapons, gadgets, lair, and vehicles with a combination of lively text, captioned artwork, and diagrams and cutaways. Other sections cover the hero’s origin tale, mental and physical prowess, fighting style and training regime, and civilian persona. Character profiles highlight a large cast of villains and allies along with Batman’s love interests and superhero team affiliations. A six-page illustrated timeline listing career milestones is followed by chronological chapters that recount important story arcs and outline the character’s evolution through the years and adaptations to changing times and cultural trends. Summaries of key comic-book issues provide a glimpse of each work’s plot and art and explain its importance to the Batman body of work. Throughout, dazzling reproductions of full-color comic-book artwork are presented on attractively designed layouts. Movie fans will enjoy stepping into Batman’s universe, while comics devotees will find this a useful and informative resource.

Graphic Novels: Movie Inspirations and Batman Classics

Frank Miller ushered in a gritty and graphic new era for the Caped Crusader in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (DC Comics, 2002 ed.; Gr 10 Up), originally published in 1986. The cowl-wearing crime fighter has been off the radar for 10 years, but the reappearance of several old enemies in a Gotham now rampant with violence compels a gray-haired but still-determined Bruce Wayne to once again take on his role as protector of the city. Despite negative attention from the news media, a new police commissioner who brands him a vigilante, and a citizenry that has become complacent, Batman bravely weathers an onslaught of cataclysmic events and proves that there’s still a place for heroes. The script’s strong characterizations and emotional underpinnings make this searing work as much a psychological study as an action tale, and the illustrations, whether zooming in to depict the media’s talking heads or pulling out to delineate dynamic good-versus-evil confrontations, are just as dramatic.

Equally dark in tone and reader-riveting, Miller’s Batman: Year One (originally published 1986-1987; DC Comics, 2012 ed.; Gr 10 Up) explores the Caped Crusader’s origins, reinterpreted to reflect a sense of down-and-dirty realism. The story is set in a Gotham besieged by street crime and crooked politicians, but not yet threatened by costumed super-villains. Parallel tales unfold as a driven but inexperienced Bruce Wayne learns through trial and error how to reach his objective of becoming “the greatest crimefighter the world has ever known” and Jim Gordon spends his eye-opening first year on a police force blighted by corruption. As the plot twists and turns, it soon becomes clear that both individuals are set on a course that will result in an invaluable alliance. Saturated with atmospheric shadows and vividly drawn details, the warm-hued artwork looks spectacular in this deluxe edition, which also includes a lengthy section of reproductions and commentary by illustrator David Mazzucchelli.

Presented in two hefty action-packed paperback volumes, Batman: Knightfall (DC Comics, 2012; Gr 10 Up) collects together the “Detective Comics” story arc (originally published 1993-1994) that first introduced the new movie’s antagonist. Bane is a towering and terrifying hulk of a man whose physical abilities and mental prowess are enhanced by a constant supply of the super-steroid Venom. After escaping from Pena Duro prison, he arrives in Gotham with an ingenious plan to destroy the Caped Crusader. By freeing all of Arkham Asylum’s villains (the Joker and a cavalcade of other crazies), he unleashes a tidal wave of crime on the city, pushing an already beleaguered Batman to his mental and physical limit. In an epic battle, Bane breaks the exhausted hero, tossing him off a skyscraper and leaving him seriously injured and emotionally devastated. Slowly recovering under the care of Robin and Alfred, Batman asks Jean Paul Valley (Azreal) to don the cape and cowl to protect his beloved city, but will this ruthless new Dark Knight go too far? Muscle-bound and filled with bright colors, the artwork depicts the story’s high-octane action along with its emotional nuances. With a whirlwind of bad guys both well-known and newly minted, numerous plots and subplots, and a bounty of dramatic battle scenes, this sequence will appeal to teens who like their storytelling fast-paced and fiery.

Originally published in 13 issues (1996-1997), Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s outstanding Batman: The Long Halloween (DC Comics, 2011; Gr 10 Up) harks back to the hero’s crime-combating beginnings, as he forms an alliance with Commissioner Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent to take on mobster Carmine “the Roman” Falcone. There’s also an elusive serial killer on the loose with a penchant for celebrating monthly holidays with violent homicides. Appearances by colorful characters such as the Joker and Poison Ivy are cleverly integrated into the plot, but the real focus is on the murder mystery and the changing relationship between the three men. Both the storytelling and artwork have a film-noir feel, and the dialogue balances perfectly with the slick, shadow-infused images to propel the action forward and fortify the suspense. This edition includes a Q&A with movie creators Nolan and David S. Goyer and a gallery of covers with commentary from the author and artist.

Also penned by Loeb, Batman: Hush (originally published 2002-2003; DC Comics, 2009 ed.; Gr 10 Up) underscores the Dark Knight’s sharp-honed detective skills, as he tracks down a new villain who’s manipulating his deadliest enemies-and his most-trusted allies-like pawns on a chessboard as part of a revenge-seeking master plan. Meanwhile, the loner in cape and cowl finds himself falling for Catwoman, but can he truly trust her? Marked by inner conflicts and opaque motivations, the characters are multidimensional, and the plot is nimbly orchestrated to play the mystery to the hilt. Utilizing fine-etched lines, verdant colors, and a kaleidoscope of shifting perspectives, the artwork presents a graceful visual ballet of action-packed sequences and emotion-filled close-ups. This gripping tale will challenge teen’s intellects while satisfying their need for speed.

In 2011, DC Comics relaunched its entire line of monthly superhero comics, restarting each series with a new issue #1. Batman: The Court of Owls: Volume 1 (DC Comics, 2012; Gr 10 Up), written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo, collects together the first seven installments in the new “Batman” run. Masterfully plotted and well-paced, the adventure effectively blends old-school elements with updated touches. Like most Gotham residents, Batman has often heard rumors about the legendary Court of Owls—a cabal that has allegedly ruled the city in secret for years, dispatching the deadly Talon to vanquish its enemies—but dismisses the tales as unfounded; after all, no one knows the ins and outs of Gotham like he does. However, when a razor-clawed assassin begins to attack civic leaders, he must re-examine his beliefs—and eventually fight for his life and his sanity—while digging into dangerous mysteries that are intimately intertwined with the history of Gotham and his own family. An intrinsic part of the Batman mythology, Gotham itself joins the cast of well-developed characters, becoming an enigmatic and influential presence in the story. The tale is enhanced by a lineup of new villains and freshly imagined familiar players (including several generations of Robins), examples of new-and-cool technology, and moments of delightfully deadpan humor. Lyrical writing, crisp and colorful artwork, satisfying action scenes, and a meaty mystery make for an impossible-to-put-down read.

Publication Information

WALLACE, Daniel. Batman: The World of the Dark Knight. DK. 2012. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-9249-0.

MILLER, Frank. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. illus. by author. with Klaus Janson & Lynn Varley. DC Comics. 2002 ed. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-1-56389-342-1.

_____. Batman: Year One: Deluxe Edition. illus. by David Mazzucchelli. DC Comics. 2012. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-3342-6.

MOENCH, Doug, Chuck Dixon, & Alan Grant. Batman: Knightfall: Volume One. illus. by Jim Aparo et al. DC Comics. 2012. pap. $29.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-3379-2.

MOENCH, Doug, Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, & Jo Duffy. Batman: Knightfall: Volume Two: Knightquest. illus. by Graham Nolan et al. DC Comics. 2012. pap. $29.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-3536-9.

LOEB, Jeph. Batman: The Long Halloween. illus. by Tim Sale. DC Comics. 2011. pap. $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-3259-7.

_____. Batman: Hush. illus. by Jim Lee. DC Comics. 2009. pap. $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-2317-5.

SNYDER, Scott. Batman: The Court of Owls: Volume 1. illus. by Greg Capullo. DC Comics. 2012. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-3541-3.