Customer Reviews

BATMAN: FACES

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Having read Wagner's most recent Batman entries (Monster Men and Mad Monk, highly recommended!), I was anxious to get my hands on anything else this guy had done, specifically anything involving Batman. I was finally able to track down the out of print Faces, which was previously printed as three issues in Legends of the Dark Knight. While this is my least favorite Batman story he's created, I still found it worth the long search.

Faces deals with Two-Face and his attempts to create a "deformity nation" on a secluded island. Wagner's version of Two-Face looks great, while his Batman is not quite as polished as he has been more recently, he still looks good as does the rest of the artwork. Wagner's style looks very much like an old film noir in color with his excellent use of shadows and his covers are always pleasing to the eye.

There are some good secondary characters in here as well that we get to know but don't make appearances beyond this trade. I usually prefer a longer more in depth character study (The Long Halloween is a personal favorite) but Wagner is smart by restraining himself and not going off in too many directions. He does in 3 issues what might take other skilled writers 6 issues to do.

If you're a Two-Face fan it's worth checking out, however I still prefer TLH as the definitive Two-Face tale, and I also prefer the previously mentioned Wagner Bat books.

The way the art and story of this novel combine to form a uniquely immersive and powerful story is amazing. This book is symbolica and provocative. The images in it will stay with you long after you're done reading. this is one of first batman novels

Just a short review: Batman takes on Two Face, who concocts a plot in which he recruits or conscripts a slew of others with deformities (think classic circus freaks) for his own personal nation. The thing that pushes it from a rather odd, surreal book to a memorable one is the climax, which I'll just say BRUTALLY takes Two Face's supposed 'justification' for his insanity and throws it in his face.

I suppose why I appreciate it is that while some may find it exploititave of those with abnormalities, it actually addresses and repudiates something that's bugged me about the 'scarred villain' cliche. I know plenty of people with severe scars and abnormalities, physical and mental, who nonetheless live fulfilled, happy lives, probably more than a typical person. The idea that the acid thrown in his face is the sole reason for Harvey Dent's evil turn doesn't sit well with me. This book suggests it really revealed his true character.

I've never read a Matt Wagner comic before and I was pleasently surprised by the first encounter. I found the story to be very entertaining and a little different then most stories in the genre. I enjoyed the duality displayed througout the book. I was also very impressed with the art. It was very fun to view each panel, which says a lot because I'm usually one who just blows right by the art without paying much attention. This may sound odd, but I really enjoyed the lettering as well. One of the first times I really appreciated how the layout was and how there was different lettering for different characters/voices. Very enjoyable overall.

The way the art and story of this novel combine to form a uniquely immersive and powerful story is amazing. This book is symbolica and provocative. The images in it will stay with you long after you're done reading.

Batman: Faces, is Matt Wagner's first attempt at a Batman story, and it is a decent one, however it lacks the punch of say The Dark Knight Returns, or The Long Halloween, however, Wagner's stunning artwork is what helps Batman: Faces remain in the mind of the reader, long after the book is finished. If you enjoy either Grendel of Batman, and are looking for something to read, pick this up, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. Peace.

Although Matt Wagner is better known for his Mage comic, Grendel stories and Grendel future universe, he wrote some other good stuff, this one being no exception.

Why four stars? I love detective story and this is as close as it can be to Sherlock Holmes stories, and art is real good. You don't have to know who is Dent, who is Batman or whatever, story makes you read it slow and enjoy if you're fan of detective story OR good comic in general.

this story is basically about two-face wanting to start a nation for deformed people. bleh.

heros: batman, alfred, Jim gordan.

villans: two-face.