Customer Reviews

Batman Animated

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Who best to write a book about this justifiably award-winning animated series than one of the series writer/producers--Paul Dini (who wrote one of my favorite episodes--"Heart of Ice")? And with graphic designer Chip Kidd involved, you have a book that looks great on the coffee table. The best word I can use to describe this book is "thorough." It contains superlative art in full color, storyboards, character designs, in-house memos, licensed products, an episode guide from the animated series, plus great information on why the series was created, why the censors said no to certain aspects, as well as facts about the movies based on the series (SUBZERO, MASK OF THE PHANTASM). My only complaint is that the book isn't longer. But that's not the authors' fault. They put together such a great book, you'll want as much insight into the creation of this series as you can get (like a good DVD provides). And these guys deliver! This is a great "backstage" look for fans of the series.

I really was blown away by how meticulously put-together this book was. Besides the animation being great, this documentive source included everything from the episode guide title cards, merchandise (including ice cream and bubblegum cards), storyboards, character concepts, and a hell of a lot more! It also includes a great photo of Bruce Timm's drawing desk- complete with all the references he uses such as G.I. Joes & knick knacks. Color photos are adorned throughout, but besides that, there are also great stories of what the animation department went through with the head leaders of Warner Bros. There is even a charicature drawing that includes everything that the animators were restricted to draw (a nude, smoking Catwoman, a boozin' Joker, Batman strangling his foe, etc- it's really a treat!)
Even if you've had the misfortunate of not being familiar with this cartoon series, owning this book will make you realize how much effort is needed to create something this vast, and how much more we need to practice to ever reach this level!

A spectacular inside view of what went into one of the best animated series ever created, full of paintings, musings, mechandise, idea sketches for the show and movies, etc. I enjoyed most reading about what they were forced to cut for a tv audience, and seeing the beautiful title cards that open each show. I bought this a few years back and I am still finding new things to pour over. I dislike 'Batman Beyond', though, thankfully they don't waste much time on that show.

Forget your Picassos, Van Goughs and Warhols; as this book shows so beautifully, Bruce Timm is THE artist of the century!!! Every page is absolutely packed with the most gorgeous piccies this side of the Cistine Chapel!!! Breathless hyperbole aside, this is a really stunning book, with plenty of interesting behind- the- scenes info and unseen sketches which make it a must for any animation student or Batfan. Looking at the early character designs next to shots from the latest series show just how far this show has evolved. Well worth your money.

Now if only an Aussie network would screen the last series... and SUPERMAN... and BATMAN BEYOND...

This book is brilliant and amazing. Finally all my answers about this popular TV shows have been answered.What I love about this book is that we all get to see the secrets about how and why this program be came so popular and forever will be embeded into television history. Final comments to Paul Dini, Bruce Timm and all those brains behind BTAS,one of the most entertaining books I've read in years and PLEASE! come out with another book like this one. To Kevin Conroy, baby, you're the greatest!

This book is alright but it wasn't quite what I was expecting, so far I've only read about 75% of it and it does have a few notable flaws. There are loads of pictures which is great! but it seems a bit short on written info for its size and some of its content is little more than character descriptions with a few little titbits thrown in so if you've already watched the series and are already familiar with its characters some pages will seem a little pointless. Do not make the mistake of thinking this is a comprehensive "making of" book it collects a number of turnarounds, character art, and storyboards with some interesting facts but it reads more like an artbook with commentary more than anything. As far as design is concerned I was quite disappointed: there are whole pages dedicated to a single Image of a toy that in turn is mostly obscured by darkness and it's not uncommon for text to be lost in samples of background art or just made difficult to read for one reason or another, it also contains pages that fold out to A3 where an extra page would have worked just as well and the cover on my copy "slipped" out of place quite easily without any amount of rough handling at all.

For any batman fan, this is a must have book. There is not a question about it! All batman fans without this is a nobody. If batman is your idol, if you like him, if you would do anything for him, just get this book, PERIOD!

As a tutor in 3D animation at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, also a person who loves to draw and read comics the Batman Animated book is one of the best books I have bought. A lot of examples of drawings and storyboards come with the book which is great, also the information of the problems they had while making the animated series and ways they fixed it was very interesting. This book is great to buy if you want to look at pictures or if you want info on the series. two thumbs up.

As a designer this book has one of the richest layouts Ive ever seen in a book of its genera. As a fan, you cant find a more complete collection of visuals and concepts about the animated series in one volume. Now, if they would only do the same with Batman Beyond. Hint Hint.

This is a very well done book. It has information about the serries that you probably never knew about. It has wonderful picture of the backgrounds and characters. It show the past and the future of the serries. You have to get this book. If you want to draw the characters, this is the book to get because it show all the characters (except a few, oh well).