Customer Reviews

Batman: The Complete History

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Les Daniel's history of the Batman concept as expressed in comic books and strips, television shows (animated and live action) and movies. As a young child I took great delight in the Adam West TV show--blissfully unaware of how really campy it was--the comic books, of course, and all of the Batman paraphernalia that was available in the 1960s. I picked up this book for nostalgia's sake, and did not expect it to be a very sophisticated treatment of the subject. It just looked visually like a lot of fun.

So, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Daniels takes his subject very seriously indeed. He plumbs the cultural antecedents of the Batman concept, and describes its realization in the comic book. He meticulously details the process in which the comic book stories and art for Batman were accomplished over the decades, paying particularly close attention to the key artists and writers involved in the process. He carefully explains the changes--subtle or not--made to the Batman concept over time, and reveals the business and artistic philosophies behind these changes.

It's fascinating to see how this cultural icon evolved over time, like a pendulum moving back and forth from the dark and creepy to the silly and campy. Daniels reveals Batman's role in the 1950s debate over the morality of comic books, and he explains how Batman's creative team sought to deflect criticism that Batman and Robin's relationship was suspect by introducing a "family" for Batman, including a Batgirl and a Batwoman.

Daniels deftly addresses both the art and writing of Batman and the hugely popular cultural phenomenon Batman has been over the decades. It might have been tempting, from a commercial standpoint, to have given a lot more attention to the live action television show and the recent movies, but Daniels treats all manifestations of the Dark Knight rather evenly.

I can understand the concern, expressed by others here, that the busy layout of the book distracts the reader. Admittedly, as I mentioned above, it was that eye candy that attracted me to the book in the first place. And, for me, I did not find all the illustrations and sidebars unpleasant distractions in a book devoted to such a primarily visual topic.

I highly recommend this delightful, and well researched and written book, to all readers who have an undying fondness for the Batman cultural icon.

Highest recommendation possible. I thought the the Batman Collected and Batman: Animated books were enough but I was wrong. The abudance of information on the Batman mythos is unbelievable. An added bonus on the hardcover book is Alex Ross' (Marvels, Kingdom Come, Earth X, Batman: War on Crime) take on the artwork that is shown on the front and back dust cover. Great book for new and/or long-time fans.

I don't know if Batman is easier to identify with because he's just a normal man in a cape instead of an alien with superhuman powers, but there's obviously something human and provoking about the character that has lasted for upwards of 60 years. This book covers it all. It's a great history, particularly the early chapters which illustrate various influences and inspirations on the characters we all grew up with. Particularly fascinating (or freaky, depending on your point of view), is the development of the Joker and his evolution into Batman's perfect foil. The artwork is, of course, top notch and it's great to take a trip back to revisit whatever point in time you started reading the comics. Keep this one on your coffee table and I guarantee every visitor you have will not be able to resist picking it up.

This was a wonderful work by Les Daniels. Plenty of in-depth interviews with Denny O'Neil and the other writers/editors/pencilers, et al, in charge of keeping Batman afloat. The history on the character is priceless, and Daniels well placed photos throughout the book are quite a pleasant distraction. If you are a comic book fan, or a Bat-fan, you MUST get this book.

Les Daniels has written and Chip Kidd has created visually a wonderful book about that wonderful character Batman. It is a complete history and each decade is shown in its origianl bright colours or dark hues or some gorgeous combination of both. Batman is served very well as the author lovingly (yet often critically) looks at the many changes this character has gone through and survived. A particular joy is the first chapter and its look at pulps, the real roots of Batman. The book is also useful in its examination of other media, such as TV, movies and the weird and witty range of merchandise produced to cash in on various Batman crazes. This book is pure pleasure and will result in a joyous nostalgic sugar rush for the lucky reader. A great read.

This book chronicles in great detail the history of the Dark Knight, from his comic book debut in 1939 to the various media incarnations of today. While this book does not include Batman Begins or the Justice League animated series, everything that came before is laid out in vivid detail, with some excellent photographs by collector Chip Kidd, who previously collaborated with author Daniels on Batman: Collected, a book about the various Batman products that have been marketed and sold over the years. This is an excellent item to own for fans of Batman of any age (reading skills desirable). Final grade - A

This book serves as a comprehensive "biography" of Batman's long and wonderful existence looking out for the good folks of Gotham City. From creator Bob Kane's conception of the hero in 1939 to the campy TV series starring the venerable Adam West, up through the more recent movies (good and bad), and the very dark Dark Knight of Frank Miller, no stone is left unturned.

The book covers all phases of the character and his various transformations and includes some excellent comic book art (the book's strength), movie stills and photos of rare and unusual collectibles.

If you're a fan of comic book art or simply love the character as I do, this is an enjoyable and entertaining book.

Like the times, Batman has changed a great deal from his first appearance as a comic book hero. Unlike most other heroes, he has no true super powers, relying on stealth and intelligence to defeat his enemies. While there have been a few occasions when he has resorted to firearms, they have generally been relegated to the incidental and irrelevant. Furthermore, he also has been the superhero who is closest to being mentally ill. He witnessed the murder of both of his parents when very young and that was the impetus that led him to becoming the Batman. His portrayal has also yo-yoed between that of the civic- minded citizen to a dark, brooding near psychopath called the Black Knight.
This history traces through the "life" of Batman, from the first drawings, through all the years of the comic book series, the campy television show, several cartoon shows and a series of major motion pictures. He has truly worn many cowls and capes over the years. The book is also a history of the comics, from the beginning, through the lean years after comics were considered a path to degeneracy, and finally to the resurgence due to the television show and the movies. What I really missed was a chronology of some of the major events, such as a list of the television shows including the guest stars and the major characters in the movies.
While Batman is a significant character in his own right, like so many stories about heroes, it is the power of the villain that makes it interesting. The Batman series is one where the villains are exceptional, both in the comics and the movies. I have seen the Batman movie with Jack Nicholson as the Joker and nearly all the scenes that I remember involve the Joker. Who can ever forget Burgess Meredith as the Penguin, Caesar Romero as the Joker and Frank Gorshin as the Riddler in the television series?
The most schizophrenic of the superheroes, Batman has always exhibited a t least a hint of mental instability. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone who is interested in the life history of this complex character.

There's probably more history to the Batman than one mass market book could ever handle, but Les Daniels comes as close as anyone is ever likely to get to telling the whole story. While Les does race through huge chunks of Batman's career - barely mentioning such important writers as Doug Moench and Marv Wolfman, and not mentioning Don Newton and many other artists - he presents the big picture very well. The wide array of interviews are impressive - how often does Michael Keaton talk about Batman? - and the honest assessment of Batman's mucked-up life during the 1950s and 60s makes Daniels' appreciation of what came later all the more convincing.

Credit is also due to designer Chip Kidd, and to the myriad who helped make the book possible. Want to see Batman collectibles? They're all here, from the early days to the present. How about a story? Three classic Batman tales, including one by Bruce Timm, are here, too.

This book is a treat for Batman fans, and will fill in the blanks for those who just tuned in, and who wonder why us "old-timers" keep talking about Kathy Kane and Ace the Bathound. No-fans will get a kick out of the art and should enjoy the glimpse into what makes a legend most.

Batmans longevity has always been artibuted to him being an icon and his presence today is testament to that from the very first onset appearance way back in 1939 to his very current 2010 apppearance we can only say that he is beyond a chronicled myth in what so many people would inspire to be as a heroic knight. Batman as a story has spanned over half a century and has no inclination of stopping fans from reading him as a caped crusader. He has appeared in comic books TV and motion pictures always ready to suprise and astound people with his amazing aerial acrobatic feats in which he has no special powers besides having a brain that is second to none in deductive reason like sherlock holmes. He is good at hiding his inner feelings of fighting evil like the bat from which he takes his name from. Neal Adams a great writer has personified Batman in which at times makes out to being the very evil that he is fighting a brawler!Batman the Complete History is more than a coffee table book it's a reference book that is packed with knowledge and information that only Batman fans can expect which is excellent. If the history wasn't enough for Batman fans to purchase this book then there is also one complete story in which it is "Two of a Kind"a heartbrockenly sad story about a roguish man's love life torn apart by another woman after having plastic sugery done to him in having his face fully restored from the physical burnt scars which . Obviously attention in this book is paid to the other roguish principal Batman villains as well such as the Joker, Riddler, Penguin and host of other characters. The whole essence of this book in Batmans career is about his creator's lifestory in creating batman which is Bob Kane and Frank Miller's lifestory as well is included in creating batman. This is a well researched and illustrated book reading this book as a fan of batman can only enhance the appreciation of him that we have all come to know and love from fans of the heroic character and will continue to do so as well in the end.