Customer Reviews

Batman: A Death in the Family (Batman (Prebound))

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

It has been said that there are three milestones in the modern age of Batman:

1.The death of Thomas and Martha Wayne.
2.The alliance of Batman with the newly christened Robin, Dick Grayson.
3.The death of Robin II, Jason Todd.

Chip Kidd mentions in his book "Batman Collected" that the name Todd echoes in the German word "Tod" which means death. It is no irony that Jason Todd represents loss and tragedy in the DC universe and he is remembered as a boy who fought in a man's war against crime.

While many of the tragedies of Bat-lore are based on villains' origins, the impact of this story is heavily weighed upon a not-so-righteous Robin. Fan never bonded much with Jason, a hotheaded youth who grew up fending for himself on the streets of Gotham. His nature vs. nurture instinct left him with little sympathy for criminals. (He once pushed a rapist off a roof to his death.) This is not to say that all streetwise parentless children are juvenile delinquents but in the case of Jason Todd, Batman was unable to successfully channel his inner rage into the more positive goal of Robin.

"Death in the Family" unfolds as Jason goes off to Ethiopia in search of his long-lost mother. Bruce follows him and the two are caught up in a deadly battle of terrorists, betrayal, and the Joker. Despite Bruce's warnings, Jason's desire for truth blinds him from practical self-defense and he is lured into a trap before being beaten half to death by the Joker. Batman rushes to save him but it's too late and the Boy Wonder is finally annihilated in an exploding warehouse. The scene of a defeated Batman clutching Jason's bloodied body covered in tattered red and green rags is one of the most powerful iconic moments in all of DC's stories.

The Joker's influence in Iran is a bit far fetched and has annoyed fans for its almost ridiculous stereotypes, but it only serves to channel the story along. After Batman returns to Gotham and buries Jason's body he discovers that his archenemy is rising up in the ranks of foreign alliance. Superman has to intervene to prevent Batman from bringing the wrong vengeance down for Jason's death.

What made "Death in the Family" so powerful and a controversial best seller?

Answer: The fans.

DC allowed readers to call in by phone for two days to vote on Jason's outcome of the story: live or die. By a narrow margin in the ratings of fellow fans around the country, he was given thumbs down. I have heard in the world of the media, "There is no such thing as bad publicity". Hate mail did rain down on DC comics for doing this but the scenario just a small taste of how much of an influence the readers truly have on the outcome of a story.

The story telling is adequate but what makes "Death in the Family" so influential is its titanic tragedy. Robin has been a part of the Bat-mythos since 1940 and his relationship with Batman has always not only been that of a mentor and a student, but as a father and a son.

This book IS controversial but I believe DC knew they were taking a risk from the start. Those that read this story should be getting more out of it than a thrill or being disappointed if they don't like it. "Death in the Family" is a powerful reminder of the larger plan that works in the graphic novel market of a modern age audience. This story is one of the darkest of all dark stories, which says much for a serious hero like Batman whose origins are rooted in the death of his parents. The death of a surrogate son remains a stirring memorial in the Bat Cave where Jason's uniform hangs in a crystal case. The inscription reads, "In memory of Jason Todd. A good soldier."

If the story leaves you feeling downtrodden and depressed, I recommend reading "A Hero Reborn" next as an uplifting tale of how the mantle of Robin found worthy hands in Tim Drake, the third Boy Wonder and the current one to date. For another brooding but even more bewildering and thrilling story, "Under the Hood" is a recent work of fiction by Jud Winick. It brings about a question that has haunted Batman for over 16 years now: "What if Jason was never meant to die?"

The book renders the tale in which the second Robin, Jason Todd, meets his end at the hands of a notorious villain. Understanding some of the current Batman storylines requires knowledge of this event.
The death in the family that the title describes molds the Batman character into what he is today; extremely reluctant to work with partners and overprotective of the two family members he still has.
Strangely, this event reminds me of why Batman is truly a hero. Only he must pay the price for his one-man war on crime; casualties are unacceptable. He is willing to sacrifice himself completely to the task of cleaning up and protecting Gotham, he is not arrogant or cruel enough to manipulate others to do his bidding, however. This is his burden, and no one elses'. I think it is more of necessity than choice that he does work with anyone else.
This book also reminds me of one of the things that most angered me about DC in this era; I wish they had just retired the second Robin because of his recklessness. In fact, that is what Bruce considers before Todd's life is cut short. So perhaps that complaint is overblown, but this will always remain Bruce Wayne's and Batman's, darkest day. Keep that in mind when you decide whether or not to get this.

To begin with, let's give massive kudos to DC Comics for having the guts to tell this story. It sent Batman down a path even more guilt-ridden than his previous one and eventually led to the creation of a real balancing force in Tim Drake, the current (and best) Robin. Although the gimmick of allowing readers to call in and vote for letting Jason Todd live or killing him off seems sort of callow, it did gain this story serious attention, attention that it deserved. However (and perhaps this is the DVD fan in me) I feel sort of a pang of guilt that we've never seen the alternate ending for this story, the one where Jason survived. DC had both endings ready to go to the printer, just waiting for the response to come in... is there any reason we couldn't have included that alternate chapter in this collection? Heck, even if they stuck an "Elseworlds" label on that chapter, it would be fine with me. Something to consider, DC, the next time this book goes to print.

Well, there certainly isn't anything blantantly WRONG with this story. In fact, the end of it is fairly spectacular. Its the set up that bothers me.

While I find it interesting that Robin wants to find his mother, I don't see why 90% of the story needs to be about Iranian terrorists and not Robin. While we should be getting a last look into Robin's soul, we instead see a bunch of guys with cloths over their heads shooting at him. Joker's elaborate "scheme" seems pointless and stupid, even for the Joker. Worst of all his plan is waaay too convenient for the purposes of the story.

But as I said, the ending was well done. By the end of the story I knew what fate I would have chosen for Robin (kill the twerp!) but it was still sad to see him go. So if you, like me, truly need to see the death of Robin, then go ahead and pick this up. For what you pay for it, it is definently worth it.

A few years back I read the trade "A Death in the Family" and I remember being mildly dissapointed. Even when it is a definitive point in time where Batman world change I found it kind of silly in some parts.
i heard before of "A Lonely place of Diying" too but I was reluctant to buy it. Old fashion comics wasn't good for me so I decided to let it go.

UNTIL... I found this new edition named "A Death in the Family (DC Comics Classic Library)" that contain both stories, I JUST GOT TO HAVE IT!.

I love it from begining to end, from the dustjacket to the beautiful red hardcover on the book. The inside was improved too. The paper is thick, and (seems to me) is kind of recolored, or the ink make perfect match with the paper because I just can't remember "Death..." was so colorful.

Anyway, even when the first story is silly at parts, is compensate by the second story that tells Tim Drake's origin. There is an introduction and epiloge, and as a final dish is the alternate end for "Death in the Family" were Jason Todd actually lives. well, to be fair that's not actually that big of a deal. It is only one panel that change. Still...

My only complaint is the price. Although is a pretty cool package, is kind of expensive for me. Still I don't regret it.

A DEATH IN THE FAMILY is a decent story that follows the events that lead to the death of the 2nd Robin, Jason Tood; his death; and the immediate aftershocks. The story isn't too bad, but does contain a few plot holes which are overlooked by the very strong ending. For the most part the art is average, though there are a few scenes that stick in one's mind long after the book has been put down.The comic became one of the most famous Batman comics of all time for three reasons. One, readers decided the fate of story. Two, a major character was killed off; something that was quite rare in the DC universe up to that point. Finally, the death of Jason Todd effects Batman even to the present day; he has become haunted by his death almost as much as he has been haunted by the death of his parents.As a side note, this comic first appeared in the middle 1980's when tensions between the U.S. and Lebanon were still quite hostile (they still had some American hostages) and that tension forms the background of the comic.

First, my quibbles: This is very much a post-Iran/Contra scandal novel, complete with a guest appearane of everyone's favourite arab fundamentalist leader, and stereotyped arabic revolutionaries galore. Carboard cut outs of characters lifted from the collective consciousness of the western world rarely make for affective drama. Another quibble: The story doesn't really take off until part four, when Jason finds his mother. Before then, the tale is episodic and poorly plotted, with little foreshadowing as to the upcoming danger. The inclusion of Lady Shiva seems a bit pointless. Pros: Jason's sudden and unexpected death is both sudden and brutally affective. Jason does not even recieve the expected "dying words of friendship scene" expected by most western readers. He is just dead. The Joker, too, and Batman's obsession with him is handled superbly...the moment when Joker stops and simply stares at the scowling Bruce Wayne is wonderfully suggestive...is the bond between these two so great that they can simply recognise one another...with or without the mask? Ultimately, it is an essential read purely for Jason's death, but is a descent and entertaining read in and of itself.

So it's Wednesday and I hear someone calling at the door, I go to check it out and I realized it's the mailman with my first amazon order, it's kind of special because i'm from Chile and I have never done this before.

So the first thing I do is to see if it was the right product. It was, then I started to carefully reading it and suddenly all the memories of reading this when I was a child on a lousy Spanish edition came back rushing to me. I simply love this story, and to have it on a edition this awesome and in English it's just plain great.

For those of you who are still having doubts about buying it, you need to consider the following aspects:

1) It has a red hardcover protected by a nice printed cover that's shown on the picture of this Item.
2) It has the whole story, you can smell the 90's on this edition.
3) And i'm from Chile, so if I got it here, you can get it anywhere.

It's a must if you know anything about Batman, besides if you already have a "Killing Joke Hardcover Edition", like myself, having this new hardcover story realizing what important event happened to Batman after that, this is just your ITEM.

Thx. Amazon.

DC Comics used a cheap promotional tool - a fan poll - as a means to "determine" what should be done with the second Robin, Jason Todd.

Turning a story line into a typical means for a radio station to give listeners "ownership" in shows yielded Todd paying the ultimate price for his brashness and bold steps into vigilantism, no matter the end results for Batman. The geopolitical angle with the Joker is silly, but the way the iconic villain meticulously sets a trap for Robin is brilliant, as it plays on the worst aspects of an ego that cannot be dismissed as youthful exuberance to do the right thing.

The feelings of Bruce Wayne/Batman truly slice into the soul of someone who understands the slippery slope of allowing raw emotions to determine actions while in the line of duty. But was everything done by the Dark Knight to prevent the steps to death?

Though this volume is not be a complete picture to the hype - that won't happen until the company releases the alternative finish for the vote - it is a compelling story that gave the (slim majority of) voters what they wanted....in a compelling story.

I purchase this product off of ebay for a similar price. I enjoy the volume, but I will admit that this volume is only for a select audience that knows a lot about Batman and Jason Todd. With that said here are the reasons to buy this book. If these reasons do not apply to you then do not buy it. If they do then you will enjoy it very much

1. It is a major story development in Batman history. This is the first Robin that died while in Batman's care. The Robins are like Batman's son and to witness his death and knowing it was his fault is scarring. This event can be more scarring then watching your parents get murder and then dressing up likes a bat to fight criminals at night... So get this volume for posterity.

2. If you read Batman: Under the Hood, Vol. 1, Batman: Under the Hood, Vol. 2, Batman: Battle for the Cowl, Batman and Robin, or anything with Jason Todd in it. Also for those who enjoyed Batman: Under the Red Hood (Two-Disc Special Edition).

3. To witness the death of Robin.

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