Customer Reviews

Batman Illustrated, Vol. 2

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

 

 

As a fan of the work of Neal Adams, it pains me to say that this book is almost ruined by Mr. Adams own modern re-coloring efforts. I respect his idea to re-color using modern technology, however his coloring style and technique seems amateur compared to most professional comics colored today. He disrespects his own line work and rendering abilities by over-shading every last detail with blurry, ultra blended, and overly dark color. No panel is left untouched. Areas where a flat color would be ideal, Mr. Adams chooses the opposite route-even going so far as to adding photographs (of clouds and moons, etc.) and using a number of bad Photoshop filters. Luckily, the numberous cover illustrations scattered throughout the book seem to be somewhat spared from this insanity.

As for the comments by "alex" about the over-saturation of the colors-I think this is actually a result of the paper stock (ONE OF THE GOOD POINTS OF THIS BOOK IS THE PAPER USED-a wonderfully textured uncoated stock). Had this book been properly colored, the effect would have been gorgeous. What a shame.

I really hate to criticize one of my heros this way, however I think it's important for this criticism to be voiced. If enough people complain, perhaps Neal will leave the coloring to the pros in subsequent volumes.

It reprints all of the Neal Adams stories in chronological order. Vol #2 includes Detective Comics #393-411, Batman #217,219-222,224-227,229-231, Brave and the Bold #88-90,93,95, and World's Finest #199,200,202.

I'm not sure if they fixed this, but will I not recommmend this second volume. the colors inside are just too saturated and overpower neal adams wonderful artwork. This is a shame since most Adams recent reprinted works have been pretty good (Deadman collection and Batman volume one). I would think that this is a printing error on DC's part as the colors look too dark for me and artwork gets lost sometimes; I maybe wrong though.
What's most interesting is this volume has not been selling in my area; in fact it went on sale not too long ago; the shop had so many these. it may be a neal adams book, but if it's not done right well watch out.

Okay, here's the scoop. I have been collecting comics for over 35 years. I have all of the individual books that are in this volume (as well as volumes 1 and 3). All of the stories are now collected together.

1) This compilation of Batman stories and covers is outstanding.

2) The new coloring is gorgeous.

3) To younger comic fans exposed to the current field of writers and artists: if you want to see THE definitive Batman, that is, how a comic book story should be told and drawn, buy this volume. Period.

I got my copy and have none of the descibed problems of oversaturation of colors, etc... Yes, these are not the original colors, but modern computer coloring and rendered backgrounds, however, they look as good as any current comic. Although I grew up with the originals, I think it is kind of neat seeing them this way. NOTE: Mine is NOT a first edition. Perhaps they corrected the problem with later printings.

Comics in the 70s produced more muted colors than today's standard, probably because of the printing methods and paper quality. Flesh tones were generally of a light pinkish white (but could end up looking kinda jaundiced if you got a bad copy or the comic didn't age well). The colors for the reprints are glaring neon, with the flesh tones a bright orange. Sheesh, did Bruce Wayne join the Jersey Shore cast?

And the kicker to all this is that the stories themselves aren't particularly good. The mood is right, that great transition back to the creature of the night, not Batman but The Batman. But the plotting/characterization/logic is hit-or-miss. So it's the artwork that has to carry the day. Had the original work been reproduced correctly, it would more than amply do that. Adams' work is gorgeous, true art. But this reprint is a pictorial botch.

Concession #1: I'm a huge fan, I've bought all three and I'll probably never give them up...unless I can track down all the original issues or DC does a better job with a re-release later on. The paper quality is nice, and better than the glossy stuff the hardback reprints of series runs are produced in.

Concession #2: Since the color format here is identical to that of most contemporary comics, readers under 30 might not be bothered by the change.

Neal Adams is a genius and his Batman work from the late 60s is unmatched. But why did nobody stop the man 'update' his original artwork with cheesy new computer coloring? It's so bad, I can't read this, as much as I want to. The pencils & inks are dynamic, stylish and great as ever, but the new coloring makes everything look like a kiddie manga. This is so sad!

This stories hooked me up to Batman the rest of my life. This is the Batman we all love. The stories and art are the core of the film we enjoy today.