Customer Reviews

Batman: Knightfall

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Batman: Knightfall" was primarily adapted from the story serialized in Batman #488-510, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #16-30, Detective Comics #656-677, Legends of the Dark Knight #59-63 and Robin #1, 7-9 in 1993-94, with additional material from Batman: Sword of Azrael #1-4 (1992) and Bateman: Vengeance of Bane Special #1 (1993). Dennis O'Neill was one of the four writers-- along with Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant and Doug Moench--who worked on the original comic books, and he gets the honor of transforming this epic into a more traditional novel. Of course, this is the opposite of what traditionally happens; usually novels are turned into comic books, not the other way around. I am usually disdainful of massive cross-over stories that require me to purchase comics I do not usually buy, but I do appreciate the idea of comic up with an epic storyline. Consequently, I did not read the original comics and finally read the "novelization" knowing nothing more than that Bane was going to break Batman's back. Hopefully, this will bring a slightly different perspective to this review.

This novel is divided into three parts: "Knightfall," in which Batman's back is broken by Bane; "Knightquest," in which a new Batman defeats Bane; and "KnightsEnd," in which the original Batman regains his rightful place. We start reading comic books as children and the defining element of most of the main characters in "Knightfall" is that they had traumatic childhoods. Obviously the murder of Bruce Wayne's parents is the template for such horrors, but in this story the villain (Bane) was born in a prison to serve the sentence of his dead father, the replacement hero (Jean Paul Valley) was indoctrinated by his father into a cult, and the savior/damsel in distress (Shondra Kinsolving) was abused by her adopted father and exploited by her adopted brother. This becomes important because circumstances compel Bruce Wayne to think about who he is and what he does, not only because of Batman's defeat at the hands of Bane but also because of the way the new Batman does his job. His broken back is only one part of the character's monumental identity crisis in "Knightfall."

I have never liked villains with an obvious "Achilles heel" as we have with Bane's need for Venom and its vulnerable delivery system. Bane ends up being more of a convenient contrivance for this story than an enduring character, and I wonder why this epic could not have utilized one of Batman's more traditional villains in the same role. But Bane is not the most important antagonist in "Knightfall." That honor belongs to the "new" Batman, when Jean Paul assumes the mantle after Bruce Wayne is incapacitated. This story allows Wayne to look at Batman from the outside and as if this was not enough to give him pause there is the added dimension that Batman/Azrael is more a creature of violence (and of death) than the original. This ups the ante considerably in terms of Wayne rethinking Batman, added in this endeavor by the standards Alfred and Tim Drake have for the Dark Knight as well. As his body slowly heals, it becomes necessary for him not only to rededicate that particular temple (with help from Shiva), but his soul as well. In this context the role played by the original entrance to the Batcave helps foster a nice sense of symmetry. Ultimately, the point of this entire story is a true rebirth of the character, appropriate not only to the 1990's but both the essence and history of the character. This is not a great Batman tale on the order of "The Return of the Dark Knight," but it is very good. I should probably see what it looks like with pictures.

O'Neill's "Afterword" in the volume is a nice little explanation of where "Knightfall" stands in the continuing evolution of the Batman character. His thoughts on Batman's archetype being Dracula (while Superman is Gilgamesh, Hulk is Hercules, etc.) is quite insightful and his understanding of the Batman mythos is clearly first rate. As the group editor on this project, O'Neill knew what he was doing.

The original "Knightfall" storyline in the Batman comics was a mess, derivative of the more entertaining "Death of Superman" and a lot more coarse and painful. Yet Denny O'Neil, once a novelist before he became a full-time comics editor/writer, was able to take the messy parts and trim them down drastically. He rehumanized Batman - perhaps turning him back in the slightly less mechanical hero of O'Neil's 1970s work - and toned down the melodrama. The end result is a very readable and entertaining saga. It doesn't hurt that Denny is also under no constraints to restore the status quo, and just by leaving the future of the hero in doubt at many points, he gives this version of the story weight it didn't have before.

This is a must for Batman fans, and a good read for anyone who likes action and adventure.

As the editor who largely conceived the storyline in the first place, Dennis O'Neil was best-suited to adapt the story into novel form. While this was fifteen years ago, the book is still an excellent read. Even knowing the story and how it all turns out in the end, it's still a page-turner. At nearly 400 pages, it's a goodly-sized read, but it's divided into three sections. First is the assault on Batman's psyche and body by a new villain, Bane, who can see through all Batman's disguises and subterfuges. Bane ferrets out Batman's secret identity through nefarious means, and he delivers the greatest defeat of Batman's life when he breaks the hero's back.

The second section focuses on the times after Bruce Wayne gives up the mantle to Jean Paul Valley, a reformed assassin, so that Gotham will not have to suffer without a Batman. While Wayne seeks to redress some wrongs, at the expense of his own physical recovery, he alienates Alfred. Meanwhile, the new Batman proves himself to be a brutal enforcer of his own moral code, a far cry from the sophisticated detective of the real Batman. Tim Drake is a crucial character, as the newest Robin he served Wayne but is discarded by Valley, and seeks his own path in the meantime.

The concluding section deals with Wayne fully-healed and seeking to recover his own sensibilities and confront the new Batman. With help from various friends, the climactic battle is that only in name. The conclusion is excellent and leaps off the page.

Wrapping up the book is a fantastic Afterword by O'Neil, actually mostly an essay about Batman and how his evolution has reflected the changing times since his premiere.

This is a fantastic book and should be part of any comic-lovers library along with most of the other comic-based novels.

The only book I've read to date that I never get sick of and is impossible for me to put down. I purchased 4 out of print hardcover copies, 3 of which I keep locked away and 1 which I have to read. Amazing book, especially for those who are a fan of Batman.

This is the only book I have read twice. Well written, great depiction, entertainging, 'nuff said. Usually when I read a book, its like I'm being forced to. With this, I LOVED IT!

Knightfall covers an important section of the current Batman mythos, but the execution by Dennis O'Niel is lacking. As in all novels adapted from comic books, a certain shift must be made closer to "reality" in order for the medium of the novel to be possible. It is that shift that is poorly made in this book. Few of the characters feel consistent or fleshed out, the exception being Tim Drake (aka Robin) who's attitudes are consistent throughout his adequate run in the narrative. The descriptions of Batman's means and facilities is too emphasized, with excessive mention made of things such as silk vs. armored costumes and the humble origins of the Batmobile. This serves to make Batman too normal (in my own opinion), adding complexity where none is needed. For instance, I prefer to think that the Batmobile is a custom-made vehicle with all sorts of gadgets (any guy's dream-toy) but in this incarnation it is a semi-stock Maserati. Batman does not need to be lowered to human standards, since we all realize that a "real" human attempting these things would be gunned down in his first action. Instead, if such effort is put in as was surely required by O'Neil to make this book, it would be better to have that effort focused on making the characters consistent not only with themselves within the book (which is debateable) but to at least the vague characteristics which have been defined by the comics and sit in most people's heads as their Batman. In this, the book fails. In my opinion, a better book is Batman: No Man's Land by Greg Rucka. If Batman is real to you and Bruce Wayne the facade, if Nightwing and Oracle should be included in the Batman storyline, if Batman himself matters more than the fabric of his costume, then I highly recommend you pass on Knightfall and go directly to No Man's Land. (But read stuff on the web so you're up to speed on Knightfall. I mean, it _is_ a good storyline.)

The story of Batman was always a bright & humorous part of my life, as seen in reruns of the 60's TV series with Adam West & Burt Ward AND the cartoon, "Justice League of America" every Saturday morning. I never really collected the comic books (as great as they are), nor did I become aware of how Batman came to be until 1989, when the caped crusader hit the movies in a darker light. This is the first novel I've read based on a comic book series (A series that has developed far beyond the TV series, cartoons & films). IT WAS AWSOME! Even with little knowledge of the storyline which preceeded "Knightfall", I was always on the same page (no punn intended) with the author, becoming more & more fascinated with this story of a man, his cause, his fears, and his struggles to regain the identity he created...The Batman.

I've read about a dozen Batman novel's/graphic novels and I can say this is one of the best I've read. It goes through a rough time in Batman's career and is about much more than just Bane. Many people think of Bane when then think of this book. Yes, he has a huge part in the book but he's by far not the only aspect of the book.

Knightfall doesn't seem to have as much philosophy involved as some other material but it has an awesome involved story that keeps you on your toes. It's not the same experience as reading the comics (or TPB's) so even if you've read the comics I would suggest this book. Also, if you have read this book I would highly recommend purchasing the TPB's.

The book seems quite lengthy and leaves you satisfied at the end. It's so cheap in hardcover that it should be mandatory for all Batman fans. Spend the few dollars and own a true Batman classic.

If you are a Batman fan this IS a MUST read! I'm not that big on reading much...usually I'll read the first hundred pages, put it down, and then forget about for a long time...but this book, Knightfall, is AMAZING! I could NOT put it down. It is so good that I am even doing a "parlor" reading with my family for the book, and my family isn't even as big of a fan as I am, and they are enjoying it thoroughly. So even the ones who have ONLY seen the movies, you WILL enjoy this!

Knightfall is one of the most popular of the Batman DC comic story lines. It is a 3-part story, in which the reader is forced to deal with the traumatic possibility of no Batman! Also in graphic novel form, the novel of Knightfall is a thriller! A wonderful story embellishing Bruce Wayne's true character.