Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Snow is Cool, July 5, 2007
This review is from: Batman: Snow (Paperback)
Snow examines Batman's early years and demonstrates why he operates solo or at best, with Robin.
Batman assembles a team of civilians to aid his intelligence gathering efforts because James Gordon and Harvey Dent are sworn law men whose loyalites sometimes conflict with the Dark Knight's extra-legal duties.
The origin of Dr. Freeze is explored and like Alan Moore's story of the beginning of the Joker in The Killing Joke, the villain is sympathetic and tragic.
Seth Fisher's artwork is really good, packed with obsessive detail and rich colors. It reminds me of Geoff Darrow's work in Hard Boiled but with a little softer edge.
As for the story, the other main villain, crime boss Peter Scotta, is not developed at all. Scotta's lack of characterization renders him a cardboard cutout who moves the story along but adds no flavor or fear. His character is the only major storytelling shortcoming.
It's a fun read and adds nuance and depth to the Batman mythology.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Batman story with fabulous art, May 23, 2007
This review is from: Batman: Snow (Paperback)
The main appeal of this book is the fabulous art by the late Seth Fisher. I think I've read all the superhero stories he drew, and along with "Willworld", this is one of the best. Fisher had an insanely-detailed style, influenced by European cartoonists like Moebius and Bilal, but much more precise (and whimsical, as when smoke blows out of Commissioner Gordon's ears). With the pastel colors of Chris Chuckry, the result is a Batman story unlike any you've ever seen before.
The story is very well-done as well, one of the seemingly endless series of "Year One-and-a-Half" stories that DC has commissioned to fill-in the backstory of Batman after the DC universe was re-shuffled in the mid-80s. This one gives us a good look at what it might have been like to be a brand-new crime fighter in a tough city like Gotham.
It's an enjoyable story, and the fact that it's not officially part of DC's continuity gives the writers a lot more freedom than they would probably have enjoyed if they were writing an "official" Batman story. But the real selling point here is the art. If you like unique, unconventional comic book art, you definitely need to check this one out.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Batman As Mission Impossible's Mr. Phelps, December 17, 2007
This review is from: Batman: Snow (Paperback)
This story contains a good version of the origin of Mr.Freeze and an interesting attempt by Batman to put together a civilian team of helpers for his war on crime. After being badly injured, Batman/Bruce Wayne realizes he needs some help(this story is pre-Robin), so he goes about recruiting his own kind of Mission Impossible type team.Each member has a certain attribute to contribute, i.e. a communications expert, a psychiatrist, a former FBI agent, an ex-com with underworld connections and an ex-special forces guy to provide muscle and special ops if needed. They get mixed up with some gangsters who are in the process of trying to get their hands on a top-secret Government weapons sysyem that deals with an ultra freezing ray. At the same time the rays inventor, Dr. Victor Fries' wife has become terminally ill and the good doctor is distraut. He removes his wife from the hospital and takes her to the lab in an attempt to cure her. Needless to say everything goes wrong and the weapons reactor explodes and MR. FREEZE is born. His wife is killed and the efects of the weapon drive Fries insane. He has an ongoing delusional relationship with his dead wife and goes on a rampage against those he feels are responsible for her death. Batman, his team, the police, the mob and Mr. Freeze all intersect in an exciting conclusion.Batman learns valuable lessons about endangering others in his "war".
This book contains great art and a brighter than the norm color scheme featuring varying shades of pastels and blues. The writing is excellent and poignant. The thing I especially liked is the artists depiction of Batman as more of a regularly proportioned man.Athletic, but not like some kind of steroid abusing muscle bound goon. 5 stars.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
