Customer Reviews

The Complete Frank Miller Batman

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It was a strange time for comics, that this collection could be made. Sold at the height of the 80's collectors boom, "The Complete Frank Miller Batman" is a luxury edition of the type usually reserved for "Moby Dick." Leather-bound and silver lined, the book smells of quality. High paper quality and good inks contribute to a comics experience rarely seen elsewhere. Truly, it is the luxury car of comics.

The stories inside deserve this level of presentation. "The Dark Knight Returns," available in many other collected editions, is one of the premier works of art produced by the comics medium. "Batman: Year One" is a gem of equal quality. The third piece, "Wanted: Santa Claus-Dead or Alive" is not written by Miller, and lacks the drama of the other stories. He is the artist, only. Still, it is a nice single issue Batman story, representative of that era.

Also included in this edition are introductions by comics resident genius Alan Moore, as well as Richard Burning and a little introspection by Frank Miller.

Definitely worth picking up.

Frank Miller revolutionized comics in America, and quite possibly the world. With sophisticated plots and asorbing artwork, the reader becomes intangled with the charaters as much as he or she would with any play, movie, or novel. This collection, has two of Miller's greatist works: The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One. The third story is cute and works well in the collection as a bridge between the other two stories.

"Batman: Year One" is the first story in the collection (actually the last one of the three written) and it is a story that many Batman fans had hoped the fisrt Batman movie would have been based on. It is well told, and the major players in the Batman saga are introduced: Batman, Gordon, Alfed and Selina Kyle (Catwomen). It is a well written story and as good as any in the last 20 years of any genre.

The second story in this special is "Wanted: Santa Claus-Dead or Alive." This is a quick piece and doesn't involve too much, but does show a caring and revernt Batman.

The last is Miller's magnum opus, "The Dark Knight Returns." This four chapter story is spectacular and a great piece of work: both in story telling and various artist expression. This psychological drama deals with an aging Batman, who at the age of 55, comes back to fight crime after a ten year absence. Miller insightfully deals with many subjects now addressed by our popular media. For example, the idea of a liberal soceity blaming crime on the agents of heroism instead on personal evil. Miller writes and demonstrates that victims are innocent people who try to live a virtous life, and Batman fights to protect a city dying of a cancer.

Comic collectors need this special leather bound book with commentaries by Richard Burning and Alan Moore. Frank Miller himself writes some notes which personalizes this special edition that much more.

I had read the Dark Knight Returns years before I picked up this edition, but I can't say that I'm disappointed in having both. First off the quality of this edition is a stellar leather binding which can take the roughest wear and tear.

The contents include two of the best comic/graphic novels ever done (Dark Knight Returns - An aging Batman comes out of retirement to get the world back on track and get in his fix of butt kicking ; Batman: Year One - More of Jim Gordon's story intermixed with the Batman origin within the shared background of early Gotham City.) The third, Santa Claus: Wanted Dead or Alive isn't bad, however it's just filler compared to the first two more iconic offerings in this work.

A couple of pages of behind the scenes discussion with Frank Miller round out this offering making it a must if you have neither Dark Knight Returns or Year One.

I was lucky. Very, very lucky. I got this hardbound book when there was a slight slump in comic book sales (especially trade paperbacks). I got this book not ever reading any of Frank Miller's work on Batman, but I did know Miller from his work on Wolverine and the X-Men. If there was ever a perfect format to collect these works this is it.

The book is solid. VERY solid. I have had it over 12 years now with not a single sign of wear. Granted I take good care of it, but that meant leaving it on the floor now and again after reading it at the couch, using it as a coaster occasionally, and moving from place to place with it. The spine is perfect. Even the handy bookmark looks like it's in pristine condition.

Okay enough about how well the book held up physicially. The content is just as worthy to be make so resilient as the bindings. You essentially get three eras of Frank Miller in this book. My personal favorite is the Batman: Year One content, which I hear is the basis for the new Batman Begins movie (more reason to get this collection as there is a potential for increased collectibility). Miller writes Year One and David Mazucchelli does the art. A great combination. The other great era you get is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Here you have a Batman coming out of retirement and taking Gotham by storm... literally. The art and story are all Miller on this, which the art being in his Ronin/Sin City style. Very raw. The third era is a rather simple Christmas story Frank happened to do the art for. Nothing really to write home about (art is nice though).

Great stories. Great format. Great quality. What more can you ask?

The Complete Frank Miller Batman is an absolute must-have for Batman fans, Frank Miller fans, and pretty much anyone who loves comics. This deluxe, leather-bound, silver leaf hardcover collects Frank Millers seminal works Batman: Year One and Batman: the Dark Knight Returns, with a Christmas-themed short story serving as an interlude between the two epics.

These two Batman epics are considered among the best, if not the absolute best, Batman stories ever. Year One shows a young Bruce Wayne embarking on his one-man war on crime in a Gotham City that is as rife with corruption as it is plagued by criminals. Police Captain James Gordon is the other star of the series, and his struggle to remain an ethical cop in a sea of corruption is just as interesting as Batman's initial assaults against the criminal underworld. Miller's writing is flawless, and David Mazzuchelli's artwork sets the tone perfectly. His art reminds us that this is not bright shiny Metropolis we're seeing, but dirty grimy Gotham City. This brilliant story serves as the definitive origin of the Batman, and remains a classic to this day.

If Year One served as the first chapter in the Batman saga, then the Dark Knight Returns is the final chapter. In a nutshell, the series deals with a middle-aged Batman returning to crime fighting after a lengthy retirement. In reality, this series changed the look and feel of comic books forever. It was unlike anything that had come before it, and its influence on the genre is incalculable. Dark Knight is an uncompromising look at what really drives Bruce Wayne, Commissioner Gordon, the Joker and even Superman and Green Arrow, and what the potential sociopolitical consequences of superhero activity might be. And though it is set in the near future, it also serves as an indictment of the 1980's Reagan-era mentality. Miller again tapped a former Daredevil collaborator, Klaus Janson, to assist with the artwork, which is simply stunning. Colorist Lynne Varley does a fantastic job as well, adding vitality to each page that must be seen to be believed. The Dark Knight Returns is, in my humble opinion, the ultimate Batman story. Nothing I've read before or since, with the exception of Year One, has ever come close.

The fact that these two critically important tales are collected back-to-back, and in such a spectacular fashion, makes the Complete Frank Miller Batman an essential item for every comic fan's bookshelf. It also makes an excellent gift, as it is not something you're going to run across at your average chain bookstore. This volume gets my highest possible recommendation.

Admittedly, I don't like Miller's strips as much as many out there do. I mean, they're great, but it may be due to the fact that I've been spoiled by Burton's and Nolan's adaptations--even though they drew heavily from Miller's Knight--as well as the early '90s cartoons (which are amazing), before reading these comics.
But seeing Batman turn more towards his serious side was a worthy read in the end.

I already read The Dark Knight Returns before reading this edition (which you can see in my reviews), so I ended up reading Batman: Year One from here. I enjoyed the latter more than the former, mostly because I don't like reading the ends of superheroes (or near conclusions). The binding on this volume is fantastic, as it's made from a durable leather and also has a ribbon to mark your pace. It's definitely the definitive version of Miller's collection, but I strongly suggest checking out the single copies if you want to read commentaries--I couldn't find them in this set.

The paper is heavy so it can stand a few hard page turns, and, considering the fact that it's a bunch of comics in one, it's a worthy addition to any Batman library.

The complete Frank Miller Batman, is made up of three books, or two and one issue. The first book is Batman: Year One this is Frank Miller's take on the origin of Batman. This is a good graphic novel that shows how Batman became the crime fighter he is. The second is Santa-Claus Wanted Dead or Alive. This felt like a single issue its not very long and i was a little disseminated with it. The last part of this book is The Dark Knight Returns this is one of if not the best graphic novel i think i ever read. It's the story of Bruce Wayne's return to his alter ego after a ten year hideouts. If you like comics at all its a must read.

This is my favorite book, in my collection. It's been sitting on my shelf for 16 years, and looks the same as the day I bought it. It's been lent out multiple times, and is constanty re-read. It's leatherbound, beautiful and even has a bookmark.

In this collection, Batman Year One is a great origin story. Santa Clause Wanted Dead or Alive is a filler smaller story. Finally we have The Dark Knight Returns, where the Caped Crusader comes out of retirement after not being seen for 10 years, and wages war on the gangs of Gotham, fights the Joker, and Superman, amist the Cold War Politics of the 80's.

If your a casual fan, a serious collector, or just want a good read, this is for you. Pick it up if you can find it.

Anybody who is interested in putting down their money for this book might be familiar with the contents of it (other than the forgettable Christmas story) so I'll just mention that it contains Frank Miller's best DC work, his own alpha and omega take on Batman in the magnificent Batman Year One and The Dark Knight Returns.
While these stories have been reprinted countless times in the last 20 years (and I own most of them) I took a look at the pictures of this book and knew I had to have it. Lately I have been upgrading my paperback collections with their hardcover edition and other than the recent Absolute versions; this is by far the most beautiful volume I own. It kind of surprised me that the leather cover was not done in a stiffer board, much like an encyclopedia volume, but that added flexibility makes it much more comfortable to read.
Everything about this book is top notch, although the quality of the paper (and to a certain extent the reproduction of the art) is not up to today's standards; it's a bit thin and flimsy, and those looking for the best reproductions of these stories might be better served by checking out the latest printings of these, although it's not a big deal it something to think about before paying the prices that this book is going for.
All in all, having it as a one stop fix for some of the best Batman stories ever is great and I cannot imagine any comic book fan in general who wouldn't be thrilled to have this as a present from other or to himself

This leatherbound book looks incredible. The lining on the pages is metallic silver, which adds to the exterior appearance. Black nylon tassel for marking pages as well. It truly is a work of art. Inside is the greatest stort ever told in the Batman/DC universe. I cherish this thing among my collection. If you rub a little mink-oil on the binding to protect the leather it also makes it shine (and smell good). Most awesome looking comic book I own!