Batman Illustrated, Vol. 2 (Hardcover)

~ Dennis O'Neil (Author), Neal Adams (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

ne of Adams' early triumphs involved revitalizing one of comics' greatest icons. In the waning days of the TV series Batman, which depicted the character as a genial battler against silly, costumed villains, Adams and some sympathetic writers returned to the crime fighter's roots as a dark creature of the night driven to avenge his parents' double murder. Besides conjuring a noirish atmosphere (intensified here by good recoloring), Adams goosed up the thrills with exciting, kinetic fight choreography. The 1970s stories reprinted in this attractive, pricey hardcover range from moody ghost stories set in haunted houses to more traditional superhero scenarios, such as the trilogy in which Batman fights the Man-Bat, a scientist transformed into a giant flying fiend. More than three decades after these comics first appeared, Adams' conception of Batman remains the template for today's renditions of the Caped Crusader. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Dennis "Denny" O'Neil is a comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s. His best works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Mike Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan, all of which were hailed for sophisticated stories that expanded the artistic potential of the mainstream portion of the medium. As an editor, he is principally known for editing Batman. His 1970s run on Batman is perhaps his most well known endeavour, turning Batman from the campiness of the 1960s TV show, to "The Batman", getting back to the character's darker roots and emphasizing his detective skills. This grimer and more sophisticated Dark Knight, as well as new villians such as Ra's Al Ghul, brought back Batman from the verge of pop culture oblivion. His work would influence later incarnations of Batman, from the seminal comic "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" by Frank Miller, to the movie Batman Begins in 2005.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 236 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401202691
• ISBN-13: 978-1401202699
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #649,604 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This is what it reprints, August 21, 2004

By	D. Lowicki (Kenmore, N.Y. United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will the REAL Batman please stand up...., August 16, 2005

By	C. Casey - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Neal Adams Redux, July 21, 2005

By	S. M. Newman (Savannah, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.