Kein Zweifel, 27. April 2007

Dies ist ein Meilenstein der Comicgeschichte. Nach diesem Buch war nichts mehr wie vorher, und mit ihm ging das "Bronze Age" der Comics zu Ende und das "Modern Age" begann. Weg ist der lachende, witzelnde Technikbastler mit Heldenambitionen der 50er und 60er, weg ist der Detektiv der 70er und 80er. Hier ist der Psychotiker, der zerfressene, getriebene dunkle Ritter, der Faschist, der Vigilant, der das Recht in die eigene Hand nimmt. Waren die problembehafteten Marvel-Helden der 60er noch Identifikationsfiguren (Spider-Man mit seinen Geld- und Jugendproblemen etc.), so ist dieser "Held" kein Vorbild mehr, und psychisch nicht weit von seinen durchgeknallten Gegnern entfernt.Miller ist ein extrem kontroverser Künstler - man beachte die Rezensionen hier auf Amazon.de für sein "300" und "Sin City". Er polarisiert mit seiner Darstellung von Sex und Gewalt, einem gerüttelten Maß an halbfaschistoiden und sexistischen Anspielungen, und seinen häufig anzutreffenden politischen Botschaften. Man mag ihm gegenüberstehen, wie man will - an seinen Werken kommt man, wenn man sich nur ansatzweise für Comics interessiert, nicht vorbei. Sie sind unbequem und sehr selten auch nur im entferntesten "political correct".Dafür erhält man spannende, intelligente und faszinierende Unterhaltung - Millers Talent, eine gute Story zu erzählen, und seine unzweifelhafte Begabung, atmosphärisch extrem dichte Zeichnungen zu schaffen, beeindrucken; seine Arbeiten sind wuchtig wie ein Schlag in den Magen.Ein Muss!Lesen!

       I shouldn't even have to post a review, 16. Mai 2000

This is a true masterpiece that shows superhero comics can be socially relevant. I think back to when the original 4 issues were released, and I thought "An OLD Batman, still duking it out? Please!" Then I bought the leatherbound "Frank Miller's Batman", at a remainder price no less, and was floored. I know that this story is considered an Elseworlds tale, but I like to think that this is how Batman will actually wrap it up. I've been reading comics for 25 years, and I get tired of the same heroes having the same adventures, never aging, not changing with the times, and so on. The interesting thing is that this story reflects so many attitudes of the '80s, but it's not dated by any means. Many people gripe these days about how comics have been soured by the grim and gritty, "Goetterdaemmerung" trend (Dark Knight, Watchmen, The Golden Age), but I think that more heroes would benefit from this kind of treatment. I like to know where they are going, for a change, and it shouldn't always be a happy ending.

       THE BEST BATMAN STORY EVER TOLD, 19. April 2000

That was what I thought when I read it, years ago. It's arguable that much of the interest in Batman in the last 14 years is directly relatable to the success of this book. As a kid I was a comic book fan, but always Marvel, not DC. The former had revolutionized storytelling in comics by giving their characters storyline continuity, angst, and very real issues. DC meanwhile, still treated its characters about as agressively as the average episode of SUPERFRIENDS. Then in my 20's, I came across this book and observed that, almost overnight, DC figured out how to compete (and eventually surpass) Marvel at its own innovations. Miller's economy of image and dialogue said so much without overworking it. Taking a cue from him, I'll stop here. BUY THIS BOOK!

       A truly startlingly new view of our caped hero!, 13. April 2000

When I first picked up this copy a few years back, I really got hooked on The Knight of Darkness! In fact, this is nothing like you have ever seen before in any superhero comic! It's really dark, brooding, and quite sophisticated. Sexy as well! The story takes place many years into the future, when Bruce Wayne was a white-haired retiree who still had the taste for extreme danger. So when Half-and-half and Joker decided to make trouble, Batman was forced to shake mothballs out of his old cape and draw the scowling cowl over his face to strike once again in the cloak of night. Enter a young junior high school girl who wants to help out and thus contributed tremendously to the great ressuraction of the old Caped Crusader. However, after a great ramage of bloody violence and destruction, end for once and all still looms before the aging knight in black. Pretty sad, but the bat guy still hangs in grimly, not ready to give up everything forever. An very absorbing read that can give you a very jilting electric shock as as each scene opens up dramatically before your inexperienced eyes!

       This book is everything the movies should have been, 11. April 2000

The best difinitive look at Batman that I've ever seen to date in the comic book world. I found the character, portrayed as their future selves, to be old haggard and somewhat cynical. Bruce Wayne/Batman forsakes his minimal violent approach for a more "shoot first, ask questions later" approach. Gotham City is portrayed as a violent microcosm compared to the violence and decay that exist as the USA fights a Vietnam/Granada type war in Maltese Coro. This is a book that exists on many levels. It's not Batman Vs. The Joker, or Batman Vs. The Mutants, but Batman Vs The World.