Batman: Arkham Unhinged, Vol. 1

Batman: The Arkham Saga #2.1

by Derek Fridolfs, Paul Dini

In these stories originally available only online and tying into the bestselling videogame BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY, Dr. Hugo Strange has gained control of Arkham Asylum and is determined to keep the city's criminal element behind bars. But with Catwoman and Two-Face still on the loose, Strange will go to any lengths to capture them - even if it means battling Batman along the way.

Collecting BATMAN: ARKHAM UNHINGED Chapters #1-13 and BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY DIGITAL CHAPTERS #6-7.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Batman, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes, Fiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 4, 2013

About the author

Derek Fridolfs has worked professionally as an writer, inker, cover & sequential artist for DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Boom, IDW, and a majority of comic companies the past 20 years.

#1 New York Times Best Selling Writer for the DC Secret Hero Society book series through SCHOLASTIC. And Eisner Nominated co-writer of Batman: Li'l Gotham at DC.

He's also written for such titles as Adventure Time, Regular Show, Clarence, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Teen Titans Go!, Dexter's Laboratory, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The New Animated Adventures, Batman Arkham City, Batman Arkham Unhinged, Adventures Of Superman, Sensation Comics Wonder Woman, Justice League Beyond and many more.

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay set of stories. Nothing that really stood out or felt like it would stay with me, but an enjoyable enough read. Most of the stories seemed to be standalone, so I never really had time to connect with something before it jumped off in another direction. I have the rest in this series, so I'll be reading them regardless, but this is probably one of my least favourite Batman books so far. It's not absolutely terrible, but it feels pretty disposable.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Injustice: Gods Among Us Vol. 1, so I went into this with an open mind.
Eh.
The art was nice?
I don't know, it wasn't super-duper awful, but it just wasn't all that good, either.
I didn't feel like I was reading a video game knock-off when I read Injustice, just a cool story.
This?
Yeah. It kind of had that tainted MakeAQuickBuck scent to it.
Again. Not awful! Just not worth reading...unless you're just a huge fan of the video game?
The majority was a readable story, though.
However.
What the hell was up with that stupid ending? Why did Joker decide to have the conjoined Terror Twins!!, or whatever their name was, separated? And why did he only want one of them? And why did Harley decide to give the other one to Penguin, of all people?! And why didn't they seem to be pissed off or sad...something?! I didn't get it. At all. Stoopid.

I've already got the second book from the library.
Guess I'll read it.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one, a short-story collection centering on the happenings at the newly expanded Arkham facility, bounces between a 2 and 3 star rating. It starts strong with 'Inside Job,' with Batman / Catwoman (always a dependable pairing), and then 'Observations' featuring Batman / Commissioner Gordon. Those two stories are pretty much the first half of the book. Can the momentum be sustained?

Nope. The second half of the books focuses almost exclusively on the villains. 'Ruffled Feathers' was okay (though Penguin's dialogue / thoughts are written in a distracting way to suggest a British / cockney accent - umm, what???) until its abrupt ending, but the remaining stories edged into freak-show territory and were not as good.

[Sesana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally published online, these short stories fill in some of the blanks between the end of Arkham Asylm and the start of Arkham City. But really, there isn't enough here that isn't stated outright in the game or at least alluded to enough for somebody reasonably Batman savvy to figure it out. The one interesting thing that I picked up is that Thomas Elliot was the one who separated the twin mooks. That was interesting, and it actually explained his presence in the game. But I swear that I've read that story about why Joker and Penguin don't get along before. Not this exact version, of course, but it's been done before. The only real market for this collection is fans of the Arkham games, but they'd be better off just playing the games again. Which is always a wise suggestion, in any circumstance.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is kind of a tough one to rate and review. The lead story, with Batman, Catwoman and Hugo Strange, was good. I've never played the games, but this was an interesting, alternate take on the characters.

After the lead story, we get a handful of stories featuring the villains. These, I'm sure, would be more meaningful to players of the game. As somebody just reading the book because he enjoys Batman, they left me slightly hollow.

[David Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really liking the Arkham series of Batman books. I am not a gamer and have never played any of the Arkham games. But the covers look so good and the trailers look like they would make a great movie all on their own (which people have put together on You Tube). I am now reading the Arkham books in order. I went back and started with (hc), now Unhinged #1. I have Unhinged #2 and #3 on order from Amazon. These are good stories. I am a long time comic book junkie, but had stopped reading mainstream comics a few years ago. But this isolated world of Arkham brought me back in reading these Batman comices. I love collecting them in the hardcover format. Might branch out to soon, as the movie trailer is looking better and better (with the added Queen soundtrack).

[Calista · Rating 1 out of 5]

This didn't make any sense and it's simply gross. Not a fan.

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably the most ‘by the numbers’ Batman stories ever.

2.5 - kind of generic and plain, with art ranging from bad - average. Catwoman’s tits are mahoosive.

Happy to have read it at least, probably won’t bother with the rest of them

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

DC has basically spun the Arkham City game into its own cottage industry of comic source material. This collects some of the digital comics written about the game; no longer just a prequel, these are stories that take place in and around the game itself. There's nothing too deep for readers to have trouble with if they haven't played the game, but those who have will recognize locations and references, and those who haven't will get hints of characters they will face in the game. It's an interesting collection of stories, short and self-contained, but all building into the greater world framework. An interesting experiment, and the stories are of decent to good quality, though nothing stands out.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Similar to how I felt about the Arkham City graphic novel, I didn't much find a point in this. There's itty bitty background and information for some of the character motivations during the Arkham City game itself, but for the most part it just felt like a whole lot of filler with spotty art. For me, this is another instance of "I'd have been better off unlocking some more Riddler Trophies."

[Robert Noll · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shameless self-promotion of the video game (which is a fantastically fun trip through Arkham City), but an enjoyable tale. And they even included a Joker/Scarface story! Why have those two never crossed path's before is Alfred's guess.

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent comic book tie in to the new video game. Though the reader should be warned that you may become easily confused if you're not a die hard Batman fan.

[Katie Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had its moments. Pretty fun read.

[47Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather than a large story, the writer opted for one-shots that introduce the chaos that has taken hold in Arkham City. Batman is going to need all the help he can get to face these nut-jobs. Joker and Penguin are major players who quickly hire most everyone available into their gangs. Catwoman hasn't decided on good or bad guys yet - typical for her fortune-first policy. Hugo Strange still has the upper hand, with his support from the officials and his highly-trained army.

Catwoman is betrayed by the only other high-ranking villain not yet incarcerated in Arkham City, Two-Face. Her skills make her more than a match for Hugo Strange's Tyger troops, but she is prevented to go a second round by Batman. She refuses his protection and intends to crack open Strange's vault where her 'liberated' goods were likely taken. She aims to steal the vault's blueprints, but Two-Face gets to them first. Batman tries to help her get away, but both she and Two-Face are arrested.

Batman turns his attention to Hugo Strange, the de facto ruler of Arkham City. For most of this arc Batman is running away from the Tygers, but he has tricks of his own. His allies tap into the Tygers' radios which is cause for concern for Strange.

Due to past differences, the Penguin and Joker gangs are at each other's throats. The fights get more interesting when they each acquire one half of the massive enforcers who were conjoined twins working for the circus.

[Kaylee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, but if I never read this volume (and volume 2), nothing in my life would've changed. I'll admit, Arkham City is not my favorite of the games. I feel like it has too many side-plots. These comics explain some of the background information--such as why Harvey/Two-Face and Catwoman are at odds, how the siamese-twins strongmen got separated, and why the Penguin and the Joker are such rivals--but you don't really need to know this information to play and/or enjoy the game.
I did like the second comic about Hugo Strange's goal in capturing Batman. The entire time Gordon and Batman are talking on the roof, the armed guards are approaching and Strange is listening in, but Batman is always one step ahead.

[Xavier F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great artwork and storyline. Pace keeps going with multiple points of view, keeping the reader on their toes. Obviously, the battle turns to Batman and the Joker, with Catwoman and Harley Quinn providing comic relief and some good one-liners, as only they can do. The only disappointment is that the other volumes have to be read, in order to get closure, as this is only the first part of a multi-arch story. Otherwise, great work and a good addition to the Batman mythology. It’s good for adults to read a decent graphic novel from time to time, to get a break from “serious” reading, and this fits the bill! 👍🏼

[Rhys Causon · Rating 3 out of 5]

All together these stories don’t really add much to the Rocksteady Arkham Universe but if you just want to enjoy some loosely connected Batman stories they work well enough.

Some of the art is a bit hit or miss but that’s the way with multiple artists and a couple of the stories felt a few pages too long (the Penguin story for example had excellent art but felt about 3 pages too long).

Would recommend this to the fans of Arkham City and those looking for some Batman stories where you don’t have to worry about continuity, though you would have to know a few lesser known villains for at least one of the stories.

[Adrian Santiago · Rating 3 out of 5]

El inicio es poco de relleno sobre còmo acabaron Two Face y Catwoman en Arkham City, pero de una buena forma que sì se entrelaza a còmo comienza la historia en el videojuego. Despuès un poco de info sobre què hacìa Gordon y los Tiger de Strange poco antes del juego.

La ùltima parte està genial, le dan contexto a los hermanos martillo y hoz; solo que ya està tomando en cuenta parte del juego, y serìa spoiler. Yo intentaba leer los còmics antes de voler a jugar el videojuego pero me spoileè un poco lo que ya no recordaba tanto.

[Johnny Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set around the Arkham City game this is a loosely contained set of stories showing life in Arkham City where Hugo Strange is the one pulling the strings trying to capture all known criminals and in his eyes also Batman. Most of insane who's who turn up from Catwoman and Two-Face, Penguin and of course Joker and Harley.
The art is nice and it flows along nicely for a form of anthology of shorts but no real depth to sink ya teeth into.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr Strange has taken over Arkham, and wants everyone as his patient. Meanwhile, Joker and Penguin are at war with each other.

This is a really decent story that was marked down for one thing - Catwoman and her failing zip. I mean what is it with all those completely unnecessary breast images. Her zip is just moving all over the place for the bit that she is in.

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s ok, 2.5 at best for me. I just didn’t really find it that memorable at all. The art is ok at best and ugly at worst, it just wasn’t for me I don’t think. I also just found it hard to get through, I kept putting off finishing it because I wasn’t engaged at all with any of the stories. I’m also not a huge fan of how the women were drawn? I know that doesn’t really matter but it put me off

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first story has really good art and presents a pretty good set up for the rest of the story that does not follow. It would have made a really good #1 issue of a limited series, but instead the rest of the book is short stories that feel like short (ie incomplete) stories.

[Bulent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Batman sevenleri memnun edecek Kedi Kadın'ın da rol aldığı, Gotham şehrinin suç dünyası ile Batman'i zaman zaman karşı karşıya getiren, zaman zaman bir arada ortak düşmana karşı savaşa yönlendiren bir hikaye.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the world created in the Arkham games but I don't understand the point here. There isn't anything added to the mythos. This didn't add much of anything to that fantastic world. The art was very good but this wasn't worth the time.

[Zay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different moments and story’s told underneath the law and rule of Mayor Sharp and Dr. Strange during the new opening of Arkham City.
Nothing really stood out maybe the “Separation Anxiety “ story but still a decent read 3.5

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the insight that this series has.

[Nathan Boler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started strong and got weaker as it went. If you've played the video game Arkham City you can definitely skip it. Nice artwork.

[Nia Nymue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging storytelling and hard to put down.

[J.J. Ulizio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arts not bad. Was excited to read a book in the world of the games. But while it’s not bad at all, it’s nothing special either. Easily forgettable.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art is good, but not much of a main story, just side stories mostly about strange taking over city, and feud between joker and penguin. Some funny parts