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Batman Arkham Collections #2
Batman: Arkham: Two-Face (Batman
An unprecedented anthology of the greatest Two-Face stories ever told.
He was Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s crusading district attorney and one of the Batman’s closest allies, until an act of vengeance changed everything.
With the left side of his face horribly deformed, Dent’s mind shattered. One half of his personality remained the law-abiding D.A., the other became a crazed, murderous villain who calls himself Two-Face! Scarring one side of his “lucky” two-headed silver dollar, the criminal allows the coin to choose his actions—good or evil, there is nothing else.
BATMAN ARKHAM: TWO-FACE collects work by some of the industry's greatest creators, including Peter Tomasi (BATMAN AND ROBIN), Curt Swan (SUPERMAN), Denny O’Neil (BATMAN), Bill Finger (DETECTIVE COMICS), Scott McDaniel (THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD), Guillem March (GOTHAM CITY SIRENS) and many more! Includes DETECTIVE COMICS #66, #68, #80, #513, #563, #564; BATMAN #234, #346, #397-98, #410, #411; BATMAN AND ROBIN #23.1; WORLD’S FINEST #173; BATMAN TWO-FACE #1; JOKER’S ASYLUM TWO-FACE #1; BATMAN CHRONICLES #8.
He was Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s crusading district attorney and one of the Batman’s closest allies, until an act of vengeance changed everything.
With the left side of his face horribly deformed, Dent’s mind shattered. One half of his personality remained the law-abiding D.A., the other became a crazed, murderous villain who calls himself Two-Face! Scarring one side of his “lucky” two-headed silver dollar, the criminal allows the coin to choose his actions—good or evil, there is nothing else.
BATMAN ARKHAM: TWO-FACE collects work by some of the industry's greatest creators, including Peter Tomasi (BATMAN AND ROBIN), Curt Swan (SUPERMAN), Denny O’Neil (BATMAN), Bill Finger (DETECTIVE COMICS), Scott McDaniel (THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD), Guillem March (GOTHAM CITY SIRENS) and many more! Includes DETECTIVE COMICS #66, #68, #80, #513, #563, #564; BATMAN #234, #346, #397-98, #410, #411; BATMAN AND ROBIN #23.1; WORLD’S FINEST #173; BATMAN TWO-FACE #1; JOKER’S ASYLUM TWO-FACE #1; BATMAN CHRONICLES #8.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2015
8 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Dennis O'Neil
1,752 books276 followers
Dennis "Denny" O'Neil
was a comic book writer and editor best known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics from the 1960s through the 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of titles until his retirement.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
His best-known works include Green Lantern/Green Arrow and Batman with Neal Adams, The Shadow with Michael Kaluta and The Question with Denys Cowan. As an editor, he is principally known for editing the various Batman titles. From 2013 unti his death, he sat on the board of directors of the charity The Hero Initiative and served on its Disbursement Committee.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 17, 2024
Its actually post 1995 that there is given some more depth to Dent's Character.
The prior comics seem too childish to take seriously although his origin story had a very good premise, there is room to now re do it with some more depth.
To balance those out, particular good ones, here were Crime and Punishmemt, Joker's Asylum and Double Jeopardy (was decent but didnt lead anywhere and tailed off to nothing). Great artwork in New 52 Twoface 1 as well.
Still think there is a lot of room for this character to be something more and hoping to see more interesting stories with him involved.
The prior comics seem too childish to take seriously although his origin story had a very good premise, there is room to now re do it with some more depth.
To balance those out, particular good ones, here were Crime and Punishmemt, Joker's Asylum and Double Jeopardy (was decent but didnt lead anywhere and tailed off to nothing). Great artwork in New 52 Twoface 1 as well.
Still think there is a lot of room for this character to be something more and hoping to see more interesting stories with him involved.
November 18, 2024
Two-Face has been the best villain even since the Golden Age. Seriously, this is incredible story after incredible story. More excellent work from Doug Moench (who gets the largest arc, thankfully) and also some greats like Denny O'Neil and Gerry Conway. New 52 story was pretty disappointing, though. I LOVE the idea of Two-Face starting out balanced and slowly becoming fully evil. And the embracing of the post-crisis canon of Harvey's childhood abuse in Crime and Punishment... Incredible. Best Batman rogue by a long shot.
July 11, 2021
for all fans of batman's classic rogues' gallery, the batman arkham series is a great one. a very good book showing what a double-faced villain is. a very powerful person, outrageous and twisted. how are his atrocities always within seconds. he assists or ruins sometimes. his moral compass is twisted. it also has shown that he can't be controlled, plays according to his own rules. batman was harvey dent's acquaintances and always seeks to figure the good in him. read the novel if you really like two-face… a completed good reading from the well-known arkham series.
April 5, 2016
This is an excellent collection of stories featuring one of the oldest and most beloved characters from Batman's Rogue's Gallery.
It features the first Two-Face story from 1942 (where Two-Face is curiously revealed as Harvey KENT rather than Harvey DENT, not sure when that change took place). But the inclusion of the 40's stories sets a theme for the volume: Let's fix Two-Face! The stories, which should represent a broad swath of storytelling styles featuring this character, focus on Batman's obsession with fixing Two-Face. There are two (get it?) exceptions, "Double Jeopardy," which features Two-Face and Gordon reminicsing about the good old days when they worked today. "A Tale Of Two-Faces" is Two-Face's villain month story from the New 52, which means the best that can be hoped for is that it's not soul crushingly bad (though it does seem like a riff of the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Trial") and this one falls into that category.
In any event, this collection, while having some fine choices for stories ("Two-Face, Too" from Joker's Asylum being on that list, even if it is extremely gimmicky), shows two (ha! did it again!) rather glaring weaknesses. First, it fits into the marketing plan DC seems to have put into place that is moving everything in line with the movies, so we're encouraged not to view Harvey Dent as someone separate from Batman and Gordon. Second, most of the stories are about Batman getting emotionally twisted about Two-Face. Now, we all love Batman, and we love getting into the inner workings of the character. But you know how else I love? Two-Face. And in a book that's supposed to be dedicated to him, maybe the stories should be delving into his inner workings. That's why "Crime And Punishment" is the standout in this book. It manages to look at both characters in a graceful and sensitive way (not to mention the artwork is AMAZING).
All that is really nitpicking though. The stories are mostly strong, and it's really worth it for the 40's stories you probably won't be able to find in a lot of places.
It features the first Two-Face story from 1942 (where Two-Face is curiously revealed as Harvey KENT rather than Harvey DENT, not sure when that change took place). But the inclusion of the 40's stories sets a theme for the volume: Let's fix Two-Face! The stories, which should represent a broad swath of storytelling styles featuring this character, focus on Batman's obsession with fixing Two-Face. There are two (get it?) exceptions, "Double Jeopardy," which features Two-Face and Gordon reminicsing about the good old days when they worked today. "A Tale Of Two-Faces" is Two-Face's villain month story from the New 52, which means the best that can be hoped for is that it's not soul crushingly bad (though it does seem like a riff of the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Trial") and this one falls into that category.
In any event, this collection, while having some fine choices for stories ("Two-Face, Too" from Joker's Asylum being on that list, even if it is extremely gimmicky), shows two (ha! did it again!) rather glaring weaknesses. First, it fits into the marketing plan DC seems to have put into place that is moving everything in line with the movies, so we're encouraged not to view Harvey Dent as someone separate from Batman and Gordon. Second, most of the stories are about Batman getting emotionally twisted about Two-Face. Now, we all love Batman, and we love getting into the inner workings of the character. But you know how else I love? Two-Face. And in a book that's supposed to be dedicated to him, maybe the stories should be delving into his inner workings. That's why "Crime And Punishment" is the standout in this book. It manages to look at both characters in a graceful and sensitive way (not to mention the artwork is AMAZING).
All that is really nitpicking though. The stories are mostly strong, and it's really worth it for the 40's stories you probably won't be able to find in a lot of places.
September 5, 2018
Batman Arkham: Two-Face is a compilation of some of the best representative of Two-Face stories over the years centering one of the most beloved Batman Rouges. This collection features Two-Face in all his many incarnations throughout the years.
This trade paperback collects Detective Comics #66, #68, #30, #513, #563–564, Batman #234, #346, #397–398, #410–411, Batman and Robin #23.1, World's Finest #173, Batman: Two-Face #1, Joker's Asylum: Two Face, and Batman Chronicles #8.
Harvey Dent as Two-Face is a fictional super-villain created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, he first appeared in Detective Comics #66 (August 1942). Once an upstanding Gotham City District Attorney, Harvey Dent was hideously scarred on the left side of the face mainly by having acid thrown on his face. He was subsequently driven insane and adopted the Two-Face persona, becoming a criminal obsessed with duality and the confliction between good and evil.
As a whole, Batman Arkham: Two-Face is a rather wonderful collection of Two-Face stories. Story selection must have been difficult to say the least. Two-Face has a long and varied history and has been featured or cameos in many stories over many titles and it is no easy feat to pick out the best or favorite from the masses.
The thing is those measuring sticks are subjective and will never reach perfect consensus. Actually, we all can agree that in a collection like this, we could all agree on one story: Detective Comics #66 – the first appearance of Two-Face – the rest is debatable. This anthology served its purpose – giving the reader a nice overview of Two-Face.
Regardless, I think the editors picked a somewhat nice selection, would I swapped some stories out for others – sure I have my favorites, but it is difficult if not impossible to please everyone, since everyone is different. Overall, I was happy of which stories were presented.
All in all, I think Batman Arkham: Two-Face is a wonderful selection of stories that gives a nice glimpse into the psyche of one of the most endearing villain in Batman's Rouge Gallery – Two-Face. It is a good anthology for both the avid and subdued fan alike. However, for the newly initiated I would recommend a collection that is more substantial and cohesive.
This trade paperback collects Detective Comics #66, #68, #30, #513, #563–564, Batman #234, #346, #397–398, #410–411, Batman and Robin #23.1, World's Finest #173, Batman: Two-Face #1, Joker's Asylum: Two Face, and Batman Chronicles #8.
Harvey Dent as Two-Face is a fictional super-villain created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, he first appeared in Detective Comics #66 (August 1942). Once an upstanding Gotham City District Attorney, Harvey Dent was hideously scarred on the left side of the face mainly by having acid thrown on his face. He was subsequently driven insane and adopted the Two-Face persona, becoming a criminal obsessed with duality and the confliction between good and evil.
As a whole, Batman Arkham: Two-Face is a rather wonderful collection of Two-Face stories. Story selection must have been difficult to say the least. Two-Face has a long and varied history and has been featured or cameos in many stories over many titles and it is no easy feat to pick out the best or favorite from the masses.
The thing is those measuring sticks are subjective and will never reach perfect consensus. Actually, we all can agree that in a collection like this, we could all agree on one story: Detective Comics #66 – the first appearance of Two-Face – the rest is debatable. This anthology served its purpose – giving the reader a nice overview of Two-Face.
Regardless, I think the editors picked a somewhat nice selection, would I swapped some stories out for others – sure I have my favorites, but it is difficult if not impossible to please everyone, since everyone is different. Overall, I was happy of which stories were presented.
All in all, I think Batman Arkham: Two-Face is a wonderful selection of stories that gives a nice glimpse into the psyche of one of the most endearing villain in Batman's Rouge Gallery – Two-Face. It is a good anthology for both the avid and subdued fan alike. However, for the newly initiated I would recommend a collection that is more substantial and cohesive.
October 20, 2020
The dastardly career of Batman's dual villain Two-Face is explored in this giant-sized collection. Over 300 pages of crimes themed around the number '2'. But just who really is Two-Face?
The criminal started out as handsome District Attorney Harvey KENT. In a trio of tales from the early 40s, KENT finds himself partially deformed after Batman deflects a vial of acid thrown at the law man's face by a doomed criminal. This Two-Face's story is a roller coaster of plastic surgery fixes, re-injuries and lovers town apart by tragedy. But by the end, this villain's story ends well.
That would appear to be the end of Two-Face. But with the establishment of the Silver Age of comics, old ideas became new again. This time around Harvey Kent becomes Harvey DENT. This is probably because DC didn't want readers confused with a more heroic Kent, that being the secret identity of a certain Man of Steel, who appears inside in a World's Finest team-up.
With a jump into the 70s, Two-Face's stories become more complex and more deadlier. The 80s see more soap opera type drama between Batman, Catwoman and the Jason Todd Robin. There's also a heavy dose of sexuality with a maimed model turned stripper named Circe.
The 90s and 2000s see Harvey dealing with his daddy issues. Poppa Dent was a loving widower who turned violent during his lengthy drinking binges. Two-Faces crimes are still focused on the number two. But instead of lining the bad man's pockets, the true purpose of these new misdeeds were about payback against anyone who ever wronged Mr. Dent.
A great time capsule of Batman stories from just about every decade of comics featuring the Caped Crusader. Though I am wondering why there weren't any stories from the 60s? Did the aborted fourth season of the Batman '66 TV series lead to an era of no Harvey Dent?
Found at an Ollie's for a literal song, this massive volume was a great read starring one of my favorite Batman baddies.
The criminal started out as handsome District Attorney Harvey KENT. In a trio of tales from the early 40s, KENT finds himself partially deformed after Batman deflects a vial of acid thrown at the law man's face by a doomed criminal. This Two-Face's story is a roller coaster of plastic surgery fixes, re-injuries and lovers town apart by tragedy. But by the end, this villain's story ends well.
That would appear to be the end of Two-Face. But with the establishment of the Silver Age of comics, old ideas became new again. This time around Harvey Kent becomes Harvey DENT. This is probably because DC didn't want readers confused with a more heroic Kent, that being the secret identity of a certain Man of Steel, who appears inside in a World's Finest team-up.
With a jump into the 70s, Two-Face's stories become more complex and more deadlier. The 80s see more soap opera type drama between Batman, Catwoman and the Jason Todd Robin. There's also a heavy dose of sexuality with a maimed model turned stripper named Circe.
The 90s and 2000s see Harvey dealing with his daddy issues. Poppa Dent was a loving widower who turned violent during his lengthy drinking binges. Two-Faces crimes are still focused on the number two. But instead of lining the bad man's pockets, the true purpose of these new misdeeds were about payback against anyone who ever wronged Mr. Dent.
A great time capsule of Batman stories from just about every decade of comics featuring the Caped Crusader. Though I am wondering why there weren't any stories from the 60s? Did the aborted fourth season of the Batman '66 TV series lead to an era of no Harvey Dent?
Found at an Ollie's for a literal song, this massive volume was a great read starring one of my favorite Batman baddies.
July 22, 2023
Yet another collection of comics centered on one villain. This time it is Two-Face. Did you know that Two-Face was originally named Harvey Kent, not Harvey Dent? It's true. I wonder if they had to change it because people would think he was related to Clark Kent (AKA Superman). I don't remember if the other Batman Arkham collections I've read had this as well, but there is a multi-part storyline in the middle (Detective Comics #563-564 and Batman #397-398). My top three (again in no order) are "Crime and Punishment" (Batman: Two-Face #1), which explores a different origin story to Harvey Dent than the acid being thrown in his face; "Double Jeopardy" (Batman Chronicles #8), where Two-Face is asked by Commissioner Gordon to help find Boss Moroni; and "A Tale of Two Faces" (Batman and Robin #23.1), a New 52 story where Two-Face will either save Gotham or "make it bleed" based on the coin toss.
June 29, 2021
Is it a bit on the nose to rate this 2 stars? Perhaps, but I'd like to think Two-Face would like the duality.
A collection of stories that really epitomize the confounding nature of Harvey Dent. Ruined by a coin and then, ultimately ruled by the very same coin... it's clear there were problems with Dent, or pre-1968 Kent, long before the acid bath. I found the stories to be deeply underwhelming and frankly, very boring.
Perhaps, if the editors chose some storylines with a bit more variety to them the read would've been more enjoyable. Most of the plots were highly repetitive in nature regurgitating his backstory over and over. I wished the writers and editors had a bit more faith in the readers to know the backstory of one of the most iconic villains in Batman's rouges gallery and chosen some better issues.
A collection of stories that really epitomize the confounding nature of Harvey Dent. Ruined by a coin and then, ultimately ruled by the very same coin... it's clear there were problems with Dent, or pre-1968 Kent, long before the acid bath. I found the stories to be deeply underwhelming and frankly, very boring.
Perhaps, if the editors chose some storylines with a bit more variety to them the read would've been more enjoyable. Most of the plots were highly repetitive in nature regurgitating his backstory over and over. I wished the writers and editors had a bit more faith in the readers to know the backstory of one of the most iconic villains in Batman's rouges gallery and chosen some better issues.
September 30, 2023
Yup, a grown man who reads "funny" books. Two-Face is my favorite villain in the Batman universe. I know the Joker gets all the press but I've liked the Two-Face stories the best since I was a kid. I don't know that these are the "greatest" Two-Face stories but they're pretty fun. I've had this book for several years and pulled it out to read (again) as a prelude to Halloween season reads. A couple of the stories are from the early 40s. There is a World's Finest story from the 60s. The 50s are skipped since villains like Two-Face were on hiatus during that "Seduction of the Innocent" era. A Neal Adams classic from 1971. A handful from the 80s and then we're in the modern era to wrap up the collection. Stellar artwork throughout.
January 2, 2024
It was fun to read the comics in which Two-Face first appeared. I liked the stylistic choice of making his evil side green like a classic movie monster. My favorite version of Two-Face though is when he has his black and white suit and his evil side is red with white hair. The old comics were campy and fun and made me think of the old Batman show with Adam West. The last four entries in this collection were my favorite out of the bunch. I loved how in “Two-Face, too”, the reader was left with the choice to see how the story would end, with the flip of a coin.
January 2, 2019
Average collection of two face stories. Far from his best but they are decent
February 12, 2022
I think two-face is now one of my favourite villains.
December 24, 2024
“why did this man reach down from olympus, lift up his small son - and cast him into hell?” oh harv
February 5, 2024
Good book to read, especially for people that are just now getting into the Batman series. It’s a good introduction to one of Batman’s best villains. And how Two Face has evolved through the years. Recommend for newbies to Batman and classic Batman fans.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews