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Batman

Batman: The Story of the Dark Knight

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Have no fear?the Dark KnightTM is here! Created nearly seventy years ago, Batman is one of the world?s most recognized super heroes. Now he?s starring in his very own hardcover picture book, designed specifically for young children. Learn how Bruce Wayne , a mild-mannered businessman by day, became a tireless crime fighter?Batman?by night. Illustrated with bright, bold pictures and told in simple language, Viking?s Batman is the perfect introduction to a beloved cultural icon.

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

1 person is currently reading
94 people want to read

About the author

Ralph Cosentino

24 books11 followers

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5 stars
57 (27%)
4 stars
74 (35%)
3 stars
61 (28%)
2 stars
13 (6%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Tasha.
4,165 reviews138 followers
June 12, 2008
Return to the style and feel of the early Batman comics with this picture book. It covers all of the basics of who Batman is, how he became a superhero and the many villains he tries to stop. Cosentino's text is pure vintage comic book style, simple but explosive. His art echoes the same, except with more clarity and a child-friendly larger format.

This is a great book for beginning readers who are reluctant. There aren't many comic books that are written at about a 2nd grade level. This one will fly off the shelves, or use its Batmobile to zoom off them.
2,367 reviews31 followers
March 29, 2021
Every time my son visits my classroom he goes to the library and finds this book. He loves Batman! This book came with a CLI order a few years ago. I do not recall any students ever reading this.

Fritz usually takes it out and looks at the pictures. It's a graphic novel so the pictures are compelling. This is the Dark Knight so there is no Robin (yeah!). I really like the graphics.

Fritz asked if I would read this to him. I agreed as I always will. This basically introduces Batman and his nemeses. Two-Face is included in the rogues gallery.

It's a short book, but well done. Fritz loved it!
****
We went into my classroom again today and guess what? Fritz wanted to borrow this book. He asked if we should let the principal know we were going to borrow it. He's so cute.

Once again I read this to my boy. He just loves Batman. I am a fan of this book. Fritz is so engaged. In the handful of years this has been on the bookshelf, I do not recall any student having read it. That is unfortunate. Perhaps when Fritz comes for "Bring Your Child to Work Day" he will read it aloud to my students. :)
****
We are participating in the #classroombookaday challenge this year. Because of that, I pulled this off the shelf today to read. Some students have yet to demonstrate listening skills. But the good news is some students seemed to be into it.

It really isn't a great read. I have since gotten into comics and this doesn't hold up to others. Anyhow, it's a decent introduction to graphic novels for my students this year.
****
There is no story here, but I enjoyed reading it to my students today. An introduction to the Batman universe with the big players. The art is the highlight here.
Profile Image for Jessica.
808 reviews49 followers
June 15, 2011
The Batman story has fans of all ages. However, it's not necessarily young child friendly, since Batman has a violent and tragic origin story (his parents being murdered when Batman/Bruce Wayne was very young) and gruesome and scary villains (the Joker, Two-Face). Therefore, Ralph Cosentino's book Batman is a welcome addition to the Batman literature. It tells Batman's origin story (parents' death somewhat glossed over), tells about the Bat Cave, and Alfred, and discusses Batman's villains, all with a short sentence per page and plenty of action-packed illustrations in a slick and simple comic book style. The kids at the library I interned at went gaga for this book! I picked it up for a seven-year-old's Batman-themed birthday party, hope it's a hit!

Highly recommended for the young superhero/Batman fan. Also see Ralph Cosentino's other superhero books, Superman and Wonder Woman: The Story of the Amazon Princess.

Ages 4-8
Profile Image for Bill Doughty.
403 reviews31 followers
May 18, 2010
This was a fun picture book explaining the "Who He Is and How He Came To Be" of Batman for audiences young and old, gorgeously illustrated in a style reminiscent of both Golden Age comics artists and modern indie creators like Seth. Cosentino won points with me for not shying away from the "MY PARENTS ARE DEAD!!!" aspect of Batman's origin, and actually handling it in such a way as not to traumatize my almost-5-year-old. One of our better library finds from the past year, and I want to get him a copy of his own soon. And probably one for myself.
Profile Image for Jen.
744 reviews58 followers
May 3, 2010
I saw this little gem in the children's section in a bookstore and I knew as soon as I saw the cover that I HAD to have it! It's a breeze of a read (then again, as an adult, that goes without saying) but I'm sure kids will enjoy the (tamed) story of Bruce Wayne and how he came to be Batman, and the vivid colour palette and illustrations. Plus the references to the golden age Batman won't be lost on the grown up fans. I loved it.
Profile Image for Anthony Woodward.
Author 18 books1 follower
May 1, 2011
An extremely well designed book for young readers interested in the Batman character. There are two other books by the same illustrator done in the same format, one is 'Wonderwoman' and the other 'Superman'.
Profile Image for Hilary.
2,312 reviews50 followers
October 1, 2013
Read this in anticipation of 2015 SRP program. The format (graphic novel/comic book) is appealing and the eye-catching cover guarantees the book will fly off the shelf. Hope our library copy holds up for two years...
Profile Image for jacky.
3,496 reviews93 followers
August 17, 2014
William really enjoyed this one, and it was really fun to hear him fill in "I'm Batman." This covers the components well, which is saying a lot for Batman since it is rather dark. Especially loved the last page.
Profile Image for Paula.
166 reviews3 followers
June 28, 2016
Perfect for young readers-- tells the story of how Bruce Wayne became Batman. Illustrations fill the pages & there are few words/ one sentence per page. Young superhero fans are really going to love this book.
Profile Image for Timothy.
419 reviews10 followers
February 19, 2011
A must read for future geeks of the next generation.
Profile Image for Jean-Marie.
974 reviews51 followers
March 4, 2011
Finally! A Batman picture book for the preschool set! I wish I had found this a year ago. An easy, fluid "Who is Batman?" story. The bold illustrations are a perfect complement to the story.
Profile Image for Lizzie.
635 reviews40 followers
August 30, 2012
Good for intro to the characters and plot of early readers. Shows off the villians and gets just enough detail. The art is really bold and strogn black lines are great.
Profile Image for Jill.
259 reviews
July 14, 2013
The first book my son learned to read. A classic, simply told with good values and lessons behind the Batman's motivations. A top for 3 & 4yo boys.
Profile Image for G-E.
1,102 reviews12 followers
June 24, 2017
Il est très court et les illustrations sont très jolies. Pour faire connaître l’origine de Batman à un enfant, c’est parfait.
Profile Image for Jen.
253 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2015
My daughter can't stop asking for this book. And she's only 3.
Profile Image for Maria Morrison.
490 reviews27 followers
August 6, 2015
Batman for children telling them why he's Batman, how they can become Batman and the trials which he must face to keep his city safe.
Profile Image for Villain E.
4,026 reviews19 followers
April 19, 2020
I'm always wary of children's books about Batman. He didn't exactly have the best childhood. And there is a two page sequence about his family and how he lost them. I trust you to know if your kids are ready for that bit. I skipped over it.

Otherwise this is just an introduction to Batman. No real story. Pretty good art.
Profile Image for Lynnette.
861 reviews
April 22, 2024
Pretty good for a superhero book. There aren't a ton of words on the page which is great for a little kids. There are also lots of opportunities for sound effects and voices while reading. But I think it is better for older kids like maybe kindergarten and above. They included Two-Face as one of the villains and he looks pretty scary.
Profile Image for Fugo Feedback.
5,105 reviews173 followers
December 29, 2015
No me molesta que salgan estos libritos para los más pequeñuelos con el origen de los personajes que ven por la tele, en muñecos, videojuegos y mil fuentes más, pero sí que el resultado sea tan flojo, las "moralejas" tan anticuadas, y ya que estamos quejándonos, la edición salga con una página pixelada.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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