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Batman: The Dark Prince Charming #1
Batman: The Dark Prince Charming Book One
Acclaimed European comics master Enrico Marini (Eagles of Rome, Le Scorpion) makes his American comics debut with an original, two-part graphic novel starring the Dark Knight! What secret connection do both Batman and The Joker share with a strange and mysterious young girl? After she’s kidnapped by The Joker, Batman must plunge deep into the underworld of Gotham City and race against time to find out where she’s being held. The stakes are high, and for Batman, it’s personal!
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
December 1, 2017
A woman claiming to be Bruce Wayne’s baby mama rocks up with his “daughter” demanding he cough up millions in owed childcare. And then the Joker kidnaps her. Prepare for boredom with Batman: The Dark Prince Charming #1!
I’ve never heard of Enrico Marini but apparently he’s an “acclaimed European comics master”. Bollocks I say, I think he’s just mates with Jim Lee and that’s how he got this gig! Because, while he’s clearly a talented illustrator, Marini’s just another artist who can’t write for shit!
What is up with that pathetic story?! It’s the most unimaginative, lazy and mundane storyline he could’ve possibly conceived! Joker acts like Joker, shooting everyone left and right while Harley throws a temper tantrum, Batman fights goons left and right. A contrived daughter suddenly appears and we’re supposed to care? Bah! So what? This is tediously predictable, run-of-the-mill, boilerplate Batman.
Why doesn’t Bruce just have a paternity test? And why does Joker want to get one over on Bruce Wayne by stealing his daughter anyway – does he know Bruce is Bats? Or does he have something against Bruce as well as Batman and doesn’t know they’re one and the same? Rubbish plotting.
Marini does make Gotham look good though. The cityscape is hypnotically shadowy, Batman looks terrific and the two combined make for some superbly moody and eye-catching splash-pages. I also really liked his design for Killer Croc who’s reimagined as just a tough guy with scaly tattoos and a creepy bifurcated tongue, which I think is an improvement over the humanoid crocodile he’s usually depicted as. The Batmobile design though is basically a copy of the one from the Nolan Batman movies and I don’t think Joker having starry makeup over his eyes is a good look.
I wouldn’t bother with this very dull, oversized/overpriced first issue (of two). Most people could probably imagine a more interesting Batman/Joker story than this or have access to a library where any number of Batman comics could instil the same level of disinterest for free – a far from charming Batman comic!
I’ve never heard of Enrico Marini but apparently he’s an “acclaimed European comics master”. Bollocks I say, I think he’s just mates with Jim Lee and that’s how he got this gig! Because, while he’s clearly a talented illustrator, Marini’s just another artist who can’t write for shit!
What is up with that pathetic story?! It’s the most unimaginative, lazy and mundane storyline he could’ve possibly conceived! Joker acts like Joker, shooting everyone left and right while Harley throws a temper tantrum, Batman fights goons left and right. A contrived daughter suddenly appears and we’re supposed to care? Bah! So what? This is tediously predictable, run-of-the-mill, boilerplate Batman.
Why doesn’t Bruce just have a paternity test? And why does Joker want to get one over on Bruce Wayne by stealing his daughter anyway – does he know Bruce is Bats? Or does he have something against Bruce as well as Batman and doesn’t know they’re one and the same? Rubbish plotting.
Marini does make Gotham look good though. The cityscape is hypnotically shadowy, Batman looks terrific and the two combined make for some superbly moody and eye-catching splash-pages. I also really liked his design for Killer Croc who’s reimagined as just a tough guy with scaly tattoos and a creepy bifurcated tongue, which I think is an improvement over the humanoid crocodile he’s usually depicted as. The Batmobile design though is basically a copy of the one from the Nolan Batman movies and I don’t think Joker having starry makeup over his eyes is a good look.
I wouldn’t bother with this very dull, oversized/overpriced first issue (of two). Most people could probably imagine a more interesting Batman/Joker story than this or have access to a library where any number of Batman comics could instil the same level of disinterest for free – a far from charming Batman comic!
November 28, 2017
Love the plot and the artwork is just amazing!
November 19, 2017
I did visit a comic store in order to obtain some merchandising about Harley Quinn, Star Wars or Thor Ragnarok for my youngest daughter [my wife blames me for my influence on both my daughters]. Too be honest it was the first visit for some years in a regular comic-shop and I realized that my wallet was sadly not deep enough so I did my daughter some stuff and treated myself on the New Asterix and and an new Batman comic after the seller assured me that it was a standalone and not deep into the regular storylines that make less and less sense to me. [No Blake and Mortimer comic on the horizon anytime soon].
This story is the umpteenth version of the Batman versus the Joker and both are shown here as Super in their effort as hero and criminal mastermind even if the Jokers reason for his latest crime is somewhat ordinary but very recognizable fir the any person. And both men are shown in their humanity which they do not care for very much but makes up for an essential part of their lives.
This being the first of two installments is pretty good and the drawings are excellent they actually give the comic en new level of awesomeness. Marini does know how to give the Batman series, not unknown for their impressive drawing a new high.
I am really looking forward to the second installment of this series which can be easily read by first timers as it does not require any knowledge on the Batman lore but that these two men are the eternal opposites and yet need a similar obsession to do what they do best.
Well worth your time.
This story is the umpteenth version of the Batman versus the Joker and both are shown here as Super in their effort as hero and criminal mastermind even if the Jokers reason for his latest crime is somewhat ordinary but very recognizable fir the any person. And both men are shown in their humanity which they do not care for very much but makes up for an essential part of their lives.
This being the first of two installments is pretty good and the drawings are excellent they actually give the comic en new level of awesomeness. Marini does know how to give the Batman series, not unknown for their impressive drawing a new high.
I am really looking forward to the second installment of this series which can be easily read by first timers as it does not require any knowledge on the Batman lore but that these two men are the eternal opposites and yet need a similar obsession to do what they do best.
Well worth your time.
August 4, 2018
Argh, every women in this book is written like that...
World: The art is fine, it's the best thing about the book, the colors are beautiful and the tone is interesting falling between animated series and Dark Knight. The world building is simple, to the point and uses a lot of established Batman tropes so it's very easy to get into this world and just let the story play out.
Story: The story is okay, it's a typical Joker story with an added layer of a little girl and a kidnapping, nothing really different or new just a filler episode if I am using the Animated Series as a comparative. But the problem of the book really start to appear about 10 pages in, the dialog and the women. The dialog is fairly stunted and emotionless and odd, the tone is a bit all over the place with the dialog and not really always in line with the art, one moment Batman is dark and broody and another he's bantering about vaping, it's inconsistent. Then there's the portrayal of women in this book, either victims are unsavory, need and all the other cliches and stereotypes about women from a male perspective in 90s comic books, just read and see for yourself. In the end the story in this first part is rather forgettable and add to that the issues with dialog and stereotypes, my hopes are not high for the second half.
Characters: The characters are mostly what you would expect the pop culture norm of these Bat characters to be, there is nothing new about them and nothing different about them, other than the art which is quite solid. Everyone is status quo except for the janky dialog. As I said above the women are a bit disappointing, from Selina's needy crazy girlfriend portrayal, to Harley's need greedy portrayal, to the white trash drug addict ex, all the women in this book are either conniving or victims (the little girl) and need of rescue. Problems.
A meh first half that doesn't really give me hope for the next half.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is fine, it's the best thing about the book, the colors are beautiful and the tone is interesting falling between animated series and Dark Knight. The world building is simple, to the point and uses a lot of established Batman tropes so it's very easy to get into this world and just let the story play out.
Story: The story is okay, it's a typical Joker story with an added layer of a little girl and a kidnapping, nothing really different or new just a filler episode if I am using the Animated Series as a comparative. But the problem of the book really start to appear about 10 pages in, the dialog and the women. The dialog is fairly stunted and emotionless and odd, the tone is a bit all over the place with the dialog and not really always in line with the art, one moment Batman is dark and broody and another he's bantering about vaping, it's inconsistent. Then there's the portrayal of women in this book, either victims are unsavory, need and all the other cliches and stereotypes about women from a male perspective in 90s comic books, just read and see for yourself. In the end the story in this first part is rather forgettable and add to that the issues with dialog and stereotypes, my hopes are not high for the second half.
Characters: The characters are mostly what you would expect the pop culture norm of these Bat characters to be, there is nothing new about them and nothing different about them, other than the art which is quite solid. Everyone is status quo except for the janky dialog. As I said above the women are a bit disappointing, from Selina's needy crazy girlfriend portrayal, to Harley's need greedy portrayal, to the white trash drug addict ex, all the women in this book are either conniving or victims (the little girl) and need of rescue. Problems.
A meh first half that doesn't really give me hope for the next half.
Onward to the next book!
February 18, 2018
Very good start to this series! So whether you consider this a graphic novel or one shot, either way I had a blast reading this! It is short so I won't say too much about the story other then it is very engaging! Its a Batman/Joker story, so already its a must read for a batman fan! Other then that, the artwork is fantastically done and suits the tone and thrilling pace of the book! I fully recommend this one, it is part 1, so whether you get it now or wait for both parts to be collected into one, either way I enjoyed this!
November 2, 2017
this new Comicbook is fucking lit y'all 2 bad has only 6 issue's !!!
December 4, 2019
Batman is on the hunt looking for Joker and a little girl that might be his daughter. The artwork is amazing and the story is really good. I have read this book multiple times.
December 13, 2023
After having a great time with "As Águias de Roma" and discovering that Marini had made a book for DC with Batman, I had to check it out.
This is great. Everything that I expected it to be.
I'm surprised DC picked an author famous for his European comics to do this but I'm glad they did. Both Marvel and DC should do more of this.
Everything here is great, the story, the art, the colors, the edition, everything.
Joker is spot on. Crazy as ever with no regard for Human life.
This is 1 of 2 volumes but I expect both to be this good. We'll see.
Try it out if you're into DC comics.
This is great. Everything that I expected it to be.
I'm surprised DC picked an author famous for his European comics to do this but I'm glad they did. Both Marvel and DC should do more of this.
Everything here is great, the story, the art, the colors, the edition, everything.
Joker is spot on. Crazy as ever with no regard for Human life.
This is 1 of 2 volumes but I expect both to be this good. We'll see.
Try it out if you're into DC comics.
December 14, 2018
Me ha gustado aunque me ha dejado la miel en los labios estoy deseando saber que pasa, necesito leer la segunda parte, por eso no le he dado mas nota. Batman siempre me ha gustado, pero Joker siempre me ha parecido el antagonista perfecto.
July 5, 2018
A rather silly story with AMAZING art!
May 21, 2018
I checked this out because I loved marini's artwork on both "Le Scorpion" and "Les aigles de Rome". His drawing style is beautiful and memorable and I wanted to see what an experienced BD illustrator could do with good old Gotham and Bats. I got "Dark Prince Charming 1/2" at a comic con, where I got to meet the guy and have it signed.
After reading It was as I expected it to be. He gives his own take on gotham with some extraordinary grim and dark one-pagers and with illustrations that have you observing each page long after you've finished reading the speech bubbles. Can't say I was as impressed with the scenario though. A mundane Batman story, one of the thousands written about the famous anti-hero that you read one moment and you forget the next.
Surely writting isn't his strong card but I'd like to see how this story ends on 2/2. To enjoy the drawings if anything else.
After reading It was as I expected it to be. He gives his own take on gotham with some extraordinary grim and dark one-pagers and with illustrations that have you observing each page long after you've finished reading the speech bubbles. Can't say I was as impressed with the scenario though. A mundane Batman story, one of the thousands written about the famous anti-hero that you read one moment and you forget the next.
Surely writting isn't his strong card but I'd like to see how this story ends on 2/2. To enjoy the drawings if anything else.
December 16, 2025
Marini no defrauda con este Batman. Me ha encantado el argumento y las acuarelas. Las imágenes transmiten mucha fuerza e intensidad. Deseando que se publique el segundo y último volumen el próximo mes de junio de 2018.
March 12, 2019
I've known Marini since his Gipsy series in the early 90's and as much as I think he's a great storyteller/penciler/colorist the sad truth is he sucks as a writer.
DPC is boring enough to make one's brain go numb. A junkie alleges Bruce Wayne is the father of her daughter so Joker kidnaps the kid to ransom Bruce and buy Harley a birthday present. My, the stakes!
I can't care less about the kid-who's probably not Wayne's daughter anyway. Joker is by-the-book crazy, about as fun as a rusted nail and as threatening as a door knob- see Tom King's version for a really mean characterization. Batman is by-the-book grim and uninteresting. Harley, Selina and Gordon play walk-on parts, just as my interest for the plot.
Still, the art is simply great. Guess we can't have both, eh?
DPC is boring enough to make one's brain go numb. A junkie alleges Bruce Wayne is the father of her daughter so Joker kidnaps the kid to ransom Bruce and buy Harley a birthday present. My, the stakes!
I can't care less about the kid-who's probably not Wayne's daughter anyway. Joker is by-the-book crazy, about as fun as a rusted nail and as threatening as a door knob- see Tom King's version for a really mean characterization. Batman is by-the-book grim and uninteresting. Harley, Selina and Gordon play walk-on parts, just as my interest for the plot.
Still, the art is simply great. Guess we can't have both, eh?
April 19, 2020
Gostei muito da arte dos detalhes e o enredo realmente me deixou curioso... veremos como termina..
Adorei o visual da harley (meio castelo ra-tim-bum) e do joker.
Adorei o visual da harley (meio castelo ra-tim-bum) e do joker.
October 15, 2018
I bought this book on a whim. It was actually packaged so I couldn’t see what the art work looks like. But I m glad I bought it, the art work was just gorgeous. It looked like sophisticated version of water-coloring (or something to that effect.
The basic premise of the story involves a young girl who was kidnapped by Joker. Batman is frantically looking for her because she might be Bruce Wayne’s daughter...
I must say I really enjoyed the writer/artist’ interpretation of Joker and the Uber creepy way he looked in this comic...
This is part 1 so we will get the answers/resolution in Part 2 But this was a great start. Can’t wait to read the second installment...
The basic premise of the story involves a young girl who was kidnapped by Joker. Batman is frantically looking for her because she might be Bruce Wayne’s daughter...
I must say I really enjoyed the writer/artist’ interpretation of Joker and the Uber creepy way he looked in this comic...
This is part 1 so we will get the answers/resolution in Part 2 But this was a great start. Can’t wait to read the second installment...
November 2, 2017
A drug addicted woman is claiming that her 8 year old child is the daughter of Bruce Wayne. It makes the media headlines, and Joker kidnaps her. Batman tries to get her back. Not a lot of great plot in this book, but then again it’s only about 60 pages. I’ll probably read book two, but this story is bordering on the thin line of forgettable Batman comics
November 17, 2017
Marini (Orlovi Rima) je odličan ovde. Donosi duh evropskog stripa DC-u u tolikoj meri da kada bismo izbacili Betmena i na njegovo mesto stavili nekog generičkog sf karaktera znali bismo da pred sobom imamo kvalitetnu franačku mejnstrimštinu.
Nije strip (odnosno prva polovina istog) savršen, nije ni blizu - iako je sveukupni vizuelni utisak fenomenalan, iskusnijem stripovskom oku neće promaći ošljarenja i nedoslednosti na pojedinim tablama, no svkakako, u odnosu na prosečan američki mesečnik, ovo jeste odlično nacrtano.
Takođe, Marini ne razume Džokera, neko je to ovde već i rekao. Upravo nakon ovog stripa uzeh da čitam "Ludu Ljubav" i jasno je koliko je tamo Džoker više "svoj", duhovitiji, simpatičniji u svom ludilu. Kod Marinija on biva sveden samo na psiho ubicu bez prepoznatljivog skeča koji ide uz to.
U svakom slučaju, ležerna, nezavisna priča koja će fanovima Betmena doneti osveženje, a onima koj i su kežualniji jednu solidnu priču koju mogu pročitati bez da se udubljuju u ceo njegov svet...
Nije strip (odnosno prva polovina istog) savršen, nije ni blizu - iako je sveukupni vizuelni utisak fenomenalan, iskusnijem stripovskom oku neće promaći ošljarenja i nedoslednosti na pojedinim tablama, no svkakako, u odnosu na prosečan američki mesečnik, ovo jeste odlično nacrtano.
Takođe, Marini ne razume Džokera, neko je to ovde već i rekao. Upravo nakon ovog stripa uzeh da čitam "Ludu Ljubav" i jasno je koliko je tamo Džoker više "svoj", duhovitiji, simpatičniji u svom ludilu. Kod Marinija on biva sveden samo na psiho ubicu bez prepoznatljivog skeča koji ide uz to.
U svakom slučaju, ležerna, nezavisna priča koja će fanovima Betmena doneti osveženje, a onima koj i su kežualniji jednu solidnu priču koju mogu pročitati bez da se udubljuju u ceo njegov svet...
March 22, 2021
Read 22/03/2021
Score: 4.5/5 - 9/10
I've read a lot of Batman recently. Especially from the Batman RIP run, and although I've been having a great time with it, sometimes it feels way too complex. But this!? everything I love as a casual comic reader.
It's a stand alone. I think it has a sequel, but apart from that, it's one of those stories you can understand fully without any obscure-oddly speficic reference to some comic I don't know. The art is!! amazing!!, I really love the watercolour, pencil and even the sketchy lines. The story is so simple yet charming, and it has Catwoman, the Joker, Harley, Alfred and Gordon; all while keeping them in character and everything developing in a clear and understandable way.
I really love this kind of story, and I looooved the mystery and drive Batman has. I enjoy Batman stories, but I enjoy them even more when he has actual emotions and behaves like an actual, non-godlike human being.
Score: 4.5/5 - 9/10
I've read a lot of Batman recently. Especially from the Batman RIP run, and although I've been having a great time with it, sometimes it feels way too complex. But this!? everything I love as a casual comic reader.
It's a stand alone. I think it has a sequel, but apart from that, it's one of those stories you can understand fully without any obscure-oddly speficic reference to some comic I don't know. The art is!! amazing!!, I really love the watercolour, pencil and even the sketchy lines. The story is so simple yet charming, and it has Catwoman, the Joker, Harley, Alfred and Gordon; all while keeping them in character and everything developing in a clear and understandable way.
I really love this kind of story, and I looooved the mystery and drive Batman has. I enjoy Batman stories, but I enjoy them even more when he has actual emotions and behaves like an actual, non-godlike human being.
February 5, 2018
Archie isimli palyaçoda kendimi gördüm. -"...and my name is Archie,Boss -.- "
En iyisi olmasa da, çok iyiydi!
Çizimler bu zamana kadar yapılanlar içinde -bana göre- en iyisi. Harika sıcak tonlar, basit ama kusursuz çizgi ve sulu boya etkisinde bir hikayeydi. Her bir kareyi büyütüp odamın duvarlarını kaplarsam sanki anında hikayeye dalabilirim gibi.
Ayrıca karakterlerin yeni görünüşleri de muhteşem. Joker'in makyajındaki ufak değişiklik çok daha havalı birine dönüştürmüş onu. Ayrıca bu çizgi romanda onu, tamamen Heath Ledger'ı görerek okudum. Çok benzetilmiş, ki iyi olmuş. Popüler hale gelmiş Harley görüntüsüne katlanamasam da - kırmızı/siyah kostümünden yanayım her zaman- bu hikayede saçlarına bayıldım. Son olarak da Bruce'un itici çenesi gitmiş, daha az keskin ve tam bir Batman suratı gelmiş.
Marini kesinlikle harika bir iş çıkarmış.
En iyisi olmasa da, çok iyiydi!
Çizimler bu zamana kadar yapılanlar içinde -bana göre- en iyisi. Harika sıcak tonlar, basit ama kusursuz çizgi ve sulu boya etkisinde bir hikayeydi. Her bir kareyi büyütüp odamın duvarlarını kaplarsam sanki anında hikayeye dalabilirim gibi.
Ayrıca karakterlerin yeni görünüşleri de muhteşem. Joker'in makyajındaki ufak değişiklik çok daha havalı birine dönüştürmüş onu. Ayrıca bu çizgi romanda onu, tamamen Heath Ledger'ı görerek okudum. Çok benzetilmiş, ki iyi olmuş. Popüler hale gelmiş Harley görüntüsüne katlanamasam da - kırmızı/siyah kostümünden yanayım her zaman- bu hikayede saçlarına bayıldım. Son olarak da Bruce'un itici çenesi gitmiş, daha az keskin ve tam bir Batman suratı gelmiş.
Marini kesinlikle harika bir iş çıkarmış.
June 28, 2018
A nice short run featuring our beloved and tortured dark knight. The first part focused on some fights and interactions with the laughing guy who likes make-up, the cat-lover, the mustachioed cop and of course Alfred. The action was pretty well depicted, the art was dynamic and the Joker had a nice amount of madness and violence, while the drawings kept my eyes safe from gory situations. The kiddo was a nice addition, I thought she could be a good Robin. I really enjoyed the art style and the colors used, the atmosphere was good and the chara-design was consistent with the usual batcomics.
July 8, 2018
Back to the basic but incorporate the new. That's Marini's Batman. On the edge between "Batman" and "Dark Knight" feeling, there is a classic story of love/hate romance of Batman and Joker. It has both nice thoughtful details and rough fights, all by Marini's talented hand. In short - the art is beautiful, colourful and atmospheric. From the fantastic panoramas to back alleys, everything has its own feeling and distinctive look. Even the story isn't something mindblowing and rather sticks to classic tropes, it's very engaging and I look forward to the second part of it.
January 1, 2019
I don't read much Batman usually - I enjoy the main titles that everyone has read (Long Halloween, A Death in the Family, etc) but tend to get a bit bored by the serials.
This one caught my eye both because the hardcover advertised it being 1 out of only 2 volumes, and when I looked inside the art was DOPE.
Having now read the book, I can still say that the art was completely *ahem* batshit amazing, but the story surprisingly grabbed me as well. I didn't love Harley's portrayal, but reducing her to the Joker's crazy girlfriend is a mistake than many writers make.
I will actually pick up the second volume, which was not something I thought I would do when I picked up the first.
This one caught my eye both because the hardcover advertised it being 1 out of only 2 volumes, and when I looked inside the art was DOPE.
Having now read the book, I can still say that the art was completely *ahem* batshit amazing, but the story surprisingly grabbed me as well. I didn't love Harley's portrayal, but reducing her to the Joker's crazy girlfriend is a mistake than many writers make.
I will actually pick up the second volume, which was not something I thought I would do when I picked up the first.
November 4, 2017
A rare standalone Batman story and a breathe of fresh air, I love the batfamily but stories like these with seemingly no connection are a rarity since they introduced his countless allies, so once in a while a good story with just the bats is welcome. Amazing art, while the story felt somewhat lackluster by comparison I still rate it highly and recommend to people who like classic Batman stories.
June 7, 2021
História ok até o momento, tá indo bem. O Coringa como sempre causando em Gotham mas, dessa vez, ele não só está causando problemas ao Batman mas também para Bruce Wayne.
Com isso, o Batman está ficando cada vez mais sem tempo. Está agindo com raiva atrás do Coringa e tentando desvendar seus planos. Vamos ver como será a sequência.
Com isso, o Batman está ficando cada vez mais sem tempo. Está agindo com raiva atrás do Coringa e tentando desvendar seus planos. Vamos ver como será a sequência.
December 30, 2017
De eerste Europese artist die aan de slag mag gaan met Batman en hij doet dat meteen met verve. Het verhaal heeft voldoende weerhaken en intrige om interessant te zijn, maar het is vooral het fantastische tekenwerk, wat anders is dan wat we gewend zijn bij Batman, die de 5 sterren binnen haalt. Indrukwekkend!
February 8, 2018
Les dessins sont splendides. L’ambiance est sombre, mystérieuse mais il y a une belle part d’humanité. Je n’ai pas vu que la BD touchait à sa fin... je dois maintenant attendre le 15 juin avant d’avoir sa suite 😭
October 2, 2018
It's been so long since I've read a Batman story and holy shit I've missed him (and joker and harley) so much. I loved this silly, yet dark, story. The artwork is amazing too.
October 8, 2018
এটারে শুধু চার দিলাম। এনরিকোর ব্যাটম্যান খারাপ লাগল না।
March 26, 2021
Dark, twisted, charmingly devilish... loved it!!!!
September 10, 2019
Batman goes to Europe, yo!
I really liked this Italian take on Batman by Marini. Everything looks slightly off, and there's a decidedly foreign mix of nearly campy storyline with Batman-as-Cadman, but if you can accept that, you get some nice art with a charming (no pun) story that looks like it's going to finish strong in part 2.
First, the story has the Joker fleeing a jewel heist. That's the part that's kind of campy: Jewel heists are probably the original superhero comic book storyline—and, frankly, I'm fine with that. I get tired of things being super-serial all the time with the WORLD AT STAKE. (When I read Batman as a kid, they were often simple murder mysteries.)
Joker is way over the top. I had mixed feelings about this just because the trail of body he leaves is a little conspicuous, and includes enough of his own men to where he would have trouble getting minions. But again, it's kind of classic-campy.
I'm not a Harley Quinn expert but I thought she was less sassy and more cowed by Joker, but despite his psychotic excesses, he's also sort of henpecked.
The cad part comes when a woman claims Bruce Wayne is the father of her 9-year-old child. (I think I know where this is going, by the way. The signals are strong.) Joker kidnaps the girl, and I think but am not sure, that Joker does not know who Bruce Wayne is in this continuum. We find this out while Bruce is dallying with Selina Kyle.
I kind of think of Batman as an ascetic, the kind of guy who really wouldn't be fooling around. Also, he wouldn't be a cad. Further, he's guarded, paranoid, and has intimacy issues so...but! European! So, I rolled with it.
I don't know: I'm putting a lot of qualifiers on this given a 5-star rating, but I just accepted it for what it is: A one-shot, a different take on things, and therefore enjoyed it in spite of things that "felt off".
I really liked this Italian take on Batman by Marini. Everything looks slightly off, and there's a decidedly foreign mix of nearly campy storyline with Batman-as-Cadman, but if you can accept that, you get some nice art with a charming (no pun) story that looks like it's going to finish strong in part 2.
First, the story has the Joker fleeing a jewel heist. That's the part that's kind of campy: Jewel heists are probably the original superhero comic book storyline—and, frankly, I'm fine with that. I get tired of things being super-serial all the time with the WORLD AT STAKE. (When I read Batman as a kid, they were often simple murder mysteries.)
Joker is way over the top. I had mixed feelings about this just because the trail of body he leaves is a little conspicuous, and includes enough of his own men to where he would have trouble getting minions. But again, it's kind of classic-campy.
I'm not a Harley Quinn expert but I thought she was less sassy and more cowed by Joker, but despite his psychotic excesses, he's also sort of henpecked.
The cad part comes when a woman claims Bruce Wayne is the father of her 9-year-old child. (I think I know where this is going, by the way. The signals are strong.) Joker kidnaps the girl, and I think but am not sure, that Joker does not know who Bruce Wayne is in this continuum. We find this out while Bruce is dallying with Selina Kyle.
I kind of think of Batman as an ascetic, the kind of guy who really wouldn't be fooling around. Also, he wouldn't be a cad. Further, he's guarded, paranoid, and has intimacy issues so...but! European! So, I rolled with it.
I don't know: I'm putting a lot of qualifiers on this given a 5-star rating, but I just accepted it for what it is: A one-shot, a different take on things, and therefore enjoyed it in spite of things that "felt off".
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