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Batman: Creature of the Night #1-4
Batman: Creature of the Night
Bruce Wainwright, a comic book-reading kid obsessed with the Caped Crusader, loses his parents in a violent crime...and in the real world, no superheroes exist to save the day.
BATMAN: CREATURE OF THE NIGHT, written by Kurt Busiek (ASTRO CITY) and drawn by John Paul Leon (MOTHER PANIC) is a stand-alone story set outside of regular continuity in 1968 Boston, MA. The victim of the brutal murder of his family, young Bruce sees grief and rage build inside himself...until something strange starts taking wing in the Gotham night! Something similar to the comics he's been reading his whole life. As life begins to imitate art, will Bruce Wainwright be able to live up to his fictional namesake?
A deliberately spiritual companion to the beloved SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY, BATMAN: CREATURE OF THE NIGHT puts a new spin you've never seen before on the legend of Batman--and the dark emotions that drive him!
This volume collects issues #1-4 of the critically acclaimed miniseries.
BATMAN: CREATURE OF THE NIGHT, written by Kurt Busiek (ASTRO CITY) and drawn by John Paul Leon (MOTHER PANIC) is a stand-alone story set outside of regular continuity in 1968 Boston, MA. The victim of the brutal murder of his family, young Bruce sees grief and rage build inside himself...until something strange starts taking wing in the Gotham night! Something similar to the comics he's been reading his whole life. As life begins to imitate art, will Bruce Wainwright be able to live up to his fictional namesake?
A deliberately spiritual companion to the beloved SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY, BATMAN: CREATURE OF THE NIGHT puts a new spin you've never seen before on the legend of Batman--and the dark emotions that drive him!
This volume collects issues #1-4 of the critically acclaimed miniseries.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
39 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Kurt Busiek
1,859 books627 followersKurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
March 16, 2020
Oh my gawd - and I can’t emphasise this enough - this book was sooooooo boring! You don’t need to read the rest of this review because that’s all you need to know: Batman: Creature of the Night is a pillow book because it will put you to sleep!
But if you wanted to know more about why I think that…
… so years ago I heard about the premise to Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen’s Superman: Secret Identity and laffed because it did not sound good. A real(ish) world alternate take on the Man of Steel’s origins? Nuh to the uh. And I was so wrong because that book was incredible.
So imagine my excitement when I heard Busiek was returning to write a similar treatment for Batman! And, to be fair, that first issue was very promising. I liked the slightly askewed setup, the mystery of who Batman was, the slow burn - but then read in conjunction with the other three 48 page issues? Man, it is a whole nuther experience - a much worse one in fact.
Because here’s what the book reads like: Bruce Wayne does business, Batman fights crime, albeit as two separate entities rather than two sides of the same coin - or are they?! We find out who “Batman” really is, and that’s it. Almost all of it is reading about Bruce doing business through the years. SO DUCKING DULL.
Busiek makes a few changes to the familiar origin: Bruce Wayne is now Bruce Wainwright who exists in a world where Batman is a comic book character, just like our world. His parents - not as rich as the Waynes, but wealthy - get killed during a robbery gone wrong and poor Bruce is scarred for life. His “uncle” Alton Frederick - geddit, Al-Fred? - grows his inheritance into a sizable fortune while Officer Gordon (not Commissioner) sorta looks for Bruce’s parents’ killer. There’s a “Robin” (some girl Bruce takes pity on) and then Batman - albeit a scarier version of him - appears in Bruce’s life.
I kinda liked the fourth wall-breaking detail of Batman as a comic book character but there’s really nothing else to say about that setup beyond it not being terribly imaginative. Batman though? That reveal just plain confuddled me.
Even if you skipped my thoughts on the weirdly dog-like Batman above, all you need to know is that Busiek’s take on Batman is a mess here. There’s an attempt at a surprise plot twist involving Gordon that’s too little too late and a banal observation of how fighting crime isn’t as easy as it appears in the comics - duh! That’s why I don’t think superhero stories should try to be too real because they’re so obviously fantasy - and that’s it.
Good gravy, Creature of the Night is boring, boring, boring and not worth the effort. I wouldn’t bother.
But if you wanted to know more about why I think that…
… so years ago I heard about the premise to Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen’s Superman: Secret Identity and laffed because it did not sound good. A real(ish) world alternate take on the Man of Steel’s origins? Nuh to the uh. And I was so wrong because that book was incredible.
So imagine my excitement when I heard Busiek was returning to write a similar treatment for Batman! And, to be fair, that first issue was very promising. I liked the slightly askewed setup, the mystery of who Batman was, the slow burn - but then read in conjunction with the other three 48 page issues? Man, it is a whole nuther experience - a much worse one in fact.
Because here’s what the book reads like: Bruce Wayne does business, Batman fights crime, albeit as two separate entities rather than two sides of the same coin - or are they?! We find out who “Batman” really is, and that’s it. Almost all of it is reading about Bruce doing business through the years. SO DUCKING DULL.
Busiek makes a few changes to the familiar origin: Bruce Wayne is now Bruce Wainwright who exists in a world where Batman is a comic book character, just like our world. His parents - not as rich as the Waynes, but wealthy - get killed during a robbery gone wrong and poor Bruce is scarred for life. His “uncle” Alton Frederick - geddit, Al-Fred? - grows his inheritance into a sizable fortune while Officer Gordon (not Commissioner) sorta looks for Bruce’s parents’ killer. There’s a “Robin” (some girl Bruce takes pity on) and then Batman - albeit a scarier version of him - appears in Bruce’s life.
I kinda liked the fourth wall-breaking detail of Batman as a comic book character but there’s really nothing else to say about that setup beyond it not being terribly imaginative. Batman though? That reveal just plain confuddled me.
Even if you skipped my thoughts on the weirdly dog-like Batman above, all you need to know is that Busiek’s take on Batman is a mess here. There’s an attempt at a surprise plot twist involving Gordon that’s too little too late and a banal observation of how fighting crime isn’t as easy as it appears in the comics - duh! That’s why I don’t think superhero stories should try to be too real because they’re so obviously fantasy - and that’s it.
Good gravy, Creature of the Night is boring, boring, boring and not worth the effort. I wouldn’t bother.
November 22, 2020
When Bruce Wainwright's parents are murdered and he spends two months in a coma, he discovers the world is an unfair place. But can The Batman make things right? And who or what is this Batman?
I'm a fan of Kurt Busiek's Astro City so I was interested in seeing what I assumed would be a more human take on Batman. Creature of the Night isn't at all what I expected and it's much better for it.
Bruce Wainwright is a young Batman fan on a world not unlike ours. When his parents are murdered, Bruce needs some way to understand and to right the wrong that defined his life. Enter... The Batman!
I'm going to gloss over the rest of the plot so I don't ruin the best bits of the story. Kurt Busiek's tale captures Batman's self destructive nature and has a enough commonalities with the core Batman mythos to still feel like a Batman tale but it's a Batman tale unlike any I've ever read. The art by John Paul Leon is moody as hell and has a Alex Toth/Matt Wagner feel to it. The art style probably isn't for everyone but it's right in my wheelhouse these days.
It doesn't have the Elseworlds banner on it but Batman: Creature of the Night is the best alternate take on Batman since Gotham By Gaslight. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I'm a fan of Kurt Busiek's Astro City so I was interested in seeing what I assumed would be a more human take on Batman. Creature of the Night isn't at all what I expected and it's much better for it.
Bruce Wainwright is a young Batman fan on a world not unlike ours. When his parents are murdered, Bruce needs some way to understand and to right the wrong that defined his life. Enter... The Batman!
I'm going to gloss over the rest of the plot so I don't ruin the best bits of the story. Kurt Busiek's tale captures Batman's self destructive nature and has a enough commonalities with the core Batman mythos to still feel like a Batman tale but it's a Batman tale unlike any I've ever read. The art by John Paul Leon is moody as hell and has a Alex Toth/Matt Wagner feel to it. The art style probably isn't for everyone but it's right in my wheelhouse these days.
It doesn't have the Elseworlds banner on it but Batman: Creature of the Night is the best alternate take on Batman since Gotham By Gaslight. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
April 21, 2020
This is supposed to be something of a successor to Superman: Secret Identity. It's about a kid named Bruce Wainwright who loves Batman comics and has a lot of similarities to Bruce Wayne in real life. His parents are murdered and eventually this spirit Batman comes around to protect him. It's really the plot of Stephen King's The Dark Half except where that book is enthralling, this is boring as hell. I can't emphasize how boring this book is. I know you think you need to read it because it's Kurt Busiek, but just walk away. Go and reread some Astro City comics instead.
April 4, 2020
A spiritual sequel to Busiek Superman story, but this time Batman gets the spin of not actually Bruce but a real life bruce who focuses his life on...well Batman.
The character here is a kid who lost his parents in a robbery. It's similar to the way Bruce in the comics lost his parents. Our main character grew up reading all about Batman and when his parents were killed wanted nothing more than for the "batman" to show up. But this is real life, and well, those things don't happen. However, this kid wouldn't sit down till it happened, and out pops a mysterious creature bat who attacks "bad" people.
A little bit about the injustice of the world, mental health, loss, and compassion, this book hits a lot of big notes and mostly successeds on all of them. While I felt Secret Identity was probably better crafted and better paced, this holds alot of solid themes and dialogue. The art works well here, able to capture a old 60's and 70's feel. I also enjoyed the characters and was shocked by some of the twist presented.
While not the perfect Batman book, mostly due to the pacing at points, it is still a very interesting one. Don't expect a typical Batman story. There is no rogue gallery. But if looking for a book to capture the overall tone and themes of Batman and what he is, this might do it for you. A 4 out of 5.
The character here is a kid who lost his parents in a robbery. It's similar to the way Bruce in the comics lost his parents. Our main character grew up reading all about Batman and when his parents were killed wanted nothing more than for the "batman" to show up. But this is real life, and well, those things don't happen. However, this kid wouldn't sit down till it happened, and out pops a mysterious creature bat who attacks "bad" people.
A little bit about the injustice of the world, mental health, loss, and compassion, this book hits a lot of big notes and mostly successeds on all of them. While I felt Secret Identity was probably better crafted and better paced, this holds alot of solid themes and dialogue. The art works well here, able to capture a old 60's and 70's feel. I also enjoyed the characters and was shocked by some of the twist presented.
While not the perfect Batman book, mostly due to the pacing at points, it is still a very interesting one. Don't expect a typical Batman story. There is no rogue gallery. But if looking for a book to capture the overall tone and themes of Batman and what he is, this might do it for you. A 4 out of 5.
February 16, 2022
Is Batman real or a delusional hallucination? Can he be both? In an alternate tale of Batman, we follow Bruce Wainwright, an avid reader of Batman comics, whose parents are tragically killed similarly to Bruce Wayne’s. It’s dark, sketchy, and psychological, a great “what if?” addition to the greater Batman ethos.
July 24, 2025
That was quite the experience but does it qualify as a Batman story?
This is a dark story, the story of Bruce Wainwright, a Batman fan since childhood, who experiences events similar to those of his hero: he loses his parents to thugs, for a start.
However, Bruce Wainwright isn't Bruce Wayne, so we'll never get into a Batman story. It's like Batman metafiction. Interesting, disturbing, but a bit disappointing.
3.5 stars rounded up
This is a dark story, the story of Bruce Wainwright, a Batman fan since childhood, who experiences events similar to those of his hero: he loses his parents to thugs, for a start.
However, Bruce Wainwright isn't Bruce Wayne, so we'll never get into a Batman story. It's like Batman metafiction. Interesting, disturbing, but a bit disappointing.
3.5 stars rounded up
January 25, 2022
10% | E | Awful
"I looked at them as fierce as I could. Criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot"
This is extremely boring. Nothing about this managed to keep my attention when I was reading it which is a shame as, in theory, this could make quite an interesting story. The art style and colour scheme is going for an old school look, kind of reminiscent of Batman: The Long Halloween, but I found it unappealing and rather drab ( unpleasant even at times ). There are also these horrible calligraphy text boxes which are hard to read. I really didn't like this one, and I kind of want those hours of my life back...
"I looked at them as fierce as I could. Criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot"
Batman is just a comic book character in this universe, and Bruce Wainwright loves to pretend that he's Bruce Wayne thanks to some similarities between the two. However, when Wainwright's parents get murdered, his fantasy takes a dark and twisted turn
This is extremely boring. Nothing about this managed to keep my attention when I was reading it which is a shame as, in theory, this could make quite an interesting story. The art style and colour scheme is going for an old school look, kind of reminiscent of Batman: The Long Halloween, but I found it unappealing and rather drab ( unpleasant even at times ). There are also these horrible calligraphy text boxes which are hard to read. I really didn't like this one, and I kind of want those hours of my life back...
March 14, 2021
A good else world Batman type story. Start off is the "real" world but take a bit of a supernatural turn. One of the quotes I would like to highlight is:
"reading all those comics, I am sure took him to a height reading lever for his age".
As a dyslexic person I can attest to this starting in comics in later life got my reading level up definitely.
Bruce Wainwright is a huge Batman fan. However no Batman fan would wish his origin on anyone. When young Bruce faces his crisis, life moves on and he must choose his own way to fight. Can a creature of the night fight for the light? Who and what is this worlds Dark Knight. A lot of familiar names, but different lives. Bruce must learn the really world does not have comic book endings.
An enjoyable story the right amount of Batmsn lore and enough differences to be it's own story.
"reading all those comics, I am sure took him to a height reading lever for his age".
As a dyslexic person I can attest to this starting in comics in later life got my reading level up definitely.
Bruce Wainwright is a huge Batman fan. However no Batman fan would wish his origin on anyone. When young Bruce faces his crisis, life moves on and he must choose his own way to fight. Can a creature of the night fight for the light? Who and what is this worlds Dark Knight. A lot of familiar names, but different lives. Bruce must learn the really world does not have comic book endings.
An enjoyable story the right amount of Batmsn lore and enough differences to be it's own story.
November 30, 2020
Parádní záležitost, které obrovsky pomohlo, že jsem dopředu nic moc neočekával a hlavně jsem si ji pořídil až byla venku komplet, protože jinak tyhle 4 sešity byly na 2-roční čekání.
Příběh chlapce, který miluje Batmana a shodou okolností se jmenuje Bruce a aby toho nebylo málo, tak jednoho dne mu zastřelí rodiče. Nikdo se pak asi nemůže divit, když se mu jednoho dne začne zdát o temném netopýřím muži, který vezme spravedlnost ve městě do svých rukou. I když, opravdu se mu to jenom zdá?
Kurt Busiek napsal už Superman: Secret Identity, což je příběh o chlapci jménem Clark Kent, který žije ve světě, kde Superman existuje jenom v komiksech. A byla to série, která zaznamenala mezi fanoušky slušný úspěch, takže je logické, že se teď dostal na řadu i temný rytíř. Ten dostal do vínku temný příběh, kde si po docela dlouhou dobu člověk není jistý, co je reálné a co není a pohrává si jak s hlavním hrdinou, tak čtenářem.
John Paul Leon tohle doprovodil krásně padnoucí kresbou, která z Bostonu vytváří celkem věrného bratříčka Gothamu.
Pokud si chcete dát tak trochu jiný spin na Batmanovský příběh, tak by tohle mělo něco přímo pro vás. Ale pokud vás nebaví, když se komiksy snaží zakotvit svůj příběh pevněji do reality a přitom si pořád nechat některé komiksové prvky, tak se raději poohlédněte po něčem jiném.
Příběh chlapce, který miluje Batmana a shodou okolností se jmenuje Bruce a aby toho nebylo málo, tak jednoho dne mu zastřelí rodiče. Nikdo se pak asi nemůže divit, když se mu jednoho dne začne zdát o temném netopýřím muži, který vezme spravedlnost ve městě do svých rukou. I když, opravdu se mu to jenom zdá?
Kurt Busiek napsal už Superman: Secret Identity, což je příběh o chlapci jménem Clark Kent, který žije ve světě, kde Superman existuje jenom v komiksech. A byla to série, která zaznamenala mezi fanoušky slušný úspěch, takže je logické, že se teď dostal na řadu i temný rytíř. Ten dostal do vínku temný příběh, kde si po docela dlouhou dobu člověk není jistý, co je reálné a co není a pohrává si jak s hlavním hrdinou, tak čtenářem.
John Paul Leon tohle doprovodil krásně padnoucí kresbou, která z Bostonu vytváří celkem věrného bratříčka Gothamu.
Pokud si chcete dát tak trochu jiný spin na Batmanovský příběh, tak by tohle mělo něco přímo pro vás. Ale pokud vás nebaví, když se komiksy snaží zakotvit svůj příběh pevněji do reality a přitom si pořád nechat některé komiksové prvky, tak se raději poohlédněte po něčem jiném.
December 11, 2019
I’m not completely sure if you can call this a Batman story...
A young boys parents are murdered, leaving him with a man named Alfred, lots of money and a secret kept alive by his obsession for justice. No, not Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wainwright! So, the story is really about a boy who sees a lot of similarities between himself and the cape crusader. He wants to be like Batman and help save the world. He finds himself his own “Batman” cast and takes flight, leaving reality behind him. It had some good twist and turns, some supernatural elements as well having a decent view on mental health. The art was amazing. Great colors. Lots of action! There were times something wild would happen and I had to remind myself it wasnt Bruce Wayne. Now, I’m not saying this isn’t a Batman book, but if you’re excepting any of the usual characters from Gotham, you’re out of luck. This is a boy who has lost, who is projecting a creature to right wrongs. As time goes on he bends his truths so the creature is justified to come back. It gets deep, I’m a little bummed this took so long to come out, but it was pretty good and I enjoyed the back of the last issue. It had each issue broken down and explained.
A young boys parents are murdered, leaving him with a man named Alfred, lots of money and a secret kept alive by his obsession for justice. No, not Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wainwright! So, the story is really about a boy who sees a lot of similarities between himself and the cape crusader. He wants to be like Batman and help save the world. He finds himself his own “Batman” cast and takes flight, leaving reality behind him. It had some good twist and turns, some supernatural elements as well having a decent view on mental health. The art was amazing. Great colors. Lots of action! There were times something wild would happen and I had to remind myself it wasnt Bruce Wayne. Now, I’m not saying this isn’t a Batman book, but if you’re excepting any of the usual characters from Gotham, you’re out of luck. This is a boy who has lost, who is projecting a creature to right wrongs. As time goes on he bends his truths so the creature is justified to come back. It gets deep, I’m a little bummed this took so long to come out, but it was pretty good and I enjoyed the back of the last issue. It had each issue broken down and explained.
March 15, 2021
I see this one has been divisive on here, but for me any corollary to Superman: Secret Identity involving DC's other top male character was inevitably going to delve deep into mental illness...because, heightened reality of the DC Universe aside, I think we can all agree that what Bruce Wayne gets up to at night is neither sane nor healthy, right?
August 24, 2020
You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
There’s nothing more reassuring than to imagine the world protected by our favourite superheroes. To know that somewhere out there, there’s a Superman or a Batman who secretly helps law enforcement take down the bad guys and keep us safe in our everyday lives. It’s only as we grow older that we learn that heroes might not come in the form of super-powered alien beings from other planets, that heroes are born out of an unselfish desire to help others, whether it’s by arresting criminals by wearing a legal badge or extinguishing fires that no one in their right minds would otherwise dare to confront. Unfortunately for one kid, his pure love for a superhero was envenomed by a devastating robbery that will trigger a chain of psychological events and turn him into an obsessive and mentally-ill boy. A spiritual companion to Superman: Secret Identity, writer Kurt Busiek attempts to explore a dark, twisted, and terrifying mind through a child’s love for Batman.
What is Batman: Creature of the Night about? The story follows a young nine-year-old boy by the name of Bruce Wainwright who happily indulges Batman comics, innocently viewing the world as the Dark Knight. It’s upon a horrific tragedy that strikes his parents that his life absorbs a dramatic shock that will turn his mind into a fragile territory for a nightmare like none other. Psychologically-devastated, unable to understand the unfairness of the world in which he lives and the lack of a Batman to help him avoid such tragedies, he desperately wishes that his favourite superhero would seek vengeance upon the people who dare steal his happiness, to cleanse his city of the evil and the corrupt for once and for all. Unfortunately for him, there was no one there to tell him to be careful about what he wished for, for now, a strange dark creature roams the night and there’s nothing he can do about it.
For this four-issue graphic novel to enamour the reader, there is one premise that readers will have to believe in: that the gazillion of coincidences found between the life of Bruce Wainwright (from his name to the insanely numerous number of characters who have similarities with Batman’s lore) and Bruce Wayne are original, striking, and plausible. If the constant attempt to link this character to Batman does not throw you off already, allow the writer’s attempt to reconstruct and explore the superhero’s personality and the universe to suffocate you with an unappreciative exploration of a superhero originally driven by sacrifice, justice, retribution, and hope. There is simply no love for Batman here.
This is a story that disapproves of the hero and voices a statement on the hero’s toxicity to people and society. The story also suffers greatly from the character’s obsession with fixing the unfairness that he suffers in his life. Many subplots are poorly developed and rarely ever manage to capture the reader’s attention by continuously bombarding the same ideas whilst building up the almost inevitable and obvious plot twist. There’s simply no moral to this story that could impress the reader beyond establishing that the idea of Batman is a delusional projection of our inability to protect ourselves from danger.
While the story might not have worked as well as I’d hoped it did, the artwork by John Paul Leon is quite remarkable. Channeling his inner David Mazzucchelli (Batman: Year One), he brilliantly draws Boston in the same vein as Gotham while capturing the darkness that it is engulfed in. The shadow work that is crucial to the storyline is also perfectly executed, allowing the story to bring out the dual-tonality that is often associated with the character. This representation of good and evil, through light and darkness, allows for an immersive experience that also gives us the opportunity to immediately understand the parallels between Bruce Wainwright and Bruce Wayne, beyond the obnoxious and obvious characters incorporated into the narrative.
Batman: Creature of the Night is a poor attempt to explore a fan’s love for Batman following a derivative tragedy that will send him down a dangerous path.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
July 23, 2018
Well, this is a hard one. Three issues, each with different feeling and viewpoint, but together one continuous story. It starts with a similar premise as Dark Night (but without the "based on the real story"). There is the orphaned kid and no Batman. All completely real. Busiek wants you to embrace the serious real-world setting. Only to start poking and cracking it with the next two issues. Comics like this usually goes from mysterious through leads to reality and explanation. Not this time. Because Busiek decided to take it another way around. And well, it is weird. I can not explain more without serious spoilers. But at least I'll spill my feelings here. I didn't like it. I kinda hate it. It annoys me. But I also have the feeling that I read something interesting. Something engaging. Something different. Nothing about this comics is comforting. The story, characters, gloomy art - nothing. It's weird, unsettling and annoying. And in weirdly, this is the best thing on this comics.
April 25, 2020
In a world where Batman exists only in comic books, a young fan named Bruce Wainwright becomes obsessed with the character when his own parents are murdered in front of his eyes. Then supernatural stuff starts occurring and Wainwright finds himself connected to a bestial bat creature for several decades -- a Batman that is rather like a genie granting monkey paw wishes.
And none of this is interesting in the least. Ho-ohsovery-hum.
And none of this is interesting in the least. Ho-ohsovery-hum.
December 12, 2020
1. Vôbec ma to nenudilo. Ale čítať to na večer polounavená, do pasívneho počúvania podcastu mi miestami robilo robilo problém aby som sa sústredila a musela som niektoré úseky čítať dvakrát (väčšinou kvôli letteringu)
2. Kresba skvele pasovala, dobre dotvárala atmosféru a páčila sa mi.
3. Parádny nápad, niečo nové a zaujímavé (ak beriem do úvahy príbehy s Batmanom)
4. Iritoval ma lettering Alfredovho rozprávania, lebo to veľké G a niektoré iné písmená boli na facku.
Ak to zhrniem, 4,5/5 za mňa ako nič, 4 zošity tomu stačili a
2. Kresba skvele pasovala, dobre dotvárala atmosféru a páčila sa mi.
3. Parádny nápad, niečo nové a zaujímavé (ak beriem do úvahy príbehy s Batmanom)
4. Iritoval ma lettering Alfredovho rozprávania, lebo to veľké G a niektoré iné písmená boli na facku.
Ak to zhrniem, 4,5/5 za mňa ako nič, 4 zošity tomu stačili a
July 21, 2020
"Batman: Creature of the Night" sigue la misma línea que el propio Busiek abordó hace 15 años en "Superman: Secret Identity" (un título que no puede faltar en cualquier lista corta de las mejores historias del Hombre de Acero). Esto es: historias que se desarrollan en el mundo real, en donde Superman y Batman son personajes de ficción, y en las que se vale de ese enfoque para explorar el carácter icónico de ambos, así como su impacto en las personas.
En este caso, todo gira sobre un niño fanático de las historietas de Batman, con una vida que tiene varios puntos de contacto con la del encapotado: su nombre es Bruce Wainwright (guiño guiño) y también fue testigo del asesinato de sus padres. A lo largo de los 4 capítulos del libro (la publicación original fue en 4 entregas), Busiek va alternando entre distintos narradores. Y así, desde cada punto de vista, somos testigos de cómo el protagonista se va sumergiendo cada vez más en sus traumas. De la misma manera, vemos la evolución a lo largo de la vida de Bruce del sentimiento de venganza, y cómo esta se empieza a manifestar a través de la aparición de una especie de presencia demoníaca que remite a Batman (combate del crimen incluido) y que parecería ser el producto de la psique de Bruce. De a poco, los límites entre la realidad y lo imaginario se van confundiendo, así como se desdibuja la frontera entre las nociones de venganza y justicia.
El dibujo de John Paul Leon, con una predominancia de sombras y una paleta de colores más bien apagada, es ideal para el tono del libro.
Una excelente historia de Batman (sin el verdadero Batman), que aborda el mito del murciélago desde un costado oscuro y doloroso, y que aprovecha esto para reflexionar sobre el daño que producen los traumas en las personas.
Le doy 4 estrellas simplemente porque Busiek supo crear un 5 redondo en "Superman: Secret Identity". Solo por eso.
En este caso, todo gira sobre un niño fanático de las historietas de Batman, con una vida que tiene varios puntos de contacto con la del encapotado: su nombre es Bruce Wainwright (guiño guiño) y también fue testigo del asesinato de sus padres. A lo largo de los 4 capítulos del libro (la publicación original fue en 4 entregas), Busiek va alternando entre distintos narradores. Y así, desde cada punto de vista, somos testigos de cómo el protagonista se va sumergiendo cada vez más en sus traumas. De la misma manera, vemos la evolución a lo largo de la vida de Bruce del sentimiento de venganza, y cómo esta se empieza a manifestar a través de la aparición de una especie de presencia demoníaca que remite a Batman (combate del crimen incluido) y que parecería ser el producto de la psique de Bruce. De a poco, los límites entre la realidad y lo imaginario se van confundiendo, así como se desdibuja la frontera entre las nociones de venganza y justicia.
El dibujo de John Paul Leon, con una predominancia de sombras y una paleta de colores más bien apagada, es ideal para el tono del libro.
Una excelente historia de Batman (sin el verdadero Batman), que aborda el mito del murciélago desde un costado oscuro y doloroso, y que aprovecha esto para reflexionar sobre el daño que producen los traumas en las personas.
Le doy 4 estrellas simplemente porque Busiek supo crear un 5 redondo en "Superman: Secret Identity". Solo por eso.
February 8, 2022
O poveste (mostly) psihologică în care nu am prea reușit să îmi dau seama dacă jumătate din cele întâmplate s-au petrecut cu adevărat, sau erau doar produse ale imaginației personajului principal. Și asta zice ceva despre talentul lui Busiek ca scriitor.
Paleta coloristică e destul de modestă, negrul, griul și albastrul predomină, dar imaginile sunt foarte puternice, iar câteva panel-uri mi s-au părut de-a dreptul mitice.
Also, Batman apare destul de sporadic, dar când o face... e absolut înfiorător.
Nu-i un 4 curat, dar am rotunjit, că merită.
Paleta coloristică e destul de modestă, negrul, griul și albastrul predomină, dar imaginile sunt foarte puternice, iar câteva panel-uri mi s-au părut de-a dreptul mitice.
Also, Batman apare destul de sporadic, dar când o face... e absolut înfiorător.
Nu-i un 4 curat, dar am rotunjit, că merită.
October 13, 2022
Not really impressed with this one. It reads like one of those comics that THINKS it's really smart but it's mostly just nonsense. I wasn't interested in almost anything going on here.
December 28, 2019
The fourth issue of Creature of the Night has finally arrived after a year+ of delays and it was almost worth the wait. Kurt Busiek tries to capture the same magic that he created with Superman: Secret Identity and he mostly succeeds. The story of Bruce Wainwright hits all of the right Batman notes while also changing things up enough to remain interesting. A huge focus has been placed on Bruce's mental health and it really illustrates problems with Batman as a popular character. This is, perhaps, the most interesting part of Batman: Creature of the Night.
Most of this comic's faults involve the formula Busiek uses. While the plot is completely different from Superman: Secret Identity, the way it has been crafted is not. Since Batman comics exist in this universe, Busiek creates analogous characters in his world which coincidentally have links to a real-world Batman. It works, but the skeleton shares so much of the same DNA with Busiek's legendary Superman story that the similarities between Creature of the Night and Secret Identity are difficult to overlook. The most glaring flaw in Creature of the Night is the lettering for all of Alfred's internal dialog; it's tiny fucking cursive and it's difficult to read. The letterer made a horrible decision with the lettering in that regard. Thankfully, the lettering for other characters and dialog is fine.
Gripes aside, Creature of the Night is an interesting and beautiful comic that is worth a read for a different take on Batman. Kurt Busiek doesn't quite reach the same heights he did in Secret Identity, but he gets close. Batman traditionalists may not care for this interpretation of Batman, however, those with an open mind may find something to enjoy.
Most of this comic's faults involve the formula Busiek uses. While the plot is completely different from Superman: Secret Identity, the way it has been crafted is not. Since Batman comics exist in this universe, Busiek creates analogous characters in his world which coincidentally have links to a real-world Batman. It works, but the skeleton shares so much of the same DNA with Busiek's legendary Superman story that the similarities between Creature of the Night and Secret Identity are difficult to overlook. The most glaring flaw in Creature of the Night is the lettering for all of Alfred's internal dialog; it's tiny fucking cursive and it's difficult to read. The letterer made a horrible decision with the lettering in that regard. Thankfully, the lettering for other characters and dialog is fine.
Gripes aside, Creature of the Night is an interesting and beautiful comic that is worth a read for a different take on Batman. Kurt Busiek doesn't quite reach the same heights he did in Secret Identity, but he gets close. Batman traditionalists may not care for this interpretation of Batman, however, those with an open mind may find something to enjoy.
August 21, 2020
I feel like readers might enjoy Batman: Creature of the Night more if it was clear from the cover that this is not a traditional Batman narrative. In this book, Batman is a figment of a young man's imagination, a dark creature who manifests as the main character's deep fear that the world is inherently unfair. Creature of the Night is a dissection of Batman's psyche, not a book about Batman beating up criminals (though that does happen).
I liked it a lot. It took some getting used to, but once I realized that Batman as I knew him would never appear in the book, I settled in comfortably to the narrative Kurt Busiek was unfolding. It's smart! It's heady! It's a bit on the nose at times. The pacing wasn't always crisp. It's more of a fictional addiction/schizophrenia memoir than anything else.
But if you lean into it, it works really well. Particularly with John Paul Leon's dramatic, dark art. Creature of the Night reminded me a lot of the Criminal books by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Deeply investing, not always perfect, full of weird surprises.
I liked it a lot. It took some getting used to, but once I realized that Batman as I knew him would never appear in the book, I settled in comfortably to the narrative Kurt Busiek was unfolding. It's smart! It's heady! It's a bit on the nose at times. The pacing wasn't always crisp. It's more of a fictional addiction/schizophrenia memoir than anything else.
But if you lean into it, it works really well. Particularly with John Paul Leon's dramatic, dark art. Creature of the Night reminded me a lot of the Criminal books by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Deeply investing, not always perfect, full of weird surprises.
June 15, 2020
151/365
Lo mejor que se ha hecho con Batman en años. Busiek nos cuenta qué le pasó a un niño traumatizado por la muerte de sus padres y que ve en los cómics de Batman una vía de salvación. Y el arte es magnífico, casi parece salido del Batman: Año Uno. Oscuro, triste y, a la vez, un curioso canto a la mitología del Caballero Oscuro.
Lo mejor que se ha hecho con Batman en años. Busiek nos cuenta qué le pasó a un niño traumatizado por la muerte de sus padres y que ve en los cómics de Batman una vía de salvación. Y el arte es magnífico, casi parece salido del Batman: Año Uno. Oscuro, triste y, a la vez, un curioso canto a la mitología del Caballero Oscuro.
May 6, 2021
“But it’s not how I thought it would be. Nothing is.”
That line, from the final issue, sums up this story perfectly. It’s not a spoiler to say this book is not what you’d expect, from a Batman book, or even from the spiritual counterpart to Superman: Secret Identity.
It’s not some normal dude with the name Bruce becoming Batman in a “real” world like with the Superman one. But it is still a meta take on the character. Something darker. Something that extrapolates the pain and emotional trauma on a metatextual level. It’s not about assuming the identity of Batman, but the pain, the darkness of him. I don’t want to spoil how it does it, but the name “Creature of the Night” is not inaccurate.
It’s not just drama and moodiness. It has its fun bits too. Like Secret Identity, it does fun little young in cheek bits. In addition to Bruce Wainwright, he’s got other characters with roundabout referential names in half-familiar circumstances, and it never goes far enough to become annoying. It all just works, even Boston as the Gotham (though to me Chicago would’ve been a better pick, but hey.) This has been long-gestating from Busiek, and I’m happy to say it was worth the wait. That said, I’m not sure it quite stuck the landing with me. I liked it on an emotional level, but it felt a little rushed to fit into four issues. I feel it was satisfying, but not quite perfect.
The art here, by the legendary and now as of this writing dearly departed John Paul Leon, is absolutely fantastic. It’s gritty, it’s macabre, it’s everything one could want in a Batman story that needs to stay grounded even when its fantastical elements come to the fore. The inks are thick and purposeful, with a technical yet fluid look. The colors muted and consistent, though the final chapter (which had a lot of delays due to Leon’s issues that I don’t feel should be discussed here) has a somewhat different feel to it than the rest. Still, all in all a beautiful moody book.
I’m glad I read it. I wish I’d gotten to meet John.
That line, from the final issue, sums up this story perfectly. It’s not a spoiler to say this book is not what you’d expect, from a Batman book, or even from the spiritual counterpart to Superman: Secret Identity.
It’s not some normal dude with the name Bruce becoming Batman in a “real” world like with the Superman one. But it is still a meta take on the character. Something darker. Something that extrapolates the pain and emotional trauma on a metatextual level. It’s not about assuming the identity of Batman, but the pain, the darkness of him. I don’t want to spoil how it does it, but the name “Creature of the Night” is not inaccurate.
It’s not just drama and moodiness. It has its fun bits too. Like Secret Identity, it does fun little young in cheek bits. In addition to Bruce Wainwright, he’s got other characters with roundabout referential names in half-familiar circumstances, and it never goes far enough to become annoying. It all just works, even Boston as the Gotham (though to me Chicago would’ve been a better pick, but hey.) This has been long-gestating from Busiek, and I’m happy to say it was worth the wait. That said, I’m not sure it quite stuck the landing with me. I liked it on an emotional level, but it felt a little rushed to fit into four issues. I feel it was satisfying, but not quite perfect.
The art here, by the legendary and now as of this writing dearly departed John Paul Leon, is absolutely fantastic. It’s gritty, it’s macabre, it’s everything one could want in a Batman story that needs to stay grounded even when its fantastical elements come to the fore. The inks are thick and purposeful, with a technical yet fluid look. The colors muted and consistent, though the final chapter (which had a lot of delays due to Leon’s issues that I don’t feel should be discussed here) has a somewhat different feel to it than the rest. Still, all in all a beautiful moody book.
I’m glad I read it. I wish I’d gotten to meet John.
December 10, 2020
3.5 rounded down. This was an interesting one, but I could not help drawing comparisons to Kill or Be Killed , specifically with the mental health angle, but I think I enjoyed that one a bit more.
April 22, 2020
A spiritual successor to Busiek's Superman tale "Secret Identity," but fails to match the quality of its predecessor. This is still very good, and I especially liked the art style, but I couldn't help but be bored often throughout.
And, spoilers, I'm not entirely certain the point for this story is anything more than: "think about using anti-depressants if you've had a trauma." It's all well handled and told beautifully at points, but that's about what it boiled down to.
And, spoilers, I'm not entirely certain the point for this story is anything more than: "think about using anti-depressants if you've had a trauma." It's all well handled and told beautifully at points, but that's about what it boiled down to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2019
Well considering I don't remember any of books 1-3 I'm just gonna give it four stars and leave the reviewing alone. Not sure what the story is with waiting over a year to finish the last book but I imagine he didn't do it just to annoy his fans. He didn't right? 4 stars.
June 7, 2021
This variation on a "typical" Batman story delves deeply into the psychoses that a person would go through, after a immensely traumatic event such as witnessing your parents murder.
I always say this whenever I read one of his books, but Kurt Busiek is very underrated in my opinion. He knows how to do the superhero story extremely well, one of the best probably, but he's also able to expand from that a bit to something related to superheroes, but not necessarily about them. This book is that kind of book.
The theme of Batman as a hero figure is explored in this book. And it explores so much more. Our main protagonist, Bruce Wainright, has been obsessed with Batman all of his life. There are many little details that make him feel more closely connected to the character. From his name, to an uncle who he calls Alfred, to tragically - the murdered parents backstory. As a kid, he wishes for a hero like Batman to make things "just" and lo and behold, it actually happens. A Bat-Man begins appearing and taking down criminals with the anger and fury of a young boy who has had too much of the world already. Busiek never specifically gives us a logical reason as to why this is happening, but alludes to a connection to our main character that is closer than he thinks.
I think if you try and explain this story logically, it doesn't totally make sense. It cant. You're dealing with emotions, trauma, and what very well may be a fractured mind. So a lot of it is left in limbo, and it actually works better in my opinion, because of that. It allows Busiek to give us these moments of reflection where we can realistically approach what would happen to someone after such a traumatic event. Really interesting stuff.
I didn't know what to expect from this book, but I'm glad I picked it up. If you are into the more psychological aspects of Batman, this one is definitely for you.
I always say this whenever I read one of his books, but Kurt Busiek is very underrated in my opinion. He knows how to do the superhero story extremely well, one of the best probably, but he's also able to expand from that a bit to something related to superheroes, but not necessarily about them. This book is that kind of book.
The theme of Batman as a hero figure is explored in this book. And it explores so much more. Our main protagonist, Bruce Wainright, has been obsessed with Batman all of his life. There are many little details that make him feel more closely connected to the character. From his name, to an uncle who he calls Alfred, to tragically - the murdered parents backstory. As a kid, he wishes for a hero like Batman to make things "just" and lo and behold, it actually happens. A Bat-Man begins appearing and taking down criminals with the anger and fury of a young boy who has had too much of the world already. Busiek never specifically gives us a logical reason as to why this is happening, but alludes to a connection to our main character that is closer than he thinks.
I think if you try and explain this story logically, it doesn't totally make sense. It cant. You're dealing with emotions, trauma, and what very well may be a fractured mind. So a lot of it is left in limbo, and it actually works better in my opinion, because of that. It allows Busiek to give us these moments of reflection where we can realistically approach what would happen to someone after such a traumatic event. Really interesting stuff.
I didn't know what to expect from this book, but I'm glad I picked it up. If you are into the more psychological aspects of Batman, this one is definitely for you.
October 1, 2020
Batman: Creature of the Night is a four-issue limited series published by DC Comics. It stars Bruce Wainwright, a comic book kid obsessed with the Caped Crusader, who loses his parents in a violent crime. Batman: Creature of the Night collects all four issues of the 2018–2020 limited series.
Young Bruce Wainright is a happy-go-lucky only child, who also happens to be obsessed with Batman, as in this world, Batman is just a comic book franchise. When a home invasion gone wrong, it leaves Bruce wounded and orphaned, his mind settles on a singular idea: if Batman was real he could have prevented this. This simple, abstract idea grows into a dark reality that leads Bruce on a decades-long journey.
Kurt Busiek penned the entire trade paperback and for the most part it was written moderately well. While the premise of a story taking place in the real world and Batman is just a comic book hero has been done before, Busiek also weaves in a particularly fantastical element that would be right at home in mainline DC continuity. However, at its core, it is a story of Batman, the icon, lifting a suffering soul out of his grief. Unfortunately, while the premise was great, the narrative could have been executed better as the storyline can be quite confusing at times.
John Paul Leon is the penciler for the limited series. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, Leon is a decent penciler, which made the limited series both a joy to read and see.
All in all, Batman: Creature of the Night is written and constructed moderately well, it is a Batman story without having Batman as the central character, but the ideal of him – just wished it was executed better.
Young Bruce Wainright is a happy-go-lucky only child, who also happens to be obsessed with Batman, as in this world, Batman is just a comic book franchise. When a home invasion gone wrong, it leaves Bruce wounded and orphaned, his mind settles on a singular idea: if Batman was real he could have prevented this. This simple, abstract idea grows into a dark reality that leads Bruce on a decades-long journey.
Kurt Busiek penned the entire trade paperback and for the most part it was written moderately well. While the premise of a story taking place in the real world and Batman is just a comic book hero has been done before, Busiek also weaves in a particularly fantastical element that would be right at home in mainline DC continuity. However, at its core, it is a story of Batman, the icon, lifting a suffering soul out of his grief. Unfortunately, while the premise was great, the narrative could have been executed better as the storyline can be quite confusing at times.
John Paul Leon is the penciler for the limited series. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, Leon is a decent penciler, which made the limited series both a joy to read and see.
All in all, Batman: Creature of the Night is written and constructed moderately well, it is a Batman story without having Batman as the central character, but the ideal of him – just wished it was executed better.
June 27, 2021
Considering that Superman: Secret Identity remains one of my all-time favourite comic books (hell, stories) ever, my expectation were high for this spiritual followup - even if not all the reviews were exactly glowing. And, as it turns out, what we have here is a damn good comic book, but one that is simply nowhere near as great as its predecessor.
Once again Busiek concentrates on the underlying metaphor at the heart of one of DC's most iconic characters and uses it to not so much tell a "realistic" story with these characters as it is to explore why these characters resonate as strongly with us as they do. Secret Identity was about Superman as a metaphor for self-identity, Creature of the Night is a metaphor for a wounded inner child lashing at an unfair world. It's a gripping story, well told, but aside for the moody, evocative art from the late, great John Paul Leon, the best thing about it is clearly how effectively Busiek explores that central metaphor throughout the book.
Unlike Secret Identity, however, it didn't quite manage to hit me on that all-important emotional level. I very much respect and certainly enjoyed Creature of the Night (Busiek is really at home with these sorts of superhero stories and, again, that John Paul Leon art is worth the price of admission) but I simply, utterly adore Superman: Secret Identity. Creature of the Night has tons of psychological depth but you never come to care about the main character in the same way as you do Clark Kent. If nothing else, it's proof positive that when you get right down to it, despite being "a strange visitor from another planet", Superman actually is a far more relatable character than Batman.
Still, if Busiek wants to do another one of these with Wonder Woman, I'm more than up for it.
Once again Busiek concentrates on the underlying metaphor at the heart of one of DC's most iconic characters and uses it to not so much tell a "realistic" story with these characters as it is to explore why these characters resonate as strongly with us as they do. Secret Identity was about Superman as a metaphor for self-identity, Creature of the Night is a metaphor for a wounded inner child lashing at an unfair world. It's a gripping story, well told, but aside for the moody, evocative art from the late, great John Paul Leon, the best thing about it is clearly how effectively Busiek explores that central metaphor throughout the book.
Unlike Secret Identity, however, it didn't quite manage to hit me on that all-important emotional level. I very much respect and certainly enjoyed Creature of the Night (Busiek is really at home with these sorts of superhero stories and, again, that John Paul Leon art is worth the price of admission) but I simply, utterly adore Superman: Secret Identity. Creature of the Night has tons of psychological depth but you never come to care about the main character in the same way as you do Clark Kent. If nothing else, it's proof positive that when you get right down to it, despite being "a strange visitor from another planet", Superman actually is a far more relatable character than Batman.
Still, if Busiek wants to do another one of these with Wonder Woman, I'm more than up for it.
April 8, 2020
What if Bart and Hugo but Batman and meta? What if Bruce Wayne would just take some antidepressants, would he stop being Batman? We have a weird tulpa Batman drawn like a horse/chupacabras, which reminded me of the McKean design in Arkham Asylum. The whole time I was afraid he was going for a Tommy Westphall twist. This isn't the first attempt to psychoanalize Batman, or superheroes in general, and probably not the last. Superheroes are ripe fruit for cheap psychoanalysis since the fantasies in play are very transparent. Batman represents trauma and fetish, Superman is projection, Wonder Woman is sexual repression (from the male POV). I didn't feel like the writer was succesful in showing an original aspect of Batman's psychology that we haven't seen in other "serious" type stories.
An interesting side to this, though, is the brief moment when Bruce kissed the Robin figure, playing up the whole gay subtext that's trailed Batman all this time, while keeping it no homo by making Robin a girl. I never truly got the overall point Busiek was trying to make, is this about comicbook readers refusing to grow up? About obsessive fans refusing the same? About unhealthy fixation? About immature fans? Couldn't tell. The real monsters are those inside ourselves, apparently. By the end it turns a bit farcical, like Thomas, a supernatural entity, literally handing Bruce his pills to treat him. Also when he kept asking him "safe?" it seemed like he was asking him "safe bruv?"
Really enjoyed the art most of all, very realistic, full of details and convincing architecture, it drew me in and immersed me in its reality, and of a piece with the supernatural elements. Reminded me of Sean Phillips style. The color work gave it a consistent somber atmosphere. So 3 stars for a fresh take on Batman (to me as least) and great art, but ultimately disappointing and confused story. Take your pills, kids.
An interesting side to this, though, is the brief moment when Bruce kissed the Robin figure, playing up the whole gay subtext that's trailed Batman all this time, while keeping it no homo by making Robin a girl. I never truly got the overall point Busiek was trying to make, is this about comicbook readers refusing to grow up? About obsessive fans refusing the same? About unhealthy fixation? About immature fans? Couldn't tell. The real monsters are those inside ourselves, apparently. By the end it turns a bit farcical, like Thomas, a supernatural entity, literally handing Bruce his pills to treat him. Also when he kept asking him "safe?" it seemed like he was asking him "safe bruv?"
Really enjoyed the art most of all, very realistic, full of details and convincing architecture, it drew me in and immersed me in its reality, and of a piece with the supernatural elements. Reminded me of Sean Phillips style. The color work gave it a consistent somber atmosphere. So 3 stars for a fresh take on Batman (to me as least) and great art, but ultimately disappointing and confused story. Take your pills, kids.
February 20, 2021
Muitos anos depois de ter criado Superman: Identidade Secreta ao lado de Stuart Immonen, Kurt Busiek ressurge com a mesma proposta para o Batman. Desta vez ao lado do maravilhoso desenhista John Paul Leon, cujo estilo noir dá o tom da série, Busiek segue trabalhando os "super-heróis da vida real" como fez em seu trabalho no premiado título Astro City. Em Batman: Criatura da Noite, temos Bruce Wainwright, um garotinho que é fissurado nas aventuras do Batman dos quadrinhos a ponto de brincar que ele é o cavaleiro das trevas e que seu tio é o Alfred. Mas para a infelicidade deste Bruce, seu destino acaba sendo o mesmo do Batman dos quadrinhos: seus pais acabam sendo mortos por criminosos. Chegou a vez de Wainwright aceitar seu destino como o Cavaleiro das Trevas do mundo real, ou será que algo muito mais sombrio vai se interpor entre ele e o seu pretenso destino? Busiek
e Leon entregam uma história emocionante, cheia de reviravoltas, que mostram como o amor por um personagem pode ser intenso e às vezes até se tornar danoso e ao mesmo tempo recompensador para quem o ama e aqueles que o cercam.
e Leon entregam uma história emocionante, cheia de reviravoltas, que mostram como o amor por um personagem pode ser intenso e às vezes até se tornar danoso e ao mesmo tempo recompensador para quem o ama e aqueles que o cercam.
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