EL LARGO HALLOWEEN, Parte 1 Publicado originalmente en los números 1 a 6 de Batman: The Long Halloween, de diciembre de 1996 a diciembre de 1997.
Esta elegante aventura con aires de novela negra nos sitúa en los albores de la cruzada contra el crimen del Caballero Oscuro mientras trata de descubrir la identidad de Festivo, un misterioso asesino que, aprovechando fechas señaladas del calendario, está perpetrando una serie de asesinatos. Durante este aciago año, Batman también se tendrá que enfrentar a otros enemigos como Catwoman, Solomon Grundy y el Joker, villanos emergentes en los bajos fondos de Gotham City.
DETECTIVE COMICS #140 Publicado originalmente en octubre de 1948.
BATMAN #181 Publicado originalmente en junio de 1966.
El Acertijo y Hiedra Venenosa son nuevos villanos con la intención de hacerse un hueco entre los enemigos de Batman. En sus debuts, dejarán claro sus singulares modus operandi: uno dejando pistas sobre sus crímenes de forma compulsiva, y la otra en su papel de mujer fatal seductora e irresistible. Ambos pondrán a prueba la astucia del mejor detective del mundo.
Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an Emmy and WGA nominated American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a Co-Executive Producer on the NBC hit show Heroes, and formerly a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost.
A four-time Eisner Award winner and five-time Wizard Fan Awards winner (see below), Loeb's comic book career includes work on many major characters, including Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, Hulk, Captain America, Cable, Iron Man, Daredevil, Supergirl, the Avengers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, much of which he has produced in collaboration with artist Tim Sale, who provides the comic art seen on Heroes.
Perfektní scénář i kresba. Tim Sale mistrem kompozice a hrátek se stíny. Zpočátku jsem byl nepříjemně překvapený kresbou, kdy některé obličeje vypadají jako maska natažená na neforemnou bramboru, ale na to jsem si poměrně rychle zvykl, a to i díky našlapanému scénáři. Jeph Loeb napsal fajný detektivní příběh se vším, co k tomu patří. Na konci mi sice zůstalo několik otazníků, ale vem to čert - celé jsem si to náramně užil!
Let's not beat around the bush with this one though. The Long Halloween contains my favourite comic book moment of all time and I have feeling that it will stay that way... atleast for now...
It begins strong. Falcone has the city in its grips. Bruce is losing control. Batman is not doing enough. Dent and Harvey know the city is doomed. Falcone has the judges, the cops AND THE ENTIRE CITY. Bats is being backed into a corner.
Enough is enough. Dent and Gordon pull up to the bat signal. They need a plan, they need something. Hours pass and he's still not there.
Gordon and Dent mince words about their married lives. Dent questions if Bats will show up. Gordon assures him he will. The night grows older.
'Gentlemen' is all Batman says as he appears from the shadows, standing between in the two men, dressed in darkness. Gordon hurries to introduce to the two but they already know each other. Harvey explains how he has grown to appreciate what the Batman does and the lines he can cross which they can't...
Gordon sternly reminds Dent that it's still a line and Bats is no exception to it. Dent gives him a sarcastic remark about how no is above the law, meanwhile Batman analyses the two men and comes to the conclusion that they've been working on the Romans case, the most powerful man in the city.
"The roman!" The man's name is Carmine Falcone.' He's just a man, like any other except he puts himself above the law.' Dent grumbles loudly. 'Doesn't mean he is.' Gordon corrects him. 'Oh really? Then arrest him Captain. Except you can't. I've got files of unsolved robberies, murders, hijackings! - With his name all over them. His money will buy witnesses. The cops. The judges. In what way is he not above the law?'
Dent really exposes just how weak the system is, when it's owned by the people it's supposed to prosecute. You can't help but root for Dent. Because let's face it, he's right isn't it?
Gordon knows it. He won't spill. Not yet. They all know it. They ain't nothing. Gotham is Falcones.
Then Batman interjects. Half his suit marked by shadows. He stands there as a living personification of vengeance. 'We can talk around it, but --' '-- We know what needs to be done.'
It's simply beautiful. THIS TRIO AGAINST THE WHOLE CITY. WE ALL KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. In a city filled with corrupted and crime, there was 3 men who fought justice.
Gordon faces them like a stern father. 'I want to be clear on this. In our... zeal to bring Falcone to Justice. I'll let you BEND the rules, but we cannot them. Otherwise, how are we different from him?'
There it is. Permission from the Captain. We all know what needs to be done.
Dent is satisfied. 'Of course.'
Batman's inner voice is battling.
I made a promise on the grave of my slain parents.
The two law abiding men turn to Batman. They need to hear him agree, to say yes. It's only them after all. But his thoughts battle.
I would not rest until Gotham City was washed clean of the evil that took their lives.
'Batman I have to have your word.' confesses Gordon. 'Bats?' Dent asks, begging for the man in the mask to agree. Batman is stuck between two men and a promise.
There could be no compromises... He looks at them. HE KNOWS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. and yet...
'AGREED.'
I BELIEVE IN JIM GORDON.
I BELIEVE IN HARVEY DENT.
I BELIEVE IN GOTHAM CITY.
This is the comic!
This bloody trio against the city! It's perfect. It's everything I could ever ask. Murders pile up in no time and everyone is left guessing. More villains jump in on the action.
The art style is perfect. I have never seen shadows used so effectively.
Why not the 5 then Kleysa?
Easy.
The last 100 pages nothing interesting happened and the story abandoned what made me love it. The whole trio against Gotham city was silent. We went to and fro on random perspectives and side quests. Sure some things progressed but unfortunately it was nothing amazing. It's a lack of that costs this comic, perhaps if I reviewed both parts maybe it would land a 5.
The comic contains my favorite issue of all time, but one strong issue cannot carry what is three very basic issues at the end that are extremely forgettable and the fact I just read them and have compeltely forgot what happened speaks to that.
Overall I'm happy. That one issue. It's given me everything.
Batman: The Long Halloween, Part 1 is primarily a setup volume without any pay off, but it's an extremely enjoyable one. I always appreciate a good street-level story, and this one was no different. Focusing on "The Roman" Falcone as the big bad was a fresh and compelling change of pace for Gotham. The mystery surrounding the serial killer, "Holiday," has also kept me guessing throughout. This initial volume successfully builds atmosphere and intrigue while setting the table for the chaos to come. However, I have a feeling that this edition has all but spoiled the identity of Holiday in its commentary and bonus issues. If this is indeed the case (and I really hope it's not), I'll be returning to knock another star off this review. For now, the story itself is engaging, well-paced, and has me eager to jump into the conclusion. Its current 4-star rating is a testament to the strength of the mystery and the great atmosphere, provided the bonus materials haven't ruined the grand reveal.
For once it is nice to finally see something that has been so over sold to me actually live up to the expectations. So what makes this so good? Let me tell you. Firstly, the art is really unique but it is good, it's not amazing, it's not Lee Bemerjo but it's more than up to the standard and in some cases is really good. The opening was amazing - "I beleive in Gotham City." The formatting of the story is equally as good as we are taken through 6 chapters that each cover a holiday, as the serial killer 'Holiday' strikes on the day of national events. Harvey Dent is great here. His partnership with Jim Gordon is really good and I equally love how their relationships with their ladies are portrayed and explored. The Joker was great here. He arguably was in my favourite parts and I loved the satire remaking of him as the Grinch. The Joker shown here is the Joker I know and love, silly, childish, but dark. I also really like how much this comic explores the mob and the crime families of Gotham city and how both Bruce Wayne and Batman interact with these characters/families. Someone else said it in their review and I have to agree - this is the perfect introductory tale for someone who's never read Batman before. This comic has a really eerie and dark overlay that feeds perfectly into the tone that makes the entire story so good to read. There's something inherently simple and yet brilliant about the entire thing. We all know sometimes 'classics' don't live up to their names but I can confidently say that Jeph Loeb is one of the best batman writers out there - first hush and now this masterpiece. Also lastly but not least, shoutout to my goat calendar man, getting the screen time he deserves.
Part of Zavvi’s Threads box for April. The Long Halloween - Part 1 is an intriguing 90’s story of Batman.
Following a mysterious killer known as Holiday. Who carries out a spree of murders on different public holidays. Starting with Halloween, we also get Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentines, and St Patrick’s Day. In this part at least.
What I enjoy so far about the Long Halloween storyline, art, and writing style is its very noir influenced. The grounded approach and inclusion of the different waring gangs helps this.
Batman plays the detective part of his character more than fighting multiple bad guys. It is also a much more grounded and darker approach to the character. The art style supports this greatly.
To round out the book we also have no side kick presence. So this is solo, early days Batman, but by no means inexperienced. Additionally we get to see him work alongside Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent.
Overall a good first part to the story that has me intrigued to find out more regarding Holiday. As the characters identity is not revealed. As a bonus in the addition I was reading there are also two stories from the classic 60’s Batman. One starring the Riddler, the other Poison Ivy. A fun addition to round out the book. But they don’t detract or ruin the main story.
Also no prior knowledge of Batman is needed to enjoy this. I highly recommend this, especially if you want a crime and grounded approach to Batman. Not the over the top action we sometimes get.
I am enjoying the story and can't wait to read part two, but the artwork pulls me out sometimes.
We follow Batman, Gordon, and Dents' investigation in to who "Holiday" is. Which intriguing in itself, although I do have my suspicions.
We get to revisit some old friends from the villain catalogue. I do have to say my favourite issue was Joker. The Night Before Christmas rhyme was brilliantly executed.
Os chefões da máfia de Gotham City estão assustados com um novo assassino em série, o Feriado. Ele só mata em datas especiais (isso é genial, já explico). Ao mesmo tempo, Batman, Jim Gordon e Harvey Dent, estão trabalhando juntos para derrubar o crime organizado de Gotham e prender o Feriado.
Jeph Loeb escreve uma história incrível que durou 13 meses para ser concluída. A cada mês que passava, os leitores ficavam ansiosos para ver a trama se desenvolvendo e mais um assassinato acontecendo. E aqui entra a genialidade. Ele utilizava a data especial do mês de publicação como tema e por causa disso a história não esfriou em nenhum momento, pelo contrário, ela ia ficando cada vez mais intrigante.
Uma coisa é certa, Jeph Loeb sabe trabalhar com a galeria de vilões do Batman. Vemos isso aqui e em Batman: Silêncio, também publicado pela Eaglemoss há umas edições.
O clima de mistério e de investigação é muito bem explorado. O maior detetive do mundo precisa utilizar todas as suas habilidades para dar conta de tudo isso.
Outra parte genial da obra são as artes de Tim Sale. O jeito que ele desenha se encaixa perfeitamente com o tema de Dia das Bruxas da obra. Tudo se dialoga muito bem com o que o roteiro quer passar.
E nessa edição a Eaglemoss traz ainda as edições: Detective Comics 140, de 1948, onde há a primeira aparição do Charada; e Batman 181, de 1966, onde traz a primeira aparição da Hera Venenosa.
El largo Halloween es un recorrido a través de la más que interesante y jugosa galería de villanos del Caballero de la noche, teniendo como telón de fondo, además, un misterioso y nuevo asesino que aplaca a las familias mafiosas más peligrosas de la ciudad.
Al mismo tiempo, hablamos de una persecución detectivesca que brinda la oportunidad de estudiar los alcances de la justicia tradicional, y cómo Batman (y sus allegados) siempre está a punto de romper ese delgado hilo entre la legalidad y la ilicitud, lo que vendría a ser directamente descubrir la venda de Temis (o Dice).
Por si fuera poco, Gótica es dibujada como un epicentro de locura, desgracia, almas perdidas y demonios que deambulan y exhalan caos; realmente hablamos de una ciudad cuya paz, por momentos, se deja ver como una utopía.
Tal vez lo único que no me gustó de esa primera tanda de la novela, es un incidente del segundo tomo, relacionado con una máscara de látex y suplantación de identidad que rompe demasiado con la verosimilitud del relato.
Por lo demás, una lectura más que recomendada, curiosa e hipnótica.
He querido leer este comic por un montón de tiempo, en particular por dos razones: Spiderman: Blue me encantó y quería leer más de Loeb y Sale, y por otro lado había leído por ahí que esta historia es una suerte de continuación de Year One de Miller, y no me decepcionó en lo más mínimo, al menos esta primera parte.
Esta es una historia muy minimalista, con mucho misterio y una gran galería de personajes, contada a través de saltos temporales. Los dibujos de Tim Sale también siguen una línea minimalista, con grandes plenos de color y lineas limpias, que de alguna forma me recordó tanto a Miller como a Mazzuchelli, a mi particularmente me gusta su estilo, pero es un estilo muy propio que puede no ser para todos.
Me encantó esta primera parte, vamos a ver como continúa y quien es realmente el asesino Festivo.
Una gran novela gráfica del caballero oscuro, que me recuerda mucho a "Silencio" al tener un enemigo desconocido y la aparición de varios de los "viejos conocidos". Acá Harvey Dent es el aguerrido fiscal de distrito, Gordon acaba de tener un hijo con su esposa Barbara y Selina Kyle anda en un romance con Bruce Wayne. Además, Solomon Grundy, Poison Ivy Y Joker hacen su aparición. Y todos tienen que ver con Festivo, el (o la) asesin@ que ataca en días feriados y está destruyendo el emporio de Carmine Falcone. Es claramente un punto de partida para "The Batman" de Matt Reeves. Divertida, con diálogos geniales y una gráfica increíble.
Dawno temu, to była moja pierwsza komiksowa pozycja z Batmanem na poważnie. Po latach historia wciąż jest dobra, a znając jej przebieg, można odkrywać w niej nowe szczegóły i smaczki. To zdecydowanie jeden z moich ulubionych komiksów — ma fantastyczny scenariusz, który został obłędnie zrealizowany graficznie. Teraz zostaje tylko czekać na kolejną przesyłkę od wydawnictwa: z częścią drugą :)
Asi to nebude úplně můj nejoblíbenější svazek, nicméně i tak je to to lepší v sérii. Dějově zajímavé, svižné, dobrá zápletka. Jen mi tentokrát úplně nesedí vyobrazení postav v té kresbě. Volbou barevného spektra ovšem super, podtrhuje to takovou tu tajemnou až temnou atmosféru, kterou mám s Gotham City spojenou. Takže 4 hvězdy pro mne na místě.
Honestly just one of the best graphic novels I’ve ever read. I love the mystery aspects to all Batman stories, this one had me wondering who the killer was every step of the way. Really really enjoyed it!
Qué pasada. No le pongo las cinco estrellas porque seguro que la segunda parte lo termina de rematar. Los toques de thriller noir policiaco son maravillosos (y siento bastante predilección por ese género, así que cómo no me va a encantar). Una maravilla.
Fue interesante leer este cómic definitivamente. Creo que lo que me jodio la experiencia fue el hecho de que yo le tenía bastantes expectativas y eso hizo que la historia resultara un tanto irrelevante para mi al final de cuentas.
Eso ni quiere decir que fue mala debido a que hubieron varios elementos en la misma que hicieron que fuera buena
Toda la trama del villano que atacaba en días de festividades fue interesante y creo que eso es algo en que los cómicos de batman sin buenos, en presentarte a villanos extravagantes y que cada uno de ellos tiene sus propias características comiqueras.
También fue bueno ver a Harvey Dent antes de volverse Dos Caras. Ver que fue el hecho que hizo que detonar y pasara de ser un abogado bien reconocido amigo tanto de Gordon como de Batman a pasar a lentamente perder la locura conforme se metía cada vez mas en el caso.
El pero que le pongo es que la revelación de la identidad de Festivo se me resultó un poco insulsa, siento que debió de haber sido alguien más relevante que un personaje secundario mafioso cualquiera.