A horrifying crime attracts Batman's attention and forces him to revisit the ghosts of his past as Oracle, Nightwing and Robin attempt to help him solve the mystery! Featuring a back-up BLACK & WHITE tale by Warren Ellis and Jim Lee!
Warren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.
The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.
He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.
Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.
A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.
Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.
Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.
Although we probably wouldn't know it with a lot of current Batman movies and comics, Batman was originally a detective. This opener for the series tells one complete story, while at the same time creates a launchpad for future works. There's mystery, intrigue, a little bit of action, and a great deal of heart. Although the background on the cast is fuzzy to me and there were some minor points of confusion in the beginning, by the end I felt I was 'onboard' and ready to go. Looking forward to reading more into the series.
I read a free digital version of this, which had two stories. I definitely did not like the first one, "Constants." Devin K. Grayson wrote it and Dale Eaglesham did the pencils. It had some insights into Batman and his blind spots, but the narration was heavy handed and intrusive. Characters were overly muscled and contorted; even Oracle had guns. Then, too, the bickering bothered me. While Batman does do some detective work, the killer was kind of obvious and the motive nonexistent.
The other story, "To Become the Bat," was written by Warren Ellis and drawn by Jim Lee. It's a Black & White one shot. It, too, gets into Batman's head a bit, but it bounces around a lot and is disjointed. The individual panels were interesting to look at, as Lee seemed to emulate the style of The Dark Knight Returns. Otherwise, the story (if there was one) wasn't anything special.
Great artwork. The first story was kinda sad and Batman was kinda wonky. Though the artwork was good the hairstlyes on Nightwing & Robin are ridiculous. Edgar Rice Burroughs covered that years ago when he explained why Tarzan cut his hair before he ever met a civilized man [yes, you read right, Tarzan in the books had short hair - he was not a long-haired savage. The reason? Hair falling in your eyes during a life or death battle can mean just that - life or death. Same for these Bat-allies. Their swinging, fighting etc. demands full attention. The second story was awesome showing some of the many disciplines Batman has mastered and why. Very Holmesian.
part case, part exploration of the meaning of the batclan
Gotham Knight issue one is part case story, part exploration of the meaning of the batclan. This is especially meaningful and interesting given how everyone always brings up how Batman largely remains in the popular imagination - and by that, I mean the general imagination of non-comics followers - as a lone figure, which is massively inaccurate. I probably will read the rest of this series and, with how good the first issue is, I look forward to it.
Classified Files — speculation on The Batman…and his crew.
Senator Jack Myles and his wife, Eileen, have been shot to death. So of course it brings back painful memories for Bruce—especially with their young son being the sole survivor of the massacre.
Robin looks good in this one…kinda emo, but not in a bad way at all.
Bringing up politics is inadvisable.
Robin notices Batman’s blindspot, and he brings it to Darkwing’s attention.
Dick is restless and raring to go. Robin is contemplative. Oracle is wary.
The Xhosa gang looms ominously.
The murderer is a surprise.
Bonus Content is a black and white short story. It’s…there.
Batman investigates a murder, a scene of which he's all too familiar with. A boys been orphaned and his parents have been murdered, yet the killer is still on the loose.
There were some interesting ideas in this, like Batman having a blindspot. As well as questioning why he has the Batfamily, when he prefers to work alone. It's a decent read but I've read a few stories like this, that were better executed, this one just lacked depth.
I’ve only got into comics in the past 5 years. I have thousands but never got around to reading. Digital versions are worth it! This was a good introductory comic for the Gotham knights story arc. Artwork was well done and this is yet another decent Batman comic. Worth it for any fan.
A really good start to the Gotham Knights title. An unknown narrator analyzes why Batman, a known loner, has a team to support him and how they influence his thoughts and actions. This issue offers a great glimpse into Batman's psyche.