Batman: Death Mask

Batman

by Yoshinori Natsume

Gotham City is plagued with crime and corruption in places high and low, but one man has taken a stand against evil of all forms: the dark avenger known as Batman. When a serial killer begins a reign of terror in Gotham City Bruce Wayne must revisit his training as a man in Japan to find the connections between the Dark Knight and this killer.

Genres: Manga, Comics, Graphic Novels, Batman, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Yoshinori Natsume 夏目義徳 Natsume Yoshinori, born August 23, 1975 in Hiroshima, Japan is a Japanese manga artist.

He created Togari and authored the prestige format Batman manga mini-series Batman: Death Mask,in April 2008. As of January 4, 2013, he is currently working on a shonen manga for Grand Jump called White Tiger.

Reviews

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Japanese are in town and someone’s slicing off people’s faces. Are the two connected? Yes. Time for a slightly mad billionaire to take on the foreigners - Trump Batman to the rescue!

About the only noteworthy thing about this one is the way Yoshinori Natsume’s drawn Batman: he’s accentuated his dong AND given him a banana hammock to wear! It’s so funny to see Dirk Diggler Batman swinging into action.

There are flashbacks to Bruce’s time training in Japan before becoming Batman which are meh though I don’t get how the Bruce of the flashbacks looks anything like present-day Bruce. I get that present-day Bruce is older but the character design is still off.

Natsume asks what the REAL mask is, Bruce Wayne or Batman - wooooah, so deep. Oh wait, Bruce is ALWAYS asked this fucking question! And the whole “love conquering hate” thing is a typical manga theme. Zero original ideas in this one.

The face-slicey mystery is dull with Batman stumbling across the answer rather than figuring it out as the World’s Greatest Detective. It’s not even an interesting reveal or one that makes sense – it’s underwhelming and only underlines how forgettable this outing is.

Not sure why DC commissioned this one for Western audiences – maybe just as a novelty for Batman readers, have a Japanese Batman story done in manga-style? It is an unusual format for Batman but it would’ve been better if the story was any good. The artwork is nice, particularly the Oni mask designs, and it was cool seeing Batman fighting skeleton samurais, but Death Mask’s definitely not worth bothering with.

[Dr Rashmit Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What to say about this beauty it merges two of my favourite things Batman & manga, i would have given it 5 stars but the story still left me asking for a bit MORE ,ergo 4 stars and a definite reccomendation to all

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Batman + Manga = Hour well spent

[Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually my second read-through of this story. I do quite like it -- I'm wavering between three and four stars because of the artwork. It's really nice most of the time, and the backgrounds are really excellent, as are the fight scenes and the monster designs; the only place where it falls down is in adults' face. Present-day Bruce, in particular, seems off in some way that I can't quite define except to say that it involves cheekbones and jowls, although it's clear that he's an older version of flashback Bruce. The younger characters, especially flashback Bruce, are really well designed -- it makes me wonder, actually, if Natsume usually draws teenagers! And it is amusing to see college-age Bruce absolutely towering over everyone in the dojo where he's staying. The art definitely doesn't suffer for being in black and white, especially in the "demon" fight scenes with wavering greyscale opponents. The story is pretty much standard Batman-fights-some-criminals-while-pondering-life, but that's a successful formula most of the time, and it's done well here. The time spent on Bruce -- as opposed to Batman -- is refreshing. I had a good laugh at the start of the story when Bruce spots Aya; he's all, "Wow, she looks just like a girl I used to know when I was in training," and everyone else is all, "Wow, playboy Bruce goes right for the only woman in the room again." Okay, I suppose that nudges it up to four stars.

Also, on a side note, I really do prefer manga-sized comics. They're just so much easier to read.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was pretty good but a bit strange reading Batman as a manga. I liked the story much more than the illustration. This was originally published as an American 4-issue mini-series and is collected here together in a one-shot Japanese-style manga. Because of the difference in sizes the text here has been shrunk and is really just on the borderline of being too small to read for comfort(and I have perfect eyesight.) The story is pretty cool though, with the Batman chasing after a killer who is cutting the faces off of victims. The story turns paranormal and twists into a Batman-psyche sort of thing. So lots of angles and a decent enough story for a fan. Some nice new background that particularly takes a look at Bruce Wayne's teenage years studying martial arts in Japan. The illustration is not DC quality though and is what you expect from manga. The Batman is drawn well, but Bruce Wayne is the ugliest I've ever seen him!

[Ben Truong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Batman: Death Mask is a four-issue miniseries. Batman: Death Mask collects all four issues of the 2008 miniseries. It was written and drawn by manga creator Yoshinori Natsume and was published by CMX.

When a Japanese businessman arrives in Gotham City, Bruce Wayne as Batman finds links between him and a recent wave of gruesome murders around the city. It is also rather reminiscent and reminds Bruce Wayne to reflect on his younger years training in a dojo in Toyko and the demon who haunted his dreams at the time. While chasing down this nostalgic murderer, Batman must contend that this murderer might know his secret identity.

Batman: Death Mask is written and constructed moderately well. Yoshinori Natsume provides an interesting Eastern take on a popular Western character in Batman. The narrative deftly moves from mythology, psychology and crime with ease, however nothing new was added to the Batman mythos, which was quite the misopportunity as Natsume could have explored Bruce Wayne's time in Japan further and deeper. Yoshinori Natsume's penciling is done rather well and is rather interesting to see Gotham City and her inhabitants in a manga-style.

All in all, Batman: Death Mask is an interesting, albeit mediocre Eastern take of one of the most popular Western superhero in Batman.

[Royally Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

DC Universe Infinite recently added a few manga offerings to its service, which I just had to try. Batman: Death Mask takes the titular hero and puts him in Japan. It explores masks, the purposes of masks, and the "curses" involving them. It's a story that starts impersonally but gradually becomes very personal to Bruce Wayne and his history.

I actually really enjoyed this one, though it has the potential to feel a little repetitive when it comes to Batman. If you enjoy the usual Batman reflects on his role and why he does what he does, you'll enjoy this. If you're tired of the psychological reflection from Bruce, you likely won't get much out of this one since that's where it really shines. The antagonist is interesting and mysterious - though I predicted it - and I like the art. This isn't a revolutionary Batman story, but it's a pretty fun one nonetheless.

[Teena Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this!

Batman + Manga = Happy Me!!

I thought the story flowed well and the art had a nice style. I felt particular attention was given to the detail of Batman and the masks.

I loved the idea of going back to the past and seeing glimpses into Bruce's past! I particularly loved it when the 'action' read 'Flash' because even though I know it wasn't connected, I choose to believe that at that moment our Barry Allen decided to visit Bruce when he most needed a helping kick up the arse!

Overall, a nice half hour was spent reading this and it was well spent!

[wbforeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a OK story as Batman goes to Japan and asked to deal with a killer that is slicing the faces of people and wearing a very creepy mask. We also get some Bruce Wayne backstory of his time in Japan training. I thought that lustrations were good, but not memorable and the story was fine, but I didn’t really stick with me as for the constant theme of masks and who is the real Bruce Wayne that is a common theme and I think it was a good idea in the manga, but it doesn’t really go anywhere other than surface level thoughts.

[Kyle Berk · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s alright. From what I remember it’s your typical story of Batman previously fell in love with a girl but now she’s part of a sinister organization. And he has to stop them while we also learn about his past with this girl.

And he questions which is the mask and which is his face. Also very literally represented by the key item of the comic being a mask that is pined after.

It’s alright but your time could be better spent on another Batman story.

2 stars.

[Parin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant portrayal of Batman, manga style. At the end of the book you ask for more, but like what happens with life, you don't get everything. Everyone knows about Batman's training in martial arts what will happen to him, if his past come backs to haunt him like no other. More than a fight with villains, this book focuses on fighting with your own past. Quick read but totally worth it.

[Zachary King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the book's attention to young Bruce's time in Japan learning martial arts, but I found the resolution of the book didn't quite land. I had trouble visually telling some characters apart, but the supernatural aspect worked better than it usually does with Batman. I love finding surprise stories like this in back issue bins!

[Remxo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Batman manga. The mix of psychological thriller and Japanese ghost story works quite well. A masked killer appears in Gotham and Batman is confronted with his past when he trained in martial arts in Japan. A nice and quick read. My biggest critique is that Batman did not have much of a hand in revealing the mystery and the identity of the killer at the end.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick impression: A story with a lot of potential. It was pretty good, but the plot could get kind of messy and convoluted at times. Very good art, and I liked the idea of looking at Bruce Wayne's early days training in Japan.

(full review on my blog later)

[Dominic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more serious take on Batman in a Manga vs the more campy and over the top batman Manga I have read so far. I hope Natsume is allowed to do the Elseworld Batman in Edo period Japan like he mentions in the post-collection interview. Really cool!

[naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

really liked the premise of this, but this did not feel like bruce wayne/batman at all, i still really liked it tho. i just wish they stuck a little more to the character, but the plot was a really cool and different idea.

[Walter Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only manga I've read so far and it was worth it, except for a little bit of the drawing that was a bit below the Japanese standard

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman works very well in the Manga format. The use of shadows is very well done.

[Sotofunkdamental · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lectura bastante decepcionante. Nada recomendado.

[James Lawner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been interested in checking out this story ever since I saw an ad for it in a Batman comic back in 2008! But I never had the opportunity to read it until now when I managed to pick it up on Comixology for only $1.99! Anyways, this would technically mark my first time ever reading a manga novel, because this miniseries was written and illustrated by an established manga author, Yoshinori Natsume, and it’s presented like a typical manga book where everything is done from right to left; which did take some getting used to, but with guided view on the Comixology app it made things easier.

The story in this was quite interesting, and I liked how it tied with Batman’s early life before he took on the mantle. The tone and atmosphere fit very well within the story, Natsume really captured Batman and how a Batman story can be told, and the way he incorporated Japanese culture into the story was quite nice as it offers something new for readers to learn about. The characters weren’t bad, especially Batman (he’s Batman!), but the new characters only worked for the plot, because it needed to. The third act, however, whilst enjoyable with good emotional moments, was kinda confusing when it was revealed who the Oniyasha was. The artwork was phenomenal, and even though it’s all in black and white, it still looked great and fitted perfectly within the context of the story (it’s like a Batman: Black and White story, but done as a 4-issue manga!). One problem I did have is that in some scenes/moments the artwork becomes hazy to symbolize a hallucination or during action scenes the artwork looks a bit murky and kinda hard to understand. Also, the usage of sound effect words were oddly placed or didn’t work within the context of the story well (I think it could’ve been better if there were no sound effect words added at all). Also, there were a few typos/misplaced words and that could be attributed to translation/publication, but for a digital edition, this could’ve easily been fixed.

Overall, this could make a solid anime movie if this were to ever be adapted. It’s kind of a shame that DC didn’t pursue more BatManga projects after this (unless I missed something?). Also, this story could’ve been just as good if it was also set in Japan. I definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to read manga comics in some way, but you will have to learn/get used to the reading order.

[Amber DiTullio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know a lot of people that read manga, but it's one that I'd never really had an interest in. But the manga section is right next to the graphic novel section in my library, so my eyes sometimes wander that way. Being a DC Fan, Batman caught my attention. On the "I may find something new to love" theory, I picked it up. And I'm glad that I did.

For those unfamiliar with manga, they are read backward from what I'm used to with traditional English books. It took a little while to get used to the way it was to be read, but once I did, I was able to fully immerse myself in the story. It is a story of masks, both literal and figurative. When a tour of Japanese masks makes its way to Gotham, Bruce Wayne sees a familiar evil from the time he spent in Japan training to avenge his parents' death. The story moves between these two time frames and the reader gets to see some of what helped make Batman who he is.

It's not completely original, as there have been many stories that have delved into the darker past of Batman. But it was a good story that brought in a new aspect of that past. I enjoyed reading about Bruce's time in Japan, learning about the demon, Oni, and seeing the past coming back to haunt the future. The artwork was wonderfully done in stark black and white. All in all, it was a good read.

Batman: Death Mask would be a good bridge for those who have read super hero comics and graphic novels but want to get into manga. It has both the familiar - Batman's story - and the new - the manga - that eases someone into this new form of reading.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

And the work which has become a genre unto itself shall be called: Bat-manga! Or something like that.

There’s no denying that Batman gets the manga love and that was even before Batman Begins turned the Dark Knight into a ninja. First Kia Asamiya’s absolutely gorgeous Batman: Child of Dreams was brought over to the US. Then Chip Kidd unearthed 40 year old Batman manga in Bat-manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan. Now, DC has released the collected Batman: Death Mask, a manga by Yoshinori Natsume commissioned for western audiences.

A pre-Batman Bruce Wayne encounters a cursed Oni mask in Japan while perfecting his martial arts training. This encounter forces Bruce to focus on the purpose of The Batman — spirit of vengeance or guardian of Gotham?

20 years later the mask reappears in Bruce’s life and is connected to a string of serial killings. Can Batman exorcise the demons of his past and — more importantly — break a cycle of vengeance which extends back for centuries?

[Toi Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a fan of most things Batman, I welcomed this dark Japanese tale of Bruce Wayne and the Death Mask. This four part series is a semi origin story as it goes back in time to show where and how Bruce was trained to fight in his quest to become the Batman, but the story goes far beyond that. It tells the legend of a mask that brings out the darkness in the one who wears it, but now Batman is wondering whether the mask is really cursed or if it is the person wearing it that is cursed.

This tales is not without the typical comic book violence that us geeks are so used to, but it also has a very physiological spin to it in the area of intimidation and fear. The Dark Night is a little bright in comparison to the darkness of the Death Mask. People’s faces get chopped off; that’s all I have to say about that.

Great for veteran comic book readers and Batman fans, but not recommended as your first comic book or Batman read.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have very few favorite Anime collections, or Manga- this book represents many of the reasons.

First off- Batman looks like he is 50. He is also completely out of character. Bruce Wayne cares about his company and the good he can do for Gotham. This Batman seems to BE the rich playboy that is Bruce Wayne's cover.

Next, does every Anime or Manga have to glorify their own culture by making others seem less honorable or just plain boring? Bruce Wayne has been all over the world. So Japan just HAPPENS to be where his heart lies? Uh uh. That's Gotham.

Also, the story was just plain ridiculous. The violence was not usual for a Batman story. People having their faces cut off? Seriously? The art showing the faces the being removed was also laughable.

I can not recommend this comic to true Batman fans.

[Kimberlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on a manga-style Batman, and was fun to read. The author explores Bruce's youth a bit (which was awesome), and intentionally incorporated Japanese elements to the story, which worked beautifully. Having some experience with Japanese folklore (mostly surrounding demons, etc.) I enjoyed recognizing certain words, terms, and name components. The story itself is interesting, exciting, well told, but doesn't earn a fifth star for missing an emotional tie to the characters. I'd like to emphathize with them more, otherwise it's just action.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Japanese manga artist takes up the old mask angle: is it Batman or Bruce Wayne who is the mask? A new twist involves demons called oni--one in particular whose face seems remarkably similar to the Cowled One's....

Points for the faces being cut off--the gruesomeness wedded to the comic renderings of this style make a neat juxtaposition.

Bonus points for skeleton Samurais--any book with skeletons swinging swords gets my automatic love and recommendation.

[Chantell Petrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a different take on Batman. I could see the influence of manga in the storyline, not just the artwork. I did enjoy it because I am a huge manga nerd, but if I wasn't, I could see how it'd be a disappointment to someone more accustomed to the American Batman comics. Overall, a worthwhile read. :)

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd rather have given this a 2.5/5 rather than a 3, but at the end of the day I opted to lean up since this really wasn't a bad story; it just wasn't very entertaining. You'd think that the writer, Natsume, would've created a more engaging story for the Caped Crusader's first big manga appearance.

But who can honestly argue with the art?

[Arun Jawarlal · Rating 5 out of 5]

And in years to come, even if the past catches up to you, look to the future-Always trust Batman to deliver philosophy in style!

If you fight with the past, you'll reach a dead end and lose sight of yourself! You cannot change the past no matter what!
Fight for the future!
Wise words from Yoshinori Natsume's Batman!
Loved every inch of it.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Atmopherically, Batman's first authentic manga-styled outing had its moments, but is much more supernatural than I usually like my Batman. Bruce Wayne looked a little strangely drawn in places, which I found a somewhat off-putting. Worth reading, but ultimately not very memorable.