We have also adopted a slightly different reviewing method, using percentages and points, so there's a more accurate account of what we liked and didn't like. (May or may not be applied to books.)
So, here is the launch of our new segment, Comic Books For Bears! (Breathtakingly awesome image coming soon)
Published: January 10, 2007 by DC Comics
Pages: 144
Buy: Amazon
Rating: 94%
Synopsis: A young Bruce Wayne has spent his adolescence and early adulthood, traveling the world so he could hone his body and mind into the perfect fighting and investigative machine. But now as he returns to Gotham City, he must find a way to focus his passion and bring justice to his city. Retracing Batman's first attempts to fight injustice as a costumed vigilante, we watch as he chooses a guise of a giant bat, creates an early bond with a young Lieutenant James Gordon, inadvertently plays a role in the birth of Catwoman, and helps to bring down a corrupt political system that infests Gotham.
Story Review:
Plot - 24/25 points This plot was very enthralling. It was particularly fun to get to know the amateur Batman that was still trying to figure out the whole "superhero" business. We also get to see the darkest part of Gotham City (which happens to be my favorite part). I am no conossieur of graphic novels, but I can certainly say this is one of my favorite plot lines for a comic book.
Voice - 22/25 points The voice was just dark enough to be chilling without being over the top. The entire time I was reading, I felt like I was there, in a situation that couldn't be solved without someone being hurt, or seeing Bruce Wayne's hopeful view of the future for Gotham City. Miller uses simple, stark dialogue and inner monologue to make sure you get the full blow of the emotions he was conveying.
Graphics Review:
Artwork by David Mazzucchelli - 25/25 points At risk of going on an obsessive rant, I'll keep my artwork review nice and short. Mazzucchelli captured Miller's words with his art in a way that I'm sure few could pull off. The drawings were stark, vicious, and exactly what Gotham City should be.
Coloring by Richmond Lewis - 23/25 points I really think he hit the nail on the head, here. The colors had a lot of the classic 50's feel with some shadowing that threw in some modern gothic flavor. This pulled everything together, like the cherry on a delicious chocolate cake.
Bonus Points:
One bonus point awarded for the first page of this comic - it was beautiful, sad, and all around perfect. See it and you'll know what I mean.
Total Score - 94 points out of 100 possible, or 94%
