Batman: No Man's Land Vol. 5

Rating:
Summary: No Man's Land, not just a comic anymore...
Review: Having read both NML in comic and novel forms,I'd say that Batman is no stranger to both. I enjoyed the novel a little more then the comic, because the Comic's Code let the author do more, and because you get _inside_ the characters like the comic couldn't. I felt the Joker's struggling, and enjoyed Two-Face's wrestling back and forth with his good side. An enjoyable tale, not light reading as any would think.

Rating:
Summary: Well....3.5 stars maybe
Review: A perfectly servicable adaptation of the epic Batman story. To its credit it manages to clarify plotlines while abandoning the need to include everything under the sun (gone is the Scarecrow storyline, for example). The story moves along well, and each of the man characters seems to get their due. If there is a flaw to this book, and it's not a flaw per-se, it's that the book doesn't really allow us to get to know any of the characters better. The best adaptations have the room to explore the psyche of the protagonists and antagonists. This is a more plot-driven novel, and one imagines the powers-that-be at DC have restricted his ability to do too much exploration. We might miss Elliot Maggin, but Mr. Rucka has nonetheless crafted one of the best adaptations and comic-book novels in some time.

Rating:
Summary: Exceptional from beginning to end
Review: When I made my list of the best books of 1999, I had no idea a comic series would be at the top. Without a doubt the No Man's Land saga was the most compelling read of the year. A tour de force story that encompassed human emotion, strength, and the will to survive. The reader is taken on a journey into the depths of human hell where only the strong will survive. The basic storyline is this: An earthquake of epic porportions destroys Gotham City (home of Batman) beyond repair. The federal government declares the city No Man's Land after refusing to provide federal aid. If you want to be surprised and shocked, pick up this book. Plus, if you like Batgirl, you will love this book. (Note: This is how the real Batgirl should be and not the character we see in those awful movies). The best read of the year!

Rating:
Summary: Awesome, a new Batman for the next generation.
Review: If you were looking for a story that can redesign the Batman, stop looking. He must adapt to a new city, and to do that he has to forget all the rules and create new ones. Now he has to be more violent if he wants to rule the night. I find it the best I ever read about Batman. Everything is different. After this book you can't look at him the same way.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: All right, this is how it goes: A massive earthquake has completely destroyed the infamous, crime-ridden Gotham City, and everyone is struggling to survive. The famed vigilante Batman has dissappeared without a trace, so Commisioner James Gordon has lost faith in the Bat and proceeds to protect the remains of Gotham with what reamins of the GCPD.

Everyone is slowly turing against each other and going insane. All of those wiley vilians (including The Joker) are out and about. The Penguin has formed a special "mart" where survivors of the Quake can obtain food, clothing, and other needs in exchange for art, jewelry, and other goods. And later makes a "tact" with a mysterious woman named Mercy Graves.

Batman is here and there.

Barbara "Oracle" Gordon is struggling to surviv in the old Clock Tower, which miraculously survibed the Quake.

The Joker is awaiting the arrival of Batman (who mysteriously dissappeared).

Harley Quinn is trying to win Joker's affection.

Two-Face has fallen in love with a cop.

Poison Ivy is hiding out with her plants in Robinson Park (even though she is never seen).

Black Mask and his gang of False Facers have formed a self-mutilation cult.

The Huntress has allied with a police captain-gone-crazy.

Scarface and The Ventriloquist have set up their own weapon shop (as the book says, but never speaks of them again).

As for all of those other crooks (Mr. Freeze, Zsasz, Killer Croc, Catwoman), I'm assuming they died in the quake. Read this book, you'll love it! I know I sure as he11 did!

Rating:
Summary: Chaos in Gotham
Review: It is a great book, which is written from different points of view. It's short chapters and interesting plots help you stay into the book. I think its great how different stories are developing seperatly and occasionaly meet to create tense and action packed chapters. All the different stories lead up to a great climax towards the end in which all stories come together to create a great finish to the book.