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Batman: The Long Halloween

Batman: The Long Halloween

List Price: $19.95
Your Price: $13.57
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Solid, but ultimately disappointing, Batman murder mystery
Review: This graphic novel gathers together all 13 issues of "Batman: The Long Halloween", written and drawn, respectively, by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. The story revolves around Carmine "The Roman" Falcone, the ruthless head of Gotham's fiercest gangster empire. The Roman is responsible for countless murders, hijackings, and crimes throughout Gotham, but authorities have never been able to convict him (most of the graft-ridden city is either on his payroll or bribable). Batman, along with a young Captain Gordon and headstrong District Attorney Harvey Dent, is determined to rid Gotham of Falcone's corruption, but he soon learns that a mysterious figure may have already beaten him to the punch: a serial killer, known only as "Holiday", is currently on the loose in Gotham and preying on members of Falcone's extended "family". Batman, Gordon, and Dent now face a combined problem: bringing Falcone to justice, while also ending Holiday's deadly spree.

One of "The Long Halloween"'s primary goals is to provide backstory on Gotham's crime lord past, and this is where the novel truly shines. Readers finally get to see the crime organizations that controlled much of Gotham in the early days (this dark past was hinted at in other Batman stories, but it's more fully explored here). In addition, "The Long Halloween" contains a fascinating retelling of Harvey Dent's past, which will be warmly welcomed by fans of this sometimes morally-dubious friend of Batman's. Unfortunately, readers hoping for a significant glimpse into Batman's own psyche will be sorely disappointed; Batman remains a cipher throughout most of the novel, speaking always in a terse, stacatto rhythm and providing little in the way of a glimpse into his mind's inner workings.

While "The Long Halloween" is competently written, it suffers from a lack of originality and a workman-like narrative drive. The ideas explored here (Italian gangsters and serial killers) are mildly intriguing within the larger context of Gotham, but Loeb doesn't infuse them with many new twists, so they remain tired cliches in this story. Also, in an attempt to give an "epic" feel to this saga, Loeb introduces many of Batman's most infamous foes into the mix (The Joker, The Riddler, The Scarecrow, and The Mad Hatter are just some of the villains on display here). However, the characters are introduced and then dispatched so quickly by Batman, that they don't provide any real sense of drama (in fact, at times, they almost seem to be there for comic relief, which doesn't seem quite right). I think this story would have benefitted from focusing on a much smaller handful of villains, rather than the scattershot approach it takes.

I similarly found the ending of the story and the mystery to be somewhat unsatisfying, although I acknowledge that this is a matter of individual tastes. While it's interesting to see Batman (and Gordon and Dent) involved in such a bizarre murder mystery, the story doesn't play fair with the standard "rules" of the genre--some may say this makes for a breath of fresh air in the Batman universe (and the mystery genre itself), but I think it amounts to a bit of a cheat for trusting readers. In the end, it's difficult to tell just how ambiguous Loeb intended certain elements of the mystery to be; in fact, there's a convincing argument to be made that some of the ambiguity is merely due to sloppy storytelling. Gotham and the larger Batman universe provide fertile ground for this style of mystery, but "The Long Halloween" ultimately fails to deliver on that promise.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Not the BEST but quite better that average.
Review: Let me start by saying this book is not as well written as the Frank Miller Batman stories. This is due directly to the fact that it is not written by Frank Miller! If you want a Frank Miller book then buy one. Otherwise, if you want a Batman story that has brisk pacing, a good plot, a good mystery and a solidly constructed story then this book is for you. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale are one of the best duos out there and I have yet to read a subpar release from them. If you like Batman and want a quick entertaining read you will like this book.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: What a disappointment
Review: I bought this book on the strength of reviews and word of mouth, and well, when you read as many great books as I do, some of them have to be let-downs sometimes.

This book had an interesting premise; where it fails is in the clunky dialogue, pointless cameos, and Godfather references ad nauseam.

Great Batman stories are Moore's The Killing Joke and Miller's Year One (which these fellows obviously idolized but emulated poorly) and Dark Knight Returns. Next to those three incredible books, this soulless, pointless gangster saga stumbles, lumbers and drags. If you haven't read those, read them first, and if you have, then read them again rather than this one. Believe me.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Gives all comicbooks a GREAT name
Review: Perhaps the best comic series I've ever read. So good that it forces even those who believe all comicbooks are stupid to pay attention. Better than most mystery novels of recent memory, and many mystery films as well. Establishes the graphic novel as a fine format for "film noir." Worth reading more than once.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Batman murder mystery
Review: ... This is a story set in some of the pre-Robin days and Batman where he, Commisioner Gordon and D.A. Harvey Dent are trying to solve the holiday murders. It features a good amount o classic Batman villains and a good retelling of the origin of Two-Face. Jeph Loeb has crafted a good story and Tim Sale's art, though not mind-blowing, is dark and gritty enough to go with the story and give Gotham City a menacing look. These two work well together and this book is proof of that.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Must for all Batman fans
Review: Set early in Batman's career, The Long Halloween is a masterful tale.
The story is about a crime wave that hits Gotham. A killer (killers?) are shooting up members of Gotham's various crime families. Batman is on the case, working together with Gotham City Police Captain Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent to find out who the mysterious Holiday killer is. Dent is also having troubles at home, and he's being transformed. Batman fears that he's losing a friend. How right he may be. The story contains many of your favorite Batman villians, such as Joker, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, and many more. And, it tells the origin of Two-Face beautifully. The ending will leave you surprised. I read all of this in one sitting and could not bring myself to put it down. This story is continued in Batman: Dark Victory, also by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale are a match made in heaven. Loeb's gloomy style of storytelling fits in perfectly with Sale's artwork. Together, they weave a great tale of suspense for all Batman fans, and even fans of a good old murder mystery.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best Mystery I have ever read
Review: After every corner is another surprise. The ending is the best part (like always with murder mysteries). So don't cheat and look at the back of the book to peek at a few pannels! You'll ruin the story. The Art: Batman himself is drawn masterfully, while everyone else is well... different. I suggest this book to everyone! If you enjoy good reading then it doesn't matter what type of comics you read (I read 'em all) I garuntee you'll love this book. The thing I always thought depressing about all TPB's and Graphic Novels is that you can read them in a long afternoon and then back to Earth you come. Now with this one you can still read it in a long afternoon, but it'll be a bit longer. I also thought that the title for this book was an excellent choice. Anyway, BUY IT!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: THE LONG HALLOWEEN
Review: This is straight up one of the best graphic novels or mysterys I have ever read. The Long Halloween is about Batmans promise to rid Gotham City of the evils thats took his parents and how far he will go on his word. It is also about the battle for the criminal elements in Gotham between the gangsters police and "freaks". And a mystery as to who is "Holiday" a killer who shoots up members of the mob on each Holiday. The Long Halloween would have made a great movie in the Batman series but unfoprtunatly people wouldnt understand what the hell is going on. Dont get me wrong this book is easy to follow and is a great mystery. If you are a fan of the Dark Night, comics, or anything in general I suggest picking it up...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: great unique and original
Review: This is a great book. its true to batman and is unique also. the story is great and once u start reading u cant stop. One of the best comic books i ever read!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Why "The Long Halloween" Sucks
Review: After reading just about every other review of "The Long Halloween" one could be forgiven for thinking it was the greatest literary work of the late twentieth century. It's not. It's not even a pretty good literary work. Of course, it's hard for it to be considered a literary work at all when one considers just how little writing there is in "The Long Halloween". Loeb's chief problem is that he wants so desperately to tell a grand sweeping saga in the style of the Godfather (so much so that he blatantly rips it off at every point and turn) and yet leaves us with precious little to actually "read" much less think about. In any good mystery there must be an emotional resonance between the reader and the characters but that's just not possible here. Loeb feels compelled to include as many members of the Rogues' Gallery as he can fit, including a few ludicrous scenes with the Scarecrow and the Mad Hatter in which both seem to be competing for the Most Annoying Villain in a Comic Book or Drama category. What we're left with is a whirlwind tour through Arkham Asylum with little to no time left for even the most basic character development as the "mystery" of who the serial killer Holiday is is drawn out far longer than is required. Do not be fooled! If you're tempted to read this because of lofty comparisons to the works of Frank Miller or Alan Moore please note that this series has none of the emotional depth of their characterisations or intricate strands of their plots. Oh, and the art's not much good either.


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