Rating: 
Summary: Great story by a great writer!!
Review: The ultimate evil is child abuse. It was a great idea to put a fictional character like the Batman in a real life situation. It was ironic because the Batman was born due to a type of child abuse (his parents were murdered right in front of him). I like Mr.vachss writing style with his emphasis on characterization and mickey spillane-like fighting scenes. I hope he can one day write a sequel. It would be a great thing if one day all types of child abuse could be eradicated but at least Mr.Vachss' roles as writer/lawyer can help people one at a time.
Rating:
Summary: Very emotional and realistic.
Review: This book is so great.It has everything. Batman at his best fighting an evil that is so real to the current state of our world.
Rating: 
Summary: The best Batman book!
Review: This is probably the best Batman book out there, and I'll tell you why.
Most Batman novels jump all over the place with many focal points. This one concentrates totally on Batman. While I don't mind following other characters, I would prefer sticking with the main character.
How does this compare to the other Batman novels? The novelizations are good but since you've probably seen the movie they will hold no surprise for you. Batman captured by the engines by Lansdale, a fine writer, does just what I don't like--it focuses on other people and leaves little time for Batman. The Batman murders and Batman to stalk a specter are good reads, definately worth your time but nothing to savor forever. Batman no man's land was very good but again the point of view changed dozens of times.Back to Vachss. A single point of view Batman is the best yet. And his gritty dark style doesn't hurt. It's also nice to see Vachss writing in third person for a change, though I wish he would've touched on another, possibly lighter subject matter. Had a different subject been chosen, this would've been the perfect vehicle for a blockbuster movie hit. Enjoy... Sean
Rating: 
Summary: What's missing here?
Review: Yes, the underlying story is important and needs to be told. No, it wasn't the right place or character to tell the story. Old Friend Alfred starting getting on my nerves by about page 30. The author's use of diverse language appears to have taken second place to the "message" he wished to communicate and in doing so kept me from enjoying this novel. I closed the last page with a feeling of relief that I had finished rather than relief that the character lives on.
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