Batman: The Chalice

Rating:
Summary: Interesting art, good premise, but...
Review: Batman finds himself in the position of being the protector of the fabled Holy Grail. An intriguing concept, but, as some of the other reviews here state, this graphic novel is ultimately unsatisfying.

While the art is interesting, and there are some nice moments, there's no good resolution to the story, and no real explanation of Batman's ties to the Grail. The ending feels rushed, and with the villains assembled here (including Ra's Al Ghul), this could have been a very strong story.

It's worth a look for the art, if nothing else, but certainly not a "keeper."

Rating:
Summary: It's All About the Package.
Review: I'm finding more and more that these graphic novels are all about the package. They're founded in high concept and a fresh, different or innovative artistic vision (in this case by Vertigo-ish John Van Fleet). They sacrifice substance for flash. They are, in the words of The Bard, "Full of sound and fury, and signifying nothing."

Bruce Wayne receives a mysterious package that seems to contain the cup from which Jesus took His last supper. Lots of groups are interested in obtaining it. Batman makes a tough decision to secure it in an interesting fashion. The end.

Really. That's about it.

The story progresses at a cinematic pace. Batman battles Two-Face, and is injured in the conflict. Then we learn that Bruce Wayne has an ancestral responsibility for keeping the Holy Grail. We learn that the cup is genuine when Batman demonstrates its "supernatural" powers by using it to heal his wound. From there, the story is set up as an epic stuggle between Batman and all the forces aligned against him. The Merivingian brotherhood, Ra's al Ghul, Catwoman and Penguin are all interested in the artifact at different times to differing degrees.

Azrael puts in an appearance that makes sense given the subject matter of this book. Batman has a wonderful three page scene in Commissioner Gordon's office, where Gordon is actually credited for being as sharp as he'd need to be to have risen to the position he holds. Batman "appears" in Gordon's office, but doesn't surprise the Commissioner, who senses the change in pressure in the room. A nice moment, but the three page scene turns into a lame attempt to interject a theological element into a story that might have been much more interesting if it had been expanded into a major theme of the story. I would like to have seen an exploration of Batman's faith and relationship with God, and how he might reconcile it with what he does.

Nevertheless, the plot sounds pretty compelling doesn't it? It builds to what could have been a thrilling climax. The pacing seems fine for the first three-quarters of the book or so. But the ultimate resolution is very unsatisfying. The ending seems rushed, as though Dixon was writing along page by page without any sort of outline, then realized he only had a few pages left to wrap things up. The ending could have been a surprising twist if it had been arrived at in a more natural way - if it had been an organic extension of a study of Batman's beliefs. As it is, it comes of as a tacked on contrivance that just doesn't work for me.

Although I'm a huge Batman fan, I can't recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: It's All About the Package.
Review: I'm finding more and more that these graphic novels are all about the package. They're founded in high concept and a fresh, different or innovative artistic vision (in this case by Vertigo-ish John Van Fleet). They sacrifice substance for flash. They are, in the words of The Bard, "Full of sound and fury, and signifying nothing."

Bruce Wayne receives a mysterious package that seems to contain the cup from which Jesus took His last supper. Lots of groups are interested in obtaining it. Batman makes a tough decision to secure it in an interesting fashion. The end.

Really. That's about it.

The story progresses at a cinematic pace. Batman battles Two-Face, and is injured in the conflict. Then we learn that Bruce Wayne has an ancestral responsibility for keeping the Holy Grail. We learn that the cup is genuine when Batman demonstrates its "supernatural" powers by using it to heal his wound. From there, the story is set up as an epic stuggle between Batman and all the forces aligned against him. The Merivingian brotherhood, Ra's al Ghul, Catwoman and Penguin are all interested in the artifact at different times to differing degrees.

Azrael puts in an appearance that makes sense given the subject matter of this book. Batman has a wonderful three page scene in Commissioner Gordon's office, where Gordon is actually credited for being as sharp as he'd need to be to have risen to the position he holds. Batman "appears" in Gordon's office, but doesn't surprise the Commissioner, who senses the change in pressure in the room. A nice moment, but the three page scene turns into a lame attempt to interject a theological element into a story that might have been much more interesting if it had been expanded into a major theme of the story. I would like to have seen an exploration of Batman's faith and relationship with God, and how he might reconcile it with what he does.

Nevertheless, the plot sounds pretty compelling doesn't it? It builds to what could have been a thrilling climax. The pacing seems fine for the first three-quarters of the book or so. But the ultimate resolution is very unsatisfying. The ending seems rushed, as though Dixon was writing along page by page without any sort of outline, then realized he only had a few pages left to wrap things up. The ending could have been a surprising twist if it had been arrived at in a more natural way - if it had been an organic extension of a study of Batman's beliefs. As it is, it comes of as a tacked on contrivance that just doesn't work for me.

Although I'm a huge Batman fan, I can't recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Chalice is a Full Cup!
Review: It is such a pleasure, to see a storyline with such real appeal. Ra's al Ghul is the perfect nemesis for "the Custodian of the Cup". It is Truth, in graphic novel form.
The art is completely well done using diffrent schemes to convey moods and backdrops. This, along with well written lines that are easily read and followed.
Continue on with Batman's nemisis in The Birth, The son and the Bride of the demon. None will dissappoint. All will intrigue and encourage you to really drink from the cup of living water.

Rating:
Summary: The Chalice is a Full Cup!
Review: It is such a pleasure, to see a storyline with such real appeal. Ra's al Ghul is the perfect nemesis for "the Custodian of the Cup". It is Truth, in graphic novel form.
The art is completely well done using diffrent schemes to convey moods and backdrops. This, along with well written lines that are easily read and followed.
Continue on with Batman's nemisis in The Birth, The son and the Bride of the demon. None will dissappoint. All will intrigue and encourage you to really drink from the cup of living water.

Rating:
Summary: Promising Concept Ends Up as an Average Story
Review: The Chalice, by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by John Van Fleet is a promising concept, but ultimately fails by having too many cameos of the rogues gallery and not dealing with Batman's existential ponderings.

While one reviewer mistakingly asserts religion should not be in comics (after all, religion is such an importnat part of peoples lives, it is hard to imagine that these characters should not be developed likewise), I disagree, it is that unlike Miller's Daredevil, where religion is dealt with on a somewhat real level, this comic is more interested in "Indiana Jones" type serial comic action than dealing with real questions with possible answers.

I, however, still found the story enjoyable. Batman learns that he is to protect the Holy Grail (the bloodline obligation story is weak as another reviewer noted) and does his best to do so. The grail heals him when he takes a step in faith after being wounded, and he proposes to Batgirl/Oracle that the grail can restore her as well - she lacks faith and turns down the opprotunity. This should have been fleshed out more and could have been a compelling story - why some take the step toward faith, and others do not.

The artwork is good, but not oustanding or compelling. The story too short, but the ending is outstanding and allows the reader to see Batman for who he is - a man who will never give up, but also one who will submit his ego for the good of all, for he knows his strengths and his limitations.

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: This book disappoints on many fronts. The characterization of Batman as a Christian soldier was totally out of character. Batman and Alfred were constantly in utter awe of the Grail, a side of them that did not work for me. I generally think it is best to keep religion out of comics.

The artwork was also very poor, especially the depictions of the villians. You would never guess who was who from the artwork because the characters were drawn so different from usual.

Lastly, there was very little story or plot. Most pages were graphic heavy and story light, so for a book this size there was very little going on. And the story presented did not work in many areas. Ras changed his objectives 180 degrees based on one flippant remark from his daughter - very out of character.

There are better Batman books out there.

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: This book disappoints on many fronts. The characterization of Batman as a Christian soldier was totally out of character. Batman and Alfred were constantly in utter awe of the Grail, a side of them that did not work for me. I generally think it is best to keep religion out of comics.

The artwork was also very poor, especially the depictions of the villians. You would never guess who was who from the artwork because the characters were drawn so different from usual.

Lastly, there was very little story or plot. Most pages were graphic heavy and story light, so for a book this size there was very little going on. And the story presented did not work in many areas. Ras changed his objectives 180 degrees based on one flippant remark from his daughter - very out of character.

There are better Batman books out there.

Rating:
Summary: a great idea that goes nowhere
Review: What would happen if the Holy Grail somehow ended up in the hands of Gotham's esteemed Dark Knight? Sounds like an interesting concept, right?

It is. It could have been in this book. But with the ball so miserably dropped, a concept with much potential quickly went nowhere.

Basically what the story boils down to is this: Batman is entrusted with the Grail (because he has some kind of "blood duty" to take on the responsibility, an idea that I just can't suspend disbelief enough to accept) and protects it from the myriad of baddies out to steal it for various (and sometimes unexplained) reasons. Batman kicks the collective fanny of said baddies, then secures the Grail in an unexpected (but was it, REALLY?) fashion. Ho hum.

That said, the book has its merits, the biggest one being the dreamy, luscious artwork. If you can be swayed to buy a graphic novel for its art alone, this is definitely one to consider. It also contains one of the hunkiest depictions of Bruce Wayne that I've ever seen (yow!).

In short: a great idea that falls flat amid lots of gorgeous pictures.

Rating:
Summary: a great idea that goes nowhere
Review: What would happen if the Holy Grail somehow ended up in the hands of Gotham's esteemed Dark Knight? Sounds like an interesting concept, right?

It is. It could have been in this book. But with the ball so miserably dropped, a concept with much potential quickly went nowhere.

Basically what the story boils down to is this: Batman is entrusted with the Grail (because he has some kind of "blood duty" to take on the responsibility, an idea that I just can't suspend disbelief enough to accept) and protects it from the myriad of baddies out to steal it for various (and sometimes unexplained) reasons. Batman kicks the collective fanny of said baddies, then secures the Grail in an unexpected (but was it, REALLY?) fashion. Ho hum.

That said, the book has its merits, the biggest one being the dreamy, luscious artwork. If you can be swayed to buy a graphic novel for its art alone, this is definitely one to consider. It also contains one of the hunkiest depictions of Bruce Wayne that I've ever seen (yow!).

In short: a great idea that falls flat amid lots of gorgeous pictures.