Rating: 
Summary: There's a new bat in town...
Review: (Note: This is a review for No Man's Land Vol. 3. Amazon groups all five volumes and the novelization as one product.)This third volume in the "No Man's Land" series will be remembered as the first appearance of the new Batgirl, whom Batman passes the mantle to after unmasking the old one (you can probably guess who it was, but I won't spoil it). Superman also visits Gotham, Billy Pettit finally splits from the Gotham Blue Boys, and Batman and Robin have to free Poison Ivy from Clayface. By now, the weaknesses of writing a major comic-book crossover are starting to show, though No Man's Land is still more coherent than it has any right to be. Since Billy Pettit wasn't featured at all in volume 2, his departure here comes across as more of a plot point than something dramatic and meaningful. The new Batgirl's origins also feel rushed, and it seems odd that Batman would be so quick to accept her - maybe desperate times call for desperate measures? There's also a filler story involving Mr. Freeze that is horrible to read, both from a writing and artistic standpoint (and why would Batman blow up a power plant when Gotham desperately needs power?) That aside though, there's some good stuff here to balance out the bad. It's always fun seeing Batman upstage Superman, even if it's been overplayed. The new Batgirl looks to be an interesting character, and I look forward to the role she'll play in restoring Gotham. The Poison Ivy/Clayface arc is great in terms of story and artwork, and also furthers the subplot concerning Gordon, Montoya, and Two-Face. This volume, like the previous two, is still worth picking up. It's the slightly awkward period of any major crossover, but things only get better from here.
Rating: 
Summary: His name is Bane, and he's back
Review: (Note: This is a review for No Man's Land Vol. 4. Amazon groups all five volumes and the novelization as one product.) After stumbling a bit in volumes 2 and 3, No Man's Land gets back on track with volume 4. The big draw here is Bane, who has been sent to Gotham by a mysterious backer for purposes unknown. And really, that turns out to be the weakest part of the volume. The opening chapter with Bane's return is just horribly written, with Batman and Bane talking way too much. The other parts, where Bane mows a path through downtown Gotham, isn't that interesting to read and only builds up to a small plot point. However, the other chapters in the book completely make up for that let-down. Devin Grayson returns to pen two amazing stories, one involving Leslie Tompkins and the MASH sector, and the other featuring Clark Kent visitng NML. Dale Eaglesham also returns as artist, and draws a great Billy Pettit who is looking more crazed than ever. The Two-Face/Montoya/Gordon story also comes to head, as Two-Face puts Gordon on trial for war crimes. It's one of the best arcs of No Man's Land, and bring this subplot full circle. After that, Gordon and Batman finally have their long-awaited chat. Then it's simply a matter or repositioning everyone for the final volume, and finding out who the mysterious outside interest is. If I have one complaint, it's that DC didn't bother to include the Nightwing arc of NML in these volumes. In volume 3, he was assigned to retake Blackgate Prison. Here he's already done it. I've heard Nightwing's adventure in Blackgate was pretty good, and it's unfortunate it didn't make the cut. If you've read the other 3 volumes, continue reading. Volume 4 does a great job of continuing this major Batman crossover arc.
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: Shadow of the Night
Review: Batman No Man's Land is a great book to read, unless you hate short chapters and multiple characters. Greg Rucka does a good job in keeping the readers attention and keeps the reader guessing with a suspenseful thought of mind.
Rating:
Summary: Batman in No Man's Land
Review: For those who don't know, the No Man's Land titles are the adventures of Batman and his sidekicks in a Gotham City so devastated by an earthquake that it has been declared a federal disaster area. Among other things, this storyline introduced the new Batgirl and Harley Quinn into comic book continuity. This particular volume has Batman newly returned to the city and fighting several of his deadliest foes, including the Penguin, Black Mask, and Two Face. One of the most interesting stories is one in which Detective Montoya of the GCPD (now reduced to the level of a street gang) takes a day off and visits her family, only to find Two Face helping rebuild the community. In a story defying probability, his coin keeps landing good side up, causing Two Face to be ruled by the good side of his personality. There's some other good stuff in here as well, but there's definitely better Batman material available.
Rating:
Summary: Very, very impressive
Review: Imagine it: in the time it takes for one breath, Gotham City splits apart under the jaws of a massive earthquake. Half the population dies instantly; others succumb to the aftermath's crime explosion or lack of medical help. As the mangled city is lost to crime and disease, the United States cuts the island off, believing the city beyond recovery. Most people flee to the mainland before the connnecting bridges are destroyed, but several brave folks stay behind to protect those who aren't leaving. Some of these include Barbara and Jim Gordon, Detective Montoya, Robin, and a mysterious young lady masking as the Batgirl. No supplies, no back-up, no medicine, no electricity. The infamous citizens of Arkham Asylum, including Two-Face, Harley Quinn, and the Joker, are free. But that ain't the worst of it, folks. Batman is missing. While I haven't had the chance yet to peruse the Batman comics, I've been a longtime fan of the Animated Series (brought to life by the talented Bruce Timm, Michael Reeves, and many others). Here, Greg Rucka imbues Gotham with the Joker's ferocity. Nothing's sacred, and that's what makes this book a page-turner. Gangs, madmen (both in Arkham and on the police force), rapists, baby-nappers... it's all here, shown through the eyes of the cops and Bat gang who stay behind to defend their home. It feels like Rucka climbed into each character's skin. Barbara Gorden, in a wheel chair from a Joker attack, has developed a bitter drive to succeed, and I loved her attitude!! Harley is mad, Two-Face exudes grief with his homicidal rages, and the Joker keeps you laughing ... even as he shoots you 'tween the eyes. It's all here, it's all real, and it's a definite read.
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.
Rating:
Summary: This book set the chain of dark comic books, i loved it
Review: No Man's Land volume I, II, III and IV was great, how all the major players of gotham came back and started wrecking havoc with Batman coming back in volume II after the earthquake, that left him there for a long time, but he managed to escape and the Bat is back and greater than ever in this book where the return of Bane and Joker is featured and cast including Nightwing, Oracle, Huntress and others this book sets out the standard of Batmans ability and his obsure keen for martial arts and dealing with physcos, The Vigilate that is Batman begins in the greastest Batman series, No Man's Land. 9/10.
Rating:
Summary: batman
Review: The book Batman: No Man's Land is by Greg Rucka caught my attention when I saw it sitting out on the shelf in the library. I have always been a Batman fan since I was a little kid, and I thought it might be fun to read an actual book about him. The books main characters are the narrator Oracle, and Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and have course all of the normal villains from Batman's past. The main theme of this book is basically good versus evil, and then also to see who will win. This book takes place in Gotham city, where there have just been two massive earthquakes that sent the city into disrepair and ruins. Now the federal government not wanting to take the time or effort to rebuild the city has declared the city a No Man's Land. Now Batman has to step in and take the place of the police, and try to restore order to the city. When Batman returns to No Man's Land he finds that he can't move in Gotham the way that he used to, he have to teach himself how to move on the busted and cobbled streets. Batman faces a major problem when he is led astray by a group of misfits. While watching them clubbed over the head and knocked unconscious. When he wakes and returns to 'his' sector of Gotham, the part that he controls, he finds that it has all been taken over by Two face and his gang. This turns out to be a major problem, because Batman starts questioning himself and how well he can still do the job. Alfred, Bruce Wayne's butler helps Batman overcome this problem by reminding him of how much has changed since he was last here, and how much he has actually helped the city. Batman then returns to his base, and tells Oracle to call in help. Finally overcoming his I can do this all by myself attitude. They call in Robin and Nightwing. This actually turns out to be a huge turning point in the battle for the city. This book was a great book; the way that it was portrayed helped the storyline so much. It followed the theme of all Batman stories, but was written by a different author. I would think that it would be a huge con to have the book not be by the original author, but it may have actually turned out to be a good thing as far as the storyline was concerned, because the author, Greg Rucka had many interesting additions. This was one of the best books that I have read in a long time, it held my attention throughout the whole book, and I would recommend this book to anyone. I think that the main theme of the book is basically good will triumph over evil. It followed the Batman series perfectly. Greg Rucka did a great job with this storyline, especially since he isn't the original creator of the Batman series. The way Greg Rucka portrayed Batman and his relationship with commissioner Gordon was great.
Rating:
Summary: Batman - "Survivor" Style!
Review: The premise of this novel and the original comics are really quite simple (albeit quite a stretch, I have to admit). Gotham City is ravaged by an earthquake, the U.S. Government refuse to repair the damage and the citizens are ordered to move out. All bridges and entry-points are detonated - only the insane and hopeless stay back. Batman decides to stay on as the protector of his city - whatever is left of it! Now once you've suspended your disbelief over the unlikely premise, you'll find that this story actually works on many levels. Especially in our times - we are seeing daily how people in Afghanistan and Iraq are working hard to bring order and a semblance of sanity back into their lives. And it works especially well for Batman. Batman, after all, is a Bruce Wayne's method of "forcing" his existence to make sense after witnessing his parents' brutal murder as a kid all those years back. Now, Batman is "forcing" a hopeless city back to order and meaning. The original comics (now collected neatly into five tradepaperback) were great. Greg Rucka's novel is better. Somehow, seeing this story in prose makes it that much more "serious". Rucka, in this novel, decides to write more from the point of view of Gordon, Montoya, Essen and the GCPD rather than emphasizing the role of the costumed-vigilantes the way the comics do. Each section of the novel is prefaced by the journal entries of the crippled Barbara Gordon (the former Batgirl and now Oracle). The 'personal' touch of Barb's diaries makes the story just that much more potent and emotional. Even the exploits of Batman, the new Batgirl, Nightwing, etc. are seen through her eyes - driving home to the readers once more just how closely knitted the Bat-family really is and how much they really care/understand/emphatize with each other. In my opinion, Rucka's comicbook writing is hit-and-miss game. Sometimes, he's great ("Wonder Woman: The Hikketia", "Huntress:Cry For Blood", "Queen & Country") and sometimes he just doesn't do it for me. He is still first and foremost a novelist and this book, "Batman: No Man's Land" is further proof that the man can craft a fine novel.
|
