Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition) | Grant Morrison

Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition) | Grant Morrison | The best illustrated graphic novel ever!

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Batman: Arkham Asy...

	Batman: Arkham Asylum (15th Anniversary Edition) Grant Morrison DC Comics, 2005 - 216 pages average customer review:based on 62 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Is it a dream or a waking nightmare?

When Arkham Asylum was first released in 1989, I read through it without much enthusiasm. The artwork, by and large, was groundbreaking for a mainstream book, however the story in itself left me unimpressed. Aside from a few memorable lines here and there, I found myself rather baffled by the actual "point" of the book. The same was true when I reread it a few years back. However, if there is one comic book that has benefitted most from the inclusion of its script, it is this one. Morrison's draft not only sheds some much-needed light on the proceedings, but is also accompanied with annotations of an even more enlightening nature. I read through the script, then the comic once more, and discovered much that I had missed or glossed over. The script is also written in a screenplay format, as opposed to the traditional comic draft. In addition, McKean does not adhere painstakingly to the script, but deviates into what I imagine is his own interpretation of the material. This becomes clear when comparing Morrison's notes and the resultant artwork. Finally, this edition includes thumbnails/sketches by Morrison for how the layout was originally envisioned, and an afterword by Karen Berger, editor of Vertigo. The story itself is highly symbolic and allegorical, much as a dream may seem...which leads to one possible conclusion that the events which transpire may very well be confined within Batman's own psyche or subconscience. There are a few snippets of dialogue within the pages that promote this, as well as the artwork during certain pivotal scenes involving Batman and Gordon, as well as the inmates of the asylum. The quotes from Alice in Wonderland which open and close the book also lean in this direction. The parallels between Amadeus Arkham and Batman himself are also fascinating and portray a few ideas that are rarely touched upon in the Batman mythos, particularly mental illness and its implications not just on the person, but on their surrounding environment as well.
This is not a typical Batman novel but a rather complicated and, at times, disturbing tale of madness and obsession which benefits greatly from the inclusion of various materials reflective of the creative process.

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The best illustrated graphic novel ever!

The art in this book is incredible! Each panel is a painting in itself. Very expressive and atmospheric. The story is a bit pretentious but still engaging, and a lot more grown up and interesting than the usual Batman cliches.

It's just wonderful to see a graphic novel where the art is so lavish and sophisticated unlike the usual cheap, simplistic stuff you sometimes get.

Dave Mckean is some kind of genius.

Decent, But Not Quite What I Expected!

What can I say about Arkham Asylum? It is a decent Batman graphic novel and it is a must read for die hard fans, but it is not on the same level as so many other classic Bat Novels. This story seems fitful in its starts and stops and really is quite simple on its most basic level. Batman goes into Arkham Asylum because the lunatics have taken over and he, along with most of the inmates, questions whether or not he really belongs there. The story is peppered throughout with references to Arkham's history and does have some interesting reimaginings of Clayface and others, but I was expecting a lot more after I read the reviews and heard some hype from friends. This is a decent stand alone novel but if you like stories that stick to canon, and if you are easily disappointed when hype doesn't live up, Arkham Asyluum might not be for you!

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I bought this for my husband

I bought this for my husband. I wanted it for the art but i didnt like them, i thought they were gonna be more like the front cover however my husband did like them and he said the book itself really twisted and dark a lot different from alot of the other ones. Deffinatly not for kids.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, page 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

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