Batman: Noel
Batman: Noel is an aesthetically beautiful Batman trade. The art is stunning and story is heartwarming. Anyone familiar with Brian Azzarello's Joker will know what to expect. Though it is a little slow paced and there probably isn't enough Batman in it, it ticks all the boxes to indicate that it is a must own for all Batman fans.
Noel, as in French for Christmas, is a an adaptation of a Christmas Carol, where Batman is scrooge. Batman, feeling old and sick, encounters the three Ghosts of Christmas, which are Catwoman, Superman and the Joker. It should be noted that a Batman version of a Christmas Carol is nothing new. It's been done before in Batman: Haunted Knight, in which Christmas was replaced with a halloween and the three ghosts were Posion Ivy, Joker and the Grim Reaper disguised as the corpse of Batman. That version also has the ghost of Thomas Wayne haunt Bruce and i prefer this version as it feels like a proper Batman tale.
Having said that, this book as perfect if you want a darker, almost Tim Burton-esque Batman Christmas book that feels easy and smooth to read. With a story that revolves around Batman saving a father from the Joker, ultimately giving the crooks son the Christmas he wanted, it does have some things that bugged me. Most notably the way Batman let Superman manhandle him, Batman's ridiculous angst attitude and especially a scene where Batman rises from a grave after the Joker buried, which is far too similar to the events in Batman R.I.P. It all just ends up being your standard, run of the mill Batman story with Christmas as a backdrop. The art however is just too damn good to make this a pass. Plus, it looks great on your shelf.
RATING:
Batman Story - 8/10
Art - 10/10
Coolness - 8/10
OVERALL - 8/10
Noel, as in French for Christmas, is a an adaptation of a Christmas Carol, where Batman is scrooge. Batman, feeling old and sick, encounters the three Ghosts of Christmas, which are Catwoman, Superman and the Joker. It should be noted that a Batman version of a Christmas Carol is nothing new. It's been done before in Batman: Haunted Knight, in which Christmas was replaced with a halloween and the three ghosts were Posion Ivy, Joker and the Grim Reaper disguised as the corpse of Batman. That version also has the ghost of Thomas Wayne haunt Bruce and i prefer this version as it feels like a proper Batman tale.
Having said that, this book as perfect if you want a darker, almost Tim Burton-esque Batman Christmas book that feels easy and smooth to read. With a story that revolves around Batman saving a father from the Joker, ultimately giving the crooks son the Christmas he wanted, it does have some things that bugged me. Most notably the way Batman let Superman manhandle him, Batman's ridiculous angst attitude and especially a scene where Batman rises from a grave after the Joker buried, which is far too similar to the events in Batman R.I.P. It all just ends up being your standard, run of the mill Batman story with Christmas as a backdrop. The art however is just too damn good to make this a pass. Plus, it looks great on your shelf.
RATING:
Batman Story - 8/10
Art - 10/10
Coolness - 8/10
OVERALL - 8/10