"Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" is a collection of short stories by different authors and artists, each providing a unique take on the character of Batman. The book features a variety of perspectives on Batman, showcasing different art styles and storytelling techniques. The stories range from comical to dark and provide insight into the mind of the Dark Knight and his relationships with his allies and foes.

The artwork in this collection emphasizes the Dark Knight persona of Batman, fitting the themes of the character perfectly. The stories focus more on creating atmosphere and characterization rather than following a strict plot, resulting in a darker and more introspective portrayal of Batman. The book offers a range of stories, from psychological dramas to WWII adventures, all contributing to a multifaceted exploration of Batman's world and his impact on Gotham City.

Characters:

Characters, particularly Batman and the Joker, are explored deeply, with a focus on their internal struggles and relationships with others.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by its impressionistic style, focusing on concise storytelling and distinct artistic interpretations.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative emphasizes atmosphere and character exploration, dealing with themes of death and loss as Batman navigates his darker reality.

Setting:

The setting is typically a dark, atmospheric Gotham, emphasizing themes of danger and moral complexity throughout the stories.

Pacing:

The pacing varies; it's quick overall due to the short format, allowing for easy, bite-sized reading.

Notes:

The artwork in the collection highlights the Dark Knight persona of Batman.

The stories focus more on atmosphere and characterization than plot.

Death is a recurring theme throughout the stories.

The first story, 'Perpetual Mourning,' shows Batman reflecting on a victim while investigating a murder.

Some stories are dark and psychological, while others are humorous or adventurous.

The collection includes contributions from numerous renowned artists and writers.

Frank Miller only provided one cover artwork for the collection, despite its title.

The black and white art style strips the stories down to their basic essence.

Some critics were skeptical about the interest in a black and white comic, but the collection received positive feedback.

Each story varies in style and interpretation, offering a diverse experience of Batman.

Readers highlighted the impressionistic artwork and vignette-style narratives as unique features of the book.

Many stories provide different perspectives on Batman, allowing readers to appreciate the talent of various creators.

The book's short story format led some to read it in one sitting, despite planning to read it slowly.

Readers noted the emotional impact of Neil Gaiman's story, 'Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?'.

Volume One of this series is considered a must-have for any Batman fan.

The collection is compared to 'The Animatrix' in terms of creative collaboration among artists.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence, death, and psychological distress.

From The Publisher:

The story that truly defines the years of Batman's life.

New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman (THE SANDMAN) joins a murderer's row of superstar artists in lending his unique touch to the Batman mythos! Spotlighting the story "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?," from BATMAN #686 and DETECTIVE COMICS #853, in which Gaiman joins artist Andy Kubert and inker Scott Williams for a story that shines a new light on the Batman mythos, this title also collects stories from SECRET ORIGINS #36, SECRET ORIGINS SPECIAL #1 and BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE #2.

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Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader??

About the Author:

Creator of The Sandman and one of comics' most accomplished writers, Neil Gaiman is also the New York Times best-selling author of the novels Anansi Boys, American Gods, Stardust and Coraline, as well as the short story collections M is for Magic and Smoke and Mirrors and the multimedia creation Neverwhere. He also co-wrote the Jim Henson Productions film MirrorMask with longtime collaborator Dave McKean, illustrator of the Gaiman-written graphic novels Mr. Punch, Violent Cases and Black Orchid. Among his many awards are the Hugo, the Nebula, the Eisner, the Harvey, the Bram Stoker and the World Fantasy Award. Originally from England, Gaiman now lives in the United States.

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Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?

Neil Gaiman