The two hottest genres in comics gleefully collide head-on, as the most beloved American superhero gets the coolest Japanese manga makeover ever. <...
read full description
reviews
Nov 26, 2008
Paul
rated it: 
I know that these Japanese Bat-Man books are incredibly rare, but I would have liked the publication of this book to have been put off until a few more originals were dug up, mostly so that the included stories could be completed. Many of the stories in this collection have no beginnings (or sometimes middles, other times endings) because the proper installment wasn't located.
I've read an interview with Chip Kidd where he made it sound like the 60's publisher (which is still going s More...
I've read an interview with Chip Kidd where he made it sound like the 60's publisher (which is still going s More...
2 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Nov 30, 2008
Rick
rated it: 
Unbeknowst to most fans and historians, an original series of Batman tales appeared in the pages of the popular sixties weekly manga Shohen King. Inspired by the Adam West Batman show and employing a unique blend of Western and Japanese styles, Jiro Kuwata's unique vision of the Caped Crusader (and Robin) debuted in 1966. Kidd reprints a large selection of the strips along with full color covers and images of various 1960s Japanese Batman paraphernalia. Kuwata's tales compare favorably with a
More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 03, 2010
George
rated it:
This isn't bad. The stories are entertaining, and trot along at a nice clip. I like the villains, whose ranks include a super-intelligent gorilla and manga versions of Clay Face and Two Face. My favorite is 'Lord Death Man,' who uses the power of yoga to cheat death!
The stories are a sci-fi/superhero hybrid, similiar to the campy Batman stories of the 50's and 60's. Not exactly realistic, but who cares?
My only complaint is that some of the stories end in cliffhangers, and are not continued; othe More...
The stories are a sci-fi/superhero hybrid, similiar to the campy Batman stories of the 50's and 60's. Not exactly realistic, but who cares?
My only complaint is that some of the stories end in cliffhangers, and are not continued; othe More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 11, 2011
Tommy Bat-Blog
rated it:
I'm a HUGE Batman Fan so I totally loved this book! The artwork is incredible & the reprinted stories are wonderful to read. Plus, as a major bonus, there are a ton of super-sharp color photos of many Vintage Batman Toys & Collectibles from 1960's Japan. But I gotta say that even if you don't care too much for the character, it's still a very good read because of the "Japanese History" point of view.
You see, the book was designed & edited by Chip Kidd but what he basically d More...
You see, the book was designed & edited by Chip Kidd but what he basically d More...
Jan 30, 2011
Continuing a bout of re-reading. Jiro Kuwata was already a well-known figure in Japan when he hired on to adapt America's Batman for a manga audience. In an interview in this book, he says he pretty much read and then discarded with much of Bob Kane's stories, trying to craft something with the domestic readership in mind.
Some four decades later, the work would be re-discovered by Chip Kidd (in a circuitous manner that's a good story unto its own).
The book is a lot of fun, More...
Some four decades later, the work would be re-discovered by Chip Kidd (in a circuitous manner that's a good story unto its own).
The book is a lot of fun, More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Mar 11, 2009
Hotavio
rated it: 
Bat Manga is an attempt to harness a 60's Japanese pop culture explosion. Apparently, Batman was huge in Japan at the time and had his own on-going serial. The memorabilia that this generated is quite rare and presented in this book. A collaboration of about 5 ongoing comic stories and some bat packaging and toys finds its way into these pages. Sadly the serials are not complete as this book really only reflects the collection of one person, an avid collector from Chicagoland.
The boo More...
The boo More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 12, 2009
Aaron
rated it:
This was a book pre-wrapped in a knowing smirk of condescending kitsch. There are some noticeable differences (Batman occasionally gives up on a hard case and instead just goes on vacation to relax) but that is not what stands out. When all is said and done, it is the banality of petty differences that actually stands out. Taken in the context of the times, very little separates it from the American Batman comics of the early to mid-60’s. The amount of attention given to this book is somewhat un
More...
Aug 01, 2011
Bryson
rated it:
This is a tricky one to review; I can't really recommend it as a satisfying set of trippy Japanese stories featuring Batman as most of the stories are incomplete. However, the artwork by Jiro Kuwata (8-Man) is so fantastic and streamlined compared to what DC was creating in the 1960s, it serves as pure eye-candy. Paired with Japanese Batman ephemera photographed with near fetishistic zeal by Geoff Spear, this is one handsome overall package. Although the stories are disjointed and incomplete, th
More...
Nov 01, 2008
Tosh
rated it:
The two things I love in love is Japan and Batman, and finally they come together in an organic meeting of the minds... sort of.
Batman, the TV show was shown on Japanese TV in the mid-60s and to go with the series (with the blessing of the American side) a Japanese publisher had well-know Japanese manga artist/writer Jiro Kuwata make up new Batman stories for the Japanese market.
So what we have here is manga (via the 60's) style imagery of Batman and Robin. The book its More...
Batman, the TV show was shown on Japanese TV in the mid-60s and to go with the series (with the blessing of the American side) a Japanese publisher had well-know Japanese manga artist/writer Jiro Kuwata make up new Batman stories for the Japanese market.
So what we have here is manga (via the 60's) style imagery of Batman and Robin. The book its More...
Aug 09, 2011
Zach
rated it: 
Endlessly fascinating and beautifully packaged collection of authentic Batman comics and collectibles from 1960s Japan. Author Jiro Kuwata doesn't use the typical "Rogue's Gallery"; he claimed he wanted something more "realistic" for Japanese readers, which is presumably why we see Batman and Robin fighting weather-controlling magicians, mutants, and yes, gorillas with genius-level intelligence. But I jest: this collection is less about "ain't Japan weird" orientali
More...
Apr 07, 2009
Reg
rated it:
This is a great book. I got mine from Chip Kidd and had it signed. The only drawbacks are that some of the quality of the pages isn't great but that is as he explained because they were bound in big books and had to be scanned as such so it's forgivable. The only other thing is some of the stories are incomplete but again it has to do with the scarcity of the material. None of these things stoped me from buying it and I loved it.
Jan 15, 2009
Bobby
rated it:
I'm not a huge Batman or manga fan, but I couldn't resist this book when I saw it come into the library. To see and read the Japanese-take on Batman comics was fascinating. The comics themselves weren't anything special (actually quite funny in their translated form), but ruminating about the cultural implications is worth the time.
Oct 18, 2011
Erin
rated it:
It was interesting to see an American icon imagined by the Japanese. However, Manga is not my thing and the backwards paneling was difficult for me to get into. Artwork was amazing, dialogue was interesting, but the Manga gave me a headache.
Apr 28, 2010
Neat collection of (mostly incomplete) 60s Batman manga. The stories are pretty basic, but full of strange details and quirky villains. Similar to the charm of old Nikkatsu action films.
May 11, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
A fresh look at Batman, this book (a western examination of Japanese Batman manga) is perfect for diehard fans of the Gotham hero, lovers of Japanese culture, and casual readers alike.
Jan 11, 2009
Robert
rated it:
My copy has a signed bookplate on the inside back cover as it it the limited edition.
This is in keeping with the Japanese style for reading this book.
This is in keeping with the Japanese style for reading this book.
Apr 13, 2009
Aurora
rated it:
Really fun, exciting stories and art. The only downside is that there are aren't many complete, multi-issue stories. But it's a small complaint.
Jan 05, 2009
This book wasn't what I thought it would be, so I'm not going to pass judgment on it. It contains translations of the original Batman manga that was released only in Japan.
Dec 19, 2008
Caleb
rated it: 
One-billion word review here:
http://everydayislikewednesday.blogspot....
http://everydayislikewednesday.blogspot....
Dec 29, 2008
Thelowers
rated it:
Mind-blowing look at Batman comics and memorabilia from Japan in the late 1960s.
Dec 07, 2009
Erik
rated it:
I was disappointed that the stories here were often incomplete – many of the Batman Manga that exists is in poor condition and many stories are missing pages. That, plus the fact that it was originally in a foreign language, makes for some confusing story telling. It’s often funny but ultimately a let–down. I can tell it was a project of love but ultimately it would have been better as a website with scans of the original works, not a big and incomplete book.
Nov 09, 2008
Rodney
rated it:
Compiles pages from Jiro Kuwata's very rare Batman manga circa 1966-1967. It was made to tie-in w/the TV show but the closest resemblance is in the gadget obsession and the surreal edges. Instead of fighting Joker et. al, Batman + Robin fight monsters, ghosts, and other weird bizarre entities. Only a few complete stories are provided. Kuwata's name isn't even on the front of the book for some reason. Beats the **** of Frank Miller in terms of artistry and subject matter. Amazing!
May 15, 2009
Josh
rated it:
Worth it for art alone and for the fact that the longest time, DC wasn't aware that these bootleg materials existed! Worth buying the hardcover for the considerable extra # of pages.
Aug 24, 2008
I'm probably never going to read this, but I'm very intrigued to find out how 1960's Japan interpreted Batman.
Feb 12, 2012
Feb 09, 2012
Feb 06, 2012
Jan 30, 2012
