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36th out of 284 books
—
444 voters
Batman: Knightfall (Batman)
In 1994, DC Comics brought readers a landmark story featuring Batman. The Dark Knight has been Gotham City's protector for years, challenged by its many villains. But now there's a new villain on the scene, determined to conquer where others have failed. Known as Bane, he starts his campaign against Batman and Gotham by emptying Arkham Asylum, where so many of Batman's ene...more
Paperback, 416 pages
Published
June 1st 1995
by Spectra
(first published 1994)
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I'm a big fan of pretty much all comic-book superheroes, but Batman has a trait that no other DC or Marvel hero (that I know of, anyway) has: he doesn't have any actual superpowers. Instead of being a member of a powerful otherworldly race like Superman, or becoming endowed with superhuman abilities by accident as Spider-Man did, Bruce Wayne relies on nothing more than technology, intelligence, natural strength, and friends such as Robin and Alfred to fight crime. Many people think of Batman sto...more
Apr 12, 2010
Kathleen
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
read-in-2010
The textual recounting of the comic arc where Bane breaks Batman's back and Jean Paul Valley has to take over for Bruce Wayne could have evinced better writing. I was at various points confused as to whether Bruce was riding in a wheelchair or walking with a cane because he seemed to be doing both simultaneously. This is obviously because O'Neil is used to writing Batman for comics and doesn't mean I think he's a bad writer. I really liked his Batman, crazy Jean Paul, and prodigy Tim Drake. Even...more
This book was better then just ok but it is nothing great.
I am a big Batman fan, he is probably my only liked superhero from the DC world. I knew nothing of this book when i picked it up, justs that it was a Batman novel i had not read.
This book is broken into three parts, the first part being about Bane, and almost copies the Batman movie, Rise of the Dark Knight. It gives a bit more detail into how Bane came about then the movie did, so that was a good thing.
The second part is about what happ...more
I am a big Batman fan, he is probably my only liked superhero from the DC world. I knew nothing of this book when i picked it up, justs that it was a Batman novel i had not read.
This book is broken into three parts, the first part being about Bane, and almost copies the Batman movie, Rise of the Dark Knight. It gives a bit more detail into how Bane came about then the movie did, so that was a good thing.
The second part is about what happ...more
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This is not a brilliant book. But it is entertaining--enough that I set aside the three other books I'm currently juggling to finish this one--and it's in line with my current Batman obsession (for which I blame Batman: Arkham Asylum). Compared to the other Batman novel I attempted to read (The Batman Murders), it's a downright masterpiece.
The action is good--but I have the same complaint I've noted in other reviews: it's very clear the author is accustomed to writing comib book scripts, and no...more
The action is good--but I have the same complaint I've noted in other reviews: it's very clear the author is accustomed to writing comib book scripts, and no...more
This adaptation of the Batman Knightfall storyline that first came out in the Batman comic books is a shortened version of the whole story. I would have wanted to read more about Batman's herculean task of bringing in the Arkham villains - after their escape (again?!).. The drama that was in the comics was not present here.
What was present was the bigger picture! How Bane came to be.. why he desperately wanted to break the Bat Man.. Who Azrael was.. And for that matter, who St. Dumas was..
If I w...more
What was present was the bigger picture! How Bane came to be.. why he desperately wanted to break the Bat Man.. Who Azrael was.. And for that matter, who St. Dumas was..
If I w...more
Knightfall is an adaptation of a series of comic books of the same name. As a novel, it is structured in three parts - Knightfall, Kinghtquest and Knightsend. The first part of the novel, Knightfall is one of the most epic pieces of literature I have ever read. It chronicles the first battle between Batman and Bane, which forces the Dark Knight into temporary retirement and elevates Bane as one of his greatest enemies. The story of Bane is extremely powerful and the way in which he manages to ou...more
Batman is greatest superhero in my book (yes, even over Superman) because a) he wasn't endowed with some mystical superpowers by the cosmic Gods, his alien genetics or any magical means; he acquired his skills simply (if you can call it simple) through hard work and perseverance and b)he's not a perfect boy-scout with perfect values and morals. He has a light and a darkside. He's point of view maybe a little skewed by Supe's standard but that's okay since he too has personal demons he consistent...more
Apr 06, 2008
Gennadyi
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
comic book fans, art fans, cartoon fans
Shelves:
comics-and-graphic-novels
do you remember the gorilla-like bane from the really really really really bad batman and robin movie (he was poison ivy's steroid pumped bodyguard) or the wrestler gone nuts character from the animated series? forget them.
this bane is cunning, strategic and utterly brilliant. quietly taking over gotham's underground he lures batman in and destroys him, in body, mind and reputation.
will there be a happy ending?
this bane is cunning, strategic and utterly brilliant. quietly taking over gotham's underground he lures batman in and destroys him, in body, mind and reputation.
will there be a happy ending?
I read and loved this probably when it first came out, in the mid-90s, and with The Dark Knight Rises coming out this summer (looking suspiciously similar in theme and plot) I decided to snag it when I saw a copy for cheap.
To be clear, I have never read a superhero comic that I recall - what I know about Batman, I know from the movies and the old 60s TV show. And, I guess, from this book. It's grim, rather than campy, and focuses on the dangers of going too far and believing your own marketing...more
To be clear, I have never read a superhero comic that I recall - what I know about Batman, I know from the movies and the old 60s TV show. And, I guess, from this book. It's grim, rather than campy, and focuses on the dangers of going too far and believing your own marketing...more
I'm really only rereading this now because I read it once when I was, like, 14. It shaped most of my understanding of Batman and his world and still forms the foundation for my perspective of the comic.
As a book, it's really not very deep. And you need to have an understanding of the characters before picking it up. It does very little to develop any of them because it is a direct novelization of a comic story arc and assumes you already know who they are. And the fact that it pulled some of th...more
As a book, it's really not very deep. And you need to have an understanding of the characters before picking it up. It does very little to develop any of them because it is a direct novelization of a comic story arc and assumes you already know who they are. And the fact that it pulled some of th...more
I remember reading this as a younger person and thinking it was the cat's meow.
With age it doesn't go as far.
The author does a pretty good job with the source material, three different volumes of the Batman Comic series. The problem is no matter how cool something looks on screen or on a comic page when it is written down, Batman just doesn't seem to carry over.
Short Synopsis. Batman fights a steroid enhanced villian named Bane, yes the guy in the latest movie. He loses and must decide on whet...more
With age it doesn't go as far.
The author does a pretty good job with the source material, three different volumes of the Batman Comic series. The problem is no matter how cool something looks on screen or on a comic page when it is written down, Batman just doesn't seem to carry over.
Short Synopsis. Batman fights a steroid enhanced villian named Bane, yes the guy in the latest movie. He loses and must decide on whet...more
I remember reading this as a younger person and thinking it was the cat's meow.
With age it doesn't go as far.
The author does a pretty good job with the source material, three different volumes of the Batman Comic series. The problem is no matter how cool something looks on screen or on a comic page when it is written down, Batman just doesn't seem to carry over.
Short Synopsis. Batman fights a steroid enhanced villian named Bane, yes the guy in the latest movie. He loses and must decide on whethe...more
With age it doesn't go as far.
The author does a pretty good job with the source material, three different volumes of the Batman Comic series. The problem is no matter how cool something looks on screen or on a comic page when it is written down, Batman just doesn't seem to carry over.
Short Synopsis. Batman fights a steroid enhanced villian named Bane, yes the guy in the latest movie. He loses and must decide on whethe...more
The ultimate graphic novel. It is essentially the best graphic novel period. What I liked is that Batman is stripped of all his abilities. It is proven that there can only be one Batman. When Paul Valley takes over He start to develop his own updated more violent version of batman. He chases criminals using force and attempting to murder them. Which destroys what Batman stands for. On the other hand the Idea of bane breaking all the inmates at Gothom out is enough to lead Batman on a wild ride;d...more
I loved how this book started. About three quarters of the way through it seemed O'Neil ran out of steam...that is to say the writing is not as great. A moral imperative read for any Batman fan.
Recommended for: comic book fans, art fans, cartoon fans but as a Novel it doesn't work Oneal one of the better writers is a comic writer not a author and it leaves to much out personally loved Dick Grayson as Batman it worked so well , where is it in the book ? the pacing the settings the image left in the mind is not there
BUT it does set one record strait BANE the big gorilla south American wrestler dude that is a intellectual powerhouse as much as a muscled one and also scheming to bring dow...more
BUT it does set one record strait BANE the big gorilla south American wrestler dude that is a intellectual powerhouse as much as a muscled one and also scheming to bring dow...more
Taken strictly as a novel, this book is nothing special. It suffers from the complaint that John Wheelwright has of his students in "A Prayer for Owen Meany," that they care only about the plot, and miss the nuances.
But then, this isn't a traditional novel. It's a novelization of a lengthy serialized comic book story. In my experience, comic books communicate plot and striking visual images well, but aren't well suited to communicating subtle literary nuances. As O'Neil says in the afterword '.....more
But then, this isn't a traditional novel. It's a novelization of a lengthy serialized comic book story. In my experience, comic books communicate plot and striking visual images well, but aren't well suited to communicating subtle literary nuances. As O'Neil says in the afterword '.....more
I think you have to be a long time Batman fan to truly get through this book in its entirety. The story is better in its comic form because the novel's writing style is pretty cut dry - the descriptions almost seem to be in point-by-point format. You can certainly get into it, but it's difficult to be drawn into the settings seamlessly, which is what books should aim to do.
Overall, it's still a likable plot, especially to fans that are entering the Batman fandom from Nolan's movies. To better un...more
Overall, it's still a likable plot, especially to fans that are entering the Batman fandom from Nolan's movies. To better un...more
Canonical Batman, but lacks any emotional gravitas. Jean Paul isn't explained very well and neither is Bane, so you are left wondering what really motivates these characters. Robin stands around questioning all of his actions so much that he becomes useless filler. Nightwing, Robin, and Bruce doubt themselves continuously, yet don't show any learned wisdom and end up sounding like boneheads most of the time. Which I guess I should expect because this is a comic written for 14 year-old boys.
The c...more
The c...more
Pues seguimos con toda la saga de Bane, que va para largo. En serio, no sé qué le ve la gente a este enemigo de Batman. De los supuestamente "grandes", este es el peor de todos, aunque sea el más fuerte y sea inteligente, pero es que tiene cero de carisma.
Además de eso, lo único que hace esta saga es ser un número tras otro de enemigo tras enemigo, sin más. Eso sí, da paso a otras cosas que tienen que llegar (que dicho sea de paso, tampoco me gustan nada, son unos giros de tuerca demasiado forza...more
Además de eso, lo único que hace esta saga es ser un número tras otro de enemigo tras enemigo, sin más. Eso sí, da paso a otras cosas que tienen que llegar (que dicho sea de paso, tampoco me gustan nada, son unos giros de tuerca demasiado forza...more
Jun 08, 2011
Tiara
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Tiara by:
Wendy B.
Thanks for the rec, Wendy B. You can tell that O'Neil is more of a comics writer than a novelist. Interesting story that seemed to read in the more straightforward manner of a comic than a novel. There was too much telling and not enough showing. Batman came off way more condescending than I typically think of him as, and I don't know how everyone in Gotham didn't know his identity. He should've just been handing out cards and introducin himself as Bruce Wayne. Early tensing problems made it a l...more
The premise sounded interesting, but O'Neil's writing didn't work for me at all. He tried to write it hard-boiled it seemed like, but I think he overcooked his egg and ended up with a rock. That is to say, I didn't find the characters as engaging as they should be even for a story where you don't see their thoughts and only their actions. It probably would have been better as a collection of comics where the artwork does a lot to save the story than it worked as a novelization of some comic book...more
I read this because I wanted to know who Bane really was, as opposed to the guy they put in the movie. I was an early teen when the comic version of this story arc came out, and only remember that Batman gets beat, and a darker person takes his place. The story wasn't too bad. I personally wanted more character and depth out of Bane, and thought that the Azreal story was a bit off for Batman. I wasn't disappointed, though. It's was fun to revisit.
I have enjoyed a number of Batman novels and generally enjoy the various Batman comics. This novelization of a comic story arc did not really do anything for me. Though I have not read the related comics, I was familiar with the story and think it may simply have worked better in the visual medium of comics. It seemed to jump around a lot with little rhyme or reason for when the story jumps took place. I understand that things were happening at concurrent times in different places, but didn't fe...more
Somewhat disappointed because I thought the whole book was going to involve Bane, which it did not. His part was over at about the halfway point and then the story took off in a different direction. Jean Paul Valley pretty much kicked Bane's ass with no problem and Batman was relegated to taking down a Valley who had let the power of being Batman go to his head.
Enjoyed catching up in he larger narrative arc presented here in novel form, but have to say I really missed the graphic part of the story. The writing isn't hugely strong and at times I was left confused by the descriptions of visual points but until I can find the original comics this filled a gap in my batman knowledge.
I borrowed this from the local public library. It was one of those I picked up on a whim while looking for something else. The book is a quick read; it was ok. While interesting to read Batman in prose, the story is pretty much what happens when a hero becomes overconfident and obsessed to the point he starts making mistakes. Once he does that, he is broken. Having said that, it is what the hero does after he is broken that defines him. And Batman perseveres to overcome his grave injuries and de...more
60th - 2011
Like it, like it, like it...
See the humour in Bruce Wayne's dialogues, when he suggested Alfred that they could be some kind of Jeeves and Wooster. Incredibly handsome Jeeves and SMART Wooster, of course...
I wonder if their master-servant relationship was inspired of Jeeves & Wooster novels...
Like it, like it, like it...
See the humour in Bruce Wayne's dialogues, when he suggested Alfred that they could be some kind of Jeeves and Wooster. Incredibly handsome Jeeves and SMART Wooster, of course...
I wonder if their master-servant relationship was inspired of Jeeves & Wooster novels...
Really liked it - it's got great insight into the character that the comics can't always give you.
I so wish there was an ebook version of this so I could read it again... (or an affordable copy in good condition that won't cost me a fortune, darned out of print book!)
I so wish there was an ebook version of this so I could read it again... (or an affordable copy in good condition that won't cost me a fortune, darned out of print book!)
Love the plot of the Knightfall comics. Bane breaks releases the inmates of Arkham in order to wear down the Batman, hits Batman at his most vulnerable and breaks him. The entire part about Sir Hemingford Gray was complete nonsense. Should have been left out of the book. Still made for an enjoyable read.
I was a teen when this storyline occurred in the comic books, and found this novel completely by accident. There's a level of detail and understanding in the life of this fictional character that is missed in the books, and Dennis does exactly that.
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Dennis O'Neil is a comic book writer and editor best known for his work on Batman, Green Arrow/Green Lantern, and The Question.
He also wrote a novel with Jim Berry under the pen name "Jim Dennis".
More about Dennis O'Neil...
He also wrote a novel with Jim Berry under the pen name "Jim Dennis".
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