As The Dark Knight stalks the night preying upon Gotham City's criminals, Bruce Wayne spends his days getting reacquainted with former girlfriend S...
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Feb 06, 2012
William Thomas
rated it: 
Kevin Smith was a hero of mine in high school. His intellectual narcissism was something I could relate to, being of that same mind at the time. Coupled with his oft-times sophomoric sense of humor and it seemed like he could do no wrong. I still watch his early movies often and still love them. But I've never read one of his comic books that I'd ever want to re-read.
So,Kevin Smith, stop writing comic books. Please.
You may have grown up on them, you may love them, but yo More...
So,Kevin Smith, stop writing comic books. Please.
You may have grown up on them, you may love them, but yo More...
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Jan 01, 2012
Brandon
rated it: 
I really want to like this, I really do. In fact, I'm such a Kevin Smith fan that I think it may be the only reason I'm giving this a 3 star rating over a 2 or a 2.5.
In my review of Batman: Cacophony, I stated that I had high hopes for the sequel in which Kevin Smith promised a superior story. Already, my hopes were probably too high. I mean, I love the guy's work! Big fan of his movies and podcasts; I also really enjoyed his Daredevil and Spider-Man runs. So I knew that he prob More...
In my review of Batman: Cacophony, I stated that I had high hopes for the sequel in which Kevin Smith promised a superior story. Already, my hopes were probably too high. I mean, I love the guy's work! Big fan of his movies and podcasts; I also really enjoyed his Daredevil and Spider-Man runs. So I knew that he prob More...
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Dec 24, 2011
Tif
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 28, 2011
Panos
rated it:
BATMAN: THE WIDENING GYRE (3/5)
Probably the most hated graphic novel on the Dark Knight of the last 5 years at least. Everything from artwork to script and plot has been judged and found inadequate, offensive and nonchalant. Hardcore Batman fans were at the point of burning the book in public by the time the sixth and last issue of the relative mini-series came out. Deemed by some a grotesque pervertion of not only the Caped Crusader but his alter ego as well, many few people were able More...
Probably the most hated graphic novel on the Dark Knight of the last 5 years at least. Everything from artwork to script and plot has been judged and found inadequate, offensive and nonchalant. Hardcore Batman fans were at the point of burning the book in public by the time the sixth and last issue of the relative mini-series came out. Deemed by some a grotesque pervertion of not only the Caped Crusader but his alter ego as well, many few people were able More...
Apr 23, 2011
Orren
rated it:
Perhaps starting with the "follow up" story isn't the best way to go, but the blurb on The Widening Gyre sounded more interesting to me, so I didn't read Kevin Smith's Batman: Cacaphony first. Perhaps I missed out on some of the finer points but I din't think that this story was all that confusing or that it can't be understood as a standalone piece.
I happen to be someone who enjoys more psychological, emotional comics, so the fact that the majority of this graphic novel focu More...
I happen to be someone who enjoys more psychological, emotional comics, so the fact that the majority of this graphic novel focu More...
Mar 21, 2011
Rae
rated it:
First: Before you read this book, you need to read "Cacophony", also by Smith, to understand the story. I didn't like that one a lot but it's an OK read and the backgroundinformation is quite useful to understand "The Widening Gyre".
That said I'm pretty unsure how to rate this book. For every good thing, every good sentence or dialogue, Smith wrote, there's something amazingly wrong with the story or the characters. Some act less like themselves and more like Smit More...
That said I'm pretty unsure how to rate this book. For every good thing, every good sentence or dialogue, Smith wrote, there's something amazingly wrong with the story or the characters. Some act less like themselves and more like Smit More...
Sep 16, 2010
Guillermo
rated it: 
If you haven't read Batman: Cacophony, I strongly suggest that you do before picking up the first volume of Batman: The Widening Gyre. Like Cacophony, The Widening Gyre is written by Kevin Smith with art by Walter "Tell 'Em, Steve Dave" Flanagan.
The volume - the hardback to be released on 14 December 2010 - features a cast of infamous and not-so famous Gotham villains. However, there isn't a single one that is a singular in the story arc. The focus is on the hero in town. More...
The volume - the hardback to be released on 14 December 2010 - features a cast of infamous and not-so famous Gotham villains. However, there isn't a single one that is a singular in the story arc. The focus is on the hero in town. More...
Jan 28, 2012
Bob
rated it: 
The plot was great. The end is not what you expect. The art was excellent as well.
The dialogue was all Smith. It was fun but at times, the interior dialogue of Bruce Wayne/Batman didn't seem at home. Where Smith seemed on target was with Dick Grason and Tim Drake. Oh, and Aquaman. Great cameo by Aquaman. There were various references to other comics as well -- Miller's Dark Knight Returns, Gaiman's Sandman. I would definitely like to hear the various bits of dialogue out loud. I he More...
The dialogue was all Smith. It was fun but at times, the interior dialogue of Bruce Wayne/Batman didn't seem at home. Where Smith seemed on target was with Dick Grason and Tim Drake. Oh, and Aquaman. Great cameo by Aquaman. There were various references to other comics as well -- Miller's Dark Knight Returns, Gaiman's Sandman. I would definitely like to hear the various bits of dialogue out loud. I he More...
Mar 07, 2011
Jake
rated it:
Most of this first volume handles way too fast or way too slow. It's half a-new-criminal-every-night and half oh-my-god-is-Bruce-Wayne-finally-happy. This all happens while Batman is fighting his lesser-known wacky, almost silly, super-violent villains, such as Crazy Quilt (murderer of eye doctors) and Cornelius Stirk (eater of human hearts).
It actually feels pretty manic and unfocused or a lot of it, but the ending is so tightly-wounded and precise that it almost makes you furious More...
It actually feels pretty manic and unfocused or a lot of it, but the ending is so tightly-wounded and precise that it almost makes you furious More...
Jan 26, 2011
Frank
rated it:
I don't know why I read this which is not true at all. I read it because I can't seem to shake the idea that Kevin Smith is still relevant. As he has been kind enough to let us know over and again, he loves comics. And he did do a very good job with the Green Arrow a few years back. But, seriously, there are no Batman stories left to tell. None. Please print this out and fax it to DC.
As for the book, it starts off at a meandering pace, builds some steam with the introduction of a lo More...
As for the book, it starts off at a meandering pace, builds some steam with the introduction of a lo More...
May 31, 2011
Jacob
rated it: 
Library copy.
Absolutely horrible Batman story with out of character dialogue that's painful to read aloud. Who talks like this? Try reading the scene in the beginning with Poison Ivy out loud where she's, I guess, talking about wanting Batman's tongue for cunnilingus--it doesn't end there. In typical Smith fashion, it takes her three word balloons to say it, but maybe he was trying to sneak it past the editor by being long winded. Later on there's more sexual innuendos by mention of another More...
Absolutely horrible Batman story with out of character dialogue that's painful to read aloud. Who talks like this? Try reading the scene in the beginning with Poison Ivy out loud where she's, I guess, talking about wanting Batman's tongue for cunnilingus--it doesn't end there. In typical Smith fashion, it takes her three word balloons to say it, but maybe he was trying to sneak it past the editor by being long winded. Later on there's more sexual innuendos by mention of another More...
Nov 27, 2011
Laura
rated it:
That was AWESOME.
Seriously insightful, deeply meta-textual, and full of laugh out loud lines. Kevin Smith at his best. A taste, as he’s fighting a demon at Arkham Asylum, he thinks:
“Every evening as I suit up, I remind myself this could be the night I don’t come home because I’ve been crushed beneath the key of a giant prop typewriter. Or the night I die at the business end of an umbrella. Or the night I die at the hands of a caped alien god who’s realized he can just a More...
Seriously insightful, deeply meta-textual, and full of laugh out loud lines. Kevin Smith at his best. A taste, as he’s fighting a demon at Arkham Asylum, he thinks:
“Every evening as I suit up, I remind myself this could be the night I don’t come home because I’ve been crushed beneath the key of a giant prop typewriter. Or the night I die at the business end of an umbrella. Or the night I die at the hands of a caped alien god who’s realized he can just a More...
Nov 26, 2011
Karen
rated it:
For the love of god, will *someone* pay attention to who Batman is, and stop writing crap completely out of character for him? I've really liked Smith's comic book work 'til now, but after Grant Morrison pissed me off so much with the absolute stupidity of Batman Inc., this just feels like another slap in the face. I'm not kidding -- I'll take up a fund to fly one person to Morrison's house just to punch him in the throat.
And now, et tu, Kevin?
Can someone...anyone (Dini? Win More...
And now, et tu, Kevin?
Can someone...anyone (Dini? Win More...
Jul 27, 2011
Renata
rated it:
I really dug this. I like Batman movies, but I haven't read too many of the comics. I understand Kev Smith got a fair amount of flak for writing "un-Batman-ish" comics, but I loved this. It had a really good dash of Kevin Smith humor (which I know isn't for everyone, but which I really enjoy) and a genuinely surprising/scary twist (no spoilerzzzz). Oh, and you should read Batman: Cacophony first, if you're going to read this.
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Jul 30, 2011
M
rated it:
Kevin Smith returns with this "sequel" to Cacophony, following Batman's paranoia about letting a new crimefighter into his inner circle. Thanks to the mysterious Baphomet, The Dark Knight's rogues do not stand a chance in Gotham. Yet the return of Silver St. Cloud to Bruce's social life cause Batman to ponder over this new vigilante as a replacement. A visual romp through the rogues' gallery and an intriguing twist - too bad we'll have to wait a lengthy span before Smith gets to finish
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Sep 19, 2011
Sam
rated it:
Fresh from the heels of their first Batman collaboration - "Cacophony" - writer Kevin Smith and artist Walter Flanagan return with their second collection, this time longer than the first, called "The Widening Gyre". A new superhero comes to Gotham wearing a wooden goat mask calling himself "Baphomet" and kicking evil-doer ass, giving Batman the idea that this might be the man he's been looking for to replace him and let Batman retire. Meanwhile Silver St Cloud re-e
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Jul 26, 2011
Anne
rated it:
1.5 stars
This is the sequel to Batman: Cacophony, which wasn't all that good, but I didn't hate it. The Widening Gyre? Well, a more appropriate name for it would be, Batman Goes Retarded.
Unless the majority of this story turns out to be some sort of drug-induced dream sequence, then this is quite possibly one of the dumbest Batman plots I've ever read.
Read it for yourself, if you don't believe me. More...
This is the sequel to Batman: Cacophony, which wasn't all that good, but I didn't hate it. The Widening Gyre? Well, a more appropriate name for it would be, Batman Goes Retarded.
Unless the majority of this story turns out to be some sort of drug-induced dream sequence, then this is quite possibly one of the dumbest Batman plots I've ever read.
Read it for yourself, if you don't believe me. More...
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Sep 19, 2011
Hime
rated it:
Awful. This is one of the worst Batman comics I've ever read. The entire Silver St.Cloud storyline felt forced and the appearances of other heroes from the rest of the DC universe was inane and insulting to the Batman universe, especially Aquaman... Catwoman's reaction and parting insults to Batman was possibly the only decent part of this storyline, although if the Tim/Robin-is-growing-up story had been better written, it might have redeemed some of this pathetic writing.
Dec 18, 2010
Trey
rated it:
Despite his supposed comic fandom, I'm pretty sure Kevin Smith does not understand Batman. From what I can glean, he did this series as a project so he could get his buddy (who can't draw) some work. To do that, he shoehorned his dick-joke sensibility into Gotham City. Doesn't fit. Apparently, he couldn't figure out that this wasn't supposed to be a Jay and Silent Bob script, and I can't believe DC published it in continuity.
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Dec 29, 2011
Tom C
rated it:
As someone who has not read a Batman comic in probably 40 years this was great! I intend to go back and read "Cacophony." It was so much fun to see Batman and Robin from the 60s up against a current more modern crusader.
I understand that some fans did not like this series, but I found the book fulfilling and quite exciting. I wish there was another volume coming.
I understand that some fans did not like this series, but I found the book fulfilling and quite exciting. I wish there was another volume coming.
Sep 12, 2011
Steve
rated it:
This is not your typical Batman story. Batman ruminating on past mistakes. Batman letting people into his life. Batman proposing?! Good grief. But Kevin Smith pulls it off. It may not be the Bats you know and love, but the dialogue and art are top-notch. In the prolific pathos of Batman I think it's a good thing to see him in a different light. Worth the read.
Oct 09, 2011
Drian
rated it:
It Ends better then it starts, People are right about Kevin Smith not knowing how to write dialouge for batman, which is strange as he's great at writing dialouge and i know he's read alot of batman but alot of the things he says are just not batman.
The art can be a bit off aswell on some panels, which is strange as kevin got critisism for leting walt do the art on the first book and i thought that was great. but in this book some of the portions are messed up.
I didnt enj More...
The art can be a bit off aswell on some panels, which is strange as kevin got critisism for leting walt do the art on the first book and i thought that was great. but in this book some of the portions are messed up.
I didnt enj More...
Nov 20, 2011
PJ
rated it:
Not having read Cacophony first, just picked it up by chance in the library. There were dome good bits and bad bits. Some great art particularly Poison Ivy, but I missed a part when we had Dick as Batman to start with, then cutting back to Bruce Wayne. Could do better.
Jan 04, 2011
Joshua
rated it:
Intense, yet humanizing... leading up to a shocking conclusion, yet a little predictable... just a solid read... however there are definitely some characters being written out of character! Can't wait to read the next half... as there's a pretty huge cliffhanger!
Oct 09, 2011
Timo
rated it:
Way too much time spent on building the momentum. Which, by the way, really hits the spot at the end.
And then there were the bits I really did not like. Batman crying over a woman. A woman he loves. A woman he is going to marry. Not the Batman I know.
And then there were the bits I really did not like. Batman crying over a woman. A woman he loves. A woman he is going to marry. Not the Batman I know.
Dec 25, 2010
Eros
rated it:
STill not completely happy about his writing of Batman (the character) Widening Gyre was a thousand times better than Cacophony. It told a compelling, human story about Batman and the Dark Knight/Bruce Wayne dynamic, and gave you a cliff hanger ending that makes you curse out loud and beg for more
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Nov 04, 2011
Electricsid
rated it:
100% recomendable!! Leedlo... o a lo mejor preferís esperar a poderle echar el guante al segundo tomo, cuando salga, porque menudo cliffhanger del final...
Feb 06, 2011
Dave
rated it:
Cool little Batman story. Too many glaring "yup, Kevin Smith wrote it all right" moments that don't work for Batman.
Feb 21, 2011
Ann
rated it:
Reads like poorly plotted, poorly written fanfic by a twelve-year-old fanboy.
