Batman: The Many Deaths of the Batman

Batman

by John Byrne, Jim Aparo (Illustrator)

Reprints/Collects:
Batman #433
Batman #434
Batman #435

Genres: Comics, Batman, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Fiction

72 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1989

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

John Lindley Byrne is a British-born Canadian-American author and artist of comic books. Since the mid-1970s, Byrne has worked on nearly every major American superhero.

Byrne's better-known work has been on Marvel Comics' X-Men and Fantastic Four and the 1986 relaunch of DC Comics’ Superman franchise. Coming into the comics profession exclusively as a penciler, Byrne began co-plotting the X-Men comics during his tenure on them, and launched his writing career in earnest with Fantastic Four (where he also started inking his own pencils). During the 1990s he produced a number of creator-owned works, including Next Men and Danger Unlimited. He also wrote the first issues of Mike Mignola's Hellboy series and produced a number of Star Trek comics for IDW Publishing.

Reviews

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic Batman case. A solve that feels very Sherlock Holmes, more so than past cases. Interestingly enough, this is the first issue that doesn't mention Bruce's grief over Jason. Entertaining enough, but not quite a recommend from me.

[Dale Parnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Batman is dead.
As Gotham mourns and people struggle to know what to do next, another body is found, and then another, all dressed as the Batman. Any one of them could be the real Batman, or has Gotham really been protected by 'Batmen' all along?
The Many Deaths of the Batman collects a three-issue story, the first of which is told silently - a brilliant way to show off the comics medium in all its glory.
This is an old-fashioned mystery story, with an excellent, well written pay-off that really satisfies the reader!

[Indika de Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is a 3 part collection. Someone is killing people who are dressed up as Batman.

Part 1 is incredible. Except for one scene, the whole book is has no speech in it. Yet the story is very dramatic.

Part 2 is still fine. But not as good as part 1.

Part 3 is very meh.

But the artwork is lovely. A must read for the fans of Batman...

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is The Many Deaths Of Batman a perfect story? Of course not but that opening issue is the hook that drags you toward rest of the story. While it may not contain the ending you expect, it goes somewhere else and that's what makes it so interesting. To most fans this is one of those stories with a below average ending but I liked it and could see the reasoning behind it. It made perfect sense and it was a decent enough mystery that allows Gordon to take the wheel for a bit. You can tell from the title that Batman doesn't really die, but who does? Why are they being targeted? This is what drives the story and as it progresses it may frustrate you a little. A three issue story doesn't seem like a lot but in Byrne's hands it works but then you'll have some who will swear it's the worst Batman arc ever. I'm a Batman fan that loves when Batman comics allow the characters to become detectives and drift away from the dark, brooding side of the character. If you're not a fan of the bat you won't like this and even some fans will find this to be a little sloppy and rushed. As a fan, it's an interesting story that tried to do something different and it contains just enough mystery to make it an enjoyable read. Is it perfect? No, but sometimes you don't need perfection for a comic to work. This one is a decent read for those who are new to Batman comics and if you seek out the indivisual issues it's a lot cheaper than the trade paperback.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10 this was a decent Batman mystery. The first of the 3 issues is really good and a great example of wordless storytelling. There’s only 2 words uttered in the entire issue. The other two parts are fine I guess, nothing bad or anything but nothing all that special. If you want some 80’s Batman I’d recommend this, even if it’s just for the first issue

[Brian Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, John Byrne wrote it, but it's Jim Aparo's show all the way down. It's a good, solid Batman tale, a bit obvious in places, and really Aparo's work is what elevates it to being worthy of a collection.

[Dena Burnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started off really strong - the first issue only had 2 words of dialogue - but the story fizzled near the end.

[Kai · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up.

[Kayleigh Doucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

holy peak

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first episode was brilliant. No dialogue as the rumor that Batman has been killed sweeps through Gotham. A full issue without a single word balloon! By issue two in this three issue run the dialogue reappears and the plotting is a bit corny and Batman seems to go out of his way to practically telegraph his secret identity, to verbally give unnecessary clues to his identity in front of random bystanders. Then it all wraps up patly.

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is classic Batman - brooding but not cripplingly so, driven to solve murders near-impossible to solve, in conflict and at risk because of his alter-ego. Excellent.

Also, hard to find. Many thanks to the inter-library loan librarians who sweet-talked it out of the Library of Congress for me!

[Alp Turgut · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gizemli başlayıp oldukça sıradan bir dedektiflik hikayesine dönüşen "Batman: The Many Deaths of the Batman", genel olarak sürükleyici olmasına rağmen oldukça basite kaçmış bir çizgi roman. Batman efsanesine hiçbir katkı sağlamaması da cabası. Yine de okuycuya hoş vakit sunmayı başarıyor.

04.07.2013
Binghamton, NY

Alp Turgut

[Juan Jose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice reading!

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 3 out of 5]

Si no me equivoco, lo leí en la edición de Perfil a principios de los 90s. Cuando lo corrobore, rerreseño.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a long book, but interesting exploration of how Batman got his skill sets without really relying on a flashback tale. The first part - an (almost) completely silent part - is excellently done.

[bianca · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring

[Trey Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has one of the best non-dialogue issues I’ve ever seen in comics.