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Batman: Shadow of the Bat (Collected Editions)
Batman: The Last Arkham
When Batman stumbles upon a series of murders, resembling the serial killer Victor Zsasz's MO, Batman begins to investigate only to find Zsasz has been imprisoned in Arkham Asylum during the course of the murders. Determined to prove Zsasz guilty, Batman and Commissioner Gordon stage Batman's insanity in order to get him committed to Arkham and further investigate. However, Jeremiah Arkham is unaware of this plot and begins to break down Batman mentally and physically. Learning of Batman's incarceration through private talk with Jeremiah, Zsasz guesses Batman's insanity is obviously a ploy and begins to plant seeds of hatred towards Batman in Jeremiah's mind.
112 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1992
460 people want to read
About the author
Alan Grant
1,720 books143 followersAlan Grant was a Scottish comic book writer known for writing Judge Dredd in 2000 AD as well as various Batman titles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is also the creator of the character Anarky.
Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thomson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines. After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on Social Security. He then met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor, who was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC, 2000 A.D., and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the Tarzan comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.
The pair eventually co-wrote Judge Dredd. They would work on other popular strips for the comic, including Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably Harry Twenty on the High Rock, written by Gerry Finley-Day. Judge Dredd would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in 2000AD as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as The Apocalypse War. Grant also wrote for other IPC comics such as the revamped Eagle.
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was a 12-issue miniseries called Outcasts for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman stories in Detective Comics from issue 583, largely with Norm Breyfogle on art duties across the various Batman titles Grant moved to. After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called The Last American. This series, as well as the Chopper storyline in Judge Dredd, is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. Grant and Wagner continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover Judgement on Gotham. During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an anarchist. The creation of the supervillain Anarky was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium. In the following years, he would continue to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved.
Grant's projects at the start of the 90s included writing Detective Comics and Strontium Dog, but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is The Bogie Man, a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is Lobo, a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in The Omega Men. Lobo gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing L.E.G.I.O.N. (a Legion of Super-Heroes spin-off) and The Demon (a revival of Jack Kirby's charac
Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thomson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines. After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on Social Security. He then met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor, who was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC, 2000 A.D., and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the Tarzan comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.
The pair eventually co-wrote Judge Dredd. They would work on other popular strips for the comic, including Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably Harry Twenty on the High Rock, written by Gerry Finley-Day. Judge Dredd would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in 2000AD as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as The Apocalypse War. Grant also wrote for other IPC comics such as the revamped Eagle.
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was a 12-issue miniseries called Outcasts for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman stories in Detective Comics from issue 583, largely with Norm Breyfogle on art duties across the various Batman titles Grant moved to. After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called The Last American. This series, as well as the Chopper storyline in Judge Dredd, is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. Grant and Wagner continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover Judgement on Gotham. During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an anarchist. The creation of the supervillain Anarky was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium. In the following years, he would continue to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved.
Grant's projects at the start of the 90s included writing Detective Comics and Strontium Dog, but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is The Bogie Man, a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is Lobo, a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in The Omega Men. Lobo gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing L.E.G.I.O.N. (a Legion of Super-Heroes spin-off) and The Demon (a revival of Jack Kirby's charac
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 14, 2021
3.5 stars
"The lunatics have taken over the asylum!" -- famous remark by Richard Rowland, movie producer
While it may not be quite as polished as some of the Dark Knight volumes issued since the start of the 21st century, The Last Arkham (originally published as a Shadow of the Bat miniseries) now seems like a product fully of its early 90's time period. We're talking those heady days when the fictional Hannibal Lecter, actual serial killer profiling and the topic of abnormal psychology (usually kept out of polite conversation) were at the forefront of American pop culture. Anyway . . . it appears that disturbing murderer Mr. Zsasz - the guy who cuts small slashes all over his body to keep a running tab on his victim count (!) - is now back at work in Gotham City. But that's impossible, because he's been incarcerated in the infamous Arkham Asylum for years! So our Caped Crusader cleverly fakes committing a harsh felony (with some assistance from Commissioner Gordon and Nightwing) to quickly get himself locked up and work an internal investigation. Oh, and the facility's administrator Dr. Jeremiah Arkham seems to be fast becoming unhinged as well, and is barely more mentally sound than many of the 'rogues gallery' deviants who are currently serving time. Maybe it's not a classic, but it was a taut and suspenseful little crime story with Batman using his brains and braun.
"The lunatics have taken over the asylum!" -- famous remark by Richard Rowland, movie producer
While it may not be quite as polished as some of the Dark Knight volumes issued since the start of the 21st century, The Last Arkham (originally published as a Shadow of the Bat miniseries) now seems like a product fully of its early 90's time period. We're talking those heady days when the fictional Hannibal Lecter, actual serial killer profiling and the topic of abnormal psychology (usually kept out of polite conversation) were at the forefront of American pop culture. Anyway . . . it appears that disturbing murderer Mr. Zsasz - the guy who cuts small slashes all over his body to keep a running tab on his victim count (!) - is now back at work in Gotham City. But that's impossible, because he's been incarcerated in the infamous Arkham Asylum for years! So our Caped Crusader cleverly fakes committing a harsh felony (with some assistance from Commissioner Gordon and Nightwing) to quickly get himself locked up and work an internal investigation. Oh, and the facility's administrator Dr. Jeremiah Arkham seems to be fast becoming unhinged as well, and is barely more mentally sound than many of the 'rogues gallery' deviants who are currently serving time. Maybe it's not a classic, but it was a taut and suspenseful little crime story with Batman using his brains and braun.
March 20, 2023
Arkham is rebuilt!
This time though things are going different.
When killings start happening, Batman goes to the newly built Arkham ran by Jeremiah Arkham. He believes Zsasz is out there killing people, but even Batman can see him still in Arkham soon after the killings happened. Batman tries a new plan to get closer to the system in Arkham, but can it happen? That's the question.
Some cool twist and turns here, even if have to suspend your belief more than usual. I really liked the first outlook of new Arkham by Jeremiah. It felt more strict, and kind of brutal how he got results, but also they semi-worked? A twisted way.
I liked Batman here, very much a detective. I also enjoyed his team up with Nightwing, was nice to see them work together despite having issues at this point in their life. The ending was real solid and a fun opening to a very long run but Mr. Grant for his Shadow of the Bat series.
This time though things are going different.
When killings start happening, Batman goes to the newly built Arkham ran by Jeremiah Arkham. He believes Zsasz is out there killing people, but even Batman can see him still in Arkham soon after the killings happened. Batman tries a new plan to get closer to the system in Arkham, but can it happen? That's the question.
Some cool twist and turns here, even if have to suspend your belief more than usual. I really liked the first outlook of new Arkham by Jeremiah. It felt more strict, and kind of brutal how he got results, but also they semi-worked? A twisted way.
I liked Batman here, very much a detective. I also enjoyed his team up with Nightwing, was nice to see them work together despite having issues at this point in their life. The ending was real solid and a fun opening to a very long run but Mr. Grant for his Shadow of the Bat series.
August 14, 2012
I finally got around to reading this 20 year old Batman story by veteran Judge Dredd scribe Alan Grant, which also launched the title Shadow Of The Bat all them years ago.
The Good:
1) Introduced new villain Zsasz. Creepy, scary, tough. I didn't care for Amygdala, I mean how unsubtle is that villain? He's not Alan Grant's finest creation.
2) Introduced new character Jeremiah Arkham. Conflicted, creepy, compelling.
3) Nightwing is used well and written well. Guest cameo for Tim Drake-The Robin of that era (He did stay Robin for the next 20 years on and off).
4) Decent plot. It's one of those why hasn't anyone thought of it before plots. I won't spoil it for anyone who has not read this story yet.
5) It's told in 4 issues. Screw decompressed story-telling.
6) The art is decent to good. Just above average, not by much though.
The Bad:
1) Some of the dialogue is not only dated, but out of place. Alan Grant's britishness creeps into Batman's mouth far too often. You read enough Batman, you'll know when the dialogue feels unnatural and lazy.
That's it, it's a short enough Batman arc and I really didn't find many problems with it other than some unnatural, stiff dialogue and unimpressive art by Norm Brefogle, whose art I usually admire.
The Good:
1) Introduced new villain Zsasz. Creepy, scary, tough. I didn't care for Amygdala, I mean how unsubtle is that villain? He's not Alan Grant's finest creation.
2) Introduced new character Jeremiah Arkham. Conflicted, creepy, compelling.
3) Nightwing is used well and written well. Guest cameo for Tim Drake-The Robin of that era (He did stay Robin for the next 20 years on and off).
4) Decent plot. It's one of those why hasn't anyone thought of it before plots. I won't spoil it for anyone who has not read this story yet.
5) It's told in 4 issues. Screw decompressed story-telling.
6) The art is decent to good. Just above average, not by much though.
The Bad:
1) Some of the dialogue is not only dated, but out of place. Alan Grant's britishness creeps into Batman's mouth far too often. You read enough Batman, you'll know when the dialogue feels unnatural and lazy.
That's it, it's a short enough Batman arc and I really didn't find many problems with it other than some unnatural, stiff dialogue and unimpressive art by Norm Brefogle, whose art I usually admire.
September 2, 2022
I've given this 3 stars because you kind of knew the ending before you got to the twists and turns.
What I did like about this little book was you saw Batman being The World Greatest Detective not just punching people and expecting things to fall in to place. He used intelligence and wit in this comic which are the stories I love the most for Batman. Billionaire yes, but he's also a god damn genius and sometimes that's not portrayed as well as his strength and fighting is.
Another thing I liked was going in to the mind of Jeremiah Arkham, and how slowly but surely he is going the same way as any of the other Arkhams, would have loved to see more of this in another story perhaps. However I'll let you find that out yourself ;) . I enjoyed the bit where Jeremiah told the orderlies not to removed the mask as Batman would do it himself when he was ready, this just gave me a smile as we all knew he never would do it.
This also has some Nightwing action, which lets be honest is always fun to see and I'm glad he was there to help his mentor and Father figure, even if Bruce really didn't need it. Come on guys, don't you tell each other anything? :D
Overall good little comic, art was different to the modern comics I've been reading of late so was a nice change.
What I did like about this little book was you saw Batman being The World Greatest Detective not just punching people and expecting things to fall in to place. He used intelligence and wit in this comic which are the stories I love the most for Batman. Billionaire yes, but he's also a god damn genius and sometimes that's not portrayed as well as his strength and fighting is.
Another thing I liked was going in to the mind of Jeremiah Arkham, and how slowly but surely he is going the same way as any of the other Arkhams, would have loved to see more of this in another story perhaps. However I'll let you find that out yourself ;) . I enjoyed the bit where Jeremiah told the orderlies not to removed the mask as Batman would do it himself when he was ready, this just gave me a smile as we all knew he never would do it.
This also has some Nightwing action, which lets be honest is always fun to see and I'm glad he was there to help his mentor and Father figure, even if Bruce really didn't need it. Come on guys, don't you tell each other anything? :D
Overall good little comic, art was different to the modern comics I've been reading of late so was a nice change.
September 27, 2022
A short read that has some of the best of the early nineties’ vibes. We’ve got dark and gritty covers featuring Batman in various states of exaggerated duress, we’ve got Nightwing in his amazing disco outfit (and perfectly ‘90s ponytail!), we’ve got Tim Drake hanging out, new to scene and cute as a button, and we get the introduction to a very naked Mr. Zsasz, a perfect antagonist for the era.
The impetus is a classic: what if Batman was forced to become an inmate in Arkham Asylum. It doesn’t have the same oomph factor as A Serious House on a Serious Earth, or even other mediums where the idea has been explored (I’m thinking specifically of the Animated Series episode “Trial” as well as Rocksteady’s Arkham Asylum game,) but it’s a compelling, compact ride nonetheless.
It’s obvious the “twist” as to Batman’s incarceration, but the journey of why, and how his antagonist is manipulating events is what will keep you reading. Zsasz is a credible threat. He’s made menacing, especially for basically being Just Some Guy when compared to other heavy hitters in the rogues gallery of Batman antagonist greats. He’s like if Hannibal Lecter and Eminem fused into one very naked, creepy eyed being. I’m here for it. What I found most interesting on a personal level is Dick and Bruce’s relationship. Coming off the tail end of A Lonely Place of Dying which brought a shaky reconciliation to the pair, this story feels like a perfect follow-up as they uncomfortably work together again, but with a natural understanding of each other’s methods. They work great as a pair, and the scenes where Dick comes to Bruce’s rescue in the Asylum were my favorite. I’m rooting for my boys.
The art is cool for the most part. Very 90s for all that entails. There’s some excellent facial expressions. Batman gets a great smirk toward the end of the book that lives rent free in my head now because he just looked so damned good. But there’s some… Liefeldian nonsense happening occasionally too. One early shot of Nightwing swinging through the Gotham skyline is ruined by his lumpy, bulbous legs, and his massive tumorous ass cheek trailing behind his spread-eagle form. As a connoisseur of the Nightwing Ass, I can say that this image ain’t it.
The impetus is a classic: what if Batman was forced to become an inmate in Arkham Asylum. It doesn’t have the same oomph factor as A Serious House on a Serious Earth, or even other mediums where the idea has been explored (I’m thinking specifically of the Animated Series episode “Trial” as well as Rocksteady’s Arkham Asylum game,) but it’s a compelling, compact ride nonetheless.
It’s obvious the “twist” as to Batman’s incarceration, but the journey of why, and how his antagonist is manipulating events is what will keep you reading. Zsasz is a credible threat. He’s made menacing, especially for basically being Just Some Guy when compared to other heavy hitters in the rogues gallery of Batman antagonist greats. He’s like if Hannibal Lecter and Eminem fused into one very naked, creepy eyed being. I’m here for it. What I found most interesting on a personal level is Dick and Bruce’s relationship. Coming off the tail end of A Lonely Place of Dying which brought a shaky reconciliation to the pair, this story feels like a perfect follow-up as they uncomfortably work together again, but with a natural understanding of each other’s methods. They work great as a pair, and the scenes where Dick comes to Bruce’s rescue in the Asylum were my favorite. I’m rooting for my boys.
The art is cool for the most part. Very 90s for all that entails. There’s some excellent facial expressions. Batman gets a great smirk toward the end of the book that lives rent free in my head now because he just looked so damned good. But there’s some… Liefeldian nonsense happening occasionally too. One early shot of Nightwing swinging through the Gotham skyline is ruined by his lumpy, bulbous legs, and his massive tumorous ass cheek trailing behind his spread-eagle form. As a connoisseur of the Nightwing Ass, I can say that this image ain’t it.
May 9, 2019
I started my love affair with comics after reading such a story when I was an awkward teenager. Now that I am an adult that love affair continues and I re-read this tale still blown away by its ferocity. If Silence of the Lambs was creepy, this book is creepier.
Batman has been incarcerated in the Arkham asylum and is being treated as someone who has had a nervous breakdown. That is just the start. Read this story as it grabs you by the throat and takes you on a roller coaster of an adventure.
A must read for a fan of the Dark Knight. Heck do read it even if you are a not a fan of the DC comics.
Batman has been incarcerated in the Arkham asylum and is being treated as someone who has had a nervous breakdown. That is just the start. Read this story as it grabs you by the throat and takes you on a roller coaster of an adventure.
A must read for a fan of the Dark Knight. Heck do read it even if you are a not a fan of the DC comics.
January 15, 2024
That was a bloody fantastic Batman comic!! Super underrated- no one ever talks about it! Not only is it the first comic to introduce Zsasz- but it’s ‘best of’ of Batman’s villains as well! It also acts almost like a sequel to ‘Arkham Asylum: a serious house on serious earth’ with its concept of Batman being locked in Arkham! The villain is great AND creepy! The characters are all great- the action is fantastic- the artwork is really good! Everything about this comic is just super underrated and I’d recommend it to any Batman fan! 4.5/5 stars!
April 24, 2021
This book shows one of my favorite sides of Batman, the clever detective like in The Long Halloween. It also has some good Nightwing action and introduces the villain Mr. Zsasz. The story is good, but it's execution is rather basic, and I wish they could have explored more about the effects of the Asylum and Jeremiah Arkham's own madness. But it is the very beginning of a new ongoing monthly and it's a relatively short arc so there's only so much you can expect.
May 25, 2022
Batman investiga una serie de asesinatos, y sospecha del asesino en serie Victor Zsasz, pero resulta que Zsasz se encuentra encarcelado en Arkham, por lo que no hay forma de demostrar sus crímenes. Batman y Gordon escenifican la locura de Batman para que lo internen en Arkham, donde allí podrá investigar más a fondo el caso del asunto. No obstante, Jeremiah Arkham (quien dirige la institución y está siendo influenciado por Zsasz), intenta derribar física y mentalmente a Batman.
February 2, 2023
A string of murders are being committed, and Batman suspects Victor Zsasz, the serial killer that's supposedly incarcerated at Arkham Asylum. What unfolds is a short tale that gets into the unravelling mind of Jeremiah Arkham as he tries not to follow the footsteps of his ill-fated uncle, while Batman tries proving his hunch right to stop a killer. A compelling story told with a fantastic art style.
December 13, 2022
yes i got my heart broken. yes i'm marathon-reading batman comics to numb the pain.
this is what happens when the number one trait that turns you on in a woman is "reminds me of harley quinn". gosh gee. stop falling for women who still wear pigtails in their mid-twenties. in the end, it is batman comics' fault that this happened in the first place.
this is what happens when the number one trait that turns you on in a woman is "reminds me of harley quinn". gosh gee. stop falling for women who still wear pigtails in their mid-twenties. in the end, it is batman comics' fault that this happened in the first place.
February 22, 2024
Eh. Like, I like it but it's a lot better in concept and I was hoping for more psychological thrills. It's still good, just feel like you could have done more with this plot thread and I would love to see a longer, more drawn out version of this comic, with even more investigation time. Also nightwing is a treasure. Not a fan of his outfit but he's a treasure full and through.
August 21, 2025
I said, very clearly, and many times, “I’m not trying to get into Batman comics” But when you hear about something enough, curiosity wins. Annoying thing is… The Last Arkham was actually worth it. Dark, sharp, and way more atmospheric than I expected — genuinely one of the best comic stories I’ve picked up. I don’t usually (ever) read Batman, but if they’re all like this, I might be in trouble.
February 9, 2026
Don't bother with Loeb, Sale, Morrison or Moore. Alan Grant's writing is all you need. These first four issues of Shadow of the Bat also feature some of Norm Breyfogle's best pencils. Anything this dynamic duo produces would satisfy the most critical comic fan, and the Last Arkham is no exception. In fact it may very well be their crowning achievement.
September 23, 2018
I like it.
The story is interesting and I really like the trust and friendship shown between Jim Gordon and Batman.
The Red Herring was obvious, IMO, but still interesting to see that Batman would do that.
Nightwing to the rescue! ;)
The story is interesting and I really like the trust and friendship shown between Jim Gordon and Batman.
The Red Herring was obvious, IMO, but still interesting to see that Batman would do that.
Nightwing to the rescue! ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2022
Always enjoy more time in Arkham. Clearly, Grant was inspired by Serious House even if the art is going for something more traditional (though still very nice for being within that traditional 90s style).
June 5, 2017
Not amazing but not terrible either. Art was a little lacking but the story rumbled along pretty well
May 25, 2018
A well made but very basic Batman story. Its very competently done, but isn't in the least bit inventive or revelatory.
July 8, 2024
Having grown up playing the Arkham games and only having a vague knowledge of Zsasz from that, it was great to finally read his first appearance, and really get to know him.
June 5, 2025
Really good full page layouts and artwork. Very solid story as well.
August 15, 2021
Nice read, but the impact is a bit blunted towards the end. It's more of a psychological study of Jerimiah Arkham than of Batman, which is nice, but not what I expected/wanted.
January 30, 2014
This was quite a fun mystery narrative which examines the inner workings of the Arkham Asylum under the supervision of Jeremiah Arkham who inherited the place after his uncle was driven to insanity. He prides himself of being gifted with the power to see through evil and darkness in a person’s mind. His goal is to “cure” psychosis through radical and exploitative methods which he subjected some of Gotham city’s worst of the most criminally insane. A few of them are even Batman’s infamous villains. However, Dr. Arkham seems convinced that the most insane of them all is no other than Batman and he captures him and tries to reverse the madness which does not go well at all.
The story is pretty simplistic in structure and also includes a murder mystery and a conspiracy design. Divided in four parts, it remains faithful to the Batman mythos in a sense that it’s very explorative of his psyche and it’s refreshing to see the dark knight in stressful situations which tested his resilience and spirit. The introduction of Jeremiah Arkham was an absolute delight. He believes he has Batman pegged and that he is the main reason why criminality is rampant in Gotham because his very presence, according to him, only encourages the maniacs to act out violently. I can quite agree on those terms, seeing that Batman does actually enable his villains to keep coming back for more considering his moral code is never to kill, only to injure. An admirable stand for sure, but a very problematic result for the people of Gotham. Still, it’s just one of the reasons to admire Batman: he never loses control over himself even though this story was able to tap on that psychology of his that is just as complex and twisted as the villains he fights. The fact that he shares this unique brand of madness with the criminals is saying something.
I like that the negative impact of vigilantism in a personal level for Bruce Wayne is examined here, as well as the appearance of Nightwing (former Robin, Dick Grayson) who provides other insights about Batman, considering he was like a son to Bruce for so many years. This was a really good piece of work. I definitely want to read more about Arkham after this.
The story is pretty simplistic in structure and also includes a murder mystery and a conspiracy design. Divided in four parts, it remains faithful to the Batman mythos in a sense that it’s very explorative of his psyche and it’s refreshing to see the dark knight in stressful situations which tested his resilience and spirit. The introduction of Jeremiah Arkham was an absolute delight. He believes he has Batman pegged and that he is the main reason why criminality is rampant in Gotham because his very presence, according to him, only encourages the maniacs to act out violently. I can quite agree on those terms, seeing that Batman does actually enable his villains to keep coming back for more considering his moral code is never to kill, only to injure. An admirable stand for sure, but a very problematic result for the people of Gotham. Still, it’s just one of the reasons to admire Batman: he never loses control over himself even though this story was able to tap on that psychology of his that is just as complex and twisted as the villains he fights. The fact that he shares this unique brand of madness with the criminals is saying something.
I like that the negative impact of vigilantism in a personal level for Bruce Wayne is examined here, as well as the appearance of Nightwing (former Robin, Dick Grayson) who provides other insights about Batman, considering he was like a son to Bruce for so many years. This was a really good piece of work. I definitely want to read more about Arkham after this.
August 6, 2013
I got these first four issues of Shadow of the Bat from Comics-N-Stuff. It was funny seeing ads for Batman Returns, Alien 3, and collectible cards for Star Trek: The Next Generation. This was 1992, after all. This story introduces the Batman villain Mr. Zsasz, a serial killer who has 47 known victims, with rumors of double that amount for unknown. The tally marks which he cuts into his body for each murder, however, reveal that he has murdered approximately 759 people prior to the events of this story. Unlike other Batman villains, he does not have a theatrical-looking costume or alias. He is one of the most insane foes Batman has ever faced. We also learn about the methods used on Arkham Asylum's inmates by Jeremiah Arkham, nephew of the late Amadeus Arkham. Villains such as Joker and Scarecrow have cameo appearances.
December 7, 2016
3.5
Αρκετα καλο...παρα τα θεματακια του. Στα θετικα, το σκιτσαρισμα/χρωματα ειναι εκπληκτικα. Η πλοκη ειναι απλη, αλλα καλογραμμενη και σε "κολλαει" ευκολα, ενω οι σκηνες δρασεις ειναι αρκετα εντονες για να κρατησουν το ενδιαφερον αμειωτο. Επισης, ο Jeremiah Arkham ειναι ενας πολυ ενδιαφερον "σχεδον-κακος":θελοντας να αποφυγει τα λαθη του θειου του, Amadeus (ο οποιος τρελαθηκε), αποφασιζει να ξαναχτισει ενα πιο αυστηρο Arkham, οπου θα επιτυγχανονται οι θεραπειες και θα ελαχιστοποιουνται οι αποδρασεις.
Αυτο που με εμποδιζει να το βαθμολογησω ψηλοτερα ειναι ο Zsasz, ο οποιος παρ'ολο το ενδιαφερον visual design και το coolness του, δεν μπορει να μετατραπει σε κατι παραπανω απο εναν τυπικο serial killer σαν χαρακτηρας.
Γενικα, ομως προκειται για ενα αρκετα αξιολογο κομικ.
Αρκετα καλο...παρα τα θεματακια του. Στα θετικα, το σκιτσαρισμα/χρωματα ειναι εκπληκτικα. Η πλοκη ειναι απλη, αλλα καλογραμμενη και σε "κολλαει" ευκολα, ενω οι σκηνες δρασεις ειναι αρκετα εντονες για να κρατησουν το ενδιαφερον αμειωτο. Επισης, ο Jeremiah Arkham ειναι ενας πολυ ενδιαφερον "σχεδον-κακος":θελοντας να αποφυγει τα λαθη του θειου του, Amadeus (ο οποιος τρελαθηκε), αποφασιζει να ξαναχτισει ενα πιο αυστηρο Arkham, οπου θα επιτυγχανονται οι θεραπειες και θα ελαχιστοποιουνται οι αποδρασεις.
Αυτο που με εμποδιζει να το βαθμολογησω ψηλοτερα ειναι ο Zsasz, ο οποιος παρ'ολο το ενδιαφερον visual design και το coolness του, δεν μπορει να μετατραπει σε κατι παραπανω απο εναν τυπικο serial killer σαν χαρακτηρας.
Γενικα, ομως προκειται για ενα αρκετα αξιολογο κομικ.
January 11, 2013
The story was a bit dark, especially the main villain, but it was still a solid story. I really liked having Nightwing as a big part of this story too. If your a Batman fan I thoroughly suggest this.
February 27, 2015
While I found the artwork kinda of "meh" part of the time, the plot was good.
And Arkham stories usually tend to the more interesting. I liked the portrayal of the Joker. For a change he was rather a rather frightening character and sociopathic.
And Arkham stories usually tend to the more interesting. I liked the portrayal of the Joker. For a change he was rather a rather frightening character and sociopathic.
November 16, 2009
Fearless, inventive, and evocative.
February 7, 2012
I really enjoyed this one much more. I think it has less "extremely gore" details the others used to have. I'm looking forward to starting other Batman stories.
July 29, 2012
This was an excellent collection of Grant's Batman. This is one of my favorite Batman stories, where the twists keep on coming and the bad guys are as dark and twisted as ever.
September 1, 2012
Worth reading.
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