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Batman's Dark Secret
After victoriously defeating a monster bat, Bruce Wayne, a young orphaned boy, gains new confidences and devotes his life to fighting evil as the superhero known as Batman. Original.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
5 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Puckett
249 books38 followersKelley Puckett is a comic book writer. He is the creator of the character Cassandra Cain, the Batgirl who succeeded Barbara Gordon and who was succeeded herself by Stephanie Brown, as well as the second Green Arrow, Connor Hawke.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 27, 2024
Slightly updated origin of the DK - happy 80th birthday buddy! Amazing how BM has become such a part of our culture; my poor mom: always having to have clean blue towels and safety pins ready everyday - running around with my friends all afternoon long - fighting over who was the REAL BM! Then it was time to come in and watch Adam West and Burt Ward! Thanks mom, don't know how you put up with it!
July 3, 2016
Nice picture book of how Batman began as a child.
September 1, 2020
By far the best version of how Bruce fell down the well and discovered his destiny.
March 2, 2018
The story starts with young Bruce Wayne out with his parents after watching a movie. Bruce, brave and inspired by the movie's hero, walks with his parents down a terribly dark alley. In the darkness, Bruce hears two bangs and sees flashes of light before he smells smoke. When Bruce walks out of the alley, he does so alone. His parents are gone.
When Bruce returns to the Wayne mansion, he is terrified of the dark. With Alfred's help he sets about lighting up the entire house to keep the shadows at bay. The lights work until Bruce falls through a hole into a pitch-black cave filled with bats. When Bruce is forced in this very physical way to face his fears, he learns to take control of the dark and vows that he will never be afraid again.
Then, as most readers will have guessed, this book closes with young Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman in Batman's Dark Secret (2015) by Kelley Puckett, illustrated by Jon J. Muth.
Batman's Dark Secret was originally published in 2000 as an easy reader. Scholastic is now reissuing the story as a picture book in advance of the newest Batman movie.
Batman's Dark Secret is largely what you would expect from a version of Batman's origin story meant for the hero's youngest fans. Much of what makes Batman who he is ends up being sanitized to make the story palatable for small children. Gotham's pervasive corruption is completely absent while the murder of Bruce's parents is completely glossed over without their deaths ever being explicitly explained in the text.
Puckett's text is child friendly and presented in smaller chunks on each page. Some of the pages read as a bit clunky largely because the source material is so out of sync with the age level of the text.
Muth's illustrations work surprisingly well with this comic book hero. Striking watercolor illustrations make excellent use of light and dark to lend an appropriately noir feel to many spreads. The artwork also uses darkness to good effect conveying Bruce's initial fear and how he ultimately comes to embrace the dark.
Obviously Batman's Dark Secret has a rather niche audience. Truncated as it may be, this picture book is a good introduction to Batman for very young readers. Older readers, however, will likely prefer to get their Dark Knight fix in comics instead. A fun interpretation for committed fans and possibly an interesting picture book about overcoming fears /being afraid of the dark.
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
When Bruce returns to the Wayne mansion, he is terrified of the dark. With Alfred's help he sets about lighting up the entire house to keep the shadows at bay. The lights work until Bruce falls through a hole into a pitch-black cave filled with bats. When Bruce is forced in this very physical way to face his fears, he learns to take control of the dark and vows that he will never be afraid again.
Then, as most readers will have guessed, this book closes with young Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman in Batman's Dark Secret (2015) by Kelley Puckett, illustrated by Jon J. Muth.
Batman's Dark Secret was originally published in 2000 as an easy reader. Scholastic is now reissuing the story as a picture book in advance of the newest Batman movie.
Batman's Dark Secret is largely what you would expect from a version of Batman's origin story meant for the hero's youngest fans. Much of what makes Batman who he is ends up being sanitized to make the story palatable for small children. Gotham's pervasive corruption is completely absent while the murder of Bruce's parents is completely glossed over without their deaths ever being explicitly explained in the text.
Puckett's text is child friendly and presented in smaller chunks on each page. Some of the pages read as a bit clunky largely because the source material is so out of sync with the age level of the text.
Muth's illustrations work surprisingly well with this comic book hero. Striking watercolor illustrations make excellent use of light and dark to lend an appropriately noir feel to many spreads. The artwork also uses darkness to good effect conveying Bruce's initial fear and how he ultimately comes to embrace the dark.
Obviously Batman's Dark Secret has a rather niche audience. Truncated as it may be, this picture book is a good introduction to Batman for very young readers. Older readers, however, will likely prefer to get their Dark Knight fix in comics instead. A fun interpretation for committed fans and possibly an interesting picture book about overcoming fears /being afraid of the dark.
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
April 12, 2016
Jon J Muth's art is always stellar, raising a solid children's picture book to a work of art.
Great read for kids....Deep thoughts for grown-ups.
Recommended to all imaginative reading fans.
Great read for kids....Deep thoughts for grown-ups.
Recommended to all imaginative reading fans.
July 28, 2017
This story, like many of the other beginner novels concerning Batman, has the same information as the other's before it. I know that each and every one cannot stray too far from the truth, or risk changing the story behind the hero, so it is hard to bring about something "new" and "original" to a classic tale.
However, overall, I did enjoy the way this version was told.
Batman novels by Super DC Heroes are clean and wholesome. I never have to worry about what my child my hear and learn when reading these novels to him, they never disappoint and I am always able to say that justice prevails through every trial that the hero must face.
However, overall, I did enjoy the way this version was told.
Batman novels by Super DC Heroes are clean and wholesome. I never have to worry about what my child my hear and learn when reading these novels to him, they never disappoint and I am always able to say that justice prevails through every trial that the hero must face.
February 23, 2016
I have enjoyed Jon Muth's work in "Zen Shorts" and "Zen Ties," and he does a wonderful job here as well. The murder of Bruce Wayne's parents is done off stage. Bruce's fall down the hole, and being surrounded by bats, is only mildly scary. It's an effective way of telling the story for younger kids, and I think it works very well.
September 14, 2016
In high school, one class I took was Mythology and we studied super heroes. Batman was my favorite and now after reading this, I wish I had this when I was in that class because it was a great summary of the movie. I think its a great kids book especially if the kids are into superheroes and want to know how they aren't afraid of anything!
December 28, 2016
Audience: Grade School
Illustrations: Super sweet watercolors that I love!
Plot / Review: This is the G rated origin story of how Bruce got the idea to be Batman. This is a great book for kids who might be too young for the actual Batman comics, but want to know more about him.
Read Aloud: Yes
Illustrations: Super sweet watercolors that I love!
Plot / Review: This is the G rated origin story of how Bruce got the idea to be Batman. This is a great book for kids who might be too young for the actual Batman comics, but want to know more about him.
Read Aloud: Yes
December 4, 2017
Genre: it would be Realistic Fiction if it was not tied to the Batman franchise, otherwise it is Modern Fantasy
Grades: 6th
this book helps deal with fear. It is an origin story of The BatMan. good story great illistrations, and there is a lot of realism that one would not expect from a story based on a comic book charecter. I am sure kids could relate to this Bruce Wayne.
Grades: 6th
this book helps deal with fear. It is an origin story of The BatMan. good story great illistrations, and there is a lot of realism that one would not expect from a story based on a comic book charecter. I am sure kids could relate to this Bruce Wayne.
March 9, 2016
A tender, more detailed account of the Batman origin story beautifully illustrated and properly suited for the youngest Batman fans. This will be a godsend to have when young patrons come in looking for this type of book.
January 1, 2016
Great cover will attract a lot of our young readers. But the story feels slight -- wish it went beyond his childhood.
January 23, 2016
A very simple story of a young Bruce Wayne losing his parents and facing his fear of the dark. I thought the best part was Muth's beautiful water color illustrations.
February 6, 2016
Always five stars for Batman.
February 16, 2016
Again, great illustrations but weak on story.
May 21, 2016
Batman's origin super simplified in little-kid speak. Great illustrations.
July 2, 2017
The tittle and the story don't seem to match. My kids loved the illustrations and created their own story.
January 11, 2020
A basic, somewhat standard origin story of Batman in picture book form.
Read
September 8, 2020“Nothing scares Batman… because he knows a secret.” Following the story of little boy Bruce Wayne, this book leaks the secret that allows Batman to fight evil without fear. John J Muth’s watercolor illustrations are a striking contrast to Batman’s grim, gray-and-black persona. They are expressive, poignant, and clever in their use of contrast between darkness and color, which is key to Batman’s secret.
I read this book because it seems like a boys’ book to me. DC and Batman are not high on my list of interests, but I liked how this book handled Bruce’s parents’ death and his struggle with fear. I enjoyed the watercolor style and Muth’s use of contrast to tell a theme of the story. Hopefully this will be a book I can recommend to some boys in my class, and the story will give me context for their interest and Batman jargon.
While I do not originally imagine myself reading a superhero book to a class, especially a Batman book, this story could be an opportunity for discussion about responses to fear and suffering. Batman chooses the unlikely path of superhero-dom, but my students will have to face their experiences in another way. Honestly, I would be more likely to have this in the classroom library than to read it myself in front of the class and to have an activity or discussion about it.
I read this book because it seems like a boys’ book to me. DC and Batman are not high on my list of interests, but I liked how this book handled Bruce’s parents’ death and his struggle with fear. I enjoyed the watercolor style and Muth’s use of contrast to tell a theme of the story. Hopefully this will be a book I can recommend to some boys in my class, and the story will give me context for their interest and Batman jargon.
While I do not originally imagine myself reading a superhero book to a class, especially a Batman book, this story could be an opportunity for discussion about responses to fear and suffering. Batman chooses the unlikely path of superhero-dom, but my students will have to face their experiences in another way. Honestly, I would be more likely to have this in the classroom library than to read it myself in front of the class and to have an activity or discussion about it.
October 28, 2020
Of all the DC-based picture books I've come across recently at my library job, this one might just be my favorite. It's an excellent, simple retelling of Batman's origins. I love how it acknowledges that one event that changed his life forever, but never actually goes into those violent details. It brushes upon it, leaving most of it to be implied by the reader, which I find refreshing because, kinda like with Spider-Man, this is an origin story we've all heard a few too many times.
I love this book because it really best shows the point of Batman as a character, how he's simply a boy who experience tragedy and overcame the fear that followed to become a symbol of justice and a protector of good, innocent people. In short, it's a story about bravery. But overall, it's a wonderfully smart and simple retelling of how one boy grew up to become one of the greatest heroes in comic book history.
I may have read this via a borrowed library copy, but as a comic book fan, I would really love to own a copy of this. Not just because it'll look great on my shelf (the cover and binding are quite beautiful), but because it can be a great inspiration to me whenever I'm feeling down, particularly when I'm dealing with my own struggles of fear and anxiety.
I love this book because it really best shows the point of Batman as a character, how he's simply a boy who experience tragedy and overcame the fear that followed to become a symbol of justice and a protector of good, innocent people. In short, it's a story about bravery. But overall, it's a wonderfully smart and simple retelling of how one boy grew up to become one of the greatest heroes in comic book history.
I may have read this via a borrowed library copy, but as a comic book fan, I would really love to own a copy of this. Not just because it'll look great on my shelf (the cover and binding are quite beautiful), but because it can be a great inspiration to me whenever I'm feeling down, particularly when I'm dealing with my own struggles of fear and anxiety.
June 4, 2018
Batman's origin story in picture book form. Awesome premise, but a little wobbly on execution.
My biggest issues:
A) The art is inconsistent and odd at times, especially where Bruce's facial features are concerned. The illustrator tries to pass off like three or four different faces as the same boy? It was odd. At other times, the art went from vague water color to almost photo realistic. It was just off-putting.
B) I'm not sure the title is consistent with the story. I was expecting something other than his origin story, so I was a bit disappointed.
C) Why the hell is the author's name not listed on the cover, only the illustrator's??
My biggest issues:
A) The art is inconsistent and odd at times, especially where Bruce's facial features are concerned. The illustrator tries to pass off like three or four different faces as the same boy? It was odd. At other times, the art went from vague water color to almost photo realistic. It was just off-putting.
B) I'm not sure the title is consistent with the story. I was expecting something other than his origin story, so I was a bit disappointed.
C) Why the hell is the author's name not listed on the cover, only the illustrator's??
February 17, 2019
Our son is really into Batman these days so we have been checking out Batman and other superhero books from the library. This one was a miss for me. While it was specifically mentioned what happened to Batman's parents and why he was afraid of the dark, it still seems a bit dark for a children's storybook about the hero. I think that children's superhero books should stick to the saving the world story lines and leave the dark, menacing plots for the comics and movies for teens and adults.
I will not be checking this out of the library again.
I will not be checking this out of the library again.
October 23, 2019
Illustrations were fabulous, almost a dream-like atmosphere while keeping with the art-deco aesthetic of the Emmy winning Batman animated series.The story is a little plain, but it's simply Batman's origin (with the moral of confronting fears emphasized for children). I would've liked a little more maybe, like perhaps Batman facing off against someone as an adult to perhaps bring it a bit more full circle, but I got the gist.
March 11, 2025
This one is lowkey weird. I get we can't mention violence to tiny kids, but the way they circumvent talking about his parents' deaths just confused the kids. It went over the head of the little littles, but the 1st graders had many questions that I did NOT know how to answer lol. Too bad this is our only good Batman story time book because it was not what I was hoping for...
July 24, 2019
Honestly for a straight shot on Bruce Wayne's most life changing moment, this was pretty brilliantly done though a simplistic approach and amazing artwork. This was a pleasure to read to my kids, even with the dark subject matter. This is great for any Batman fanatic.
December 4, 2017
genre- Modern fantasy
grade- primary
This book is rather boring. it is just a retelling of batman's origins something you can find is way more interesting batman stories. i do not recommend.
grade- primary
This book is rather boring. it is just a retelling of batman's origins something you can find is way more interesting batman stories. i do not recommend.
December 14, 2017
***Rated by my son***
December 6, 2018
The Batman origin story that everyone is dying to read and try to explain to a 3-year-old. (My approach: skipping the first few pages and picking up where Alfred's putting extra lights in the house.)
April 5, 2019
Simple, if somewhat bland, introduction to Batman's origin story. Themes of perseverance and overcoming your fears.
May 30, 2019
A fun, cute child's book... Would recommend for a bedtime story for the kids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews