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ArkhaManiacs (ArkhaManiacs
ArkhaManiacs is Art Baltazar and Franco providing their unique, cartoony take on a certain apartment building (Arkham) in Gotham City and the people (mostly!) who live there.
Young Bruce Wayne is drawn to the fun and excitement he sees going on at Arkham, but to Wayne Enterprises, it's just another property they own. Bruce is determined to find out why Arkham is full of so much fun and laughter. What exactly is going on over there? Time to sneak over when no one is looking...even though it's like the house is laughing at him! HA HA HA!
Young Bruce Wayne is drawn to the fun and excitement he sees going on at Arkham, but to Wayne Enterprises, it's just another property they own. Bruce is determined to find out why Arkham is full of so much fun and laughter. What exactly is going on over there? Time to sneak over when no one is looking...even though it's like the house is laughing at him! HA HA HA!
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2020
3 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Art Baltazar
555 books87 followersArthee "Art" Baltazar is an American comics artist and writer who currently works for DC Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 17, 2021
This was a lot of fun, especially for young children. Arkham has been reimagined as an apartment building owned by the Wayne family. Kid versions of Batman's rogues gallery live there, having fun. Bruce investigates what's going on there because he feels like he is missing out. I love Baltazar's kooky-Crayon drawing style too.
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January 3, 2021Kid-friendly Bat-Mania. Cute, colorful, and so sweet it'll make your teeth fall out.
January 5, 2021
Fairly cute and nonsensical. Perfect for kids and admonishes using your imagination. Cute Easter eggs throughout as well.
December 8, 2020
Little Bruce Wayne meets some strange tenants in an apartment building owned by Wayne Enterprises. The Joker, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Penguin, and all the classic villains are young people and children, and Commissioner Gordon is the supervisor of the apartments. The villains only want to have fun and play games with little Brucie! But Alfred insists that they should follow the rules and not make trouble.
I liked the comedy in this comic! The Joker is always getting up to crazy hijinks, and dragging Bruce along. They get up an insane game of pirates at a pool party, and that is the perfect backdrop for some truly hilarious adventures.
I like the pacing of the book, and there is plenty of action and silliness to keep your interest.
I think it is interesting that the villains are not evil; they are just outlandish and wild. There is some sweet character development, especially for Bruce. The plot does a good job of balancing a lot of different characters. They are all memorable and fun!
I love the colorful art style! It really draws the reader into the story. The colors are so bright and fun. I love the funny expressions on the characters’ faces and the costume changes that they do in the imaginary pirate game.
It’s a fun story and I enjoyed reading it (even as an adult)!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I liked the comedy in this comic! The Joker is always getting up to crazy hijinks, and dragging Bruce along. They get up an insane game of pirates at a pool party, and that is the perfect backdrop for some truly hilarious adventures.
I like the pacing of the book, and there is plenty of action and silliness to keep your interest.
I think it is interesting that the villains are not evil; they are just outlandish and wild. There is some sweet character development, especially for Bruce. The plot does a good job of balancing a lot of different characters. They are all memorable and fun!
I love the colorful art style! It really draws the reader into the story. The colors are so bright and fun. I love the funny expressions on the characters’ faces and the costume changes that they do in the imaginary pirate game.
It’s a fun story and I enjoyed reading it (even as an adult)!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
February 20, 2021
Cute enough. I thought this was going to be by the same team as Lil Gotham, so that was slightly disappointing. It was interesting to see how the villains ages lined up.
May 10, 2021
SO cute and different from the usual DC fare.
January 1, 2021
ArkhaManiacs is a comic/graphic novel written by Art Baltazar and illustrated by Franco Aureliani. It stars a young Bruce Wayne, who is drawn to the fun and excitement going on at Arkham Apartment complex and is determined to find the reason why this particular apartment residence is full of so much fun and laughter.
Rich kid Bruce Wayne is intrigued by a nearby apartment building where a bunch of odd older kids seem to be having a much better time than he is, living in a mansion with his rich parents and their butler. So, he sneaks out of his house to investigate the Arkham Apartment complex with his trusty dog – Ace.
Art Baltazar penned the graphic novel. For the most part, it is written rather well. Surprisingly, the narrative works on several levels: the most obvious being that it’s a story of a young boy seeking and discovering his own uniqueness by being open to the uniqueness of others around him. It also works as a metaphor for how Bruce Wayne became the obsessive Batman in order to deal with the craziness of the world surround them. Secretly, Bruce is absolutely infatuated with each and every one of them and desperately to be part of their fun world even though he's a bit scared by it.
Franco Aureliani is the penciler for the graphic novel. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. Aureliani's thickly inked characters are cartoony to the extreme and the reader has no problem imagining the panels as being animated. Although ultra-simplified, the characterizations of each and every one of the different baby Bat-villains come through as the villains are depicted more troublesome, outlandish, and wild than evil, which seems rather apropos to the target audience
All in all, ArkhaManiacs is wonderful graphic novel that is absolutely fun filled with silliness and light-heartedness.
Rich kid Bruce Wayne is intrigued by a nearby apartment building where a bunch of odd older kids seem to be having a much better time than he is, living in a mansion with his rich parents and their butler. So, he sneaks out of his house to investigate the Arkham Apartment complex with his trusty dog – Ace.
Art Baltazar penned the graphic novel. For the most part, it is written rather well. Surprisingly, the narrative works on several levels: the most obvious being that it’s a story of a young boy seeking and discovering his own uniqueness by being open to the uniqueness of others around him. It also works as a metaphor for how Bruce Wayne became the obsessive Batman in order to deal with the craziness of the world surround them. Secretly, Bruce is absolutely infatuated with each and every one of them and desperately to be part of their fun world even though he's a bit scared by it.
Franco Aureliani is the penciler for the graphic novel. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. Aureliani's thickly inked characters are cartoony to the extreme and the reader has no problem imagining the panels as being animated. Although ultra-simplified, the characterizations of each and every one of the different baby Bat-villains come through as the villains are depicted more troublesome, outlandish, and wild than evil, which seems rather apropos to the target audience
All in all, ArkhaManiacs is wonderful graphic novel that is absolutely fun filled with silliness and light-heartedness.
January 31, 2021
I think that I may just be too old for this. I get the message of encouraging imaginative play but it feels weird to have a Bruce Wayne story where Joker is his hero and his parents are the closest thing this book has to an antagonist. I half expected the last page to reveal this had all been one of Joker's delusions. I may be too jaded and cynical to really enjoy this book, and that makes me kind of sad.
May 6, 2023
This is a toughie to explain. Mostly, because this Batman universe story is just so un-Batman. But I loved it!
This graphic novel by the dynamic duo of Art Baltazar and Franco is set when Bruce Wayne's parents are still alive. One day Bruce goes with the Waynes' butler Alfred on an errand to Arkham Apartments, a Gotham City property owned by his parents. During his brief visit, Bruce runs into some of the eclectic clientele of the complex, including a manic clown wearing the biggest grin you've ever seen.
The visit intrigues Bruce, whose life at Wayne Manor is pretty dull and boring. Seeing a different view of the people of his city, the young Master Wayne decides one night to sneak out and visit Arkham Apartments to understand just why the property is so unusual and well, fun. Once at the tenement, Bruce will meet all of the residents of Arkham, folks with special powers, fun costumes and unusual pets, such as a crocodile in the swimming pool!
Arkhamaniacs reminded me a little bit of the FOX Batman prequel series, Gotham. That show was set when Bruce Wayne is a child; years before he'll even dream up the idea of becoming the Dark Knight and I feel like that very mature TV series was an inspiration to this DC graphic novel for kiddies.
See in Gotham, Bruce Wayne meets the Joker (well, Jokers, as there are 2 in the series- at least), when the budding criminal is also in his very early years. In fact, Bruce becomes really good friends with one of the Jokers before that character is tragically turned into a raving lunatic thanks to some nerve gas. To me, I get the feeling that Art Baltazar and Franco were looking to expound on what that friendship could be like before things got real with the advent of Bruce becoming an adult. So there were elements of JM Barrie's Peter Pan at hand as well.
This graphic novel was a fun read. It was just weird seeing the Joker being friends with young Brucie. The Joker is almost like a guide towards opening Bruce's mind up to the world of play and imagination. So, there were elements of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well.
I think the most difficult thing about this book was knowing that all the joy and bliss between Bruce Wayne and the residents of Arkham Apartments is going to one day come to an end. Joker not only does horrible things to Bruce Wayne and his Batman Family, the Clown Prince of Crime goes on to betray and manipulate a whole bunch of his so-called friends. It's rather unsettling no matter how bright and cheery the creators of this book make things seem.
Art Baltazar and Franco have another masterpiece on their hands. This is another fun-filled romp full of DC Comics nostalgia that readers young and old will like. I just hate that uneasy feeling my knowledge of the adult Batman world gives me when I'm trying to read that paints an extremely rosy picture of things between Bruce Wayne and the Joker.
This graphic novel by the dynamic duo of Art Baltazar and Franco is set when Bruce Wayne's parents are still alive. One day Bruce goes with the Waynes' butler Alfred on an errand to Arkham Apartments, a Gotham City property owned by his parents. During his brief visit, Bruce runs into some of the eclectic clientele of the complex, including a manic clown wearing the biggest grin you've ever seen.
The visit intrigues Bruce, whose life at Wayne Manor is pretty dull and boring. Seeing a different view of the people of his city, the young Master Wayne decides one night to sneak out and visit Arkham Apartments to understand just why the property is so unusual and well, fun. Once at the tenement, Bruce will meet all of the residents of Arkham, folks with special powers, fun costumes and unusual pets, such as a crocodile in the swimming pool!
Arkhamaniacs reminded me a little bit of the FOX Batman prequel series, Gotham. That show was set when Bruce Wayne is a child; years before he'll even dream up the idea of becoming the Dark Knight and I feel like that very mature TV series was an inspiration to this DC graphic novel for kiddies.
See in Gotham, Bruce Wayne meets the Joker (well, Jokers, as there are 2 in the series- at least), when the budding criminal is also in his very early years. In fact, Bruce becomes really good friends with one of the Jokers before that character is tragically turned into a raving lunatic thanks to some nerve gas. To me, I get the feeling that Art Baltazar and Franco were looking to expound on what that friendship could be like before things got real with the advent of Bruce becoming an adult. So there were elements of JM Barrie's Peter Pan at hand as well.
This graphic novel was a fun read. It was just weird seeing the Joker being friends with young Brucie. The Joker is almost like a guide towards opening Bruce's mind up to the world of play and imagination. So, there were elements of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well.
I think the most difficult thing about this book was knowing that all the joy and bliss between Bruce Wayne and the residents of Arkham Apartments is going to one day come to an end. Joker not only does horrible things to Bruce Wayne and his Batman Family, the Clown Prince of Crime goes on to betray and manipulate a whole bunch of his so-called friends. It's rather unsettling no matter how bright and cheery the creators of this book make things seem.
Art Baltazar and Franco have another masterpiece on their hands. This is another fun-filled romp full of DC Comics nostalgia that readers young and old will like. I just hate that uneasy feeling my knowledge of the adult Batman world gives me when I'm trying to read that paints an extremely rosy picture of things between Bruce Wayne and the Joker.
January 8, 2021
In Arkham Apartments, kids have special powers, no grown-ups, and their imagination feels real. Young Bruce Wayne, whose family owns the apartment building, is drawn to the fun and excitement there. He's determined to find out what's so different about this apartment building.
Billed as a "unique, cartoony take on a Gotham City unlike any we've certainly seen before," this book certainly is exactly that. It's meant for readers aged 8 to 12, much like DC's Tiny Titans and Teen Titans Go! lines. The two creators had worked on Tiny Titans, actually, and there's a sample comic from that in the back. This means there's no Dark Knight, Thomas and Martha Wayne are still very much alive, and Commissioner Gordon is more like the superintendent at the apartment building.
The art style resembled the kind of drawings you would see children in that age range use, so it really will appeal to them. The colors are bright and happy, especially when the Joker and his friends at Arkham are playing. In contrast, Wayne Manor is full of grays and blues and distances so vast it takes Bruce twenty minutes to walk to the dining room. Assuming he even finds the correct one, because he often doesn't. If Bruce turns a corner in Arkham, he finds another room with another resident, not more stretches of hallway. Bruce is very literal in the beginning, unable to see the apartment building's smile at him or the vivid colors in the sky above it. This is definitely a function of imagination, and the Joker has it in spades.
I laughed at some of the nods to comics, cartoons, and movie versions of Batman. He has a huge rogues gallery, a fair number of whom are mentioned in this volume, and even Ace makes an appearance as his puppy. This is not a side to the characters that I've seen before, which is at once startling and fun to see. As much as I'm not the target demographic for the book by a large margin, it's still an adorable book to read and a nice change from some of the grimdark story arcs that show up in the comics.
Billed as a "unique, cartoony take on a Gotham City unlike any we've certainly seen before," this book certainly is exactly that. It's meant for readers aged 8 to 12, much like DC's Tiny Titans and Teen Titans Go! lines. The two creators had worked on Tiny Titans, actually, and there's a sample comic from that in the back. This means there's no Dark Knight, Thomas and Martha Wayne are still very much alive, and Commissioner Gordon is more like the superintendent at the apartment building.
The art style resembled the kind of drawings you would see children in that age range use, so it really will appeal to them. The colors are bright and happy, especially when the Joker and his friends at Arkham are playing. In contrast, Wayne Manor is full of grays and blues and distances so vast it takes Bruce twenty minutes to walk to the dining room. Assuming he even finds the correct one, because he often doesn't. If Bruce turns a corner in Arkham, he finds another room with another resident, not more stretches of hallway. Bruce is very literal in the beginning, unable to see the apartment building's smile at him or the vivid colors in the sky above it. This is definitely a function of imagination, and the Joker has it in spades.
I laughed at some of the nods to comics, cartoons, and movie versions of Batman. He has a huge rogues gallery, a fair number of whom are mentioned in this volume, and even Ace makes an appearance as his puppy. This is not a side to the characters that I've seen before, which is at once startling and fun to see. As much as I'm not the target demographic for the book by a large margin, it's still an adorable book to read and a nice change from some of the grimdark story arcs that show up in the comics.
January 22, 2021
I've been a big graphic novel fan for many years and I have several favorites. But none are quite the light-hearted read that a book by Art Baltazar and Franco. I saw this one available to borrow through my library and immediately put a hold on it. After some of the heavier options I've been getting lately, I needed a good, light read.
And it was! It took me about an hour to read it and brought me back to reading the old Tiny Titan comics with my boys. This time, all the villains are in an apartment home run by Mr Gordon and owned by Thomas Wayne. Bruce, a very lonely seeming little boy, seems drawn to the apartment building and sneaks out to see these off beat characters that live there. It is just FUN to read.
If you're expecting a traditional Batman story, then put the thought out of your mind. It is so far from the usual darkness of Batman and it is a refreshing, quick read that helped palate clense my mind.
And it was! It took me about an hour to read it and brought me back to reading the old Tiny Titan comics with my boys. This time, all the villains are in an apartment home run by Mr Gordon and owned by Thomas Wayne. Bruce, a very lonely seeming little boy, seems drawn to the apartment building and sneaks out to see these off beat characters that live there. It is just FUN to read.
If you're expecting a traditional Batman story, then put the thought out of your mind. It is so far from the usual darkness of Batman and it is a refreshing, quick read that helped palate clense my mind.
January 23, 2026
I love Baltazar & Franco's comics for kids, references for adult comic book nerds, but they definitely benefit from shorter strips delivered in issue-length bites, where a cast of characters and attendant gags can build up over time. See Tiny Titans, Superman Family Adventures, Ah Yeah Comics!, etc. And they do try to chapterize the graphic novel ArkhaManiacs, but some of those chapter stops are just interruptions. Did editorial try to squeeze more pages out of a very simple story? The book stars you Bruce Wayne being fascinated with the residents of Akham Apartments, all of them fun versions of Gotham City supervillains who help bring out a certain quality Batman will most certainly have, but no one ever talk about. The story is charming and amusing, as usual, but it also feels like it's playing for time, like a project that started as a few issues of a series, and changed formats. But didn't change ENOUGH.
July 30, 2022
Want to get your kids interested in comics?
First off, congrats!
Second, welcome to DC Kids.
Drawn in a similar style to the hugely popular 'Dog Man' series by Dav Pilkey, Arkhamaniacs is a kid friendly look at a very young Bruce Wayne and his adventures in Gotham. Bruce and his butler Alfred Pennyworth go on a visit to Arkham Apartments. There, they meet all kinds of free and creative minds that, 'see things differently'. They all work together to make sure little Bruce can see how much fun they are having. All it'll take is a little imagination.
Bonus: It's all about the maj.
Bonus Bonus: Bane loves pretzels!
First off, congrats!
Second, welcome to DC Kids.
Drawn in a similar style to the hugely popular 'Dog Man' series by Dav Pilkey, Arkhamaniacs is a kid friendly look at a very young Bruce Wayne and his adventures in Gotham. Bruce and his butler Alfred Pennyworth go on a visit to Arkham Apartments. There, they meet all kinds of free and creative minds that, 'see things differently'. They all work together to make sure little Bruce can see how much fun they are having. All it'll take is a little imagination.
Bonus: It's all about the maj.
Bonus Bonus: Bane loves pretzels!
May 28, 2022
Arkham Asylum and its supervillains reimagined as goofy tenants in the "Arkham Apartments" as a young Bruce Wayne tries to escape monotony and find some sort... creativity? Fun time? Play dates? Whatever it is with the so-called ArkhaManiacs. It's silly, some fun moments, and Art Baltazar's illustrations are a bunch of fun. Experienced comics readers will find some fun references to other Batman stories while younger readers will probably have more fun with the goofy adventures. Though I personally found it pretty boring.
May 3, 2024
Batman and his foes are reimagined as children. Joker and the other inhabitants of Arkham Apartments try to encourage a young Bruce Wayne to join their fun.
While clearly marketed at young children Baltazar and Franco have also included a fair amount of nods to Batman lore, which will likely be lost on the targeted demographic so its an odd read. Similarly Baltazar doesnt quite capture the charm of other 'kidified' artists like Skottie Young but does harness a certain fun energy in his work.
Midly amusing in places, but likely too juvenile for most adult fans and similarly too obscure for most junior ones.
While clearly marketed at young children Baltazar and Franco have also included a fair amount of nods to Batman lore, which will likely be lost on the targeted demographic so its an odd read. Similarly Baltazar doesnt quite capture the charm of other 'kidified' artists like Skottie Young but does harness a certain fun energy in his work.
Midly amusing in places, but likely too juvenile for most adult fans and similarly too obscure for most junior ones.
April 6, 2021
From Grab & Go bag children’s books collection (2/5) of Toronto Public Library - When I saw “Gotham City” in the first page – I was excited about reading Batman story in a colorful way. But it was a fun read though. Out of curiosity, Bruce explores and has fun in Arkham apartment, and that too with the Joker. It is ok to appreciate the art but somehow Bruce Wayne and the Joker in a funny way didn’t gel much.
October 28, 2023
The art is silly and engaging.
This book is perfect for a Batman-obsessed parent to give their elementary-aged child.
Love how we get to meet every villain.
Overall, this is a cute book that I am way too old to read. LOL!
However, the central story is ageless: never stop using your imagination.
This book is perfect for a Batman-obsessed parent to give their elementary-aged child.
Love how we get to meet every villain.
Overall, this is a cute book that I am way too old to read. LOL!
However, the central story is ageless: never stop using your imagination.
May 8, 2025
It's a cute and light-hearted story to introduce kids to Batman. The artwork is colorful and drawn in a childish way, which fits the story well.
The ArkhamAsylumApartments are owned by Wayne Enterprises and supervised by James Gordon. These apartments are home to the Joker, Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow/Steve, Croc, Harley, Selina, etc., and it seems like they are always having fun. A young Bruce Wayne has gotten bored of structure and rules, and he wants to know what is happening inside the Arkham Apartments.
The Arkham
February 14, 2021
What I really love most about this book is the way the Batman characters are drawn in a cutevchild like way.
The stories are goofy and really don't make sense but I'm pretty sure the kiddies will love'em.
The stories are goofy and really don't make sense but I'm pretty sure the kiddies will love'em.
December 11, 2020
Great! I always love the subtle Batman jokes.
January 5, 2021
strange very perculiar
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April 7, 2021
Delightful fun in the Tiny Titans style!
April 13, 2021
There was very little plotline and the art wasn't for me. Perhaps this would be appealing to some young DC funs who love goofy stories with no context, but that is not me.
April 19, 2021
This one is definitely for a younger audience. It was super cute and quite fun!
April 25, 2021
I say that was a cute, fun and zany take on the Batman's rogue's gallery.
June 16, 2021
This was super light and cute, and I really appreciated the inclusion of some less-popular characters (like Hush). It's definitely not story-heavy, but I enjoyed it.
November 25, 2021
It’s taken me a shamefully long time to appreciate the genius of Art Baltazar and his collaborator, Franco, but they do an amazing job turning DC comics lore—both the silly Golden and Silver Age stuff AND the grim and gritty for the 90s stuff—into adorable content that kids will love. “Arkhamaniacs” is probably their best book yet, reimagining Batman’s rogues gallery as a collection of fun-loving friends who teach a young Bruce Wayne how to enjoy himself. Isn’t that what they do in regular Batman stories, anyway? Give our rich playboy something to do?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews