Finally I can talk about this book!! I was so excited to be approved to read this book early and I have been waiting to share my review ever since. I am a huge Batman and DC fan (well all comics really) and Frank Miller is one of the all time greats.
The Dark Knight: Master Race
It's been three years since the Batman defeated Lex Luthor and saved the world from tyranny, Three years since anyone has seen Gotham City's guardian alive. Wonder Woman, Queen of the Amazons...Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern...Superman, the Man of Steel...all of the Dark Knight's allies have retreated from the front lines of the war against injustice.
But now a new war is beginning. An army of unimaginable power led by Superman's own daughter is preparing to claim Earth as it's new world.
Batman - the only hero that can stop this master race - is dead.
Long live the new Batman...
(Collecting the full nine-issue miniseries and its mini-comic tie-in issues, Batman: The Dark Knight - Master Race features incredible artwork from comics icon Andy Kubert (Flashpoint), as well as Klaus Janson (The Dark Knight Returns), John Romita Jr. (All Star Batman), Eduardo Risso (100 Bullets) and Frank Miller himself!)
My Review
This book blew me away.
I'll start with the cover, I think the stark contrast between the black and white and the simplicity of the picture is extremely striking and eye-catching. I could quite happily look at it all day and it will be a beautiful addition to anyone's collection.
To continue with the art, it's all outstanding the whole book through and the different styles of the artists are very distinctive. There's one page with Diana (Wonder Woman) fighting a minotaur and it is one of the most stunning pages I have ever seen. I've been back to look at that page more than once since my first read through of the book.
The story is masterfully written. Between the art and the dialogue it's a perfect match. There was twice where I actually choked up, there was so much emotion on the pages. I loved the different big bad and how it was used in almost a mirror as to a lot of what is going on in real life. The panels with tweets, texts and news broadcasts were genius and added to the real life feel I got from the story.
(Images are all credited to DC Entertainment)
I loved the cast of characters used in Master Race, it was really good to see Atom and Hawkman and Hawkgirl, though even in passing. It was also really good for the spotlight to be on Carrie Kelley and to see her growth and maturity over the whole story. It was interesting to see Lara used in the way she was and her relationship with her mum and dad. I even loved the darker and more sinister Hal Jordan and the journey he had to go on alone to find himself again.
I can't very well review The Dark Knight without mentioning the Dark Knight himself. I thought the depiction of old and broken Bruce going on a kind of last quest to rid the world from this new and dreadful evil was brilliant. He was grumpy, he was snarky and he had some amazing speeches and one liners. I will always love Batman, old or young and this version I thought was great.
I may have gushed more than usual in this review, but overall I think this is an outstanding collection and one I will most certainly be revisiting again in the future.
I gave the book 5 stars.
About The Author
Frank Miller is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation. His most notable works include Sin City, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One and 300.
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