Binding: Library Binding
Dewey Decimal Number: 741.5973
EAN: 9781417669400
ISBN: 1417669403
Label: Topeka Bindery
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Topeka Bindery
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 387
Publication Date: 2002-10
Publisher: Topeka Bindery
Studio: Topeka Bindery

Customer Rating:
Summary: Loeb and Sale do it again
Comment: As sequel to the Jeph Loeb's and Tim Sales previous work the Long Holloween its self a sequel to Frank Miller's "Batman Year One" Dark Victory is a resounding success. All three of the works take place in Batman's early career shortly after he first dawns the cowl and tights. "Year One" breathed new life into Batman universe by re-inventing the caped crusader as well as the character of Jim Gordon. Without spoiling either of the works that take place before Dark Victory, I will just state that Frank Miller wrote Year One as a standalone work literally righting in an end. However Loeb is a skilled enough to writer to use these plot devices in a way that seems as if two sequels was the plan all along. This work is closely tide to both the "Long Halloween" and Batman Year One" and as a result is not as strong as Sale's and Loebs previous collaboration (Long Halloween) as work standing alone.

As for Jeph Lobes righting it is phenomenal! In general his writing is full of plot twists and for fans the prior two works further expands the character development of the prior two works especially the ramifications of "Year One" and the Character of Jim Gordon's marriage. Loeb writes Batman as more of a detective rather than super hero. The result is that there is an inner thought narrative that gives both context and commentary to events as well as developing character background. This narrative allows for either this work or the Long Halloween to be read on their own without missing any major plot devices. However I STRONGLY recommend reading all three in sequential order as I think it adds to the experience (plus all three being considered to be amongst the 25 best Batman comics of all time doesn't hurt). Tim Sale's skill with the pen is equal to that Loebs. Sale had to match David Mazzucchelli artistic style from "Year One" as much as he had to match Loeb's writing but did so with skill. Some artists use color to add flair, Sale however uses shadows. The result is a perfect match for both the melancholy feel every good Batman comic has and obscurity of a good detective story. Sale's style also renders the gangsters with as much attention as the series iconic villains. This approach works as it is the gangsters (in these three works) that are more important in Batman's early career than villains.

After describing the work all that really can be said is that this work is that it truly deserves five stars as it is one of the best batman stories to be told. I really hope you decide to get all three works as it really is a bargain at around forty dollars for all three, since you are getting 39 comic book issues. Sale and Loeb give the great ending that this incredible story arch deserves. Below are links to the other works in the series as I hold them that highly.
Batman: Year One
Batman: The Long Halloween

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Strong Sequel to Long Halloween
Comment: I thought it was pretty good. I guess its hard for me to get into the whole batman vs the mafia(godfather) story in both novels, but it was written so well I was addicted and flew through them.

The only complaint I could have would be that the "freaks" parts fell short. I know that we all know about their back stories and if they went deeper into the freaks it would be like retelling what we all know already, but isn't that what we all love?

I mean for me there just wasn't enough depth to the Joker, or Freeze, who both have great back stories and personality. Characters like Poison Ivy, Penguin, and Scarecrow barely had any lines. They felt more like small parts and I thought they were taken out and down way too easily. They hardly had a deep plan or sinister actions that we are used to.

With a title like Dark Victory, I guess I expected a little more darkness from the freaks, at one point Joker comes close, but falls short.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Jarryd
Comment: Paired with "The Long Halloween" this is one of the best graphic novel series I've read. The illustrations are phenominal and the story works very well introducing Batmans greatest foes in with the realistic mob villians.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Seller! In perfect condition!
Comment: It was just what my husband wanted, in perfect condition and half the price of the trendy comic stores! I am extremely happy!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Worthy Long Halloween Followup
Comment: Dark Victory expands upon The Long Halloween, and has a story interesting enough to please fans of Loeb's original Batman-mob story. Robin isn't played heavily, which is a good thing for me, but any Batman fans should pick this up.

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