Batman: Noel Hardcover – November 8, 2011

EXCELLENT BOOK. EXCELLENT BAT STORY

An interesting and mostly successful one-shot merging of Batman and A Christmas Carol.The art is lush and gorgeous. There is definitely a feel of an old Victorian Christmas card feel here, with some Victorian Gothic mixed in. A few of the interiors come dangerously close to Thomas Kincade territory, but manage not to fall over that cliff. All in all, lovely and lovingly-drawn and inked book. Todd Klein's lettering is outstanding, adding atmosphere while still being clear and readable.The story is, as a whole, surprisingly effective as an attempt to address the often overly grim Dark Knight mood. This doesn't bother following a specific continuity, but as a one-shot, that's no big deal, and probably a strength. It gives the story more of a individual feel that let's it exist on it's own plane. My only quibble, but it is the reason for docking a star from "love it" to "like it", is that in establishing the need for BM's enlightenment, Bermejo pulls him a little too far into the amoral vigilante role. Endangering the innocent child, as it plays out, is just a step or two too far. This doesn't bother me to the extent it seems to bother some other reviewers, but perhaps I take my comics and superheroes slightly less seriously.Still, as a whole, this is an engrossing and interesting take and with a new holiday season coming up, this is nice volume to find under one's tree or next to one's menorah.

To be honest I was underwhelmed because of all the fantastic reviews I saw. The art WAS amazing, it was sure something you couldn't look away from. I would recommend if you really want the book buy paperback for a much lower price and you will still be very happy:). However I would NOT pay the full $35 asking price for the hardcover since I bought it on digital and even while reading it square by square on my phone I was done within 15 minutes.

OK, you want me to tell you a story?Batman: Noel is quite a graphic novel. It takes a tip from Charles Dickens and creates its own version of "A Christmas Carol," minus the ghosts. It is a commentary on the Dark Knight, a vigilante who tends to cross the line that others would fear to cross (Gordon said that).It's a narrative piece, where someone (we find out who at the end) is telling his kid a story, about Scrooge (Batman) and how he meets three people who make him take a look at his life and make some changes. As the novel says, some people need a wake-up call like getting hit with a baseball bat before they change!The hint of Christmas is muted in favor of a story of a guy (Bob) who is running some money for the Joker. The Batman jumps on Bob in his search for the Clown of Crime. The Bats has a run-in with Catwoman (who is nicely drawn) and Superman. The final confrontation with the Joker is meaningful and exciting in its storyline and art.Lee Bermejo draws some great panels. His use of shadow and light and conveying mood and mystery is really exciting. If I could nitpick, it's in the way he throws sweat and spit around. It's a good device to use, but it's over and over again to a point where the "spit" loses interest for me!Lee also wrote the story and the man really has a talent for the written word. Minimal, yet keeps it informal and interesting.Bottom Line: This is NOT an adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It's a deep, dark and sometimes frightening look at a man who has crossed the line and has lost all hope in his quest to beat down the criminal element and "reduce the criminal surplus population!" It's a story that a man can change with some conviction and some tough love! Highly recommended.

I guess when the art is that good you don't have to worry about writing, and yet he always finds writers to keep up with his art. Talent seeks out talent.

One of the most beautiful looks at the Dark Knight. Plain and simple Bermejo gets Batman. His take on Batman is one that features Batman as part antagonist, and its a refreshing take on the darkness that surrounds the Bat. The art is simply put one of the most amazing comic pieces ever put to print. Lee Bermejo is an artist that gets his subjects, this is his first time writing, and he does an amazing job. If you liked Joker (written by Azzarello and art by Lee Bermejo) then you will love this. I in fact like Noel better as its an easy read with mind-blowing visuals. You will not regret getting this amazing tale of the Dark Knight.

Let me start by saying that the artwork in BATMAN: NOEL is phenomenal. Lee Bermejo is so talented when it comes to illustrating. Batman looks so realistic down to the last detail; it's amazing. Guest appearances by Robin, Superman, Catwoman, and the Joker are equally astounding.Less exciting is the story itself. Is there anyone who hasn't read and/or seen  Dickens' A Christmas Carol  in some variation? Is anyone as tired as me of seeing it tweaked and redone for the millionth time? If not for the beautiful artwork, I would have regretted purchasing and reading this holiday-themed graphic novel.Don't get me wrong; the book is worth it just for the artwork alone. But the story could have been more entertaining. 10 stars (out of 5) for the art; 3 for the average story.

Visionary artist Lee Bermejo (Joker) draws upon Charles Dickens' literary classic "A Christmas Carol" for this original Batman graphic novel. Entitled Noel, this graphic novel finds Batman in a sort of bad state. Using a low-rent hood as bait to find and take in the Joker has clouded the judgment and methods of the Dark Knight, leading to visitations by those who serve as his "ghosts" of the past, present, and future. While I'm not too much of a fan of Bermejo's characterization of Batman in the opening of Noel, it means little as the story kicks into full gear and features his brilliant artwork as well. Though it is awfully short, Noel is more than worth picking up for Batman fans, and is probably one of the most enjoyable recent Batman stories you'll find out there today.

I treated myself to this yesterday with the premise I’d read it on Christmas Day. Firstly the artwork is outstanding. When I compare many other comics or graphic novels, I haven’t found one yet with this quality. The storyline was not what I expected and if I’m honest for the “third hour” part I felt like the story got a little lax...by that I mean much was thought and put up to that time then it appeared like “the story teller” took an easy route and didn’t bother as much. With that said, that is my opinion and I will read this every year for Christmas! Like I said the artwork was outstanding.

After so many Batman books how can one man, the brilliant Lee Bermejo, rejuvenate the character for another book? Take the ultimate Christmas story ever written, Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and cast the Dark Knight as Scrooge, of course! Robin, Catwoman, Superman, and Joker all put in appearances in the role of the other characters in the Carol, showing how well that story fits the DC Universe like a glove.The story focuses on how Batman has changed over the years, from the fun loving and sometimes goofy Batman of the `60s Batman TV show, to the barmy Batman in the Schumacher films, to the now much more violent and darker incarnation he is these days thanks largely to the films of Tim Burton and Chris Nolan. Bermejo does justice to this version but is nostalgic for the kinder Batman of yore and steers his Batman in this direction, which fits in well with the Christmas Carol story.Story aside, and it's great fun, the reason above all others why any Batman fan MUST buy this book is the art. Bermejo is an artist first, writer second, and his artwork here is the best work he's ever done. His Gotham is perfect, steeped in snow, dark and atmospheric, each building fitting in exactly with what I think of when I think of that city. Remember his artwork for "Joker" by Brian Azzarello a few years ago? I thought that was the best depiction of Joker I'd ever seen, and given free reign to draw Batman, Catwoman and Superman, I'd say Bermejo's versions are among the best drawings of these characters I've ever seen as well."Batman: Noel" is the perfect story to read on Christmas Eve, especially if you're a Batfan like me, and not just because the story mirrors the most famous Christmas story of all, but because the artwork makes it darkly festive and memorable in the best possible way. I now have a new favourite Batman artist.

I bought this because I was struck by the art in  Joker¹ ; illustration-wise, Bermejo takes things a step further here, and reaches a level of excellence that I haven`t seen before in a graphic novel - it`s incredible. So if you are like me, an artist who loves to see new styles and renderings of classic Gotham characters, then you`ll be as in love with this as I am. However...if you are looking for an equally original and striking tale, then you may be disappointed - it is a reimagining (the current phrase for a reworking of a classic tale) of Dicken`s Christmas Carol. A classic tale of course, but I`m not sure that positioning characters from that story - Scrooge (Batman), Catwoman, Superman and Joker as the three ghosts - into Batman`s world is exactly successful. So even though Bermejo (who writes as well as illustrates) creates a brilliantly dark atmosphere on each and every page, the words are not as memorable...but I re-read it often because the art is inspirational. I love it, but I can absolutely understand that if you are story first, art second then you`ll probably not be as impressed as I am. But for me it`s 5 stars! Joker¹

Another brilliant part of the Batman saga!If you’re a fan like me, you’re in for treat.

Story is told like a christmas carol, guess who scrooge is? Pretty obvious it's batman, he basically uses a down on his luck man to bait the joker into showing his face, the man just wants money to feed his son timmy but batman only sees him as another lowlife criminal, so to show batman the error of his ways of course is the 3 ghosts of christmas past, to stand in for the 3 ghosts is catwoman, superman and the joker, it's a really good stand alone story but the lessons batman learns should be used in the main canon as it gives batman a new perspective on some of the people he comes into contact with and the artwork is absolutely amazing it really brings the story to life, cannot recommend this enough.