What do you think?
Rate this book
Batman
Batman: Noel
Edición argentina. Contiene BATMAN NOËL.
Mientras el Caballero Oscuro persigue a su más odiado enemigo a través del gélido paisaje de Gotham City, una extraña serie de acontecimientos amenaza con arrebatarle el alma... para siempre.
Escrita y dibujada por la estrella del cómic Lee Bermejo, Batman: Noel relata un cuento de Navidad muy distinto a los habituales.
Mientras el Caballero Oscuro persigue a su más odiado enemigo a través del gélido paisaje de Gotham City, una extraña serie de acontecimientos amenaza con arrebatarle el alma... para siempre.
Escrita y dibujada por la estrella del cómic Lee Bermejo, Batman: Noel relata un cuento de Navidad muy distinto a los habituales.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published November 2, 2011
About the author
Lee Bermejo
260 books181 followersLee Bermejo is a professional illustrator and comic book artist. He has done work for Marvel and DC Comics, Men's Health, Max Mara, Top Cow productions, Wizard Entertainment, and a crappy film called Ultraviolet (hey,whaddayagonnado). Talking about himself in the third person makes him feel more important than he really is. Anyway, enough about the blogger, let's talk art!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 664 reviews
December 25, 2021
3.5 stars
It's A Christmas Carol...with Batman.
The writing was kinda underwhelming. It could have been more.
Better.
Something.
But it wasn't. It was a choppy retelling at best.
The art is what gives this book the edge. It was beautifully drawn and colored. Reminded me of what I feel when I'm looking at Alex Ross' stuff. It wasn't always pretty, but it was visually stunning.
It's a quick read, so I'd recommend it just for the eye candy.
It's A Christmas Carol...with Batman.
The writing was kinda underwhelming. It could have been more.
Better.
Something.
But it wasn't. It was a choppy retelling at best.
The art is what gives this book the edge. It was beautifully drawn and colored. Reminded me of what I feel when I'm looking at Alex Ross' stuff. It wasn't always pretty, but it was visually stunning.
It's a quick read, so I'd recommend it just for the eye candy.
December 7, 2022
Thanks to Sud666 for recommending this to me, and not primarily because it was a Christmas story, but because I was reading a few genre mash-ups, and this is one of those, the classic Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol mapped on to the Batman universe, with both atmospheric and glossy artwork (reminding me of the equally dramatic work of Alex Ross) that thematically connects the two dark worlds. It’s interesting how well Bermejo makes the two fit together, making the equally grumpy Bat and Scrooge come to some empathetic realization, so it’s a surprising and pretty good adaptation, a hopeful holiday story about the possibility of coming out of the darkness into the light.
“Cuz for this story to make sense. . . for it to mean anything. . . you have to believe in something. Something very important. You have to believe people can change”--Bermejo
Bob Cratchit here works for Joker, and Batman is Scrooge. Catwoman and Superman also make their appearances. The modified Victorian style in which the tale is told by Tiny Tim is fine, accomplished, remakable, and the central aspect of the story is impressive in the way Bermejo illustrates how Batman has changed over the many years, from crazy pop art sixties tv Batty to the brooding Dark Knight. As you can guess, Bermejo wants to reform the Old Scrooge (as Ebenezer in fact did) and make him find his lost? broken? heart.
I think the art work is at a 5 level, and you have to give him credit for the literary adaptation and basically making it work, so a 4 for coming up with the clever idea. He’s an artist, not a writer, so some of the actual writing is a bit flat, at a 2.5 level, so I’ll say overall 3.5 or so, rounded up for the artwork, and because Christmas is coming.
“Cuz for this story to make sense. . . for it to mean anything. . . you have to believe in something. Something very important. You have to believe people can change”--Bermejo
Bob Cratchit here works for Joker, and Batman is Scrooge. Catwoman and Superman also make their appearances. The modified Victorian style in which the tale is told by Tiny Tim is fine, accomplished, remakable, and the central aspect of the story is impressive in the way Bermejo illustrates how Batman has changed over the many years, from crazy pop art sixties tv Batty to the brooding Dark Knight. As you can guess, Bermejo wants to reform the Old Scrooge (as Ebenezer in fact did) and make him find his lost? broken? heart.
I think the art work is at a 5 level, and you have to give him credit for the literary adaptation and basically making it work, so a 4 for coming up with the clever idea. He’s an artist, not a writer, so some of the actual writing is a bit flat, at a 2.5 level, so I’ll say overall 3.5 or so, rounded up for the artwork, and because Christmas is coming.
September 3, 2013
I have a slight obsession with Christmas. No, I’m not the kind that advocates that you keep Christ in Christmas or even the kind of guy who goes to church once a year on Christmas Eve. In fact, I’m not religious in the slightest. What I’m all about are the Christmas specials, the movies, the music, the food and spending time with friends and family. Every year it succeeds in making me feel like a kid again as well as bringing back the best memories of my life.
For as long as I can remember, my favorite Christmas special was Mickey’s Christmas Carol. It took a classic Dickens tale and adapted it for those wacky anthropomorphized Disney animals. You had Uncle Scrooge as well.. Scrooge. Mickey was your Bob Cratchit and Goofy played Jacob Marley. There’s also a whole cast of characters that round out the special including a very menacing Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come that scared the crap out of a 5 year old Brandon.
For a long time, it went uncontested as my favorite adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Hell, it didn't even really have competition. That is until I finished Lee Bermejo’s spin on the classic tale with Batman: Noel.
Going into this book, I didn't really have a whole lot of knowledge surrounding the plot. I mean, I knew it was based on A Christmas Carol but I wasn't aware of who was going to play what role. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Batman would play the part of ol’ Ebenezer! I was relieved that it didn't feel gimmicky or spun in a certain way for the character to fit. Bermejo does such a fantastic job relating Bruce Wayne to Ebenezer Scrooge that I wondered how could be written any other way.
The artwork is beautiful as well. Not only did Bermejo write the script but he also drew the damn thing. It’s not often that you've got someone doing both. You can really see the passion that he empties onto the page with numerous full page shots and inventive dialogue – a lot of which was lifted from Dickens story, with a slight spin of course.
Overall, I thought this was an excellent book. It was a little on the short side but it’s also very tightly constructed. I may have to pick this up for myself and make it a yearly read around the holiday season.
Cross Posted @ Every Read Thing
For as long as I can remember, my favorite Christmas special was Mickey’s Christmas Carol. It took a classic Dickens tale and adapted it for those wacky anthropomorphized Disney animals. You had Uncle Scrooge as well.. Scrooge. Mickey was your Bob Cratchit and Goofy played Jacob Marley. There’s also a whole cast of characters that round out the special including a very menacing Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come that scared the crap out of a 5 year old Brandon.
For a long time, it went uncontested as my favorite adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Hell, it didn't even really have competition. That is until I finished Lee Bermejo’s spin on the classic tale with Batman: Noel.
Going into this book, I didn't really have a whole lot of knowledge surrounding the plot. I mean, I knew it was based on A Christmas Carol but I wasn't aware of who was going to play what role. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Batman would play the part of ol’ Ebenezer! I was relieved that it didn't feel gimmicky or spun in a certain way for the character to fit. Bermejo does such a fantastic job relating Bruce Wayne to Ebenezer Scrooge that I wondered how could be written any other way.
The artwork is beautiful as well. Not only did Bermejo write the script but he also drew the damn thing. It’s not often that you've got someone doing both. You can really see the passion that he empties onto the page with numerous full page shots and inventive dialogue – a lot of which was lifted from Dickens story, with a slight spin of course.
Overall, I thought this was an excellent book. It was a little on the short side but it’s also very tightly constructed. I may have to pick this up for myself and make it a yearly read around the holiday season.
Cross Posted @ Every Read Thing
December 21, 2022
Hm. Feels like, to make the story work, it has Batman not behaving like he'd normally do.
Beautiful art.
Beautiful art.
December 24, 2011
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.
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.
April 10, 2019
In the current SJW/reboot mode of comics, it is rare to find even a "good" comic story. Most desperately struggle to find even 2 star ratings. Thus, it was a pleasure to read a great comic. This is not only a wonderful story but the artwork is phenomenal. A true work of art.
Noel is a retelling of Dicken's Famous "A Christmas Carol". Batman plays the role of Scrooge. The beautifully illustrated story follows Batman throughout a night where he sees what his life is like and learns some interesting lessons. There is not much more to say without spoiling the tale. Read this book. Enjoy the beautiful artwork. Appreciate a well-written story. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates a good story and wonderful artwork.
Noel is a retelling of Dicken's Famous "A Christmas Carol". Batman plays the role of Scrooge. The beautifully illustrated story follows Batman throughout a night where he sees what his life is like and learns some interesting lessons. There is not much more to say without spoiling the tale. Read this book. Enjoy the beautiful artwork. Appreciate a well-written story. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates a good story and wonderful artwork.
January 18, 2022
One of the greatest Batman stories ever easily.
Batman is Scrooge in the story and we follow him as he meets the Ghosts of Christmas Present, Past and future. The past being Jason who teaches him to be less vengeful and present being Selina and lve in the moment and Superman being the future telling him to not just focus on the criminals but also the families and like see there are good people too and inspiring him and when Joker comes in and targets the family of Bob and Tim (the people he was observing), its time Batman steps up and saves him and realizes the true meaning of christmas and the way it ends with him helping people and everything.. its just so good. <3
I loved this story and its beautiful in such a good way and the art is heavenly and will make you hate and love Bruce and it also gives a tribute to a christmas carol and is well beautiful. No amount of praise will be enough for it and I like the way the artist draws Superman as this messianic-inspiring figure and all that. So yeah a must read. One of the best DC stories ever.
Batman is Scrooge in the story and we follow him as he meets the Ghosts of Christmas Present, Past and future. The past being Jason who teaches him to be less vengeful and present being Selina and lve in the moment and Superman being the future telling him to not just focus on the criminals but also the families and like see there are good people too and inspiring him and when Joker comes in and targets the family of Bob and Tim (the people he was observing), its time Batman steps up and saves him and realizes the true meaning of christmas and the way it ends with him helping people and everything.. its just so good. <3
I loved this story and its beautiful in such a good way and the art is heavenly and will make you hate and love Bruce and it also gives a tribute to a christmas carol and is well beautiful. No amount of praise will be enough for it and I like the way the artist draws Superman as this messianic-inspiring figure and all that. So yeah a must read. One of the best DC stories ever.
December 26, 2015
Now, this was a SPECTACULAR graphic novel!
The real reason for my 5-star rating is the artwork, which is amazing. It is dynamic, and the contrasts between lights and shadows really give the story setting some real depth. All of the characters are inked and colored to not only highlight their personalities, but provides a sense of some historical background (especially the “Ghost of Christmas Past”). I really liked how the “Ghost of Christmas Present” had a glow about him, almost like a barely-there aura of latent power. Even the supporting characters have this sense of depth that comes from great detail in the artwork. Especially noteworthy is how Batman is characterized at different times in his life; the artwork reveals his personality and character traits, which adds so much to the story.
Speaking of the story, Batman: Noel is one of the better graphic novels I have read in a long time. It’s almost like a “What If Charles Dickens Wrote The Batman?” Elseworlds volume. Putting Batman in yet another version of A Christmas Carol (second only to Dracula as retold tales) seemed kind of ridiculous, but it works in amazing fashion and makes for an excellent, satisfying read. I really liked the twist of the tale-teller and the listener at the end of the story, too.
I usually try to read/watch/listen to at least one version of A Christmas Carol every year on Christmas Eve. I think that Batman:Noel might be an annual addition to that tradition. Highly recommended for Batman fans, Charles Dickens fans, and fans of A Christmas Carol.
The real reason for my 5-star rating is the artwork, which is amazing. It is dynamic, and the contrasts between lights and shadows really give the story setting some real depth. All of the characters are inked and colored to not only highlight their personalities, but provides a sense of some historical background (especially the “Ghost of Christmas Past”). I really liked how the “Ghost of Christmas Present” had a glow about him, almost like a barely-there aura of latent power. Even the supporting characters have this sense of depth that comes from great detail in the artwork. Especially noteworthy is how Batman is characterized at different times in his life; the artwork reveals his personality and character traits, which adds so much to the story.
Speaking of the story, Batman: Noel is one of the better graphic novels I have read in a long time. It’s almost like a “What If Charles Dickens Wrote The Batman?” Elseworlds volume. Putting Batman in yet another version of A Christmas Carol (second only to Dracula as retold tales) seemed kind of ridiculous, but it works in amazing fashion and makes for an excellent, satisfying read. I really liked the twist of the tale-teller and the listener at the end of the story, too.
I usually try to read/watch/listen to at least one version of A Christmas Carol every year on Christmas Eve. I think that Batman:Noel might be an annual addition to that tradition. Highly recommended for Batman fans, Charles Dickens fans, and fans of A Christmas Carol.
March 4, 2018
You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
This is a gift dropped off by Santa when no comic book fan expected it under their trees. With a foreword by the great Jim Lee—another artist whose reputation precedes him—we quickly find out that Lee Bermejo’s Gotham City Christmas Carol is a tale that will go down—I’d say it has—as a classic in Batman’s universe. Batman: Noël is by far one of the best takes on the original Christmas story written by Charles Dickens. While billions of adaptations were done on Scrooge’s famous story, there’s nothing like A Christmas Carol perfectly knitted around the dark and gloomy Gotham City. Written and drawn by Lee Bermejo himself, this exquisite artistic creation presents fans with an opportunity to visit Batman’s most famous villains and friends on one of his darkest days. Struggling with his own health condition, Batman wanders building by building to capture a criminal has as escaped the grasps of the law.
If there’s one graphic novel that should be an yearly read during the Holidays, it is undeniably this one. For a person to truly appreciate this, they would in fact need to know the original story written by Charles Dickens, or at least know the main elements of A Christmas Carol. Being able to see how Bermejo brilliantly intertwines Scrooge’s story with Batman and Gotham City is only half the fun. Batman: Noël doesn’t just draw inspiration from its source material, it also dives into a character analysis of Batman. What do I mean? Simple. Lee Bermejo uses the three ghosts and Scrooge himself to show the change that Batman’s character has known. He shows us the transformation from the light-hearted and goofy Batman of the ’60s to the more darker superhero that everyone came to love in today’s culture. But this wasn’t the only change that was showcased. A much more heart-warming tale about change is also wrapped up neatly and delivered with grace by the end of the book. But this intricate moral is for you to go discover for yourself.
If the story is only half the fun, what’s the rest? The artwork. The goddamn artwork. Even if you’re not a fan of A Christmas Carol, and that having it adapted to Batman’s universe doesn’t send chills down your spine (the good kind), then the artwork alone should be a sufficient reason to take a shot at this graphic novel. This is eye candy for the Holidays. Forget about candy canes and eggnog. There’s enough in the art to get you drunk in love. I’m quite glad that Lee Bermejo had a carte blanche for this project. The designs and the style that he used to bring life to both Gotham City and the characters was so heavenly. I was truly impressed by the aura that each character he drew had. From the kind and powerful to the dark and nefarious, every single one of them was sexy in their own way. Even an impressive array of emotions was perfectly drawn into the characters, from joy to anger, sadness to fear. Nothing seems to lack in the art department. If anything, the talents of Bermejo emanates throughout Batman: Noël. This is one graphic novel that you’ll want to keep close to your heart.
Honestly, to maximize the reading experience, one has to go into it blind. The only thing you’d need is having some knowledge about A Christmas Carol. If you have that in your pockets, then don’t even bother reading the blurb or finding out what Batman: Noël is about. It was such a blast to wonder who the different ghosts were going to be and to find out how the story was going to be told. With the polished and slick artwork, it was hard to not look forward to all the Ghosts. I just knew they were going to pop out of the book with a lot of charisma and life. Furthermore, with a narrator that has a unique voice and a new character who’s probably purposely named Bob to give everyone the opportunity to identify themselves too, this take on the classic Dickens tale is a fantastic quick read. Batman: Noël is without a doubt THE story for the Holidays. EVERY Gothamite (yes, you.) has to read this during this time of the year. If you feel like indulging a beautiful adaptation of the classic Dickensian story, look no further. The Gods of Gotham have bestowed upon us the perfect story to appease that urge. Do not fight it. Just do it.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: http://bookidote.wordpress.com
____________________________
Holy shit. Pardon my French, but this was a master piece. An exquisite artistic creation. Batman: Noël is also one of the best adaptation of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Every single crucial element of Dicken's classic tale is brilliantly incorporated into Batman's world. I loved Lee Bermejo's picks for the three ghosts and how everything is neatly gift wrapped in the end. The narration was on point, but the best--emphasis on best--part about this graphic novel is the artwork. This is eye candy for the Holidays. The talents of Bermejo emanates through this project. I'm quite impressed by the style and the designs he came up with. Thank God for the carte blanche he had for this title.
Batman: Noël is without a doubt THE story for the Holidays. EVERY Gothamite (yes, you.) has to read this during this time of the year.
P.S. Full review to come really soon
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: http://bookidote.wordpress.com
This is a gift dropped off by Santa when no comic book fan expected it under their trees. With a foreword by the great Jim Lee—another artist whose reputation precedes him—we quickly find out that Lee Bermejo’s Gotham City Christmas Carol is a tale that will go down—I’d say it has—as a classic in Batman’s universe. Batman: Noël is by far one of the best takes on the original Christmas story written by Charles Dickens. While billions of adaptations were done on Scrooge’s famous story, there’s nothing like A Christmas Carol perfectly knitted around the dark and gloomy Gotham City. Written and drawn by Lee Bermejo himself, this exquisite artistic creation presents fans with an opportunity to visit Batman’s most famous villains and friends on one of his darkest days. Struggling with his own health condition, Batman wanders building by building to capture a criminal has as escaped the grasps of the law.
If there’s one graphic novel that should be an yearly read during the Holidays, it is undeniably this one. For a person to truly appreciate this, they would in fact need to know the original story written by Charles Dickens, or at least know the main elements of A Christmas Carol. Being able to see how Bermejo brilliantly intertwines Scrooge’s story with Batman and Gotham City is only half the fun. Batman: Noël doesn’t just draw inspiration from its source material, it also dives into a character analysis of Batman. What do I mean? Simple. Lee Bermejo uses the three ghosts and Scrooge himself to show the change that Batman’s character has known. He shows us the transformation from the light-hearted and goofy Batman of the ’60s to the more darker superhero that everyone came to love in today’s culture. But this wasn’t the only change that was showcased. A much more heart-warming tale about change is also wrapped up neatly and delivered with grace by the end of the book. But this intricate moral is for you to go discover for yourself.
If the story is only half the fun, what’s the rest? The artwork. The goddamn artwork. Even if you’re not a fan of A Christmas Carol, and that having it adapted to Batman’s universe doesn’t send chills down your spine (the good kind), then the artwork alone should be a sufficient reason to take a shot at this graphic novel. This is eye candy for the Holidays. Forget about candy canes and eggnog. There’s enough in the art to get you drunk in love. I’m quite glad that Lee Bermejo had a carte blanche for this project. The designs and the style that he used to bring life to both Gotham City and the characters was so heavenly. I was truly impressed by the aura that each character he drew had. From the kind and powerful to the dark and nefarious, every single one of them was sexy in their own way. Even an impressive array of emotions was perfectly drawn into the characters, from joy to anger, sadness to fear. Nothing seems to lack in the art department. If anything, the talents of Bermejo emanates throughout Batman: Noël. This is one graphic novel that you’ll want to keep close to your heart.
Honestly, to maximize the reading experience, one has to go into it blind. The only thing you’d need is having some knowledge about A Christmas Carol. If you have that in your pockets, then don’t even bother reading the blurb or finding out what Batman: Noël is about. It was such a blast to wonder who the different ghosts were going to be and to find out how the story was going to be told. With the polished and slick artwork, it was hard to not look forward to all the Ghosts. I just knew they were going to pop out of the book with a lot of charisma and life. Furthermore, with a narrator that has a unique voice and a new character who’s probably purposely named Bob to give everyone the opportunity to identify themselves too, this take on the classic Dickens tale is a fantastic quick read. Batman: Noël is without a doubt THE story for the Holidays. EVERY Gothamite (yes, you.) has to read this during this time of the year. If you feel like indulging a beautiful adaptation of the classic Dickensian story, look no further. The Gods of Gotham have bestowed upon us the perfect story to appease that urge. Do not fight it. Just do it.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: http://bookidote.wordpress.com
____________________________
Holy shit. Pardon my French, but this was a master piece. An exquisite artistic creation. Batman: Noël is also one of the best adaptation of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Every single crucial element of Dicken's classic tale is brilliantly incorporated into Batman's world. I loved Lee Bermejo's picks for the three ghosts and how everything is neatly gift wrapped in the end. The narration was on point, but the best--emphasis on best--part about this graphic novel is the artwork. This is eye candy for the Holidays. The talents of Bermejo emanates through this project. I'm quite impressed by the style and the designs he came up with. Thank God for the carte blanche he had for this title.
Batman: Noël is without a doubt THE story for the Holidays. EVERY Gothamite (yes, you.) has to read this during this time of the year.
P.S. Full review to come really soon
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: http://bookidote.wordpress.com
December 23, 2020
"It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. But for this it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded.
He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved." - From the Stave IV: The Last of The Spirits, A Christmas Carol
I've known about this book for awhile, but I finally got to read it this is an interesting take on A Christmas Carol, with Batman as Scrooge, but told from the point-of-view of Bob Cratcheit...(who finds himself working for the Joker. The art is superb and it is a decent adaption. I was not a fan of the sterotypical, "Hollywood old-timey tough-guy" narration or the fact that they had to make Batman way more meaner than normal (though it could be justified that since this story takes place after the events of Batman: A Death in the Family when he was at his most anti-heroish). All in all a good Christmas graphic novel that was written and illustrated by the same person.
He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved." - From the Stave IV: The Last of The Spirits, A Christmas Carol
I've known about this book for awhile, but I finally got to read it this is an interesting take on A Christmas Carol, with Batman as Scrooge, but told from the point-of-view of Bob Cratcheit...(who finds himself working for the Joker. The art is superb and it is a decent adaption. I was not a fan of the sterotypical, "Hollywood old-timey tough-guy" narration or the fact that they had to make Batman way more meaner than normal (though it could be justified that since this story takes place after the events of Batman: A Death in the Family when he was at his most anti-heroish). All in all a good Christmas graphic novel that was written and illustrated by the same person.
September 7, 2014
Batman faces his rage towards the Joker and other “villains” during the Christmas season.
Charles Dicken's influences galore.
Amazing artwork by Lee Bermejo (also the scribe).
ARTWORK: A minus; STORY/PLOTTING/PANELS: B minus to B; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B; BATMAN MYTHOLOGY: B plus; WHEN READ: end of February 2013; OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus
Charles Dicken's influences galore.
Amazing artwork by Lee Bermejo (also the scribe).
ARTWORK: A minus; STORY/PLOTTING/PANELS: B minus to B; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B; BATMAN MYTHOLOGY: B plus; WHEN READ: end of February 2013; OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus
February 5, 2016
I agree with most of the other reviews I've read here. The story was fine, if slight. Probably can't be helped for a gimmick title. The art is the attraction here. A+. 3.5 stars.
July 7, 2016
This was pretty short and to the point. I really liked it. Amazing artwork. I would have never assumed that Batman and a Christmas Carol would work so well together. I would recommend this to superhero comic fans.
December 20, 2021
A fantastic read with beautifully rendered artwork by the amazingly talented Lee Bermejo!! This take on the classic Dickens Christmas Carol is inspired and for me is an instant classic.
June 28, 2012
I'm working off a fuzzy memory here, but I'm pretty sure I've already read another Batman version of A Christmas Carol. I feel like Sale was involved. If so, this isn't even a new idea for Batman, never mind the fact that doing a version of A Christmas Carol is just as cliched as doing a version of It's a Wonderful Life. What makes Noel different and, ultimately, worth 3 stars? I like that this version is far less literal in its retelling, though I think it might have worked better without the narration of the original story. The art is stunning more often than not, and I'd be happy to see more from this artist. But the dialog is too often more of a broad cartoon version of what I feel like these characters would really be saying.
February 1, 2012
Cute comic book take on the "Christmas Carol". The artwork is amazing, which makes this book well worth your time.
June 7, 2012
To begin with, no I do not hate Batman or Bruce Wayne as Batman. The reason I gave this book such a poor review is many faceted. Lee Bermejo is a competent and brilliant artist, and a lot of times in this book his artwork is truly beautiful, but its a bit too unoriginal. Lets begin at the beginning and start with the story. To say I was expecting something original or new would be to have been setting myself up for disappointment as I already knew the premise of the story to be A Christmas Carol a la Batman. Batman has been adapted and presented and reinterpreted in so many multivariagated ways that to say I saw this coming would be a lie, so there was that element at least of surprise. Was I expecting something original? By no means, though I did hope that it would at least amuse me or entertain me.
Unlike Dickens writing, and I apologize here but Bermejo did choose to borrow the most famous plot of the man's books so he leaves himself open to comparison, Mr. Bermejo's narrator is rife with cliches, boring, and downright uninteresting as a storyteller. Where Dickens can go pages without dialogue and still amuse us and keep our attentions Mr. Bermejo cannot keep me from dreading his narrator speaking for a single page. Granted Lee Bermejo is an artist first and not a writer this being I believe his first foray into the writer's chair. That said, the characters themselves lack any kind of distinction in their speech, even the Joker's dialogue which is missing his constant humor and jokes could just as easily have been spoken by Batman or Catwoman. The different characters do not have unique and different voices. With the exception of Superman, perhaps, who is only different in his speech because he speaks optimistically in what is essentially another dull and dark dreary trek though a dystopian hell that could never exist in any America that wasn't itself dystopian, Gotham. It is a tired note that keeps replaying in the hands of weak authors giving us the same boring dark take on Batman in his dark city. But the ending is cheery and optimistic you say? Only if you don't wonder that Batman didn't do the right thing and give this guy and his kid bus tickets to Metropolis where everything would surely be better. We will forgive the gaping plot hole that is the Joker's inevitable escape, the likelihood of his demented mind fixating on vengeance and Mr. Cratchit's desire to continue at his old residence despite the previous Joker break-in. Batman is just that scary and the Joker never really killed Jason Todd and became the Ayatollah or something please see the New52.
Particularly disturbing examples of not understanding the characters but instead merely the movie and media made cliches would be, the scene where Batman meets Commissioner Gordon, the scene with Batman and Catwoman, and the scene with Batman and Superman. All of these play off like any episode of the original Batman cartoon only not as well written and by now tired and redone. Perhaps I've read too many comic books (which is like saying I've read too much science fiction) but these scenes always seem to play out the same way. The scene with Catwoman is devoid of any sexiness and that back and forth you'd come to expect from a sex kitten and her mouse. These scenes usually go, Catwoman flirts with Batman but he tries to make her go straight. Here Batman is just bored of her leaving you to wonder why he bothered to show up at all. Then apparently because Batman hurt her feelings Catwoman turns into a hysterical woman and makes him chase her. This only serves as yet another excuse to illustrate the only reason (other than to make the WB loads of cash) for the existence of Batman. Which must be referenced repeatedly even though Batman's origin like Spider-man's and Superman's origins are a part of the collective knowledge of the western world and the media savvy generation. Serving simply as an excuse by yet another artist to portray the tragic and commonly known reason for Batman's existence.
If I became editor in chief of DC comics tomorrow I would ban any portrayals of said scene. I can still assure you, you would see it come up in every other trade as there are not many Bruce Wayne Batman books that do not at some point or another show the death of his parents. Seriously, please stop people, it is the equivalent of saying ice is cold, and one of the many signs of why Mr. Bermejo is a poor author, at least in so far as this story goes.
Moving on to the artwork. It is at times beautiful, which is why it is so painful to look at when it is not. There are scenes, and facial expressions that just seemingly defy description. The kid when he's working on his Christmas tree, or when he first sees his dad. Truly unrealistic and odd faces. The ridiculously happy expression the child makes when he shows his father the tree. No. Simply not done. Though this might have something to do with the way the kid is drawn in this annoyingly unrealistic though it tries to be cherubic face. Then there is the face Alfred is making like he's having a seizure having just picked up Batman's dirty laundry. Just about every other panel that has Catwoman in it, though that might have something to do with her very unsexy portrayal wearing those ridiculous goggles. But especially in the face Catwoman makes when she's just made it over the building's edge with Batman behind her. I thought this was someone who was in it for the fun, not just to commit crimes. One would think jumping across rooftops was old hat. Also, Commissioner Gordon talking about how he's a prescription ... seriously no, wasn't that Groucho Marx's schtick when he made a joke?
The point is the art like the story borrows heavily from what came before it. Everything looks like it was borrowed from a Batman movie, such as the texture of his costumes or the design of the Batmobile, or the Joker's face, and Catwoman's costume. All of it looks like it was inspired not by the countless stories that came before of Batman and his adventures but rather like someone whose watched the movies and thinks he understands the characters but in reality only achieves in portraying the cardboard versions of who they are and what they represent.
Mr. Bermejo is indeed a talent, a lot of this book is brilliantly illustrated, but the art does not serve to enhance the story or in any way tell anything that the writing doesn't. The writing doesn't need to be there. You can read the story and still understand most of it without the narrator speaking. Granted you can say the same of most comics, but of good comics you can say that the narration adds color, thoughts, and dimension to what the pictures illustrate. Here the pictures show us a story but the narrator dulls us with his painful use of cliche. I wanted to like this book but I did not. I may give Luthor a try as that was written by a more experienced author.
Unlike Dickens writing, and I apologize here but Bermejo did choose to borrow the most famous plot of the man's books so he leaves himself open to comparison, Mr. Bermejo's narrator is rife with cliches, boring, and downright uninteresting as a storyteller. Where Dickens can go pages without dialogue and still amuse us and keep our attentions Mr. Bermejo cannot keep me from dreading his narrator speaking for a single page. Granted Lee Bermejo is an artist first and not a writer this being I believe his first foray into the writer's chair. That said, the characters themselves lack any kind of distinction in their speech, even the Joker's dialogue which is missing his constant humor and jokes could just as easily have been spoken by Batman or Catwoman. The different characters do not have unique and different voices. With the exception of Superman, perhaps, who is only different in his speech because he speaks optimistically in what is essentially another dull and dark dreary trek though a dystopian hell that could never exist in any America that wasn't itself dystopian, Gotham. It is a tired note that keeps replaying in the hands of weak authors giving us the same boring dark take on Batman in his dark city. But the ending is cheery and optimistic you say? Only if you don't wonder that Batman didn't do the right thing and give this guy and his kid bus tickets to Metropolis where everything would surely be better. We will forgive the gaping plot hole that is the Joker's inevitable escape, the likelihood of his demented mind fixating on vengeance and Mr. Cratchit's desire to continue at his old residence despite the previous Joker break-in. Batman is just that scary and the Joker never really killed Jason Todd and became the Ayatollah or something please see the New52.
Particularly disturbing examples of not understanding the characters but instead merely the movie and media made cliches would be, the scene where Batman meets Commissioner Gordon, the scene with Batman and Catwoman, and the scene with Batman and Superman. All of these play off like any episode of the original Batman cartoon only not as well written and by now tired and redone. Perhaps I've read too many comic books (which is like saying I've read too much science fiction) but these scenes always seem to play out the same way. The scene with Catwoman is devoid of any sexiness and that back and forth you'd come to expect from a sex kitten and her mouse. These scenes usually go, Catwoman flirts with Batman but he tries to make her go straight. Here Batman is just bored of her leaving you to wonder why he bothered to show up at all. Then apparently because Batman hurt her feelings Catwoman turns into a hysterical woman and makes him chase her. This only serves as yet another excuse to illustrate the only reason (other than to make the WB loads of cash) for the existence of Batman. Which must be referenced repeatedly even though Batman's origin like Spider-man's and Superman's origins are a part of the collective knowledge of the western world and the media savvy generation. Serving simply as an excuse by yet another artist to portray the tragic and commonly known reason for Batman's existence.
If I became editor in chief of DC comics tomorrow I would ban any portrayals of said scene. I can still assure you, you would see it come up in every other trade as there are not many Bruce Wayne Batman books that do not at some point or another show the death of his parents. Seriously, please stop people, it is the equivalent of saying ice is cold, and one of the many signs of why Mr. Bermejo is a poor author, at least in so far as this story goes.
Moving on to the artwork. It is at times beautiful, which is why it is so painful to look at when it is not. There are scenes, and facial expressions that just seemingly defy description. The kid when he's working on his Christmas tree, or when he first sees his dad. Truly unrealistic and odd faces. The ridiculously happy expression the child makes when he shows his father the tree. No. Simply not done. Though this might have something to do with the way the kid is drawn in this annoyingly unrealistic though it tries to be cherubic face. Then there is the face Alfred is making like he's having a seizure having just picked up Batman's dirty laundry. Just about every other panel that has Catwoman in it, though that might have something to do with her very unsexy portrayal wearing those ridiculous goggles. But especially in the face Catwoman makes when she's just made it over the building's edge with Batman behind her. I thought this was someone who was in it for the fun, not just to commit crimes. One would think jumping across rooftops was old hat. Also, Commissioner Gordon talking about how he's a prescription ... seriously no, wasn't that Groucho Marx's schtick when he made a joke?
The point is the art like the story borrows heavily from what came before it. Everything looks like it was borrowed from a Batman movie, such as the texture of his costumes or the design of the Batmobile, or the Joker's face, and Catwoman's costume. All of it looks like it was inspired not by the countless stories that came before of Batman and his adventures but rather like someone whose watched the movies and thinks he understands the characters but in reality only achieves in portraying the cardboard versions of who they are and what they represent.
Mr. Bermejo is indeed a talent, a lot of this book is brilliantly illustrated, but the art does not serve to enhance the story or in any way tell anything that the writing doesn't. The writing doesn't need to be there. You can read the story and still understand most of it without the narrator speaking. Granted you can say the same of most comics, but of good comics you can say that the narration adds color, thoughts, and dimension to what the pictures illustrate. Here the pictures show us a story but the narrator dulls us with his painful use of cliche. I wanted to like this book but I did not. I may give Luthor a try as that was written by a more experienced author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2022
This shouldn't work. A Christmas story but with Batman? The concept sounds incredibly dumb. BUT somehow it works. It's a quick read with great art, so I would highly recommend this for the Christmas time.
June 18, 2012
I don't normally give graphic novels five stars. Those which are near among the best for me often receive four stars at most. However this was so superiorly superb that I
had
to give it five stars.
The storyline was a clever twist on the typical Batman storyline. It featured an overlying narration of the story of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol , tying the story into the Batman plot. This narration aided what could have otherwise been a simple story of Batman chasing the Joker at Christmas time in Gotham and turned it into something great.
The novel had the perfect tone for a Batman graphic novel. It captured the constant struggle Batman faces to not cross the line and kill or to merely use other innocent people as pawns perfectly. It further addressed the sometimes heartless attitude and stance he takes on crime in a way that was simply brilliant. And the artwork was I'm going to say THE BEST I'VE SEEN FOR A SUPERHERO GRAPHIC NOVEL. It was amazing with the tones and shades and the other nuances of colour. It provided such a gothic feel to this graphic work which enhanced it beyond other great graphic novel works.
Others may disagree but I found this 'retelling' of The Christmas Carol story intelligent and thoughtful. The artwork complimented the Dickensian tone and also provided the gothic Batman feel to let me know that it really was a rejuvenated Batman novel and not just a gimmicky artwork book. All I can say is that I enjoyed it a lot.
The storyline was a clever twist on the typical Batman storyline. It featured an overlying narration of the story of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol , tying the story into the Batman plot. This narration aided what could have otherwise been a simple story of Batman chasing the Joker at Christmas time in Gotham and turned it into something great.
The novel had the perfect tone for a Batman graphic novel. It captured the constant struggle Batman faces to not cross the line and kill or to merely use other innocent people as pawns perfectly. It further addressed the sometimes heartless attitude and stance he takes on crime in a way that was simply brilliant. And the artwork was I'm going to say THE BEST I'VE SEEN FOR A SUPERHERO GRAPHIC NOVEL. It was amazing with the tones and shades and the other nuances of colour. It provided such a gothic feel to this graphic work which enhanced it beyond other great graphic novel works.
Others may disagree but I found this 'retelling' of The Christmas Carol story intelligent and thoughtful. The artwork complimented the Dickensian tone and also provided the gothic Batman feel to let me know that it really was a rejuvenated Batman novel and not just a gimmicky artwork book. All I can say is that I enjoyed it a lot.
January 19, 2019
Bu çizgiromanımız Charles Dickens'ın A Christmas Carol adlı ölümsüz eserinin Batman evrenine uyarlanmasıyla meydana gelmiş.
Eseri normal okurken sıradan bir Batman hikayesi okuyor gibi olabilirsiniz ancak arada yapılan yorumlarla Batman hikayesi Dickens'ın hikayesine yedirilmiş. Oldukça masalsı, hoş bir anlatım tarzı olmuş. Ben Dickens'ın kitabını okumadığım için aralardaki benzerlikleri tam bilmiyorum ama birtakım tahminlerim yok desem yalan olur.
Hasta çocuğuna bakabilmek için Joker'in kuryeliğini yapan zavallı Bob'u yem olarak kullanıp Joker'in peşine düşen Batman'i ve onun yaşlılığının getirdiği ruhsal değişiklikleri konu alıyor. Bu macerada Batman'e geçmişin ruhu olarak Catwoman, günümüzün ruhu olarak Superman ve geleceğin ruhu olarak Joker eşlik ediyor.
Ayrıca aralarda bazı anlamlı sözler var ki onları beğenmemek elde değil. Twiter'a filan yazılabilecek türdeler ama ben buraya yazmam, okuyup görün :)
Çizimleri de kurgusu da mükemmel olduğu için benden tam puan almayı başardı. JBC'nin Türkçeleştirme konusunda bir harika olduğunu ve Türkiye'nin açık ara en iyi çizgiromancı yayınevi olduğunu söylemeden edemeyeceğim.
Eseri normal okurken sıradan bir Batman hikayesi okuyor gibi olabilirsiniz ancak arada yapılan yorumlarla Batman hikayesi Dickens'ın hikayesine yedirilmiş. Oldukça masalsı, hoş bir anlatım tarzı olmuş. Ben Dickens'ın kitabını okumadığım için aralardaki benzerlikleri tam bilmiyorum ama birtakım tahminlerim yok desem yalan olur.
Hasta çocuğuna bakabilmek için Joker'in kuryeliğini yapan zavallı Bob'u yem olarak kullanıp Joker'in peşine düşen Batman'i ve onun yaşlılığının getirdiği ruhsal değişiklikleri konu alıyor. Bu macerada Batman'e geçmişin ruhu olarak Catwoman, günümüzün ruhu olarak Superman ve geleceğin ruhu olarak Joker eşlik ediyor.
Ayrıca aralarda bazı anlamlı sözler var ki onları beğenmemek elde değil. Twiter'a filan yazılabilecek türdeler ama ben buraya yazmam, okuyup görün :)
Çizimleri de kurgusu da mükemmel olduğu için benden tam puan almayı başardı. JBC'nin Türkçeleştirme konusunda bir harika olduğunu ve Türkiye'nin açık ara en iyi çizgiromancı yayınevi olduğunu söylemeden edemeyeceğim.
October 27, 2021
So I’m onto another elseworlds story and I was hoping to save this for Christmas but Halloween will do!
This story is basically an adaption of a Christmas Carol but set in the world of Batman and instead of Scrooge becoming a better person here it’s Batman finding himself again.
The story is narrated by Bob who is someone working for the Joker (it confused me a bit at the start not knowing who it was) which I thought wasn’t necessarily the best way to tell most of the story which in itself is good as it’s an adaptation of sorts. The real standout is the art. Wow. Just wow. This book is beautiful, every page is a joy to look at.
Overall I’m glad I read this, it was a nice enjoyable book and it’s worth reading this just to see the artwork alone!
This story is basically an adaption of a Christmas Carol but set in the world of Batman and instead of Scrooge becoming a better person here it’s Batman finding himself again.
The story is narrated by Bob who is someone working for the Joker (it confused me a bit at the start not knowing who it was) which I thought wasn’t necessarily the best way to tell most of the story which in itself is good as it’s an adaptation of sorts. The real standout is the art. Wow. Just wow. This book is beautiful, every page is a joy to look at.
Overall I’m glad I read this, it was a nice enjoyable book and it’s worth reading this just to see the artwork alone!
December 30, 2022
This was absolutely beautiful to look at. I have never read anything with this illustrator but now I am extremely interested.
I am at the end of the book year and I thought I would do something a little out of my comfort zone. I am very happy with my decision. For the first 30 pages the font was white and I have a difficult time reading in white. I know it’s not their fault but it really made the beginning of this graphic novel a bit hard to get through.
However, the story was 10/10.
I am at the end of the book year and I thought I would do something a little out of my comfort zone. I am very happy with my decision. For the first 30 pages the font was white and I have a difficult time reading in white. I know it’s not their fault but it really made the beginning of this graphic novel a bit hard to get through.
However, the story was 10/10.
December 21, 2020
Truth is, the last page (with the dad telling the story to the kid and the story within the story) saved the whole comic. But, if a comic of 100 pages needs the last page to look good, it's not a good comic to start with. Plus, I didn't buy the parallel between scrooge and batman not for one bit. I think it's a remake upon thousands of remakes of stories about Batman and his troubled past (dead robbin and his parents, again? Really?) but with a christmas-y tone to sell some extra copies for the holidays. No actual solid plot. I'll pass.
Plus, even though I enjoy Bermejo's art in general (not a big fan but enough) I found him a bit too stylized and static. Some pages would make great wall posters tho.
Plus, even though I enjoy Bermejo's art in general (not a big fan but enough) I found him a bit too stylized and static. Some pages would make great wall posters tho.
May 13, 2024
Uff..
I remember reading it the first time and how amazed I was. After years, I can’t believe how much I wanted it to end. It just.. did not bring out any emotion in me. Same with Bermejo artwork style. It is beautiful, but I’d adore it much more as a big poster (the same problem as I have with Alex Ross).
I remember reading it the first time and how amazed I was. After years, I can’t believe how much I wanted it to end. It just.. did not bring out any emotion in me. Same with Bermejo artwork style. It is beautiful, but I’d adore it much more as a big poster (the same problem as I have with Alex Ross).
December 30, 2018
El dibujo de Lee Bermejo es un 5, la historia(también de Bermejo) es una re lectura de Canción de Navidad de Dickens y está muy bien, algo optimista para terminar el 2018.
December 28, 2015
Drawings 5+ stars with one notion that sometimes they were overwhelming.
Story 5 stars Story was good, combined with Dickens's old book.
Overall 5 stars.
It was a little strange to read this story so close around Christmas, and I think that because of that it was a completely different feeling while I was reading it...
Story 5 stars Story was good, combined with Dickens's old book.
Overall 5 stars.
It was a little strange to read this story so close around Christmas, and I think that because of that it was a completely different feeling while I was reading it...
December 30, 2018
Не шедевр, але ж має у собі дух різдва (на відміну від, наприклад, спешлів про Геллбоя) та чудово втілює у собі три складові:
- вступне знайомство із характером Бетса
- приємний арт
- гарний переспів Діккенса
- вступне знайомство із характером Бетса
- приємний арт
- гарний переспів Діккенса
January 3, 2017
Çizimler harikaydı
Batman Noel Yazımı okumak için tıklayın
Batman Noel Yazımı okumak için tıklayın
December 24, 2015
A brilliant reimagining of "A Christmas Carol" with some fantastic artwork. A great read for the festive season!
January 4, 2021
I should’ve been a bit quicker to have read this closer to Christmas, but as my first completed book of 2021 I’ll take it. This was a basic retelling of Charles Dickens’ story of “The Christmas Carol” which was adequately told with beauty art by Lee Bermejo. Bermejo was able to portray quite a bit of emotion in his artwork. I won’t say this was the best version of Dickens’ classic that I’ve ever read, but for me it’s Batman & amazing art which is all I care about.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 664 reviews