Something about this just didn’t work for me. Actually not much worked at all. I’m not great at reviewing something I didn’t enjoy so this may sound a little contrived but Under The Hood really left me dissapointed.
If I compare it to my other Batman Novels, that is Year One, Long Halloween, Dark Knight Returns and Killing Joke, it simply doesn’t hold a candle. Whereas those four little gems had me flipping through the pages in eager anticipation to find out the conclusion of each individual tale, Under The Hood felt like a chore.
It doesn’t help that the artwork is pretty much is amongst the most generic and uninspired I’ve seen in a Graphic Novel. Not that the artwork it and of itself is bad per se but it’s really just the same style as any number of bottem shelf monthly comics from your local newsagent. Compared to something like Road to Perdition or 300 or Sin City the artwork isn’t nearly original enough to garner comment neither is it as beautiful as that found in The Killing Joke or The Long Halloween. Its just kind of…dull.
On another down note the story ain’t up to much. I guessed who the Red Hood was before I even ordered the book and I was right. That said even if I wasn’t the reader finds out several chapters before Batman removing any sense of surprise or climax.
This is a case of me not really knowing what all the fuss is about. This is pretty standard comic book filler. One reviewer refered to it as the start of a new era. If so it’s not one I really want to explore further. Maybe V.2 is a the puppies glands but I’m not going to bother to check it out.
Rating: 2 / 5
The introduction of a new criminal ! Basically, Batman comes up against a new villan, who has modelled himself on the Jokers red hood. This guy however, goes after both the villans of Gotham, and crosses path with Batman when he starts killing them. The identity of the Red Hood, is a huge shock to Batman, and raises further questions. This is a new chapter in the the Batman saga, and a brilliant story has been laid in motion. DC comics have done well recently, with the introduction of Hush as well as this new criminal, spicing up the stories even more. The story and graphics are solid, and this book is a must buy, not just beacause of the great story, but because it hails a new era in Gotham!
Rating: 5 / 5
riteo peeps batman under the hood v.1 + v.2 should not be missed by any batman fan. it has a great storyline and is easily one of my favourite comics. dont let the cover fool you though! in no way does this have anything to do with the joker red hood! its a completely different person. the original red hood died in batmans early years and the joker was born, ( might wanna read the killing joke) also give death in the family a read if your new to the batman comics. but seriously this is a great comic for any collection.
Rating: 5 / 5
although this title isnt up with the best of the batman books, it is nowhere near the bottom. the art is a bit plain, but it is from the series put together and not a from the start intended graphic novel.
I liked the fact it gives a mystery for batman to solve. who is the red hood? and it keeps us guessing.
I suggest reading death in the family and hush first, otherwise things might get a bit confusing.
Rating: 4 / 5
This is the first volume of a two part series that deals with the arrival of new character in the world of Batman. This is the Red Hood – someone who seems to be hell-bent on taking over Gotham from the other criminals (namely, the current crime boss; The Black Mask). But after a few skirmishes with the other criminals, it becomes clear that the Red Hood is more interested in forcing a confrontation with Batman, which comes towards the end of this volume.
A lot of the other reviewers have given the plot away with the identity of the Red Hood, and that is a bit of a shame, because it is nice to come to it yourself.
I personally think this is a good, solid Batman story. It is not up with the absolute best titles of Batman stories; Devil’s Advocate, Killing Joke or Face the Face, but it is a good read and worthy of your collection.
The artwork is good, without being spectacular, but the story and the characters are meant to be the main focus here, and not how dazzling the graphic novel looks.
The story goes on at a fair pace too, and i didn’t feel like i was having to struggle to get through it, which is usually a good sign when reading a Batman story.
All in all, i would recommend this to most Batman fans, and would say that it is worth reading volume two as well. Both are reasonably priced and pretty readily available.
Rating: 4 / 5
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Something about this just didn’t work for me. Actually not much worked at all. I’m not great at reviewing something I didn’t enjoy so this may sound a little contrived but Under The Hood really left me dissapointed.
If I compare it to my other Batman Novels, that is Year One, Long Halloween, Dark Knight Returns and Killing Joke, it simply doesn’t hold a candle. Whereas those four little gems had me flipping through the pages in eager anticipation to find out the conclusion of each individual tale, Under The Hood felt like a chore.
It doesn’t help that the artwork is pretty much is amongst the most generic and uninspired I’ve seen in a Graphic Novel. Not that the artwork it and of itself is bad per se but it’s really just the same style as any number of bottem shelf monthly comics from your local newsagent. Compared to something like Road to Perdition or 300 or Sin City the artwork isn’t nearly original enough to garner comment neither is it as beautiful as that found in The Killing Joke or The Long Halloween. Its just kind of…dull.
On another down note the story ain’t up to much. I guessed who the Red Hood was before I even ordered the book and I was right. That said even if I wasn’t the reader finds out several chapters before Batman removing any sense of surprise or climax.
This is a case of me not really knowing what all the fuss is about. This is pretty standard comic book filler. One reviewer refered to it as the start of a new era. If so it’s not one I really want to explore further. Maybe V.2 is a the puppies glands but I’m not going to bother to check it out.
Rating: 2 / 5
The introduction of a new criminal !
Basically, Batman comes up against a new villan, who has modelled himself on the Jokers red hood. This guy however, goes after both the villans of Gotham, and crosses path with Batman when he starts killing them. The identity of the Red Hood, is a huge shock to Batman, and raises further questions.
This is a new chapter in the the Batman saga, and a brilliant story has been laid in motion. DC comics have done well recently, with the introduction of Hush as well as this new criminal, spicing up the stories even more.
The story and graphics are solid, and this book is a must buy, not just beacause of the great story, but because it hails a new era in Gotham!
Rating: 5 / 5
riteo peeps batman under the hood v.1 + v.2 should not be missed by any batman fan. it has a great storyline and is easily one of my favourite comics. dont let the cover fool you though! in no way does this have anything to do with the joker red hood! its a completely different person. the original red hood died in batmans early years and the joker was born, ( might wanna read the killing joke) also give death in the family a read if your new to the batman comics. but seriously this is a great comic for any collection.
Rating: 5 / 5
although this title isnt up with the best of the batman books, it is nowhere near the bottom. the art is a bit plain, but it is from the series put together and not a from the start intended graphic novel.
I liked the fact it gives a mystery for batman to solve. who is the red hood? and it keeps us guessing.
I suggest reading death in the family and hush first, otherwise things might get a bit confusing.
Rating: 4 / 5
This is the first volume of a two part series that deals with the arrival of new character in the world of Batman. This is the Red Hood – someone who seems to be hell-bent on taking over Gotham from the other criminals (namely, the current crime boss; The Black Mask). But after a few skirmishes with the other criminals, it becomes clear that the Red Hood is more interested in forcing a confrontation with Batman, which comes towards the end of this volume.
A lot of the other reviewers have given the plot away with the identity of the Red Hood, and that is a bit of a shame, because it is nice to come to it yourself.
I personally think this is a good, solid Batman story. It is not up with the absolute best titles of Batman stories; Devil’s Advocate, Killing Joke or Face the Face, but it is a good read and worthy of your collection.
The artwork is good, without being spectacular, but the story and the characters are meant to be the main focus here, and not how dazzling the graphic novel looks.
The story goes on at a fair pace too, and i didn’t feel like i was having to struggle to get through it, which is usually a good sign when reading a Batman story.
All in all, i would recommend this to most Batman fans, and would say that it is worth reading volume two as well. Both are reasonably priced and pretty readily available.
Rating: 4 / 5