Comments on: Batman Deja Vu

Batman Deja Vu

sardonyx — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 08:23:07 -0800

Comic artist Sal Amendola describes the complicated editorial process behind creating one of the most respected Batman stories ever.

By: TDavis

TDavis — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 10:32:46 -0800

It sure looks great . Is there any way to see the entire story online?

By: knuckle tattoos

knuckle tattoos — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 10:39:22 -0800

Very cool! I've read the Darwyn Cooke version the article mentions, but I've never seen the original until now. I'm not sure I appreciate the decision to black out Batman's eyes - definitely preferable to "Little Orphan Annie eyes," but I'm so used to seeing Bruce Timm's Batman with big white lenses that Batman looks perpetually squinty-eyed to me on these pages, like he has a headache. But in the abstract, it's a great idea, aiming for the same kind of effect as giving Batman's cowl prominent brow-things so his eyes are in shadow, but without the consequence of restricting Batman's posture and lighting to a gloomy sameness in order to maintain that effect. I bet if I read the story from start to finish, I'd end up appreciating it. Bruce Wayne crying is a great panel. I'm used to seeing him drawn as handsome and put-together, with a jutting jaw, and he's just the opposite here. He really looks like someone who's starting to break down crying, especially in the tensed-up brows and lips that are starting to contort into what people call the ugly cry. I can't think of the last time I saw Bruce Wayne so straightforwardly portrayed as being sensitive, instead of as sublimating all his grief into being a stony ragemonster.

By: Mr.Encyclopedia

Mr.Encyclopedia — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 10:40:52 -0800

Yeah, it's unfortunate that the article references specific pages and panels but doesn't show them. It's hard to get a sense for this powerful, awarding-winning story when it doesn't even explain the plot in a paragraphs. Without that background it wasn't until the end where I realized this story with a fight in the water and cliffs and Bruce Wayne crying and superhero balls was supposed to be something more than described.

By: sardonyx

sardonyx — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:00:56 -0800

While I didn't get this issue when it came out, that's essentially the Batman/Bruce Wayne I remember from my late-70s, 1980s comic-reading days: One that could experience all the emotions (sorrow, joy, amusement, anger, ennui, etc.) and not just grim dark rage. It's a character I miss. I also miss dense, wordy comics. I try to read some of the decompressed current stuff, but I'm usually left feeling empty and hungry. I guess the analogy would be eating meringue for a meal. Sure it's sweet and light and tasty but it lacks substance and nutrients.

By: Ferreous

Ferreous — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:16:29 -0800

The article feels confusing without a physical copy of the comic in front of you.

By: maxsparber

maxsparber — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:41:50 -0800

Here's a scan of a substantial amount of the story.

By: sardonyx

sardonyx — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 12:43:37 -0800

Absolutely the article needs to be better edited. It was one reason I hesitated posting the link, but I figured the interesting parts of it outweighed the confusing bits.