Batman 80 Page Giant # 1 Review

The BATMAN 80-PAGE GIANT features can’t-miss action from some of today’s premiere up-  and-coming talent working on your favorite characters! It’s the biggest blizzard of the year, and  everyone in Gotham City is doing what they can to help. Find out what Batman, Robin, Alfred,  Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Veil, Poison Ivy and more get up to when snow brings Gotham City to a  standstill!

Written by Steve Niles, Ivory Madison, David Tischman, Simon Spurrier and others; Art by Chris Samnee, Clayton Henry, Marcus To, Saleem Crawford and others; Cover by Andy Kubert.

The Batman 80 Page Giant features 8 to 10 pages of 8 different stories, by 8 different creative teams. Since Winter is apond us each story are base in current modern or today times. The stories I’ll Review are the one’s I believe are good in the issue. There’s only one story of Batman and Robin, and the rest are other characters from Batman’s world.

Minor Spoilers

The 1st story is called ”Fire and Ice” and is written by Kevin Grevioux and penciled by Gary. The main characters are Batman and Robin as they takled the winter storm in Gotham, by stopping looters who are taking advantages in the blistering blizzard; which is Gotham City’s worst in 40 years. Its mainly about a despret father who’s unemployed, and takes fully advantage of the blizzard by steeling as much as he can from a electronic store hoping to cash in on the stolen goods. His son who’s a very good kid finds what his father is doing is very wrong, andit takes a big life lesson learn for the father with what he has done.   I find the story to be a very solid Batman story were the Dynamic Duo struggles to stop many looters and save Gotham’s citizens in the cold blizzard. Gary’s art is pretty good he kinda gives me a Frank Quitlystlye with each character’s face. Overall a good story.

The next story is called “Pure as the Driven Snow.” Its written by David Tischman, and illustrated by Alex  Konat. The main Character in this story is Alfred Pennyworths. Who happens to hang out with a prostitute who goes by Rose. I found the story to be appealing since Alfred’s hanging out with a prostitute.  The story focus Alfred helping Rose get back on her feet and leave this trouble life. Story shows just how tough Alfred has become since he’s believes the son he never had is dead. Its another good story in the 80 page issue and Its my 2nd favorite story in the issue. I loved Damien’s reaction when Alfred mentions he was hanging out with a prostitute, its priceless and it makes me like the character a little more. The art is very well done more better then Gary’s art in “Fire and Ice.”

My favorite out of the entire issue. The story is called “Saint in Orphan Alley.” Its written by Mark Raicht, and art is done by Clayton Henry.  The story is about three of Gotham’s young citizens name Colins, Rocker, and Grandy. Collins believes Batman and are really Batmen since he heard their were three Batmen are protecting Gotham City. Collin’s believes he and his friends can protect Orphan Alley aka Crime Alley since Batman or Batmen in their perspective rarely comes around their neighborhood. The story is very good and very tragic, as they become vigilantes and protect Orphan Alley. Writer Mark Raicht did a very well done job with his story, and the art is solid as well.

The next story is called ” Deil in Reveiled.” Written by Peter Calloway and illustrated by Red Robin Artist Marcus To. The main character is the mysterious woman who is last seen in one of the Battle for the Cowl one shots, and in Batman Last Rites. Readers will learn more about the character. Such as who her name is, and the kind ability she possess. The story is good and Marcus To’s art is very beautiful like he’s done in the Red Robin title.

The Final Story I’ll Review is a Catwoman story titled ” No Two Alike..” Written by Ivory Madison and penciled by Kat Rocha, and Josh Finney. If you loved beautifulart then you’ll find it here in this story. Catwoman runs into a old couple who are attack anda old woman named Fiona, her husband Wilson calls her Snowflake who blames himself for her death which is why Selina is intrigued to know why he blames himself for her death. The two character’s discussed how they had unfinished business with the person they loved. Selina runs into an old foe who calls herself  the Snow Queen. It appears Snow Queen and The old couple has some history of their own, and Selina is determined to end it for good. The story’s ok, but the art is gorguse.

The last three stories are about Poison Ivy and her survival in nasty blizzard snow storm. The other is a Commissioner Gordon, and Mr. Freeze story. both stories are ok, but I didn’t have much interest in them. Thats just my opinion, I’m sure other readers out their will like these stories. The final story is a Batman story called “Batman in snow Patrol.” Its written by Steve Niles, and illustrated by Stephanie Buscema. Its a one page story which I found very pointless.

Only complains I have about the 80 page issue, is the price tag. I believe DC Comics raise the price too high for some comic book fans to hesited to buy issue. Overall the issue is very good, and is pack with stand alone stories. If fans are looking for some stand alone stories of Batman and his world this story is recommended for buyers to pick up.