| Title | : | Batman: Bloodstorm |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1563891859 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781563891854 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 96 |
| Publication | : | First published November 28, 1994 |
Batman: Bloodstorm Reviews
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Honestly, like most of the output from Doug Moench and Kelley Jones, this just isn't very good. After the events of Red Rain, Batman is struggling with his vampirism and his lust for blood while hunting down the remaining vampires in Gotham. The Joker takes over leading the vampires and instructs them to turn mobsters and strippers. Selina Kyle gets bitten by a vampire in wolf form and turns into a literal Catwoman. Moench just makes up whatever mythology he needs to to tie this in with Batman related characters even if it doesn't make any sense. It's all kind of dumb. Kelley Jones's caricature art style is terrible.
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This is the sequel to Red Rain. I liked this one more than Red Rain, I thought the story was better and the artwork was solid the artist did a specifically good job on Batman. The story is a vampiric batman is hunting down the remnants of dracula's brood that were left from the end of the first graphic novel. He fights a coven of vampires being led by the Joker (who is non-vampire) and is taking over Gotham's underworld with the help of the undead. Batman with the help of Selina Kyle, who is a werecreature, fights against this horde of vampires.
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Haunting art and story. A significantly superior sequel for "Batman: Red Rain".
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Maybe I'm getting older and grumpier, maybe some comics do not age well and definitely the shock factor is not a fraction of what it once was. Doug Moench has done some brilliant work, like in Batman: Knightfall. This is not the case here. Kelley Jones is brilliant when it comes to horror atmosphere and all-around weird depictions, which he also achieves here, although his movement and physics leave a lot to be desired.
This must have been a shocking book back in 1994: Batman as a killer (of vampires, but still), staking and beheading people left and right, he himself a vampire and then the implied sex with a were-feline Selina Kyle. I bet quite a few feathers were ruffled.
Today, however, though it retains its atmosphere, it reads as merely OK and then you have the whole "pure love of a good woman" thing (over the course of two nights) that reads as cliched as they get, clumsily so. Then there is the total disregard for any kind of cohesion of the lore, patently treated as "eh, it's superhero comics, we'll wing it".
In very very short, I like the art, but the script is very, very dated. -
SPOILERS FOR ANYONE WHO HAVE NOT READ BATMAN: RED RAIN!
Pretty good! So this book comes straight after Batman Red Rain in which batman has now become a vampire, and is scowling the streets trying to finish off the rest of the vampire colony Dracula left behind! The story was overall funny and entertaining, the artwork is a sit on the fence for me, i like how the artist draws characters like batman but i don't like how the artist draws Alfred for example (his head looked weirdly out of proportion in size.). This book also features The Joker and Catwoman(I really enjoyed this catwoman, really went hand in hand with batman!) Overall the sequel didn't disappoint, i can't wait to read the next one in this trilogy! -
A decent continuation of the story from the first one. I feel the Selina Kyle angle should have been developed or fleshed out a bit more. It's a poignant story, especially the ending where he has himself killed.
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Ei tämä sen parempi ollut kuin edellinenkään Batman vampyyri hölmöily.
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Really enjoyed it until they tripled down on the misogyny. At least the melodrama of it was funny.
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BATMAN: BLOODSTORM picks up where BATMAN & DRACULA: RED RAIN left off. The story's execution stumbles in one way, but the ideas and themes explored here are compelling.
Batman begins the story as a vampire. He's fine with this because he believes not all vampires are evil. This is proven true later in the story, when some of the vampire's usual weaknesses fail to affect him, which he attributes to having never spilled blood. His bloodlust is the crux of the story. With every passing night, Batman's thirst grows stronger. He justifies killing other vampires because, hey, they're already dead. He's just making them dead-er.
That does nothing to slake his growing thirst for blood, but the love of a good woman does. Batman/Bruce Wayne and Catwoman/Selina Kyle are strangers in this universe. They meet after Catwoman is bitten by a vampire and comes down with a similar affliction after being bitten by a vampire. Doug Moench pairing Bat and Cat together in this trilogy works if you're a fan who believes they're soulmates. I love Bruce and Selina together, so this angle worked for me.
Kelly Jones's characters remain exaggerated, but not to the extent they were in RED RAIN. The bigger problem is Batman's dependence on Catwoman happens too fast and seems a lucky coincidence. Batman hears from a pseudo-expert on supernatural creatures that true love can hold the thirst at bay, and then he meets Catwoman, and they're in a similar boat, and they're in love after a week or two. Also, Catwoman's condition seems arbitrary. She's turned into a creature other than a vampire, by a vampire who bit her and who's bitten countless others. Those others become vampires, but Catwoman becomes something different. Why? For a change of pace, I guess? There's a possible reason why this happens, but without going into detail, I'll only say that other vampires can shapeshift, and that doesn't result in their victims becoming anything other than a vampire or dead.
None of that ruined my enjoyment of BLOODSTORM. For one thing, this is a graphic novel. Character arcs often happen at an accelerated pace. Plus, Batman and Catwoman are in unique circumstances. People's emotions are heightened when they're in life-or-death situations (or death-or-super-duper-death situations, as is the case here) because deep down, they realize one or both of them may not live until tomorrow, so better to act on your feelings now while you still can. Moreover, Batman is desperate for a solution. He's an addict who found a sponsor and latched on to them because they're good for him, whatever the reason or however forced that reason feels.
The real reason Bat's and Cat's whirlwind love works is because of how Moench uses it. There are aspects of Batman's character that must hold true whether the story being told is canonical, or an Elseworlds graphic novel, or a movie. If those aspects are not present or go unacknowledged, the story has failed. (See: Batman V. Superman.) What Moench did is take Batman's one rule and stretch it to his breaking point. He acknowledges that Batman doesn't kill, and drives him to a point where he's tempted because he may have to kill to survive.
BLOODSTORM is the second installment in a trilogy. That means the ending sees our hero in his darkest hour. He breaks his rule, but Moench makes it work because of how valiantly Batman fights to uphold it. In other words: Batman can kill, but he'd better have a darn good reason for breaking this commandment. In BLOODSTORM, he does, and the third and final installment in the trilogy is shaping up to be a bloodbath. -
Secondo capirlo della trilogia vampirica di Batman. Con la morte di Dracula nel pretendete capitolo, a prendere in mano le redini dei vampiri sopravvissuti non poteva che essere il Joker, più folle e cattivo che mai. Come nel primo capitolo, i tetri disegni si Jones si fondono con la struggente storia di Moench. Ad alleviare il supplizio interiore di Batman, mutato in vampiro, compare un altro personaggio chiave del mondo gothamita, ovvero Selina/Catwoman, in veste di sensuale donna gatto. Un secondo capitolo da paura che prosegue la discesa all'inferno di Batman.
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Wow this one was even better then the first one. Batman has to deal with the aftermath of the battle he had with Dracula and what it means for his humanity. Batman realizes he can't fight the thirst on his own and gets help from none other then Cat-Woman, apparently in this universe "the selfless love of a woman" can quench the thirst for blood.... It was an awesome change of pace from a regular Batman story. Joker is the main villain and he is using vampires to fight the bat! 9/10
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It starts very promising, with an occult and bizzare feeling like you could expect from a good black/death metal album, but then some goofy dialogue pops off, and the story feels rushed. The first half is easily three stars, the second more on two and an half. The art by Kelley Jones makes this series more than the writing itself.
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After the point which Batman and his [woman friend, spoilers] attack together, everything falls apart. It’s a jumbled mess of— I assume?— flashbacks, present events, and who knows what else. I genuinely could not understand it after that point. I feel like I really missed out.
Two stars because the art of the Joker looks great! Batman’s gibbon-arms are always weird, though. -
What a very interesting way to put catwoman into this series. I really enjoyed the story. It got stuck in a little bit of a loop there in the middle with the story telling, but the pay off was worth it. Also some excellently drawn scenes in this one.
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First read 14-Jan-2017 as part of
Batman: Vampire. -
batman's a vampire. Its weird but entertaining.
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Two stars is being generous. I didn't think the depictions of women could get worse, but they did. Sigh
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A step-up from the first installment.
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A stunning read. I didnt see the ending coming, well drawn and inked. Cant wait for part 3
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I don't like that batman sleeps in his costume, it seems unsanitary.
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I REALLY liked this one. Blending the Batman mythos with the lore and myth of vampires and werewolves worked very well. The inclusion of Catwoman I thought to be a stroke of genius.
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To death... in peace.
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What happens when the Dark Knight takes on the Lord of the Undead? Read on as Batman and Dracula duel it out in Gotham.
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A dark continuation to the Batman/Dracula saga. This time throwing the Joker and Catwoman into the mix. With a deep dive into psychology as well as traditional superhero stuff.
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BATMAN: BLOODSTORM (4/5)
To better undertand this story it is essential that you read "Batman & Dracula: Red Rain" first. Just pay a visit to
my review of that tale to get an idea on it; it is also advisable to avoid reading this review unless you have read the afore-mentioned novel already.
There is the general belief that a sequel can't rival the prequel's excellence (let alone surpass it). This applies to everything from books to movies. I guess that's true since I can't think of any exceptions to the rule; I truly believe though that despite their being "cursed" with inferiority, sequels are meaningful and should try to be decent works. And I suppose this is as close as they get.
"Bloodstorm" is the second part of a trilogy of Elseworlds stories focused on Batman. Written and drawn by the same team of creators its prequel was, it came out 3 years after "Red Rain". With the last chapter closing with Dracula's ultimate fate and Batman's death and subsequent transformation to vampire, this tale is about Batman's days as an undead crimefighter.
We watch him savoring his new, infinite powers once again in the same first person narration we experienced before. However, same with all things, his immortality comes at a terrible price. A vampire needs blood to survive; that's how it's been for centuries and it's not gonna change for the Dark Knight. Batman is known for his unshakable determination and unbent will, but for how long can he go against his own nature? And what effect does it have on his mental health? Especially when things are about to get worse.
As we all remember, towards the end of Red Rain, right before confronting Dracula, Batman trapped all the other vampires (Dracula's minions) under Wayne Manor inside the Batcave. He then detonated his own house, getting rid of all of the undead, save the big one.
Well, actually, almost all. A few vampires survived both the massacre of Wayne Manor and Dracula's fall. In the aftermath of their maker's defeat, they stalk the streets of Gotham like animals, killing for their survival. They have degenerated to a leaderless lot with no coherence and no purpose. They are, quite frankly, pathetic. Despite their dreadful situation though, they still have potential. All they need is a powerful leader with a plan. One who looks forward, past their current needs, one who will restore them to their former glory. And they find exactly that at the smiling face of the Joker.
Doug Moench writes an amazing story, focused on a man who gave up everything for his city and his people. And even after that, he never stopped his crusade for justice. His humanity however slowly slips away as the beast wakes up in him. Batman is almost driven mad by his need for blood, desperately resisting it since he knows that if he goes down that road, there is no turning back. Yeah, I know that's a cliche, but it's also very true. The Dark Knight acts like a junkie in some parts of the story, an exciting take on this character you will not see often. The irony is that he is forced to become addicted to something he has never experienced.
Apart from the hero, Moench handles the villain extraordinarily well too. Masterfully scripted, the way the Joker is presented in this story rivals that of Grant Morrison's "Batman R.I.P.", with the proper dose of insanity mixed with some absolutely hilarious jokes that will make you laugh your heart out. All the while without ruining the grim tone of this dark tale of tragedy for even a second. There's black humor here; and those of you who like it will absolutely adore "Bloodstorm".
And lastly, the art. Words are not enough when it comes to Kelley Jones' drawings. Gothic to the very extreme, with breath-takingly stunning visuals, it is my belief that no other artist in the trade could draw this story better. Moench and Jones are a dream team; and the concept of a vampiric Batman suits them perfectly. -
Batman is a fricken vampire, didn't see that coming.
An enjoyable short read in the bath. -
I have to say it was quite a roller coaster going through "Batman: Bloodstorm." Let me first start off by saying that's its more gory and violent than the first in the installation by a long shot - but not always deep (which I think left me disappointed because there were several points in this where it made me miss the depth and maturity of the first). There are parts of it that I found quite cheesy, but for the moments that were good - they were brilliant.
What was good - the exploration of Batman's struggle to not become the demon in the night that he continuously fights against. This comic explores that in the progressive conflict, and it's actually quite good in many spots because you can see how Batman is completely and utterly torn in his morality. He has his systematic rules, but ultimately finds them taken away one by one, and ultimately that causes him to lose the very thing he's trying desperately to hold onto. What makes it even more potent is seeing how it affects those that really know him - I appreciated Gordon's and Alfred's perspectives revealed through the ongoing conflict in this work. You can tell it not only affects them in seeing Batman's transformation, but certainly when it ultimately comes down to when Batman succumbs to his darker senses.
There is romance, but I felt that element of it didn't have any significant amount of depth. One could argue that might have been an issue in the first installation, but somehow it worked better in "Red Rain" than it did here in "Bloodstorm". Selina's character just didn't click with me, and it might've been because her story wasn't as fleshed out or brought with a sense of heavy tonality as much as in the former where there was a war raging. She was just kind of the person who kept Batman's "humanity" in check - at least until the breaking point. It's kind of a shame because I think Selina's character did have some potential, but I didn't like the handling of it. Ah well.
All in all, however, "Bloodstorm" was worth the read, even for a paranormal installation in the Batman franchise. I'll admit it did surprise and shake me as I read it, but I do think it could've been brilliant if treated differently in spurts.
Overall score: 3/5 -
To be fair, I received this as a gift and did not read the precursor. I hope to read it one day and have a better opinion of both by doing so. Sorry for any misconceptions.
By itself, Bloodstorm is alright in comparison to other Batman series. I appreciate that this is all a what if scenario, but it all feels too constrained. By constrained, I mean one dimensional.
The overall plot is a giant metaphor of Batman fighting to not become the bad guy. He must not drink blood or else become Gotham's biggest threat. While he's doing his thing, his crime fighting thing to be exact, he must do it without being damned in the process.
Besides being one track, like Batman's thinking in this issue, my biggest problem is Alfred. Don't get me wrong, he is still the same loyal and helpful butler as always, but he is badly drawn. Literally, his head feels wrong for any incarnation of Alfred.
I like what they did with Catwoman. She becomes his last hope for staying as human as possible. Wish they had made her who she really is before the timeline of the issue.
While the separation from the mainstream explains a little, where was everyone else? Even if the Justice League are not a thing, they could of at least added Dick Grayson. Him having to keep watch over Bruce while all this went on would have made it so much better in my opinion.
All in all, this could have been better, but at least it wasn't worse. Hopefully finding and reading the beginning of the series will improve things in my mind about it. It was free so that makes it good no matter what.
