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GOTHAM CITY: a dark, twisted re?ection of urban America. Overcrowded, overbuilt, and overshadowed by a continuous air of menace, this gothic nightmare is a breeding ground for the depraved, the indifferent, and the criminally insane. It's also the object of one man's obsession. Witness to the brutal murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne has dedicated his life to protecting this city, taking a form to inspire hope in the innocent...and fear in the guilty. He is the masked vigilante known as the Batman. Now the battlefield has changed. Leveled by a massive earthquake that left thousands dead and millions more wounded, Gotham City has been transformed into a lawless wilderness -- a No Man's Land -- where the survivors are turning against one another, and where the city's protectors are torn by a crisis that may consume them all. |
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One word. AMAZING. I came into this book after reading a series of lackluster novelizations by Marvel. As an avid reader of comic books I was also biased in my belief that Marvel produces substantially better comic books, so I was not expecting much from this particular novel. So the book managed to surprise me when it comes off with a very gripping story. This stories covers around 50-60 issues of various Batman comics. Never having read those particular comics I can't tell how the novelization compares to the actual comics. The setting for the novel is in Gotham City after a major earthquake leveled most of the buildings. With the cost in aid estimated to be in the billions, the US government decided to secede Gotham City (the number one crime city) from the United States than deal with the restoration. All the inmates in Arkham Asylum was released, the bridges to Gotham blown and mines were laid around the perimeter of the city. The various gangs in the city start carving out pieces for themselves in a bid for power. A few cops under Gordon stay behind and face many difficult choices on how to exert control back into the chaotic city. Things go downstream very quickly as it becomes apparent that Batman's nowhere to be found. Rucka does a wonderful job detailing the thoughts behind the actions of all the characters in the novels giving them real depth. In particular is Commisioner Gordon who is in constant conflicts over his actions when he resorts to murder to maintain control. It is very hard to describe this plot without spoiling a large part of the suspense within the novel. I definately recommend this novel to anyone (not just casual Batman fans). The story within is a wonderful mix of Lord of the Flies and Battle Royale without dehumanizing the characters into stereotypical roles. This novel should be in everyone's must read collection.
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