I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. I was afraid the more European sensibilities of a guy like Marini wouldn't work with a superhero comic but fortunately I was totally wrong. While some of the dialogue feels kinda awkward and Batman's design isn't quite up to snuff, the book still takes the characters in interesting directions and the beautiful art more than makes up for its short comings. Highly recommend it, it's way better than the regular Batman issue. Read Full Review

Awesome book. So good I wish it was longer. This feels like a good old fashioned Bamtan noir detective story and it's handled beautifully by Enrico Marini. His writing of Batman, Joker, Catwoman, Gordon, Alfred and Gotham itself is really good and you can tell he's a massive fan of these characters and yet he puts his own spin on them. The artwork was stunning and Marini's use of color from purple, blue, orange was a joy to look at. All in all, this is a fantastic story that any Batman fan should check it out. Can't wait for book 2

It perfectly captures Batman's essence.

So I take the English & the French version. If both book have a hard cover, the size are different.
The English have a Comics' Size (28 X 18?5), the french have a European Size (32 X 21,4).
So Marini art have more detail in the European version. I know that for most panel this isn't matter, but for some this's better.
The French have in supplement some Marini sketch at the end that the English didn't have.

That said, what's worth ?
The art is beautiful. I love is Gotham. I love Is Batman & Catwoman. I does a very good job with almost every character (Specially Alina, Gordon & Alfred). So what I didn't like. Well is Joker & specially is Harley Quinn (just after Murphy, that's a shame to see her like that).

The writing is not bad. You have to like when a story is tell not is the right order. Present, some past, then a month earlier, then present/past & present. The story is a little simple, but not bad. And a take some risk to tell a story darker than in most Batman Comics (If you don't count Elseword stories).

We will have to wait for November market sales, to see if DC will continue is Partnership with Delcourt.
For Delcourt Marini is a Big Name in France & Batman Too. They will sell it like hot cakes.

Cover - 1/2 - Good but to simple.
Writing 2/3 - Good but to simple.
Art 2/3 - Very good except Joker & Harley
Feeling - 1/2 Mixed for now. I will wait for part two with hope to be more astonished more

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Ryan - Jan 1, 2020

I imagined your whole review said in a french accent

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Whatever.