A new edition of the classic Batman tale by writer Dennis O'Neil that introduces the strength-enhancing drug Venom. After Batman fails to save a young girl, he begins taking the drug in order to lift his limitations; however, when the Dark Knight becomes addicted to the substance, his entire life begins to spiral out of control.
Batman: Venom
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
About the Author
Denny ONeil was for years a group editor at DC Comics and the guiding force behind the Batman mythos during the 80s and 90s, helping to return the character to his roots as a dark and mysterious gothic avenger. He has also penned, amongst others, Amazing Spider-Man, Batman, Daredevil and The Hulk.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Oliver Reed
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have to address my love for this graphic novel. It's a really well paced, and entertaining. There are criticisms, some justified, some not (MAYBE SPOILERS?);
1)Failure to save the little girl despite having the 'gadgets' can be explained as this is only the fourth 'Legend of the Dark Knight' story, so the lack of tools is because we are shown a young batman.
2)Batman written out of character can be explained by the personality affecting drugs which are VERY STRONG and he has been taking for at least THREE MONTHS.
3)The fact he is so distraught over the girls death is self-explanatory, as well as the fact that early batman would find it difficult to come to terms with letting a drowning girl die, let alone any other man.
4)Perhaps he should have picked up on the Father's unsympathetic response, however Batman is so distraught on what he let happen that he may have been a little distracted to notice details such as that
5)Alfred coming with him on the island is the only thing that didn't make sense to me, but may be due to the fact that he needed someone to fly him there, and Batman is not yet a confident flyer...
For all the questionable points, there are more amazing moments to counteract. The writing for Alfred is nailed in this than most others. He is a witty character who maintains Batman's life, exchanges conversation to help boost his thought process, and tries to be a moral compass, suggesting to read when Batman is physically obsessed and shows his displeasure when Batman crosses the line peacefully. Tears welled up in scene where he is standing outside the Batcave, helping Batman with the addiction - Worth it for this scene ALONE!
1)Failure to save the little girl despite having the 'gadgets' can be explained as this is only the fourth 'Legend of the Dark Knight' story, so the lack of tools is because we are shown a young batman.
2)Batman written out of character can be explained by the personality affecting drugs which are VERY STRONG and he has been taking for at least THREE MONTHS.
3)The fact he is so distraught over the girls death is self-explanatory, as well as the fact that early batman would find it difficult to come to terms with letting a drowning girl die, let alone any other man.
4)Perhaps he should have picked up on the Father's unsympathetic response, however Batman is so distraught on what he let happen that he may have been a little distracted to notice details such as that
5)Alfred coming with him on the island is the only thing that didn't make sense to me, but may be due to the fact that he needed someone to fly him there, and Batman is not yet a confident flyer...
For all the questionable points, there are more amazing moments to counteract. The writing for Alfred is nailed in this than most others. He is a witty character who maintains Batman's life, exchanges conversation to help boost his thought process, and tries to be a moral compass, suggesting to read when Batman is physically obsessed and shows his displeasure when Batman crosses the line peacefully. Tears welled up in scene where he is standing outside the Batcave, helping Batman with the addiction - Worth it for this scene ALONE!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Noel
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
In the hands of Denny O'Neil, Batman is rendered totally out of character and becomes barely readable. He isn't the worst Batman writer I've read but he's definitely down there as one of the worst and "Batman: Venom" is a disaster.
Batman tries to save a little girl from drowning except a giant rock stands in between them. The rock is too heavy, he's unable to lift it, and the girl dies. This sends Bruce into a guilt spiral and the first thing he does when he returns home is guess the weight of the rock - 680 pounds - then try to lift it, failing again, and tearing an arm muscle. He then decides to go after the girl's kidnappers in his weakened state and once the two goons realise his arm's damaged, they take advantage of it and overpower him. Humiliated, he goes to the girl's father who turns out to be a mad scientist who's created a super-steroid called Venom which Batman decides to take because he feels bad about the dead girl and being beaten up by two goons.
That's the setup and there's soooo much wrong with it. First off, as any reader of Batman knows, he has a lot of really useful stuff in his utility belt - why wouldn't he have something in there for dealing with solid obstructions like the big rock? And why does he react so badly to the girl's death? She can't have been the first, he must have lost people he's tried to save before, so to take it this badly is really strange. Then the two goons who manage to beat him up - even if one of his arms is damaged, no way could two faceless thugs, out of the thousands of faceless thugs Batman has defeated, get the drop on him in a fight. And then after that he immediately starts taking illegal drugs. It doesn't make sense. Everything about this setup is unbelievable because it's so arbitrary.... Read more ›
Batman tries to save a little girl from drowning except a giant rock stands in between them. The rock is too heavy, he's unable to lift it, and the girl dies. This sends Bruce into a guilt spiral and the first thing he does when he returns home is guess the weight of the rock - 680 pounds - then try to lift it, failing again, and tearing an arm muscle. He then decides to go after the girl's kidnappers in his weakened state and once the two goons realise his arm's damaged, they take advantage of it and overpower him. Humiliated, he goes to the girl's father who turns out to be a mad scientist who's created a super-steroid called Venom which Batman decides to take because he feels bad about the dead girl and being beaten up by two goons.
That's the setup and there's soooo much wrong with it. First off, as any reader of Batman knows, he has a lot of really useful stuff in his utility belt - why wouldn't he have something in there for dealing with solid obstructions like the big rock? And why does he react so badly to the girl's death? She can't have been the first, he must have lost people he's tried to save before, so to take it this badly is really strange. Then the two goons who manage to beat him up - even if one of his arms is damaged, no way could two faceless thugs, out of the thousands of faceless thugs Batman has defeated, get the drop on him in a fight. And then after that he immediately starts taking illegal drugs. It doesn't make sense. Everything about this setup is unbelievable because it's so arbitrary.... Read more ›
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Collecting the original story arc from 'Legends of the Dark Knight' #16 to #20, this is certainly one of the great Batman stories. The writer, Dennis O'Neil, has a really solid understanding of the character and sets up a convincing series of events and choices that lead to Batman developing a drug addiction. The conclusion, where our hero resolves to bring to justice those who caused him harm drives right to the heart of Batman's origins whilst the ending leaves you to question the price that he has been forced to pay in his nightly quest.
There is also plenty of action, handled superbly by the artistic team of Trevor Von Eeden (layouts), Russell Braun (pencil art), and Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (inker), really making you feel the weight of the rocks and the speed of the van chases. These action scenes are a vital part of the story with Batman not always coming out on top, leeding both the character and reader to question whether he will make it past that next goon or stop that approaching shark. His decision to take a performance enhancing drug can be sympathised with, even agreed with, thanks to some terrific writing from the author.
In short this book is a must have for any comics fan. It takes the high-speed cliffhanger action scenes of the past and merges them perfectly with the adult themes and character driven plots of the modern age. You will not be dissappointed.
By Sicdrone
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is definitely worth a try, the storyline is great, very enjoyable, the characters are likable and funny when needed, the art is fantastic, it’s good to look at. I recommend this book to anyone who loves comics or just interested in getting to know the genre.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 36 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Wow, where do I start.
I've heard how notoriously bad this was but I wasn't expecting THIS bad. First of all I'll start off with the positive: the art is good, the panels are laid out well and action... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Shel
4.0 out of 5 stars
Batman on Drugs!!!
Very good book liked the artwork, interesting as Batman thinks he's failed a little girl as he wasn't strong enough, so he uses venom and does down a dark road even to the point of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by RedRobin117
4.0 out of 5 stars
A new look to storytelling
As a sort of prelude to the critically acclaimed Knightfall installments, this does not falter.
Batman is devastated after not being able to save a young girl from her... Read more
Batman is devastated after not being able to save a young girl from her... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Sxefish
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth a Read
A lot of people dislike this because Batman takes drugs, but I found it interesting to see him fight addiction, good story, art is really good. Its worth a read, pick it up :)
Published 12 months ago by George
3.0 out of 5 stars
Worth skipping
DC's efforts to reprint a lot of books that have been for many years unavailable is commendable, but occasionally it affords a non-classic such as this compilation of Legends Of... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Rambleast Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Batman fights a shark
Ive heard a lot of good things about this story and been after it for quite some time, finally I got it today and its a bit of a letdown. Read more
Published 13 months ago by bigdunc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!!
This is an incredible comic. Watch as Bruce Wayne becomes addicted to super powerful steroids! I don't want to ruin the story too much for people who haven't read it yet so I won't... Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2007 by Jim Anso
4.0 out of 5 stars
drugs are bad mmkay
Probably the best anti drugs message in a comic that I have seen. This story creates an entirely plausible reason why Batman would start taking drugs (why else, to help people)... Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2005 by Mr. Robert J. Dickson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Prelude to "Broken Bat".
A very dark and gritty Batman Graphic novel. It deals with Batman becoming addicted to 'Venom', the same artificial steroid that Bane uses during his quest to destroy'The Bat' in... Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2004 by Mr. M. A. Sainsbury
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
