BATMAN: THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE DARK KNIGHT

[johnnygobbs]

Really looking forward to this:

https://www.newsarama.com/46507-batman-the-definitive-history-of-the-dark-knight-in-comics-film-and-beyond-preview.html

INSIGHT EDITIONS PRESENTS
BATMAN:
THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE DARK KNIGHT
IN COMICS, FILM, AND BEYOND
Written by Andrew Farago and Gina McIntyre
Foreword by Michael Keaton
Preface by Dennis O'Neil
Introduction by Kevin Conroy

The Caped Crusader. The Dark Knight. The World's Greatest Detective. Bats.

Since his 1939 debut in the pages of Detective Comics, Batman has become an icon, instantly recognizable the world over. Through the years, Gotham City's guardian has been interpreted in so many radically different ways that we all now have our own Batman. To some, he's the colorful Caped Crusader who dispatches villains with a POW! To others, he's the grim Dark Knight hell-bent on avenging the death of his parents. And to others still he's made of LEGO, has great abs and likes to eat lobster thermidor!

In celebration of the Dark Knight's 80th Anniversary, this deluxe volume tells the complete story of Batman and the many forms he's taken across comics, TV, animation, film, video games and beyond, to present a compelling portrait of one of the most recognizable and versatile characters in the history of fiction. Covering the complete history of Batman in vivid detail, the book features exclusive commentary from the key creatives who have been instrumental in building the Dark Knight's ongoing legacy, including Neal Adams, Tim Burton, Paul Dini, Steve Englehart, Mark Hamill, Grant Morrison, Julie Newmar, Christopher Nolan, Denny O'Neil, Joel Schumacher, Scott Snyder and Zack Snyder.

Along with taking readers on an unparalleled journey into the creation of the most memorable Batman moments in the character's eighty-year history—from the "Knightfall" comics arc to Tim Burton's films and the Arkham video game series—the book offers incomparable access to the DC and Warner Bros. archives to deliver an avalanche of never-before-seen visual treasures that are guaranteed to blow the minds of Batman fans everywhere.

Filled with exclusive insert items (more info on next page), Batman: The Definitive History of the Dark Knight in Comics, Film, and Beyond, is the ultimate exploration of a true legend whose impact on our culture has no limits.

This book contains new writing and never-before-seen content, such as:
·      A foreword by Michael Keaton, who played the Caped Crusader in Tim Burton's Batman (1989)and Batman Returns (1992).
·      A preface from Dennis O'Neil, a legendary Batman comic book writer and editor.
·      An introduction by Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman in Batman: The Animated Series, and countless other Batman properties including the Arkham Asylum video games. 
·      Interviews with Christopher Nolan and the other key creatives behind The Dark Knight Trilogy.
·      Never-before-seen photography and concept art from the Tim Burton films Batman and Batman Returns
·      Sketches, animation cels and storyboards from Batman: The Animated Series and other Batman animated shows, including The Batman and Brave and the Bold.

The book also unearths a lost gem of Batman lore: a rejected 40-page film treatment submitted to WB by Bob Kane, Batman's co-creator, in 1986, called The Return of Batman.

Comprehensive, compelling and filled with previously unseen treasures, Batman: The Definitive History of the Dark Knight in Comics, Film, and Beyond is the ultimate guide to our most legendary Super Hero.

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS:
Andrew Farago is the curator of San Francisco's Cartoon Art Museum and the author of The Complete Peanuts Family Album, Totally Awesome: The Greatest Cartoons of the Eighties, and the Harvey Award–winning Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History. In 2015, he received the prestigious Inkpot Award from Comic-Con International. He lives in California with his wife, cartoonist Shaenon K. Garrity, and their son, Robin.

Gina McIntyre is the New York Times best-selling author of Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down. Her other books include Guillermo Del Toro's The Shape of Water: Creating a Fairy Tale for Troubled Times, The Art of Ready Player One,and Star Wars Icons: Han Solo. Her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Hollywood Reporter, and Entertainment Weekly. She lives with her husband and daughter in Riverside, Illinois.

BATMAN: THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE DARK KNIGHT
IN COMICS, FILM, AND BEYOND
Written by Andrew Farago and Gina McIntyre
Insight Editions | October 2019 | 9.25 in. × 12.75 in. | 400 pages
Hardcover | $75.00

[Azrael]

I'm not the most suitable at putting this sort of thing into words, but two things had me excited for this book, besides what is promised in the description.

1. Michael Keaton's foreword. A surprise.

2. The cover. Not only because it's pretty enough to be frame-worthy, but because, for once in a Batman retrospective, it is NOT Nolan-centric, and Burton is not downplayed. In fact, you have to look closely to notice any direct Nolan references (the "hit me" scene at the center) while the nods to Burton are multiple. Other details include the Batwing, not The Bat, the Forever Batmobile, not the Tumbler. The depiction of the city itself is closer to the Art Deco and Gothic style of the 90s Animated series, the movies and the Arkham games, than a modern city. The centerpiece portrait looks like it uses the Batman Begins cowl as reference, but that's about it.

(Still wish they also make a book about Burton's, or even all four 90s films, like the "The Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy" coffee table).

[johnnygobbs]

I'm not the most suitable at putting this sort of thing into words, but two things had me excited for this book, besides what is promised in the description.

1. Michael Keaton's foreword. A surprise.

2. The cover. Not only because it's pretty enough to be frame-worthy, but because, for once in a Batman retrospective, it is NOT Nolan-centric, and Burton is not downplayed. In fact, you have to look closely to notice any direct Nolan references (the "hit me" scene at the center) while the nods to Burton are multiple. Other details include the Batwing, not The Bat, the Forever Batmobile, not the Tumbler. The depiction of the city itself is closer to the Art Deco and Gothic style of the 90s Animated series, the movies and the Arkham games, than a modern city. The centerpiece portrait looks like it uses the Batman Begins cowl as reference, but that's about it.

(Still wish they also make a book about Burton's, or even all four 90s films, like the "The Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy" coffee table).

Totally agreed, in all respects, but particularly your final statement.

I have the Batman '89, Batman Returns and Batman & Robin Making Of Books (I really need to get the Batman Forever Making Of Book, although I do have a Making Of tie-in magazine from 1995 for Forever), and they're all excellent, but a retrospective coffee table book covering the Burton and Schumacher films would be like all my birthdays coming at once.

[The Dark Knight]

2. The cover. Not only because it's pretty enough to be frame-worthy, but because, for once in a Batman retrospective, it is NOT Nolan-centric, and Burton is not downplayed. In fact, you have to look closely to notice any direct Nolan references (the "hit me" scene at the center) while the nods to Burton are multiple. Other details include the Batwing, not The Bat, the Forever Batmobile, not the Tumbler. The depiction of the city itself is closer to the Art Deco and Gothic style of the 90s Animated series, the movies and the Arkham games, than a modern city. The centerpiece portrait looks like it uses the Batman Begins cowl as reference, but that's about it.

The cover is thoughtfully done. When I think about my favorites list it is Burton centric, but overall it does span all the eras. West as my favorite Batman and Ward as Robin. B89 my favorite film, Returns for the soundtrack, Gough as Alfred and Michelle Pfeiffer as lead female. The BF Batmobile for favorite vehicle and U2's song. Oldman as Gordon. Snyder for directing BvS and the grenade gun as favorite gadget/weapon. And recently, Arthur Fleck for favorite villain.

[Azrael]

I have the Batman '89, Batman Returns and Batman & Robin Making Of Books (I really need to get the Batman Forever Making Of Book, although I do have a Making Of tie-in magazine from 1995 for Forever), and they're all excellent, but a retrospective coffee table book covering the Burton and Schumacher films would be like all my birthdays coming at once.

I also have them all, plus some souvenir mags. They are good collectibles with some nice backstage info and stills, but in terms of providing actual insight into the making of the films, and as concept art galleries, they are severely lacking and haven't dated very well IMO. These books can be compared to "Making of" promotional featurettes released at the same time with the films, which were more or less extended trailers with backstage footage. Their aim was to promote the film and offer some glimpses behind the scenes, not be a definitive account of their making. They also lack hindsight (obviously). Really sparse in the concept art department, many arts were published only in movie mags like Starlog, and some I have seen only online (though the Batman & Robin book fares better than the rest in this aspect as it's quite bigger).

TL:DR Nice collectibles, but far from definitive IMO. The "Dark Knight Trilogy" book is lightyears ahead.

The cover is thoughtfully done. When I think about my favorites list it is Burton centric, but overall it does span all the eras. West as my favorite Batman and Ward as Robin. B89 my favorite film, Returns for the soundtrack, Gough as Alfred and Michelle Pfeiffer as lead female. The BF Batmobile for favorite vehicle and U2's song. Oldman as Gordon. Snyder for directing BvS and the grenade gun as favorite gadget/weapon. And recently, Arthur Fleck for favorite villain.

Yes, I like that it's eclectic, and I also agree with its choices from other eras too (like the iconic climbing scene). I love that of all the Catwomen, their selection was Pfeiffer.

[The Dark Knight]

In my recent travels I saw this book on the shelves, and it is an absolute MONSTER. It is huge tome, and one I'm keen on purchasing. The reviews are kind, and the foreword by Michael Keaton gives it a degree of authenticity that appeals to me. It's not often he puts his name to new Batman related content.