Batman: Death by Design
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3.0 • 1 Rating
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
In this new original graphic novel from superstar writer/designer Chip Kidd and artist Dave Taylor, Gotham City is undergoing one of the most expansive construction booms in its history. The most prestigious architects from across the globe havebuildings in various phases of completion all over town. As chairman of the Gotham Landmarks Commission, Bruce Wayne has been a key part of this boom, which signals a golden age of architectural ingenuity for the city. And then, the explosionsbegin. All manner of design-related malfunctions–faulty crane calculations, sturdy materials suddenly collapsing, software glitches, walkways giving way and much more–cause casualties across the city. This bizarre string of seemingly random,unconnected catastrophes threaten to bring the whole construction industry down. Fingers are pointed as Batman must somehow solve the problem and find whoever is behind it all.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
An amalgam of retro-futuristic artwork (think Metropolis) and architectural wonders is captured succinctly in Batman: Death by Design. Writer/designer Chip Kidd and artist Dave Taylor take the Batman myth into a Gotham City plagued by construction catastrophes. As Bruce Wayne fights to keep the city’s architectural glories in tact, a handful of vigilantes are set on pinning the acts of destruction on a certain cape-clad crime fighter. The narrative shows echoes of NYC’s own Penn Station and how that once-glorious center fell into disrepair, but the real star of this brisk read is the artwork, largely done with pencil and shadowed with graphite. Showing a love of both noir-like framing and architectural wonders, this book is an extraordinary work of technical mastery and design smarts.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Eisner Award winning designer and novelist Kidd teams with veteran Batman artist Taylor for a fantastic period piece about architecture, politics, and murder. Bruce Wayne is preparing for his father's condemned Old Wayne Central Station to be torn down and replaced by a new design. A falling crane signals that there are those opposed to the plan willing to take action. Wayne, as himself and as Batman, must square off against the beautiful and dedicated Cyndia Sil, who wants to see Old Wayne Central Station restored; Exacto , a costumed figure hoping to bring down corrupt union boss Bart Loar; and the Joker. While the story is enjoyable, what really shines is Taylor's art, mostly done in black-and-white, but with flares of pastel color that bring the pages to life. Taylor frequently uses alternate panel sizes to tremendous effect, from dramatic two-page spreads to a tiny eight-panel sequence along the bottom runner of a page. Only some slightly illogical storytelling at the end mars a beautiful effort that is clearly a labor of love for both creators. That aside, it's a solid, stand-alone adventure that Batman readers will love. Reviewed from a black-and-white galley.
