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| Batman: Lovers and Madmen (Batman (DC Comics Hardcover)) | 
| Authors: Michael Green, Denys Cowan, John Floyd
Publisher: DC Comics
Category: Book
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $4.98
You Save: $20.01 (80%)
New (27) from $4.98
Avg. Customer Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 104364
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 144
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 10.4 x 6.9 x 0.5
ISBN: 1401216838
Dewey Decimal Number: 741.5973
EAN: 9781401216832
ASIN: 1401216838
Publication Date: April 2, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New; Excellent condition! Clean crisp tight copy, no marks,could have some minor shelf wear. Email Notification, Satisfaction Guaranteed,Direct from our warehouse.
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Product Description
Michael Green, writer / producer of NBCs smash-hit series HEROES, teams with classic Batman artist Denys Cowan for a tale set early in the career of the Dark Knight that sheds light on who the Joker was before he became the Clown Prince of Crime. Discover how Batman first crossed paths with the punk who was destined to become his deadliest foe, and see just how far hell go in order tobring down the new criminal insanity that's inspiring Gotham Citys underworld.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 very decent July 23, 2008
despite what some people said about this book i bought it anyway and i am glad i did. I liked this book very much. it was nice to see a new twist on a old tale. some people said that batman calling a hit on the joker was wrong and out of character but he was just starting out and scared because he never faced such evil before and it was overwhelming. not to mention he regretted it later. i recommend this book to every batman fan and people who want to see another spin on the origins of the joker.
 A Look at Lovers and Madmen... June 21, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I had not heard of this story before I bought it, instead catching a glimpse of it in the bookstore and deciding to give it a chance. I'm a large fan of Batman in general, and I'm always ready to give another adventure a try if it captures my interest.
Lovers and Madmen comes forward with another Joker origin, which as many people argue, is a problem in itself. Some of the Joker's best characteristics are due to his enigmatic past, but in my opinion, this is how you would do an almost untouchable subject justice.
Since I'm sure people want to read the story itself, I'll just point out a few parts of the tale that I thought made it warrant these five stars.
On one hand, the audience gets to watch Batman grow. He orders a hit on this man Jack, the future Joker. This seems so unthinkable, so non-Batman, that it almost jerks the reader out of the story. This is a younger Batman, a Batman who has not become his true self yet, who has not reached the potential and come to the values that make him Batman. He makes mistakes, and he loses his confidence when things don't go his the way he had planned. Once he meets Jack, a being who is outside of his comprehension and expectations, his confidence almost shatters. However, he comes closer to becoming our Batman. He makes the right decision in the end, just as he was meant to do. This Batman is human, still fresh on the job and becoming himself.
In this story, the Joker starts out not as a criminal, but someone just simply evil. He's tired of his mundane life lacking challenge, and he finds purpose in the Batman. This strangely realistic view just feels right. The reader can visualize the connection between the two, the fascination that took Jack and made the Joker. It just makes sense.
While the tale focuses, rightly, on Batman and the Joker, we get tidbits about future key players. There are glimpses of Dr. Crane and Harleen Quinzel, which just bring a little extra to the table. It may seem like a little thing, but it just adds more joy to the pages.
The art fits the story well. The lines are somewhat layered and sketched, not clean. It's not a style for everyone, but there are moments where you just get caught up in the beauty of it.
Personally, I adored Lovers and Madmen, and I could go on about why it's such a great read. I'm actually rather stunned with the downright terrible or just mediocre reviews it has collected. I urge you to go out and give this story a try. It's definitely deserving of at least a look.
The only word of caution I have is this. This story is different; it is something new, an addition to a universe that has been growing for years. In order to enjoy it, you need to be open to it and accept what it gives you before making a decision on its quality. This is not The Killing Joke, and from what I've seen, it is when people start comparing this to it that it becomes less than what it is. I loved The Killing Joke, I still do, but as long as people hold above every other Joker origin, stories like this take hits.
Not like the Killing Joke but Good June 14, 2008
The only thing I may not have liked was the different art style from the previous Batman Confidential title. However, it was cool to see a different approach to the Jokers origin and how he met Harley Quinn. People say the Killing Joke is the ultimate story of the Jokers origin and it probably is. However, this is still a good read and I think it also shows how Batman made a mistake, because he is human.
A solid story with a few flaws. June 12, 2008
To begin I' am also a fan of "The Killing Joke" as well as many other Joker/ Batman titles. I purchased this item due to my interest in the characters and I personally enjoyed it allot. I disagree with many over the art style; I personally find it quite refreshing and different. The art style is very sketchy and unique. This story has been subject to allot of dissatisfaction from die-hard Batman fans due to the hit Batman calls for on the Joker. I found it inconsistent with Batman's character but in no way a deal breaker for the story. The story was meant to be something we have not seen before and in that its successful. Outside of the few character inconsistencies I found this book a really good read and I would recommend any Batman fan that is not really offended by a few character inconsistencies to give it a read. It's worth the read if for no other reason than to get a better glimpse into a new interpretation of the Batman / Joker dynamic.
A better Joker story (in my eyes) May 24, 2008
Well, I am sure a lot of people will disagree but here goes...
I don't believe the joker was ever meant to have a canon origin story, but sometimes they prove to be interesting none-the-less. I had heard that this one was not very good, but since I am a huge Joker fan I figured I would give it a shot.
I actually prefer this over "The Killing Joke" and "The Man Who Laughs" ect. I love the more realistic and gradual approach that takes place and you actually see the Joker become.
I really liked the art style used in this comic and feel it adds to the story itself.
I admit, this story is not for all fans. A lot of people have said they don't like it and I am sure a many more will too. I am not a fan of the interpretation of Batman, but it fits with where the story goes regardless, so I can't even complain about that, really.
If your a hard-core Joker/Batman fan and want to read something different from "The Killing Joke" and company, then I highly recommend this.
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