The only way I'm willing to pay this much for a graphic novel is to know that it is good and long and will take me a few weeks to go through it a few pages at a time.

Arkham Asylum is far too short with most of the novel being taken up by extra materials, sketches, essays, and other worthless crap. The story is also not all that interesting. Like many others I am sure I hold every batman story up against Frank Miller's work, and that isn't always a fair comparison. With this, however, I got a short graphic novel with a story that was ho-hum at best.

I do not recommend it.

I believe I would have enjoyed this graphic novel a whole lot more had I not read the masterpieces of Frank Miller prior. But maybe it is my own fault to expect the same depth of story telling & artwork of 'Year One' & 'The Dark Knight Returns' in every graphic novel I read.Maybe I belong in Arkham.
'Arkham Asylum', from the outset,promised to be gruesome & nightmarish. However, I believe Grant Morrison failed to capitalize on a excellent & little-known theme in the Batman universe.There were no twists & turns in the plot & the story line became extremely predictable as the book drew to a close.The only positive I can think of is that Morrison gives us the origin story of the Elizabeth Arkham Asylum & how the house itself works in the minds of those who are forced to dwell within its walls.
The artwork in itself was pretty decent &,as expected,dark & foreboding. McKean had successfully captured the theme of insanity in his brush strokes, however, at times he failed miserably,to communicate effectively, the story that was being told.
Arkham Asylum;Three Stars on a good day.

Arkham Asylum suffers from very poor execution. The plot is well-conceived and pulled off well enough given the dialog, but the art style hampers everything down. It seems there are no light fixtures in Arkham Asylum, as every panel is about 90 percent shadow. There is a font used for everything that The Joker says that was a chore to try to read; I had to put the book up to my nose to figure out which letters were which.

If you're a huge Batman fan, you've probably already read this. If not, don't bother.

Somehow being a huge comic and graphic novel fan and even being a big Batman fan - for decades - I never got around to reading this. I finally did and was pretty disappointed. Dave McKean's fantastic art made it worth reading, but the writing was not something that would make this book anything close to a classic in the Batman canon. The intercutting tale of Arkham's namesake is interesting but not that rewarding. The other tale featuring Batman's criminally insane foes comes off as rather simplistic and watered down when compared to some of the Dark Knights better books.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF ANY BATMAN COLLECTION, I MEAN ASIDE FROM THE ORIGINS AND WHAT NOT. THIS BOOK IS THE BEST DESCRIPTIVE RECORD OF THE HOLDING PLACE FOR BATMAN'S ROGUE GALLERY.

ANYTHING WITH GRANT MORRISON'S NAME ATTACHED TO IT IS ALMOST GOOD AS GOLD, AND DAVE MCKEON'S ART TAKES THE ENTIRE STORY TO ANOTHER MANIC LEVEL.

IF I COULD GIVE THIS TO EVERYONE LOOKING, LISTENING OR DREAMING ANYTHING BATZ, I WOULD... 15 MILLION THUMBS UP!!!! AND AN AMAZON DISCOUNT TO BOOT!

I really didn't care for this one for one major reason. Batman is portrayed as being way too vulnerable for my liking. To some readers, that may be the appeal, but not for me. I like Batman to act like a superhero, not just some guy in a cape. There are parts to this story where batman seems very timid, and in another part he is overpowered by just one normal guy (not even a villian like joker, just a doctor at arkham), and it takes a nurse to help fight that one guy. Batman is not shown as being a skilled fighter or great detective, he is instead casted as just your average person. The art is ok, is has the style of being painted and looks a little vague at times. Normally I would not like that, but it matches the feel of the story and is therefore effective. I would recommed other books instead, such as the 'Long Halloween' or 'Hush'. This would be only 2 stars for the story, but it is a well put together anniversary edition with some nice extras, raising it to an average, 3 star rating.

I love Grant Morrison's work. Every piece he does is ripe for examination and begs for rereading.
Here, Morrison is as strong as ever, but the Sandman cover artist Dave McKean can't make the book work. His hyper stylized, high contrast multi media work confuses the storytelling and puts a disorienting film over the story. It's a powerful entrance into the psyche of the Batman, but McKean just hampers the endeavor.
If you're a Morrison fan, get it and read the annotated script after the story. If you're not, don't bother with this largely incidental story.

This is different. the artwork was not what I was used to.
The story is good, Be aware that the subject matter is for mature audiences

Very unique art style, and it features so many villains - even some of the lesser-known ones. Honestly, that's the main reason I read it. I can't get enough of those Batman villains. If the Rogues Gallery is your favorite part of the Batman Universe, you appreciate mixed-media art, and enjoy exploring psychological allegories, you should check it out.

I've attempted an appropriately serious reading session of the comic for a long time - normally I make it about six pages into its labyrinthine construction before childishly admitting that it makes no sense and ooooooh, aren't the pictures pretty!

On this Saturday, I came prepared with the ball of twine that is the Anniversary Edition - script and footnotes included. Incidentally, this marks the first time I've ever achieved any value from the bonus content in a graphic novel.

Happily, after this enlightened final reading, I can conclude that Arkham Asylum was never intended to make any sense.

So, I'm now clear that the random gibberings of the Mad Hatter on page 22 were actually song lyrics/time travel/Morrison's own words - and the vignette with Killer Croc was meant to represent St. George/the Hanged Man/a giant beetle - but all of these things - these layers upon layers of symbolism don't actually add up to anything. There are parts a-plenty, but never a sum. Grant Morrison and Dave McKean were intending to be Grant Morrison and Dave McKean (respectively), and that's the full extent of that.

It isn't without merit - far from it - it is just that the frustrating quest to add "higher meaning" bars the reader from simply enjoying
an otherwise very good comic.

Overall, enjoy Arkham Asylum for the trees and not the forest. It is a beautiful book with a surprising and unique portrayal of one of the most complicated superheroes on the market. Just don't, for the sake of your sanity and your Saturday, try to decipher the higher meaning.

From the moment I heard a basic description of what Arkham Asylum was about, I was immediately intrigued. I'm really into Psychology (it IS my major, after all), particularly Abnormal and Criminal Psychology, and have always been fascinated with the concept of madness. So when I heard there was a Batman story that explored this very theme, I couldn't resist. But when I read it...well, I wanted SO badly to like it, but really, I was underwhelmed.

I went in the book knowing in advance that it was not a typical Batman story, and I was prepared to accept that. Innovation and unique perspectives are good for any creative endeavors, after all. That was why I was prepared for Dave McKean's art. It is surreal, it is unusual, sometimes it's really hard to figure out exactly what in the blue heck is going on. But really, I didn't have much problem with it; it is NOT going to be everyone's cup of tea, and some will find it outright hideous, but even though it won't be my favorite artistic approach, I can respect McKean's deviations from graphic novel norms.

However, in this review, I want to focus on the story, as that, really, is what I came for, and what dissapointed me the most. Like I said in the intro, I wanted REALLY badly to like it, given its themes and premise. The story starts of promising enough: a riot has broken out at the Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane. Led by the king of Batman's gallery of crazies, The Joker, they have made one final demand: that the Dark Knight come to Arkham, permanently, joining the ranks of the insane. A very attractive setup...until it ends with Batman's dialogue toward Commissioner Gordan.

"Batman's not afraid of anything. It's me. I'm afraid. I'm afraid that The Joker may be right about me. Sometimes I...question the rationality of my actions. And I'm afraid that when I walk through those asylum gates...when I walk into Arkham and the doors close behind me...it'll be just like coming home."

So much for subtlety. It's too melodramatic. It hits you over the head with the book's themes that any reader with half a brain could discern by looking at the story as a whole. It's a promising intro that gets derailed by melodrama and hitting the reader over the head with the story's themes and ideas. Sadly, this is an appropriate metaphor for the book as a whole.

And boy, does this idea of derailed potential ring true throughout. The next part contains such fascinating scenes as the flashbacks of Dr. Amadeus Arkham's descent into madness (which are shown intermitantly throughout the story, and are all very good and help the story), and the psychoanalysis of Two-Face, The Joker, and even, to an extent, Batman himself. I ate those parts up hungrily, because they were right up my alley.

Sadly, these were the best parts, despite the fact that there's still quite a few pages left. Let me put it to you this way: if you were to strip away all of the books heavy symbolism, all of its atmosphere, and all of the themes it conveys, the entire course of events in the plot are: "Batman goes to stop a riot at Arkham Asylum. He walks around for a while, meets a bunch of his villains, sees them acting crazy, beats up a few of them, then leaves." That's it. Yes, the artwork is good, and I appreciate the message it was trying to convey (is Batman just as insane as his enemies?), but the actual plot just seemed so pointless and uneventful. Because of that, it seems to me that Morrison had abandoned the premise of writing an actual story long before he finished "Arkham Asylum," and instead decided that the story would be primarily his display of how much he knows about psychology and horror and everything else that comes up in the story. It all comes off as really gratuitous, with the themes drilled relentlessly into your head. I found myself thinking "YES!! I get it already! Insanity! Batman might be just as crazy! He's confronting his inner demons! Now can something actually HAPPEN in this story!!??"

I don't know. Maybe it's because I bought this primarily because I'm on a Batman graphic novel-spree, and I had just come off of reading two very excellent Batman stories that have amazingly coherent, well-written, and page-turningly addictive plots (Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's "The Long Halloween" and its sequel "Dark Victory"). But honestly, "Arkham's" story really didn't live up to the hype for me, mostly because it's not even really a story. It's more like a collection of surrealist art and heavy psychological/Gothic literary themes, with a semblance of a plot thrown in as an afterthought. It doesn't do it for me.

"Arkham Asylum" has, as is obvious from the other reviews, intense supporters and intense detractors. I don't count myself among either. I applaud Morrison and McKean's efforts for offering an originally presented take on Batman and attempting to incorporate some very heavy, intellectual ideas along with it. But it seems that in their zeal to do so, they forgot to focus on that most essential of storytelling elements: the quality of the plot. I'll still keep the story on my bookshelf, and I will reread it from time to time, but I can't honestly count it among my favorites.

this is the first batman graphic novel i ever read, and i have to say that it is very very good. it's one of my favorites of all time. i especially liked the script in the back which really helped me understand the symbolism.
really good

When this came out in 1989 it was greeted with much fanfare; the darker DC titles like Sandman were starting and becoming very popular and Grant Morrison's run on Doom Patrol, also from 1989, was received very well. Arkham Asylum had (and still has) a very different feel from most comics as Dave McKean's art is a schizophrenic line drawing experience, enhanced with oil paints - it is very meticulously detailed art work whether you like it or not and should be appreciated. At the end of the day though, this is not one of Morrison's best written works.

It just feels like a style over substance exercise; many villains from the Batman mythos are stumbled upon for a few panels and then are discarded for the next encounter. This all parallels the story of Amadeus Arkham, the architect and first administrator of the asylum.

It's a decent read, but don't believe the hype. I hate to say it, but it's kind of a pedestrian read compared to Morrison's best work. The art is remarkable and is what lead to all of the fanfare.

This book really goes into the psychology of Batman and the Joker more than anything else I've read. The artwork imagery is so bizzar I wouldn't even attempt to describe it here. It's well-worth buying on many levels.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RW3S9M9OOEQYU I'm Sonicsuns, and this my odd little review for Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth.

You better put on a helmet so that when you read this book, you dont make a mess when it blows your mind.

This is literally a groundbreaking work, with art too sophisticated for the Saturday morning crowd. If that's you, move along. If you're mentally above the age of 12, the rich textures, the rapturous drawing, the mind-bending story will satisfy and make you wish Mssr. McKean was back doing comics. Highest recc.

This is the way the Joker and Batman should interact. This is story telling in the visual medium at its finest. The best of the best is represented here and you will be amazed. The writing is superb, the artwork is flawless, and the portrayal of Batman and the Joker have never been darker. You can not simply overlook this one, this is a must have for all Batman fans. This is as far from campy as you can possibly get.

the story could have been longer to set things up a little better but over all this was one of the best batman storys ive ever read

Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum: A serious house on serious earth is an un-nearving gothic tale of insanity and more specificly, what drives someone to become insane. It's well written, specificly the Joker's dialogue, and the narration is obviously filled with Morrison's usual psycho-analysis and heavy handed symbolism. It's also virtually entirely painted by Dave McKean, which must of taken an enormous amount of time, although the art is usally so dark it's difficult to actually see what's going on. But for all that it is, it's just not Batman.

For a start, the Batman in this story is a clueless idiot. He wanders directly into what can only be described as the Joker's most obvious trap ever and then procededs to compete in a game of hide and seek, a game in which the Batman makes absolutly no attempt to hide and the villains are never shown trying to chase him down (in fact Scarecrow and Black Mask do absolute zip all except for walking around aimlessly in one or two panels). Instead the rogues wait in various rooms, acting as bizarrly as they're drawn.

For instance the now paedophilic Mad Hatter calls underage girls "[...]" while smoking a hokkah, and Maxie Zeus hooks himself up to some sort of electrical device and shocks himself while collecting sparks in a mettalic bin. These characters are apparently drawn like this to spotlight the various aspects of Batman's damaged psyche. Uh-huh. Remind me again what exactly Maxie Zeus electrocuting himself has to do with anything let alone Batman? It should also be noted that in Morrison's depection of Batman's enemies, Clayface is drawn as the most embarassingly obvious metaphor for AIDs, simply for the fact of talking about AIDs in a comic book because that's 'different' and 'confronting to a comic book audience'.

Yes the more you actually read Arkham Asylum the more it becomes obvious Morrison doesn't want to tell a Batman story, but just write a reasonably interesting tale and fill it with as much confronting violent content he can get away with. In truth this doesn't need to be a Batman story at all. Hell, Batman's hardly in it anyway! The few panels he appears in having him usally overhearing the Joker explaining what he's planning to do with Batman's mental state, or getting surprised and screaming "jesus!". Really, there is no reason Morrison couldn't have written this same story with a new invented cast (he re-writes the characters almost all compleatly anyway) except adding the Batman title to it increases sales considerably. Considering the amount of copies this book has shifted, this shallow tactic seems to have worked.

I could go on, about how the plot won't make sense the first few read-throughs or how the art barely is able to vaguely represent whats meant to be happening, but how long can a review be? The simple truth is this:

Never read Batman and will never have an interest in him, but enjoy extreamly dark stories with paedophilia, decapatation of children, murder, vague suspence and almost visible art?
-Then you'll love Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth!

Actually like Batman?
-Avoid

What can I say about Arkham Asylum? It is a decent Batman graphic novel and it is a must read for die hard fans, but it is not on the same level as so many other classic Bat Novels. This story seems fitful in its starts and stops and really is quite simple on its most basic level. Batman goes into Arkham Asylum because the lunatics have taken over and he, along with most of the inmates, questions whether or not he really belongs there. The story is peppered throughout with references to Arkham's history and does have some interesting reimaginings of Clayface and others, but I was expecting a lot more after I read the reviews and heard some hype from friends. This is a decent stand alone novel but if you like stories that stick to canon, and if you are easily disappointed when hype doesn't live up, Arkham Asyluum might not be for you!

I bought this for my husband. I wanted it for the art but i didnt like them, i thought they were gonna be more like the front cover however my husband did like them and he said the book itself really twisted and dark a lot different from alot of the other ones. Deffinatly not for kids.

The art in this book is incredible! Each panel is a painting in itself. Very expressive and atmospheric. The story is a bit pretentious but still engaging, and a lot more grown up and interesting than the usual Batman cliches.

It's just wonderful to see a graphic novel where the art is so lavish and sophisticated unlike the usual cheap, simplistic stuff you sometimes get.

Dave Mckean is some kind of genius.

dont buy into the hype. The art is garbage and the story is so short. Its under a ten minute read.

When Arkham Asylum was first released in 1989, I read through it without much enthusiasm. The artwork, by and large, was groundbreaking for a mainstream book, however the story in itself left me unimpressed. Aside from a few memorable lines here and there, I found myself rather baffled by the actual "point" of the book. The same was true when I reread it a few years back. However, if there is one comic book that has benefitted most from the inclusion of its script, it is this one. Morrison's draft not only sheds some much-needed light on the proceedings, but is also accompanied with annotations of an even more enlightening nature. I read through the script, then the comic once more, and discovered much that I had missed or glossed over. The script is also written in a screenplay format, as opposed to the traditional comic draft. In addition, McKean does not adhere painstakingly to the script, but deviates into what I imagine is his own interpretation of the material. This becomes clear when comparing Morrison's notes and the resultant artwork. Finally, this edition includes thumbnails/sketches by Morrison for how the layout was originally envisioned, and an afterword by Karen Berger, editor of Vertigo. The story itself is highly symbolic and allegorical, much as a dream may seem...which leads to one possible conclusion that the events which transpire may very well be confined within Batman's own psyche or subconscience. There are a few snippets of dialogue within the pages that promote this, as well as the artwork during certain pivotal scenes involving Batman and Gordon, as well as the inmates of the asylum. The quotes from Alice in Wonderland which open and close the book also lean in this direction. The parallels between Amadeus Arkham and Batman himself are also fascinating and portray a few ideas that are rarely touched upon in the Batman mythos, particularly mental illness and its implications not just on the person, but on their surrounding environment as well.
This is not a typical Batman novel but a rather complicated and, at times, disturbing tale of madness and obsession which benefits greatly from the inclusion of various materials reflective of the creative process.

this was only the second graphic novel i've ever read ('identity crisis' being the first). there were a lot of things i really liked, some things i didn't care for at all.

'arkham asylum' is a highly conceptual piece of work, both in story and in art. the story, in theory, is very interesting. who wouldn't want to read a story about batman forced into an asylum taken over by his fiercest enemies and have to deal with his own pyschological well-being? sounds like a really good idea, but it's an idea that, for me, was never fully realized. i admire morrison's courage in writing this story. it must have been a terribly difficult story to write. like i said, i like it in theory, but the execution could've been improved. for example, i never really understood what psychological journey batman went on, and i never felt that his own sanity was ever in jeopardy. it could be, of course, that i missed something. and as the previous reviewer mentioned, the symbolism is pretty heavy handed.

i was expecting a LOT more from batman. all we really got was the occassional two or three word sentence. that's it. if this was supposed to be batman's journey into the far reaches of psyche, batman's a pretty shall dude. visually, batman was almost non-existant. most of what we is limited to shadows and outlines. i get why mckean painted him as he did: it's higly symbolic. batman is a enigmatic figure to begin with and what better why to heighten that tension than to blur batman into the background? on a literary level i can appreciate that. on a visual level, it's not the best idea to obscure your central character (of course, this is just my opinion). overall, though, i thought mckean's art served its purpose and fit the book tonally: it's dark, muted, disturbing, and equally compelling. some of the panels are simply gorgeous is their hideousness.

there IS, however, a lot admire. first, morrison's portrayal of joker was exactly what i thought it should be. the joker, in my limited experience, usually comes off pretty cartoonish. in arkham joker is the homicidal lunatic, a man so emotionally disturbed taht he should be locked up in a dungeon and chained to the wall. he's prone to senseless violence, boughts of MPD, incoherent thought, and complete irrationality. that's the essence of the joker, and i liked him in sick kind of way because he was by far the most fully realized and developed character in the book. i think you could make the argument it's a graphic novel about the joker more than it is about batman. it was also interesting to see how arkham came into being. like most houses of horror, arkham itself was born out of immense tragedy.

'arkham asylum' certainly has its highs and lows. it's the kind of book that's going to appeal to a lot of readers because it IS unique. mckean's art, while polarizing, certainly is a breed unto its own. i admire that. morrison's story is interesting, for sure. it could've used a bit more polish. can i recommend this book to *everyone*? no. but that's not to say you shouldn't pick it up. it DOES have its merits and it WILL appeal to a lot of people. it's just one of those books you have to read for yourself and decide what it means to you.

I'm apparently missing the boat here on this "classic" as I see a below average story coupled with awful artwork mixed in with some pretentious symbolism.

The art is going to be a matter of taste, it always is. However the art must lend itself to being able to show what is going on. In this stylized format McKean uses obviously meant to portray the insanity of Arkham and the characters I was left looking at the pages trying to wonder what was happening. Not to mention some of the lettering was well nigh unreadable. I think there could have been a better way to use the art to represent insanity and still use the art to tell the story effectively.

The story, well the story consists of an impotent Batman going to Arkham like a lamb to a slaughter and then wandering around it in a most purposeless fashion encountering fever-dream versions of his rogues gallery. The portrayals of the villains were so strange it makes me wonder if this all just happened in Bat's head. The Amadeus Arkham story was not too bad, the Batman story was awful. The one redeeming portion of the story is Batman's treatment of Two-Face, undoing the wrong-headed therapy.

As for extras, you get a semi-pretentious note from Morrison explaining the symbolism which makes the story more understandable, but a good story shouldn't need the symbolism explained, it should be apparent. You also get the original script which is no big deal.

On the whole a fairly inferior work and I don't understand the accolades. It is I am sad to say the worst Batman story I have encountered.

great story. SICK and awsome drawings. nice and voilent...... just like i like it

The thing with Arkham Asylum is that back in 1989, author Grant Morrison and artist Dave McKean got together and turned the world of Batman upside down and inside out. My first glimpse of Arkham Asylum all those years ago was shocking. This was Batman? No way! The Joker isn't that kind of pychotic! Is he? Yeah, he is. The darknes that is Arkham Asylum takes the whole Bathman mythos to a new arena of madness and debauchery. A little hard to follow in places because McKean's style is so flamboyant and disturbing, Arkham weaves two storylines together. The First and foremost is that all the criminals inside the Arkham Asylum have escaped and are holding hostages until Batman is made available to them. Chief lunatic in charge: The Joker. The second storyline follows long back in the 1920s when Amadeus Arkham opens his ancestral home to the luntatics of the world for treatment. This stuff is very, very, very dark. If you have a preconceived notion as to where this will lead, you're probably wrong. The kewel thing is this, however, in the 15th Anniersary edition they put the entire screenplay after the comic and that helps out alot. When you get a little confused, you can check the notes for reference. This is 1989's addition to the growing darkness that would infiltrate the comic world for years to come. After this, the 90s would reveal The Sandman with Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean and the darkness would remain. Good stuff.

Dig it!!!

I've read varying opinions on this book, and I chalk it up to being a love it or hate it story in the Batman mythos. Obviously, I am one who loved it ;) It's to taste, I suppose, so be warned of that.

The art was strikingly different from any graphic novel I have read thus far, and it took me a moment to adjust to the style; in the end, especially after reading it, it had really grown on me. The surreal, dreamy-nightmarish depictions fit the dark chaos of the plot perfectly. Joker has never looked more chilling. I have heard complaint it is hard to follow, but I had no problem following the art along with the plot at all. The symbolic touches added to the chaos and surrealism, a perfect touch. Beautifully done.

The plot, I thought, was a delicious tale of madness, and the relevancy of madness to the sane world; it so finely draws the line between the sane and insane, underscored by the relationship between Joker and Batman, that it sometimes becomes the same bulging, hectic mass of confusion, captured by the art. Yes, some of the villains were drastically changed, but I took as being for the sake of drama, and nothing really offended me; it was an abstract view of Arkham, in a way, and the people within its walls. I didn't find Batman overly weak or anything. I thought it made sense he would question his sanity. Doesn't everyone? And, with his costume and vigilante vengeance quest, wouldn't he have to see the similarities between him and the maniacs of the night? I thought it was great that he went in with doubts and, in the end, firmly drew the line between him and the others, conquered his own doubts.

So, I would recommend this book, probably mostly to those that like Batman at his most human, fans of the madness in the series, and probably even fans of horror lol A lot of this book reminded me of the videogame series "Silent Hill" (not the movie), as it has a psychological view of abstract, symbolic terror. The backstory of the Asylum and its creator also makes the book worth it for history's sake, and is an amazing story in its own right. All in all, great book, very different, and excellently done in its poetically grotesque way.

One huge problem with this story is that, as Batman's personality was recreated in this story, virtually no time was spent making it believable to the reader. Basically, there is something going on in Arkham, and Bats is called in. When it becomes clear that he has to go in, he says something to the effect of: "I'm not scared of what I'll find in there, I'm afraid of what I'll find out about myself." Something stupid like that. So right off the bat (no pun intended) we find Batman to be some kind of mentally insecure whiner. This would be fine if he were still batman, but really, batman is supposed to be strong. This batman is ridiculously weak. He doesn't even match the joker's intensity and fortitude, something which every batman has been able to do until now.

Other than that the story is ridiculously underdeveloped, and relies on the twisted art style to carry it through. This is the worst critically-acclaimed batman story I have ever read. Steer clear.

Next to the theme of vengeance, there is one theme that is has been shown throughout the many years of Batman: madness. Madness is what drives most of Batman's enemies to destroy his precious city. But, in dealing with these mad men, has Batman too gone "batty"? Beautifully drawn and brilliantly written, this is the one of the essential books for any Batman fan.

I am not a big fan of superhero comic books, but I have read a handful of the genre's graphic novels, including Arkham Asylum.

Arkham Asylum blew me away. I feel like this medium is at its best when the graphical flavor is as adventurous as its textual and thematic flavor, and this book is a perfect example of my preference. Like Mignola's Hellboy, Arkham Asylum is just gorgeous from one cover to the next.

The only gripe I have is with the book binding. I had to almost break the book's spine in half in order to get a full view of some of the panels.

I've always been a die-hard Marvel fan, and I still am, but I can't argue with the fact that Batman is one of the best comic book characters out there. I've got a small collection of Batman TPBs and graphic novels, ranging from the grotesque yet brilliant The Killing Joke to the (fairly) recent blockbuster No Man's Land. That being said, I was sorely disappointed by Arkham Asylum, for three main reasons, which I will go in to.

The first is the art. I simply did NOT care for the style. To McKean's credit, the drawing style perfectly fit the theme of the book, but unfortunately, it's not a theme that lends itself to eye-pleasing art. It looks sloppy, disjointed, overly shadowed, and disorientingly impressionistic. As I said, it's perfect for the book, but it's not a style I like. Rather than clear pictures, you just get odd impressions of what's happening, since most of the panels are composed of the color black, which makes an exotic and often puzzling story even more difficult to follow.

Second is the way Morrison took over the various villains and transformed them to fit his needs. Yes, the Joker is cool in this, but everyone else got rather poor treatment. Two Face, easily Batman's second best villain, becomes a sniveling puke, Maxie Zeus spouts only gibberish, and Killer Croc seems to have lost the ability to speak, becoming only a rampaging monster. And Clayface symbolizes AIDS, for some reason. Figure that out.

The third, and greatest crime, is the treatment of Batman himself. As Morrison himself explains in the back pages, he didn't care for the violent, gruesome, Miller-esque Batman that had emerged from the 80's. So he decided to "kill off" this Batman to recreate him in a form he liked. To do so, he took Batman from being an overly violent, paranoid crime-fighter and turned him into a schiziphrenic mess, a sexually-repressed psychopath with an Oedipus complex. The moment he steps inside the Asylum, he loses control; after the Joker points a gun at Dr. Ruth, Batman goes insane. He spends the rest of the novel wandering around, writhing in shadowy panels and grunting, getting beaten up by every jerk he runs into, and somehow emerges "fixed." Essentially, Morrison was killing off, and spitting on, the most popular incarnation of the character because he didn't care for the characterization; it was written, I think, more for his pleasure than for ours, and that stands out.

There are a few good things about the novel (the Joker is undeniably, black-heartedly in his element), but they're buried under a mountain of bizarre symbology, unnecessary shadow, and a New Ager's view of what Batman should be. If you're a fan of Grant Morrison, you may like this, but if you're a fan of Batman in general, stay away.

This is the worst Batman comic ever written/drawn. The sketched style by Mr. McKean makes it so some of the words are difficult to read, and frankly, that's the best part. Mr. Morrison's take on Batman is borderline offensive to any fan of the series. Surely he does not truely believe us all to be pseudo-intellectual 16 year old boys who spend their free time at My Chemical Romance shows, trying to get our hair to do that "flippy thing", nor do we all wear tight, black leather pants and too much eye shadow, or any make up at all in fact! This goth-shiek Bat cannot fight, cannot seem to think, cannot apparently do anything clever, has a vast array of over-sexed villains (people, please, just because you're being over the top with sex does not mean you're being insightful or intelligent; it's just gratuitous). The Joker is gay. Twoface cannot control his bodily functions. Zeus is in it! Batman doesn't even care when someone is killed, he considers it "getting what's deserved". Does any of this sound true to the series or interesting to you? (ZEUS?!) Do not buy this comic unless you spend at least 3 hours a day at Starbuck's. Morrison's mental masturbation (found in the form of college-freshman level philosophy littering pages) is the worst excuse for narrative I have ever had the misfortune to read. If you want something psychological and dealing with madness and criminals with superheroes, try Long Halloween and watch Harvey Dent snap. If you want a good mystery (as the surprise ending in this is forced at best, God awful at worst) try Hush. If you want something like this but are a Batman fan, try the Maxx. Do not buy this comic!

When people describe Batman and any related character, a prevailing word is dark. Well, what exactly is dark when it comes to a psychotic billionaire with three dimensional villains? Grant Morrison answers this question and offers a brilliant take inside Gotham's Dark Knight. Respectively named, Arkham Asylum takes the reader into a psychological journey using myth, symbol, and powerful dialog that will surely make this buy an unforgettable read. Coupled with Dave McKean of The Wolves of the Walls fame whose art evokes surrealism and an otherwordly nightmarish atmosphere that perfectly compliments Grant Morrison's wizardly writing. When I first ordered Arkham Asylum, it was my first reintroduction to the Bat. Forget Paul Dini and Bruce Timm's dark film noir of Batman the animated series. Forget the 1989 blockbuster which propelled AA's sales. Not even last year's Batman Begins could do this dark twisted novel justice. This is the Batman that makes the Adam West version look like the Teletubbies. This Batman ain't for kiddies, folks! Arkham Asylum is Ozzy Osbourne meets Aleister Crowley without slipping into shock for shock sake. I highly reccomend getting the Anniversary Edition which answers many of the questions as well as interesting inside tidbits that didn't make it to the final cut.

This book shows Batman and the rogues at their most demented. A Batman out of emotional trauma stabs himself to wake up out of the surrealistic atomsphere that drained him only moments after entering Arkham, a pseudo-pedophealic Mad Hatter, and a Joker who uses crude innuendo are just some of the aspects that made this edition both a treat and a shocker to add to anyones' personal collection. One of my favorite bits in Arkham was the tragic Two Face breaching a whole new dimension of 'insanity'. The reason I highlight the word is due to this book asking it's audience 'What is exactly the meaning of the word?' Psychological thrillers offer varying nuances and takes of what makes the human mind capable of treading into the dark side. Although fiction is just that, fiction, Batman offers a probable solution to the human condition when it slips into another, socially undesirable plane: "Sometimes it's our madness that makes us who we are."

Although this isn't a exactly a Batman vs. XYZ story, Joker does make a lasting impression on his audience. Joker was originally designed to appear in Dr. Frank N Furter gear which can be seen in thumbnails in the back of the book. His appearance is nothing short of grotesque and disturbing. The Mother theme which is prevailing throughout the book can be seen even in the Ace of Knaves who acts as a sort of Mother guide to the other rogues, and what better way to corrupt the tragic childhood image that plagues the back of Batman's mind? Whether in lingerie or not, Joker as 'Madonna' certainly came across as someone with an agenda (whatever it is at any given time), who shakes up the establishment, someone who takes the 'freak out the people' to the extreme is very reminiscent of what the Material Girl was doing at the around the same time. Morrison did a wonderful job here.

Mad Hatters cameo is nothing short of chilling. The perversion of a childhood storybook character comes to life with his encounter with the Bat. Forget the Disney version!

I reccomend reading this book on a dark stormy night with Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath playing in the background. It's a well worth investment!!

I'll start by saying whats great: Dave McKean. As usual, his macabre style and collage style are the best I've seen, and he really shines in sequential-format. Pick this book up on the strength of the artwork alone and you won't be dissapointed. Its visceral and beautiful, and i can't recommend it enough.

Grant Morrison on the other hand... Where to begin? The premise is exciting, and the play between the reality of Batman's symbolic villains and their reflection in his damaged mind is fascinating. But maybe the man bit off more than he could chew. The reimaginings of the characters sometimes shine, and at other times completely confuse. a few of the characters are completely unidentifiable (clayface) or pointless (scarecrow). Batman doesn't really act like the Batman of the comicbooks, and sometimes his behaviour is completely counter to that of the established hero. However, this is a great Joker book, and his characterisation is spot-on brilliant, as is Two-face who is fascinating as a man consumed by indecision when faced with a fall range of choices when a tarot-deck replaces his coin. His final choice reveals a man whose decision making is more complex than he perhaps lets on.

The anniversary edition contains a full script, annotated, which is an interesting read, and clarifies a lot of the confusing portions of the story itself, but in the end seems tacked on in order to fill the pages and give people a reason to re-buy the most purchased graphic novel of all time. The Dave McKean extras are nice, and new cover is gorgeous.

For those who already own the original edition, save your money and hope for a future over-sized absolute edition (fingers crossed). Everyone else, this is a fantastic art-book, and worth the cost. Not perfect, but highly recommended.

The artwork is amazing, truly makes the Joker look like a real mad man who actually can scare you. However, outside of the art work, the story is shallow and boring, with hardly any Batman. Another problem is that the text is hard to read, especially for the Joker, it's so stylized that you'll be straining to read it.

Words can hardly even describe the depth of this story. There is so much to say about it, but I'm assuming you haven't actually read it yet, so it doesn't matter, because you need to. The art of David McKean is simply indescribable. Mixed with the depth of insanity of the dialogue, the illistration makes this the ultimate trek into the hell that is the Dark Knight's mind.

"Arkham Asylum" has to be my all-around favorite story about my all-around favorite superhero, playing seconds only to "The Dark Knight Returns," of course. With this disturbing tale of "discovering thyself," Grant Morrison shows that he can be just as good and influential a writer of everyone's favorite Caped Crusader as Frank Miller. Actually, Morrison proves himself an even better writer than Miller in certain places. While "The Dark Knight Returns" will, no doubt, always be my favorite Bat tale, "Arkham Asylum" expands the Batman character in a way that we never could've imagined. It evens shows Batman as even more of a "human" than most people care to admit. Be warned though, fans who grew up with the "ZIP" and "POW"" campiness of the 60s Adam West/Burt Ward show will be disgusted and disturbed by this book, whereas fans of the Dark Knight (the *REAL* Batman, I mean) will drool over it like Michael Jackson at a daycare center.

The first time I read this symbolic, frightening book I have been a huge fan of it. I've read it over and over again and it gets better upon each re-read. While reading, though, I couldn't help but notice some hidden symbolism and significant imagery scattered all throughout the story. I started read the "script" version of the story (featured in the back of this "anniversary edition") and indeed, learned and noticed many new things about it I otherwise never would've picked up on. Every single character in the book--from Batman, to the Joker and the villains--to even the minor characters, each symbolizes some sort of image significant to the story's plot and climax. Morrison's script has taught me a lot about this strange, but intellectually satisfying graphic novel, which I now like at least a hundred times more than I did before. "Arkham Asylum" is a Bat tale unlike any other, and would've made Frank Miller jealous. Oh, and did I mention Dave McKean's twisted, chaotic artwork which is essential to the entire story? If any other artist had illustrated this book, it would've failed and not be praised for what it is today, and that is not just my own opinion, it is the honest truth. Read it and you'll understand exactly what I mean. Highly recommended!

But I warn you once more: this is NOT your father's Batman. It's a relentlessly violent and very scary tale; absolutely NOT for the faint of heart, easily offended, or young children.

Holy wow, I've read this book probably 20 times, and I still love it. The concept is highly original, putting Batman in Arkham Asylum and whatnot, and retelling the origin of the owner, Adameus (sp?) Arkham. Has an extremely creepy atmosphere to it, plus stunning artwork by my favorite artist, Dave McKean. Any and all Batman fans should own this comic. Those whose apperciate good storytelling/artwork should pick up a copy as well.

This is a beautiful anniversary edition with added materials which will delight comic book fans.

Arkham Asylum is definitely one of the edgier Batman graphic novels, and many readers may find it disturbing on either of two levels. Firstly, the story itself is twisted and contains disturbing events and characters. Secondly, the images were richly and decadently provided by Dave McKean, and they are often shocking. He makes use of a mixed-media sort of style which makes the pages seem lifelike, and considering the content, they can be horrific.

Fans of the traditional POW! BAM! Batman may be unwilling to accept this very gritty, grotesque story. In fact, I feel that my own love of this graphic novel may stem from some kind of mental illness on my part. No normal human being would enjoy this sort of thing! But Morrison guides the reader through a fascinating series of images and events, traveling ever further into insanity. It is with some relief that we return from it, like Dante emerging from Hell.

This is most DEFINITELY not for children, and should not be anyone's first introduction to Batman. But it is a really well-written story with beautiful and terrible art. A study in the madness which seems to plague many central figures in the Dark Knight's world.

Not only this book is insanely well drawn/painted/whatevered, but it is also superbly written. There is a graphic novel if I ever read one. The artwork is worth 2000 years of continuous praise; and the words too.

I'm pretty sure this book would appeal very much to people that aren't specifically into Batman (I can't say I'm a big fan)because the whole thing is of such quality; it's VERY impressive. I never thought comics could reach such lofty area of greatness, but that one does it. This edition also contains a good amount of notes and stuff that help you sense the depth of that work, and it's worth it.

The visuals are so well executed; some people have commented on their nature and said that they are hard to "see"; I understand that, but please be sure that they're not at all unreadable, they only stretch the usual boundaries you might be used to if you're a big comic reader. It never was a problem to me, this being said; the only thing that confused me was some of the characters, but that is because I did not know them before I read this book; if you're a Batman fan, you will know them.

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who's into interesting stuff, Batman fan or not, you must experience this work!

The darkest Batman ever, this graphic novel will probaply have you shaking. It's got the creepiest settings ever. Batman faces his nastiest foes during April Fool's in Arkham Asylum for the criminaly insane. This Batman graphic novel is recommended for mature readers.

Upon hearing of this graphic novel, i was eagerly awaiting reading it. So i went out and bought it, taking no notice of it's length because ,of course, it's a 'masterpiece' of story narrative and art.

But that's not what I found after reading this...
First of all - The artwork is nice at first. But as you read on, you basically can't see what the hell is going on. Especially when it comes to the likes of The Joker where you cannot even read what he's saying. Next is the story itself. Batman goes into Arkham Asylum to free the hostages held by the inmates and basically sort it out. He goes in... and is confronted by The Joker (who isn't funny, he's just a lunatic) who sends him away to play 'Hide and Seek'... The rest is Batman walking through long, dark corridors. There is a bit later where Batman coldly pushes a man in a wheelchair down the stairs (?) and also a scene where Batman is seen self-harming himself (also ?) with no explanation for either. He then kills Killer Croc and hides from Scarecrow (?) and at the same time seems to have wounded himself quite badly and yet seems to go on quite easily.

The other part of the novel is the story of Amadeus Arkham. It seems he went crazy and killed his family. But we never find out why. Unless it's hidden somewhere in the confusing narrative and artwork.

Then the finale. Batman walks out of Arkham with the inmates still seemingly loose. And you wonder at the end... What is exactly 'groundbreaking' about this? Batman maybe being as psychologically challenged as the villains he faces? A topic that has been covered countless times.

In the end, i find this book an over-rated, confusing piece of work with no apparent point. But, hey, that's just my opinion.

From the Batman: Arkham Asylum Anniversary Edition hardback (the one I own), here's what the inside of the dust jacket says to give you an idea of what this graphic novel is about:

"In 1920, following the death of his insane mother, the brilliant psychiatrist Amadeus Arkham begins the conversion of his ancestral home into a hospital for the treatment of the mentally ill, little suspecting that he has set in motion a nightmarish chain of event and consequence.
More than half a century later, Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane is a place of dismal corridors and oppressive shadows. A bad dream house. A riddle in stone and timber, best left unsolved. For years, the demented and deformed enemies of the Batman have been imprisoned within these claustrophobic walls. In padded cells and unlit cellars, they have brooded and plotted, dreaming of a day when they might rise up and overthrow the world of reason.
That day has come.
It is April 1st and the lunatics have taken over the asylum. Led by the Joker, they issue a terrible challenge to the one man responsible for their imprisonment...
The Batman.
In a harrowing contest of wits with his greatest enemies, the Batman must descend into the heart of darkness, confront his greatest fears and learn the truth of his own existence...or be broken.
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth is a terrifying journey into obsession and madness. A story of psychological horror and of secrets that reverberate across time."

I wasn't sure what to expect when I recieved my copy of Arkham Asylum in the mail. But I was sure it would be interesting. Interesting? That's an understatement. I sat on my bed, opened the book, and delved into a world full of imaginitively dark art spliced gracefully with a haunting story that reached far beyond any Batman comic or graphic novel I'd read before. It was all so stylish and rich, while coming across as choatic and disturbed at the same time. With each page I turned, my mind was gripped more and more by the twisted characters and the surreal atmosphere. The story unfolded so well with the images -- I could practically see the figures move and hear the words and noises echo in my mind like a movie. The madness of the asylum bled all over the pages and into my head. It was more intriguing than terrifying, but for sure had a frightening quality to it. Here was one of the greatest superheros of all time, finally put under his own scope of psychoanalysis, and his evil foes finally shown in a light that was clear enough to humanize them. All with a dark tale that had me on the edge throughout. And then like a puff of air...gone. The impact of the ending was indeed satisfying -- in its own way intense and sombre all at once -- but I was still a bit surprised to see it end so quickly. It runs not long over 100 pages, and in my opinion deserved more. But maybe that's what made it so marvelous in retrospect. Isn't that the sign of a great read? You want more? I was certainly left wth a feeling of desire for further exploration into this new twist on a familiar world, but this was as far as it went. And maybe that's the best way it could've been. Regardless of the length, I still stand impressed by this controversial book. Some people love it, some people hate it, but no matter what you think of it, it will definitely leave you affected and in some way alter your view of Batman and his villains. Don't pass this one up. Believe the hype and get your hands on this excellent piece of work!

The premise of the book is that the charges in Arkham have overtaken the Asylum. The Joker and other lunatics demand that Batman come alone into the Asylum, or else the hostages will die. Batman then faces a surreal gauntlet of psychological self-exploration that defies reason. In the meanwhile, the history of the Asylum is explored and a dark underbelly of maniacal corruption emerges as sinister events lead up to the building of Arkham.

The art is conducive to the task of establishing the blurred perceptions that constitute madness. The words uttered are the ravings of people who live in what seems an altered reality. There is a lot of existentialist symbolism that is explained in greater detail in the back of the book. The explanations are very helpful and interesting in themselves.

The book is split into the actual storyline, and then a transcript of the storyline with a detailed analysis of the symbolism. There is a lot of literary depth here and not as much action as psychological suspense. So helpfully that description will give you an idea of whether you want to get it or not.

Most criminals are arguably sane; but Gotham City has more than its share of crooks and villains who clearly are NOT sane. These are among the most dangerous inmates committed to Arkham Asylum, often after being captured by Gotham's caped vigilante, Batman. As you might imagine, the costumed and super-powered maniacs in Arkahm's high-security section want to exact their own forms of revenge on the Dark Knight. They break out, seize the asylum and its staff, and demand that Batman join them inside Arkham.

But "Arkham Asylum" is more than just another Batman-versus-bad-guys story. It is also the tale of the doctor who transformed his own home into a place for housing and treating the mentally ill. As you will discover, there is more to both Arkham the man and Arkham the asylum than most people expect. And when Batman enters the facility to face his foes in a deadly game of hide-and-seek, he discovers just how much -- and how little -- separates him from those whom he has helped put there.

First of all I'm a HUGE batman fan, and just recently purchased this anniversary edition. This batman book has the original arkham asylum story, the full script by Grant Morrison, an afterword, and layouts by Morrison. Sounds like alot, but in actual fact it's not really. The dissapoint with this anniversary edition is the extras, The script is bassicly the meat of this book, but I suppose they want to show us that graphic novel/comic scripts are like movie scripts, and require alot of effort. There really isn't much of the other extras I mentioned.

Overall this book is worth the purchase and deserves the acclaim that Morrison and Mckean recieved. The writing is really incredible, and the art work magnificent.

So I reccomend you read the original script first then the graphic novel. The original graphic novel I give 5 stars, but the extras, four stars. One of my favourite batman books. Enjoy.

I don't know how I can praise this comic in a way that it hasn't been praised before. I don't think I'll even try, I'll just say what everyone else has been saying-- buy this book!

Let me say that Grant Morrisson isn't normally this good, but comics in general aren't normally this good either, but this is the comic genre at it's best and this is Grant Morrison at his best. I'm very impressed at how deep the book is. I have the special edition (which is very much worth it for the script book) and after reading the comic and being pleased at it, I read some reviews and people were saying what I'm saying now, that this is one of the best comics ever written. Well, I didn't agree, but it kept bugging me because I wanted to read the best and I was told Arkham was one of the best. I went back and read the script book and read about all the allsions and metaphors in the comic and I began searching them out, and sure enough, it was a clear as day what "x" panel meant, or that when so and so said this, they were also that, and that night Arkham Asylum went up leaps and bounds in my estimation. This comic is deep just like Moby Dick was deep, everything is symbollic, and the story reads smoothly. Arkham Asylum really is one of the greatest comics ever written, and should be in everyone's library. When people say stupid things like comics are litterary trash or something similar (like a lot of people like to say), hit them over the head with the Anniversary Edition,(then make them read it) and see if they catch a third of symbolism.

A great comic, I can't emphasize enough that this should be owned. Just reading it would be doing yourself a diservice.