Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1: Faces of Death by Tony S. Daniel
Author Biography:Tony S. Daniel decided to be a comics artist in the eighth grade, and he hasn't looked back since. After making his professional debut in 1993 on Comico's The Elementals, he has contributed to Marvel's X-Force and Image's Spawn: Bloodfeud as well as writing and illustrating his own titles Silke, The Tenth and F5, which led him into work in Hollywood. After being lured back into comics to work with writer Geoff Johns on TEEN TITANS, Daniel went on to draw THE FLASH before landing his dream job pencilling BATMAN. Information retrieved from Amazon.com. Please note the information was taken from another work Daniel was involved in, as the volune 1 entry had an interview with him rather than his bio.
Published by: DC Comics
ISBN: 9781401234669
Genre: Action
Reading Level: Ages 14 and Up
Reader’s Annotation:
Batman is back and with a stronger focus on mystery and detective work. In the newest revision, Batman has to determine who has stolen the Joker’s face as well defeat and capture a new villain called the Dollmaker.
Plot Summary:
The Joker is causing trouble again, and Batman’s attempts to capture him take him into bizarre, new territory. After catching Joker in the act of murdering a man wearing a mask made from flesh, he escapes Batman’s clutches by setting off a bomb and endangering a little girl. Batman saves the girl, but loses the Joker in the process. The Joker later resurfaces and is captured and tossed back into Arkham Asylum, a prison for the criminally insane. It seems this was part of Joker’s plan, however, when the Dollmaker breaks into his cell, surgically removes his face, and releases him.
Batman’s problems are twofold now: Joker is the worst type of serial killer as he has no real pattern and is now lurking around Gotham without a face, and now a mysterious new villain is rampaging through the city and stealing the faces of its residents. The case becomes personal as Police Commissioner James Gordan, an ally of Batman, is captured by the Dollmaker and is poised to go under his knife.
Critical Evaluation:
Many of the Batman comics lately have been focused more on action and the mayhem caused by the villain of the week, so it’s a refreshing change of pace to see Batman return to a more mystery-oriented series. Detective Comics is also extremely dark, and paints Gotham City as an even more dangerous place than many of the other Batman comics before it. Daniel’s writing is excellent and does a fantastic job portraying the Joker as a sick individual, as well as characterizing Batman as the grim, brutal, and dauntless hero villains know him to be.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
Defensive Maneuvers:
Book Talk Ideas:
A serial killer with no actual pattern has escaped - and he literally has no face. How would you handle the situation?
Why This Book?
The New 52 is a reboot of many popular DC Comics franchises and, while not all of them have been successful, Detective Comics does the Batman mythos justice. Readers will find the dark tone, mystery, dialog, and art of this gritty graphic novel impossible to put down.
Published by: DC Comics
ISBN: 9781401234669
Genre: Action
Reading Level: Ages 14 and Up
Reader’s Annotation:
Batman is back and with a stronger focus on mystery and detective work. In the newest revision, Batman has to determine who has stolen the Joker’s face as well defeat and capture a new villain called the Dollmaker.
Plot Summary:
The Joker is causing trouble again, and Batman’s attempts to capture him take him into bizarre, new territory. After catching Joker in the act of murdering a man wearing a mask made from flesh, he escapes Batman’s clutches by setting off a bomb and endangering a little girl. Batman saves the girl, but loses the Joker in the process. The Joker later resurfaces and is captured and tossed back into Arkham Asylum, a prison for the criminally insane. It seems this was part of Joker’s plan, however, when the Dollmaker breaks into his cell, surgically removes his face, and releases him.
Batman’s problems are twofold now: Joker is the worst type of serial killer as he has no real pattern and is now lurking around Gotham without a face, and now a mysterious new villain is rampaging through the city and stealing the faces of its residents. The case becomes personal as Police Commissioner James Gordan, an ally of Batman, is captured by the Dollmaker and is poised to go under his knife.
Critical Evaluation:
Many of the Batman comics lately have been focused more on action and the mayhem caused by the villain of the week, so it’s a refreshing change of pace to see Batman return to a more mystery-oriented series. Detective Comics is also extremely dark, and paints Gotham City as an even more dangerous place than many of the other Batman comics before it. Daniel’s writing is excellent and does a fantastic job portraying the Joker as a sick individual, as well as characterizing Batman as the grim, brutal, and dauntless hero villains know him to be.
Curriculum Ties:
- Psychology
- Serial killer patterns
Challenge Issues:
- Violence/Murder
Defensive Maneuvers:
- Have the library's collection policy on hand and memorized. Even though you may have it committed to memory, being able to show specific provisions as proof with strengthen your position.
- Be familiar with the book. Having great knowledge of it will prove you understand the content and the way the challenged matters interact with each other.
- Cite any awards the book may have. Though the patron may disagree with the book, showing that it is well known and seen as having great literary merit will strengthen your defense.
- Have a few reviews ready from respected sources such as Amazon or VOYA. At the very least, you can prove you understand the material and reviews will corroborate that.
- Have a strong idea WHY that item is in the library. Explain its merits, who the intended audience is, and so on.
- State your library's commitment to providing intellectual freedom as written in the Library Bill of Rights.
- Stay calm. Getting defensive or hot under the collar will only weaken your position.
- And finally, be open to discussion and LISTEN. Even if you do not agree with the patron, their concerns are still legitimate and you should show that you are engaged with them. Listening to their concerns may be enough to take the edge off.
Book Talk Ideas:
A serial killer with no actual pattern has escaped - and he literally has no face. How would you handle the situation?
Why This Book?
The New 52 is a reboot of many popular DC Comics franchises and, while not all of them have been successful, Detective Comics does the Batman mythos justice. Readers will find the dark tone, mystery, dialog, and art of this gritty graphic novel impossible to put down.