Media Mania: Book Tie-ins to High Interest Movies, TV Shows, and More

Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 7/16/2008

Batman: Gotham’s Gladiator

The buzz is building for The Dark Knight (PG-13), a live-action movie from Warner Bros. that debuts in theatres on July 18, 2008, and features the DC Comics hero created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger almost 70 year ago. In this sequel to director Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed and commercially successful Batman Begins (2005),the characterizations and mythos once again hark back to the darker roots of their comic-book origins, depicting multifaceted individuals and a grittily realistic Gotham City. Christian Bale reprises the title role with the support of several other returning cast members. Heath Ledger portrays the Joker, psychopathic villain extraordinaire and Batman’s bona fide nemesis, a performance that has already garnered attention for its originality and insight. While Dark Knight may explore deeper themes and character nuances than many “popcorn” thrillers, viewers who like visual fireworks and an abundance of action will not be disappointed.

Bat-Watching on the Web

Teens can catch a glimpse of the movie’s characters and cinematic style at the official Web site. They can also access the latest headlines and chitchat at “The Dark Knight—Unofficial Movie Blog.” In addition to posted commentary, merchandise, and links to news articles and trailers, this site also provides access to a whirlwind of Dark Knight related tidbits including an issue of The Gotham Times, the Gotham Police Dept. Web site, and much more.

Book Tie-ins

While Dennis O’Neil’s official movie novelization for The Dark Knight (Berkley) will not be released until the film’s July 18^th premiere, there are plenty of other intriguing new Batman books to keep readers busy.

Since his first appearance in the DC Comics cosmos in 1939, Batman has been the center of an always-expanding and ever-evolving comic-book universe. Robert Greenberger’s The Essential Batman Encyclopedia (Del Rey) is a must-have resource for dedicated funny-book fans. This volume presents a “comprehensive history” of the Dark Knight, from his debut through stories published in September 2007 (movie and television incarnations are excluded). The detailed entries are organized from A to Z and range from character bios to topics such as technologies and locales. Greenberger clearly traces variations and interpretations in plotlines and characterizations, allowing readers to successfully navigate seven decades of Batman mythology. Abundant black-and-white comic-book images appear throughout, along with two 16-page full-color inserts, showcasing a beguiling variety of artistic interpretations.

Batman stands out among his brethren for his lack of superhuman powers—his abilities come from a mix of hard work, physical training, and knowledge rather than a technological mishap or otherworldly phenomenon. In addition to presenting a solve-as-you-read “interactive mystery,” Duane Swierczynski’s Batman: Murder at Wayne Manor (Quirk) offers an absorbing glimpse into the Caped Crusader’s psyche. When a decades-old corpse is unearthed on the grounds of Wayne Manor and deemed a murder victim, the evidence points to Thomas Wayne as the culprit. Batman struggles to retain his faith in his father while pursuing his need to serve justice and discover the truth. Narrated by the protagonist in a no-nonsense style, this elegant volume is illustrated with David Lapham’s atmospheric comic-style artwork and includes removable facsimile clues such as news clippings, police reports, and family photos.

Teens—and teachers—interested in digging more deeply into the character, his representations in print and on film, and his role as pop-culture icon will be mesmerized by Batman Unauthorized: Vigilantes, Jokers, and Heroes in Gotham City (Benbella). This collection of 18 enlightening and entertaining essays is edited and introduced by Dennis O’Neil, a 16-year Batman writer at DC Comics and author of several Batman novels and movie tie-in books. Though the content is thoughtful and well reasoned, the tone remains light as the selections wrestle with issues such as the challenges of transforming characters from the printed page to the big screen, contemplating Batman and the Joker as “Two of a Kind,” and discussing the psychology behind Batman’s duel existence in “What’s Wrong with Bruce Wayne?”

An Animated Adventure—on Film and in Print

Dark Knight devotees will also be a prime audience for Batman: Gotham Knight (PG-13), a DC Animated Universe direct-to-DVD anthology released on July 8^th by Warner Premiere. Employing a Japanese anime style of illustration, these six stand-alone short films relate Batman’s progression from crime-fighting novice to paragon of justice. Kevin Conroy voices the title character, reprising his role from the DCAU animated television series. Send readers to the movie’s official Web site for more information. Louise Simonson’s movie tie-in novelization (Ace), based on the screenplay, presents a fully fleshed-out version of Gotham City and its inhabitants—both the civic-minded and the criminally inclined—as Batman faces old enemies and new foes in his quest to clean up the streets of his beloved hometown. Fast-paced and packed with action, this novel will entice readers who like their Batman in traditional narrative format.

Pub Info

GREENBERGER, Robert. The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. 2008. ISBN 978-0-345-50106-6. pap. $29.95.

O’NEIL, Dennis. The Dark Knight. Berkley. July 2008. ISBN 978-0-425-22286-7. pap. $7.99.