Matt Wagner's Batman

[jaguarshark]

Just wondering, because I couldn't really find one streamlined thread for it, how many of you enjoyed Matt Wagner's 'Batman & the Monster Men' and how many of you are looking forward to the 'Mad Monk' mini? For that matter, I don't have 'Faces' or 'Trinity' yet, what did you think of them? Basically, I'd love to hear just any thoughts you might have on Wagner's Batman work, and not just on the titles I've listed here.

As the individual issues of 'Monster Men' came out, I enjoyed them but I couldn't help but wonder if it really needed to be a six-issue mini. Reading the issues back-to-back, though, I enjoyed them a lot more, and really saw the story that Wagner was telling thematically. I think Wagner was saying something very interesting about the limits of genetic manipulation, and the importance of personal experiences and convictions, in shaping a person. That's kinda clear on the first read-through, but I didn't realise just how much that subtext came through throughout all six issues at first.

And the art, of course, was sublime. Wagner's Gotham looks as glamourous, in a '40s cartoony way, as it ever has, and he provides the action sequences with a tremendous sense of drama. It actually reads a lot like the best bits of the cartoon series or the Burton films, which I see as a very good thing.

Bring on the 'Mad Monk', and any other series under the 'Dark Moon Rising' imprint! I'm a little wary of the $3.50 price tag (in Australia, that ends up being reasonably pricey) but I think I'll make an exception for Wagner.

[elias_A]

I agree, Monster Men was great, just like a Batman story should be written in my opinion.

I also liked Faces, one of the best Two-face stories that I know; despite some "mature" elements it feels very much like the Dini/Timm animated series (focussing on the villain's psychology).
What I did not like so much in Faces were some scenes where Batman is captured, but no-one takes his mask off, and then he manages to escape in a Houdini-way; however, that is also just like in the animated series.

[The Batman]

yeah Matt Wagner has always done a pretty good job with Batman. Faces was great, i liked how he handled Batman in Trinity and the two Grendel crossovers were alot of fun.

i really enjoyed Monster Men and i can't wait for Mad Monk.

[megladon8]

I just bought Matt Wagner's book Trinity, and I'm looking forward to reading it.

[Agent0]

Loved it. Matt Wagner has easily become one of my favorite creators on Batman already.

Mad Monk should be just as good.

[cactusmaac]

I liked Trinity but Monster Men just seemed a little pointless. The whole plotline with Julie's father and the mobsters was kind of filler. I liked the original 40's story more.

[matt levin]

I very much enjoyed the first issue--maybe too much: the rest of the series seemed to move ever more slowly, in regard to plot at least, and characterization, after that great opening issue, dropped to next to nil. The book looked good, but only when I don't directly compare it to Wagner's Mage or early Grendel. And for me, the ending was tiresome. Sad to say, I didn't keep Monster Men and didn't order Mad Monk.

win some, lose some, eh?
Matt

[marshal99]

Get the grendel crossovers , the first one especially was fantastic. Hunter Rose was the perfect nemesis for Bruce Wayne.

[the film freak]

I think he does his noir bit better in Sandman Mystery Theater. I was kind of let down by Batman and the Monster Man. That could have easily been a two or three part story. But the Batman/Grendel crossovers, Trinity and Faces are good. I love his art too. I hope he does a Superman solo book some day... and finish Mage ;)

[riftt]

both batman/grendel mini's are great, as is 'Devil Quest' which leads into the second one.

Trinity is a great book, especially for old fans and those jaded by the (then)current batman. Definitely a book to read more than once to fully appreciate.

[Babylon23]

I'll buy just about any Batman book produced by Wagner, adn Monster Men was no exception. I loved it, although I admit its read better as a full story than as single issues.

I cant wait for Mad Monk. I love the original MM story.

[Tony Starkz]

I'm looking to get Trinity and Monster Men in TPB.

Was Trinity good?

[scratchie]

As the individual issues of 'Monster Men' came out, I enjoyed them but I couldn't help but wonder if it really needed to be a six-issue mini. Reading the issues back-to-back, though, I enjoyed them a lot more, and really saw the story that Wagner was telling thematically. Same here.I really enjoyed "Monster Men" but I may wait for the trade of "Mad Monk".

[ednemo]

I haven't read Monster Men yet. It is the only Batman story (That I know of) that Matt Wagner penned that I haven't read. Faces was great! Trinity was great! And The Grendel crossovers were great as well. (Now if he would just finish Mage!!!)

The trade for Monster Men comes out on Aug 12. And I will pick it up then.

[Sharpandpointies]

Get the grendel crossovers , the first one especially was fantastic. Hunter Rose was the perfect nemesis for Bruce Wayne.

Seconded. :)

[Forefinger]

Get the grendel crossovers , the first one especially was fantastic. Hunter Rose was the perfect nemesis for Bruce Wayne.
I agree. I wish that Wagner would let DC use Hunter Rose as a Bat villian occasionally.

I'm getting Batman and the Monster Men in TPB whenever I can.

[stealthwise]

Monster Men put me to sleep at times, and I kept buying it in hopes that it would become more interesting, but by the end it seemed as though the series was twice as long as it needed to be. I didn't care for the art either.

[scratchie]

Monster Men put me to sleep at times, and I kept buying it in hopes that it would become more interesting, but by the end it seemed as though the series was twice as long as it needed to be. I sort of thought that when I was buying it, but reading it all at once at the end, it held together pretty well. That's why I'm going to wait on the trade for the next one.

I didn't care for the art either.I didn't have any strong opinions about it one way or the other. It got the job done.