No Man's Land?

[Watchman]

Okay, I've only own and read Vol. 1 of No Man's Land and it was pretty damn good. I particularly love the whole story thing (disaster, martial law, gang wars and stuff).

Just how many volumes are there and is it worth it getting all of them?

Discuss! Feel free to talk about NML in general!

[riotgear]

5, and I enjoyed the storyline. The art was a little uneven throughout it. It's funny how Damian Scott's early artwork looks like Joe Quesada's early stuff.

[Watchman]

Okay, so there are five volumes... But is it worth it getting ALL five? Well, I already have the first one, so is it worth it getting the remaining four? Like, is it a linear story? Do I have to read previous volumes to understand what's going on in the next stories?

[Azrael52]

I have all 5 Vols. They rock. I've always wondered if they included the whole story? Did it condense any?

Also, the novelization by Greg Rucka is brilliant!

[Brack360]

I recommend all five volumes as well as Greg Rucka's novelization. I bought NML in serialized form and thought it was excellent. It's definitely my favorite Batman crossover by far. The only minor complaint is that there were some one- or two-part stories that were "filler" and were not all that great, but most of these "filler" stories are not included in the TPB's. The TPB's contain the best and most essential chapters.

[Watchman]

Which volume do you think is the best of all five?

Which one features the Joker prominently?

[Jkid099]

The Joker is pretty much the main feature of Vol. 5. The volumes only collect the primary stories, which I like as it has the Joker remain in the background as this ominous and non-present threat until the very end and all the other players had been "cleared from the field" ... only leaving Batman and Joker.

In actuality, the Joker was prominently displayed during a few cruddy "two parters" (which were pointless and not included in the TPBs) and throughout Azrael's issues.

[Captain Jim]

I'd definitely recommend any and all of them. I have everything in its original format. Some stories are standalone and others progress the overall storyline. In the final volume, things defintely move to a climax and wrap-up.

The vast majority of the stories that ran in the core titles (Batman, Detective, Shadow of the Bat & LOTDK) are collected, though not all. There are a few nice stories that were overlooked, but none that are essential to the overall storyarc.

None of the supporting character stories are collected: Azrael for all 12 months and Nightwing, Robin, & Catwoman for the final six months. Also assorted issues of Batman Chronicles. All are really worth seeking out. Even the Azrael issues were quite good overall. Btw, the current (Cassandra Cain) Batgirl was introduced in this arc and got her own book only after it concluded.

[YoungG03]

I second that...I treated them like monthly comics waiting and waiting for the next one to come out

[Guts/Batman]

I loved the series. Undoubtedly my favorite in-continuity Batman story to date.

Loved how the characters were done. The art was...uneven. Some much better than the others.

Joker's part in this tale was very enjoyable. This was Joker done right, IMO. Luthor was great in this story as well. One of my favorite Batman moments in Volume 5 when Batman goes to Luthors tent after he arrives.

Bane's part was kickass as well. And his confrontation with Batman in the trailer was cool.

As far as I know, Bane-Bruce Wayne II is in Volume 4.

It's like Hush, in the way there are so many characters involved but written so much better because the time allowed for the story to take place.

One of my favorite Batman moments comes in Volume 5. Batman goes into Luthor's tent, KOs Mercy quickly then goes over to Luthor (waking him).

Looms at him and tells he knows what he is planning. Mercy wakes up and starts to charge at him. Somebody asks if there is any trouble going on in the tent and Luthor says "No. He was just leaving."

Badass.

[dancj]

It's a good story, but I'd have to say the first volume is the best one. It's still worth picking up the rest though

Dan

[The Mirrorball Man]

It's a good story, but I'd have to say the first volume is the best one. It's still worth picking up the rest though
Yes, I agree. "No Man's Land" was very good, but "No Law and a New Order" (the very first arc) was much better than the rest.

[Lubichev]

You should also make a point to read Rucka's novelization of NML. And Cataclysm, obviously, is a good prequel to NML. And yeah, I'd pick 'em all up if I were you.

[Expletive Deleted]

None of the supporting character stories are collected: Azrael for all 12 months and Nightwing, Robin, & Catwoman for the final six months.The NIGHTWING issues are available in one of the NIGHTWING trades, I think. Could be wrong, though.

In any case, I'll agree with everyone that the first trade is the best, but the rest are still pretty darn good.

[outlander78]

All five volumes are great, as is the Nightwing trade which tells the story of effects in Bludhaven (refugees, people taking advantage etc).

[Spot]

I havent read the comics yet.. trying to track them down... might order off amazon... but thats another story... i first read no mans land by greg rucka... the novel... and loved it from my understanding a lot was left out from the comics. But out of all the books ive read this is most defiantly up there in the top 5

[Captain Jim]

The NIGHTWING issues are available in one of the NIGHTWING trades, I think. Could be wrong, though.

You're probably right, since the entire series is in the process of being collected. I wasn't thinking about that, just special NML trades.