An imaginative noir comic thick with backstory and full of plot twists!
What villain is killing Gotham City’s philanthropists? The Shadow knows the evil in the hearts of men but is he a hero or a villain?
Mentioning almost any part of the plot of this great noir comic would be a heartbreaking spoiler. Most of the fun in reading this multilayered story is not understanding where it is heading in advance.
Usually I read comics and even graphic novels not expecting much from the plot. Action, and awesome illustrations, are my usual expectation. This comic definitely contains both but the focus is on the story. It explains who taught Batman to be Batman. Alfred’s background is also explored. While I had only seen one old black & white movie about The Shadow, his story, as shown in this book, is captivating.
Most comics take a few hours to read. This one took me days because I truly wanted it to last as long as possible. I can also see a re-read in my future. Batman/The Shadow: The Murder Geniuses is definitely my favorite comic from 2017. It is especially recommended for mystery readers who previously shunned comics as too simplistic in plotting. The plot is definitely the star here. 5 stars!
Thanks to the publisher, DC Comics, and NetGalley for an advanced review copy.