Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

fantastic cultural experience, 01 Dec 2008
This is an epic journey through the life of chagall. It is an absolutely fantastic journey which should be enjoyed by all. Anyone who does not like this book (not that I have ever met any such person) obviously has no cultural insight or intuition. This book has been shortlisted for the 2008 Whitbread Prize (results are being awaited), and considering it has been out for only a month, I think that says a lot about the quality. It is a fantastic must-read.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

fantastic cultural experience, 01 Dec 2008
This is an epic journey through the life of chagall. It is an absolutely fantastic journey which should be enjoyed by all. Anyone who does not like this book (not that I have ever met any such person) obviously has no cultural insight or intuition. This book has been shortlisted for the 2008 Whitbread Prize (results are being awaited), and considering it has been out for only a month, I think that says a lot about the quality. It is a fantastic must-read.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

If any comic has a claim to have truly reinvigorated the genre then The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller--known recently for his excellent Sin City series and, previously, for his superb rendering of the blind superhero Daredevil--is probably the supreme contender. Batman represented all that was wrong in comics and Miller set himself a tough task taking on the camp crusader and turning this laughable, innocuous children's cartoon character into a hero for our times. In his introduction the great Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, Swamp Thing, the arguably peerless Watchmen) argues that only someone of Miller's stature could have done this. Batman is a character known well beyond the confines of the comic world (as are his retinue) and so reinventing him, while keeping his limiting core essentials intact, was a huge task.

Miller went far beyond the call of duty. The Dark Knight is a success on every level. Firstly it does keep the core elements of the Batman myth intact, with Robin, Alfred the butler, Commissioner Gordon and the old roster of villains, present yet brilliantly subverted. Secondly the artwork is fantastic--detailed, sometimes claustrophobic, psychotic. Lastly it's a great story: Gotham City is a hell on earth, streetgangs roam but there are no heroes. Decay is ubiquitous. Where is a hero to save Gotham? It is 10 years since the last recorded sighting of the Batman. And things have got worse than ever. Bruce Wayne is close to being a broken man but something is keeping him sane: the need to see change and the belief that he can orchestrate some of that change. Batman is back. The Dark Knight has returned. Awesome. --Mark Thwaite

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

fantastic cultural experience, 01 Dec 2008
This is an epic journey through the life of chagall. It is an absolutely fantastic journey which should be enjoyed by all. Anyone who does not like this book (not that I have ever met any such person) obviously has no cultural insight or intuition. This book has been shortlisted for the 2008 Whitbread Prize (results are being awaited), and considering it has been out for only a month, I think that says a lot about the quality. It is a fantastic must-read.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

fantastic cultural experience, 01 Dec 2008
This is an epic journey through the life of chagall. It is an absolutely fantastic journey which should be enjoyed by all. Anyone who does not like this book (not that I have ever met any such person) obviously has no cultural insight or intuition. This book has been shortlisted for the 2008 Whitbread Prize (results are being awaited), and considering it has been out for only a month, I think that says a lot about the quality. It is a fantastic must-read.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!!, 23 Oct 2008
Once you open this book it is nearly impossible to stop. Even people who normally do not like books will love this one. It's a comic but not comical.. (unless your sense of humour is very very dark). It let's you experience the horrors of the holocaust more realistically than any other book or film I have seen about it.

I love this book and could not recommend it more highly. Enjoy.

Are you trying to avoid it?, 25 May 2008
I had known of this book for about a year when i finally decided to buy it. I was put off by the slightly dodgy artwork and the very serious nature of the plot which to me is not what comics are about. Anyway,I wanted to read it so i could come on hear and rant about how it is an over-rated waste of time but I cant. The art isnt perfect i agree but it has its charms and as you read the story you really do get into the simplistic nature of it,it works for this,it doesnt distract from the story which over stylised art would. The story is VERY well written and everything i read totally shocked and moved me.
The jist of my review is - if you are put off by the art but you liked schindlers list or have a fascination with hearing about the holocaust from a personal perspective then you have to read this book. It would get 5 stars from me if I genuinely felt that everyone would like the artwork but I know thats not gonna happen but everyone who isnt an anti-semite must read this story!

Masterpiece, 11 Apr 2008
Only graphic novel to date to win the Pulitzer Price.

That should be compelling enough to endear anyone to this masterwork.

The drawing isn't perhaps as expressive as that of Sacco, but the novelty in Maus not only comes from the controversial bestialization of the characters (Poles are pigs, Jews are mice, Germans are cats, etc) but also from the timeline jumps that mix the chilling tale of Vladek's survival of Auschwitz and the author's process of discovery and acceptance of his father's personality as he is retold the survivor's tale.

So while we are presented with the horror's faced by Vladek, the book also deals with the strained relationship between the author and his father, his father's second wife and the author's converted wife.

One can only praise Spiegelman's honesty at the less than perfect portray of the old age Vladek and his own insecurities.


Searing honesty, 31 Mar 2008
"Maus" is an amazing accomplishment and a rightly revered classic. What I admire most about its narrative is its honesty. If Spielberg ever adapted this book as a film, it would become a simplistic, black-and-white affair: one-dimensional Nazi aggressors stamping on one-dimensional Jewish victims. Instead, Spiegelman has opted to respect our intelligence and throw the doors wide open on this repellent slice of human history. He pulls no punches and tells his father's story with abject truth - even when sometimes portraying the Jewish community in a less than flattering light.

In the unflinching pages of "Maus", Jews betray Jews. Jews steal from Jews. Jews discriminate against non-Jews. I sat up with a shock when Vladek, the tale's central holocaust survivor, displays unbelievable racism towards a black man. Having lived through unspeakable persecution, he speaks of African-Americans in the same way that a Nazi would speak of a Jew. Also, in his old age, Vladek has come to resemble the Nazi stereotype of the "miserly old Jew". This adds incredible power and depth to this already complex story, throwing up countless questions on morality, racial identity and the grey area between good and evil.

It is a staggeringly brave book and its courage has sealed its success. I only wish more artists out would get some guts and show the world some work that really matters.


Rupert in Nazi germany, 10 Mar 2008
I have respect for the author in that it was brave to explore the subject of the holocaust in comic book form- quite an original thing to do. His story is an important one to tell. However, this does not take away the fact that Spiegelman can't draw. The art is in black and white with no rendering and Spiegelman's style is flat and bland.
In this comic book, the jews are mice and the Nazis are cats. The people have animal heads and human bodies-like Rupert bear! That is the last thing you want to think about when reading a book about the holocaust.
And as a person who has experienced having mice in my house (mouse droppings in the cutlery drawer is not pleasant) I find it hard to sympathise with any cartoon mouse.

V for Vendetta is, like its author's later Watchmen, a landmark in comic-book writing. Alan Moore has led the field in intelligent, politically astute (if slightly paranoid), complex adult comic-book writing since the early 1980s. He began V back in 1981 and it constituted one of his first attempts (along with the criminally neglected but equally superb Miracleman) at writing an ongoing series. It is 1998 (which was the future back then!) and a Fascist government has taken over the UK. The only blot on its particular landscape is a lone terrorist who is systematically killing all the government personnel associated with a now destroyed secret concentration camp. Codename V is out for vengeance ... and an awful lot more. V feels slightly dated like all past premonitions do. The original series was black and white and that added to the grittiness of the feel while the colouring here in the graphic novel sometimes blurs David Lloyd's fine drawing. But these are small concerns. Skilfully plotted, V is an essential read for all those who love comics and the freedom, as a medium, they allow a writer as skilled as Moore. The graphic novel contains all the V series plus two additional stories concerning V that were originally considered "interludes". This edition also contains an essay from Moore dating from 1983 explaining the creation process. For any comic fan it's a must-have. --Mark Thwaite

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

fantastic cultural experience, 01 Dec 2008
This is an epic journey through the life of chagall. It is an absolutely fantastic journey which should be enjoyed by all. Anyone who does not like this book (not that I have ever met any such person) obviously has no cultural insight or intuition. This book has been shortlisted for the 2008 Whitbread Prize (results are being awaited), and considering it has been out for only a month, I think that says a lot about the quality. It is a fantastic must-read.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!!, 23 Oct 2008
Once you open this book it is nearly impossible to stop. Even people who normally do not like books will love this one. It's a comic but not comical.. (unless your sense of humour is very very dark). It let's you experience the horrors of the holocaust more realistically than any other book or film I have seen about it.

I love this book and could not recommend it more highly. Enjoy.

Are you trying to avoid it?, 25 May 2008
I had known of this book for about a year when i finally decided to buy it. I was put off by the slightly dodgy artwork and the very serious nature of the plot which to me is not what comics are about. Anyway,I wanted to read it so i could come on hear and rant about how it is an over-rated waste of time but I cant. The art isnt perfect i agree but it has its charms and as you read the story you really do get into the simplistic nature of it,it works for this,it doesnt distract from the story which over stylised art would. The story is VERY well written and everything i read totally shocked and moved me.
The jist of my review is - if you are put off by the art but you liked schindlers list or have a fascination with hearing about the holocaust from a personal perspective then you have to read this book. It would get 5 stars from me if I genuinely felt that everyone would like the artwork but I know thats not gonna happen but everyone who isnt an anti-semite must read this story!

Masterpiece, 11 Apr 2008
Only graphic novel to date to win the Pulitzer Price.

That should be compelling enough to endear anyone to this masterwork.

The drawing isn't perhaps as expressive as that of Sacco, but the novelty in Maus not only comes from the controversial bestialization of the characters (Poles are pigs, Jews are mice, Germans are cats, etc) but also from the timeline jumps that mix the chilling tale of Vladek's survival of Auschwitz and the author's process of discovery and acceptance of his father's personality as he is retold the survivor's tale.

So while we are presented with the horror's faced by Vladek, the book also deals with the strained relationship between the author and his father, his father's second wife and the author's converted wife.

One can only praise Spiegelman's honesty at the less than perfect portray of the old age Vladek and his own insecurities.


Searing honesty, 31 Mar 2008
"Maus" is an amazing accomplishment and a rightly revered classic. What I admire most about its narrative is its honesty. If Spielberg ever adapted this book as a film, it would become a simplistic, black-and-white affair: one-dimensional Nazi aggressors stamping on one-dimensional Jewish victims. Instead, Spiegelman has opted to respect our intelligence and throw the doors wide open on this repellent slice of human history. He pulls no punches and tells his father's story with abject truth - even when sometimes portraying the Jewish community in a less than flattering light.

In the unflinching pages of "Maus", Jews betray Jews. Jews steal from Jews. Jews discriminate against non-Jews. I sat up with a shock when Vladek, the tale's central holocaust survivor, displays unbelievable racism towards a black man. Having lived through unspeakable persecution, he speaks of African-Americans in the same way that a Nazi would speak of a Jew. Also, in his old age, Vladek has come to resemble the Nazi stereotype of the "miserly old Jew". This adds incredible power and depth to this already complex story, throwing up countless questions on morality, racial identity and the grey area between good and evil.

It is a staggeringly brave book and its courage has sealed its success. I only wish more artists out would get some guts and show the world some work that really matters.


Rupert in Nazi germany, 10 Mar 2008
I have respect for the author in that it was brave to explore the subject of the holocaust in comic book form- quite an original thing to do. His story is an important one to tell. However, this does not take away the fact that Spiegelman can't draw. The art is in black and white with no rendering and Spiegelman's style is flat and bland.
In this comic book, the jews are mice and the Nazis are cats. The people have animal heads and human bodies-like Rupert bear! That is the last thing you want to think about when reading a book about the holocaust.
And as a person who has experienced having mice in my house (mouse droppings in the cutlery drawer is not pleasant) I find it hard to sympathise with any cartoon mouse.

Fantastic read, 21 Nov 2008
I watched the film before reading the book and I loved it, I thought the entire thing was brilliant and loved V (Hugo Weaving was fantastic) and I was always intending to read the book. A work colleague told me that the book is a lot different from the film (as is usually the case) so not too long ago I brought the book and had finished it two days later.

Alan Moore has written an amazing piece. The entire idea of England becoming one of the only countries that survived a massive war and the political party that took over are fascist and its basically a Big Brother moment where they watching everything you do. Evey unlike in the film is just a sixteen year old girl who doest have enough money to live so she becomes a prostitute. Unlike in the film Evey is a lot less self reliant and is happy to live out her life in V's shadow gallery but it shows a great deal about her growing up from the scared little girl into what she becomes later.

The book was a great read and didn't disappoint giving you a disturbing outlook to a dark future and I love David Lloyd's little note dedicating the book to people who don't switch off the news and choose not to live in blissful ignorance.

Infinitely preferable to the film, 19 Aug 2008
Great. This deserves the hype but not the butchering it received on film at the hands of the Wachowksi brothers. This is really about Thatcher's Britain and nuclear winters and the social control of 'deviant' minorities and the power of dissent. So it has something to say about today. But don't read it as a proxy for political critique. It is a joy for many a reason, of which its anarchist politics is one, but our present predicaments require something less wedded to Cold War models. V for Vendetta is of its time, by which I mean also that it is a classic.

Good work, but totally spoiled..., 14 Aug 2008
A potentially excellent work of graphic fiction, but totally spoiled by the worst attempt at phonetically transcribing a Scottish accent I've ever read--when you read it out loud it sounds it a bit like Russ Abbott's "See You Jimmy" character. Embarrassing and unnecessary when there are so many great Scottish comic book writers who could have assisted.

The V-effekt of V for Vendetta , 27 Jul 2008
Alan Moore and David Lloyd's aesthetic seems almost Brechtian. With a sci-fi motif it distances the reader from the universal political issues being addressed; amusingly, V for Vendetta could be said to use Brecht's V-effekt. There is a strong dialectic that runs throughout, a sense of determinism layered symbolism. All V's Larkhill targets personify aspects of the state. Science is embodied by Delia Surridge, military and media by Lewis Prothero and religion by Anthony Lilliman. Each takes an attitude of opposition; so Lilliman is the unrepentant leader of an institution of salvation, whilst Surridge seeks repentance from the opposed standpoint of a scientist. Prothero, by representing the military become media, is in himself a synthesis between the power of rhetoric and that of violence, which ultimately spawns a new antithesis resulting in V - anarchy personified.

The secret police are represented by Peter Creedy and the figurehead by Adam Susan; Creedy seeks power as an end in itself, whilst Susan is a deranged idealist who believes in his superiority to the extent that he becomes solipsistic, disconnected from humanity and infatuated with the super computer `fate'. With all of this madness Moore knows how to offer grounding and realism; investigator Eric Finch and orphan Evey Hammond take on the roles of the everyman and everywoman respectively. They offer the audience characters to follow, to empathize with. They are a thread of sanity weaved through this excellent narrative.

Moore's story is also full of intertextual allusion; from Shakespeare to Goethe and from Crowley to Fawkes, this is intelligent writing. The dialogue (replete with convincing phonetic spellings, character ticks and vernacular language) flows beautifully and the absence of thought bubbles or sound bubbles lends this book both a maturity and minimalism. Lloyd is given room by this minimalism to show of his artistic capabilities, which are not at all lacking; this is a gritty, dystopic kind of realism that takes you to the action. Each panel demands your attention.

Overall V for Vendetta is faultless; I love the film as well, but the original is on a different level. This is a comic book that shows you how far the medium can be pushed when it is backed by enough raw creative talent.

Wicked, 22 Jun 2008
I love this graphic novel, I read it a long time before I saw the film, and I still think the novel is better! If you have never read a comic/ graphic novel before, I highly recommend this one.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

fantastic cultural experience, 01 Dec 2008
This is an epic journey through the life of chagall. It is an absolutely fantastic journey which should be enjoyed by all. Anyone who does not like this book (not that I have ever met any such person) obviously has no cultural insight or intuition. This book has been shortlisted for the 2008 Whitbread Prize (results are being awaited), and considering it has been out for only a month, I think that says a lot about the quality. It is a fantastic must-read.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!!, 23 Oct 2008
Once you open this book it is nearly impossible to stop. Even people who normally do not like books will love this one. It's a comic but not comical.. (unless your sense of humour is very very dark). It let's you experience the horrors of the holocaust more realistically than any other book or film I have seen about it.

I love this book and could not recommend it more highly. Enjoy.

Are you trying to avoid it?, 25 May 2008
I had known of this book for about a year when i finally decided to buy it. I was put off by the slightly dodgy artwork and the very serious nature of the plot which to me is not what comics are about. Anyway,I wanted to read it so i could come on hear and rant about how it is an over-rated waste of time but I cant. The art isnt perfect i agree but it has its charms and as you read the story you really do get into the simplistic nature of it,it works for this,it doesnt distract from the story which over stylised art would. The story is VERY well written and everything i read totally shocked and moved me.
The jist of my review is - if you are put off by the art but you liked schindlers list or have a fascination with hearing about the holocaust from a personal perspective then you have to read this book. It would get 5 stars from me if I genuinely felt that everyone would like the artwork but I know thats not gonna happen but everyone who isnt an anti-semite must read this story!

Masterpiece, 11 Apr 2008
Only graphic novel to date to win the Pulitzer Price.

That should be compelling enough to endear anyone to this masterwork.

The drawing isn't perhaps as expressive as that of Sacco, but the novelty in Maus not only comes from the controversial bestialization of the characters (Poles are pigs, Jews are mice, Germans are cats, etc) but also from the timeline jumps that mix the chilling tale of Vladek's survival of Auschwitz and the author's process of discovery and acceptance of his father's personality as he is retold the survivor's tale.

So while we are presented with the horror's faced by Vladek, the book also deals with the strained relationship between the author and his father, his father's second wife and the author's converted wife.

One can only praise Spiegelman's honesty at the less than perfect portray of the old age Vladek and his own insecurities.


Searing honesty, 31 Mar 2008
"Maus" is an amazing accomplishment and a rightly revered classic. What I admire most about its narrative is its honesty. If Spielberg ever adapted this book as a film, it would become a simplistic, black-and-white affair: one-dimensional Nazi aggressors stamping on one-dimensional Jewish victims. Instead, Spiegelman has opted to respect our intelligence and throw the doors wide open on this repellent slice of human history. He pulls no punches and tells his father's story with abject truth - even when sometimes portraying the Jewish community in a less than flattering light.

In the unflinching pages of "Maus", Jews betray Jews. Jews steal from Jews. Jews discriminate against non-Jews. I sat up with a shock when Vladek, the tale's central holocaust survivor, displays unbelievable racism towards a black man. Having lived through unspeakable persecution, he speaks of African-Americans in the same way that a Nazi would speak of a Jew. Also, in his old age, Vladek has come to resemble the Nazi stereotype of the "miserly old Jew". This adds incredible power and depth to this already complex story, throwing up countless questions on morality, racial identity and the grey area between good and evil.

It is a staggeringly brave book and its courage has sealed its success. I only wish more artists out would get some guts and show the world some work that really matters.


Rupert in Nazi germany, 10 Mar 2008
I have respect for the author in that it was brave to explore the subject of the holocaust in comic book form- quite an original thing to do. His story is an important one to tell. However, this does not take away the fact that Spiegelman can't draw. The art is in black and white with no rendering and Spiegelman's style is flat and bland.
In this comic book, the jews are mice and the Nazis are cats. The people have animal heads and human bodies-like Rupert bear! That is the last thing you want to think about when reading a book about the holocaust.
And as a person who has experienced having mice in my house (mouse droppings in the cutlery drawer is not pleasant) I find it hard to sympathise with any cartoon mouse.

Fantastic read, 21 Nov 2008
I watched the film before reading the book and I loved it, I thought the entire thing was brilliant and loved V (Hugo Weaving was fantastic) and I was always intending to read the book. A work colleague told me that the book is a lot different from the film (as is usually the case) so not too long ago I brought the book and had finished it two days later.

Alan Moore has written an amazing piece. The entire idea of England becoming one of the only countries that survived a massive war and the political party that took over are fascist and its basically a Big Brother moment where they watching everything you do. Evey unlike in the film is just a sixteen year old girl who doest have enough money to live so she becomes a prostitute. Unlike in the film Evey is a lot less self reliant and is happy to live out her life in V's shadow gallery but it shows a great deal about her growing up from the scared little girl into what she becomes later.

The book was a great read and didn't disappoint giving you a disturbing outlook to a dark future and I love David Lloyd's little note dedicating the book to people who don't switch off the news and choose not to live in blissful ignorance.

Infinitely preferable to the film, 19 Aug 2008
Great. This deserves the hype but not the butchering it received on film at the hands of the Wachowksi brothers. This is really about Thatcher's Britain and nuclear winters and the social control of 'deviant' minorities and the power of dissent. So it has something to say about today. But don't read it as a proxy for political critique. It is a joy for many a reason, of which its anarchist politics is one, but our present predicaments require something less wedded to Cold War models. V for Vendetta is of its time, by which I mean also that it is a classic.

Good work, but totally spoiled..., 14 Aug 2008
A potentially excellent work of graphic fiction, but totally spoiled by the worst attempt at phonetically transcribing a Scottish accent I've ever read--when you read it out loud it sounds it a bit like Russ Abbott's "See You Jimmy" character. Embarrassing and unnecessary when there are so many great Scottish comic book writers who could have assisted.

The V-effekt of V for Vendetta , 27 Jul 2008
Alan Moore and David Lloyd's aesthetic seems almost Brechtian. With a sci-fi motif it distances the reader from the universal political issues being addressed; amusingly, V for Vendetta could be said to use Brecht's V-effekt. There is a strong dialectic that runs throughout, a sense of determinism layered symbolism. All V's Larkhill targets personify aspects of the state. Science is embodied by Delia Surridge, military and media by Lewis Prothero and religion by Anthony Lilliman. Each takes an attitude of opposition; so Lilliman is the unrepentant leader of an institution of salvation, whilst Surridge seeks repentance from the opposed standpoint of a scientist. Prothero, by representing the military become media, is in himself a synthesis between the power of rhetoric and that of violence, which ultimately spawns a new antithesis resulting in V - anarchy personified.

The secret police are represented by Peter Creedy and the figurehead by Adam Susan; Creedy seeks power as an end in itself, whilst Susan is a deranged idealist who believes in his superiority to the extent that he becomes solipsistic, disconnected from humanity and infatuated with the super computer `fate'. With all of this madness Moore knows how to offer grounding and realism; investigator Eric Finch and orphan Evey Hammond take on the roles of the everyman and everywoman respectively. They offer the audience characters to follow, to empathize with. They are a thread of sanity weaved through this excellent narrative.

Moore's story is also full of intertextual allusion; from Shakespeare to Goethe and from Crowley to Fawkes, this is intelligent writing. The dialogue (replete with convincing phonetic spellings, character ticks and vernacular language) flows beautifully and the absence of thought bubbles or sound bubbles lends this book both a maturity and minimalism. Lloyd is given room by this minimalism to show of his artistic capabilities, which are not at all lacking; this is a gritty, dystopic kind of realism that takes you to the action. Each panel demands your attention.

Overall V for Vendetta is faultless; I love the film as well, but the original is on a different level. This is a comic book that shows you how far the medium can be pushed when it is backed by enough raw creative talent.

Wicked, 22 Jun 2008
I love this graphic novel, I read it a long time before I saw the film, and I still think the novel is better! If you have never read a comic/ graphic novel before, I highly recommend this one.

Fantastic Book - great present for any man, 03 Nov 2008
really loved this book, bought it for my dad who adored it and the trip down memory lane, infact a number of his friends were desperate to get their hands on a copy! woudl def recommend as an xmas gift, theyare sure to love it!!

Well Worth It, 02 Oct 2008
I bought this at Waterstone's so paid full whack. Maybe slightly over priced there but this is still a great gift.

If you like good drawing, or are interested in how things work then buy it.

If you want a history of Eagle, or a detailed breakdown of Cutaways then try the web but this is a nicely produced introduction for young'uns, or a trip down memory lane for their grandads. For me in the middle it is the answer to many gift-giving problems.

Maybe not for the Connoisseur but a Beautiful Book, 02 Oct 2008
This book feels like and looks a quality product.

It's a classic coffee table book which you can pick up and put down and enjoy over and over again.

I'm not an Eagle expert and I bought this for my dad and I know he will be delighted with it. I am holding off on giving it to him so I can carry on flicking through it a bit longer.

The colour reproduction is beautiful and really brings out the detail of the artists' work. There are a few problems with the guttering but this does not detract too much.

It would have been nice to have the dates on all work but the drawings are so amazing that I didn't think about the date they were drawn until someone else mentioned it in their review and think it is only the Eagle Connoisseur who will be bothered by this.



A shoddy cheapskate production job, 01 Oct 2008
A shoddy, cheapskate production which is an insult to the reader, the reprinted material and the Eagle artists who created it. The scans are muddy - much poorer in quality than those used years ago by Denis Gifford - and no gutter has been introduced, so that half an inch of each double page spread disappears into the binding. The material isn't dated, themed or indexed - even the page numbering peters out towards the end. The book has all the hallmarks of a couldn't care less publisher and a technically incompetant compiler. If it wasn't a requested gift I would have sent my copy back - it's really that bad.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

fantastic cultural experience, 01 Dec 2008
This is an epic journey through the life of chagall. It is an absolutely fantastic journey which should be enjoyed by all. Anyone who does not like this book (not that I have ever met any such person) obviously has no cultural insight or intuition. This book has been shortlisted for the 2008 Whitbread Prize (results are being awaited), and considering it has been out for only a month, I think that says a lot about the quality. It is a fantastic must-read.

Simply Outstanding!, 11 Aug 2008
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or graffiti either but this is totally different! 5 STARS well deserved!

Colourful, vibrant, real, hopeful!, 24 May 2008
Persecuted in our fast and modern ways we thought the happiness will emerge eventually out of the individualistic work and the enhanced personal security. But instead of happiness we became fearful of the person next to us in such a way we caused depression.

We thought of a million ways to overcome the walls of our communication. Then Banksy, simply and quietly, used the language the humans always knew: "art". Using the freedom we always envy: "our walls". Exposing the obvious where political correctness or personal gain make us go silent: "graffiti".

Enjoy the book.

Banksy - a great summary of his work, 12 May 2008
The book summarizes his work pretty good. The new book (Banksy's Bristol - Home sweet home) does contain a lot of background stories - but this book just contains much more images and niece pieces of art.

Definitely a must-have, if you are interested in (stencil) graffiti.

There's Another Banksy, 25 Apr 2008
I have this book and absoluetly love it, it exaplains why he did it, how he did it and some of his experieces and anecdotes. The book is excellent to be able to see decent street art, but then I came across the person Bansky is inspired by. He is fairly unknown here in the UK but HE is BANKSY'S idol, he is called Blek Le Rat and he too has a book out, he is a 56 year old frenchman who has been doing the things Banksy has been doing for years longer, you can buy his book off amazon. I would say buy Banksy's book to see the British side of street art, but buy Blek Le Rat if you want to see the true inspiration behind Banksy's work.

brilliantly cool!!!!, 25 Mar 2008
I bought this book because im into graffiti, hip hop culture and art. Im doing a degree at the moment and thought it would be helpful, and im glad i did because not only is it funny and unique there is also a really clever message behind it all. If your considering buying it for influence with uni work or anthing like that then i seriously recommend it, if your just curious then its a really cool book to have.

The Dark Knight Stuns!, 22 Oct 2008
Starting off with anarchy approaching Gotham, Batman as an older man finds himself pulled back into vigilante activities with a variety of mean, ugly threats to be dealt with.

The art & the writing in this are excellent & this is a really gripping read. This is recommended even if you aren't a big graphic novel fan, as the action pulls you in and the story is very compelling. A great read.

SUPERB!, 28 Sep 2008
Only Watchmen can be considered to be as good as Batman: The Dark Night Returns. However, where Watchmen had an absolute myriad of characters, The Dark Night Returns with its single protagonist is better able to create characters the reader can emphasise with.

The reader is introduced to an ageing Bruce Wayne who has come out of retirement to continue is vengeful fight against crime. This dark, disturbed and sad character is pitted against those he considered allies, new enemies that are stronger than him and an all too familiar nemesis. The story is wonderfully written, well paced with a few twists and turns that keep the story interesting and a surprise shock ending with a man in tights. The artwork is brilliant, quick loose drawings capturing the action and suspense of a dark brooding story in a way some comics are unable to achieve.

Batman: The Dark Night Returns is a must own and a must read. The story is brilliantly told and features a damaged, weary character that draws you in to his own one man war.


The Greatest...., 24 Jul 2008
In all types of history there are defining moments. A moment that is so extraordinary that you have to see it again to believe what you have just seen. It sometimes takes time for the dust to settle to appreciate such a moment.
This comic is one of those moments.
The Dark Knight Returns took a tired out superhero genre and re-injected it with the modern paced style we see today. A comic that in fact saved the superhero himself. The multi-layering of story lines in this epic tale is almost cinematic in its construction.
Maybe a little dated now, but at the time it re-defined everything in comics and the way superheroes where percieved. If you are a fan of Batman, this should be the cornerstone to your collection.

DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, 23 Jul 2008
If you are used to the slick, photo-realistic art of some modern Graphic Novels/Comics, then the look of this book may take some getting used to... but get passed that, and it's one of the best comics you'll ever read.

A very good read., 05 Jun 2008
If I had to choose one word to describe this, I would choose the word epic. Why? Because its an interesting look on how Bruce Wayne would handle himself in his later years with excellent action sequences and crisp dialogue. There's really only one thing bad about this, and that is the lack of Joker. Sure he's in it, but he's not really as important to the plot as he should have been. And he's camper than ever. But aside from that, buy it. It should tickle your fetish.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!!, 23 Oct 2008
Once you open this book it is nearly impossible to stop. Even people who normally do not like books will love this one. It's a comic but not comical.. (unless your sense of humour is very very dark). It let's you experience the horrors of the holocaust more realistically than any other book or film I have seen about it.

I love this book and could not recommend it more highly. Enjoy.

Are you trying to avoid it?, 25 May 2008
I had known of this book for about a year when i finally decided to buy it. I was put off by the slightly dodgy artwork and the very serious nature of the plot