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Batman: A Death in the Family

Jim Starlin
Illustrated by Marv Wolfman
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Batman: A Death in the Family

Jim Starlin
Illustrated by Marv Wolfman
Paperback
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Overview

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Overall rating: 4.3095236 / 5 from 42 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Batman: A Death In The Family is a must-read for Batman fans and comic book enthusiasts, known for its impactful storyline and significant events in the Dark Knight's mythology. Customers highlight its importance and enjoyability, making it a valuable addition to any collection.

Summary topics

  • Must Read: 16%
  • Story Quality: 46%

Review topics: [artwork, story, novel, book, read, history, comics, storyline, joker, plumreview, batman, place, writing, narrative, jason, addition, characters].

Review highlights

  • "Although it is far from one of my favorite Batman stories it is an essential read." — Jesse
  • "I love retro/old style Batman, it's my aesthetic for comic books." — Brianna
  • "The book is very well printed and the colours are very high quality." — Dani

Reviews

😘

"There’s no word to describe how awesome this book is"

— Kaylee (5/5)

If you havent read it yourself, you dont know the story

"A story that came out decades before i was even born, and i knew by heart, but was nothing until i read the pages myself"

— Oliver (5/5)

Fantastic Batman Story

"Amazing graphic novel and must-have for any Batman fan"

— DarkKnight (5/5)

Quality book right here

"The book is very well printed and the colours are very high quality. It is bound well and the paper used is very nice."

— Dani (5/5)

A classic

"A classic batman story and a staple every comic nerd should have in their collection! Great gut-punch story and well written as always!"

— Jordyn (5/5)

wow!

"Incredible story, well written and defining moment in the history of batman"

— Keith (5/5)

The Character study of Batman

"Batman: A Death in the Family is one of the most emotionally charged and controversial storylines in the long history of the Dark Knight, written by Jim Starlin and illustrated by Jim Aparo. Published in 1988, this storyline stands out not just for its bold narrative but also for the unprecedented level of fan involvement in its outcome. The central story revolves around Jason Todd, the second Robin, who is on a reckless quest to find his biological mother. His journey leads him across the globe, with Batman struggling to keep him safe while managing the Joker’s latest scheme. The pivotal moment comes when Jason is captured by the Joker, resulting in one of the most shocking and brutal moments in Batman's history. The story’s most infamous feature was the telephone poll that allowed readers to decide Jason’s fate, making it a unique and interactive experience. Starlin’s writing is intense and filled with a palpable sense of doom. Jason Todd is portrayed as hot-headed and impulsive, in stark contrast to the more polished and composed Dick Grayson, the original Robin. Starlin skillfully builds the tension between Jason's desire for family and Batman’s fear of losing him, highlighting the emotional complexity of their relationship. The Joker, as always, is a formidable and unpredictable villain, and his portrayal here is especially sinister, showing just how personal his war with Batman can become. Jim Aparo’s artwork effectively captures the dark, gritty tone of the story. His depiction of the characters, especially in the heartbreaking scenes between Batman and Robin, brings an emotional depth that complements the story's tragic nature. The colors by Adrienne Roy are somber, with reds and shadows that amplify the story’s grim atmosphere. The key strength of A Death in the Family lies in its exploration of loss and responsibility. Batman’s emotional turmoil is portrayed in a raw and real way, as he grapples with his own sense of failure and guilt over Jason's fate. This story explores Batman’s vulnerability, which is rarely touched upon in his mythos. However, A Death in the Family is not without its flaws. While the story is groundbreaking, it feels rushed at points, especially in Jason's sudden pursuit of his mother and the quick succession of major plot points. Additionally, the concept of letting fans decide Jason’s fate, while innovative, arguably undermines the depth of the narrative. Some readers felt the ending lacked emotional closure, particularly given the lasting impact Jason's death (and eventual return) would have on Batman's character in the years that followed. Overall, Batman: A Death in the Family is a must-read for Batman fans and comic book readers interested in pivotal moments in superhero history. It’s a tragic, powerful story that shaped Batman’s trajectory for decades, illustrating the weight of loss and the personal stakes in his war on crime."

— Vengeance (5/5)

One of the great Batman stories

"Dark story for the Dark Knight. A crucial addition to any Batman readers book shelf. Unforgettable story with classic Joker!"

— Megg (5/5)

Excellent Addition To Any Comic Fan's Bookshelf

"Batman: A Death in the Family was an amazing collection of comics full of the nerdy Batman I always loved! Every year on my birthday I splurge a little bit and buy myself a comic book. I bought this one year ago and totally slacked on reading it and posting my review. So now is my time to shine and finally reveal my thoughts on it! So far, this is one of my favourite series of comics in the Batman universe. Is it the best ever? No. Is it a hit or miss set of comics? Yes. But I absolutely love the artwork featured within this book. The style alone of how it was written pulls me in to the story and made me want to continue reading it. Add in the bright colours and old style comics and you have me hooked! I love retro/old style Batman, it's my aesthetic for comic books. This set of comics was interesting because back in the day readers got to vote what happened to Robin. That little information alone makes me more interested in this book - can you imagine eagerly waiting for the next comic to know whether or not the general public agreed with you on Robin's fate? That is so intriguing to me (and the results interested me even more). Clearly I need to read the earlier comics featuring Robin to see if I can understand why his fate was so tragic."

— Brianna (5/5)

A Must have for Bat fans

"There are better Batman stories, but perhaps none that are more important. This is a great collection because after the event, there are still a number of issues that establish Tim Drake as the next Robin. I suggest reading this, followed by Under the Red Hood."

— Greg (4/5)

Q&A

  • Published date: Nov 22, 2011
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 272
  • Publisher: DC Comics
  • ISBN: 9781401232740
  • Dimensions: 6.58" W x 0.38" L x 10.18" H
Jim Starlin is the acclaimed author of classic graphic novels including, for DC Comics, Cosmic Odyssey and Batman: A Death in the Family, as well as the 1982 Marvel graphic novel The Death of Captain Marvel.  His other works include the space operas Warlock and Dreadstar.

In a career that has spanned nearly 30 years, Marv Wolfman has helped shape the heroic careers of DC Comics' Green Lantern, Blackhawk, and the original Teen Titans, as well as Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and Nova. In addition to co-creating The New Teen Titans and the universe-shattering Crisis on Infinite Earths with George Pérez, Wolfman was instrumental in the revamp of Superman after Crisis, the development of The New Teen Titans spin-off series Vigilante, Deathstroke the Terminator, and Team Titans, and created such characters as Blade for Marvel, along with Night Force and the retooled Dial "H" For Hero for DC. In addition to his numerous comic book credits, Wolfman has also written several novels and worked in series television and animation, including the Superman cartoon of the late 1980s and currently the hit Teen Titans show on Cartoon Network.

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