Batman: The Long Halloween

A heavy source of inspiration for Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight , this collection of a 13 part mini-series has distinct style and storytelling. Like a classic 30s mob story, Gotham City's crime families are caught up with a "Holiday" killer, while the three good guys, Batman, Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent, attempt to keep pace.

As a self-contained story, this one is epic and delivers wonderfully.  Tim Sale's use of panels and darkness gives a cinematic feel to the Loeb story structure.  Though i'm hesitant to make the comparison, The Long Halloween reminds me at times of Watchmen, in how the concept and layout appear to be meticulously planned and designed.  There is no filler here, nor no stone left unturned.

Though not breathtaking or stunning from a visual standpoint, it is as solidly created a Batman adventure one could ask for.  It definitely deserves to be ranked amongst the most definitive renderings of Dark Knight lore by providing a stellar account of the Bat's early years in Gotham.

5 stars out of 5