What’cha Reading? Graphic Novels For Non-Comic Readers

Batman: The Long Halloween – Master storytellers Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale teamed up for some memorable stabs at DC’s Caped Crusader, but none more memorable than this 13 issue/chapter tale of noir drama, mob families and mysterious murder in The Long Halloween. Set during Batman’s early years in Gotham, this tale of a mysterious killer, Holiday, known for killing on holidays and leaving symbols of the day behind, gives us not only the origins of Batman’s iron clad relationship with then Captain Gordon, but also gives us a host of villains, Solomon Grundy, Scarecrow and Poison Ivy just to name a few. Sale’s art is striking, angular and bold, a perfect compliment to the writing style of Loeb, where every word means something. Readers new to Batman’s world will appreciate getting in on the early events in his career and seeing familiar villains and locales. Of all the Batman graphic novels to start with for new readers, this one should be at the top of the list.