Batman: Child of Dreams (Batman Beyond (DC Comics))
Adult/High School--Bob Kane's superhero continues to offer inspiration to contemporary cartoonists and graphic novelists. The well-plotted tale that unfolds here touches on modern issues. Batman (aka Bruce Wayne) arrives in Tokyo to uncover an impostor, a young Japanese villain who has imbibed his own horrible creation--a widely available but illegal drug that allows the person who ingests it to become any of Batman's rivals. Through shadows as well as lines, the images are a suitable blend of Batman stoicism and manga perspectival play. Panels explode at inspired angles and spreads offer the appearance of movement--a cape flapping in the night sky--through judicious layouts. When it comes to clothing, even the young woman reporter Wayne meets always appears fully dressed or sheeted. Fans will enjoy this episode in the international Batman saga, but it also stands on its own.--Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.