Batman & Houdini: The Devil's Workshop
by Howard Chaykin (Writer), Mark Chiarello (Illustrator), John Francis Moore (Writer)
Batman: Elseworlds, DC Elseworlds, Batman
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While this Elseworlds has a similar feel to Gotham by Gaslight, it's set about 20 years later in 1907, and isn't related to that earlier story. This one has the huge draw for me of featuring Harry Houdini, and then the huge negative of Chaykin using racial slurs and misogyny in a way that comes across as "naughty boy saying naughty words" rather than as (unnecessary) historical accuracy. It's a disappointment, as is the plot that shoehorns in a Renfield-ish Joker and vampires. It has the makings of a great story, spoiled by a hamfisted execution. 3🦇 solely for the very good watercolour artwork.
A fascinating and beautifully painted "Elseworlds" tale of a young Batman at the turn of the 20th century, as he encounters Harry Houdini and they join forces to defeat a demonic thief of children. The dynamic between Batman and a more experienced Houdini is intriguing, and the watercolor illustrations lend a nostalgic and otherworldly aura to this fine tale of suspense and horror.
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- Original publication date
- 1993
- People/Characters
- Batman (Bruce Wayne); Harry Houdini; Bruce Wayne (Batman); The Joker (Jack Schadenfreude); Tom Mix; Elijah Montenegro (show all 11); Alfred Pennyworth; Leonora Reinhardt; Vicki Vale; Martha Wayne; CecĂlia Weisz
- Important places
- Gotham City, New Jersey, USA
- First words
- It wasn't only the December chill that kept the poor of Gotham home that bleak winter of '07 -- it was a mortal fear of the dark -- as the night consumed the children of that squalid corner of Gotham -- known as the Devil's W... (show all)orkshop.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)And though my career has kept me from Gotham in the tumultuous years since I first met Senator Wayne -- I remain exhilarated by the memory of the adventure above and below that soot-darkened metropolis -- sharing a Grand Guignol stage alongside a comrade whose legend equals my own.Harry Houdini1925 Chicago
- Original language
- English
- Canonical DDC/MDS
- 741.53
Classifications
- Genre
- Graphic Novels & Comics
- DDC/MDS
- 741.53 — Arts & recreation Drawing & decorative arts Drawing Comic books, graphic novels, fotonovelas, cartoons, caricatures, comic strips Special aspects of comic books, graphic novels, fotonovelas, cartoons, caricatures, comic strips
- LCC
- PN6728 .B36 .C43 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Collections of general literature Comic books, strips, etc.
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 106
- Popularity
- 304,913
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.36)
- Languages
- English, German, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 3
