An interesting book that focuses on the social issue of the child sex trade. Vachss uses the Batman to demonstrate how child abuse is an issue that affects everyone. The book is well-written and portrays the Batman as the legendary, menacing figure that Bob Kane first wrote in Detective Comics #27. That said, the retconning of the Batman's origin to portray Bruce Wayne's mother as a pioneer investigator of the child sex trade feels forced. Overall, the book is worth reading, but definitely not for children. ( )

In this book Batman is frustrated that his battle against crime is not enough. As billionaire Bruce Wayne, Batman meets social worker Debra Kane, who claims child abuse is the root of crime. Intrigued, Batman goes after child porn only to learn from his trusted servant, Alfred that Batman's mother had been after this same group when she died. Beware this books does has some strong language and some violence.

The author Mr. Vachss is a child advocacy crusader and the author of crime fiction. This novel was written to raise awareness of the pedophilia problem overall and the Thai child exploitation problem. There is a non-fiction child sex tourism report included as an appendix to this book that drives this point home. This book is a good read, but for adults. ( )

A quite well-written book about Batman's attempts to fight child abuse and prostitution more effectively. The aspects which deal with the Batman's attempts to combat the more mundane forms are quite moving and effective. But the book is marred on two fronts: Batman takes the chase to the international level, to contend against the leader of an international child prostitution ring. It clashes with the closer-to-earth level of his endeavors against child abuse in Gotham. And, he discovers that his dead mother was a highly trained and efficient agent in the war against child abuse. Gratifying, perhaps, but it adds to the level of unbelievability. Vachss writes about the Batman's activities and motivations very convincingly. It's a shame he allowed what could have been a very fine book to soar into the nether realms, beyond credibility. ( )

503