Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
Ahhh, Christmas is nearly here and it's one of my favorite times of the year. I love the holidays, not just because I adore cheese, twinkling lights and presents, but also because I adore reading and discussing seasonal comics. Over the years, I've gotten to write about all kinds of fantastic and often hilarious holiday issues, but this year I decided to focus on something a little more serious and a lot more bleak. Yes, this Weekend Escape, I'm not delving into the campy festive stories of years past, but instead the gorgeously rendered and deeply serious Lee Bermejo Christmas Carol reimagining, Batman: Noel.
THE PREMISE:
As a small-time criminal, Bob Cratchit tries to make Christmas special for his young—and of course, sickly—son Tim. Through him, we're introduced to the icy streets of Gotham where life is hard and avoiding the brutal, bitter Batman is harder.
Yes, in an unexpected twist, it's not the Joker or Mr. Freeze who represents Scrooge, but the Dark Knight himself who plays the villain here. Haunted by the losses of his past, he's become a violent and broken man with no compassion left in his body. That's until he's visited by three very familiar ghosts who teach him the error of his ways, helping him become something closer to the hero that we know him as.
LET’S TALK TALENT:
DC icon Lee Bermejo takes the lead here on both writing and art duties, showcasing his unique painted style in order to bring a chilling vision of Gotham City to life. Alongside colorist Barbara Ciardo, Bermejo takes us on a journey that feels like a new holiday classic, with detailed and atmospheric art that matches the gothic vibes of the modern A Christmas Carol retelling. Lettering legend Todd Klein crafts an icy take on the narrative with his lettering choices, ensuring his work remains additive to the story rather than a distraction. Collectively, they ensure every page of Batman: Noel is a bonafide work of art that you’ll want to pore over for long after you’ve absorbed the action it’s intended to convey.
A FEW REASONS TO READ:
- A one-shot that pays homage to Batman's storied history: Not only does this Christmas yarn have a classic flair, but it also showcases villains and character designs from throughout the hero’s 85-year run. For fans of vintage Batman, there are some great nods, like a neon sign for Sprangs, a reference to iconic 1950's Batman artist Dick Sprang, who has had a resurgence in popularity recently as fans rediscover his wild '80s and '90s cover work.
- A rare serious Christmas comic: As I noted at the beginning, most superhero holiday comics are a time for joy, laughter and often outrageous fun, but with the deadly serious and darkly sincere Batman: Noel, Bermejo and co. offer a new entry to the Christmas canon that is far closer to the horrors of Dickens than the fun of contemporary holiday specials.
- It features some really awesome backmatter: One of the most exciting things about this book is that once the story is finished, there are a ton of incredible layouts, notes and sketches that showcase just how the story was told. Great backmatter is often the marker of a book that becomes timeless, and Batman: Noel feels like it'll inspire an entirely new generation of creators over time.
WHY IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME:
A unique and spooky take on a Christmas legend featuring stunning art, storytelling as chilling as its wintery setting and a new vision of the Dark Knight unlike any other! This is a great read (or an excellent gift) for comics die-hards or newbies alike, which makes it an excellent access point for those who might not already be versed in DC lore. Whether that sounds like you or not, with Christmas only a few days away, it’s the perfect time to wrap up warm and shield yourself from the cold weather with this red hot read. Who knows? Maybe the story of an evil rich guy being haunted and learning to change his evil ways will feel just as resonant and relevant this year as it did over 100 years ago...
Merry Christmas, DC fans!
Batman: Noel by Lee Bermejo is available as a hardcover graphic novel in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers. It can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.
Rosie Knight is an award-winning journalist and author who loves Swamp Thing, the DC Cosmic and writing the monthly gossip column here at DC.com. You can also listen to her waxing lyrical about comics, movies and more each week as she co-hosts Crooked Media's pop-culture podcast, X-Ray Vision.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Rosie Knight and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
