Normally I am a big fan of reading books before their movie adaptation is released. This is one example of where I preferred the movie to the book. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Craig Shaw Garder, and I think the book was well written, however there were some really out of place scenes in this adaptation that I felt did not fit the overall flow of the story. For example, most people will recall the scene in the movie where Bruce Wayne shows up at Vicki Vale's apartment and the two have an arguement. Bruce attempts to tell her that he is Batman, but the Joker and his goons arrive. In the book adaption, Bruce pulls out his utility belt and proceeds to examine the box the Joker sends her, which is there before hand. Additionally, after the Joker leaves, Bruce puts on a ski mask and tries to chase the Joker down in his car, while wearing his utility belt. There are a few other scenes that just didn't quite work for me. Other than that, Gardner did a good job of painting the Gotham City picture as a city of slime and crime.
Published in 1989 a few weeks before Tim Burton’s massively successful film, this novelization by Craig Shaw Gardner is a bit rough around the edges, and I don’t mean from shelf wear. Gardner’s approach to writing is hit or miss, but fortunately, despite being very workmanlike, his Batman novel is a good read.Gotham City is a cesspool of crime. We begin with a family trying to find their way home through the crowded, dirty city at night, only to be waylaid by a pair of muggers while taking a sho
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I was lucky enough to find a new hardback collectible version of this book on amazon today which is perfect. It only cost me £11! I am so glad that I found it since it was the last one available :) Just before my birthday next week, I am really happy now.
—Carly Nicholas
