Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? - Tapa dura

"He is among the few comics writers that critics point to as having transcended the genre and created something new and vital." "Like Tolkien, George MacDonald, John Crowley, or LeGuin, Gaiman knows that the "maturity" of a fantasy is little more than a measure of its depths... For all its distant shimmerings, Sandman has real substance. Its reveries seem strangely familiar -- and not just because Morpheus and his carefree sister Death would fit right in on St. Mark's Place." "Neil Gaiman is, simply put, a treasure house of story, and we are lucky to have him in any medium. His fecundity, coupled with the overall quality of his work, is both wonderful and a little intimidating... this is challenging stuff... sophisticated storytelling on a level practiced by Raymond Carver, Joyce Carol Oates, or [and perhaps this is closer to the mark] John Fowles." -- Stephen King "Mr. Gaiman is one of those adventurous creators who sees no reason why his tales shouldn't embrace slapstick comedy, mystical musings and the grimmest collection of serial killers this side of death row... If the sheer profusion of these inventions and the apt absurdity of some of the juxtapositions puts you in mind of one of your more heated dreams, then surely that's what Mr. Gaiman intends." -- Clive Barker

Written by Neil Gaiman Art by Andy Kubert & Scott Williams, Mark Buckingham, Bernie Mireault & Matt Wagner and Simon Bisley Cover by Andy Kubert & Scott Williams Best-selling author Neil Gaiman (THE SANDMAN) joins a murderer’s row of talented artists in lending his unique touch to the Batman mythos for this Deluxe Edition hardcover! Spotlighting the story “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” from BATMAN #685 and DETECTIVE COMICS #852 in which Gaiman joins artist Andy Kubert and inker Scott Williams for a story that shines a new light on the Batman mythos. Also collects Gaiman stories from SECRET ORIGINS #36, SECRET ORIGINS SPECIAL #1 and BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE #2. This collection is not to be missed! Advance-solicited; on sale July 22 · 7 1/16" x 10 7/8", 128 pg, FC, $24.99 US