Batman: Inferno

if i had to choose between batman: INferno or Dead white, i'd go with dead white, but that doesnt mean this book wasnt good, id recommend it to any batman fans, it's worth picking up

Definitely the creepiest cover for a Batman novel. Another book with some small ties to the Beyond Beyond milieu, as here, Lucius Fox is a technologist at Wayne, not a financier. Gordon is a Captain. Ducard was one of Batman's trainers. Batman has problems with two supervillains, one an arsonist that was transformed into a metahuman during some mercenary work, and has a grudge against the GCPD, and also the Joker, who, after the firebug Enfer toasts Arkham, stumbles across the Batcave and steals a Batsuit. Luckily for the Batman, Enfer and the Joker don't get along, and spend some time in opposition. After every chapter in this book is a press clipping from a Gotham newspaper, which is done quite well. Batman has two supervillains, one burning down quite a few parts of the city, and one his usual crazy self, as well as a loss of trust from the media, the police, and the general population.

A good read and highly recommended over John Shirley's Batman: Dead White. This Batman book actually feels like it belongs - it has all the elements you expect and as with anything the Joker is involved with - a few sick laughs. Set in what seems 50% post-Batman Begins and 50% post-The Man Who Laughs(from comics continuity) - it includes Lucious Fox in the same capacity Batman Begins does as well as sets a small familiar origin and first caper from the Joker reservoir incident from The Man Who Laughs. Arkham Asylum is seemingly within the city limits as it is in Batman Begins. What I can't place is the use of Jonathan Crane and few references to Falcone. Jonathan Crane works at Arkham Asylum and is a public figure and very much resembles Batman Begins - but no mention of incarceration - just strong pointing to the fact that he, like the people he treats, just isn't right in the head. His dialogue even sounds like the Batman Begins interpretation and the use seems appropriate. Enfer isn't half bad, he's a little above average for a book original villain - he's well explained and has the kind of Gotham villain flair we've come to love (or hate). A hefty dose of involvement and mention of Gordon is a welcome addition to the book and would make your mouth water at the possibilities if the new Batman sequel continues to devote some time to the character. After reading the plot summary for the book I was skeptical - but it is executed quite well and will keep you interested. The Joker's dark humor and his relationship with Enfer is very entertaining. After all the material that's out there on the Joker it really is surprising how well he's represented in the book - so Joker fans will not be disappointed at all. The only downside and element that didn't seem to fit was Enfer's use of technology late in the book - seemed more like Lex Luthor than a vengeful pyromaniac. Satisfying above average book and is definitely worth a read for Batman fans. I hope they keep turning these out.