The Art of Batman Begins: Shadows of the Dark Knight

After seeing BATMAN BEGINS, I realized that I have just watched a movie that has so much more to tell me. But how can I find out more about the locations used, the props made, the characters and the creative process? "The Art of Batman Begins" satisfied my thrist for that knowledge. It's a great book that makes you appreciate the little things about BATMAN BEGINS and makes you proud to be a person who paid $10 to see it at the Cineplex. Hollywood has given us less than stellar films in the last couple years, it's good to see that the makers of BATMAN BEGINS still wanted us, the audience, to have a magical, wonderful movie going experience.

This is book goes into detail on the production of this long awaited film. From the Batmobile to the Batsuit we get details that we've always wanted. The only problem I have with the book is that it's too short, I wanted more.With that one problem aside, this will be a welcomed addition to "Batman" fan's library.

The Art of BATMAN BEGINS is a wonderful look into the making of the film. It has extensive storyboards and costume designs, as well as, concept art in full color. Any fan of the Dark Knight should add this edition to your bookshelf. Only a joker would pass this up.

Soon after 1997's "BATMAN AND ROBIN", directed by Joel Schumacher (argh...), I became seriously convinced that the character created by Bob Kane was gone for ever and no sooner it would return to the big screen. My conviccion lasted eight straight years until a young genious named Chris Nolan accepted the chalenge of Warner Bros to take the Dark Knigh back to his roots and to this past on a chaotic Gotham City handled by the worse crime lords you can think of. The result is BATMAN BEGINS, with Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Michael Caine as Alfred, the buttler, Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox. The movie also stars Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner) as an ambicious business man from Wayne Enterprises, a man eager to take the full control of the company to himself. There is also a fabulous score signed by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. I've already watched the movie and hope it arrives fast on DVD. This book, for its turn, is a beautifuly illustrated souvenir from such a great work of so many talents. It brings lots of pictures, storyboards and graphis wrapped in Mark Cota Vaz's unique way of writing a story. Don't miss it. I did not.

With any of the big-time, franchise, summer blockbuster films you always get a flood of merchandising, of course. Batman Begins is the start of a new Batman franchise and the start of a massive marketing campaign. The Art of Batman Begins takes you through a kind of step-by-step tour of the creation of the film and it's dark influences. The book begins with the cover to the classic Detective Comics #27, the first ever appearance of Batman along with a few panels from that issue by the late Bob Kane, Batman's creator. Then it's on to brilliant, full page concept paintings and drawings, and storyboards. A veritable treasure trove of material. If you haven't seen the film yet, this book is a great example of how Batman is being returned to his dark roots of the late 1930's and early 40's. A great book...one of the best merchandising items so far for the movie. Must-have for collectors!