Book Review: Batman: Noel by Lee Bermejo

By georgelthomas on 1 Dec 2023 • ( 0 )

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I am reviewing Lee Bermejo’s festive-themed graphic novel Batman: Noel.

Batman Noel was first published in 2011 by DC Comics and is 112 pages long.

The Plot
In this loose reimagining of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, Batman tries to track down a dangerous criminal on Christmas Eve while grappling with his own inner demons and the ghosts of his past.

Characters
Batman
Batman has become jaded, and in his latest hunt for the Joker, he sets up a down-on-his-luck father, Bob, as bait to lure him out. Here, Batman is cast, at least from the narrator’s point of view, as Scrooge. He is shown to have lost his sense of Christmas spirit and has seemingly become single-minded, not caring that someone like Bob may have had no other choice than to turn to crime.

On top of his crime-fighting duties, Batman has to contend with a severe cold or flu, which causes him to hallucinate visions of his long-gone partner, Robin.

Bob Cratchit
Bob Cratchit is one of the Joker’s low-level henchmen. Having agreed to pick up some cash and hand it over to the Joker, he is thwarted by Batman. Despite his criminal activities, Bob is depicted as a sympathetic character forced to make tough choices in a world where the odds are stacked against him. Returning home to his sick son, he worries about what will happen to him. He becomes so focused on what’s happened and what might happen to him that he is a little neglectful of his young son’s feelings, snapping at him that Batman isn’t very Christmassy when the boy wants to hang a Batman figure from their makeshift Christmas tree.

Cat Woman/Selina Kyle
Cat Woman informs Commissioner Gorden that she has information regarding the Joker’s whereabouts and arranges to meet Batman. Upon meeting up with her, however, she admits she lied. She wants to get him to restart their fun and games. In Noel, Catwoman is shown to represent the ghost of Christmas past. She reminds Batman of all the fun they’ve had together over the years, but he isn’t interested. He tells her that it was never for fun and that he doesn’t play games anymore. The two fight and Catwoman draws him into chasing her, which floods his memories of people and places from his past.

During their chase, Batman falls off a roof, landing in the alley below with no sign of Catwoman.

Superman
Superman arrives just after Batman’s fall and tries to offer him help, which Batman initially declines. Superman tells him he shouldn’t be outside because he believes Batman has pneumonia (he uses his X-ray vision to look at his lungs). He convinces Batman to at least let him help get him back to his Batmobile. Batman agrees but tells Superman they need to make a stop on the way.

The two of them end up on a rooftop overlooking Bob’s apartment, where Batman watches to see if the Joker will turn up. Superman is against the idea of Batman using Bob as bait, especially since they can see his young son is there with him. Superman thinks Batman should find another way and carries him off in search of his car.
Superman can be seen as the ghost of Christmas present in Noel. On the way to the Batmobile, he shows Batman the reality of the city. It’s Christmas Eve in Gotham, and Superman shows Batman that some people below are trying to live good lives by being kind, happy and helpful – all things he was initially fighting for. He even takes him by Commissioner Gordon’s house so that Batman can hear that the Commissioner believes in him greatly but that he worries Batman might one day cross the line.

Finally, Superman drops his friend off at his car and leaves him.

The Joker
When Batman is dropped at the Batmobile by Superman, he attempts to use his remote to activate the car, but it causes the Batmobile to explode.

An ill and now injured Batman can feel himself being dragged through the snow and, not having the strength to fight back, he can only watch as he is hauled into one of Gotham City’s graveyards by none other than the Joker, who shoves him into an empty grave.

Here, we see that the Joker is shown as the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, as when Batman falls into the seemingly bottomless hole, Batman’s mind conjures images of the future, visions of a world in which there is no Batman. With him gone, the streets of Gotham have turned to chaos. As if that’s not bad enough, he also sees visions of Commissioner Gordon being put on trial for helping Batman and getting 30 years in prison for the trouble. He also sees Alfred watching as Wayne Manor is auctioned off while people buy and sell his belongings.

Meanwhile, at Bob’s apartment, the Joker shows up to exact revenge for Bob losing his money. Bob’s son, Tim, opens the door, and the Joker bursts in, emptying out his bag full of weapons. Bob and the Joker fight, and just then, Batman, who had come to his senses just in time and crawled out of his grave, bursts through a window. Bob, having grabbed the Joker’s gun, points it at him.

Batman tells him he’s not a criminal and to show Tim what kind of man he really is. Bob reluctantly lowers the gun, and the Joker is taken away by the police.

By the end, Batman’s outlook on life has changed through his interactions with the ghosts of his past, present and future. He sees that the city is still worth saving and realises that there is still hope, and he sends Bob an enormous Christmas tree and a Christmas lunch and even gives him a job.

Writing Style
Bermejo’s narrative is both fascinating and suspenseful, as readers follow Batman on his quest to capture the Joker and his journey of rediscovering his purpose, and the story also features some interesting thematic elements. The book explores the themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the power of forgiveness, making it much more than just a typical superhero story while, at the same time, offering an insight into Batman’s psychology.

By taking inspiration from A Christmas Carol, Bermejo weaves a tale that is both timeless and timely. Although Batman is usually a figure of hope, Bermejo’s interpretation allows us to see the character in a new light, emphasising that even the strongest and most righteous among us can falter.

Artwork
One of the most striking elements of Batman: Noel is Bermejo’s stunning artwork. His gritty, hyper-realistic style brings Gotham City to life in intricate detail, from the dark alleys to the gargoyles that perch atop the high-rise buildings. He masterfully uses his artistic prowess to bring one of the most iconic dark superheroes to life in his unique noir-esque style, and, in many ways, Bermejo’s art is as much a character in the book as the brooding Batman himself.

Each page is masterfully drawn, and I especially loved the snowy scenes. Gotham really looks beautiful, covered in snow and decorated with Christmas lights. I really wanted to stay with each page and take it all in. Lee Bermejo and the colourist Barbara Ciardo have imbued every image with magic, and I couldn’t get enough.

Final Thoughts
I love Christmas, especially when my favourite comics and heroes bring us into their world and show what Christmas is like where they live.

Noel is a true masterpiece, not only in terms of its visual artistry but also in its rich storytelling.

While Batman: Noel may not be the most action-packed graphic novel featuring the Caped Crusader, it is a thoughtful and compelling book that will have far-reaching appeal.

It is a must-read for all Batman fans or anyone who likes an intriguing story paired with exceptional artwork. I made quick work of this book, and even after I’d read it, I went back through just so I could gawp at the art.

I’m giving Batman: Noel a full 10/10.

Have you read Noel? Did you enjoy this reimagining of A Christmas Carol? Let me know below.

Thank you, as always, for stopping by to read my review. It means the world.

Until next time,

George