Holy Terror, Batman!

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"Holy Terror, Batman!" is a 200-page graphic novel by Frank Miller, set for a 2008 release.[1]

Contents

[edit] Plot

The plot revolves around Batman defending Gotham City from an attack by Al-Qaeda. According to Miller, the comic is a "piece of propaganda" in which Batman "kicks Al-Qaeda's ass."[2]

[edit] Inspirations

Miller announced the graphic novel during a panel at the WonderCon comic book convention held in San Francisco in 2006.[3] Later that year, on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, NPR aired a brief memorial commentary by Miller, which provided insight into his inspiration for this project.[4]

The title of the graphic novel is a reference to a catchphrase ("Holy [thing], Batman!") used by Burt Ward (Robin) in the 1960s Batman television series.[5]

In August 2006, fellow writer Grant Morrison criticized the idea, saying that "cheering on a fictional character battling fictionalized terrorists seems like a decadent indulgence" and suggested that Miller join the army and actually fight.[6] The premise of the work has also been criticized by Art Spiegelman.

The use of superheroes to further U.S. propaganda efforts is not a new phenomenon. During World War II Captain America punched Adolf Hitler[7] and battled the Nazis,[8] while Superman amongst others promoted buying war bonds.[9] In addition, many soldiers have said that reading comic books about super-heroes fighting real villains helped their spirits.[10] Stan Lee, however, has been another critic of this method, saying that such "corny" propaganda methods were outdated and inappropriate.[11]

[edit] Progress

In a May 2007 interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Miller relayed that he was still at work on the graphic novel which he says is "... bound to offend just about everybody". Miller also said he was about 100 pages into the work, with 50 more to go. The interview also cited the work as Batman vs. Al Qaeda. [12]

[edit] Note

This graphic novel is not related to Batman: Holy Terror, a 1991 graphic novel by Alan Brennert and Norm Breyfogle.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Batman Takes Aim at Osama", ABC News, February 14, 2006.
  2. ^ Harry Mount. "Holy propaganda! Batman is tackling Osama bin Laden", Daily Telegraph, February 15, 2006. 
  3. ^ Hilary Goldstein. "WonderCon '06: Holy Terror, Batman!", ign.com, February 12, 2006. 
  4. ^ Frank Miller. "That Old Piece of Cloth", NPR Morning Edition, September 11, 2006. 
  5. ^ Frank Miller (Interviewee). (2006) Frank Miller's 'Holy Terror Batman' [TV clip]. Canada: Space.
  6. ^ Morrison In The Cave: Grant Morrison Talks Batman, Newsarama 2006-08-23 (retrieved on 2006-12-27).
  7. ^  Jack Kirby (p),  Syd Shores (i). "Meet Captain America" Captain America Comics vol. 1,  #1 (March 1941)  Timely Comics (Cover)
  8. ^ Jason Dittmer. "Captain America’s Empire: Reflections on Identity, Popular Culture, and Post-9/11 Geopolitics." Annals of the Association of American Geographers 95.3 (2005): 626-643.
  9. ^ Les Daniels (1998). Superman: The Complete History. Titan Books. ISBN 1-85286-988-7. 
  10. ^ Matthew Pustz (1999). Comic Book Culture: Fanboys and True Believers. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 1578062012.
  11. ^ Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked, 2003 History Channel documentary
  12. ^ Joe Utichi. "RT-UK Exclusive: Frank Miller On "The Spirit"...In 3D?", rottentomatoes.com, May 30, 2007. 

[edit] External links


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