| Batman: Noël | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | November 2,2011 |
| Main characters | Batman Superman Bob Crachit Tim Joker Alfred Pennyworth Catwoman Jim Gordon Robin |
| Page count | 112 pages |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Creative team | |
| Writers | Lee Bermejo |
| Artists | Lee Bermejo |
| Inkers | Lee Bermejo |
| Letterers | Todd Klein |
| Colourists | Barbara Ciardo |
| Original publication | |
| Language | English |
| ISBN | 1401232132 |
Batman: Noël is a 2011 originalgraphic novel written and illustrated byLee Bermejo and published byDC, featuring thesuperheroBatman. It is an analogous adaptation ofCharles Dickens' 1843 novellaA Christmas Carol. InBatman: Noël, Bruce Wayne uses a poverty-stricken parent as bait for his nemesis, theJoker, on Christmas Eve.
The standalone story features a framing device in the form of a second-hand retelling ofA Christmas Carol, which informs the story through metaphors and synchronicity;Scrooge is represented by Batman (and the Joker, to a lesser degree), who is depicted as lonely, cynical and joyless, before gaining a festive optimism. The various ghosts ofA Christmas Carol are alluded to by familiarDC Universe characters;Jason Todd/Robin, havingdied under Batman's employ, fills the role of Scrooge's late friendJacob Marley via a pneumonia-induced hallucination. Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Clark Kent/Superman and the Joker represent the Ghosts ofChristmas Past,Present andFuture, respectively.Jim Gordon bears similarities to Scrooge's unnamed nephew and Bob Cratchitt appears in the story as a debtor to the Joker.Tiny Tim is likewise featured. While not explicitly connected,Batman: Noel features similar character designs fromJoker, another graphic novel illustrated by Bermejo.
OnChristmas Eve inGotham City, a financially struggling man namedBob launders cash for theJoker.Batman (Bruce Wayne) intercepts him and demands to know where the Joker is. Batman secretly attaches a tracer to Bob as he runs home to his cheery but sickly son,Tim, who lives with him in a shabby apartment. Batman intends to use the two as bait to capture the Joker.
Back at theBatcave, Batman begins to become sick with a virus, but continues his work at the objection ofAlfred Pennyworth. He briefly hallucinates about his deceased sidekickRobin, which makes him disturbed and nostalgic for the colourful adventures they once had. Batman responds to theBat-Signal, whereCommissioner Gordon tells Batman thatCatwoman has tipped off the GCPD that she has information about the Joker, but demands that she only talk to Batman. Confronting Catwoman, Batman discovers, as he suspected, that she was lying and only called him so she could "play with [him]", promptingnostalgia of their conflicts together. Batman rudely dismisses her, and falls from the rooftop attempting to catch her.
Batman is met by his exhuberant friendSuperman, who uses X-ray vision to determine Batman is coming down withpneumonia, though Batman shrugs it off. Superman then takes Batman into the skies to watch ordinary Gothamites preparing for Christmas; Batman remains cynical. They then stop to watch Bob and Tim, then Commissioner Gordon talking with an officer about their differing opinions of Batman. Advising Batman to take time off and recover his health, Superman drops Batman off at theBatmobile, then flies away.
Batman attempts to enter the Batmobile, which explodes upon activation and knocks him out. The Joker drags the unconscious Batman to a graveyard to be thrown alive into an open grave. While buried, Batman has a vision where Gotham is plunged into chaos after his death, with Gordon tried and convicted for cooperating with Batman's extra-legal activities, and vigilantes killing criminals in Batman's name. With a new determination, Batman wakes and digs himself free from the grave. At Bob's apartment, Bob and the Joker have a scuffle which ends with Bob holding Joker at gunpoint. The Joker goads Bob to pull the trigger, but Batman convinces him to lower the gun for his son's sake.
The Joker is returned toArkham Asylum and Bruce Wayne gives Bob a job, as well as a generous donation. With a newfound sense of optimism, Bruce finally heeds advice and rests. Bob tells the story ofA Christmas Carol to Tim and wonders if there is any truth to the tale.
Rob Patey ofAin't It Cool News calledBatman: Noël "an instant classic", complimenting Bermejo's "kinetic artwork" and his ability to keep the story grounded while deftly transcending reality.[1]
