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Batman
Batman: Unseen
The fan-favorite Bat-team of Doug Moench and Kelley Jones reunite to introduce the newest member of Batman's rogues gallery in this 5-issue miniseries! Horrible and unexplained murders have Gotham City held captive. Bizarre deaths have been occurring throughout the city, but the perpetrator is unknown. Even when the crimes have been committed in view of witnesses, all that is seen is a glimpse of a weird, skinless man who seems to fade away after the crimes. Gotham's only hope is their Dark Knight Detective, but how can Batman find and fight an Invisible Man?
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2010
About the author
Doug Moench
2,102 books126 followersDoug Moench, is an American comic book writer notable for his Batman work and as the creator of Black Mask, Moon Knight and Deathlok. Moench has worked for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics and many other smaller companies; he has written hundreds of issues of many different comics, and created dozens of characters, such as Moon Knight. In 1973, Moench became the de facto lead writer for the Marvel black-and-white magazine imprint Curtis Magazines. He contributed to the entire runs of Planet of the Apes, Rampaging Hulk (continuing on the title when it changed its name to The Hulk!) and Doc Savage, while also serving as a regular scribe for virtually every other Curtis title during the course of the imprint's existence. Moench is perhaps best known for his work on Batman, whose title he wrote from 1983–1986 and then again from 1992–1998. (He also wrote the companion title Detective Comics from 1983–1986.)
Moench is a frequent and longtime collaborator with comics artist Paul Gulacy. The pair are probably best known for their work on Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu, which they worked on together from 1974–1977. They also co-created Six from Sirius, Slash Maraud, and S.C.I. Spy, and have worked together on comics projects featuring Batman, Conan the Barbarian and James Bond.
Moench has frequently been paired with the artist and inker team of Kelley Jones and John Beatty on several Elseworlds Graphic Novels and a long run of the monthly Batman comic.
Moench is a frequent and longtime collaborator with comics artist Paul Gulacy. The pair are probably best known for their work on Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu, which they worked on together from 1974–1977. They also co-created Six from Sirius, Slash Maraud, and S.C.I. Spy, and have worked together on comics projects featuring Batman, Conan the Barbarian and James Bond.
Moench has frequently been paired with the artist and inker team of Kelley Jones and John Beatty on several Elseworlds Graphic Novels and a long run of the monthly Batman comic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 31, 2012
Here is a mini-rant about the awfulness of “Batman: Unseen”.
It’s Batman vs. the Invisible Man. It’s terrible. Don’t read it.
Ok, if you need more to decide, here it is:
Batman is upset because not all of Gotham’s criminals are afraid of him when they see him now. That’s Batman’s story arc for this book. And not for nothing, but Bruce, you’ve been around for a while now. Most people would know “the Batman” is no longer an urban legend but is real. Why get hung up on the fact that they know you’re real and not some mythical monster?
The Invisible Man aka Nigel Glass aka the dumbest “super” villain Batman’s ever faced. He doesn’t have any other powers except invisibility but manages not only to hold his own in hand to hand combat against Batman but defeats him on more than one occasion! His dialogue is also among the stupidest ever committed to paper: “FOOOOOOD! Mine to EAT! To consume with GUSTO! Food, food, food, eat, eat, eat” - apparently turning invisible gives you the munchies. And makes you say really dumb things. And then later on in the book, this gem from when he’s fighting Batman: “The next thump... thumps the bat! And the wallop after that... wallops likewise!”.
So what does Nigel Glass do when he first attains invisibility? This is where Doug Moench showcases his spectacular imagination: Nigel knocks over some newspapers, throws an apple at a fruit vendor, hits a cabbie with a broom, breaking the broom and smashing a window with the handle. Yup, Moench really explores the possibilities of this incredible power in this sequence.
Why Batman can’t defeat this guy is a mystery. He doesn’t try smoke, it takes him the entire book to figure out that this guy is so dumb he carries weaponry that’s visible so, uh, maybe follow the floating knives? And when he drops into the sea, Batman gives up instead of pursuing him when he would clearly be seen splashing about in the water trying to stay afloat. Oh and Batman’s stupidity continues right to the end. He decides to fight the Invisible Man by becoming invisible so he takes the potion - and then puts on his cowl and costume, thus defeating the point of becoming invisible!!! Duuuuuh, I'm Batman!
Doug Moench was a bad writer 20 years ago when he penned the terrible “Knightfall” saga, and 20 years later he’s gotten worse! This is by far one of the dumbest Batman books I’ve ever read. Kelley Jones’ artwork is eye catching but also ridiculously melodramatic. His Batman wears a cape that makes mid-90s Spawn’s cape look modest. It billows massively like he’s wearing a tent! And he’s got claws and his head is exaggerated with hugely pointed cowl ears and two white points where his eyes should be poking out of shadow... it’s memorable but so stupid.
“Batman: Unseen” should be unseen by all. Thank you, yes I made the obvious joke. That might be because you will actually lose IQ points just reading this mess so I’ve actually gotten stupider since finishing it. On second thought this might be “comedy Batman”, in which case it’s good for a few laughs because it’s so bad - if it is intentionally so. It might also be the only Batman book where both hero and villain fight naked at the end.
This book should replace the word "dumb" in the English language. From now on, instead of saying "you're being really dumb", we should say "you're being really Batman: Unseen".
Anyway, this book is a disaster, don’t bother picking it up.
It’s Batman vs. the Invisible Man. It’s terrible. Don’t read it.
Ok, if you need more to decide, here it is:
Batman is upset because not all of Gotham’s criminals are afraid of him when they see him now. That’s Batman’s story arc for this book. And not for nothing, but Bruce, you’ve been around for a while now. Most people would know “the Batman” is no longer an urban legend but is real. Why get hung up on the fact that they know you’re real and not some mythical monster?
The Invisible Man aka Nigel Glass aka the dumbest “super” villain Batman’s ever faced. He doesn’t have any other powers except invisibility but manages not only to hold his own in hand to hand combat against Batman but defeats him on more than one occasion! His dialogue is also among the stupidest ever committed to paper: “FOOOOOOD! Mine to EAT! To consume with GUSTO! Food, food, food, eat, eat, eat” - apparently turning invisible gives you the munchies. And makes you say really dumb things. And then later on in the book, this gem from when he’s fighting Batman: “The next thump... thumps the bat! And the wallop after that... wallops likewise!”.
So what does Nigel Glass do when he first attains invisibility? This is where Doug Moench showcases his spectacular imagination: Nigel knocks over some newspapers, throws an apple at a fruit vendor, hits a cabbie with a broom, breaking the broom and smashing a window with the handle. Yup, Moench really explores the possibilities of this incredible power in this sequence.
Why Batman can’t defeat this guy is a mystery. He doesn’t try smoke, it takes him the entire book to figure out that this guy is so dumb he carries weaponry that’s visible so, uh, maybe follow the floating knives? And when he drops into the sea, Batman gives up instead of pursuing him when he would clearly be seen splashing about in the water trying to stay afloat. Oh and Batman’s stupidity continues right to the end. He decides to fight the Invisible Man by becoming invisible so he takes the potion - and then puts on his cowl and costume, thus defeating the point of becoming invisible!!! Duuuuuh, I'm Batman!
Doug Moench was a bad writer 20 years ago when he penned the terrible “Knightfall” saga, and 20 years later he’s gotten worse! This is by far one of the dumbest Batman books I’ve ever read. Kelley Jones’ artwork is eye catching but also ridiculously melodramatic. His Batman wears a cape that makes mid-90s Spawn’s cape look modest. It billows massively like he’s wearing a tent! And he’s got claws and his head is exaggerated with hugely pointed cowl ears and two white points where his eyes should be poking out of shadow... it’s memorable but so stupid.
“Batman: Unseen” should be unseen by all. Thank you, yes I made the obvious joke. That might be because you will actually lose IQ points just reading this mess so I’ve actually gotten stupider since finishing it. On second thought this might be “comedy Batman”, in which case it’s good for a few laughs because it’s so bad - if it is intentionally so. It might also be the only Batman book where both hero and villain fight naked at the end.
This book should replace the word "dumb" in the English language. From now on, instead of saying "you're being really dumb", we should say "you're being really Batman: Unseen".
Anyway, this book is a disaster, don’t bother picking it up.
November 15, 2020
A nice change from the super-powered, over-muscled, full-page overdoses of the main continuity. Gotham is plagued by a mysterious force of vengeance that the Batman and GCPD must stop. As citizens, gangsters and even the Black Mask fall prey to the Meat Man, Batman finds layers of deeper terror in the possibilities of chemically-induced invisibility and the madness that follows on its trail.
Definitely a call-back to a more grim and focused Batman, with much darkness and sharp angles to Batman, and a noir vibe to art, dialog, and plot.
Definitely a call-back to a more grim and focused Batman, with much darkness and sharp angles to Batman, and a noir vibe to art, dialog, and plot.
March 2, 2017
Synopsis
There’s a new villain in Gotham and the only description Batman has of him is a man in a meat suit and, even worse, no description at all. In the hopes of showing up the famous story of the Invisible Man H.G. Wells created so many years ago, a new scientists drives himself insane to make his skin…and, well, everything else disappear completely! Will Batman be able to stop his new invisible enemy or has he finally met his match?
Batman: Unseen by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones
★★★★★
Genre: Comic Book/Mystery/Crime/Superhero
Release Date: October 2010
Source: Library – Borrowed
On My Shelf: It Needs to Be!
I knew I was going to love this because I absolutely adored the issue of Catwoman I read by Moench, so when I saw this comic volume at the Library, I knew I needed it. The only regret I have is that I don’t own my own copy of it!
As you probably noticed in my synopsis, this comic is a play on H.G. Well’s story The Invisible Man. Now, I haven’t actually read that story, but who isn’t familiar with it? I, myself, as a sci-fi enthusiast know much of the tale from second-hand exposure to it, so I was stoked to once again read something inspired by an awesome classic! I was not disappointed.
But, as I said, how could I be when I already knew I loved the author’s work? This plot had me invested from the first couple pages and even, dare I say, the first couple panels. I was so ready for this crazy story and hated when I had to put it down in between. This was top-notch storytelling. There were even tons of jokes! I love when humor and horror are side-by-side, because isn’t that just art imitating life? And, art-imitating-life is the best kind of art. (Unless we’re talking about art-imitating-life-imitating-art…Kudos if you can name that reference.)
Wow, I’m like so good at digressing. Anyway…what to say next? The characters! The characters were excellent! The old favorites were the old favorites that we know and love, and the new characters were introduced well, given depth, and were given plenty of development. There was not a character that felt half-devoted or not real. In fact, everything about this story was so vibrant that I felt like I was walking two steps behind Batman and that I was experiencing everything right along side him.
Which takes me to my next point! THE ART. Ohmigosh THE ART! It was beyond brilliant, like, so beyond. I really loved the vibrancy of it and the way said vibrancy 1. helped to bring the comic book that much more to life and 2. made this comic feel like it fit right in with the sci-fi genre that inspired it and (bonus) 3. caused me to feel reminiscent of the ’90s. The coloring was so on point I can’t praise it highly enough. I loved looking at each panel. This comic was an excellent experience for both the mind and the eyes.
Overall, if you like Batman and you like Science Fiction, you have to read this one! It was so, so so, sosoososos good. I need my own copy so I can read it again and again.
Review originally published on my Wordpress blog Dreaming Through Literature.
There’s a new villain in Gotham and the only description Batman has of him is a man in a meat suit and, even worse, no description at all. In the hopes of showing up the famous story of the Invisible Man H.G. Wells created so many years ago, a new scientists drives himself insane to make his skin…and, well, everything else disappear completely! Will Batman be able to stop his new invisible enemy or has he finally met his match?
Batman: Unseen by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones
★★★★★
Genre: Comic Book/Mystery/Crime/Superhero
Release Date: October 2010
Source: Library – Borrowed
On My Shelf: It Needs to Be!
I knew I was going to love this because I absolutely adored the issue of Catwoman I read by Moench, so when I saw this comic volume at the Library, I knew I needed it. The only regret I have is that I don’t own my own copy of it!
As you probably noticed in my synopsis, this comic is a play on H.G. Well’s story The Invisible Man. Now, I haven’t actually read that story, but who isn’t familiar with it? I, myself, as a sci-fi enthusiast know much of the tale from second-hand exposure to it, so I was stoked to once again read something inspired by an awesome classic! I was not disappointed.
But, as I said, how could I be when I already knew I loved the author’s work? This plot had me invested from the first couple pages and even, dare I say, the first couple panels. I was so ready for this crazy story and hated when I had to put it down in between. This was top-notch storytelling. There were even tons of jokes! I love when humor and horror are side-by-side, because isn’t that just art imitating life? And, art-imitating-life is the best kind of art. (Unless we’re talking about art-imitating-life-imitating-art…Kudos if you can name that reference.)
Wow, I’m like so good at digressing. Anyway…what to say next? The characters! The characters were excellent! The old favorites were the old favorites that we know and love, and the new characters were introduced well, given depth, and were given plenty of development. There was not a character that felt half-devoted or not real. In fact, everything about this story was so vibrant that I felt like I was walking two steps behind Batman and that I was experiencing everything right along side him.
Which takes me to my next point! THE ART. Ohmigosh THE ART! It was beyond brilliant, like, so beyond. I really loved the vibrancy of it and the way said vibrancy 1. helped to bring the comic book that much more to life and 2. made this comic feel like it fit right in with the sci-fi genre that inspired it and (bonus) 3. caused me to feel reminiscent of the ’90s. The coloring was so on point I can’t praise it highly enough. I loved looking at each panel. This comic was an excellent experience for both the mind and the eyes.
Overall, if you like Batman and you like Science Fiction, you have to read this one! It was so, so so, sosoososos good. I need my own copy so I can read it again and again.
Review originally published on my Wordpress blog Dreaming Through Literature.
March 19, 2023
5/10:
A rather unique Batman story that starts off pretty strong but gets a tad repetitive towards the end. The lettering of Batman’s inner thoughts was absolutely atrocious, not only because it was in cursive, but it was in blurry and nearly illegible cursive.
The origins of the Invisible Man (Dr. Nigel Glass) are very well documented and add a lot to the heinous side of this particular Batman story. Invisible Man’s further connection to Black Mask (Roman Sionis) adds a level of insight and depth to Batman’s determination to put a stop to Invisible Man’s murder spree.
The piece of this story that feels out of place and, quite frankly, pretty annoying, is the fact that Bruce Wayne feels that Batman isn’t creating enough fear within the criminals of Gotham City. He details how criminals are more willing to try their luck fighting Batman because they no longer feel the “invisible” presence of the vigilante.
A rather unique Batman story that starts off pretty strong but gets a tad repetitive towards the end. The lettering of Batman’s inner thoughts was absolutely atrocious, not only because it was in cursive, but it was in blurry and nearly illegible cursive.
The origins of the Invisible Man (Dr. Nigel Glass) are very well documented and add a lot to the heinous side of this particular Batman story. Invisible Man’s further connection to Black Mask (Roman Sionis) adds a level of insight and depth to Batman’s determination to put a stop to Invisible Man’s murder spree.
The piece of this story that feels out of place and, quite frankly, pretty annoying, is the fact that Bruce Wayne feels that Batman isn’t creating enough fear within the criminals of Gotham City. He details how criminals are more willing to try their luck fighting Batman because they no longer feel the “invisible” presence of the vigilante.
August 9, 2021
Batman vs. The Invisible Man. When a former Waynetech employee develops an invisibility serum that unfortunately has the side effect of homicidal mania, he's fired. Then Black Mask steps in so he can complete the formula. Then a murder spree by an invisible man commences.
The Kelly Jones art was good as always, but the characters were a little over exaggerated and prone to dramatic exposition.
Overall it was a still a fun read, just sometimes dramatic almost to the point of camp. Thankfully I don't think it ever crossed the line, but some readers may see it differently.
The Kelly Jones art was good as always, but the characters were a little over exaggerated and prone to dramatic exposition.
Overall it was a still a fun read, just sometimes dramatic almost to the point of camp. Thankfully I don't think it ever crossed the line, but some readers may see it differently.
December 2, 2019
Con todos los géneros en los que se puede sumergir el personaje de Batman, no es raro pensar en que el terror debería ser uno de los más habituales. La propia concepción del disfraz que usa Bruce Wayne en su eterna cruzada contra el crimen es la de provocar el miedo en sus enemigos. Y la ciudad de Gotham City hace honor a su nombre. Ofreciendo un oscuro y malsano escenario donde el Hombre Murciélago actúa a sus anchas.
Puede que el guionista Doug Moench y el dibujante Kelley Jones sean los que mejor han aprovechado esta faceta del personaje y su mundo. Siendo su obra más representativa el Lluvia Roja de la colección Elseworlds. Donde no se cortaron a la hora de enfrentar al mismísimo Señor de los No Muertos, Drácula, contra el Caballero Oscuro. Unos cuantos años después, ambos artistas vuelven a unirse para crear un nuevo y monstruoso enfrentamiento. Esta vez, el adversario viene inspirado por El Hombre Invisible de H. G. Wells.
Un científico en su ansia por descubrir la fórmula para adquirir la invisibilidad, acabará dejando tras de sí un rastro de cadáveres que seguirá el Cruzado de la Capa. Quien actualmente teme ante la posibilidad de que su disfraz y presencia ya no infundan temor en los criminales.
Está claro que lo mejor de Batman: Lo Invisible acaba siendo el Doctor Griffin. Doug Moench se siente a gusto descubriéndonos la historia de este Mad Doctor de manual. A quien, además, acompaña un hábil y vistoso recurso visual al tener problemas con las dosis de la dichosa fórmula, con lo que se vuelve invisible "a capas".
Pero lo cierto es que todo lo bueno acaba en ese punto. La propuesta resulta atractiva al pensar que estamos ante un maquiavélico entretenimiento. Un crossover de lo más pulp que no es tal.
La trama y ritmo es completamente irregular. A lo que acaba de lastrar del todo bastantes e innecesarias explicaciones. Al igual que los monólogos internos (recursos que normalmente aplaudo cuando acompañan bien a la historia, que no es el caso). Muchos innecesarios rodeos para llegar al ansiado clímax del enfrentamiento final que es del todo decepcionante. A la vez que vuelven a emplear el recurso ya utilizado en Lluvia Roja por el cual el Murciélago debe hacer lo impensable para vencer a su enemigo (aunque trata de justificarse sin éxito con el leitmotiv que se nos presenta ya en las primeras páginas).
Un gran villano de Batman forma parte del conjunto de la trama. Pero tras descubrir lo que le depara la historia me pregunto si es necesaria su participación a parte de ser fanservice para el Batmaníaco.
En el apartado gráfico tampoco podemos echarle muchas flores a Kelley Jones. Se agradece el disfrutar un poco más de ese Batman de orejas afiladísimas y con capa y porte vampiresco. Pero se nota desganado. El dibujo es más simple y poco detallado a lo visto en Lluvia Roja y es una pena no volver a mostrar el Gotham más gótico y victoriano...
Las portadas que dividen los números de esta miniserie son estupendas y muestran el verdadero espíritu que tendría que ser Batman: Lo Invisible. El tono pulp y de serie B que prometía este Batman VS El Hombre Invisible.
Batman: Lo Invisible acaba resultando ser un fallido intento de volver a probar suerte con la monstruosa fórmula de Lluvia Roja.
Puede que el guionista Doug Moench y el dibujante Kelley Jones sean los que mejor han aprovechado esta faceta del personaje y su mundo. Siendo su obra más representativa el Lluvia Roja de la colección Elseworlds. Donde no se cortaron a la hora de enfrentar al mismísimo Señor de los No Muertos, Drácula, contra el Caballero Oscuro. Unos cuantos años después, ambos artistas vuelven a unirse para crear un nuevo y monstruoso enfrentamiento. Esta vez, el adversario viene inspirado por El Hombre Invisible de H. G. Wells.
Un científico en su ansia por descubrir la fórmula para adquirir la invisibilidad, acabará dejando tras de sí un rastro de cadáveres que seguirá el Cruzado de la Capa. Quien actualmente teme ante la posibilidad de que su disfraz y presencia ya no infundan temor en los criminales.
Está claro que lo mejor de Batman: Lo Invisible acaba siendo el Doctor Griffin. Doug Moench se siente a gusto descubriéndonos la historia de este Mad Doctor de manual. A quien, además, acompaña un hábil y vistoso recurso visual al tener problemas con las dosis de la dichosa fórmula, con lo que se vuelve invisible "a capas".
Pero lo cierto es que todo lo bueno acaba en ese punto. La propuesta resulta atractiva al pensar que estamos ante un maquiavélico entretenimiento. Un crossover de lo más pulp que no es tal.
La trama y ritmo es completamente irregular. A lo que acaba de lastrar del todo bastantes e innecesarias explicaciones. Al igual que los monólogos internos (recursos que normalmente aplaudo cuando acompañan bien a la historia, que no es el caso). Muchos innecesarios rodeos para llegar al ansiado clímax del enfrentamiento final que es del todo decepcionante. A la vez que vuelven a emplear el recurso ya utilizado en Lluvia Roja por el cual el Murciélago debe hacer lo impensable para vencer a su enemigo (aunque trata de justificarse sin éxito con el leitmotiv que se nos presenta ya en las primeras páginas).
Un gran villano de Batman forma parte del conjunto de la trama. Pero tras descubrir lo que le depara la historia me pregunto si es necesaria su participación a parte de ser fanservice para el Batmaníaco.
En el apartado gráfico tampoco podemos echarle muchas flores a Kelley Jones. Se agradece el disfrutar un poco más de ese Batman de orejas afiladísimas y con capa y porte vampiresco. Pero se nota desganado. El dibujo es más simple y poco detallado a lo visto en Lluvia Roja y es una pena no volver a mostrar el Gotham más gótico y victoriano...
Las portadas que dividen los números de esta miniserie son estupendas y muestran el verdadero espíritu que tendría que ser Batman: Lo Invisible. El tono pulp y de serie B que prometía este Batman VS El Hombre Invisible.
Batman: Lo Invisible acaba resultando ser un fallido intento de volver a probar suerte con la monstruosa fórmula de Lluvia Roja.
May 28, 2022
⚠️Slight spoilers⚠️
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•
•
At the time of this review (Oct 2022), this book has an average of 2.94 stars. Why, I couldn't tell you, as I found this story to actually be a thought-provoking character study of Batman. A lot of the time, a big joke you'll hear about Batman is "oh he hates killing but he's okay with unspeakable violence". The fact of the matter is, Batman has not been the World's Greatest Detective for some time now, as readers and audiences crave more and more violence (at least, that's what the studios think).
This story actually captures Batman in the middle of the shift between the "intimidating detective" of his origins, and the "violent vigilante" of his modern interpretations. We see him struggle in-character with how to deal with his new, more hands-on role.
As with all Batman villains, the Invisible Man acts as a mirror for Bruce to consider just how far he is willing to go to stop crime. This leads Bruce to another question: is Stopping Crime and Helping People one and the same?
Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but as a lifelong Batman comics fan, I gave this 4 out of 5 stars.
•
•
•
At the time of this review (Oct 2022), this book has an average of 2.94 stars. Why, I couldn't tell you, as I found this story to actually be a thought-provoking character study of Batman. A lot of the time, a big joke you'll hear about Batman is "oh he hates killing but he's okay with unspeakable violence". The fact of the matter is, Batman has not been the World's Greatest Detective for some time now, as readers and audiences crave more and more violence (at least, that's what the studios think).
This story actually captures Batman in the middle of the shift between the "intimidating detective" of his origins, and the "violent vigilante" of his modern interpretations. We see him struggle in-character with how to deal with his new, more hands-on role.
As with all Batman villains, the Invisible Man acts as a mirror for Bruce to consider just how far he is willing to go to stop crime. This leads Bruce to another question: is Stopping Crime and Helping People one and the same?
Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but as a lifelong Batman comics fan, I gave this 4 out of 5 stars.
February 23, 2011
Doug Moench doing what he does best - a great story with fantastic inner monologue for Bats, and Kelley Jones' cape-work and ingenuity make this InvisibleMan story as much about the "How" as the "What." God bless Batman writers who remember Bruce is a DETECTIVE. The story has a very cinematic feel (not uncommon for graphic novels), but keeing on classic movie monsters and convincing 3-character dialogue scenes help sell the point. I noticed this has averaged just over 2 stars as an average Goodreads rating, and I have to wonder what other readers didn't love about this.
May 11, 2015
The writings of Doug Moench, Drawings of Kelly Jones, and Coloring of Michelle Madsen perfectly captures the darker side of the Dark Knight Detective. The story is in short chapters highlighting the detective skills of Batman as he takes on an invisible foe.
The wonderfully long ears of the cowl and the way the cape is drawn, inked, and colored adds a lot of atmosphere to the story. It makes Batman look menacing. Batman is supposed to be a shadowy figure that strikes fear into the criminal mind and this art work does it to perfection.
The wonderfully long ears of the cowl and the way the cape is drawn, inked, and colored adds a lot of atmosphere to the story. It makes Batman look menacing. Batman is supposed to be a shadowy figure that strikes fear into the criminal mind and this art work does it to perfection.
October 2, 2019
This is a prime example of the sort of Batman story I enjoy the most: a grounded detective story with a fantastic element. Here Batman is indeed a man, not just a shadowy myth. In fact, part of the story hinges on the character's lamentation that people aren't seeing him as a legend to be feared. Throughout the story we get inside his head and the Batman we get to know isn't a Miller-esque overwrought obsessive, but a focused and determined man who is perfectly in control of himself.
Kelley Jones outdoes himself here, giving us some of the best Batman visuals ever.
Kelley Jones outdoes himself here, giving us some of the best Batman visuals ever.
March 18, 2010
Having just finished the original The Invisible Man book I thought this would be interesting. It's Batman vs. The Invisible Man. It wasn't that great. The artwork is fantastic. It's meant to look somewhat retro and succeeds in coolness... in looks only. The dialog is horrible and there is way too much exposition that is somewhat confusing and pointless. Decent book. I'll send it to my nephew and see what he thinks. It's got some of the best artwork I've seen in comic...
April 16, 2016
The story of Batman fighting an invisible enemy is not great, with too much bad guy exposition. The art by Kelley Jones on the other hand is always great with my fave goth representation of Batman. Batman's use of his cape makes it a character on his own. Unsatisfying ending but a visual feast nonetheless.
December 27, 2014
For anyone who says they don't make them the way they used to, this is evidence to the contrary. Basically, it's Batman vs the Invisible Man. You really don't want to think about it too much, but the pace is great and the hyper-stylized art is fantastic.
October 18, 2025
I love Kelley Jones' Batman, and for me, this is one of the best books he's done for the Bat for me. Generally, he just hones in on that gothic element most seemingly tends to ignore for the most part in the modern era, and I love to see that. Obviously there's different books for different demographics; a different approach for different folks, so to speak, but Jones' style is so well fitted to Batman, to me, and shows the caped crusader at his most horrifically intimidation focused, and frankly freaky for me. Unseen, which is in itself a loose adaptation/interpolation, or is in the very least heavily inspired by The Invisible Man; is as mad as the scientist which goes crazy within its pages. A tale about some weird little incel coded cretin turning himself invisible, who then goes and gets involved with Black Mask (who is fantastically portrayed here), who exploits Nigel Glass, the invisible, or also known as the meat-man, in the same way his former employers did. Nigel then decides to take the fund for his research, but applies it to his own desires; pure psychotic revenge.
The book has some truly remarkable illustrations in it, some of Kelley's best work, both in quieter and quaint ways in small panels and transitional sequences, and then also in some very bold splash pages and in your face moments across the book; the way Kelley builds upon the characterisation through a physicality, and the way the character moves and poses, is nothing short of sublime, and speaks directly to how I see Batman behaving in this sort of context.
Doug Moench is channelling proper old school cool; a bold mix of horror, noir, straight up camp, and classical caped caper vibes in a really cohesive and consistently entertaining, engaging, and thoughtful way. Feels very classical despite it being not that old comparatively. The book is so solid all-round; Bruce is shown at an early point in his crusade here, and is seen struggling with the criminals of Gotham becoming used to him, and not being as intimidated by the once mystical reputation of the Bat, and being able to recognise more and more the mask which hangs over his chiselled face. We see a Batman who is still figuring out how Batman can be effective in the long-term, and how he can best tackle different kinds of enemies. I believe it is meant to be an early years Batman story, maybe year 2 or 3 even? So it uses the whole invisible man horror angle as a backdrop to highlight Batman attempting to develop a sense of intimidation amongst villains/criminals in Gotham, as it is set at a point where people have become increasingly aware of what he is in reality; the initial "creature of the night" isn't sticking, the superstitious and cowardly lot are slick and sly, and are exponentially used to masks by the day in this town, and the panic once set ablaze amongst the Gotham underworld by the shadow of the bat burns not quite as bright the more humanised the Boy behind the Bat becomes in the eyes of such foes; the veil has subsided for a resentment of him as an established masked vigilante. So in that sense, he's trying to find ways of being effectively scary, and still have the advantage against criminals, and in the context of a horror tinged story it all feels cool and cohesive to be around the idea of a fear of the unknown, of the power of invisibility, and of a way of removing accountability or identity from the equation. What happens when those fearable things become knowable? And what happens when what you knew becomes intangible? How would the common man configure the ability to do as they please without common consequences? All this and more within the pages of unseen.
I've spent a lot of time mulling this book over, and honestly it has become one of my absolute favourite Batman books, I just really dig it! Nobody draws Batman quite like Kelley, and it turns out I quite like Moench on Batman? who knew?! Xx
The book has some truly remarkable illustrations in it, some of Kelley's best work, both in quieter and quaint ways in small panels and transitional sequences, and then also in some very bold splash pages and in your face moments across the book; the way Kelley builds upon the characterisation through a physicality, and the way the character moves and poses, is nothing short of sublime, and speaks directly to how I see Batman behaving in this sort of context.
Doug Moench is channelling proper old school cool; a bold mix of horror, noir, straight up camp, and classical caped caper vibes in a really cohesive and consistently entertaining, engaging, and thoughtful way. Feels very classical despite it being not that old comparatively. The book is so solid all-round; Bruce is shown at an early point in his crusade here, and is seen struggling with the criminals of Gotham becoming used to him, and not being as intimidated by the once mystical reputation of the Bat, and being able to recognise more and more the mask which hangs over his chiselled face. We see a Batman who is still figuring out how Batman can be effective in the long-term, and how he can best tackle different kinds of enemies. I believe it is meant to be an early years Batman story, maybe year 2 or 3 even? So it uses the whole invisible man horror angle as a backdrop to highlight Batman attempting to develop a sense of intimidation amongst villains/criminals in Gotham, as it is set at a point where people have become increasingly aware of what he is in reality; the initial "creature of the night" isn't sticking, the superstitious and cowardly lot are slick and sly, and are exponentially used to masks by the day in this town, and the panic once set ablaze amongst the Gotham underworld by the shadow of the bat burns not quite as bright the more humanised the Boy behind the Bat becomes in the eyes of such foes; the veil has subsided for a resentment of him as an established masked vigilante. So in that sense, he's trying to find ways of being effectively scary, and still have the advantage against criminals, and in the context of a horror tinged story it all feels cool and cohesive to be around the idea of a fear of the unknown, of the power of invisibility, and of a way of removing accountability or identity from the equation. What happens when those fearable things become knowable? And what happens when what you knew becomes intangible? How would the common man configure the ability to do as they please without common consequences? All this and more within the pages of unseen.
I've spent a lot of time mulling this book over, and honestly it has become one of my absolute favourite Batman books, I just really dig it! Nobody draws Batman quite like Kelley, and it turns out I quite like Moench on Batman? who knew?! Xx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2021
Batman: Unseen is a limited series that stars Bruce Wayne as Batman as he goes against a villain that has the ability to become invisible. Batman: Unseen collects all five issues (Batman: Unseen #1–5) from the 2009–2010 limited series.
Bruce Wayne as Batman is on the trail of a mysterious killer, who witnesses have reported not seeing killing various folks around Gotham. The culprit is Nigel Glass, a disgruntled doctor bent on revenge against all those who have wronged him, from a former flame all the way up to Bruce Wayne himself, who fired him for conducting unauthorized and unethical research on human tissue.
Doug Moench penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well. Moench has created a decent detective story with an equally decently interesting antagonist in Nigel Glass. Formerly a biochemist researcher of Waynetech, Glass was fired for conducting unauthorized and unethical research on human tissue. Unemployed, he was approached by Gerard "Jerry" Moss who offered him money to continue his research. Nigel accepted not knowing then that Black Mask was behind it. Instead he used the serum on himself, which made him invisible, but insane.
Kelley Jones penciled the entire trade paperback. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, Jones' penciling is remarkable for the backgrounds of Gotham City, but his depiction of Batman and characters is much to be desired.
All in all, Batman: Unseen is a moderate limited series that has Bruce Wayne as Batman confronting a criminal that could turn invisible.
Bruce Wayne as Batman is on the trail of a mysterious killer, who witnesses have reported not seeing killing various folks around Gotham. The culprit is Nigel Glass, a disgruntled doctor bent on revenge against all those who have wronged him, from a former flame all the way up to Bruce Wayne himself, who fired him for conducting unauthorized and unethical research on human tissue.
Doug Moench penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well. Moench has created a decent detective story with an equally decently interesting antagonist in Nigel Glass. Formerly a biochemist researcher of Waynetech, Glass was fired for conducting unauthorized and unethical research on human tissue. Unemployed, he was approached by Gerard "Jerry" Moss who offered him money to continue his research. Nigel accepted not knowing then that Black Mask was behind it. Instead he used the serum on himself, which made him invisible, but insane.
Kelley Jones penciled the entire trade paperback. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, Jones' penciling is remarkable for the backgrounds of Gotham City, but his depiction of Batman and characters is much to be desired.
All in all, Batman: Unseen is a moderate limited series that has Bruce Wayne as Batman confronting a criminal that could turn invisible.
August 1, 2023
In 2009, Doug Moench and Kelley Jones joined forces once again to produce this 5-issue story wherein Batman takes on an invisible man. I remember hearing about a zany Batman story wherein Batman can turn invisible and I thought I was going to hate that story when I finally encountered it. However, this story isn’t that bad considering that Moench was able to explain how Batman could turn invisible.
This is a fun read, but I feel like it could have been better, considering how it started—Batman taking on Black Mask’s gang and later realizing that he has lost his psychological edge. Batman chose the Bat symbol to strike fear into the hearts of criminals; however, they are no longer afraid of him. I feel like that would have been a better story to explore. Nevertheless, Kelley Jones’ art is the star of this book, and Michelle Madsen also deserves recognition because she did a great job coloring Jones’ art.
This is a fun read, but I feel like it could have been better, considering how it started—Batman taking on Black Mask’s gang and later realizing that he has lost his psychological edge. Batman chose the Bat symbol to strike fear into the hearts of criminals; however, they are no longer afraid of him. I feel like that would have been a better story to explore. Nevertheless, Kelley Jones’ art is the star of this book, and Michelle Madsen also deserves recognition because she did a great job coloring Jones’ art.
June 13, 2024
As Batman investigates the resurgence of Black Mask's gang a new threat emerges in the shape of a murderous scientist obsessed with the secrets of invisibility.
This book largely boils down to Batman versus The Invisible Man and whilst there's entertainment to be had in that story, there's not a great deal of depth, complexity or surprise in how it unfolds.
I liked that Black Mask was thrown into the mix but that was offset by the fact that I didn't like how Batman becomes tempted to use the serum he knows turns people into psychopaths. It just seemed totally out of character.
Overall this is a perfectly fine but ultimately very forgettable Batman adventure.
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This book largely boils down to Batman versus The Invisible Man and whilst there's entertainment to be had in that story, there's not a great deal of depth, complexity or surprise in how it unfolds.
I liked that Black Mask was thrown into the mix but that was offset by the fact that I didn't like how Batman becomes tempted to use the serum he knows turns people into psychopaths. It just seemed totally out of character.
Overall this is a perfectly fine but ultimately very forgettable Batman adventure.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
December 8, 2017
If I was distracted from the get-go - and then continually so - by the absurd size of the ears on Batman's cowl, then I figure some other readers will have problems with this book as well. The Dark Knight verges into horror movie territory with his pursuit of a bland villain (a jilted scientist goes insane after repeatedly quaffing his own invisibility formula) who's equipped with even worse dialogue. Did H.G. Wells' (or Paul Verhoeven's) estate receive some royalties, I wonder? Possibly the only redeeming aspect was Batman's gamble for a showdown in the 'third act.'
March 1, 2020
Esta última obra de Batman de Moench y Jones es realmente mala, casi infantil, y ni siquiera el buen hacer de Jones, con algunas ideas y planos interesantes consigue salvar las papas. Un mal cierre y una lástima que así terminara una por demás irregular serie de colaboraciones sobre el caballero oscuro de esta dupla.
March 18, 2020
Cool tale, with an 'Invisible man' twist, great references to HG Wells and Universal Classic Horror, beautiful art by Kelley Jones and a fun detective tale by Doug Moench. Moench/Jones will always be my favourite bat-team.
May 17, 2018
Batman vs. The Invisible Man, sure, I'll read that. Unfortunately the book is laughably bad.
January 25, 2019
Batman vs an Invisible Man. First item to be reviewed for this year's Awesome-tober-fest. It's good. Dark. Suspenseful.
March 29, 2019
Artwork is a 4.5
Story is a 2
Story is a 2
May 31, 2022
Lectura para completistas de Batman. Existen muchos cómics de Batman mejores, no pasa nada si miráis por otro lado otras opciones.
May 22, 2023
Weak story, bad prose, awesome art
December 26, 2024
A decent read, I love the creepier concepts Moench comes up with combined with Jones' eerie and unnatural art style. Just wasn't the most interesting plot or story or anything
August 17, 2026
Super boring
July 19, 2012
This was a great read for me, but I can understand why many of the reviewers just scratch their heads over this book.
Creators Moench and Jones, as well as doing a series of Batman as vampire "what if" graphic novels in the early 90's, had a successful run on the regular Batman comic shortly thereafter that was, from an art/layout/design standpoint, at least a decade ahead of its time.
These issues, while special for Bat-fans, have not aged particularly well; Moench's writing was dated even then, as he had already been writing Batman for about fifteen years. His tone, subject matter and delivery -- full of puns, melodrama and conspiracy theories -- while lyrical and fluid, barely escaped sounding like the lunatic ramblings of a prosaic hermit. Jones's art, which has since found a significant fan base, was a constant source of concern in the lettercolumns of the day; his gargoyle-like Batman, medieval-themed Gotham and penchant for draping everyone and everything in long, warped shadows all seemed to be choices that walked the line between auteur and amateur. However, Jones' keen eye for memorable panels and distinctive designs for classic characters still echoes throughout modern comics.
For all these up and downs -- as well as because their Batman run was, for the most part, free of crossovers or historical additions to the mythos -- there's never been much in the way of archival editions for this creative team, when compared to the enormity of their shared output.
Enter Batman Unseen, a recent miniseries by the duo that finds Batman fighting not only second-tier villain Black Mask (created by Moench in 1985), but a real-life Invisible Man. Playing to Moench & Jones' love both of the Batman rogues gallery, and of classic monster movies, Unseen is a solid second-generation installment for the team, and fits comfortably in with their earlier work.
However, the same problems -- the trite theatricality of Moench's dialogue, the questionable anatomy of Jones' figures when they're not hiding in shadows -- have not gone away. Nor, I would argue, have they gotten worse, and that makes Unseen a fun, simple read for those of us already familiar with (and hopefully more forgiving of) the eccentricities of its creators.
This is a book that may be too hokey and canonically insignificant to appeal to newer fans, but Kelley Jones' visuals are worth the price of admission. Moench's old-guard ability to spin a concise, solid yarn is, for the most part, still present, but more than anything I wonder when the rest of this team's strange Batman series will see the light of day again.
Creators Moench and Jones, as well as doing a series of Batman as vampire "what if" graphic novels in the early 90's, had a successful run on the regular Batman comic shortly thereafter that was, from an art/layout/design standpoint, at least a decade ahead of its time.
These issues, while special for Bat-fans, have not aged particularly well; Moench's writing was dated even then, as he had already been writing Batman for about fifteen years. His tone, subject matter and delivery -- full of puns, melodrama and conspiracy theories -- while lyrical and fluid, barely escaped sounding like the lunatic ramblings of a prosaic hermit. Jones's art, which has since found a significant fan base, was a constant source of concern in the lettercolumns of the day; his gargoyle-like Batman, medieval-themed Gotham and penchant for draping everyone and everything in long, warped shadows all seemed to be choices that walked the line between auteur and amateur. However, Jones' keen eye for memorable panels and distinctive designs for classic characters still echoes throughout modern comics.
For all these up and downs -- as well as because their Batman run was, for the most part, free of crossovers or historical additions to the mythos -- there's never been much in the way of archival editions for this creative team, when compared to the enormity of their shared output.
Enter Batman Unseen, a recent miniseries by the duo that finds Batman fighting not only second-tier villain Black Mask (created by Moench in 1985), but a real-life Invisible Man. Playing to Moench & Jones' love both of the Batman rogues gallery, and of classic monster movies, Unseen is a solid second-generation installment for the team, and fits comfortably in with their earlier work.
However, the same problems -- the trite theatricality of Moench's dialogue, the questionable anatomy of Jones' figures when they're not hiding in shadows -- have not gone away. Nor, I would argue, have they gotten worse, and that makes Unseen a fun, simple read for those of us already familiar with (and hopefully more forgiving of) the eccentricities of its creators.
This is a book that may be too hokey and canonically insignificant to appeal to newer fans, but Kelley Jones' visuals are worth the price of admission. Moench's old-guard ability to spin a concise, solid yarn is, for the most part, still present, but more than anything I wonder when the rest of this team's strange Batman series will see the light of day again.
October 9, 2010
Bland, well-trod storytelling, complete with utterly inexplicable character motivations and huge leaps in logic that leave everything about this book strewn all over the place. The villain in the book talks like a very whiny, very stupid noir stereotype, but I'm pretty sure he was written to be ominous.
The concept is simple: Batman vs. The Invisible Man. But instead of giving the Invisible Man some sort of defining characteristic other than the obvious "invisible," we're left with just this walking, talking idiot who wants to take revenge on everyone who has ever wronged him "just because." He has no underlying goal, no true menace. He's just an invisible man. And not even an interesting or original one! He's just a guy who can't be seen. What do you think a guy who can't be seen will do? You're right. He walks around and gets away with stuff cause no one can see him. Fantastic, good work.
Pretty much all the dialogue is straight out of the first draft of a cartoon, with characters making "witticisms" right and left, only none of them make ANY SENSE. I found myself constantly rereading dialogue thinking "This is supposed to be a pun, right? This line has the setup and delivery of a pun, but there is no pun here." How can you be SO BAD at dialogue that you can't even make sensical PUNS? They are the single simplest form of creative writing. I guess this story needed some creative RIGHTING. See? There's an awful pun! I did it without even thinking! But it makes sense at least!
The Batman work in this story is downright atrocious. Bruce Wayne is constantly wondering why people aren't scared of him anymore. He's upset because he isn't as intimidating as he once was. Does this matter to the story? No. It just gives Bruce something to complain about during fight scenes, I guess. Also, the entire book goes by with Batman being regular old Batman, and then in the last, oh, 8 pages he suddenly starts to turn into a power mad psychopath. It comes completely out of nowhere with no believable justification, so you're left wondering "Was there setup for this I just missed? Has he been going down the wrong path?" No, he hasn't. I went back and checked.
If not for Kelley Jones's unique, dark artwork, I'd give this book a big fat goose egg. But a zero doesn't show up on this site, so I guess I'll knock it up to 2 stars. Don't read this! Life is short and you probably have a family or something!
The concept is simple: Batman vs. The Invisible Man. But instead of giving the Invisible Man some sort of defining characteristic other than the obvious "invisible," we're left with just this walking, talking idiot who wants to take revenge on everyone who has ever wronged him "just because." He has no underlying goal, no true menace. He's just an invisible man. And not even an interesting or original one! He's just a guy who can't be seen. What do you think a guy who can't be seen will do? You're right. He walks around and gets away with stuff cause no one can see him. Fantastic, good work.
Pretty much all the dialogue is straight out of the first draft of a cartoon, with characters making "witticisms" right and left, only none of them make ANY SENSE. I found myself constantly rereading dialogue thinking "This is supposed to be a pun, right? This line has the setup and delivery of a pun, but there is no pun here." How can you be SO BAD at dialogue that you can't even make sensical PUNS? They are the single simplest form of creative writing. I guess this story needed some creative RIGHTING. See? There's an awful pun! I did it without even thinking! But it makes sense at least!
The Batman work in this story is downright atrocious. Bruce Wayne is constantly wondering why people aren't scared of him anymore. He's upset because he isn't as intimidating as he once was. Does this matter to the story? No. It just gives Bruce something to complain about during fight scenes, I guess. Also, the entire book goes by with Batman being regular old Batman, and then in the last, oh, 8 pages he suddenly starts to turn into a power mad psychopath. It comes completely out of nowhere with no believable justification, so you're left wondering "Was there setup for this I just missed? Has he been going down the wrong path?" No, he hasn't. I went back and checked.
If not for Kelley Jones's unique, dark artwork, I'd give this book a big fat goose egg. But a zero doesn't show up on this site, so I guess I'll knock it up to 2 stars. Don't read this! Life is short and you probably have a family or something!
October 5, 2015
Doug Moench & Kelley Jones' Batman always feels like he's from another world. One somewhat like our own but darker, more gothic almost as if it's set in the late 19th Century with some of our modern technology. This story fits into that world well, it's basically Batman meets H.G. Wells' the Invisible Man. Moench makes good use of Batman's detective skills which is often lacking in more recent Batman tales and Kelley Jones' art is as otherworldly as ever... Batman's cape seemingly growing and shrinking per panel, yet somehow it all works.
The art may have aged a little for some, but it's a solid, pulpy adventure that harkens back to the stories of H.G. Wells and Mary Shelley and I'll always have a soft spot for Moench and Jones when it comes to Batman.
The art may have aged a little for some, but it's a solid, pulpy adventure that harkens back to the stories of H.G. Wells and Mary Shelley and I'll always have a soft spot for Moench and Jones when it comes to Batman.
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