Batman The Long Halloween

     Originally published in 1996 and 1997, Batman: The Long Halloween, is a 13 part limited series written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Tim Sale. The story takes place early in Batman's career (Harvey Dent has not yet become Two-Face) and features a great noir style murder mystery featuring the Holiday killer.

     While Batman, Gordon and Dent try to solve the enigmatic Holiday killings we are also treated to scenes from Gotham's two biggest competing mob families and Bruce Wayne's life. Each of the 13 books takes place on a different holiday and features a different villain from batman's rogues gallery. We get to see appearances from Catwoman, Solomon Grundy, Joker, Mad Hatter, Calendar Man, Penguin, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy and Two-Face.

     Jeph Loeb's story is tight and engrossing and Tim Sales art is original and cinematic, making great use of black and white, colour and shadows. I would not hesitate to suggest this series to any comic fan and give it a 9/10.