Sam Kieth’s unforgettable depiction of the Dark Knight fills the pages on the new BATMAN: SECRETS—SAM KIETH GALLERY EDITION. Focusing on Kieth’s artwork from the 124-page BATMAN: SECRETS series, this large-format, Smythe-sewn hardcover edition is sourced from and captures the look and feel of the original boards. Rounding out this 248- page presentation is the complete art from BATMAN: CONFIDENTIAL #40, BATMAN/LOBO #1, Kieth’s eight-page story from BATMAN #38 and an extensive gallery section containing covers and pages from SCRATCH, ARKHAM ASYLUM: MADNESS and BATMAN: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS.
- Graphitti Designs, February 14, 2018
- ISBN: 978-1-4012-7681-2
- 12″ x 17″, 248 pages
- $125 USD
- Order Online: Things From Another World, eBay
As with all AE format material (Artist’s Editions, Artifact Editions, Gallery Editions, Art Editions, Studio Editions, etc.), this is a collection of classic comic material and I’ll be reviewing the book and not the story. For a complete list of all current and announced editions, with review links, please visit our Index. Also, see What is an Artist’s Edition and our Artist Index. This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
Kieth’s work is bold and experimental throughout this volume, and speaks to how the medium can be used. Along with the material listed above we’re provided a lengthy introduction by Kieth and the book closes with a one page biography. All but nine pages are scans of the original art.
The lettering has the same opaque look as found in Superman/Batman: Michael Turner Gallery Edition and I believe it was applied digitally to the scanned pages. It’s always appreciated to be able to read these stories.
It wouldn’t be a Graphitti Designs Gallery Edition without overlays, and we’re treated to quite a few here.
All scans are clear and clean with no visual issues. The pages show very little aging, with all looking off white. No margin notes, just the issue title and number. Blue pencil throughout. Blacks show a lot of gradient. A surprising amount of colour, dulled slightly from the paper.
Another excellent design by Beatman. With one designer working on all nine of this line the overall design theme is well done and applied well to each book’s unique work. The Batman books all have this blue-gray used but here a deep green is used on chapter dividers, accents and text. Always appreciate the labels mid page on the gallery section.
Production is excellent. Sewn binding of thick matte paper stock. The binding is a bit tight, with some pages not laying flat. The overlays are glued along the side of the facing page, and it seemed a bit aggressive. The book comes shrink wrapped in a cardboard case with black and white sticker showing cover image, price and UPC.
Batman Secrets Sam Kieth Gallery Ed HC
from Things From Another World
