The Art of The Batman is the official behind-the-scenes illustrated tie-in book to the highly-anticipated Matt Reeves film, released in cinemas on 04 March 2022. Set during Batman's second year as a crimefighter, this noir-inspired take on the Dark Knight serves as a return to the character's roots in detective fiction, crime, and horror. Readers get an insider's look at the film's production process through character designs, vehicle and gadget designs, background paintings, storyboards, and keyframe art done for the film, alongside original commentary and interviews from the filmmakers, cast, production designer, and conceptual artists...

Coffee table edition books that explore the preparation that goes into making a Hollywood blockbuster... you'd think would have been long since retired. I mean, before the rise of the Internet, this was the only way to really go behind the scenes and discover how a little bit of that movie magic was conjured up on the big screen.

But almost an endless stream of free images and information is available on official and unofficial websites. So why would anyone buy this book? Well, for starters, there's nothing like flicking through the pages and randomly discovering something new. Or, you could read it from cover to cover or dip in and out of chapters you're interested in. However you consume this meaty tome it is by far the best source of information, not to mention it looks amazing.

In keeping with the gothic theme, the book's pages are black with white text. This not only gives it a cool look, but as most of the photos from the film are set against the night sky of Gotham, or dark environments, this helps to create a more brooding, dark design for the book.

Not only do you get to see the designs of the characters, weapons and vehicles, but we also get an in depth look at the living spaces of the main characters and the ever changing face of the Batman logo through the ages.

This really is a beautifully designed publication and is the perfect luxury souvenir for fans of the movie, and Batman, in general.

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Nick Smithson