DC Comics doesn't have a monopoly on big news in September. Talked about for years nearly to the point of legend, Frank Miller is finally unleashing his Holy Terror original graphic novel on an unsuspecting world in September!
For those who don't know, Frank Miller conceived this story in the midst of his angry reaction to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Originally set to be called Batman: Holy Terror! in which the Dark Knight traveled to Afghanistan to take on the Taliban, the project changed over the years. Miller removed Batman from the story (and replaced him with a new character named The Fixer) and took the project from DC Comics to Legendary Comics, the comic book publishing arm of Legendary Pictures.
I'm of two minds about this project. On the one hand, I love Frank Miller, he's one of my all-time favorite creators, and I always wait with bated breath for each new project. On the other hand, as a New Yorker who was here on September 11th, these kind of stories always make me a little uncomfortable. Plus, ten years later, this kind of (presumably) angry, reactionary tale might have lost of a lot of its raw power, especially now that Bin Laden is dead.
We'll see.
Holy Terror is a hardcover original graphic novel priced at $29.99–with an unknown page count–and is set to be released this September, the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
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I’m sure the online community will react to this with maturity and dignity.
Haha, I remember a few days after Bin Laden was killed I thought about this book and wondered if Miller was pissed his project of the last, what 6 years, would now seem totally less relevant. I’m guessing they’re aiming for the september release seeing as it will be 10 years and hopefully more people might take a look.
Either way, I’ll pass, this always seemed like a juvenile project to me.
Miller’s most recent projects must have paid well because his comic output is not that much in recent years.
Sounds like a Mark Millar book to me.
I wish he would’ve changed the name when he took batman out of the story. Holy Terror doesn’t really grab me unless i know it’s a batman reference to the 1960s show
FYI – there was an Elseworlds book called Batman: Holy Terror back in 1991:
http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Holy-Terror-Alan-Brennert/dp/B002IXE29W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308604001&sr=8-1
it been ten years since 9/11 in Sept. wow.
I kind of think this is way too late. It’s like Frank Millar should have written a book about a superhero beating the shit out of investment bankers instead.
“It’s like Frank Millar should have written a book about a superhero beating the shit out of investment bankers instead.”
Now THAT, I could get behind.
Is it weird that I’m kind of looking forward to this? Maybe it’s because I just read Hard Boiled and Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot and ordered The Life and Times of Martha Washington and I want to read some new Frank Miller.
@kennyg : “Sounds like a Mark Millar book to me” Thats funny, I was gonna say that and I think I’ll pass too as I don’t want to be reminded more of a terrible incident no one will ever forget. Whiie I agree with it seeming kinda juvenile, I’m sure its cathartic for Frank Miller to get it out but probably should’ve just did it when he first planned to and I think removing Batman from the story is a good choice. But a part of me still wants to glance at some of the panels for Millers unique artwork and it might be satisfying to see vengeance displayed via Millers pencils.
It’s a good thing he took Batman out of it, because Batman’s smart enough to realize the Taliban had nothing to do with 9/11.
Yeah, Batman knows it was the illuminati and the royal family/lizard people. The most simple answer is usually the correct one
I’ll take a look at the reviews first, after that, i’f probably check it out, because i expect it to be deep and emotional.
@edward: You made me smile twice in the same thread. Thanks.
I’m getting this, so pumped for new Frank Miller anything.
Am I the only person that thinks “the Fixer” looks like the Crimson Mask from Super?
Anyone remember that Elseworld book called “Batman: Holy Terror” where the Catholic church has a authoritarian hold on all aspects of life? I miss one-shots like that.
If the page count on this is decent, I may get this, but that means I won’t be able to afford all 52 relaunched titles from DC.
@Kodaiji kennyg does.
I’m torn by this.
I mean I want to read this because it’s going to be fucking insane. There is going to be nothinf redeeming able it except that Miller is sure to make this absolutely crazy to read.
But on the other hand, to publish this on the month (and 10th anniversary specifically) 9/11 occurred upsets me. I know the point of this story is a response to the tragedy. But now I can imagine people and more importantly the news media focusing on this then the actual tragedy. I don’t know, I think it’s in poor taste.
I like Miller the man is a genius one of my favs. Until DKSA came out and its been downhill. This book seems like Frank at his craziest. The concept may seems juvenile and and i agree with TheNextChampion it seems in poor taste. I wanna have old Miller back, not the crazy miller that is writing now.
Frank Miller is best when he’s wound up about something, as opposed to faking it. I’m curous and admittedly happy that Batman is no longer a part of it.
Also, wasn’t The Fixer the guy who tried to pay off “Battling Jack” Murdock in ‘Daredevil?’ Shouldn’t we be choosing a slightly different champion than a corrupt bookie? Or is this along the same lines as using swastikas as shurikin?
Miller is also lucky that this can sorta be topical since Osama died. But really, when has Al Queda been a factor before his death and after 9/11? That and I have a really good feeling that Miller is going to be racist against Muslims here.
@TheNextChampion You have a ‘really good feeling’ that he is going to be racist?
“When has Al Queda been a factor before his death and after 9/11?” Yikes.
@TheNextChampion Wow.
At that price it better be at least 400 pages or I’ll just order it from the public library.
here’s a really cool and quite extensive interview with frank miller
http://www.nycgraphicnovelists.com/2010/12/frank-miller-part-1-dames-dark-knights.html
In the interview frank says that bin laden is not mentioned, and that the book is his version of a crusade on terror, not Islam. I for one am very much looking forward to this graphic novel, mostly due to the fact that I want to see some new artwork from mr miller. The only thing i’m worried about is that the fixer looks one hell of a lot like batman so I hope he didn’t just erased the bat-ears and changed some dialogue.
Anyways I’m still pumped about this, I mean how long has it been since we’ve seen something new from this guy!!!.
In the meantime, check out The Infidel #1, featuring Pigman. http://bit.ly/gQMIHv
Personally I’m fascinated by this piece, and I can’t wait to see it. His opinions on 9/11 and the USA have been complex and evolving over the past 10 years. Right after 9/11 he did the incredibly powerful piece in 9-11: Artists Respond (seen here) and then he did an interesting piece as part of NPR’s “This I Believe” piece about how 9/11 made him rethink patriotism and grow “rather fond of that old piece of cloth. Now, when I look at it, I see something precious. I see something perishable.” (link)
Remember Miller was living in New York on 9/11, and has something serious to say here. I think these 3 pieces, published in 2002, 2006 and now 2011, can be viewed as a triptych of grieving, rage and response.
He has a prequel to 300 coming out, his old stuff never goes out of print. He most likely doesn’t need money. This is a project that will likely garner him very little money and no small amount of grief from critics. He’s doing it because, as an artist, he has to. He has something to say, something he can’t not say.
Maybe it’ll be juvenile. Maybe it’ll be forgettable. Maybe it’ll be great.
I’m hoping for greatness.
@TheNextChampion bravo
A lot of people don’t seem to understand that Frank Miller has always been crazy. You’ve just had more time to get used to the old level of crazy. Frank is always about 10 years ahead of us, is all. This and Xerxes will be awesome, as was DKSA. Geniuses don’t just stop being geniuses.
@Urthona This was conceived at the time when America’s viewpoint on the Muslim community was very negative. Obviously we have reversed that opinion since the attacks, but there are still a huge group of people who think “Muslim=Evil”. I’m not sure why my opinion that this might be towards a negative viewpoint on Muslims (or Islam) is that far out of an idea. Although the interview brought up by @Voske44 makes me a little more upbeat on the whole project.
Again I’m not sure why people think a huge negative (maybe even racist) view on Muslims may occur here. This is Frank Miller, a man who we all know is not shy to give out his opinions whether they are positive or negative. Hell, Dark Knight Strikes Back was a huge commentary on the Bush administration (or at least Republicans in general).
Also, this is the same guy who has no qualms about putting Nazi references (especially Swatzskas) in a lot of his work. Something that has gone from a bizarre touch in his work to something I am not comfortable seeing now a days.
So again, how was this opinion of mine so ‘out there’?
@TheNextChampion more please
@edward No that’s more then enough right there. Thanks though!
@TheNextChampion why do you think you’re the only guy who could appricate this for the level of miller’s craziness? Do you think everyone else could really see that? he’s not that subtle.
I dont see how it’s a leap to believe that Frank Miller is racist after reading 300.
@TheNextChampion one more thing. Miller’s nazi symbolism isn’t a political statement. It’s used for shock value. Like all of the ultra violence in DKR. Like all of Sin City.
Alright? think about this shit for once.
@edward If people thought about things before they posted, the internet would cease to be.
See what i did there?
@TheNextChampion “When has Al Queda been a factor before his death and after 9/11?” Why don’t you ask the families of all the soldiers who have died in that time period?
@JohnVFerrigno Yeah, that was the part. London on 7/7 for example.
Australians in Bali on 12 Oct 2012
and the people of bali, of course
@Josh/JohnVFerrigno: I probably should have said ‘a factor in the U.S.’ and not in general. Cause I don’t know about you guys but when I put on the news I rarely hear a peep about Al-Queda anymore.
I think this thread has gone wildly off topic now (and I feel I’m being attacked here now) so I’ll leave with this:
Holy Terror was conceived and written at a time when negative views on Muslims and Islam was at an all time high in this country. All I hope is that Miller doesn’t show a very negative (and possibly racist) view on the people and culture in this part of the world.
(I would say that if you want to discuss this further then we can talk on twitter. But since most *like Josh* have blocked me on that site then I guess we leave it at this)
@TheNextChampion: Well to be fair, the news can only cover so much. Lidnsey Lohan’s under house arrest after all. That’s big news!
Yes, let us move on.
@TheNextChampion You don’t hear that much because the attacks that are attempted on US soil since 9/11 have all been stopped. But attempts have most certainly been made.
Thanks for this post conor. i haven’t read any miller books other than his batman but i think i’ll grab this one.
@voske44 thanks for that link!