To say that Grant Morrison and Dave McKean's masterwork, Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth a defining moment in comics is probably an understatement. Morrison's writing fused psychology, symbolism, philosophy, metaphysics and classic literature. Dave McKean's art shunned the traditional inks and speech bubbles, instead using his signature mix of coloured pencils, early digital art in a surreal and disorientating blend.



The story has the inmates of Arkham Asylum gaining control of the institution, threatening to kill staff unless Batman enters the asylum and meets the inmates. Once there, Batman is coerced into a deadly game of hide and seek with his most dangerous foes. At the same time, the origins of the Asylum are delved into as we the founder Amadeus Arkham's childhood and adult life, and how he builds the asylum whilst haunted by the memories of his mother's mental illness. The two stories progress simultaneously, exploring Batman's struggle against the madness of the asylum that threatens him and Arkham's mental collapse. All the while, Dave Mckean's art is lush, chaotic and filled with hints and portents.



Why Arkham Asylum matters is the way it looked at it's subject matter. Batman and other superheroes were going through a transitional time; in the 1980's a more realistic tone was being used for our favourite comic book characters. Batman emerged as a darker, more violent vigilante and there were more "realistic" portrayals of the typical superhero archetypes like Alan Moore's Watchmen and Grant Morrison's own, Animal Man. Grant Morrison's script was initially derided by some comic veterans, but at the dawn of the 90's, Arkham Asylum became a touchstone of the movement towards more "adult comics". Indeed, it was a fresh look at Batman and his foes; the caped crusader was beset with doubts about his own sanity and infalibility. Two-Face has been weened from his coin, to a dice and onto a deck of cards to help him make decisions, but instead it makes him unable to function. Clayface is a model of degredation, corruption and pity. Mad-Hater has overtones of drugs and paedophilia. Indeed, only the Joker appears to be his "normal" homicidal self, and indeed it's only McKean's exagerated portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime that really sets him apart.



Will Arkham Asylum the game meet these the standard of the comic? I don't think so, but I have to say the signs look positive; the addition of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as the voices of Batman and the Joker respectively is a great move that's sure to add plenty to the story. There's also plenty of hidden objects and unlockables that will apparently delve into the history of Arkham Asylum. I have to say I'm a big Batman fan and I have pre-ordered the game, so it's definitely been a game I've been looking for. But anyone with even a passing interest in either the game or the Dark Knight should check out the book, Arkham Asylum: Serious House On A Serious Earth.



(If you're looking for more recommendations for Batman Books, try The Long Halloween and Dark Victory by Tim Sale and Jephy Loeb, Batman 100 by Paul Pope, Year One by Frank Miller and Joker1 by Brian Azzarello.)