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Arkham Asylum
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Batman Comics

Arkham Asylum (1990) (edit title/settings)

A Serious House on Serious Earth

by Grant Morrison (Author), Dave McKean (Illustrator), Gaspar Saladino (Calligrapher) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

In this groundbreaking painted graphic novel, the inmates of Arkham Asylum have taken over Gotham's detention center for the criminally insane on April Fool's Day and demand Batman in exchange for their prisoners. Accepting their demented challenge, Batman is forced to live and endure the... read more

Summary edit see section history

Arkham Asylum is located on the outskirts of Gotham City and is where those of Batman's foes considered to be legally insane are incarcerated (other foes are incarcerated at Blackgate Penitentiary). Although it has had numerous administrators, recent comic books have featured Jeremiah Arkham.... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Arkham Asylum is located on the outskirts of Gotham City and is where those of Batman's foes considered to be legally insane are incarcerated (other foes are incarcerated at Blackgate Penitentiary). Although it has had numerous administrators, recent comic books have featured Jeremiah Arkham. Inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft, and in particular his fictional city of Arkham, Massachusetts,<2><3> the asylum was created by Dennis O'Neil and first appeared in Batman #258 (October 1974); much of its back-story was created by Len Wein during the 1980s.

Arkham Asylum does not have a good record, at least with regard to the high profile cases - inmates such as the Joker are frequently shown escaping at will - and those who are 'cured' and released tend to re-offend. Furthermore, several staff members, including its founder, Dr. Amadeus Arkham, and director Dr. Jeremiah Arkham, as well as staff members Dr. Harleen Quinzel, Lyle Bolton and, in some incarnations, Drs. Jonathan Crane and Hugo Strange, have committed serious crimes.

In addition, prisoners with unusual medical conditions that prevent them from staying in a regular prison are housed in Arkham. For example, Mr. Freeze is not always depicted as insane, but he requires a strongly refrigerated environment to stay alive; Arkham, with special conditions required for certain patients or inmates being a regularity rather than exception, is potentially seen by authorities to be an ideal location under certain circumstances.

Gotham criminals deemed "criminally insane" or "mentally unfit" by the court of law generally are treated at Williams Medical Center before being deemed dangerous enough to be sent to Arkham Asylum.<4>

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Quotes edit see section history

  • “Einstein was wrong! I'm the speed of light cracking through shivery atoms and God the sky whirls and withers like a melting rainbow!”
  • “Well, I see two angels screwing in the stratosphere, a constellation of black holes, a biological process beyond the conception of man, a Jewish ventriloquist act locked in the trunk of a red Chevrolet...”
    the Joker
  • “...I'm afraid that when I walk through those asylum gates...when I walk into Arkham and the doors close behind me...it'll be just like coming home.”
    Batman

Setting & Locations edit see section history

First Sentence edit see section history

In the years following my father's death, I think it's true to say that the house became my whole world.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This book is in Batman Comics. (standard series)
This book is in DC Comics. (community list)
This book is in Batman Universe. (community list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Grant Morrison (Author)
  2. Dave McKean (Illustrator)
  3. Gaspar Saladino (Calligrapher)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Warner Books Inc
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1990
ISBN: 0446391891
Page Count: 120

Classification edit see section history

Books That Influenced This Book edit see section history

   
  • The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat As Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of The Marquis de Sade (or Marat Sade)
  • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking Glass

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