Batman: The Chalice #1

Bruce Wayne receives a package at Wayne Manor that was intended for his father. Inside is a chalice, possibly the Holy Grail. Soon after receiving the object Batman is forced to defend it against enemies such as Ra's Al Ghul, the Penguin and Catwoman.  

This graphic novel came out back in 1999 and is written by Chuck Dixon. I happened to come across this comic online while searching the website I order comics from often. I decided to get it because it was on sale for only $8.99 and I figured I couldn't go wrong for a price like that. While I liked the concept of this comic, after finishing it I was a little disappointed. I couldn't help but feel unsatisfied. I'm a huge Batman fan and I usually enjoy every Batman comic I read. I think the main problem I had was that it felt like I wasn't reading Batman. His characterization was a little off. It could be because this came out a dozen years ago and Batman's character has developed a lot since then. I didn't like a lot of the dialogue. Some of it felt like things Batman wouldn't say. Another negative is the length of the comic. It's very short not allowing a lot to happen. It's very one-dimensional but I suppose that's due to it being a graphic novel and not an on-going series. Bottom line Batman protects the chalice from his enemies and has to find a safe place for it so no one can ever get their hands on it. 

The art is by John Van Fleet. I wasn't crazy about it but it did suit the story pretty well. It sort of grows on you while reading the story but at times can be a little frustrating when it's hard to depict what you're looking at in the panels.

I wouldn't recommend this even to the biggest of Batman fans. It's nothing that plays any significance in current Batman titles that you would need to know. Save yourself the time and money and purchase something better.