By James Field

Abrams Books, out now

A behind-the-scenes look at Matt Reeves’ The Batman…

‘Making of Batman movie’ books have come a long way since I picked up the rather slim volume by John Marriott in 1989 that covered Tim Burton’s blockbuster. Previously full of oft-used promotional photos and the usual PR fluff, this sub-genre of the film book has evolved into gloriously produced volumes on quality paper and with exclusive content. James Field’s entry is no exception, covering the key design aesthetics of The Batman with exceptional supporting imagery.

Following a foreword by Matt Reeves and a Who’s Who of top-level production credits, the first chapter is devoted to the eponymous crime fighter, with looks at his suit, tactical weapons, vehicles and environs. We even discover that Robert Pattinson screen tested for the role in the Val Kilmer Batman Forever Batsuit.

Chapters follow on the Riddler, James Gordon, Selena Kyle, Falcone and the Penguin, and the city of Gotham. Key moments have ‘Anatomy of a Scene’ analysis, accompanied by design artwork and schematics. Mention is made of the use of VR in pre-vis, and how the Volume LED display helped the performers to act against artificial backgrounds. Visually, the book looks great, my main criticism being that it has less text than most of its peers, thus making it a quick read.

Verdict: A beautiful book that showcases the work of the movie’s many creative artists. I just would have liked more text. 8/10

Nick Joy

Click here to order from Amazon.co.uk