lego-batman-essentialteam-batmanBy DK Books, out now

A look behind the fiction of the new Batman movie…

Alongside the awesomeness that is the LEGO Batman Movie (degrees of awesomeness depending on the age of the audience member!), DK have produced a number of volumes that are aimed at various different age groups. The main making of book isn’t out till next week to coincide with the release of the film (and to avoid the many surprises that litter the movie from being spoiled… not that that stopped the official Doctor Who Facebook page!) but appetites have been whetted by the reveals in the books so far.

Beth Davies’ Team Batman is for the very earliest reader – known as level 1 – giving a very basic idea as to who Batman, his allies and his enemies are, including quite a few who aren’t named in the text (but who are important to the movie).

Julia March’s The Essential Guide lives up to its title, with a load of insights for the younger reader into the various characters, vehicles and locations, without giving away too many spoilers. There’s plenty of indication as to how the various parts of the Bat-mythos are being portrayed in the film (Batman’s sparkling personality shines through… alongside his sometimes interesting choice of clothing!) and some of the wonderfully eclectic designs.

Verdict: Two good age-appropriate primers for the film. 8/10

Paul Simpson