4/5: ‘Batman: Nightwalker’ is a Young Adult, Comic Fantasy by Marie Lu; Bruce Wayne, before his recognisable title as ‘Batman’ is required to complete community service at Arkham Asylum, the infamous prison that holds the city’s most brutal criminals – there he meets Madeleine Wallace, a brilliant killer tied to the rampant Nightwalkers. Lu masterfully blends science and science fiction, her forte, to craft a unique portrayal of the classic superhero. The book is written in a realistic present or near future where technology like robotic drones to assist police and portable frequency scramblers are believable technologies created by Wayne Tech. There's also a neat virtual reality element to Bruce's training regimen—a story concept that's not that far-fetched in this day and age. You're introduced to some classic Batman characters, including Alfred and Lucius Fox, as well as some new ones tailored for this story. If there is one noticeable addition to the story? Bruce has friends! This angle not only increases appeal for a YA audience (or readers of any age who care about interpersonal drama) but adds a little realism to the character we know and love. Bruce could have been (and often is depicted as) a dour teenager sulking in his mansion. Instead, he's adjusted and worked through enough of his trauma that he can have somewhat normal adolescence—minus the obscene wealth. He still cares enough about his parents' murders and the well-being of his city, of course, and it's not hard to imagine him eventually moulding into the hero we all expect him to become. Lu also introduces a new villain: Madeleine Wallace, an enigmatic character Bruce meets in Arkham Asylum while doing some community service. At first, she's aloof and mysterious, but, as she takes a liking to Bruce, she involves him intimately in the Nightwalker case, against everyone else's wishes. Madeleine is a great intellectual foe/ally for Bruce. She peppers their conversations with hints at the truth, giving him enough information to keep him coming back. You're never quite sure what's real and what's not, so it keeps you, the reader, constantly questioning what Madeleine says. Overall, as a major Batman fan, a truly unique piece – Nerd!