SKU: 63869067232
uppababy minu travel system

uppababy minu travel system UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller

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Description

uppababy minu travel system UPPAbaby Minu V3 Strollerby UPPAbaby Babesta Pick Best Lightweight Stroller for UPPAbaby Families Category: Lightweight travel strollers Urban strollers Birth to toddler strollers Travel systems Certifications: GREENGUARD Gold REACH certified JPMA certified PFAS free materials The UPPAbaby Minu V3 is a 16. 7 lb compact travel stroller suitable from birth to 50 lbs, with a one hand one step fold that is IATA compliant for airplane overhead bin storage. It is newborn ready out

by UPPAbaby  |  Babesta Pick — Best Lightweight Stroller for UPPAbaby Families

Category: Lightweight travel strollers  |  Urban strollers  |  Birth-to-toddler strollers  |  Travel systems

Certifications: GREENGUARD® Gold  |  REACH certified  |  JPMA certified  |  PFAS-free materials

The UPPAbaby Minu V3 is a 16.7 lb compact travel stroller suitable from birth to 50 lbs, with a one-hand one-step fold that is IATA compliant for airplane overhead bin storage. It is newborn-ready out of the box — the V3’s infinite deep recline and integrated foot barrier (protective footwell) create a safe carriage mode from day one, with no bassinet purchase required. The UPPAbaby Bassinet is not compatible with the Minu V3.

At Babesta, the Minu V3 has a specific and important role in our stroller lineup: it is the only lightweight stroller that is directly compatible with the UPPAbaby Mesa and Aria infant car seats. For any family that already owns a Mesa or Aria, or is planning to buy one, the Minu V3 is the clear lightweight companion stroller. No other travel stroller in this weight class offers that seamless UPPAbaby-to-UPPAbaby click-in.

Compared to the Joolz Aer2 and Stokke Yoyo — the other travel strollers we carry — the Minu V3 is wider (18″ vs. the Aer2’s and Yoyo’s ~17″), heavier by 2–3 lbs, and has a larger basket (20 lbs vs. 17.6 lbs on the Aer2). That wider stance translates to a more stable, planted ride on uneven surfaces — it handles NYC sidewalks with noticeably more confidence than the narrower ultra-compacts. For families who want a lightweight stroller that feels like a lightweight stroller and not a toy, the Minu V3 is the one.

 

Specifications

Stroller weight

16.7 lbs (frame & seat)

Unfolded dimensions

34.5″ L × 18″ W × 41″ H

Folded dimensions

10″ L × 18″ W × 21.5″ H

Fits airplane overhead bin?

Yes — IATA compliant

Suitable from birth?

Yes — infinite deep recline + integrated foot barrier for newborn carriage mode

Bassinet compatible?

No — UPPAbaby Bassinet is not compatible with the Minu V3. Newborn-ready out of the box via recline + foot barrier.

Max child weight

50 lbs (max height 40″)

Fold type

One-hand, one-step fold; self-standing when folded; integrated carry strap

Seat recline

Infinite deep recline including full lay-flat; one-hand adjustment

Footrest positions

3 positions, adjustable

Crotch buckle positions

2 positions for newborn and older child fit

Handlebar material

100% full-grain leather; adjustable height

Suspension

Front suspension + independent rear suspension for smooth multi-terrain ride

Basket capacity

20 lbs — largest basket in the travel stroller category

Canopy

UPF 50+ water-repellent; zip-out extendable; peek-a-boo mesh window

Harness

5-point adjustable; no-rethread; integrated plush seat liner

Integrated carry strap?

Yes — hands-free transport when folded

Hidden Air Tracker pocket?

Yes

Seat back height

High seat back; grows with child

Certifications

GREENGUARD® Gold; REACH certified; JPMA certified; PFAS-free materials

Warranty

3 year non transferable warranty

Frame material

Durable aluminum

 

Best For / Not For

Best For: Families who already own or are buying a UPPAbaby Mesa or Aria infant car seat. Parents who want a more stable, wider-stance travel stroller than the Joolz Aer2 or Yoyo. Frequent travelers who need IATA overhead bin compliance. NYC families who want a lighter everyday stroller to complement a full-size like the Vista V3 or Cruz V3. Walkup dwellers who need something they can carry upstairs.

Not For: Families who want the absolute lightest stroller available (the Joolz Aer2 at 14.3 lbs is lighter). Parents who need a double stroller or modular platform. Anyone who wants to use the UPPAbaby Bassinet — it is not compatible with the Minu V3. Jogging or rough terrain use.

Availability & Colors

Colors

Ada, Dillan, Evelyn, Greyson, Jake (black), Savannah (white/grey)

Availability

Generally in stock; If not allow 5–7 business days for order fulfillment. In-store pickup available at Babesta Tribeca, NYC.

 

Is it suitable for my baby's age?

Newborn (0–3 months)

Yes — the Minu V3 is newborn-ready out of the box via the infinite deep recline and integrated foot barrier (protective footwell). No separate bassinet purchase required. The UPPAbaby Bassinet is not compatible with the Minu V3.

Infant (3–12 months)

Yes — reclined or semi-reclined seat, 5-point adjustable harness, 2-position crotch buckle. Compatible with UPPAbaby Mesa and Aria infant car seats, or Nuna, Cybex, Clek (adapters sold separately).

Toddler (1–4 years)

Yes — upright seat with 3-position footrest, adjustable harness, high seat back for growing kids, up to 50 lbs / 40″ height.

 

Is it good for NYC / city use?

Yes — the Minu V3 is one of our top recommendations for NYC families who need a compact stroller for daily use. The 18″ width is narrower than the Cruz V3 (22.5″) and Vista V3 (25.7″), making it easier to maneuver through restaurant aisles, elevator doors, and tight retail spaces. The front and independent rear suspension make it considerably more planted on cracked NYC sidewalks than pure ultra-compact strollers, which often sacrifice ride quality for weight savings.

The one-hand fold and integrated carry strap mean you can fold it while holding your child and sling it over your shoulder on subway stairs — a practical consideration that the Joolz Aer2’s shoulder strap also addresses. At 16.7 lbs it is light enough for most parents to carry up a walkup flight without it being an ordeal, though the Joolz Aer2 at 14.3 lbs has a meaningful advantage for anyone doing this multiple times a day.

The 20 lb basket is the largest in the travel stroller category — genuinely useful for NYC parents who are combining errands, school drop-off, and grocery runs in a single outing.

 

Quick Comparison: Minu V3 vs. Key Lightweight Alternatives

★ = category standout

Feature

Minu V3

Joolz Aer2

Stokke Yoyo

Bugaboo Butterfly

Weight

16.7 lbs

14.3 lbs

~14.8 lbs

~16 lbs

Width (unfolded)

18″

~17.7″

~17.3″

~17″

Basket capacity

20 lbs ★

17.6 lbs

~22 lbs

~17.6 lbs

Newborn-ready (out of box)

Yes

Yes

No

No

UPPAbaby car seat

Yes ★

No

No

No

IATA overhead bin compliant

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

All-wheel suspension

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

 

Car Seat Compatibility

Adapter required (sold separately)

UPPAbaby Mesa, UPPAbaby Mesa V2, UPPAbaby Aria, Select Maxi-Cosi (Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico Max Plus, Mico AP, Mico Plus), Nuna (Pipa Lite, Pipa Lite LX, Pipa Lite R, Pipa Aire, Pipa Aire RX, Pipa Next, Pipa RX, Pipa Urbn, Klik Plus), Cybex, Clek Liing, BeSafe — ask Babesta team for correct adapter for your brand and model.

Bassinet compatible?

No — the UPPAbaby Bassinet is not compatible with the Minu V3. The Minu V3 is newborn-ready via its built-in recline and foot barrier; no bassinet is needed.

 

What’s Included

       UPPAbaby Minu V3 stroller

       Extendable sun canopy (UPF 50+)

       Large storage basket

       Adjustable 3-position footrest

       Integrated carry strap

       Integrated plush seat liner

 

Optional Add-Ons Available at Babesta

       UPPAbaby Mesa infant car seat — clicks directly onto Minu V3 without adapters

       UPPAbaby Aria infant car seat — clicks directly onto Minu V3 without adapters

       Car seat adapters for Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Cybex, Clek, BeSafe (sold separately) — ask Babesta team for your brand and model

       Cup holder / snack tray accessories

       Cozy Ganoosh — footmuff for cold NYC winters

 

Babesta Pick — Why We Carry It

The Minu V3 fills a very specific gap that no other lightweight stroller in our lineup covers: the UPPAbaby ecosystem. If you have a Mesa or Aria, you already know how easy the click-in travel system works on the Vista V3 or Cruz V3. The Minu V3 gives you that exact same no-adapter experience in a compact, 16.7 lb stroller. For families who want to go from car seat to lightweight stroller without fumbling with adapters — especially with a newborn — that’s a meaningful convenience.

Beyond the car seat compatibility, we carry it because it’s the most stable travel stroller in its class. The 18″ width and dual-suspension system give it a planted, confident feel on NYC sidewalks that the narrower ultra-compacts don’t match. Parents who come in comparing it to the Joolz Aer2 often leave with the Minu V3 once they push both on the pavement outside — the ride difference is immediately noticeable.

The V3 upgrade from the V2 is also significant: the fully flat recline with integrated foot barrier means it’s genuinely newborn-ready without any extra purchase, which the V2 was not. If you were on the fence about the previous Minu, the V3 resolves the main objection.

 

Babesta Services on This Purchase

When you buy the Minu V3 from Babesta, you get:

       Free in-store assembly and full stroller demo — we walk you through the fold, recline, foot barrier setup, and car seat click-in

       Home delivery below Canal Street NYC (assembled) and same-day courier delivery in NYC/Brooklyn (unassembled)

       In-store pickup available at Babesta Tribeca, 56 Warren Street

       Hold it until you’re ready — no rush

       Price match guarantee

       Registry support — add the Minu V3 and compatible accessories to your Babesta registry

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the UPPAbaby Bassinet be used with the Minu V3?

No — the UPPAbaby Bassinet is not compatible with the Minu V3. The good news is that the Minu V3 is newborn-ready out of the box: the infinite deep recline and integrated protective footwell create a safe carriage mode from birth without needing a separate bassinet. This is one of the key upgrades from the Minu V2, which required a bassinet or infant car seat for newborn use.

Is the Minu V3 compatible with UPPAbaby car seats?

Yes — and this is the Minu V3’s standout advantage among lightweight strollers. The UPPAbaby Mesa, Mesa V2, and Aria infant car seats click onto the Minu V3 frame. It is the only lightweight stroller that offers this seamless no-adapter compatibility with UPPAbaby car seats. If you have a Mesa or Aria, the Minu V3 is your natural lightweight companion stroller.

What other car seats is it compatible with?

With the separately sold adapter, the Minu V3 is compatible with select Maxi-Cosi (including Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico Max Plus), Nuna (including Pipa Lite, Pipa Lite LX, Pipa Aire, Pipa Next, Pipa RX, Klik Plus), Cybex, Clek Liing, and BeSafe models. Ask the Babesta team for the correct adapter for your specific car seat brand and model, as compatibility varies.

How does it compare to the Joolz Aer2?

The Joolz Aer2 is lighter (14.3 lbs vs. 16.7 lbs), slightly narrower, and is available at $579 vs. $499.99 for the Minu V3. The Minu V3 has a larger basket (20 lbs vs. 17.6 lbs), a more stable wider stance (18″ vs. ~17″ for the Aer2), and dual suspension for a smoother ride. Most importantly, the Minu V3 is the only lightweight stroller directly compatible with UPPAbaby car seats. The Aer2 does not work with the Mesa or Aria without adapters; the Minu V3 does. If you have a Mesa or Aria, the Minu V3 is the clear choice. If you prioritize the lightest possible weight and subway portability above all else, the Aer2 has the edge.

Does it really fit in an airplane overhead bin?

Yes — the Minu V3 is IATA compliant at its folded dimensions of 10″ L × 18″ W × 21.5″ H. This was a major upgrade from the Minu V2, which was marketed for overhead bins but wasn’t always guaranteed to fit. The V3 can typically be stowed in the overhead compartment on most commercial aircraft. Always confirm with your specific airline before travel.

Can I use this as my only stroller?

Yes, for many NYC families — particularly those in walkups, those who take the subway regularly, or frequent travelers. If you walk long distances daily in a park-heavy neighborhood and prioritize push quality, you may prefer pairing it with a full-size like the UPPAbaby Cruz V3 for those longer outings. The Minu V3 is also a popular second stroller for families who have a Vista V3 or Cruz V3 and want a lighter option for everyday errands and travel.

Can I try it in person?

Yes — the Minu V3 is on the floor at Babesta Tribeca, 56 Warren Street. Our team can walk you through the fold, the recline and foot barrier setup, and — if relevant — demonstrate the Mesa or Aria click-in directly so you can see how the travel system works before you buy.

Can I put this on my baby registry?

Yes — the Minu V3 is a popular registry add at Babesta, particularly for parents who are also registering for the Vista V3 or Cruz V3 and want a lightweight companion stroller from the same ecosystem. A Babesta registry comes with exclusive perks and expert guidance on building your complete stroller setup.

Shipping Notes
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Kurt
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Sequel to Long Halloween
Format: Paperback
This takes all of the great elements of the Long Halloween and keeps it going. The two of those books together is a great story telling. Ticks all the boxes of a great Batman book. If you like this and Long Halloween check out The Penguin show on HBO Max. and if you like The Penguin but haven't read these two books you should since the show pulls a lot of influence from them.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2024
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kindlemom1 (My Guilty Obsession Blog)
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Worth the price!
Format: Paperback
Great set!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2025
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John Hall
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
The Robin Origin Tale We Needed
Format: Paperback
Hot off The Long Halloween Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale return for another murder mystery. This is a direct sequel and follows the aftermath of The Long Halloween. The art is stellar and the story is deep and dark. The trinity of Batman, Dent and Gordon is gone and the isolation is real. At the heart of it, life goes on. Sofia Falcone is back and ready to get revenge. Meanwhile, Dick Grayson's about to go through the darkest chapter of his life. There's a surprise villain who makes a chilling introduction and much more. If you wanted more after Batman: Year One and The Long Halloween, this is the book for you.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2025
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The Blue Thunder Bomb
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
The Best BATMAN Tale since YEAR ONE.
When I first started reading Scott Snyder's run on DETECTIVE COMICS, I was unfamiliar with his work. It seemed like they had just grabbed a new name after arcs done by distinguished writers such as Grant Morrison (which I actually thought was terrible during his RIP arc), Greg Rucka (who did a brilliant job with bringing the character of Batwoman into the fold), and Paul Dini (whose work ranged from not great to just about perfect). Snyder just seemed like a Johnny-Come-Lately, and the previous arc on DETECTIVE had been particularly disappointing, but alas I had faith that another solid arc was due for the Darkknight Detective, so I kept collecting. Nothing could have made me happier, since Snyder and his partners in crime, artists Jock and Francesco Francavilla had crafted the most solid, unified and smartest Batman tale since Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's eponymous BATMAN: YEAR ONE. Not to get too bogged down in plot detail, but essentially, the "Black Mirror" arc begins with Dick Grayson as The Batman (since Bruce Wayne was too busy fighting his way through time... argh...) and he's closing in on a secret auction where 'collectibles' of Gotham's most notorious villains are being sold to an elite crowd of wealthy degenerates, such as Scarecrow's fear gas and the crowbar actually used to beat Jason Todd almost to death. The main villain of the piece is hardly Batman's most powerful enemy, but it does leave some psychic scars on Dick. Next Dick is forced to deal with a dead woman found in an office building. Hardly worth Batman's specific attention, but what is is that the woman's body was found inside a dead killer whale's mouth in an office building. Making matters more complicated is that the woman this murder is sending a message to is actually the daughter of Tony Zucco, the gangster responsible for the death of Dick's parents. While these stories are exciting, well-crafted and beautifully rendered by Jock, we enter a much more personal tale of Commissioner Gordon: the return of his son James Jr., who we haven't seen much of at all in his life. Apparently, James Jr. is a psychotic who is taking a new anti-psychotic medication and hopes to return back to society in some way. This becomes a very personal tale for the Gordon family, including Gordon's ex-wife Barbara and of course his daughter Barbara, formerly Batgirl and now the wheelchair-confined information gatherer Oracle. These interludes are illustrated by the brilliant Francavilla, whose every page looks like it's suitable for framing. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Jr. is not exactly what he seems to be and this leads to a small-scale but highly emotionally charged finale. Scott Snyder did several things in this book that very few before him were able to do successfully. First and foremost, he captured the essence of Dick Grayson bearing the responsibility of being Batman. It's not something he shirks from, but he does feel out of place living in Bruce's penthouse and basically taking the mantle of Batman is no small matter. He is more emotional than Bruce and has more issues with his own fears. Second is that he's one of the few writers to really get the essence of Batman being a detective. While Dick is not as brilliant as Bruce, he was trained by the best, and Batman is not just a machine of brute force dispensing justice with his fists and cool gadgets; he's also considered the world's greatest detective and it's always exciting to see an author with a good handle on that aspect of Batman. Third is Snyder's awareness of Gotham not just being a city, but as being an integral character in the adventures of Batman. There's a darkness to the city that the good people strive to rise above, which is why the partnership of Batman and Jim Gordon has been the lifeline of Gotham's survival. Also on wonderful display here is Snyder's understanding of the supporting cast. He gives all of them equal and necessary life in the story, and has a superb handle on their individual characters. In the few years since Snyder started in this business, first gaining prominence on AMERICAN VAMPIRE (which is another breath of fresh air to a dying genre) and then his work on DETECTIVE gaining him even greater accolades, he has become possibly the best writer currently at DC. Several people, including myself have heralded him as the next Alan Moore. He has an understanding of character, dialogue and structure that is unusual and continually striking. He's been the standout star of DC's "New 52", continuing his work on Batman with as well as bringing back one of DC's greatest horror titles, . He has also continued to establish himself as one of comic's premier horror writers by doing the best horror comic in years over at Image Comics called (you can find my review of that book via that link), as well as doing a mini-event that explores the beginnings of Gotham City in . THE BLACK MIRROR is a Batman classic that people will still be discussing in years to come, as well as his other work in the field. I couldn't suggest more highly picking up any of his books. It doesn't get much better.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2012
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JR. Forasteros
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Dark, Brooding and 100% Batman
This review is super-spoilery. If you haven't read The Black Mirror yet, do yourself a favor and go grab a copy ASAP. You won't regret it. No matter who we are, we can't escape our past. Where we've come from and who we've been leave indelible marks on us. Nowhere is this more true than Gotham City, and in Batman: The Black Mirror, Scott Snyder gives us a glimpse into the Darkness that lies at the core of the city. If you're not a regular Batman reader, you may not know that everyone in the DC Comics universe thought Bruce Wayne was dead for a while. While he was gone, Dick Grayson - the original Robin - took up the mantle of the Batman. After Bruce Wayne's return, he kept Dick as the new Gotham City Batman.* Black Mirror is actually a story featuring Dick Grayson - not Bruce Wayne - as the Batman. Snyder's story is one of the best Batman stories I've ever read. It's a dark, brooding and good, old-fashioned detective story. And it actually works better with Dick instead of Bruce under the cowl. That's a writing feat nothing short of miraculous. Snyder's Gotham is a monstrous city that seeks to poison everyone in it. It turned both Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson into masked vigilantes. Dick was the child of circus acrobats who were murdered in Gotham. He was taken in by Bruce Wayne, who lost his own parents to Gotham criminals and trained Dick to become Robin. Eventually Dick outgrew the Robin persona and became Nightwing, working in a city near Gotham. Joining Dick in the spotlight of Black Mirror is Commissioner James "Jim" Gordon, who's no less a victim of Gotham's darkness than Dick. He and his first wife Barbara have a son named James, Jr., who left with Barbara when she and Jim divorced. Jim also has a niece named Barbara who came to live with him after her parents died. Barbara dated Dick in high school, and she became the first Batgirl. In Alan Moore's epic The Killing Joke, the Joker shoots Barbara in the stomach, paralyzing her. In a wheelchair, she's now the Oracle. She serves as the information hub for Batman, Robin and their allies. The Black Mirror introduces us for the first time to the adult James, Jr., who has returned to Gotham searching for a second chance. We learn from his suspicious father that James, Jr. is a clinical psychopath: he doesn't feel typical human emotion (yes, just like Dexter). But he comes claiming to be on a new medication that stimulates the brain to produce the chemicals psychopaths lack. He reveals that he's volunteering at Dr. Leslie Thompkins' free clinic. Jim Gordon is suspicious, distrustful. But he can't stop himself from being hopeful, too. Is it possible that his son has found peace and even redemption? Snyder keeps us guessing about James, Jr.'s true nature through the whole book. We feel the tension Jim Gordon feels, torn as he is between Oracle's pessimism and Dick's optimism. Barbara is convinced that James, Jr. is a monster who can and will never change, while Dick is hopeful. And so with this tension established, Snyder asks us a most basic question: can we be anything other than what we have been? We meet Sonja Branch, the estranged daughter of the mobster who killed Dick's parents. A wealthy, successful executive, Dick wonders to Jim Gordon if she's as upstanding as she seems. Dick muses that "it's nice to know that maybe, once in a blue moon, the apple does fall far from the tree in Gotham." The expression on Jim Gordon's face as he echoes, "Once in a blue moon," reveals that he's still wondering about James, Jr. An old case has led Jim to reflect on his son to wonder yet again what made him the way he is. To wonder what he could've done differently. He concludes that Gotham is fundamentally sick. He wonders to Dick: Do you ever feel like... like the more good you do or try to do for people out there, for strangers, the more the ones close to you, the ones you love, get hurt? ...I don't mean in general. I mean here. In Gotham... I'm talking about the damn bedrock. There are times I feel a dark heart down there, Dick. A dark, malformed heart. Since Alan Moore's The Killing Joke, the Batman mythology has suggested that Gotham's villains arise as a response to the Batman's presence. The Joker of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns is comatose, awaking only when news breaks that the Batman has returned to Gotham. And Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight laughs that Batman thinks Joker wants him dead - the Batman completes Ledger's Joker. But Snyder dares to step beyond this to suggest that it's Gotham, the city itself that creates both the heroes and the monsters. Gotham created the Batman just as it created the Joker. Gotham created Robin by murdering Dick's parents. And now that Dick is the Batman, we learn that Gotham has been creating a new nightmare just for him. Dick's opposite, his dark mirror, isn't the Joker. That surprise comes when we finally meet the newly-escaped Clown Prince of Crime after Batman tracks him down. The Joker knows instantly, chastising Batman: Do you even know what Gotham means, little bird? ...It means a safe place for goats! And do you know what preys on goats? Bats. The bat makes the goat sick. But every bat does this in its own way. And you, you're not my bat! So what sickness has arisen as a response to Dick's new Batman? By the time we reach Snyder's gut-wrenching, perfectly, agonizingly timed reveal, we realize it could have been no one else but James, Jr. James, Jr. is a pure, true psychopath. He's reversed his medications - instead of stimulating the brain to produce more of the drugs that give us emotions, James, Jr.'s drug suppresses them. His master plan - an eerie successor to the Joker's inaugural caper - is to drug a factory in Gotham that manufactures infant formula. James, Jr.'s goal is to create a generation of psychopaths, to remake Gotham's children in his own image. He calmly explains as much to Dick as he tortures his cousin, Barbara: Gotham is a city of nightmares... in the truest sense because what's a nightmare if it isn't a warning? A vision of yourself at your weakest... Batman - the real one - he shapes Gotham out of an obsession... but you new crop, you do it out of compassion. Out of empathy. Out of weakness... And out of all of them, Dick, you're the weakest. [Gotham] is a city of nightmares, and I'm yours. I'm the face you see in the glass. A man with no conscience. No empathy. Gotham made me to challenge you... I am Gotham's son. And the city made me so I could help usher in a new generation of children. Dick proves that his compassion is more a weapon than a weakness, thwarting James, Jr. (probably). But Black Mirror leaves us with an unsettled, uneasy sense that this fight is darker and longer than we thought. We start to wonder if the Batman's quest is actually winnable, in the end. But Dick Grayson never wonders. That's what separates him from the James, Jrs. of the world. That's what separates him even from Bruce. This is a different Batman. Full of optimism. Playful - he makes jokes and teases his teammates. Dick's Batman is at once totally different from Bruce's and at the same time wholly Batman. Most importantly, Dick is hopeful. And it's ultimately that hope that lifts us up over even a surprisingly ambiguous ending. Dick said it perfectly early in the book: I couldn't understand why Bruce... always chose to drive through the streets, moving on the ground... when he could've just soared above it all. But I get it now. Because even back then he understood that Gotham is a place you can never get above, a place you can never see clearly... I can't help it, though. I'm built differently. Because there's something about seeing Gotham from the sky that energizes me, gives me hope, if only for a moment before I come back down to earth. Dick hopes that Gotham can be better. It's a hope that transcends anything even Bruce has. And it's that hope that draws him and those around him - like Jim and Barbara to fight the good fight. Bottom Line: Whether you're a long-time fan of the Batman or only know The Dark Knight, Snyder's book is a must read. The characters are amazing. The plot is fantastic. The art is breathtaking. From start to finish, The Black Mirror is a sterling example of the literary power of comics you'll want to read over and over again. *Since DC Comics has rebooted their entire franchise, none of this is the case anymore. Bruce is back to being the Batman and Dick Grayson has returned to his role as Nightwing.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2011

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