Greetings, Good Gothamites! It is I, Frank of the non-Bat Believers. Here I am once again to give a non-fan's perspective and desecrate the name of Caped Crusader whose image is printed all over those flanel pajamas you're wearing! (Very becoming, by the way.) In case you missed it, last time I talked about my introduction to Batman with the 1966 Adam Westfeature film. This time around, I've been given an assignment by the man with the bearded FAC3: Batman #251 a.k.a. The Joker's Five Way Revenge! It's a classic tale of the Joker's merciless ways and Batman's perseverance in chasing him down.
"Situations and Comedies" is a look into a night in the life of Tim Drake, aka Robin, as he is out with a group of his friends watching a park performance of "Macbeth at the Beach". Tim leaves his friends for a little while when his friends get into an argument over the validity of updating or adapting classic works of theatre. While Tim agrees, he still gets frustrated with the argument and steps away for some peace and quiet when he stumbles upon a young thug who is picking a fight with another young man who he claims, "looked at his girl". As any good hero would, Tim breaks up the scuffle when he is spotted by Helena Bertinelli aka The Huntress while she is at the play with a group of her students, and she threatens to report Tim to his principal if he keeps up his fighting ways.
After the encounter with Ms. Bertinelli, Tim spots a car of hoodlums that are preparing to rob the concession stand at the outdoor theatre. Tim eventually suits up and saves the day with a little help from an non-costumed Huntress who takes down the last foe.
If I could sum this issue up with one word, that word would be "fun"
Dixon does a fine job with this issue by integrating the massively hilarious "Macbeth at the Beach" play, which is simply a bunch of surfers performing Macbeth in a beach setting, with some great action and heroics at the hands of Robin and Huntress. The art is in a very "cartoony" style, not gritty like most of Gotham City, but it holds true to the fun nature of this issue. Dixon obviously has a grasp on the nature of Tim Drake in these years, as Tim was one of the more fun-loving Robins that was still a true blue hero, and I really enjoyed the interaction with Tim and his friends. The situation to be in was a bit on the ridiculous side, but it was still an entertaining issue that provided some great action and humor while not seeming unrealistic. It's not a life changing comic, but it's definitely a good, solid read.
This issue is a one and done issue that doesn't rely on any deep knowledge of the Bat Universe and doesn't tie in to anything, so it is a very quick read and you can pick it up at your leisure. A very good read, and I'd recommend any fans of a solid comic for a fun read.
I know, typically, the "Back Issue Review" deals specifically with single issue comic books, but we'll be expanding that to all forms of media, so today, I will be covering Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
"Legends of the Dark Mite" starts with a short segment of Catman trying to sell a rare tiger to some criminals, when Batman comes to save the day with trusty sidekick, Ace the Bathound. That's right, Ace the Bathound. This episode starts off with a segment featuring Ace the Bathound treeing Catman so he is stuck, waiting for the authorities. Just take a second, drink that in.
Ready to continue? Good.
After featuring Ace the Bathound in the beginning, it comes as no surprise that the featured guest on this episode of Brave and The Bold features that other member of Batfamily, the imp from the 5th Dimension, Batmite. Batman runs in to Batman after a scuffle with some run of the mill criminals, and Batmite intervenes and makes things harder for Batman, just so Batman can prove how awesome he is.
Batmite ultimately shows himself and the fourth wall is completely broken when he describes himself as Batman's biggest fan. Batmite wants to prove how much he adores The Caped Crusader, but this ultimately ends as obsession and criticisms of Batmite's character after he changes Batman's appearance to forms ranging from the 60's Adam West Batman, described as "too campy", to Frank Miller's interpretation of Batman, described as "too psycho" (a hilarious nod to us hardcore Batman fans) as well as making Calendar Man in to a serious villain that has the ability to destroy Gotham.
After defeating Calendar Man's evil incarnations of villainous holiday icons, Batman shows his disdain for the crazed 5th Dimension Batmite, and Batmite goes off the wall and tries to destroy The Dark Knight.
Overall, this episode definitely has stuff for the kids, but mostly has easter eggs laid out for all of the hardcore Batman fans. It breaks the fourth wall by going to a 5th Dimension comic book convention and gives reasoning for the version of Batman we see in Batman: The Brave and The Bold, features members of the Batfamily that most don't either acknowledge or appreciate, but still uses them in a clever, humorous way. Out of all episodes of Batman: Brave and the Bold, this episode and The Super-Batman of Planet X are my favorites, and I definitely suggest giving this a watch.
And if anyone out there has not seen Zebraman, check it out as well, there are a lot of references to him, as well.
In the future, Gotham City is in its Darkest days, the first Batman has died, and his son, Damian, has taken his place. Damian Wayne is the Batman that no other Batman could be, a murdering vigilante. Commissioner Barbara Gordon is on his trail, and has a strong sense of vengeance to take out on Damian, for the murder of Batman.
In Batman #666, Damian Wayne is hot on the trail of 5 crime bosses who have been reeking havoc on Gotham City, but the ones that we are introduced to are Professor Pyg and Flamingo, but with Professor Pyg's genetic alterations on the citizens of Gotham, Damian must stop the madness, while killing some of Pyg's mutated monsters, Commissioner Gordon corners Batman, but he escapes and we learn the religious implications of the crimes that have been committed. All of these crime bosses are serving the will of the supposed son of Satan. A man who cloaks himself in the cape and cowl of a man he refers to as one of his fathers, Batman. During the fight with the self proclaimed Anti-Christ, Damian Wayne claims that he has made a pact with Satan, the survival of Gotham City in exchange for his soul.
I've read this issue before, but after reading the run of Batman & Robin featuring Dick Grayson as Batman and Damian Wayne as Robin, I appreciate this issue tenfold. Grant Morrison laid the foundation in #666 for Gotham City books for the foreseeable future. This is easily one of my favorite issues of Batman of all time, especially after the recent events in the DC Universe. And Andy Kubert is simply a legendary artist on Batman and whenever he does the pencils for any Gotham book, it is promised to be absolutely amazing, and this is no exception.
I strongly suggest anyone who has read Battle for The Cowl and Batman & Robin to go back and read #666 as soon as possible.
The darkest Batgirl, Cassandra Cain, returns in this #1 issue from 2008. This issue deals with the results of Batman and Robin leaving Gotham City after the events of Identity Crisis, in which we saw the death of Tim Drake's father. Cain was left alone and was put through trials by her father and Deathstroke, which resulted in the deaths of multiple individuals at the hands of Cassandra Cain, raised to be an assassin by her father.
This issue features Batman and Robin giving Batgirl a second chance at redemption to face her demons and keep the oath of the cowl. Nightwing guest stars finding Cassandra searching for her father alone, and goes against the actions of Bruce and Tim, who seem to be blindly trusting Cassandra.
Overall, this is an excellent issue with Cassandra playing detective while trying to find her father, which puts her out of place. The writing is done in a fashion that is exciting, while providing quite a bit of detail and backstory. Definitely written in the dark style that complimented Gotham City at this time, while the art fits perfectly in this vain. Dark and flawless.
Although I love the current Bryan Q. Miller run on Batgirl featuring Stephanie Brown, it really helps me appreciate Cassandra Cain as Batgirl, and the wonderful character that was developed.
, check it out as well, there are a lot of references to him, as well.
