the Detective
The Detective's Reviews
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This Classic 70's Tale of the Batman introduces Ras Al Ghul. Easily one of the best villians in the Batman Rogues Gallery. Ras appears out of the darkness of the Batcave with his faithful bodyguard Ubu along side him. He comes to Batman not as a villian but as an ally in search of his daughter who Batman had met several issues earlier. Ras has had his organization investigate that he and Bruce Wayne are one in the same.He asks for his assistance in finding both Robin and Talia. The tale revisits Batmans and Robins origin briefly as the Batman recollects as he sits on the Plane to India with Ras. Taking a page from James Bond movies, Denny O'Neil writes and brings the Batman to places around the globe . Here in this issue he visits Calcutta and the Himalayas. I think at the time it was a great touch at reinvigorating the new Batman that Denny O'Neil was working on especially along with artist Neal Adams who renders the story beautifully.He adds to the realistic tone to the localesas well as the main character. Its definitely a must -read for any Bat -fan.
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Through the Batman and Dark Knight archives, I have gotten a chance to read the books I could never afford. The early Batman and Detective comics had a quality that is so appealling there is no wonder this character has endured as long as he has. "The First Batman" lends itself to the Batmans origin story 8 years prior where Joe Chill was named the killer of Bruce Waynes parents. Here building on that classic Batman issue #47 we find that Bruce has found his fathers diary and clues to reopen his parents murder case. Here it seems someone may have paid Joe Chill to kill the Waynes. I don't like to give alot away but it is a classic story that's only 10 to 12 pages long but it delivers. A great issue to read and It can be found along with the Batman #47 origin story in the trade " Batmans Greatest Stories volume1" . A great trade with alot of classic Batman through the decades.
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This issue continues Stan Lees greatness from issue FF#25. Jack Kirby shows how effortleess he can show dynamic action and storytelling. Although the Thing' and the Hulks battle is the most central part of the story , all the Avengers along with the FF gets a shot at the Hulk. with the most unlikely to take the Hulk down. All in all this is a great early marvel age story done by the masters. I hope you enjoy this one,this is one of my favorites.
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This comic is amazing and is a prelude for things to come for artists Frank Miller & Klaus Janson. Their illustrations shine here (with also a little help on inks from Josef Rubenstein) with a great battle between the Hulk and DareDevil called "Blind Alley"written by Roger McKenzie. Again this is a mis-match but DareDevil once again proves he is the Man without Fear. Maybe if Matt wasn't blind he wouldn't rush in the way he does.. The part that was great to me was when the Hulk actually comes to an awareness. He recognizes after injuring DareDevil ,that the blind man that helped him earlier and DareDevil are one in the same and he has just hurt maybe his only friend. Another great battle among Marvel Heroes.
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This is a great read. Witness the "Battle of the Century". Read it. When Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created the Marvel Universe It wasn't just by chance. Two creative men finally getting to do comics the way they wanted to. Then it snowballed,culminating in a few years , these new super powered characters that would stand the test of time. To this pinnacle moment where they would come together for the first time in the"Worlds Greatest Comic Magazine" the Fantastic Four. Marvels flagship title of the time. The fight between Hulk and Thing Kirby style. I read this in the trade Marvels Greatest Battles and it still remains my favorite. The fact that the Hulk could shake the whole building was just so crazy funny, but the flow of the action and story kept you at a pace that you didn't take time out for plausability. They fought through out the city in this issue and the next along side the Avengers. They just could not contain the Hulk. Just great vintage comic book entertainment.
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This was the first issue naming Joe Chill as the murderer of Bruce Waynes parents. It has been reprinted many times but I never get enough of it . Bill Finger makes Batman history a little richer here. Finger expanded on Batmans origin by crafting a normal story of investigating a crime and Batman coming across a picture of his parents killer accidentally. Dick Sprang's art is always great but shines here with this one of the better crafted stories of the time. Batman tells Robin maybe for the first time that he is doing this one alone.The Batman busts up Joe Chill rackets and finally confronts Chill about the Wayne murders and then revealing himself as Bruce Wayne. Chill runs to his boys looking for protection from Batman. He tells them a long time ago he committed a murder and the people he killed were the parents of the Batman. The boys angry at Chill for creating Batman unload their weapons on him. They never discover the identity of the Batman as the secret dies with Chill. Seek out this story its worth reading. I am pretty sure its in the Batmans Greatest Stories Trade.
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Daredevil takes to the Streets of Hells Kitchen trying to figure out who is behind the synchronised crimes.While in Rykers prison the Gladiator seems to have killed two inmates with no recollection of doing it. Murdock gets a call from Foggy warning him about the situation of the Gladiator and that they should stay away from the case. While Becky convinces Matt to take the case. By the books end the Gladiator has killed another inmate and now a prison guard again claiming he didn't do it. This issue is dark and somber in tone. The artwork by Lark and Gaurdiano gives this issue of Daredevil a sense of realism. We find him trying to clean up Hells Kitchen, wanting to find out who is trying to reorganize crime there.This renews Daredevil's purpose. Brubaker writes to solidify Matt Murdock/Daredevil as a character after his of being outed as a lawyer and arrested .He uses all of the supporting cast and villians in such a way it grounds the book closer to reality. Overall a great start to Brubakers new arc.
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Having read all the Daredevil issues, this story is one of the best battles of the early Marvel universe when Stan Lee reigned supreme. The Submariner was being used alot at the time hitting almost every title especially Fantastic Four and finally made his way to Daredevil. Here the Submariner visits the Law firm of Matt Murdock wanting to sue the human race for depriving his people of their birthright, the surface of the earth."Murdock tells the Submariner his case would be thrown out of court . It doesn't quite work out for the Submariner and he goes nuts causing havok . FF and the Avengers are not in town. So Daredevil has to bring him down. It doen't quite work out for him either . The Submariner hands it to him. Daredevil does not give up until he collapses. The best is when Daredevil falls into unconciousness the Submariner says of Daredevil,"Out of all the super powered humans I have fought, none have been more courageous than he ,the most vulnerable of all. " and out of respect for him spares mankind again returning to the sea.. The artwork is beautifully done by Wally Wood. This can be read in Daredevil's Marvel Masterpieces vol1.
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I always liked Kelley Jones art and enjoyed his classic run on Batman a few years back .This is why I am interested in this book. His work on the Batman is reminescent of Bernie Wrightson. In this the first of twelve, Jones' art is still very moody and atmospheric making the Batman the creature of the night he is. Jones for me makes Batman work.
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A Good Read . The Joker plays the Batman here getting him all fired up for killing a whole family. The Joker then makes the Batman believe he is innocent. Then the topper, the Joker becomes an ally and aids the Batman making an uneasy truce in capturing the suspect Batman believes killed the Nortons.Hence the team-up story in this issue of Brave and the Bold. But this is a team-up with many twists. We believe in what the Batman does so when he doubts so do we.The writer shows how brilliant the Joker is in manipulating people in his murderous schemes. This issue does have some corny dialogue when Batman gets enraged and is not the controlled Batman that we know at times. The story finishes up a little too fast but overall Bob Haney did a great job writing this story along with nice artwork by Jim Aparo.
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This is the reason I love Batman Comics. Neal Adams opening splash page brings you right into the Jokers world with him laughing maniacly looking purely evil. This comic reads noir thanks to one of Denny O'Neil's best stories ever and Neal Adams bringing the dark realism the Batman thrives in. The story is simplistic but very effective in its pacing and delivery. Neal Adams gives us a full page of Batman running at the stories climax which is amazing. Every panel is amazing in this issue. Pure comic book storytelling at its best. Although its my personal favorite Joker story,this gets my vote as possibly the best single issue Joker story ever. The Batman tries his best to stop the Joker. He constantly puts himself at risk to save the former members of Jokers gang only to save the last one. Joker at one point could have taken out the Batman then spares him. The final with the great white shark is tremoundously satisfying as the Joker thinks he and the shark resemble each other as the Batman rescues himself and Hooley the last of the Jokers henchmen.
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Comics at the time of Mage's release was definitely changing for the better. Especially in independent comics.This is the one to make take notice of the independents.This is Matt Wagner's time as writer slash artist as he honed his creative talent on possibly his best work ever. His art has always been simple and it remains that way today. He can really tell a story and bring you back every month anticipating more and never let you down . I remember buying this 1st issue of Matt Wagner's Mage and immediately identified with the main character (being a teenager at the time).It takes place in the inner city but It was like discovering a new world and its new dangers lurking in very normal places. Even my friends who were not into comics got into Mage.The only disappointment was that the series was only 15 issues long. As this issue of Mage saw release so did Grendel # 2. Matt was working hard on his 2 creator owned projects.His work showed intelligence and heart as his talent grew with each issue. He puts us through the paces. We identify immediately with the character.The dialogue is not wordy as he gets to the heart of the story and brings on the action and impending cliffhanger.You cannot help but be drawn in . Mage remains my favorite of all independent comics.
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I remember reading The New Frontier a couple of years ago . The first issue came out. The cover had a nice design . I wasn't sure why I was picking up the book.On the back cover Superman and the Batman were battling it out. So being that I like when Batman kicks Supermans but, I plunk down my $6.95. (Yes I remember the price! Don't you?)I read the the first issue I liked it enough to buy the rest of the series, but I was disappointed. In this issue there was no real battle between these icons but only a mention in newsprint that they had clashed in Chapter 2 "Washington Declares War on Mystery Men"which was only a few pages long. I almost missed the new special issue at the store because I was not expecting it .The childlike cover caught my attention. This New Frontier special tells that missing chapter that I so much wanted to read and see. What I like about the series is it makes you feel as if youre encountering these classic heroes for the first time, just as they are meeting thier soon to be allies.Although the story was short and predictable it was enjoyable. Darwyn's take on Superman and Batman is right on. I love his take on Wonder Woman . She helps open the Kansas boy's eyes a little more each time they encounter each other when Darwyn writes. Batman seems to have a death wish here it seems after exhausting his game plan only to have Wonder Woman save his neck. They all make a pact to work together although the Batman looks more than a little out of it after his struggle with Superman.You really get a good sense of who Wonder Woman's character is she narrates the epilogue.This special is a welcome addition to a great series depicting the DC universe.
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Matt Wagner opens his first full issue of his new Grendel series with an excerpt from Devil by the Deed and 4 pages of blood. No art but blood. It's not easy drawing blood. Its obvious. Its drawn by Grendel himself. His victims are strewn finally on pages 6 and 7.We are treated to a nice double page spread with more blood. The first few pages seemed more an artists indulgence than setting up a story.Matt manages to close the the issue with a cliffhanger and interesting enough to bring us Grendel fans back. I have looked forward to this title but I was not sure after the first issue. At $3.50 a book and its in black white and red which Matt has done before gets a little old. I was hoping maybe going back to the coloring style presented in Devil by the Deed. Maybe Matt does introduce us to a few new characters along with some old ones and manages to save the issue.
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This 50 cents prep for the upcoming series comes too easy for Matt Wagner who celebrates his character Grendels 25th anniversary. Over the years he has had time to develop Hunter Rose/Grendel as a character making him even more ruthless than intriguing in his Black, White and Red series. What is intriuging is the fact that he killed off Hunter Rose/Grendel long ago and we still have a deadly fascination with him and his world. In this comic Matt Wagner preps us with a chase with no challenge. We see Grendel effortlessly toy with his prey (which makes for a short read) and leave us wanting morewhich is soon to come in the series Behold the Devil. Hunter Rose narrates the story and with a twist at the end Christine Spar finishes the narrative. Also there is an interview with Matt Wagner that is just as many pages as the story he presents here.The series looks promising and Matt usually delivers.
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This is the first appearance of Two face. It delivers his classic origin story starting off with him in court being scarred by Boss Maroni. His losing his fiance and waiting on the best plastic surgeon who happens to be in a German concentration camp. Believing that all hope is lost,he turns to crime using Boss Maroni's double sided coin to make his decisions for him. He believes himself to be a modern day Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde .We find him being a torturied soul and can't get past his trajedy and loss.. I read this in the Batman archives volume 2. I enjoyed the fight atop the bus and the Batman being thrown clear it, leaving Robin to save the bus from carreening into a store at the bottom of the street. I was wondering how much of the art was Bob Kane's and how much was Jerry Robinsons. It has a crazy ending with Two face's double sided coin stuck in the floorboards. Even though this story has been retold many times.,I must say Two Faces origin story is still very enjoyable in its original form with its original creators from 1942.
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I had just discovered Marshall Rogers and his artwork when this ended issue came on the stands. Upon reading this issue within a few pages I noticed he wasnt the artist any more . At the time I was mad missing Rogers art but then noticing that well this Neal Adams guy ain't that bad at all. I enjoyed the issue despite my initial reaction . Discovering that the issue was mostly a reprint meant that I had to hunt for old Batman comics to find more Neal Adams Batman issues. At that time there were not many places to buy back issues. Soon Roger was off the book. I missed them both and thier great talents on Batman A year went by and a specialty store selling cards and comics appeared in my nieghborhood. As I walked into the store for the first time I noticed comics on the walls. Baseball cards were in glass cases along with a huge new release stand for comics. Long boxes containing past issues in number order.Then I spotted it. There on the wall was Neal Adams Batman with the Joker on the cover.. Awesome! I looked at the price.They were expensive. A lot more than a 30 cent investment. In time I would purchase them. Not in the greatest shape but definately readable and affordable . My father would have been really mad if I spent what a mint copy would have cost. This particular issue I loved coming back to just to see thier art together and enjoy a good read.
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This cover really grabbed me and said "Buy me!". I wasn't disappointed . It was a great read. I really enjoyed this series by Englehart and Rogers. Deadshot is a great character and I loved this issue which reintroduced him to Batmans world. He reminded me of (at the time) Bullseye from Marvels Daredevil book another great villian. I love the way Deadshot is designed by Rogers .Ditkoish! Steve Englehart gives Batman a steady girlfriend which the Batman needs and wasn't given a whole lot back then. He also gives us a great lead in to the story with the Penguin in jail and Floyd/Deadshot's escape which I thought was great. He gives us a look back at Floyd's/Deadshot's history and a look forward to prepare for the Joker next issue. Marshall Rogers really gives us a great and memorable meeting with Boss Thorne that demonstrates why he is (in my opinion)one of the best pencillers to ever draw Batman. Overall an entertaining issue even though Deadshots capture came all to fast and he misses his target mainly because he is so mad. It leaves us wanting to see more of this newly reintroduced villian.
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This issue of Detective comics is still one of my favorites that was at the end of Marshall Rogers run on the book.Part 2 of a 2 part story by Len Wein. Our hero is in jeopardy of being turned into protoplasm at the beginning of this issue and the Batman is as always to get out of this particular jam. Marshall is one of my favorite artists and he really delivers here. Some of the panels are just amazing . As Clayface escapes Batman ,he carjacks a couple and tries to console the screaming and hysterical wife after he has melted her husband into protoplasm explaining that the fever is not upon him anymore . Gordon has set up a road block on Gotham Narrows Bridge but Clayface manages to elude them and Batman once moreby diving into the river.Len Wein plays up the human side of Clayface or whats left of it and makes us readers actually feel for his plight to hold on to his humanity as Batman tries to bring to justice at its climatic end back at the wax museum, where the Clayface felt the most human talking to his love Helena a wax figure.
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