Blog Archives
Tales from the Longbox – Batman #400 (1986)
Every other week, Jason Shayer will highlight an issue or a run of issues pulled from the horde of comic book long boxes that occupy more room in his house than his wife can tolerate. Each of these reviews will delve into what made that issue or run significant as well as discuss the creative personalities behind the work. “Long Box” refers to the lengthy, white cardboard boxes most comics find themselves stored within – bagged, alphabetized and numerically ordered.
Batman #400
“Resurrection Night”
October 1986
Writer – Doug Moench
Artists – Art Adams, Terry Austin, Brian Bolland, John Byrne, Paris Cullins,Karl Kesel, Joe Kubert, Steve Leialoha, Rick Leonardi, Steve Lightle, Bruce Patterson, George Pérez, Bill Sienkiewicz, Ken Steacy, Tom Sutton, Ricardo Villagran.
In the fall of 1986, Batman celebrated his 400th issue anniversary and did it in style. Horror writer Stephen King penned the introduction to this issue:
“Maybe the real reason that Batman appealed to me more than the other guy [Superman]. There was something sinister about him. That’s right. You heard me. Sinister. Like The Shadow and the Moon-man of the pulps, like a vampire, Batman was a creature of the night.”
“I’d like to congratulate the Caped Crusader on his long and valiant history, thank him for the hours of pleasure he has given me, and wish him many more years of heroic crime-busting. Go get ‘em, Big Guy. May your Bat-Signal never fail, your Batmobile never run out of the nuclear pellets it runs on, your utility belt never come up fatally understocked at the wrong moment. And please, never come busting through my skylight in the middle of the night. You’d probably scare me into a brain hemorrhage… and besides, Big Guy, I’m on your side. I always was.”
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Mat Langford’s Gaming World – Injustice: Gods Among Us – Preview
I’ve watched a lot of clips and read a lot of articles online regarding Injustice: Gods Among Us. I’ll admit, it has my attention. It touts impressive graphics, an immersive story-line and what lookslike awesome, interactive and often multi-arena battles. The roster is chock full of your favourite DC characters including – but not limited to – Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Bane…it’s pretty much an amalgamation of the entire DC universe into one game.
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The World Wonders If Robin Finally Gets R.I.P.’D In Batman Inc. #8 On The Wednesday Run – February 27, 2013
A few weeks back, this column highlighted Batman #17, the final chapter in a storyline entitles “Death of the Family”. If you missed it, you can read about that particular issue here.
Now, it’s not really a spoiler to say that no one really died in the Batman family (Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, etc.) in that issue – but they were left quite distraught and distrustful of their patriarch hero.
Batman Inc. #8, perhaps the most amazingly wacky and fun series that still somehow seems to exist within regular DC “New 52” continuity, without giving too much away, may have an entirely different kind of ending.
Let me help you get caught up.
Tainted Love for the DC Comics Trinity
Last February I talked about the trinity of DC Comics – Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman – and who their true loves should be. This year I’m going to take a different tact. I’ll be talking about those particularly twisted folks who think they should be their true loves. Yeah, baby, that’s right. I’ll be talking Super-Stalkers after the jump.
The Death Of The Family Is Promised In Batman #17 On The Wednesday Run – February 13, 2013
We’ve been here before. Sort of.
Flashback: It’s the fall of 1988 and I, along with thousands of other Batman fans, excitedly pick up the double-sized Batman #426. The Mike Mignola cover (along with a wave of advertising) promises that the “A Death in the Family” four-part storyline, written by Jim Starlin ad illustrated by Jim Aparo, would prove absolutely epic. The final page, a preview of what was to come promised that “Someone will die because the Joker wants revenge. But you can prevent it.”
Me? How? I’m just a reader!
That fall, DC Comics made readers writers – and the unprecedented responsibility of a characters life – or death – was in fandom’s hands!
Guest Blogger Jason Lapidus on Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2
‘Batman fanatic’? That would suggest that if a product contains Batman, I’m a fan. Far from it, in fact. I’m more like… um… a ‘Batmanologist’.
Too long had he tried to restrain himself within the shackles of apathy and alcohol. Too long had the people been without their hero. After a ten-year exile, Batman finally burst through the smog and filth, defeating the gang that ruled Gotham, and humiliating their leader. Now that the city is reclaimed, all that stands in his way are his deadliest enemy and his most powerful ally.
Today, the culmination of the dreams of countless Batman fans comes to fruition with the release of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 on DVD, BluRay and digital download. The first of two instalments impressed fans last fall (see review here), leaving most excited about the emotional and action-packed conclusion. This direct to video animated feature is based on the highly acclaimed and much beloved limited series turned graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns (1986), by writer/penciler Frank Miller (Sin City, 300, Batman: Year One), inker Klaus Janson, and painter Lynn Varley.
Ten years after the last sighting of the famous crime-fighter/vigilante known as The Batman, the rise of a violent gang forces his return to Gotham City. TDKR Part 2 follows the media’s heated debate, the return of a rejuvenated Joker, and the inevitable confrontation with Superman, who now quietly acts on behalf of the United States government. The story is filled with Batman staples, like Robin, Alfred, Gordon, colourful villains, the cave, the car, cool equipment, cool fights, and a cool climax.
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Biff Bam Pop’s Holiday Gift Guide: DC Comics: Year By Year A Visual Chronicle Updated Edition
Our friends at DK Publishing produce some truly amazing books but they’ve outdone themselves this year with their 2012 version of the slipcase hardcover: DC Comics: Year By Year A Visual Chronicle Updated Edition. Not only is it a great looking tome, but DK has actually made some sense of the DC Universe’s intricately tangled (and fanboy infuriating) eight decades worth of story continuity while laying the groundwork for the next set of important stories to unfurl.
It’s a lovely sight to behold!
31 Days of Horror – The Man Who Laughs
The Man Who Laughs from 1928 should be remembered alongside other silent classics like The Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame but somehow it slipped between the cracks over the years. Making this oversight more upsetting is the fact that this film was pretty much the blueprint for what would become the Universal horrors of the 1930s. More after the jump.
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