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About This
Series:
Issues:
To
say "Batman", the comic book series, has gone through its share of
transformations is putting it mild. The very concept and
character of Batman has been reworked so many times that the very idea
of Batman is an obscurity to some people. Is he funny? Is
he serious? Is he for kids? Is he for adults? Batman
has been all of these things, and everything in between. The only
constant we have in Batman is that he is a costumed crimefighter.
Batman first appeared in the comic book series "Detective Comics" #27 (May, 1939). He became so popular that he soon took over the series, and was given his very own series to boot in 1940 with "Batman". It is STILL being published at the time of this writing, surpassing 686 issues (2009).
Batman first appeared in the comic book series "Detective Comics" #27 (May, 1939). He became so popular that he soon took over the series, and was given his very own series to boot in 1940 with "Batman". It is STILL being published at the time of this writing, surpassing 686 issues (2009).
Issues:
#465: July,
1991. This issue is pretty cool. One of the best, and most
important issues in the series! It's Tim Drake's first adventure
as Robin. Every Batman fan should read this one. This is a
great, stand-alone issue that does a great job of reintroducing Robin
into Batman's ongoing saga. Tim Drake is the third Robin.
Dick Grayson, the original Robin, grew up and became the superhero
Nightwing. The second Robin, Jason Todd, was killed by The
Joker. Tim Drake is still Robin in today's comics (2009) despite
a brief hiatus. Story by Alan Grant. Art by Norm Breyfogle.
Amazingly, this issue got zilch for press at the time of its release. No variant covers, no special paper, nothing! This issue is pretty important. But hey, Jason Todd's death wasn't overly hyped at the time, either. However, when Batman got his back broken in 1993, THAT made headlines, and we all knew that was just a temporary thing. If there is any upside to the fact that this issue was not a super-mega hit, it's that it's pretty available to find as a back issue, and the price is reasonable as well.
Amazingly, this issue got zilch for press at the time of its release. No variant covers, no special paper, nothing! This issue is pretty important. But hey, Jason Todd's death wasn't overly hyped at the time, either. However, when Batman got his back broken in 1993, THAT made headlines, and we all knew that was just a temporary thing. If there is any upside to the fact that this issue was not a super-mega hit, it's that it's pretty available to find as a back issue, and the price is reasonable as well.
#490: March,
1993. This is a good issue. Villains are Bane and
Riddler. Bane drugs Riddler with Venom, the drug that makes him
super-strong. Although only a 48-hour dose, Riddler proves more
than a physical match for Batman. At the end of the issue, Bane's
henchmen gun down the Riddler. The puzzling villain doesn't die,
but is in serious condition. Meanwhile, Bane plots another way to
test for Batman's strengths and weaknesses. All is not lost,
however, as Batman saves Gotham City from certain destruction by the
Riddler.
Bruce Wayne returns as Batman, taking over from substitute Jean-Paul Valley, whom we see briefly in this issue. This was before Jean-Paul became Batman again in a crazy armor suit and "went off the deep end". We also see Robin 3 (Tim Drake) in this issue for a short time before Batman sends him home. Batman (Bruce Wayne) realizes Riddler and Bane are too dangerous for Robin to tag along.
I think this was a great way to incorporate the villains of Riddler and Bane in the same story. Unlike the 1997 film, "Batman & Robin", Bane is fiercely intelligent, and extremely scary because of his combined qualities of brilliance and super-strength. This issue was written by Doug Moench and illustrated by Jim Aparo.
#491: April, 1993. This is another great issue. This is the comic that comes right before the famous "Knightfall" story-arc in DC's Batman titles. Actually, this should have been considered part of that story-arc, as it really is the beginning of the long-lasting story. For those who don't know, "Knightfall" was all about stretching Batman to his limits, pitting him against all his greatest foes, old and new. And it ended with the villain Bane breaking Batman's back, almost killing him. In successive issues, Bruce Wayne, no longer Batman, tries overcoming his paralysis while a substitute Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) steps in. In this issue, the villains are Bane and Joker. Bane and his henchmen break Joker and the other insane criminals from Arkham Asylum. We also see a bit of Robin and Jean-Paul. Great story and art by Doug Moench and Jim Aparo.
#495: June, 1993. Part 7 of the "Knightfall" storyline. I think this is a great issue for those newcomers who want to become familiar with the Poison Ivy character. She's sexy, smart, and lethal. And she's not alone. Other villains in this issue are Bane, Joker, Scarecrow, and Firefly. Firefly isn't much different in concept than the earlier Killer Moth, but he's still an interesting villain. Great story and art by Doug Moench and Jim Aparo. I like how Batman finally fells the lovely, but evil plant woman: with a kick in the face! We also see a bit of Jean-Paul Valley in this issue, who will later become Batman in successive issues of the DC Batman titles.
#497: July, 1993. Part 11 of the "Knightfall" storyline. One of the most popular comic book issues of all time! Bane breaks Batman's back. For roughly a year-and-a-half, Bruce Wayne retired as Batman. Jean-Paul Valley became the new Batman, ultimately donning a high-tech armor suit and finally losing his mind completely. Bruce Wayne, wheelchair bound, slowly recovers from his injuries while DC has a heyday with this darker, more deranged version of Batman. The comics were still good at this point, but I've never liked it that Batman's back was broken. I've always felt that was a very unfair way to treat such a beloved character. I would have preferred Batman have amnesia, or to have gone missing, or to quit the Batman mantle in disgust...anything but the harsh treatment he received. But what leads up to this point, and what comes after, was really quite genius.
#498: August, 1993. Part 15 of the "Knightfall" storyline.
#499: September, 1993. Part 17 of the "Knightfall" storyline.
#501: November, 1993. "Knightquest: The Crusade" storyline.
#502: December, 1993. "Knightquest: The Crusade" storyline.
#504: February, 1994. "Knightquest: The Crusade" storyline. The "new" Batman fights Catwoman and finds her more of a match than he bargained for! He ultimately loses the fight, but leaves her to deal with the Gotham City Police. At this point in the comics, Catwoman was more of a heroine than a criminal. She was merely trying to keep a canister of nerve gas away from terrorists, but "new" Batman, in his twisted mental state, refused to see it. Good issue. Story by Doug Moench. Art by Mike Manley. One of the better issues of the Jean-Paul Valley Batman period.
#509: July, 1994. Part 1 of "Knightsend" storyline.
#510: August, 1994. Part 7 of "Knightsend" storyline.
Bruce Wayne returns as Batman, taking over from substitute Jean-Paul Valley, whom we see briefly in this issue. This was before Jean-Paul became Batman again in a crazy armor suit and "went off the deep end". We also see Robin 3 (Tim Drake) in this issue for a short time before Batman sends him home. Batman (Bruce Wayne) realizes Riddler and Bane are too dangerous for Robin to tag along.
I think this was a great way to incorporate the villains of Riddler and Bane in the same story. Unlike the 1997 film, "Batman & Robin", Bane is fiercely intelligent, and extremely scary because of his combined qualities of brilliance and super-strength. This issue was written by Doug Moench and illustrated by Jim Aparo.
#491: April, 1993. This is another great issue. This is the comic that comes right before the famous "Knightfall" story-arc in DC's Batman titles. Actually, this should have been considered part of that story-arc, as it really is the beginning of the long-lasting story. For those who don't know, "Knightfall" was all about stretching Batman to his limits, pitting him against all his greatest foes, old and new. And it ended with the villain Bane breaking Batman's back, almost killing him. In successive issues, Bruce Wayne, no longer Batman, tries overcoming his paralysis while a substitute Batman (Jean-Paul Valley) steps in. In this issue, the villains are Bane and Joker. Bane and his henchmen break Joker and the other insane criminals from Arkham Asylum. We also see a bit of Robin and Jean-Paul. Great story and art by Doug Moench and Jim Aparo.
#495: June, 1993. Part 7 of the "Knightfall" storyline. I think this is a great issue for those newcomers who want to become familiar with the Poison Ivy character. She's sexy, smart, and lethal. And she's not alone. Other villains in this issue are Bane, Joker, Scarecrow, and Firefly. Firefly isn't much different in concept than the earlier Killer Moth, but he's still an interesting villain. Great story and art by Doug Moench and Jim Aparo. I like how Batman finally fells the lovely, but evil plant woman: with a kick in the face! We also see a bit of Jean-Paul Valley in this issue, who will later become Batman in successive issues of the DC Batman titles.
#497: July, 1993. Part 11 of the "Knightfall" storyline. One of the most popular comic book issues of all time! Bane breaks Batman's back. For roughly a year-and-a-half, Bruce Wayne retired as Batman. Jean-Paul Valley became the new Batman, ultimately donning a high-tech armor suit and finally losing his mind completely. Bruce Wayne, wheelchair bound, slowly recovers from his injuries while DC has a heyday with this darker, more deranged version of Batman. The comics were still good at this point, but I've never liked it that Batman's back was broken. I've always felt that was a very unfair way to treat such a beloved character. I would have preferred Batman have amnesia, or to have gone missing, or to quit the Batman mantle in disgust...anything but the harsh treatment he received. But what leads up to this point, and what comes after, was really quite genius.
#498: August, 1993. Part 15 of the "Knightfall" storyline.
#499: September, 1993. Part 17 of the "Knightfall" storyline.
#501: November, 1993. "Knightquest: The Crusade" storyline.
#502: December, 1993. "Knightquest: The Crusade" storyline.
#504: February, 1994. "Knightquest: The Crusade" storyline. The "new" Batman fights Catwoman and finds her more of a match than he bargained for! He ultimately loses the fight, but leaves her to deal with the Gotham City Police. At this point in the comics, Catwoman was more of a heroine than a criminal. She was merely trying to keep a canister of nerve gas away from terrorists, but "new" Batman, in his twisted mental state, refused to see it. Good issue. Story by Doug Moench. Art by Mike Manley. One of the better issues of the Jean-Paul Valley Batman period.
#509: July, 1994. Part 1 of "Knightsend" storyline.
#510: August, 1994. Part 7 of "Knightsend" storyline.