 "I'm Batman"??? No, THIS is Batman! |
| Review Date: June 6, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Babytoxie, Dallas, TX USA |
Batman Chronicles Volume 1 begins an ambitious task: the complete color reprinting of every Batman story in chronological order. I say bring it on, and please don't spare other long-standing Golden Age characters, such as Superman, Wonder Woman, Dr. Fate, Hawkman, etc. True, DC also gives us the Archives series, but they are far too expensive for me, and they really are too "clean" - seeing Detective Comics #27 reproduced on bright white archival paper just doesn't have the same appeal as the newsprint used for BC Volume 1. I can only hope that the publishing schedule is fairly quick; otherwise, I'll still be reading this series in the retirement home (or maybe having the nurse read it to me).
Prior to this, I had never read any Golden Age Batman beyond the brief, frequently reprinted origin story. Finishing this book, which collects DETECTIVE COMICS #27-37 and BATMAN #1, I realized a few things: first, the Batman of the Golden Age is a very different character from what we know today. Second, while many fans bemoan the campy Silver Age stories and TV show that turned the caped crusader into a joke, the first few Golden Age stories were just as crazy. Consider that, in the first half of this book, Batman:
- kills several criminals (even snapping one's neck with a kick)
- fights a giant gorilla
- travels to eastern Europe in the Bat-Gyro (Wow, that's > 10 hours, even in a jet! How does he relieve himself? Pitch it over the side?)
- fends off werewolves
- is strapped to a giant millstone that spins at crushing speeds
- is immobilized by the "irresistible power" of hypnosis
- encounters talking flowers (with human faces = disturbing!) that assist him in escaping a trap
Completely random. Totally ridiculous. But taken in context, immensely entertaining. The second half of the book shows Batman approaching what we know today, with more direction and the introductions of Hugo Strange, the Joker, and of course, Robin the Boy Wonder. For fifteen bucks retail, this is a steal. I must also give approval to the design of the book - nice eye-catching cover, the style of which I hope will remain for the duration of the series.
One last thing: there are two oddly interesting, and surely unintended, nods to future DC characters in this book. In one story, Bruce Wayne uses the alias of "John Jones" (Martian Manhunter). In another, Batman meets a character with no face who dresses in an overcoat and hat (the Question?). |
Finally, Affordable Golden Age Reprints
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| Review Date: April 25, 2005 |
| Reviewer: John W. Leys, New York, NY USA |
| While I am a huge fan of the Golden Age Batman comics I have put off buying the HC "Archive" series because each volume is way too expensive for my budget. The Chronicles series is not only more affordable, but improves on the Archive format by focusing on the character rather than the title. That is, instead of only collecting the complete run of Batman stories in Detective Comics or Batman it collects all of Batman's appearances in both titles and presents them in chronological order. Some sort of introductory material might have been nice, but I much prefer saving all the pages for the reprints. |
The earliest adventures
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| Review Date: June 3, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Corum Seth Smith, Hendersonville, NC USA |
Batman's first adventures were chronicled when the "film noir" style of movies was big. Dark, urban corners and psychological suspense powered forward the new film genre. The earliest Batman stories were much like this type of film. The mood and environment were dark, the villains more ruthless and sinister, and the unexpected became expected.
This may be the only time in his career when Batman actually killed people. In one scene he is fighting jewel thieves and throws one over a ledge to his death. The earliest Batman was a dark and menacing figure more so than ever before or since.
The stories are very varied. Everything from killing giant monsters to fighting an army of killer blimps with death rays finds its ways into these pages. What these early writers lacked in materials and resources they had in ingenuity.
If you dislike the thought of Batman killing someone, or are a stickler for art, this may not be for you. It is the writing and storytelling that make this volume exceptional. |
A darker, scarier Batman and a nice format
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| Review Date: January 13, 2008 |
| Reviewer: J. Hicks, Alabama, USA |
When I ordered this book I expected it to be black and white along the lines of Marvel's Essential's collection. I was pleasantly surprised to get a nice, full color, well formated graphic novel. Thumbs up to DC for the format.
The first several Batman stories portray a dark Batman who actually kills and uses a gun (albeit against a Vampire). It didn't take long before things started getting a little campy. As soon as Robin was introduced it began being aimed straight at kids instead of crime drama readers.
The early look of the Batman costume remains my favorite, I hated to see it was changed rather quickly. Also, it should be noted there is a coloring flaw in this book. In his first appearance the Batman's gloves should be purple, but they have been recolored blue here. It's a minor thing, and my only complaint about an otherwise excellent publication. |
The Dark, Pre-Robin Batman Collection!
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| Review Date: January 18, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Jimmy L., USA |
All that good-timey old comic feel mixed with pulp noir!
This book collects the first dozen or so Batman stories EVER PUBLISHED. The stories are printed in FULL COLOR and were originally published from 1939 to 1940. This is pure, unadulterated Batman, straight from the original creators!
Reading these stories is like going back in time to the 1930s. The stories are very much rooted in the noir style of the time. Gangsters in long coats, wielding tommy guns. Bruce Wayne in an over coat and a fedora.
This book is great as a sort of historical source material. Whether you're a big comic book fan or not, this book is worthwhile just to educate yourself on the history of the popular character. I'm not an avid comic book reader, but I grew up with the Batman cartoon series. It's interesting to see the humble beginnings of the character and to watch how his costume evolves over the first year of his publication. This book is great even as a reference book for the days of Batman's infancy.
Batman was darker then. A mysterious vigilante, using stealth and strategy as well as fear in his quest to rid the city of crime. He's a brawler, but he's half-detective. And he sometimes holds his cape in front of him like a vampire or something, creeping in the shadows. This is my favorite Batman.
Robin is introduced late in this book and changes the whole feel of Batman. Robin was added to lighten the comic up or to appeal to a younger audience or something, but I prefer the dark Batman who worked alone.
DC Comics has done a nice job with this series, using full color and showing the cover art of the various comic books from which these stories were taken. The book is a nice paperback, about the size of a comic book.
Hardcore comic historians or Batman fans will want to continue on with this Chronicles series, but in my opinion this volume is the most important one of all, showing the earliest incarnation of the Dark Knight. |
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