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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A collection of early Ra's stories really does make remind me of Moriarty. Of course the whole Talia being in love with Bruce, even to the point of foiling her father's plan, takes that comparison off the rails. I was surprised to see that the romance began right away.
I was also surprised the the original Lazarus Pit was technological.
One last surprise was that Matches Malone was originally a real gangster who's identify Bruce yoinked. But in a segue to my next point, Matches accidentally shooting, and killing, himself was a bit of a stretch.
There are elements of melodrama, far-fetched coincidences, and stilted dialog that is a trope of pre-80s comics. But it doesn't really take away from the stories. I think it helps that Bats is still in his blue and grey costume. It's a visible reminder of the time. I wish, though, he'd stop picking up random supporting characters to fight alongside him, that's what Robin is for.
Anyway, if you're a fan of Ra's then this is a must read volume.
I was also surprised the the original Lazarus Pit was technological.
One last surprise was that Matches Malone was originally a real gangster who's identify Bruce yoinked. But in a segue to my next point, Matches accidentally shooting, and killing, himself was a bit of a stretch.
There are elements of melodrama, far-fetched coincidences, and stilted dialog that is a trope of pre-80s comics. But it doesn't really take away from the stories. I think it helps that Bats is still in his blue and grey costume. It's a visible reminder of the time. I wish, though, he'd stop picking up random supporting characters to fight alongside him, that's what Robin is for.
Anyway, if you're a fan of Ra's then this is a must read volume.
Goofy fun from an era of the character where I've not previously spent much time. It's hilarious the number of times this strip features Batman wearing the cowl in incongruous situations: stripped to the waist for a sword duel, in the hospital, while skiing, while climbing mountains, etc. Seeing Batman banter is deeply weird.
I enjoy Ra's and there's a lot to like here, but the writing style of the era is really not my thing.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Great read
The dynamic of Ra's al Ghul's pursuit of world domination, Talia al Ghul's struggle with conflicting loyalties, and Batman's determined pursuit of justice was intriguing and very well written.
The dynamic of Ra's al Ghul's pursuit of world domination, Talia al Ghul's struggle with conflicting loyalties, and Batman's determined pursuit of justice was intriguing and very well written.
This is a solid set of introductory stories for Ra’s and Talia al Ghul. It’s honestly some of the best 1970s Batman.
Detective Comics #411 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Into the Den of the Death-Dealers” (May 1971)
It’s a pretty decent adventure story. I mostly give it the boost for the first appearance of Talia, and the first mention of Ras. Talia is mostly a damsel in distress, but I like to think she’s just acting here.
Batman #232 ⧫ 5 Stars “Daughter of the Demon” (June 1971)
This is a classic. Ras immediately establishes himself as a powerful foe. Batman matches him trick for trick. It’s an awesome adventure, including a haunting character moment for Ras. Fantastic!
Batman #235 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Swamp Sinister” (Sept. 1971)
Here’s the ruthless Talia that I’ve been waiting for. Batman makes another mad dash across the country with Ras as an actual ally this time.
Batman #240 ⧫ 3 Stars “Vengeance for a Dead Man!” (Mar. 1972)
It’s a little predictable, but cool.
Batman #242 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Bruce Wayne - - Rest in Peace!” (Sept. 1972)
The start is really cool with Bruce Wayne faking his death to get a team together to go after Ras. The end has some random switcheroos, light racism, and gadget silliness, but overall, this is a decent start to the multi-partner.
Batman #243 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Lazarus Pit!” (Aug. 1972)
The beginning has continued unfortunate awkward stereotypes, but the second half is solid action, ending in a great reveal that most already know, but it’s still cool.
Batman #244 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “The Demon Lives Again!” (Sept. 1972)
The conclusion is awesome. Batman’s team is picked off, leaving Batman mano-a-mano with the Demon. It’s great. The ending’s great. Ras has such a great arc.
DC Special Series #15 ⧫ 4 Stars “I Now Pronounce You Batman and Wife!” (Summer 1978)
Batman’s first wedding! It’s classic Ras with some great moments of loyalty by Talia.
Detective Comics #485 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Vengeance Vow!” (Aug.-Sept. 1979)
This final set of adventures starts okay. I’m not a big fan of killing old characters to advance new ones, but Batman solving an internal struggle in the League of Assassins is good.
Detective Comics #489 ⧫ 2 Stars “Where Strike the Assassins” (April 1980)
I don’t know that the middle of this makes a ton of sense. It seems like too many wasted pages.
Detective Comics #490 ⧫ 3 Stars “Requiem for a Martyr!” (May 1980)
The final is mostly satisfying, but a little abrupt. This series needed more Talia/Batman.
Other Comics Reviews
Challengers of the Unknown
Jack Kirby’s The Fourth World Omnibus
Batman by Neal Adams Omnibus
Legends of the Dark Knight: Michael Golden
Roots of the Swamp Thing
Orion Omnibus
Power Girl: Power Trip
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman: The Deluxe Edition
Batman Black and White Vol. 1
Batman Black and White Vol. 2
Batman Black and White Vol. 3
Batman Black and White Vol. 4
Batman Black and White Vol. 5
Detective Comics #411 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Into the Den of the Death-Dealers” (May 1971)
It’s a pretty decent adventure story. I mostly give it the boost for the first appearance of Talia, and the first mention of Ras. Talia is mostly a damsel in distress, but I like to think she’s just acting here.
Batman #232 ⧫ 5 Stars “Daughter of the Demon” (June 1971)
This is a classic. Ras immediately establishes himself as a powerful foe. Batman matches him trick for trick. It’s an awesome adventure, including a haunting character moment for Ras. Fantastic!
Batman #235 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Swamp Sinister” (Sept. 1971)
Here’s the ruthless Talia that I’ve been waiting for. Batman makes another mad dash across the country with Ras as an actual ally this time.
Batman #240 ⧫ 3 Stars “Vengeance for a Dead Man!” (Mar. 1972)
It’s a little predictable, but cool.
Batman #242 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Bruce Wayne - - Rest in Peace!” (Sept. 1972)
The start is really cool with Bruce Wayne faking his death to get a team together to go after Ras. The end has some random switcheroos, light racism, and gadget silliness, but overall, this is a decent start to the multi-partner.
Batman #243 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Lazarus Pit!” (Aug. 1972)
The beginning has continued unfortunate awkward stereotypes, but the second half is solid action, ending in a great reveal that most already know, but it’s still cool.
Batman #244 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “The Demon Lives Again!” (Sept. 1972)
The conclusion is awesome. Batman’s team is picked off, leaving Batman mano-a-mano with the Demon. It’s great. The ending’s great. Ras has such a great arc.
DC Special Series #15 ⧫ 4 Stars “I Now Pronounce You Batman and Wife!” (Summer 1978)
Batman’s first wedding! It’s classic Ras with some great moments of loyalty by Talia.
Detective Comics #485 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Vengeance Vow!” (Aug.-Sept. 1979)
This final set of adventures starts okay. I’m not a big fan of killing old characters to advance new ones, but Batman solving an internal struggle in the League of Assassins is good.
Detective Comics #489 ⧫ 2 Stars “Where Strike the Assassins” (April 1980)
I don’t know that the middle of this makes a ton of sense. It seems like too many wasted pages.
Detective Comics #490 ⧫ 3 Stars “Requiem for a Martyr!” (May 1980)
The final is mostly satisfying, but a little abrupt. This series needed more Talia/Batman.
Other Comics Reviews
Challengers of the Unknown
Jack Kirby’s The Fourth World Omnibus
Batman by Neal Adams Omnibus
Legends of the Dark Knight: Michael Golden
Roots of the Swamp Thing
Orion Omnibus
Power Girl: Power Trip
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman: The Deluxe Edition
Batman Black and White Vol. 1
Batman Black and White Vol. 2
Batman Black and White Vol. 3
Batman Black and White Vol. 4
Batman Black and White Vol. 5
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Is this a perfect book? Certainly not. But this is Batman to me - he has never looked better than the grays and blues coloring Neal Adams clean pencils. It's also here that Batman becomes more of a globe-trotting James Bond type in his fight against Ra's and falling in love with his daughter Talia, which I think perfectly suits this story as it grows. It so fun to see Ra's and Talia develop more solidly as they continue to appear and so interesting to remember a time when this could have been a nice sunset romantic ending for the two lovers. Talia isn't the most complex character, but I've always loved her here and that desert kiss between her and Bruce is such an iconic romantic comics moment in my mind. Basically at the end of the day, this is by no means perfect but in it's building momentum becomes something deeply special - at least to me.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated