Scan barcode
genmegusta's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
luana420's review
4.0
An eye-opening look into the origins of the Caped Crusader, with a smattering of early Detective Comics and Batman issues with a few miscellaneous Bat-family featuring titles thrown in for good measure. Comics historian Bill Schelly chose these seventeen tales, and while they are all fun, I can't help but feel a little miffed that we're not getting the proper first appearance of some of the villains featured here. There's a lot of Penguin mentioning, but none of the tales actually feature him!
Surprises:
- The Batman and Robin relationship is actually quite touching in its sincerity and open affection. If there's anything I took away from this collection, it's how much I like Robin as an addition to the Bat-mythos.
- From grim avenger of the night to corny adventure duo, with Batman in particular being actually more like a punning smug Roger Moore than the overly righteous boyscout Adam West portrayed him as, even in this first decade there's a marked disparity in the portrayal of the character.
- Villain training wheels: the Joker is actually a mirthless horror clown in his first appearances, with Batman and Robin the ones who are constantly trolling him. Catwoman / "the Cat" / "Elva Barr" is just a jewelry thief dressed like an old lady (!) in her first appearance* to a CAT HEAD WEARING MONSTROSITY later. Mad Hatter is just a robber who uses his hat for storage, like Batman uses his belt. Clayface is a vengeful actor who just uses studio make-up to disguise himself.
- Adaptation LULZ: One tale is "The End of Two-Face", featuring Harvey Kent (!)'s rehabilitation. The one immediately following it is a condensed newspaper strip retelling of the origin and demise of Two-Face, in this version vain HAM ACTOR (they remind you of this every recap) Harvey APOLLO. For those complaining movie adaptations kill villains, Harvey is hanged by power cables in front of the movie screen at a drive-in at the end of this.
- DEATH: Robin cheerfully kicks a guy to his death. Batman has quite a few "you or me, buddy!" kills. There's really enthusiastic reminders that "dis guy is gettin' da chair" to the point where the comics sometimes take extra care in having cute little newsboys yell that this week's villain is sentenced to DIEEEEuhhhh.
*I'll admit, I purchased a separate issue of Batman #1 when I realized the first appearances of many villains weren't in this.
Surprises:
- The Batman and Robin relationship is actually quite touching in its sincerity and open affection. If there's anything I took away from this collection, it's how much I like Robin as an addition to the Bat-mythos.
- From grim avenger of the night to corny adventure duo, with Batman in particular being actually more like a punning smug Roger Moore than the overly righteous boyscout Adam West portrayed him as, even in this first decade there's a marked disparity in the portrayal of the character.
- Villain training wheels: the Joker is actually a mirthless horror clown in his first appearances, with Batman and Robin the ones who are constantly trolling him. Catwoman / "the Cat" / "Elva Barr" is just a jewelry thief dressed like an old lady (!) in her first appearance* to a CAT HEAD WEARING MONSTROSITY later. Mad Hatter is just a robber who uses his hat for storage, like Batman uses his belt. Clayface is a vengeful actor who just uses studio make-up to disguise himself.
- Adaptation LULZ: One tale is "The End of Two-Face", featuring Harvey Kent (!)'s rehabilitation. The one immediately following it is a condensed newspaper strip retelling of the origin and demise of Two-Face, in this version vain HAM ACTOR (they remind you of this every recap) Harvey APOLLO. For those complaining movie adaptations kill villains, Harvey is hanged by power cables in front of the movie screen at a drive-in at the end of this.
- DEATH: Robin cheerfully kicks a guy to his death. Batman has quite a few "you or me, buddy!" kills. There's really enthusiastic reminders that "dis guy is gettin' da chair" to the point where the comics sometimes take extra care in having cute little newsboys yell that this week's villain is sentenced to DIEEEEuhhhh.
*I'll admit, I purchased a separate issue of Batman #1 when I realized the first appearances of many villains weren't in this.
redd_0617's review
4.0
This was a fun read, albeit a bit silly at times. I always enjoy going back and seeing how things were told in a previous time. As our cultures change, so do the way we tell our stories. While some of it may not hold up well, it's amazing for what it is. Batman in the Forties goes back and shows us how the Batman came to be. After all he didn't start off with an origin story, he just was. Superheroes were a new thing. Once Superman became popular they decided to try another, but they were still creating the format, making it up as they went. The great thing about this one is they tell you that.
The book is broken up into "chapters" that start with a commentary. We have origins, props, you name it. Even they joker gets to show up in props, not for his own outrageous props but for his co-opting of the traditional Batman props. It's worth taking a look at.
The book is broken up into "chapters" that start with a commentary. We have origins, props, you name it. Even they joker gets to show up in props, not for his own outrageous props but for his co-opting of the traditional Batman props. It's worth taking a look at.
ladydewinter's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this one, even more than the 50s collection. There are some really good stories in here, even though parts obviously are hilarious when you read them today. Well, a lot of it is hilarious, and some parts are somewhat disturbing (spoiler alert: the SPANKING). The Batman's first appearance is in this one, naturally, as is the first Robin story, and the origin stories and whatnot. My favourite was the one where Bruce Wayne lost the guardianship of Dick (WOE!!), though. An interesting and fun read.
brucefarrar's review
3.0
Seventeen stories and cover art from the Batman's early years, including the first two versions of the origin of the Batman stories. Appropriately there are also two early versions of the villain Two-Face, in one he’s Harvey Kent, disfigured D.A., in the other he’s Harvey Apollo, vain and disfigured actor. There are also early versions of Catwoman, Clayface, and the Joker. Also included are biographical information on the writers and artists.
More...