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A review by mysteriousnorse
Batman: Tales of the Demon by Denny O'Neil
4.0
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