[Writer_Chaudhary]

From rich-guy superheroes to black and white dailies, this collection fits in thematically with my AO work from the past month. There is one difference, however. Unlike Iron Man and the Celebrated Cases of Dick Tracy this is not a must see, except for the die-hard Batman fan due to the historical significance of being the largest body of work that Batman creator Bob Kane penciled solo. The stories are near 100% camp and it is clear that the creators were writing only to kids and from that aspect the stories cannot be faulted completely.

Sterling

This collection also has the first references to the Bat Cave by name, the great, spectacular, first appearance of the Joker and loads of cruising in the Batmobile and Batplane, the former of which – honestly - looks ridiculous in the initial incarnation while the Batplane looks wicked. Other than that, the stories are generally predictable and not good. Joker's nickname for Robin, “Boy Hostage,” a grim term that would become serious when the Clown Prince kills the ward (actually Robin II) in the dramatic 1990's Batman: A Death in the Family storyline, has never been truer. Robin always gets knocked out and captured. I realize that the addition of Robin was for kids to connect with someone their own age and imaginatively tag along with the Batman, but what fun is imagining yourself getting ensnared by crazed villains every other day?

It states somewhere during the much more interesting historical essays spread throughout the book that one of the statistical reasons cited for the failure of the strip was the fact that Batman and Robin did not appear in many of the panels. Ironically, besides the last quarter of the book which feature Batman and Robin prominently, my favorite arcs in this collection are the ones where the Dynamic Duo appear the least. That last quarter is where the Batman that most every modern reader knows and likely favors appears. Lurking in shadows. Minimally merciful. Using the Batarang and the utility belt instead where necessary and not solely on inhuman reflexes in dodging most bullets and attacks. It still would have been better if this old Batman had a bulletproof shirt. That is one aspect of Batman I will never understand: how he got around without impervious gear. Superman had bulletproof skin! Would it have been too much to ask for Bruce Wayne, essentially a mixed-martial artist who is mortal to have had bulletproof gear to protect himself?

Okay. I am being a little too harsh. Superman makes people forget he is Clark Kent by...actually I am not so sure and I guess is arguably more terrible than the fact that Batman in this incarnation is the fastest bullet dodger this side of the A-Team. Maybe Clark Kent should wear a mask, a notion that brings me to another point. Batman and Robin happen to look conveniently like everyone they are trying to impersonate, male or female, with the help of a make up kit and a few panels, the repetition of which got exponentially more annoying.

Sterling

To save yourself further aggravation, I suggest most everyone skip this collection, unless you have $10-$15 to burn or are a hardcore Batman fan. The greatest parts of the book are the historical essays and the Joker storyline, which I am sure you can read at the bookstore after a few visits. The book does make for very pretty and colorful shelf candy, however, though keep in mind that the Penguin and Catwoman do not appear anywhere.

Hardcover: 544 pages
Publisher: Sterling