To QUOTE Bruce Wayne:
'That's it. I shall become a bat!'.
THE STORY:
In this mega-sized special edition of 'Detective Comics', we
are presented with seven different tales, devised by seven different artists
and writers, all relating to our ever loving Dark Knight.
- Now the first tale is a revisionist version of the first Batman story ever told, entitled, 'The Case of The Chemical Syndicate'.
- 'Old School' is the second story, and a rather surrealist escapade which transforms Batman from a forties vigilantly to a seventies caped crusader.
- In the third adventure, entitled 'Better Days', we witness what a 75 year old Bruce Wayne gets up to on the eve of his birthday.
- The forth tale, 'Rain', is a rather moody and atmospheric yarn, involving Batman saving James Gordon Junior from a car crash when he was a kid.
- Now the fifth tale is a Phantom Stranger tale, and depicts how he unveils to Bruce Wayne his deepest hearts desires.
- Penultimately, the sixth installment is the first part of a
three part cross-over event, called 'Gothtopia', and it's about Batman living
in the Utopian city of
- And finally, the seventh tale, 'Twenty Seven', is basically an alternate take on why Batman as a character will never be able die.
Also, scattered throughout this issue are a number of pin-up
posters drawn by the likes of Mike Allred, Graham Nolan, Kelly Jones, Jock, and
Pat Gleason.
Bloody hell! How on earth can I praise this 'anniversary
edition' within the year, whilst managing to get some sleep at the same time?
Well, I suppose I could start off by telling you that there were some really
great stories in this book. And I especially got a kick out of the updated
version of 'The Chemical Syndicate', despite it not being as noir-like as the
original.
Furthermore, I had a right blast reading those two tales
chronicling an 'older' Bruce Wayne, plus that Phantom Stranger story, mainly
because they presented us with a much more mature and grizzled perspective on
an aged Batman character.
Now that's not to say I didn't enjoy the rest of the tales
included in this comic. No. Far from it. It's just that I thought 'Rain' could
have been a lot better than it was if it was longer in length. Where as 'Old School'
and 'Seventy Two' were both pretty snazzy to follow, even though they were
rather weird due to their over-stylized narration.
Oh! One second! I almost forgot to mention 'Gothtopia',
didn't I? Tut-tut-tut! Silly-silly, me! Although in my defense I have to say
that after reading this book in just a single sitting, it did play havoc with
my already warped mind. Still, even in my translucent state I could tell that
'Goth' was a pretty decent story to plough through. And it did have a very
cleaver way of making what was once old new again, hint-hint!
Also, as for those pin-ups -- wow! They say a picture can
speak a thousand words, and boy-oh-boy, were they ever so right in this case.
THE BAD:
OK. I know I've mentioned this point during numerous occasions
in the past. But come off it! $7.99 for a single comic book! Why DC? Why do you
keep on doing this to your fans? If you wanted this expedience to be 'extra
special' for them, why don't you include the supplementary material at no extra
cost! Or alternatively, publish a lower-cost version so that the less fortunate
readers can afford to buy it too.
Well, it's not like you can't afford it, hey DC? Particularly
when you take into consideration that you have the funds to move offices!
THE MUSIC:
What better way to celebrate Batman's anniversary than to
dance -- 'Batdance' of course -- performed by the artist formally known as
Prince.
Hey! Wait a God damn minute. Before you start telling me off
for comparing this comic book to alcohol,
let me just say one thing and one thing only. Sometimes too much of a good
thing can be bad for you. Correct?
THE CONCLUSION:
Believe it or not, there have been a couple of occasions in
the recent past where one of my mates have come up to me and said, 'How come
you love Batman so much, when you always seem to act so much like the Joker?'.
Now if truth be told I don't always have a pat answer for them. Sometimes I
just laugh off their question as if I were the Joker himself. Whilst at other
times I stop, pretend to think about something, before nudging the conversation
in a completely different direction.
Well, if I'm going to be honest with you, folks, I'm not
entirely sure myself why I love Batman as a character so much! On the one hand
I like the idea of an insane person trapped within the mind of a very cleaver
self-made man. While on the other hand I've always liked the idea of an
underdog who relies more on his skill and determination than you're every day
super-feller. Most of all, though, I've always-always-always applauded anyone
-- and I do mean anyone -- who has the guts and the determination to stand up
for what he thinks is right, in spite of all the opposing forces posed against
him. Know what I mean, Bruce?
Hmmm. I take that as a 'yes'. Nuff said.
DETECTIVE COMICS #27
Reviewed by David Andrews
on
January 22, 2014
Rating:
Reviewed by David Andrews
on
January 22, 2014
Rating:
