Neil Gaiman's Batman story

[johnnystorm]

Anybody pick up the two part Neil Gaiman Batman storyline, "Whatever happened to the Caped Crusader?".

I thought it was very good, sort of a look back at the various incarnations of Batman reflecting on his "death". Doesn't seem to be in continuity, but hey, what is at DC these days?

I liked the Andy Kubert art that had tribute to the other great Batman artists throughout...Robin echoed Carmine Infantino, R'as Al Ghul & Man-Bat were Adams, Brian Bolland's Killing Joke on Joker, also Dick Sprang & Jerry Robinson on Joker & Penguin. Batman morphs panel to panel from Kane to Miller, to Aparo, to Sprang, to Sienkiewicz, etc. Pretty cool.

Couple points came to me as I read it...
#1- Catwoman (Selina Kyle) bears a strong resemblence to Martha Wayne, Batman's mother. Never noticed that before, but it's there, and probably explains a lot of the love/hate relationship between Bats & Cats. Something for the pshycologists among you to discuss.

#2-When they show the Batcave trophies like the Giant Penny & the Dinosaur, I sort of realized that Batman is a sentimental old collector, just like us! I got this mental picture of Batman seeing that dinosaur and just thinking "I gotta have THAT! It's SO COOL!". Never had thought about that aspect before...there's really no reason to keep such a thing like the Giant Penny with the sole exception that you are a collector of memorabilia. Not to mention the cost & effort of secretly transporting all that huge stuff to the Batcave!


One other note about Batman comics this week. If you aren't picking up the Brave & the Bold cartoon series DC started, it's great, just like the series. The art could be a little more Dick Sprang-y like on the show, but like the other DC "Kids" series like Tiny Titans & Shazam, this book is way more than a juvenile comic. Plus it's still only $2.50 a copy.

This week's issue (#4) features the TV Aquaman, but the entry teamup (they do a couple page mid-adventure teamup at the beginning, just like on the show) is worth the cover price: Baby Batman teamed up with Sugar & Spike!

[thunderbolt]

Why would it cost him anything to transport them? Just get his bestest buddy Superman to do it.

[samurainoir]

I didn't realize the second part had come out! I'll have to run out and get it. Thanks.

[The Toyroom]

Haven't read the 2nd part yet but I'm a little disappointed in the delay...this should have been a nice self-contained in-and-out story....I really can't understand why these things are solicitated without having everything in the can.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Okay, I'll have to get this despite my disgust with RIP and The Battle for the Cowl.

As for the trophies, some recent writers have thought the post-DK, over-obsessed "crazy" Batman too tortured and cynical to collect such trophies. I say it's due to his stilted childhood. It's also why he connected to Robin (Dick) so well. They were both still "kids" in some ways.

Chris

[johnnystorm]

I avoided RIP & BftC, but picked this up based only on Gaiman's track record. I wasn't disappointed. Nice ending too.

Yeah, and I could see Superman delivering the dinosaur:

"Here's your FAKE dino, Bruce...where should I put it...oh, and did I mention that I have a REAL dinosaur living in my interplanetary zoo that I have in my Fortress of Solitude?"

"Oh, here we go with the damn Fortress again,Clark! All I asked was one little favor...it's not a competition!"

[The Toyroom]

"Here's your FAKE dino, Bruce...where should I put it...oh, and did I mention that I have a REAL dinosaur living in my interplanetary zoo that I have in my Fortress of Solitude?"

I think Kal has a fake dinosaur as well....I remember him musing that it was too similar to Batman's and he should probably get rid of it....

[Earth 2 Chris]

I picked these up based on recommendations here, and was not disappointed. Gaiman managed to cram all things Batman into two issues. He even broke the fourth wall where Batman is told "You're done now Bruce, this time. You can stop fighting now...just for a few more years...it's over."

I took that as "you're dead right now, but you'll be back in a few years if not sooner. Hey, it's comics".

Chris

[The Toyroom]

Finally read both parts....Loved it! Nice companion piece to "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?". I wish it was a little longer though...Nightwing/Robin(s) didn't get much "action" and it would've been cool to have had the Bat-Mite from the sketchbook included somewhere.

[Airdave817]

Opus

I really enjoyed "What Ever Happened to the Caped Crusader". It was touching and sad, and came right out and sad that the only way to end a Batman story was - he dies. I was kinda bummed by the ending. I wish I hadn't just seen this wrap up Breathed's Opus.

I kind of wish that DC would do a stand alone story like this for each character. Like a Whatever Happened to the Scarlet Speedster, Whatever Happened to the Emerald Gladiator... We know one way that Barry and Hal died or ended...I'd like to see something like the Superman and Batman stories...

I love the Batman: The Brave and the Bold book!! It took a while for The Batman, and The Batman Strikes to grow on me. J. Torres from Teen Titans, Go! is taking over writing the book. I've been DVR-ing the episodes and I saved Fall of the Blue Beetle. It's my favorite episode. I actually am starting to like Jaime Reyes. I might even start picking up the back issues of his book. After I get all the issues of Ted's DC book...

[Captain]

I'll have to look for these next time I'm in a comic shop.