Batman: Volume 1

I can not recommend this book highly enough. For once 5 stars do not do it justice. This is a brilliant collection of stories from the titles Batman and Detective Comics of the 1960s. To basics. Although printed on cheap paper and in black and white this means that the books can be stacked high and sold cheap. Does this detract the reader? NO. Simply because the |American comics tended to have an artist who drew the strips then an `Inker' would colour them in, rather like those paint by numbers books from our youth. In England it was done by a single artist . So what you still get is the great art and brilliant storylines but loose the ink and colour. Now my point is that no one ever bought these for the colouring in did they? So 2 out of 3 aren't bad. Did any one buy the comics for the inking?? Now to the stories. They are simply magnificent and a joy for the returning reader such as I to the new reader. There is no way anyone could remember all these stories (??) so the readers are in for a brilliant run through of a well planned and magnificently detail set of stories and nostalgia. The great thing about this book is that volume two is out as well. Sheer enjoyment and for less than the cost of a pizza. A bargain.

The Batman comics of the 60's got little respect in retrospect due to the marginalization of the Batman tv show that ran from 1966-1968. Snobs turned up their noses at them. However, for me these comics are the only ones who define the caped crusader. Readers of all ages can appreciate their entertainment value.

Amazingly enough Showcase Presents Batman vol. one is the first time DC is collecting Batman's Silver Age adventures in the Showcase series (unless you count the Brave and the Bold). This volume features Detective Comics #327-342 and Batman #164-174! The reason why this particular period was chosen is because longtime DC editor Julie Schwartz had take oven the titles and did a long overdue revamping of the character. While it's not exactly the Dark Knight of Frank Miller, it was at least several cuts above the stories from the last decade where Batman routinely fought aliens, monsters, robots, and traveled time. The stories have a certain grit to them, even if it is a fine grit. Batman is back to battling gangsters, thugs, and mixes in a few of his longtime foes as well. He's back to being a detective as well. The stories are mainly written by Gardner Fox or John Broome with art by Carmine Infantino or Bob Kane. One can clearly see how this period inspired, for better or worse, the 60's TV show. Lots of new things would be in store for Batman readers of the time. Batman #164 introduced the brand new and sporty Batmobile. Batman also put in an elevator in the mansion to take him down to the Batcave--imagine, he'd been using the stairs for over 20 years! A new tunnel was made that led out of the Batcave as well. Detective # 329 would see the death of Alfred as he perishes assisting Batman & Robin. Detective #332, "The Joker's Last Laugh" finds the Clown Prince of Crime experimenting with "loco weed" dust to make his victims laugh uncontrollably at his corny jokes. The Penguin shows up in Batman # 169 with yet another umbrella scheme for the Dynamic Duo to spoil, but the most historically important story reprinted in this issue is from Batman #171 which is the first Silver Age appearance of the Riddler after an absence of some 17 years! The story begins with the Riddler, Mr. E. Nigma, being released from the state prison and quickly returning to a life of crime. DC had a reputation (often deserved) for being quite stuffy and lacking pizzazz during the 60's but these Batman stories are a definite exception. The plots were often quite complex and the art was very good. I particularly like the Infantino covers, some of which are really outstanding and underrated. Bob Kane also shows that he had lost none of his artistic flair after having created the Batman character 25 years earlier. This was one of the more enjoyable Showcase editions I've read yet. Reviewed by Tim Janson

A nice thick (500 plus pages) book of old-skool Batman adventures when the costumed detective and his sidekick Robin could still have fun fighting colorful crime-doers in campy getups without worrying about their disturbed childhoods or their questionable sexuality. This is an era I really like. Most of the stories are pretty fun, usually involving some bubblegum SF element, like a photographic device that morphs the face of the person being photographed or a man who is mutating into a superior future human. The comics are in B/W but the action comes across quite colorfully. At this bargain price, collections like these are a steal! I've ordered for the Superman collections vol 1 and 2 and I'm looking forward very eagerly to further volumes for Superman, Batman and other franchises in this series.

These stories are filled with little gems of 60s culture and campiness. Stories where bad is bad, good is good, and Batman is quite the boyscout: loved and respected by all law-abiding citizens. Batman, with the aid of Robin, and his amazing Univac computer, solve every mystery thrown his way. With the aid of Commissioner Gordon and with a guest appearance by Elastic Man, Batman and Robin face the likes of the Riddler, Penguin, and Joker. Lots of campy fun.