REVIEW - Batman Strange Apparitions

BATMAN: STRANGE APPARITIONS

Written by Steve Englehart and Len Wein; Art by Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin and Walter Simonson

Review by Brian Grindrod

During the late 1970s, DC managed to entice writer Steve Englehart aboard on Detective Comics. At Marvel, Englehart had repeatedly proven his skills and imagination on titles such as Avengers, Captain America and Incredible Hulk. Teamed up with Marshall Rogers on pencil and coloring, they created classic stories where today, their version of Batman is regarded as one of the authoritative alongside that of Frank Miller, Dennis O'Neil & Neil Adams, Dick Sprang and of course, Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson and Bill Finger's.

The first instalment starts off with the introduction of Dr. Phosphorous and the corrupt Gotham City Councillor, Rupert Thorne. Englehart also presents us a new love interest for Bruce Wayne, Silver St. Cloud. The good doctor has made very few appearances since then (notably in Starman) but Thorne has become a feature villain in the animated television series while St. Cloud served as the template for Vicki Vale's persona in Tim Burton's blockbuster film. Both characters also serve as important elements throughout Englehart's epic run on Detective Comics.

Unfortunately, the first two instalments in Strange Apparitions is not representative of excellent pencil work on behalf of Walt Simonson. Do not expect the type of visual which made Simonson's Thor, Fantastic Four and Orion memorable masterpieces. However, the events and characters' presentation solidly sets up the stage for the next seven chapters in Englehart's story arc.

Marshall Rogers pencilled back up features in Detective Comics #466, #467 as well as a full length story in issue 468 prior to being assigned as regular artist on the duration of Englehart's tenure in '77 & '78. The decision to pair him up with Englehart as well as adding inker Terry Austin to the creative team was another genial one by editor Julius Schwartz. With Rogers' stylized pencil work, angular structure and keen sense of cinematic poses, his Batman appeared more sleek & athletic instead of bulky and muscular.

Rogers also strongly emphasizes background scenery and the architecture of Gotham City. It brings a vivid grandeur to the stories' setting. Combined with Englehart's prominent scribing, their depiction of Bruce Wayne is simply not a facade for the Dark Knight. Bruce Wayne and Batman are one and the same. Englehart strongly emphasizes the man behind the mask without resorting to poorly personifying psycho babble melodrama that has been so prominent since Jim Starlin's departure from the Batman title in 1989.

The team's first effort offers a story which represents a villain which had long been forgotten but yet appeared in the historic first issue of Batman. Thirty-five years after his last appearance, Hugo Strange was reintroduced to a new generation of readers. While Englehart revitalized Hugo Strange and built upon the character's Golden Age foundation, the next four chapters features two of Batman's greatest arch foes. "The Malay Penguin" also marks the guest appearance of Robin who in the last two instalments plays a minor but important role. The complicity and friendship between the two is well depicted as they thwart another outlandish caper by Oswald Cobblepot. This tale also demonstrates Batman's detective prowess and skills as well as Robin's admiration for his mentor.

In the next chapter, Englehart totally revamps a throw away villain from yesteryear. A character which became instrumental in John Ostrander's Suicide Squad series and fortified him as one of the deadliest maniacs in Batman's Rogue Gallery. In a story which seems to pay homage to Dick Sprang's outlandish "props" from the Golden Age, Deadshot is now a menace in very sense of the word.

"The Laughing Fish" and "Sign Of The Joker" stories are considered as the paramount confrontation between Batman and Joker since their first clash in 1940. Englehart severs all ties from Joker's dreaded Clown Prince Of Crime persona and brings him back to his Pre- Comic Code Authority roots. His camp Silver Age characterization now makes place for his true homicidal disposition and his psychotic nature is even more prominent. Only Frank Miller and Alan Moore have been able to exquisitely portray Joker's genial and demented psyche as well as Englehart.

The last two instalments marks a shuffle in the creative team. Dick Giordano replaces Austin as inker while Englehart's position is succeeded by Len Wein. Giordano's influence is quite evident as his heavier inking style slightly alters the look of Rogers' dynamic pencil work and layout. Wein's writing on the two part story introducing an utterly deranged villain establishes why he has his place amongst comic book greats. Wein is Co-creator of Swamp Thing and one of the masterminds behind the relaunch of Marvel Comics' X-Men franchise. Perhaps Clayface III is another lunatic amongst many in Batman's extensive and rich Rogues Gallery but Wein manages to separate him from the other two villains bearing the same name by making the reader sympathetic to his plight. His physical deformity and Clayface's failed attempt at a cure only spiralled his high intellectual capacity into the mouth of madness. But a killer is a killer... Only the imaginative and depraved mind of Alan Moore has been able to recapture and evolve upon the terror of Clayface's powers and mindset.

Strange Apparitions is a worthy edition for all Batman fans, astute comic book readers and those who wish to enjoy a viable representation of the essence of Bob Kane & Bill Finger's character. Englehart, Wein and Rogers' offering to the character's mythos and storytelling standards which left its mark on the Batman legacy may be occasionally equalled but rarely surpassed. This is Batman in his finest hour.

REVIEW - Batman: Tales Of The Demon

BATMAN: TALES OF THE DEMON

Art by Neal Adams, Irv Novick, Dick Giordano and others; Cover by Neal Adams

Review by Brian Grindrod

While most of the material was originally published during the early 1970s, none of it appears outdated or lackluster; a testimony to Dennis O'Neil & Neal Adams' vision of comic book storytelling. This trade paperback edition also includes stories that first appeared in 1978, 1979 & 1980.

There is no doubt that The Joker is the most recognizable nemesis of Batman's rogue gallery. Alongside The Penguin, Two-Face, The Riddler and Catwoman, these characters have helped define as well as elevate The Caped Crusader's popularity in all mediums whether it be comic books, animation or film. However, what separates Ra's Al Ghul from the other villains is that he is not grotesque in appearance nor is he prolifically insane. Contrary to Batman's high profiled enemies, this character is treacherously intelligent, logical and relies on order instead of chaos to further advance his plans. Another distinctive trait is that by harnessing the earth's magnetic currents and the properties of certain chemicals, he has invented a method to revive his body when death approaches. The aptly named `Lazarus Pit' has allowed Ra's Al Ghul several lifetimes in which he created a network whose goal is to cleanse the earth of a parasite that is destroying the planet. That is, the over abundance of human population that is making the air non-breathable, the water undrinkable and rapidly depleting our planet's life giving resources. Al Ghul has no desire to completely wipe out the human race but rather to downsize it at a level that the earth can sustain and of course, would usher this new age as its master. He views himself as a visionary that will save mankind and the environment but Batman regards him as nothing more than a dangerous madman who must be stopped at all costs. Obviously, Ra's Al Ghul's goal is not to commit crimes in an attempt to best Batman in a match of wits or brawn. This is beneath him. In fact, he regards Batman as his most fitting successor and husband to his beautiful daughter, Talia.

With such a complex and unique character, Dennis O'Neil chronicled some of the greatest Batman tales ever. He returned Batman to his roots as a creature of the night but does not shy away from showing a defeated Caped Crusader in combat situations against the likes of The Bronze Tiger or lagging behind an Olympic ski medalist. This important aspect allows the hero to be accessible to the audience. Bruce Wayne's tragedy is obviously still at the core of the character but O'Neil does not hammer down this point incessantly where we can no longer differentiate Batman from his cast of villains. O'Neil's Dark Knight Detective is an intense and determined crime fighter but can still interact with his entourage while prone to failure. In fact, this Batman is not above seeking help in order to bring down Ra's Al Ghul.

Neal Adams' contribution to the North American comic book industry is impossible to measure or quantify. His style has directly as well as indirectly influenced comic book artists for four decades. Adams' facet to perspective and anatomy brought a heightened realism to the character that led the way for future Batman artists such as Marshal Rogers and Alan Davis. While Tales Of The Demon does not feature the best of Don Newton's work, he certainly belongs as one of the top Batman pencillers who could bring out the moody and dark atmosphere of the Dark Knight's world. His four year run on Detective Comics and Batman is still sadly overlooked. Irv Novick is another artist who never seems to get the proper recognition for his astounding body of work. His slick pencilling style puts him in the same league as Gil Kane, John Buscema and Ross Andru. Novick was an artist who could convey all the vibrant action and dynamic pacing of a story that made Batman come to life. This trade paperback also reprints the excellent Dennis O'Neil/Michael Golden collaboration from DC Special Series #15. His highly detailed work from the late 1970s and 1980s made him one of the most relevant artists in the comic book medium during those decades.

Tales Of The Demon is a worthy companion piece to other editions such as Batman: Black & White and Batman: Year Two. While Bob Kane and Bill Finger are the ones responsible for creating this wonderful character, it is Dennis O'Neil who brought back the approach that made him great during The Golden Age of comics. For over six decades, many writers and artists have left their stamp on the Batman legacy but most of them pale in comparison to the inspirational work of O'Neil & Adams.