Captain America Comics No. 1

As the 1940's began, many superheroes became quite popular. Some such as Superman have withstood the test of time. Others not so much. Captain America was one of the first major characters published by Timely Comics, the company that would eventually become Marvel comics. Some of the first charachters were Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the first Human Torch, an android covered in flames. While I will circle back to them, I think it is more important to talk about one of the first "patriotic" superheroes, and one who has become among the most influential in modern media. Captain America was the creation of Jack "The King" Kirby, who is famous as one of the premier comic book artists with titles ranging from Silver Surfer, The Fantastic Four, Thor. and The New Gods. His partner was Joe Simon created many comics, and helped Kirby create many comics such as Young Love, the first major romance comic, creating a genre that lived for many years, and while virtually unheard of today, they helped cement comic books major role in the 1950's.

Adolf socked in the jaw!

Captain America was written before WWII began in late 1940. The comic got a huge reaction, with over 1 million copies sold, but also provoking a mob of nazi supporters to threaten Kirby and Simon. It took the mayor of New York City, Fiorello La Guardia, to protect them with Guardia ordering police protection for Timely's offices. The comic itself was created very quickly, so some of it does look a bit rushed. Since the comic itself has four Captain America stories and two supplements I am going to cover the most important two, Meet Captain America and The Fantastic Tale of the Red Skull. 

 

We start our comic with something that I thought I wouldn't see again. That is a story without introducing the main character in the opening story. Just like both Batman origin stories, we don't get to see Captain America first, but instead get a weird intro. We see a bad guy at a munitions plant and then the next page he blows it sky high. In response Franklin Delano Roosevelt the current POTUS is commissioning a program to deal with the Nazi sabotage. We learn that the Nazi's have filled the armies ranks, and so the president has decided to deal with it. We then learn that the current head of the F.B.I. has arranged some sort of experiment. 

How many B-movies have this premise go horribly wrong?

The experiment is some sort of serum combined with Vita-Rays. The person in charge is a a Professor Reinstein. He has figured out how to make a man into a perfect specimen, increasing strength, reflexes and even intellegence. His guinea pig is Steve Rogers, who has been rejected because of his scrawny physique. The serum works and he grow bigger. This amazing serum however is about to vanish because a spy bursts out, shots Reinstein and shatters the serum. Many origin stories are actually very similar, with the results being unreplicatable. In recent years many comics in the Marvel continuity have even used this serum to explain the origins of other heroes, most notably the Ultimate Hulk, something that even made its way into The Avengers.

Because thats the definition of covert

Captain America is so named because he will safeguard America and represents America's strength. He demonstrates that, taking the assassin and punching him all over the building, eventually making the assassin land in some equipment which fry him to death. Steve sees no problem with this, and it shows the fact that Captain America is a soldier. He is willing to kill to get the job done, but doesn't go out of his way to kill people. He quickly does his job, smashing spy rings and keeping America safe from the Nazis. He is assigned to a military base undercover, namely Camp Lehigh. Bucky Barnes the camp mascot is enamored with the Captain. He wishes to meet him and he does, visiting Rogers at night and finding out that Rogers is Captain America. Of course Rogers decides to make Barnes his sidekick to keep his secret, because no Golden Age comic would be complete with a peppy young sidekick sent against firearms and thugs.

This comic is a good origin story, establishing why Captain America does what he does, as well as how he got his superpowers. Its a much more complete origin than Batman or Superman gets initially. This makes me much happier than the initial issues of Superman and Batman, even though I don't like Captain America quite as much as either of those, because I think he is a less interesting character.

Doomy Doom Doom Doom!

While I may like the first story for its excellent origin for the character, this one doesn't do that. We start with the cover image along with two panels inserted in the comic. I find this very frustrating, but it does get us into the story. Rogers is working with a Major Croy at the base, and has been threatened by someone called the Red Skull. Rogers and Bucky drive back to the base, leaving Croy to go to bed. As he is in the house, Croy is ambushed from behind. He is grabbed around the neck by what I can only assume is the Red Skull. The Skull stares him to death, and leaves him. The next day we learn that no one has been able to figure out why Croy is dead, and so Captain America and Bucky leave to go after the Skull, with Bucky deciding to go by himself. The Red Skull tells his henchman of his plan to go after officials while his team robs banks to fund the sabotaging efforts. Bucky eavesdrops but is caught and beaten up. The Skull having failed his evil overlords 101 class decides to use him as a hostage. The Captain bursts through the door and knocks out the thugs although the Skull escapes.

Private Rogers the next day witnesses a plane crashing on manuvers. The owner of the plane Mister Maxon laments the loss of the plane but not the men onboard. The general of the base gets a visit from the skull, who kills the general despite having a gun, and the Skull shows us a list of targets including Captain America and Bucky. The general's wife sticks up Red Skull, and instead of shooting the man with a red skull for a face and a swastika on his chest, she rushes over to her husband. Captain America bursts in and beats the Skull a bit before getting hit with a chair. Buck comes to save Captain America. They beat on the Skull, with Captain America breaking the red mask and learning that it is the airplane owner. I imagine this in about the same tone of voice as Velma from Scooby Doo. We learn that Maxon had used a hypodermic needle to inject people with a poison while he stared at them. This would create a myth about the Red Skull having a look of death. Maxon struggles to get his weapon but he rolls over his needle injecting himself. The next day military police learn that Maxon had been promised a position of power if Germany took over America. 

Why is this disappointing? Well Maxon isn't the actual Red Skull we know today. That goes to a Johann Schmidt, who is the Red Skull that we know today as Captain America's archnemesis. So the story serves as a bit of fake out for those who would expect an origin story for the Red Skull.

Overall I enjoyed these comics. They come in pretty large issues, unlike what I got with the Superman and Batman Chronicles, as they skip over any issue without those charachters. These have all the stories so include stories about Tuk Caveboy a pulp fantasy in stone age times and Hurricane, a character who looks like Hermes from the Greek mythologies, who is descended from Thor and yet is "the last living Greek God." While this makes no sense and he comes of as a copy of the early flash, it's not a terrible read.

I would recommend this comic for it's historical value and not really the artwork, but the writing is solid as well. It moves quickly, the plot is fairly reasonable. and they have a lot of ideas that will become really popular for the genre in the future, such as experimental superpower, superpowered prototype and a costumed villain rather than someone with an ominous name like Dr. Death. It's a pretty good read, and a good enough origin that I recommend this comic. I got my copy in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Captain America. 

A Death in the Family

Ok so this is one of the comics that has a major impact on what people think of comics as a whole, was one of the first comic books to have user input on the actual outcome, and is still in continuity! A Death in the Family was written shortly after The Killing Joke in 1988, and to most modern audiences it will seem a bit dated, simply because of the events going on in the background. American was very concerned with Iran at the time, especially after the takeover of the American embassy in Tehran in 1979-1981, the Iran-Iraq war from 1980-1988, and increasingly concerned about extremist Islamic groups. This is important background information because much of the plot actually relies on knowing about this, but you can get through this with some pretty limited information. In case you need more click here.

The book was written in four parts, but the TPB I am reading out of has it split into six chapters, so I don't know where the chapters break compared to the books. I don't really like the first two covers, but the last two are alright, showcasing dramatic events rather than strange half brooding poses like the othe ones.

Kick some tail Robin!

Our story starts with Batman and Robin taking down a child pornography ring. Jason Todd, the current Robin, jumps in head first and immediately begins beating the bad guys up, with Batman frustrated at the lack of patience, but they quickly take down the "gunsels."Bruce is pissed with Jason for jumping the gun, and tells him he needs to be more careful, with Jason in a spiteful bout of teenage rebellion, telling him that "life is a game" and that "near misses don't count."

Why does Joker just have a missile lying around?

The next day Bruce speaks with Alfred and they both decide that they need to do something about his aggression. Bruce decides to take him off of active duty, with Jason hearing and deciding to storm out. Meanwhile the Joker has just escaped Arkham Asylum for the billionth time. Joker gained access to a supply closet and being a chemical expert whipped up a lethal batch of his Joker gas with common cleaning agents. This killed eight guards, and he was able to escape. Batman and Gordon both think he will be taken down, as after what happened in The Killing Joke the entire Teen Titans team and Justice League are going to go after the Joker. The Joker is out picking up some old toys, namely a freaking cruise missile. Joker decides that he needs to replenish his funds and to do that he will sell the missile to Middle East.

Secret Agent, Mercenary, Doctor. Why are these in a thugs address book?

Jason is back in Crime Alley, the neighborhood where both he and Batman got their start. The narration is the same as Bruce's so I guess we are learning about Jason's history, and we learn that his dad used to work for Two-Face before being killed by his boss, while his mother died of some sort of disease. As Jason wanders what used to be his home, an old friend of the family recognizes him and gives him some old photos and records from his father. Batman is leaning on known associates of the Joker but is unable to get any real information other than that some of the Joker's thugs were planning to head to Lebanon. Jason learns that his mother was actually his stepmother. He finds an address book with three names that match the first letter of the water damaged birth certificate. They are Sharmin Rosen, Shiva Woosan and Sheila Haywood. Jason uses the batcomputer to find out their current whereabouts and decides to use his credit cards to travel the middle east by himself. I would like to point out there is no indication he speaks any language that would allow him to communicate, he tells no one of his plans, and he runs to find his mom even though he has never met here and has no proof that whichever of the women his mother is that she would accept him back into her life. Batman has found out that the cruise missile the Joker has is actually a nuclear missile but the Joker apparently doesn't know that as he doesn't mention that it is nuclear ever. Batman returns to the cave and learns that Jason has already gone, and that he needs to go after the more pressing matter.

Batman beats up terrorists. What more do I need to say?

Batman is allowed by a friend in the C.I.A. to go after the Joker and is told of a plane that the Joker stole and that if he can deal with the Shiite militants who are in control of the plane he can look it over. Batman is able to tell the Joker is the one doing this from a gunshot wound to the head, which makes zero sense, but whatever. Batman changes and heads into town. Robin is infiltrating an Israeli military compound hoping to learn about Sharmin Rosen, who is part of the Israeli secret service. He learns that Rosen is undercover in Beirut. Bruce is in Beirut and speaks Farsi, so of course he is able to get around and changes into Batman and scares the pants of of numerous gunsels. He learns that a Perter Brando is planning on selling the missile. Rosen is supposed to be staying at the same place, so of course Bruce and Jason run into each other outside. They fill each other in on their respective missions, and learn that Rosen and Brando are working togethor. They follow them in rocket powered bat-gliders, and arrive at the missile as final bargaining is complete with the nuclear missile being sold for a paltry one million dollars. Of course the Joker is ecstatic.

Because Joker's word is trustworthy.

His fun is spoiled however by the appearance of Batman and Robin beating up several guards, taking them out in the space of three panels. He tells the terrorists to take them out, and they strafe the area, but Batman and Robin are able to dodge the fire, and they begin to take out the terrorists and thugs, whittling them down to nothing. Rosen shows her true colors shooting a terrorist, and Robin attempts to rescue her, but Rosen proves that she is an empowered woman and judo throws the thug to the ground. The missile is fired by the terrorist leader, but it misfires. The good guys are able to get to safety, and Batman reasons that the Joker failed at putting the rocket back together, and the warhead failed to detonate. The Joker staggers away, stunned. Robin asks Rosen if she ever had a child in Gotham, with Rosen saying that she had never had a child in Gotham. They decide to head after Sandra Woosan, with the Joker planning on going to Ethiopia, where Sheila Haywood has a refugee camp.

In chapter three, we find out that Sandra Woosan was taken by some terrorists. Meanwhile the Joker has found a way to get back on his feet. He goes to Sheila Heywood and blackmails her using a botched surgical operation in Gotham to get medical supplies for him to sell on the black market. Bruce and Jason have infiltrated the terrorists camp, and they quickly dispatch them, something that makes Batman nervous. Finally he gets that the terrorists are trainees, and that Sandra Woosan or Lady Shiva as she will be known is actually in charge of the camp. She knocks out Jason with a single blow and then fights Batman, proceeding to actually challenge him, proving his equal in martial arts, with Jason helping after regaining conciousness. Jason destroys the camp, and they interrogate Woosan using a truth serum, learning that she has never had a child. Sandra vows to come after Batman later, and they head to Ethiopia with Jason excited to meet his mother. They arrive at the refugee camp with Bruce telling himself that he needs to write another check, and that he will try to forget the horrors, as he can't help everyone even with his resources. Jason finds his mother, and they catch up. We learn that she was part

of some illicit surgery ring thing and that she planned to have Jason's father join her in England, but that he fell in love with another women. Joker arrives, and Jason learns that the Joker has been blackmailing his mother. The Joker even brought tons of his toxic gas to depopulate the camps. Batman learns of the trucks, and tells Jason to wait and not to take on the Joker alone. Jason agrees, but lied, and of course goes off to take on the Joker alone. He goes to his mother and she ignores his demand to help until he reveals his costume underneath his straight clothes. His mother freaks out and takes him to the warehouse. We then learn that Jason's mother is an absolutely terrible person. She lured him into the room for the Joker to take out so that she could keep her skimming of the funds for the medical supplies from being discovered. She pulls out a gun and then asks the Joker what they should do with him.

That's right, Jason's mother lets him get punched, pistol whipped, and beaten with a crowbar to save her own skin. The Joker just keeps beating him and beating him while Heywood watches on, until she decides to look away and smoke a cigarette instead. Meanwhile Batman's batcopter is shot down by the guards of the joker gas filled trucks. Batman knocks out the guards and saves the camp, telling the drives to unload the boxes and leave them for the army. Joker finishes beating him up, with Heywood asking what they will do about their beating up of Batman's little friend, with the Joker deciding to blame it all on Heywood, claiming that Batman "insists on solid evidence before going nova." They tie up heywood and leave a bomb and her tied to a pole. Heywood claims it was unfair and that the Joker should have played it straight which I have no idea why someone who was clearly at least a little acquainted with would even claim was a good idea. Jason unties his mother, but the door is locked, and as Batman drives back to the warehouse, the bomb goes off. We then get batman surveying the wreckage remembering how he took Jason in to prevent him from going down a bad path. Heywood tells batman what happened before dying, and then Batman finds Jason's body. 

The Joker takes his medical supplies and delivers them, but learns that Iranian secret service wants to see him. When the Joker protests they take him in and is impressed to learn that the Supreme Ayatollah, the man in charge of Iran, wants to see him. That's right Iran is such an evil place that they want a mass murderer to work for them. Bruce takes the bodies of Sheila and Jason home, giving them a funeral, and then works on the clue that the Joker left, learning that he plans to do something at the United Nations Plaza. Superman meets him there, telling him that he can't do anything to the Joker as he has been appointed an ambassador by Iran. Batman punches Superman in anger, almost breaking his hand before the Joker arrives. Joker plans his speech, and Batman arrives and learns that he killed Jason. With proof he plans on being an observer during the Joker's speech. Of course at the speech the Joker attempts to kill everyone. Superman saves everyone by sucking up all the gas as he was posted as security. Batman goes after the Joker as he detonates bombs and the Joker runs for the roof. He gets to the roof with Batman catching him as they get to the helicopter on the roof. Batman fights some goons who shoot in the helicopter causing it to crash. Superman tries to find his body, but Batman remarks that it is unresolved as usual. 

So Jason Todd died, something that lasted over 20 years. He was one of the few comic book characters to stay dead for a long period of time. They based his death on a call in number and has 10,614 calls with 5,271 for keeping him alive, and 5,343 for killing him. This is an early social media campaign, which is interesting historically, and it is one of the most lasting comics, with a super recent storyline called The Death of a Family involving all the current Batman titles. This comic is also important as it serves at Batman's greatest failure. He is unable to save his partner, but is also unwilling to kill Joker, or even go after him without concrete evidence. This shows how Batman doesn't kill even in the most dire circumstances, but also how he is still a human being, capable of failure. Modern Batman and his interaction with his partner's can all be traced back to Jason Todd. He even didn't want to take another partner ever. 

This comic is an ok read, a bit confusing due to dated references and the artwork and some of the plot holes. That makes reading this problematic. I recommend that Batman fan's actually read this comic just to get to know the charcters. Would I read this as a standalone comic? Probably not. I got mine in the trade paperback A Death in the Family, but they are doing a hardcover deluxe edition soon. Next week I will look at Captain America, looking at the very first Captain America stories, and talking about the beginning of Marvel. 

No review today sorry!

With the holiday's upon us, I don't feel like dealing with a depressing comic like Death in the Family just yet, and so will get to it on Friday. However historically, superheroes have had many comics that deal with christmas as special one shots, and many adaptive shows do christmas episodes. I would highly recommend Christmas with the Joker (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0519578/) which can be found pretty easily on youtube and such. One of the most memorable superhero Christmas episodes out there.

The Killing Joke

Its just one sick joke.

The Joker is one of the most iconic villains of all time. He is the big bad for Batman, and is also known as the Clown Prince of Crime, or the Harlequin of Hate. This comic is one of the ones that really established the Joker as the main villain for Batman, and that he was not a fun loving loony, but rather a sadistic, insane and truly evil villain. The Killing Joke is one of the most famous comics of all time, and unlike most stories I review is not a miniseries or part of a longer run, but is rather a stand alone comic. Printed in 1988, and written by the very talented Alan Moore, it greatly impacted many characters within the DC universe. 

With that in mind, lets take a look at the comic. 

Coulrophobia (Fear of Clowns)

The comic opens up with Batman stalking the cells of Arkham Asylum to see the Joker. The Joker is there, but doesn't say anything to Batman until grabs him, whereupon we learn that it's not the Joker, but instead is someone painted to look like him. Joker has escaped and is purchasing an abandoned carnival. He is planning something big, and the man is just a complete idiot, as he lets the Joker just walk around and be crazy, even though at this point he is a well known supervillian and crazy as can be. Joker shakes on the deal, which poisons the realtor, leaving him with the trademark Joker grin, and Joker reveals a bit about his origin story. While this is not the definitive origin story, with DC never saying which is the actual correct origin story, we learn that Joker was a former stand up comedian who can't get a job doing comedy. In need of support for his pregnant wife, he begins to plan another way to make money.

He needs a good laugh

This is a very compelling origin for the Joker. He is a sympathetic character, one who turns to crime to provide for his family's sake. Its touching that he is so willing to sacrifice for his family, and tragic that he turns to crime to support them. The Joker is still a maniac and killer however. Batman is at the cave and processes all he can on his computers about the Joker, which is almost nothing. Batman talks to Alfred about how unpredictable the Joker is, and how he cannot possibly predict what the Joker will do next. The comic shifts to Barbara Gordon (Batgirl. Not his wife. Its confusing) and her father James Gordon. Jim is pasting photos of Batman's exploits into a scrapbook while Barbara nags him about brining his work home, and his getting paste everywhere. I absolutely do not imagine Barbara Gordon, the first Batgirl,  nagging her father about bringing work home. We then get one of the most classic pages in Batman, and ones that still shape comics today, over 25 years later.

The shot heard throughout a mythology 

One of the stranger scenes in comics. That says something

Joker comes in and makes a bunch of librarian jokes, comparing Barbara to a coffee table book, commenting on the damaged spine, as his goons take out Jim Gordon. He takes Gordon, and takes pictures of Barbara as she is paralyzed. We then flashback to Joker taking to his mob buddies, who tell him that he will be the main man in their heist, and will be able to support his family with the money that he gets. We also learn he worked at a place called Ace chemical, which they will use to get access to the playing card company they are actually trying to steal from. I have no idea why a playing card factory would be a good place to hit, and additionally while I think its interesting in terms of symbolism, it's also kind of not needed. We know he is going to become the Joker, so why a playing card factory? Anyways, our next scene is Batman seeing Barbara at the hospital, where we learn that she will never walk again. Barbara wakes up and tell Batman to go after her father. We then see Gordon waking up, and Joker talking about how insanity is the best way to deal with the cold hard truths of the world. We learn that while Joker was at the bar he was told by the Cops that his wife had died testing a defective electric bottle heater. Joker is still made to go along with the plan. We then cut back to the tunnel of fear ride where Joker is trying to drive Gordon mad, and shows him pictures of his daughter, who has been stripped of clothing, and they torment Gordon

over and over and over. Meanwhile Batman is searching the city trying to gather clues, ranging from mobsters, to streetwalkers to criminals like the Penguin. Eventually Batman gets an invitation to the Joker's carnival, and promptly swings off. Gordon is almost catatonic after days of the torture, and so the Joker locks him up, while thinking about the random injustice that made him what he is today. The trio of criminals go to the chemical factory, but they are found out by security, which they blame the Joker for. They getengaged with a gunfight, but the two mobsters are killed as the Joker in his red hood flees from them as fast as he can. He runs up a ladder and attempts to get away from the Batman, jumping into a vat of chemicals. He washes ashore and takes of the hood, revealing the Joker.

That doesn't really seem like fun. 

Gordon is still in the cage as the carnival taunts him. Joker taunts Gordon by saying he is an average man, and that he is weak, and will soon snap under the pressure. Batman arrives then driving an old school batmobile, with a batram on the hood. He tells the Joker he came to talk. They begin fighting, with the Joker spraying Batman with acid, before retreating, while one of them thinks about the fact that one of them will kill the other one eventually. Joker manages to escape into the house of fun, as Batman rescues Gordon. Gordon implores him to get the Joker by the book to ensure that the way of law and justice works. Batman goes into the fun house, and the Joker attempts to trap him with poisoned spikes and mocks him for his belief that people cannot be driven mad as him by one bad day. He guesses that Batman is crazy from such a day, and how much Batman's refusal to acknowledge that supposed truth disgusts him. The Joker says everything is just one terrible Joke and that he can see how funny that joke is unlike everyone else. Batman finds him, breaking in and beating him up, with the Joker eventually being thrown outside. Joker asks him why Batman won't kill him even after shooting a defenseless girl and torturing Gordon. Batman says because he is doing it by the book, and that he doesn't want to kill the Joker. Its a touching scene, showing us that Batman still believes that the Joker is a human being, and that they don't have to kill each other. Joker seems repentant, but instead offers up an old joke and the two burst out laughing as the comic ends.

Batman employing the shut up Hannibal

I like that Batman is able to show compassion to his arch enemy, but the fact that Batman is not harsher on the Joker after what he has just done, and seems to almost ignore that is kind of frustrating. Batman could still treat Joker like a human, but should also punish him more for his actions, or at least tell the Joker how wrong he is. Batman here shows his genuine good nature, but in doing so loses a bit of my support.

So this comic is well written, aside from my couple complaints, and is one of the better drawn early modern age comics. I think that this is a very important read for those who read Batman and his associates, as this event resonated throughout the entire mythos. It lead to the creation of Oracle, as Barbara reinvented herself as a hacker and information broker to superheroes. Oracle was one of the only disabled superheroes, and ran the Birds of Prey one of the most important superhero teams, made up of female superheroes. I would recommend this comic based on its historical importance alone, but it also gives a real insight into the Joker's madness, as well as Batman's inherent good nature and his need to save everyone, even those who are his enemies.

Batman: Year One

I like the first cover, but why is there a sun behind Batman in the second?

No batman on the third cover, and a shot that never happens in the fourth. 

Frank Miller is one of those figures who is super controversial within the comics community. While much of his work has been credited to creating the modern age of comics, and several of his works have been received with massive acclaim, he also has created some of my least favorite comics, such as All-Star Batman and Robin(Link is to ATFW, which has an excellent review), which was universally panned, and stories like The Dark Knight Returns, which I dislike intensely. Miller has left a huge mark on Batman, for better or for worse and wrote stories that are considered classics. He was tapped in 1986 to write the new modern age story to introduce Batman. He did so, taking over the writing duties for Batman: Year One, with David Mazzucchelli doing the illustrations. This comic tells of the first year of Batman, even though Bruce Wayne only becomes Batman in April, so it would really be Batman Year 2/3rds, but that makes a crappy title.

Take that tree!

We open up on a shot of a train speeding towards Gotham, with yellow text boxes proclaiming how crappy Gotham is. We learn this from Jim Gordon, who you will remember is the police commissioner in the very first Batman story ever. Here however he has just joined the GCPD after some kind of problem in another city. At the same time we get a shot of Bruce Wayne returning to Gotham, after his long sojourn across the world. This plays out for awhile, but the noirish feel of Gotham is very Millar. The cops are all crooked, their is tons of crime, and only a few people are willing to do much about it. We see Gordon pissing off his partner, not willing to let the corruption slide and Bruce ... well beating up a tree. Its awesome. It is the first glimpse of the skills that
Bruce Wayne has acquired in his years abroad.

Sin City ... oh wait, that is Miller's Gotham. 

We learn that Jim Gordon has pissed off the wrong people, so Flass his partner and some of his buddies beat Gordon with baseball bats. He is able to defend himself at first, but is brought low and then beaten upon. Simultaneously Bruce is scouting "enemy territory." He is hit on by a little girl, and when her pimp intercedes Bruce beats him up. The girl who we learn is Holly Kyle stabs him in the leg and Bruce hits her. Her sister Selina Kyle jumps down and fights batman. If that name sounds familiar it should. That's right Selina Kyle is Catwoman, Batman's primary love interest. And she starts as a hooker. This is something that has occurred a few times but only when Mark Miller is writing. I personally think the idea is stupid. It denigrates  women, places an assertive female character in the worst possible light, and just feels plain wrong. Most adaptions have Catwoman as a cat burglar and master thief, and I vastly prefer that stance. Catwoman is supposed to be suave and sophisticated not ...  well this.

That's Catwoman? Sure. 

Bat Wrath!

Yah, not really a fan of Selina Kyle being a dominatrix hooker. Bruce proceeds to beat her up before being shot by corrupt cops. He passes Jim Gordon on the way back, nearly crashing repeatedly due to a knife in his calf, a gunshot, and a car crash that ends in a fireball. He manages to crawl back to the manor,  Gordon is driving to Flass's poker game, where he waits for him. He then runs Flass of off the road and then does the most amazing thing Jim Gordon will do in any comic ever. He gives Flass a baseball bat, and then proceeds to beat him like a rented mule. Gordon generally doesn't get much action, with the actual work being done by the Dark Knight, so it's nice to see him kick ass and be a hero. This is pretty good depiction of Gordon, although we do get some fairly shocking information a bit later in the comic.

The making of Batman in 4 panels

While Bruce is home, he thinks about the night his parent were killed. He was watching the Mark of Zorro, a character who inspired Batman and dealt with corrupt officials, which is a very nice parallel to the rest of the comic. He then gets the inspiration to become the Batman, when asking for his father's help, a bat flies through the window. The first part ends. The next part picks up with Gordon saving some children from a madman singlehandedly, angering the SWAT commander and the corrupt police commissioner. Gordon continues to protect and serve, but is worried about his wife, Barbara who is currently pregnant with their child. Gordon continues to comment on how terrible Gotham City is, and then we see our first appearance of Batman.

Batman's first appearance in the comic

Batman beats them up, saving the life of the one who is about to fall, and rests. We then cut to Gordon briefing GCPD along with a new character, Sarah Essen, as he discusses this so called Batman. Flass was beaten to a pulp in the middle of skimming of off a drug operation. The batarang is seen, as he disables the entire ring. The entire mob, and the rich families of Gotham are at a banquet. The commissioner supports this Batman, for making the people feel safe, even though the mobsters are concerned about the loss of profits. Batman disables the guards, then enters the room, looking like a vision from hell. He warns them he is taking Gotham back from them. Commissioner Loeb tells Gordon to catch Batman. Batman proves to be an elusive target as he avoids the traps the cops set up. Gordon guesses that Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent may be the Batman, after finding some weightlifting equipment in his office. Batman is actually hiding under the desk?! Batman then saves Essen and Gordon from a runaway truck. Batman manages to escape and runs into an abandoned tenemant. Loeb calls in a helicopter airstrike on the tenement, which somehow happens in under a minute, even though I doubt that the Police Commissioner has huge bombs ready to drop. Batman escapes that, cuz he's well Batman, and so they send in the SWAT teams, and Selina and her sister hear the explosions. Gordon has a tough time dealing with the fact that the Batman is saving people, while the corrupt attack him. The SWAT team eventually goes down to where Batman is hiding, and Selina and Holly come to watch. Cornered Batman pulls out the ultimate Bat gadget, a frequency transmitter that attracts a huge swarm of bats.

Batman is a hero for standing up to the corrupt police force, and as they are taken out by Batman. Batman escapes pretty much scot free, having frustrated everyone pursuing him. Everyone has to be given the rabies vaccine. Essen and Gordon figure out that Bruce Wayne might be Batman, but are unable to prove it at the time. We cut to Bruce skiing, which is random as hell. He comments on the need to get Gordon on his side, and then we have another quick cut to Selina punching out her pimp and leaving. We then cut for the fourth time in two panels, and see Gordon getting into trouble with Essen. Gordon and Essen kiss, so Gordon is now basically cheating on his wife. We then get a shot of Selina putting on her Catwoman outfit.

Catwoman meet Batman, Batman be pissed at Catwoman

So Catwoman is not a prostitue anymore, which is just wonderful. She leaps out the window, out to steal things. We then get a monologue from Gordon about how everything is not ok, with his relationship with Barbara deteriorating, his relationship with Essen complicating his life, a city full of villains and a persecuted hero.  The issue ends, with a shot of Gordon staring at his gun as he sits on the bed. The next issue opens with Gordon breaking up with Essen, but then we learn psych! Gordon is going to continue to make out with Essen. Batman learns of a drug dealer named Skeever who is working for the mob, and Batman breaks into his house and tells him that he know pain, and is able to share it with others. Skeever turns himself into Gordon in exchange for squealing on Flass. Gordon is confronted by Loeb who shows him a picture of Gordon kissing Essen. The Gordon's go to Wayne Manor a few days later, and Gordon sort of rules him out, before confessing to his wife of the affair. Flass threatens Skeever's life, and Gordon and Barbara continue to fight, as Flass's conviction leads to Loeb releasing the blackmail. Skeever survives an assassination attempt, and Barbara has the baby.

Insert jumping of bride joke here

Later Batman learns about several mobsters, and tries to listen in, but Catwoman arrives and disrupts the meeting. Catwoman claws the elder mobster's face off, and leaves his son Johnny to deal with the families business. Catwoman is called Batman's assistant which pisses him off. In revenge Johnny is told to get Gordon, by taking his family. Gordon is called to work, and during that time his wife and baby are grabbed. Gordon manages to save Barbara, and a mysterious man chase after Gordon and his baby. Gordon is able to stop Johnny from just killing his child, but in the struggle, the baby is knocked off the bridge. The mysterious man jumps off the bridge, and manages to save the baby, as both he and Gordon fall of the bridge into the waters below. The baby is saved, but Gordon's glasses have fallen off and he is unable to recognize the man. As the cops come to investigate, the man who of course is Bruce Wayne flees. We learn that Flass takes a few weeks to give up the notes of his meetings with Loeb, and Loeb is tried, but is resigning. Gordon is promoted to Commissiomer and we see Gordon standing waiting for Batman on top of the police building

The beginning of the legend

So basically, I like parts of this issue, and despise other parts. I like the Zorro connections, the importance of Jim Gordon, and that Batman has to get to know his enemy. These all add to the mythology, and flesh out important connections. I however despise the idea of Catwoman as a prostitute, dislike the fact that the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne is given all of one page, and that we don't really see Bruce's training, or even that he is trained in more than punching people. I think that this is one of the better Frank Miller batman stories, but it's really not that great of an origin. It doesn't tell us much about why Batman is who he is, and what he is like both as Batman and Bruce Wayne. It kind of does, but I just feel like I don't know Batman as well as Gordon.

This is not the origin story I would personally recommend, but then again, I am having a tough time finding a good one. It is the most recent origin story for Batman, aside from the new 52, so for right now this is the Origin I would use to get into comics. I got my copy in the trade paper back Batman: Year One. It was also faithfully adapted in the DC animated feature Batman: Year One, which is almost page for page the same as the comic. Next week I will look at another very important modern comic The Killing Joke, while I continue to hunt down a good origin.

Detective Comics 27

64 pages of ACTION! 6 of Batman!

I am Vengence I am the Night ... I am Batman! Well Sort off. Detective Comics issue number 27 unleashed the man who would become known as the caped crusader. Batman is the other side of the superhero coin compared to Superman. He is normal, having no superpowers, using only his wits, body, and will and winning against even gods. Batman was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. Bob Kane drew Batman for many years, and much of his work was influential in the 1960's batman show. Kane's Batman was influenced by The Phantom, who I have already discussed, Zorro and the Shadow. In fact Batman's not using guns has been partially credited to what is now DC wanting to distance him from the Shadow. And yes that does mean that Batman did use guns originally. Batman is in essence a detective and crime fighter, not an intergalactic defeater of villains. Much like Superman, many of his early cases dealt with local street crime and puzzles, rather than on super villains(Although Doctor Death was a recurring villain.) The early batman is very different from the modern idea we have of the Dark Knight.

I call it throw off roof fu!

Our comic opens without introducing us to any sort of origin other than that he is a mysterious figure without any idea of his real identity. The first page is a discussion between Bruce Wayne, millionare and socialite, who is being entertained by police commissioner Gordan. They are not mentioned to be in Gotham city which is weird on its own, as it is when Gordon gets a phone call and decides to take Bruce with him to a crime scene. They learn that a chemical magnate named Lambert was killed, seemingly by his son, but the son has has an explanation. Gordon gets a call at at the Lambert's from another chemical magnate, who feels threatened, and Bruce is left behind. A thief is holding that chemical magnate at gunpoint before shooting him. He then climbs to the roof where we first see the Batman. No I will not say it the way they do in the comic because it is silly. Early Batman is much like early Superman, beating the thugs and not caring about their safety, as he throws a criminal off the houses roof! Batman takes the paper and reads it, showing us the entirety of his awesome detective skills, and then speeds off.

 Batman throws a wrench in the villain's plan.

He finds the last two partners of the syndicate, with one of the Stryker deciding to kill the other one, Rogers using Jenning's his assistant. We learn that the gas chamber is used to kill guinea pigs, but not why that is important for a chemical factory, and then Jennings leaves, ignoring the evil overlord's list. Batman saves the remaining partner by stopping the pipe, and then breaking the glass bubble. Batman then takes Jennings out with a flying tackle!! Stryker comes and tries to kill Rogers with a knife. Batman stops him. Batman had figured out by reading the note earlier that Stryker had been paying money to get the company legitimately, but that killing the other owners would get him the company without needing to spend money. Then Batman proves he is not really a good guy yet. As Styker breaks free,

Sock! Or really punch! ... Or maybe kicka pow!

Thats right! Batman deliberately punches someone into a tank of acid. In most stories Batman would never let an enemy die, but apparently he doesn't do that yet. So we get this line as part of the end of our comic.

He then vanishes into the night. Gordon talks about his boring meeting with Bruce to himself, after

Bruce visits and is told of the Batman, which Bruce dismisses as a fairy tale. We then get a dramatic

panel of a door, followed by the door opening and revealing to the reader that Batman is Bruce Wayne! 

Not the best Batman story ever. Batman really isn't fully formed yet. Without the motivation of his parents death, we don't really see much about why he is Batman, or why we should really care about him. I do like that Commissioner Gordon is in this comic, establishing one of the most important dynamics for this character early, but I also don't get what we think of as classic Batman from this comic.  I would have to say while interesting there are better origin stories out there. I found this comic in Batman Chronicles Volume One. Next week I will review an important one Batman Year One, although to be honest I still don't really like it that much. 

P.S. Sorry about the short update and missed Tuesday. My computer broke and that but a kink in the schedule, as did not having my research materials until Wednesday. 

What's so Funny about Truth, Justice and the American Way

Oh my god. He's not human!

Silver naked person why?

Here is one of those iconic stories. In many ways this story defines what superman means to me, and is the version that I find the most heroic, appealing, and interesting. Why? A bit of backstory. At the time the story was written, comics had moved to the modern or dark age of comics. Many say this started in 1985 with stories such as Watchman and the Dark Knight Returns (Both of Which I will get to)playing a major role in bringing the medium to literary importance. Stories often became darker, with heroes willing to kill and torture, leading to many heroes becoming anti-heroes like, where they did terrible actions in the pursuit of good. One such comic the Authority, a group of heroes who were willing to kill. In such a dark time, why would Superman not kill the bad guys? Thus in Action Comics 775, appearing in 2001, this question was answered. This story said much about why Superman is such a good guy, as well as why he doesn't kill (anymore). The other reason it is an important story is that it also really helps define why so many people think of Superman as the quintessential superhero. He is willing to do what is required, sacrificing himself if necessary, but will not cross the lines and morals that have been instilled in him. While other heroes such as Batman are similar, it is the fact that Superman embodies what is positive about superheroes. He works during the day, doing public good, beating up bad guys that threaten the entire world. That is what Superman does and is regarded as a hero both in universe and outside of it because of that positive notion.

If Libya can make a giant techno ape, what can the U.S. do?

The story opens with Superman flying as fast as he can to Libya, where a new group of heroes called the elite have just stopped a giant ape thing, but in doing so have killed over 2000 soldiers. While lauded by many, such as Jack Ryder, Batman Character and in this comic all around sleaze bag, and President Lex Luthor (Long Story), Superman is pissed for their reckless fighting. When the Elite send a manifesto declaring themselves judge, jury, and executioner, and say they will go after bad guys like a 50 megaton bomb. Superman who is working with Steel, compares them to the Bubonic plague and asks Steel if the world has moved on, right before finding out that their is trouble in japan. Superman flies there at top speed, fighting The Samurai Roshi, who I have never heard of before. He is then taken out by some kind of brain affecting power from Coldcast before the Elite make their first appearance.

Drunk, Jerk, Psycho, and at bottom Bioweapon

And there they are. The Hat, chinese master of magic and drunk, Manchester Black, leader british stereotype, and jerk, Coldcast, who beats people up and enjoys it immensely, and Menagerie creepy alien looking woman. The kill the Samurai Roshi, the Elite grabs Superman and takes him to there spaceship, a floating sentient bacteria colony named Bunny. Superman compares them to the Nazi's in response to Black's arguments about ends justifying the means, and of course Black proves how much of jerks that the Elite are by saying that they jettisoned Bunny's heart, because she could feel emotion. Superman shows us his angry face, as well as his disgust with the fact that the Elite are killing people. While I understand why Superman is pissed, Black does have a point in that they are terrorists and armed rebels. Superman continues to be angry with the fact that they are killing people and calling themselves heroes, something that I agree with to some extent.

Black and White are bad. Except when the Elite chooses.

Superman continues to be pissed, with Black talking about his past, with a dead mother and a father who died in World War 2. This he says caused him to wake up, and now he believes that only heroes willing to kill are able to function in a world where bad guy's don't wear a cape or a mask. I would point out that Lex Luthor has not worn those ever, and is still  a villain who superman goes after. There is also the fact that Superman has gone after politicians and tyrants in the past who have gone too far. Ignoring that problem, Black and Superman continue to argue. Black graciously will allow superman to go after "evil scientists, bogeymen and gimps in tights." The Elite then teleport Superman to a used car and truck lot that has been using Superman's image.

I love this scene. It really shows how strong a relationship has with his family, as well as why Jonathan Kent is such a powerful influence on Clark being a hero. Pa Kent says that people will only be able to improve themselves by seeing positive examples. People are going to blame whatever they can instead of fixing the problem according to Jonathan. Clark says that the answer can't be turning into them, but is unable to tell his father that he can beat them in a fight. We then get a full page of various people saying that Superman has failed them, and that they need people who are willing to kill. Even a bunch of children talk about how killing is fun. Superman fights some aliens, which is confusing, but kind of cool, as he uses his super breath to freeze water above them, as apparently the aliens believe water to be a poison, coming from a desert planet. The Elite show up, Superman yells at them, and we learn that Menagerie or her real name Pam, was made using the aliens technology, a type of alien bioweapon. Black says the aliens will continue to do this, even if arrested. Hat is ordered to kill the aliens and government agents with them, and Superman punches the hat with a fantastic Schwok noise. Black is thrilled, and he threatens Superman.

The next seen is one that again shows another important relationship. Clark is in bed with his wife Lois, and they talk about what's going to happen. Lois confronts Clark, saying that he sought them out, and that he should have called in the New Gods or the Justice League of America. Lois is worried about Clark, but he says it is necessary to teach them a lesson. She thinks that he might lose the next day. Clark explains why why it is important to show people that they need to be human, not focused on anger and spite, and killing people for fun or to be justified because they are seen as the bad guys. They hold each other, as the last few panels zoom out, showing them as tiny figures. The fact that Superman is fighting someone more powerful than himself is not unusual, despite what many people think. At dawn he goes out after leaving a note for Lois, and Bunny and the Elite appear overhead. Superman says he wants to move the fight away from Metropolis, and so the Elite teleport them to Jupiter's moon Io, and they beam the fight to Earth. The Planet is covered with obelisks from a race that might have gone to destroy the earth, saying they killed an alien baby. Superman lectures them saying that he does not want bloodshed, and he wants the Elite to step down, but they proceed to wreck the Boy Scout. Manchester tosses him through a mountain begins monologuing about how the world want surgeons, Menagerie hits him with flying things, before clawing him. Then the Hat drops a mayan looking tablet that is huge on Superman, and then Manchester hits him with a stroke before Coldcast explodes him. Superman;s appears, before Menagerie is hit with a poision that freaks her alien symbiote out, before a massive hurricane hits the group sucking the air out of the Hat's lungs. Coldcast and Manchester freak out, just before Coldcast just vanishes as a red, blue, and yellow streak hits him. We then see this.

He looks like Stallone on really bad day.

Manchester tries to fight him, right before Superman hits him with his heat vision, severing his power from his brain, "like a scalpel". Manchester freaks out crying, as Superman says he did this to show people why hate and spite are bad. Superman then reveals the twist, that he knocked them out, and basically stunned Black's power. Black cries and yells at Superman saying that he will go after him. Superman responds in the last page before flying away, that he wouldn't have it any other way, saying that we need dreams to be good people. And that he won't stop fighting for dignity, honor and Justice. Ever.

I really like this comic, both from a story point of view, and an important to characterization point of view. The reason it's important is to show not only why Superman will not kill, but also why he is the good guy. You almost never see Superman accused of crimes, and most people would never believe that he was a criminal. Superman's resources and abilities would make him a god if he choose to use them in a more dynamic way. His attack on the hat could kill a city. Taking someone at mach seven would cause them to explode, something that would kill almost any superhero with no warning. This is so far beyond what other characters would be able to do if gone bad, that it is no wonder people are scared of him. In other stories, people are frightened of him without him doing terrible things. But ultimately Superman is a good guy. He is willing to die to prove that he isn't willing to kill.

This comic was made into an adaption recently, Superman vs. the Elite which I liked alot. I also really like this comic. I think it is essential reading for a modern day superman fan. While this isn't some epic crossover or origin story, it is one that defines what it means to be Superman, and why he is a superhero. My copy is from Superman: Greatest Stories Ever Told. It also can be found in Justice League Elite Volume 1. This is a vital story for any Superman fan, and one of my favorite ever comic book stories.