Happy Batman Day!

Over eight decades ago, the smoking gun barrel of Joe Chill unleashed unto the unsuspecting denizens of Gotham City a nocturnal nightmare of which they had never seen. The tragic murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, before the innocent eyes of their young son, Bruce, created a force of vengeance and justice that has been preying on Gotham’s criminal underbelly with furious anger ever since… The Batman!

Created by the peerless pairing of Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the creepy and curmudgeonly creature of the night’s first ever appearance was in DC Comics’ revered Detective Comics in May of 1939. Since that time, the dark and surly one has gone on to become, quite possibly, the most popular and renowned Superhero ever conceived, with his fame spreading across every single known entertainment medium, from comic-books through video-games, television shows, movies, toys, clothes, novelisations, and so, so much more, firmly cementing his place in heroic history!

But what is it that compels readers to immerse themselves in a vengeance driven man-hunter, a being that has devoted his life to bringing his own brand of Bat-justice to a corrupt and dystopian city seething with criminal detritus? I absolutely believe that it’s his inherent vulnerability and pathos, you see, unlike the vast swathe of caped crusaders, Bruce is, ultimately, just a man in a costume… he can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound, or deflect bullets with bracelets, he’s not capable of reaching the speed-force, or even talking to fish! but what he does possess is the inherent belief in his own righteousness and decency, it’s his integrity and moral fortitude that has enabled him to rise above the sea of costumed crimefighters and be the best he can be, no matter the adversity or lack of powers thereof… the mark of a true hero (of course, billions of dollars, an unsurpassed mastery of myriad martial arts, genius level intellect and a compendium of glorious gadgets also, sort of, helps!)

And So… Happy Batman Day! What will you be doing to celebrate the Dark Knight? Why not sound off in the comments below, fellow Bat-fans.

Comics’ Greatest Love Stories: The Bat Loves The Cat…

Grim, gritty, surly, sullen, stern, morose, brusque… all these terms define the infamous vengeance driven creature of the night known as The Batman, and why wouldn’t they? I mean, he’s not exactly had a great time of it overall, let’s be honest. He lives in the cesspool of a city known as Gotham, watched his parents gunned down before his innocent eyes at the tender age of 12, and has spent the past eight decades abusing both his mind, spirit and body as he seeks redemption for his parents death by dressing as a giant bat and pulping bad guys to within an inch of their miserable lives… where’s his silver bat- lining, huh? Well, that’s embodied by an equally traumatised, but resolutely more positive minded costumed creation who goes by the name of Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman.

The Bat and The Cat have been dancing around (probably to the Batusi!) each other emotionally since their first ever encounter in Batman #1 in March of 1940. That’s close to eighty exquisite years of puurfect passion procrastination, though the Dark Knight Detective has had other fleeting love interests over the decades (the most significant obviously being that of Talia Al Ghul, R’as Al Ghul’s daughter) none have had the emotive impact on his melancholic life more than one Selina Kyle.

Their lives have been irrevocably romantically intertwined since that first meeting in 1940 and their devotion has continued throughout their many dalliances to this very day, even culminating with a recent wedding proposal from The Bat himself, though in typical Batman fashion, it definitely did not go as planned as Batman’s notorious rogues gallery stepped in to ruin the one shining light that could of led Bruce into new and unfamiliar territory… happiness!

I love Batman and Catwoman, have done since I first discovered the characters from the tender age of six, and have always rooted for their eventual sanguine intimacy. But have always understood that any kind of inherent contentment would ultimately end the crime fighting career of Batman… it’s the pain and loss that life has served him that ultimately makes him the Batman, yet, even the sullen stern alter ego of the masked manhunter deserves some relief from his disconsolate existence and fortunately there is Selina Kyle. So, why not join us as we embark on a visual tour through their long and (mostly) loving courtship that has had Batfans the world over holding their Bat-breaths for almost eighty years. The Bat (most definitely) loves The Cat…

The Bat/Cat affection has stood the test of time for almost eight decades… is this the longest courtship in fictional history?

Batman: Hush was a compelling treatise of Bruce and Selina’s long and storied entangled relationship, and is a must read to all.

Michael Keaton’s Dark Knight got to grips with Michelle Pfeiffer’s puuurfect Selina Kyle in Tim Burton’s classic ‘Batman Returns’

As did Adam West with Julie Newmar in the sixties camp show and Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Rises.

Long Live The Bat And The Cat, And May They One Day Finally Find The Time To Truly Be Together… Forever.

 

Batman and Catwoman are copyright: DC Comics.

Happy Batman Day!

That’s right Batfans, today charts a crucial chapter in everyone’s life… Batman Day! Join DC Comics and millions of fans worldwide in celebrating the world’s most popular and significant cowled crimefighter. From the printed page through cinematic excursions and video game adaptations, toys, collectables and onward, the dark and surly one has been a major part of many peoples lives for eight exquisite decades. 

My first encounter with the Caped Crusader was when my Mum purchased me an old issue of Detective Comics from a local car boot sale when I was a mere six years old, this was not only the first time I had ever read a Batman comic, but was in fact the first time I had ever read a comic.

I remember reading the issue a dozen times over in one sitting and was eager to divert more of my attention to this amazing hitherto unseen world that contained fantastical characters who really captured my young burgeoning imagination in a way nothing else previously had, I have been fanatical of the Dark Knight since that time.

Detective Comics #466 marked my initial encounter with the masked manhunter, and told the tale of Batman’s clash with villain Signalman, not exactly an iconic member of Batman’s notorious rogues gallery it has to be said, but it was my very first brush with a Supervillain. This wonderfully nostalgic comic issue also introduced me to the fact that Batman shared a universe with other Superheroes, thanks to a very enjoyable back up story, that regaled the young me with the daring adventures of the Emerald Archer – Green Arrow. 

So, a very happy Batman Day to you, my bodacious Bat brethren, and why not sound off in the comments below about your very first encounter with the Dark Knight, and what you will be doing to celebrate another year in the company of Gotham’s greatest grim and gritty guardian angel.  

Batman is copyright: DC Comics

Comic Cover Of The Week: Batman Rebirth #35

This weeks captivating cover celebrates an astonishing 800 issues of Batman! For those not especially versed in comic-book lore, allow me to elucidate that even though this magnificent milestone in the Caped Crusader’s long and tumultuous history as Gotham’s very own grim guardian is a significant landmark, he has actually been the titular star of its sister comic “Detective” for an even more astounding 942 issues, since his first appearance in the May 1939 issue of Detective Comics #27!

Batman Rebirth #35 is the lucky recipient of the honour of the 800 issues award, and finds the two most significant women in the Dark Knight’s life duelling for his affections, as Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman, and the daughter of the demon – Talia Al Ghul face off in a splendidly savage sword fight.

As a background for why these two classic characters would be crossing blades for the intimate endearment of the pointy eared vigilante, their actual romantic entanglement with Batman spans many, many decades in the comics.

Bruce Wayne and Talia (daughter of Batsy’s nemeses – R’as Al Ghul) produced a son together (Damian Wayne, the current holder of the title of The Boy Wonder – Robin) and have a long and convoluted fervid history. Though, even their lengthy and tumultuous relations is eclipsed by Bruce and Selina’s even more protractedly intimate involvement. As a testament to the Bat and the Cat’s everlasting dalliance, Bruce recently proposed to Selina, and the two costumed creations are now seemingly on a one way trip to marital bliss (and most probably, considering this is the world of The Baman – conflict and contention.)

“Part three of “Dream Of Me” finds the Dark Knight past the point of no return. It turns out he’s definitely going to need a little help from his friends, but this help comes with a significant downside: Batman’s true intentions will ultimately be exposed!”

Writer Tom King once again proves his worth as one of DC’s greatest current creators with yet another fantastic issue, he is a sensational scribe of almost unparalleled level, and I for one would be more than happy if he continued to write Batman’s ongoing quest for revenge and redemption forevermore! Interior art by Joelle Jones is also great, with the sword fight between Selina and Talia being a particular highlight, flowing beautifully with King’s concurrent dialogue.

Batman Rebirth #35 is available at your local comic-book emporium right now.

New Comics Spotlight: Harley Quinn Variant Month

(DC Comics, 2015)

In case you didn’t realise, this month has been officially declared ‘Harley Quinn month’ by DC Comics. That’s right comic fans, everyone’s favourite mistress of mischief will be starring on 22 special variant covers across DC’s range of kick-ass monthly comics including, Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Superman, Justice League and many more.

Also available from today in your local comic book emporium is the Harley Quinn Valentine’s Day Special, a 48 page one-shot following Harley’s attempt to win a date with the world’s most eligible bachelor, Bruce Wayne, by outbidding the local adoring female populace at a New York charity auction. 

The Harley Quinn Valentine’s Day Special is available right now with interior art by John Timms, Cover and variant cover art by Amanda Conner, and written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner.

Harley’s cover usurping will continue throughout this month brought to you by various artists including, Amanda Conner, Francis Manapul, and Cliff Chiang. So don’t miss out on the Mistress of Mayhem’s special month and bag yourself a couple of Harley covers, you know you want to!