Batman Book Two by Neal Adams (graphic novel review),
‘Batman Book Two’ continues Neal Adams stories from 1969-1971. This time from The Brave And The Bold # 86, Detective Comics # 395, Batman # 219, Detective Comics # 397, 400, 402, 404 and 407, Brave And The Bold # 93, Detective Comics # 408 and 410. The three Man-Bat stories were written by Frank Robbins, the rest by Dennis ‘Denny’ O’Neil, with the exception of, Batman # 219 which was written by Mike Friedrich which was a Christmas story which wouldn’t have been too far out of place in the TV series variant and Detective Comics # 408 by Len Wein and Marv Wolfman.
From Neal Adams’ interviews, he had no say in who his writers were and just luck of the draw (sic). Dick Giordano was his inker for all but one issue where Adams inked himself.
Oddly, the ‘Man-Bat’ stories stand out, purely from the continuity level. Back in the day, you could shuffle a single series of DC Comics and you wouldn’t interfere with continuity. I found it very weird with the first ‘Man-Bat’ story where the gang of crooks use all manner of things to work in the dark and their leader talking ensuring anyone could hear him. Then again, with Man-Bat’s big ears you have to wonder how they kept down under a rubber mask. Only in the comicbooks.
Some odd quirkiness comes up in ‘Brave And The Bold’ story when Commissioner Gordon gives Batman a ticket for a cruise as he’s been over-worked and no one considers that as Bruce Wayne he could probably not only buy his own ticket but the ship itself. Then there’s a little matter of Wayne using his own name and a simple check of the passenger list would tell Gordon who he really is.
Oddly, there is still a more supernatural element added to these stories than I was expecting, probably to remind people the Batman was a creature of the night. What is more significant was that none of Batman’s rogue gallery was used.
Finally, you get a showcase of Neal Adams’ cover art. Someone over there really ought to put together the complete compilation of all his covers into a book.
GF Willmetts
December 2019
(pub: DC Comics 2019. 240 page graphic novel softcover. Price: well, I paid $30.00 (US) for a signed edition, cheaper copies are out there and the cover used above is actually the one used. ISBN: 978-140128-578-4)
check out websites: www.dccomics.com and http://www.nealadamsstore.com/Batman-Illustrated-Vol-2-Soft-Cover–Signed_p_951.html
