This week, one of the defining writers of DC Comics in the 80s and early 90s will turn 75 years old. John Ostrander has a storied career over more than 40 years. He created an indy hit with his creator owned mercenary, Grimjack, and wrote some of the best received Star Wars comics ever. His…
It’s been a while, but we’re back reading the three series/runs that we have been following (mostly) in order. In “No Man’s Land,” both Batman and Jim Gordon make some choices that definitely won’t come back to bite them on the butt. In the Morrison run, they investigate ethics in vigilantism and Jason Todd’s hair…
Batman receives startling revelations about how long Joker has known about Zur-En-Arrh and who has been manipulating the rivalry between Batman and Joker for years. With this knowledge, Batman is more committed than ever to escaping Zur’s prison and stopping the rogue robot before it can further destroy his reputation and his family. “Dark Prisons”…
The law of diminishing returns is often true. It’s like that movie with Michael Keaton, Multiplicity (See, already brought it around to Batman!), the more times you tell a story, the more diluted or off it becomes. We have seen this proven wrong a few times: the newest versions of the Monk, the Monster Men,…
Batman has reached the end of his journey across the sands. Now, all that remains is the last temptation by Dr. Hurt and the Demon Barbatos. Batman must step up and face these dark spirits down to rise from this journey reborn. And in Gotham, the Question finds evidence of the truth she has sought,…
Josh Weil is back, and he’s bringing his favorite character with him. It’s time for Batman to team up again with Ollie Queen, Green Arrow. We’re reading the classic Bob Haney/Neal Adams story where Ollie grows his signature facial hair, a team-up that also includes the Question, and some questionable content involving Poison Ivy. And…
Comic books are, by their very nature, a blended medium. They are a synthesis of words and pictures, and the best ones exist in a space where the two are speaking the same language. Podcasting is an aural medium, told entirely through words and sounds. That is all to say that it’s not always easy…
Damian’s maybe/sorta girlfriend, Flatline the apprentice to Lord Death Man, is in Gotham, and she’s looking for some missing family with Robin’s help. Meanwhile, Batman continues to look into the mystery of Man-Bat and Shush. Batman & Robin #7 is written by Joshua Williamson, drawn by Simone Di Meo, colored by Giovanna Niro and lettered…
And hey, did you miss the past couple episodes because of the issues here in the site? Well, here are the links: Episode 124: Ice Fetishizaton with three origins of Mr. Freeze Episode 125: Inside Under the Red Hood with three stories featuring Jason Todd, including “Under the Red Hood” In this week’s BatChat column, we…
After hearing Joker’s tale, Batman is determined to escape the prison Zur has left him in. And Zur is out, in the body of Failsafe, claiming to be Batman and enforcing his new form of justice. “Dark Prisons” begins in Batman #145, written by Chip Zdarsky, drawn by Jorge Jimenez, colored by Tomeu Morey and…
Jim Gordon is trapped in Gotham Central as the Red Hood Gang makes an audacious play. But also in Central is a factor no one expected: the Joker, who has decided to show his old gang, and its new boss, exactly what he can do. “Joker: Year One” concludes in Batman #144, written by Chip…
Of all of Jack Kirby’s creations at DC, the Fourth World is probably the most well known, the most expansive, and the most ill used by other creators over the years. Some really get the wild cosmic and Shakespearean vibe the King of Comics was putting down. Some don’t and just try to make the…
One of the men who trained Batman has decided it’s time to train his opposite number, so the Joker has a new mentor. Batman and Gordon continue to pursue the Red Hood Gang. And in the future, Joker and Batman barrel toward a final confrontation. “Joker: Year One” continues in Batman #143, written by Chip…
It’s Valentine’s Day week, and I may or may not have forgotten about that when I was scheduling episodes this year. Fortunately, ComicsXF writer and friend of the show Tony Thornley picked some stories that work pretty well for Valentine’s Day. You see, these are all about love: brotherly love, romantic love, and the love…
Surfacing from the river near Ace Chemicals, the Joker stumbles through Gotham, not yet the monster he will become. And in the future, the world has become that very monster. “Joker: Year One” begins in Batman #142, written by Chip Zdarsky, penciled by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Andrea Sorrentino, inked by Stefano Nesi and Sorrentino, colored…