By Svetlana Fedotov
As I’m sure most of you realize, the comics I review are but a small percentage of the comics I actually read. I read a LOT of comics, all kinds too! Superhero, horror, fantasy, love manga , indie comics about sad dudes in France, comics FROM France, what have you. So, my dear readers, what has this fiendishly feverish mind, starved for entertainment from the four panel world, been reading lately? A lot of Batman. More specifically Batman ’66 and Batman Zero Year.
While both may share the Caped Crusader, the adventures, attitude, and even the Dark Knight himself differ drastically between the two versions. One brooding and fresh faced, the other light hearted and experienced, both tales prove that we just can’t get enough the mysterious billionaire.
Batman ’66: Vol 2
So, I’m a bit behind on my Batman ‘66’s seeing as how a third volume comes out next month, but the good thing about the series is that it’s mostly one-shot stories. I’m not missing much in terms of catching up. Modeled after the classic sixties Batman show, this feel-good, wacky comic is currently on issue #55 which, if you remember, is the second part of the Dynamic Duo’s run in with Lord Death Man. Penned by Jeff Parker and illustrated by various artists, Batman ’66 shows a less serious side of Batman while harnessing the over-the-top energy of Adam’s West acting and volume two brings out all the stops! Russian villainess’s, look-a-like Alfred’s, corny riddles, and Joker’s big, fat, hairy mustache! Non-stop action and non-stop giggles await you.
I am absolutely loving Batman ’66 and with the single issue being online only, it’s way cheaper than your standard printed comic. It perfectly captures the goofiness of the original show while still having surprisingly original content. I’m not going to lie, I haven’t seen much of the show, but I feel like after reading this, I think I got the gist of it. Parker managed to keep everything intact, from the shark repellent to the silly outfits to Robin’s holy shout-outs. The art varies from person to person, but it’s solid across board. From Ted Naife’s indie splash to David Williams frozen freaky wonderland that is Mr. Freeze, each artist put in his own touch to the growing pathos of early Batman. If you’re sick of superheroes being so damned serious, this is the comic for you. If not, well, read on.
Batman Vol. 5: Zero Year-Dark City
In case you haven’t been following the Scott Snyder Batman series, it’s gotten so deep that the series now needs three subheadings to figure out where you are. Currently, the series is on the fifth volume with the Zero Year story arc re-telling the origins of Batman. Dark City is the second graphic novel of a three part story arc (parts two and three are included in this book). You with me? You should be, because it’s awesome. Sure, retellings of Batman’s origins rear up their ugly heads every few years, *cough* Gotham *cough*, the Zero Year story arc has definitely been one of the better ones, especially when the crazy shows up.
This particular story is set six years prior to the main storyline. Gotham has gone dark and a young Batman must traverse the dangers of blackened city to the Riddler, who plans on taking advantage of the electrical outage and killing everyone that moves. But it’s not only Mr. Nigma who’s looking to spread some chaos and as deformed bodies start to pile up, a new monster is unleashed on to the streets. Will the new Batman be able to save the city or will his inexperience cause the death of thousands?
The Zero Year arc has got to be one of the grittiest, darkest Batman takes I’ve seen in a while. The monster design of Batman’s newest foe is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in the Dark Knight universe. Let’s just say, lots of teeth. Snyder continues doing what he does best and that’s flip everything on its head. You really feel for the young Wayne as he learns that all the training in the world cannot prepare for a Gotham after dark. Running from crime scene to crime scene, dodging cops the whole while, we get flashes of his past with his parents and the hard sense of loss that he carries with him. Now, unlike Batman ’66, you would probably have to at least get volume 4 to catch up with the story arc, but it’s definitely worth it. Snyder once again proves why he’s the reason Batman was created.