Yeah, it's a great little overview/origin/character recap of Batman pre-Crisis, including all the really, really crazy shit that is retconned out now. Like, Joe Chill's mother being Bruce's caretaker as a child (!!!)

Yeah, it's a great little overview/origin/character recap of Batman pre-Crisis, including all the really, really crazy shit that is retconned out now. Like, Joe Chill's mother being Bruce's caretaker as a child (!!!)

Dickishness.

Dickishness.

Oh! I was just looking over my collection of Batman trades to suggest other gateways for newbies and I remembered a really obvious bunch: volumes 1 - 3 of "Batman: Black and White"

Oh! I was just looking over my collection of Batman trades to suggest other gateways for newbies and I remembered a really obvious bunch: volumes 1 - 3 of "Batman: Black and White"

You'll do very well in here.

You'll do very well in here.

It's… an interesting exercise. I'm not really a fan of Johns as of late, but I have to admit it is solidly written. It's not canon to the main comics, so it works in that regard.

It's… an interesting exercise. I'm not really a fan of Johns as of late, but I have to admit it is solidly written. It's not canon to the main comics, so it works in that regard.

Year Two is stupid and poorly done, but I still like looking at the drawings by Davis.

Year Two is stupid and poorly done, but I still like looking at the drawings by Davis.

That issue is pure Morrison-style "this makes no sense at all, but I understand it!". It's crazy and I love it.

That issue is pure Morrison-style "this makes no sense at all, but I understand it!". It's crazy and I love it.

Dini DOES manage to make Hush enjoyable in that story. By basically *doing* something with the character. It's a fun story, and I wouldn't mind if Hush came back as long as they stick to that gimmick for him.

Dini DOES manage to make Hush enjoyable in that story. By basically *doing* something with the character. It's a fun story, and I wouldn't mind if Hush came back as long as they stick to that gimmick for him.

I have to re-read "The Man Who Laughs". I bought it when it came out, and I remember being cool on it, but I really love Brubaker, so I might have just been in a bad mood.

I have to re-read "The Man Who Laughs". I bought it when it came out, and I remember being cool on it, but I really love Brubaker, so I might have just been in a bad mood.

There's no doubt in my mind that it's part satire of the bloated "grim and gritty" shit that he unfortunately spawned. The "yellow room" sequence alone is proof. It's a comedy. Full stop.

There's no doubt in my mind that it's part satire of the bloated "grim and gritty" shit that he unfortunately spawned. The "yellow room" sequence alone is proof. It's a comedy. Full stop.