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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Batman classics
Review: I'm not certain why DC decided to jump ahead in its Batman Archives from Golden Age to Silver Age, creating fourth Batman series, in addition to "Batman Archives" (covering Golden Age Batman stories from "Detective Comics", Batman's original title), "Batman: the Dark Knight Archives" (collecting the Golden Age "Batman" series), and "Batman: the World's Finest Comics" (covering the Golden Age stories in "World's Finest"). This volume differs in that it collects stories starting in 1963 (jumping from Batman vol 5 which ends in 1947), and it features a mix of issues of "Batman" and "Detective Comics".I suspect this decision stems from the nature of the stories in "Dynamic Duo". This was a "break-point" in the Batman mythos. While Batman had been a hit from the minute he appeared in 1939, in the fifties, do to (in retrospect) poor editorial decisions prodded by the anti-comics hoopla of the time, Batman had become pretty watered down. While there was some goofiness in the early going, most of Batman's stories were pretty grim and violent, with Batman battling thieves, thugs, and murderers. But in the fifties, Batman and Robin ran around in daylight, battling such menaces as the Beast from 19 feet below the sea etc. The mystery was taken out, and Ace the Bat-hound was put in. This approach had worked quite well with Superman. By all accounts, it failed miserably with Batman. Thus, by the early sixties, Batman was on the verge of cancellation. Enter Julius Schwartz and company, who'd dones an excellent job of re-animating many of DC's stable of heroes. And the first order of business was to make Batman a detective again. And they succeeded admirably. Now, not every story in this collection is a gem. Nor did they completely return Batman to his dark roots. At least one giant sci-fi monster makes an appearance, and the Joker, the only major villain to appear, is still a little more goofy than homicidal. But, having read some of the fifties silliness, these stories are a vast improvement. Perhaps the most important change to the status quo is the death of Alfred the butler, killed while saving the Dynamic Duo. This story, while touching, and showing that the new team meant business, also is problematic, as our heroes are given about a page to grieve the loss of this important character. Whatever the reasons DC decided to bring out this edition earlier than expected, I am glad that they did. The stories have a great exuberence and a certain level of depth (not a huge amount, but it's there) of character and plot development not found in the Golden Age stuff. Heck even the big monster story, "The Man Who Quit the Human Race", about a scientist who evolves several millenia physically and mentally, is great fun, and still involves Batman and Robin using they're detective skills to defeat the monster. Another favorite story, along with Alfred's death and the evolving man, is the "Two-way Deathtrap", in which Bruce Wayne has a recurring nightmare about being trapped in water, surrounded by smooth walls, and guns on each side, a trap he cannot escape. When a gang of crooks discovers this dream they immediately put the trap together. Batman falls into it. Naturally, he escapes, but just how he escapes is the key to the success of this story. In conclusion, I can't recommend this collection too enthusiastically. It's a real treat for Batman fans, comic fans, and pop culture fans. Be sure to pick it up, and hopefully, DC will continue this series for the foreseeable future. And not to worry Golden Age fans; "Batman: Dark Knight Archives" vol 4 is scheduled to hit comic stores later in July. Now, if they'd only star collecting the Batman team-up stories from "The Brave and the Bold" . . .
Rating:
Summary: The best deal in years!!
Review: If you want to read the original comics be prepared to fork out thousands of $$$ or buy them here. These are classic and a must have for anyone who wants to see Batman in the Golden Age.
Rating:
Summary: The best deal in years!!
Review: If you want to read the original comics be prepared to fork out thousands of $$$ or buy them here. These are classic and a must have for anyone who wants to see Batman in the Golden Age.
Rating:
Summary: The "New Look" Batman
Review: This collection contains the first issues of the re-invented Batman of the early sixties, a brief period in the Batman mythos between the "science fiction" oriented Batman of the 50's and the all too soon camp craze brought on by the TV version.
Visually, the changes were minor - a large yellow oval appeared around Batman's trademark bat symbol on his chest (making an excellent target, btw, but I digress...). The Batmobile became the familiar sleek model, the Bat Cave took on it's modern look with the Bat-poles and the exit in the side of a hill, etc.
But the greatest change was the first real attempt to return Batman to his roots, as the Worldest Greatest Detective. Gone (more or lees) were the adventures with monsters and aliens more suited for Superman. Instead, the emphasis was on stories that revolved around Batman's invsetigative and deductive skills. Colorful criminals with exotic names and motifs were given less weight while clever felons committing baffling crimes were the new staple.
Now these tales reprinted here are not the "grim and gritty" Dark Knight of current years. Not an angst-filled panel in the book. But they still are fun and nostalgic slices of the Batman legend. Especially for those of us who first read these 4 color wonders as children.
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