Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Batman: The Dynamic Duo - Archives, Volume 1 by Bob Kane ISBN: 1-56389-932-9 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 March, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $49.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent Batman classics
Comment: 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: 5
Summary: The best deal in years!!
Comment: 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.
 |
Title: Batman: The Dark Knight Archives, Vol. 4 by Various ISBN: 1563899833 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $49.95 |
 |
Title: Challengers of the Unknown Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) by Dave Wood, Jack Kirby ISBN: 1563899973 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
 |
Title: Atom, The - Archives, Volume 2 by Gardner Fox ISBN: 1401200141 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $49.95 |
 |
Title: The Adam Strange Archives - Volume 1 by Gardner Fox ISBN: 1401201482 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $49.95 |
 |
Title: Batman: The World's Finest Comics - Archives, Volume 1 by Bob Kane ISBN: 1563898195 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $49.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
