Customer Reviews

Batman Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions)

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I strongly suggest you read the other reviews because they give great insight about this volume and how batman is depicted. I will not recount what the other reviewers have already stated, but I will give a synopsis of what to expect from this archive collection:

1. It reprints the Batman stories of Detective Comics #27-50
2. Issue #27 marks the debute of The Bat-Man and Bruce Wayne's friend Comissioner James Gordon; Batman drives a red car.
3. Issue #28 shows Batman gloveless as his costume goes through different incarnations early in the series.
4. In a two-part story, Dr. Death debutes in #29 & 30 as Batman's first recurring Bat-villain.
5. Issue #31 introduces Bruce Wayne's fiance--an actress by the name of Julie Madison; Batman utilizes the Batarang and the Bat-Gyro for the first time.
6. Issue #32 has Batman using a gun for the first time in order to shoot a silver bullet into a vampire---The Monk.
7. Issue #33 introduces the origin of the Batman for the first time and is later reprinted in Batman #1; Bruce Wayne is shown going into a secret laboratory where he stores his Bat-costume inside a trunk; The car Batman uses begins to change but is still red.
8. Issue #34 shows Batman murdering a criminal while he rescues a female hostage.
9. Issue #35 features Batman sporting a blue convertible.
10. Issue #36 marks the debute of Professor Hugo Strange and his perverted interest in torture as he brandishes a whip against the bound and suspended Batman.
11. Issue #37 shows Batman's car changing once again, but maintaining the blue hue; Batman dons night-vision gogggles; a promo for a Professor Hugo Strange story is promised next issue, but is printed in Batman #1 instead.
12. Issue #38 spotlights "The Sensational Character Find of 1940... Robin-The Boy Wonder!"
13. Issue #40: Batman and Robin meet Clayface (Basil Karlo) and try to solve this murder mystery before he kills Julie Madison.
14. In what is considered Robin's first solo adventure, Issue #41 still features Batman aiding the Boy Wonder in wrapping up the case.
15. Issue #44 features the Dynamic Duo's first imaginary story.
16. After first appearing in Batman #1, The Joker makes his return in Detective Comics #45; The Batplane is reintroduced with a new look.
17. Issue #46 brings back Professor Hugo Strange, but ends in his apparent death.
18. Issue #47: For the first time, we see Batman enter a deserted barn that leads into a secret cavern underneath Wayne Manor.
19. Issue #48 houses Batman's car (now red again) inside the deserted barn.
20. Issue #49 After acquiring fame as an actress, Julie Madison changes her name to Portia Storme and breaks off the engagement to playboy Bruce wayne. But Clayface returns and wants revenge on the actress.

This is a fascinating volume in that it shows the first couple of years of Batman stories from Detective Comics. It begins with his first appearance as well as containing his origin story in a later issue and the first appearance of Robin the Boy Wonder. Bob Kane's Batman as portrayed in Batman Archives Volume 1 is a very dark creation at first. The violence is quite intense as Batman's foes end up being pierced through, necks broken or falling to their deaths, if not actually shot with the gun Batman sometimes carried at his side. This level of violence was already decreasing when the garishly garded Robin made his appearance and is gone by the end of this Volume. The villains include Dr. Death, Hugo Strange, the Joker and Clayface, along with a vampire and the usual suspects of assorted crime bosses. There is a nice gothic feel to many of the stories and drawings, with the exception of a fantasy story involving giants and tiny people which looks forward to the idiotic mess of stories that will haunt the Batman comics in the 1950's. At any rate, this is a great volume to begin a look at the origin and development of an icon, as well as being entertaining itself.

Here it is, Bat-fans: the very first stories ever published of Bat-Man (as his name was originally spelled), back from Detective Comics #27-52. These stories gave birth to the character who, along with Superman, is the most enduring and easily identifiable hero in the comic book genre, and possibly in American pop culture. In this collection (beautifully restored and in a solid binding) you get to see the first appearances of Batman, Robin, Clayface, and an early appearance of the Joker. The quality of comic writing today is, on the whole, much different today than it was 60 years ago. But this collection in Batman Archives represents some of the all-time best and most influential comic stories ever told from the Golden Age of comics. Frank Miller (in "Year One" and "The Dark Knight Returns") did not "redefine" Batman as a dark, gritty antihero; he returned Batman to his roots, and you can see the original Dark Knight in these early stories by Kane and Finger. Excellent storytelling. If you want to see how Batman began, you can't do better than this.

One clarification: unless DC Comics corrected this in later printings, "Batman Archives" refers to the reprints of Detective 27-52. The subsequent "Dark Knight Archives" refers to Batman 1-4 (i.e., if you buy "Batman Archives," you're really buying "Detective Comics" reprints.)

What we have here is Batman Archives volume 1. A book that collects "Detective Comic"s #27-50 which include the first appereances of Batman (#27), Robin (#38) and Clayface (#40) and features a very early Joker story as well (#45). This is a Batman who is labelled 'pre-crisis' now (see "Crisis on Infinite Earths") and is said to not be exactly the same Batman that's in comics in the present, a Batman who isn't affraid to use any sort of violence (including murder !) to get the job done. What we see is Batman dealing almost exclusively with common criminals in very harsh ways and acting as the avenging detective. Extravagant villains like he later faced (Pinguin, Riddler etc.) aren't really an issue here yet, despite of that single Joker story. There's some remarkably solid storytelling going on here though, especially for the day and age these stories were first published (unlike a lot of other comic-titles in that period of time which mostly were very corny). The art isn't very great and a little confusing at times (there isn't a lot of difference in facial expressions, the two expressions you see almost all the time are "intrigued" and "shocked"), but it's sufficient. In conclussion I can say that it's a very nice collection for Batman completists AND for people who like to see how it al began and how the character evolved over the (more than 60 !) years. But it isn't really neccesary reading for people who are looking for great Batman stories. In that case you're better of getting something like "Batman: Gothic", "Batman: Prey", "The Long Halloween", "Joker: Devil's Advocate" or the obvious "Return of the Dark Knight" by Frank Miller.

People who DO love this trip in nostalgia will also have a good time with "The Dark Knight Archives", "The Greatest Joker Stories ever Told", "The Greatest Batman Stories ever Told" and the more recent "Batman: Strange Apparitions".

How can anyone explain Batman's longevity? He first appeared in Detective Comics in May of 1939, and this very year, 2005, saw another major motion picture release featuring Batman (complete with sequel set-up). Apart from movies, Batman has starred in countless comic books and strips, television shows, and numerous toys and other ancillary products. America doesn't seem able to tire of this character approaching the 70-year mark. Why?

Some of the answers get revealed in this incredible archival volume containing the first Batman stories ever printed. Running from May 1939 to April 1941, readers can see the entire Batman mythology unfold before their eyes. In the very first issue we find out Batman's true identity (or, more accurately, we find out what Bruce Wayne does after the sun goes down). Not only that, Batman's dual nature lays out before us immediately. He shows no mercy to criminals as he uses the very tools they use to gain their ends: fear and brute force. In essence, Batman fights fire with fire. Running through this story is an unbearable tension: we root for Batman because he stands for justice, but he doesn't necessarily represent the law (once, when the police bust in on him he shouts "The Law!" as if he himself stood outside of it). He punches cops and security guards. He tresspasses knowingly. in short, Batman represents the "just" vigilante. Someone who has their own agenda and uses whatever means they can to fulfill it. The main difference between Batman and the criminals is that the results Batman obtains fall on the side of justice. The crooks and criminals often have stealing, kidnapping, and murder on their minds. With an equal passion, and with similar methods, Batman rushes to stop them. To top it all off, Batman does not posess supernatural powers (unlike Superman who debuted a year before in 1938). Any of us mere human mortals, given the resources and strength, could potentially become the Batman. Superman stands far outside of our current human thresholds. But Batman? Batman could live next door.

Surely the above accounts for at least some of Batman's seeming immortality. The original comics contained in this book speak volumes about the lure of the character. They have elements of 1930s drama (and sometimes melodrama, but it's the comics, after all), plenty of evil villians (some of which do seem supernatural, or who use technology to obtain their strength; Batman must be equally matched; he wouldn't carry as much fascination if he only went around beating up pick-pockets), strange murders, schemes, and plots. These stories and their corresponding artwork provide pure entertainment, and even some food for thought, even today.

Bob Kane's early artwork maintains its mystique. Though technically less proficient than the artwork of Batman's later years, Kane's treatment gives Batman an otherworldly look and feel. The extremely pointy cowel and nose, and the more angular cape make Batman look more sinister and mysterious than in later years. Batman's appearance begins to change in 1940, and then continuously morphs to the Batman look of the 1950s and 1960s. Others still continue to redefine his look, but more recently artists have returned to the early Batman's more sinister look a la Bob Kane (the Batman from the 1960s tv show looked anything but sinister).

This volume not only introduces Batman, but Robin, Commissioner Gordon, Clayface, the Monk, the Batmobile (which was originally a red-colored car of the era), the "Bat Plane" (originally called "the Batgyro"), the "Batarang", as well as the terms "The Dark Knight", and "The Dynamic Duo". Bruce Wayne's fiancee, a movie actress named Julie, breaks up with him because she wants him to "do something with his life" (a sacrifice that Bruce Wayne accepts almost to a preistly degree - don't look for too much lovin' or any sexual innuendoes in these comics). The Joker appears but not for the first time. Many milestones of comics history appear in this 300-page book.

These comics will be of interest to any Batman fan, or historian of the comics. Check it out to see how Batman really began.

This collection is simply wonderful. It contains, in a single volume, all of the earliest Batman stories from Detective Comics, many of which are difficult to find these days. Having each of these in a single book makes it well worth the price. You get the very first Batman story, the Case of the Chemical Syndicate. Also contained is the classic Batman story featuring "The Monk". Also included are early appearances of The Joker, the first appearance of Dr. Hugo Strange, the first appearance of Robin, and the first appearance of Clayface.

The writing and the art is crude by todays standards, but this was the standard of the day for Superhero comics. This book also features a different kind of Batman than most are accustomed to seeing. While he is still grim and dark, as he has been since the 1980's, the Batman featured in these stories not only takes lives, but at times seems to revel in it. He also uses firearms, and even carries a holstered pistol on his utility bet.

You also see the evolution of the batsuit. Originally, his gloves were only wriust length, and at times he did not even wear gloves. Also features are the first bat vehicles (the batplane was the first vehicle with a bat-prefix, and Batman has a variety of different cars, but none of them are referred to as a batmobile at this time.)

The stories themselves are not campy, as some might expect, but have a sort of E.C. horror and suspense tone. The stories were inspired by the pulp fiction of the era, rather than being "superhero" adventure tales.

I don't know why the previous reviewer bought the wrong book, I suppose he got confused or Amazon displayed the wrong review on the wrong page. By looking at the back of the book (at least Volume One) you can clearly see which issues are reprinted. Anyways, on with the review.

You won't find the best storytelling in this book, nor art to rival Brian Bolland or Kelley Jones. But you will fulfill that aching need you have to see how it all began. You'll see the original Batman casually killing criminals left and right. You'll see Robin with the sling that would later be taken up by Tim Drake, even if his costume was abandoned. You'll see the bright red Batmobile. You'll see Batman spouting awful quips and grinning as he beats crooks silly. You'll see images recognizable to any fan from any decade in Batman's origin story. Best of all, you'll finally find out why Batman has that red hood and the red idol in the Batcave. (Though I suspect the idol is a replica, and the original was returned to the proper authorities.)

If you want to read a bit about the creation of this book, pick up a copy of LOTDK #1. It can be had pretty cheaply. Or, I suppose there's more detailed histories given elsewhere, but I really don't know where.

The BATMAN ARCHIVES VOLUME ONE, the first and thickest volume of the series,reprints the stories that appeared in DETECTIVE COMICS 27-50, covering a nearly 2 year period (1939-41)BATMAN begins (ouch!) as a series about a "winged", vampiric avenger of the night who is pursued by the police for his vigilanteism, but after the appearance of Robin, the Boy Wonder, he starts to resemble the "Caped Crusader" who was portrayed on television by Adam West. Although none of the popular villains appear in this volume (except the Joker's single appearance performing a "death serenade") it does contain my favorite period of the Dark Knight's publishing history...the very beginning, when the Bob Kane Studio produced the stories, with minimum involvement from the DC Comics editors.

Generally, like some of the newspaper strip cartoonists of the period, Bob Kane had a staff. He had his own writer (BILL FINGER,whom many feel is The Batman's unofficial "co- creator")as well as art assistants who would help him with inking and lettering. During this period, the staff was restricted to SHELDON MOLDOFF, JERRY ROBINSON (the Creator of the Joker concept)and GEORGE ROUSSOS. Future JUSTICE LEAGUE writer GARDNER FOX does make an appearance, temporarily substituting for Mr. Finger,where he contributed the BATGYRO (precursor to the BATPLANE) and the UTILITY BELT to the bat-mythos. But the stars of this edition are BOB KANE and BILL FINGER at their very best...

As far as plotting went,apart from wanting certain things to appear in a script they talked over, Kane generally gave Bill Finger free reign. After Mr. Finger began working directly for DC, he recieved greater editorial supervision which led him to concentrate on plot development. Now, while this yielded more interesting stories, it was at the expense of his rich prose that he either voluntarily or was forced to streamline.In the stories found in BATMAN ARCHIVES VOL ONE,we experience Mr. Finger's work "uncut" and "unplugged", dazzling the reader with the literary acroBATics that were rare for the "Golden Age" comic books. Bob Kane generally wanted the series to have mystery and action and there is PLENTY of that here!

As for the distinguished Mr. Kane, it has been said that he was merely the figurehead and the art got better after others started drawing the series; I have never agreed with this. The art got slicker--not "better". Bob Kane was first and foremost--a cartoonist and he never forgot that. Inspired by movies,pulp magazines and other cartoonists, Kane exhibits in this book, a bravura spirit that dared to try anything, often going beyond his skill level to give his drawings a sense of drama and action that influenced the many who followed him. From the heady spookiness at the beginning of the book, to the "derring do" in the second half, in his storytelling, Kane understood what we readers wanted and he made sure we got it!

If you want to see more of the famous villains, give the DARK KNIGHT ARCHIVES a looksee. But if you want to see how a legend (and a franchise) was born, then you've just got to have BATMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 1! CAUTION: THE READING OF THIS HANDSOME VOLUME WHILE EATING PIZZA OR POTATO CHIPS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITIVE!

This book is awesome if you are a batman fan. It has four of his early story including his origin. This book also has the origin of the joker and catwoman. This book do not include the very first batman appearance story.

If you like Batman the movie and my review on Batman the movie and you haven't read the first comic book of Batman this is the book for you. It has the first 24 Batman comics. In the first one you will find out how great an action hero Batman really is. In the second one you will find out how good of a detective Batman really is. In the third one you will meet Batman's first arch villain and so on and so on. Then to top it all off in the middle of the book Robin the boy wonder is introduced as Batman's aid and best friend. This book comes in mighty handy for example your parents tell you to stop watching TV and playing games and go and read, well this will come in handy. If your in a long road trip or going on vacation on a long plane ride this book will come in handy. In school you can put this baby in front of your boring textbook and read it instead. Or your electricity is out, you could read this until your city power plant says "I GIVE YOU LIGHT"! so enjoy!