Batman in the Forties [Paperback]

Various (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A companion to previous volumes of classic Batman stories of the fities, sixties, and seventies, this collection culls from the Caped Crusader's earliest adventures. The 17 selections include such milestones as Batman's first appearance in May 1939, the two-page story of his origins from November 1939, and the 1940 introduction of his young partner, Robin, an innovation that lightened the series' grim tone and set the stage for its long-running success. Other stories feature early appearances by some of Batman's most renowned arch-enemies: the Joker, Catwoman, and Two-Face. Although every story sports the contractually obligated signature of Batman creator Bob Kane, the artwork is by a variety of ghosts with wildly differing styles, which makes the collection something of a mixed bag. Most compelling are the earliest stories; crude as they are, their naive verve and raw directness remain effective. The moody, pulp-magazine-inspired style of Batman's first years soon gave way to the slicker, blander look that characterized his comics until revisionist artists and writers returned to his noir roots three decades later. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401202063
• ISBN-13: 978-1401202064
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.5 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Entertaining, January 6, 2005

By 

Batman fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Batman in the Forties (Paperback)

This book contains 17 stories. I found it fun to read, and gave a lot of insight on Batman and Robin were created, and includes the first appearance of Batman. My favorite thing about Batman is the super villians, so here are the stories and which notable super villians are in them. (Penguin seems to be the only big one not in this book):

"Case of the Chemical Syndicate:
"Origin"
"Robin the Boy Wonder"
"The People vs. Batman"
"The Origin of Batman"
"The Joker Follows Suit" (Joker)
"Penny Plunders"
"1000 Secrets of the Batcave"
"Alfred Armchair Detective"
"Bruce Wayne Loses Guardienship of Dick Grayson"
"Clocks of Doom" (Clock King)
"Your Face is Your Fortune" (Catwoman)
"The Scoop of the Century" (Mad Hatter)
"Clayface Walks Again"(Clayface)
The End of Two-Face" (Two-Face)
"Half-Man Half-Monster" (Two-Face)

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE NOSTALGIC 40'S OF BATMAN, January 13, 2005

By 

Tim Janson (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Batman in the Forties (Paperback)

This 192 page trade paperback collects several Batman's stories from the true golden age of the 1940's. Written mainly by Bill Finger who NEVER got the credit he deserved and died poor and art by Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, Dick Sprang, George Roussos, Jack Burnley and others. It includes stories from Batman issues: #7, 15, 20, 31, 37, 47, 48, 49, Detective Comics #27, 33, 38, 49, 80, Real FAct Comics #5, Star Spangled Comics #70, and World's Finest Comics #30. 17 stories in all.

You'll see the first appearance of Batman, Robin, the Joker, Catwoman, Two-Face, and other notables. One notable exclusion is the first appearance of Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's longt-ime butler.

Those unfamiliar with comics in the 1940's may be somewhat put off by the more simplistic art of the era, but this is really the essence of Batman, a very dark character who actually once used handguns among his various weapons. But the fact is that unless you are quite wealthy the only way you'll ever see these great old stories are in collected volumes like this and I think DC deserves a lot of credit for not letting the golden age fade away.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars batman in the forties, January 17, 2005

By 

shoo-shoo (spfld mass) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Batman in the Forties (Paperback)

the book was good and fun to read.
it was great reading the old stuff again
but the reason i gave it 4 stars was
1. i was hoping to read more dark stories of
batman when he first started before robin.
2. i dont think the stories were in the right order,
one story alfred was skinny then the next alfred was heavy.
3. villians was not as evil(only clayface).
other than that for the price it was a fun book.