I know it's Monday morning Jim, but geez.

The Genesis wave is a tsunami of depression pummeling earth--that's not the Genesis wave from Star Trek II, but from the crossover of the same name that was also a tsunami of depression. You might think that would barely move the needle of gloom in Gotham, but it's actually getting hit hard, in today's book: from 1997, Batman #547, "Dark Genesis" Written by Doug Moench, pencils by Kelley Jones, inks by John Beatty.

I make a bit of fun, but I liked this single crossover issue more than anything else I've read from that one: while Batman and Oracle know the cause of this crushing despair is external rather than internal, that doesn't make it any easier to fight. Batman convinces Oracle spreading the word might help some people, maybe, and rekindle some hope. She wishes she could get out of her chair and do something, before realizing she could reach the world from her keyboard. Also in a deep existential dilemma: Detective Bullock, since his beloved donut place is too down to make a fresh batch. It's an easy joke, but there's a little more to it: Verda Mae may be the only non-cop human interaction he has, and her donuts among the very few pleasures in Bullock's life. Well, OK, he enjoys a smoke and being a slob too, I guess. But when a hostage situation calls in, Bullock has to talk down a frightened, lost man; in part by admitting he feels it too. The only thing to do, is keep pushing. Bullock also delivers a surprisingly anti-gun turn: it's up to the reader if he really feels that, or if that was just a tactic; but it seems heartfelt.

While Batman saves a woman from almost attempting suicide, other cast members reach out to each other: Commissioner Gordon and Sarah Essen; Vesper Fairchild calls Wayne Manor but is just as happy to hear Alfred. Although things look their darkest, maybe if everyone tries we'll all get through. And maybe things aren't that dark, since "Next: the Penguin returns in 'Burning Faces'"

Fighting depression isn't as easy as this, but you're not alone: there is nothing wrong in feeling that way, or in taking any help you can. I'm almost positive I would've bought this issue back in '97, since I think Kelley Jones kept my interest here until the Cataclysm Bat-Quake crossover. Man, I think I bagged out on a lot of Bat-crossovers, even if I was regularly reading a couple of the books.