After Kevin Conroy passed away, a lot of people posted the death of Ace, from Justice League Unlimited episode "Epilogue," as one of his finest moments; as well as a character-defining scene for Batman. There's a deeply compassionate core to Batman, that's not seen as often as maybe it should be. And re-reading this issue, I wonder if it inspired that scene: from 1991, Detective Comics #638, "The Bomb" Written by Peter Milligan, pencils by Jim Aparo, inks by Mike DeCarlo. Cover by Scott Hampton.
On a deeply secret military base, a group of commandos free the Bomb, later described by a military attaché to Batman as "Oppenheimer's monster on two legs." A mute genetic freak, with the ability to psychokinetically cause explosions, the attaché really tries to sell it as a monster, and there is a massive explosion at a Gotham bus station, but there are also gaping holes in his story; and Batman realizes the attaché has the one creeping him out.
Following a string of small explosions to their hideout, Batman frees the Bomb from the commandos, who had intended to force it to explode if they didn't get their ransom: one had gone crazy, possibly as a result of spending too much time with the Bomb. She then removes her protective suit, revealing herself as a rather slight girl, who was unwilling to use her powers to harm anyone, and surprisingly understanding about the army's wish to study her. But, the army also blew up the bus station, to convince Batman that the Bomb was a menace.
Bats manages to get the Bomb out of Gotham, but knows she was going to have to go back into containment. He promises to get her better treatment, as a person; but the Bomb requests just a morning outside, in the sun. Luring the attaché away, Batman has to fight a helicopter from his glider, but manages to take him down. Still, the pilot tells him the Bomb wasn't just locked up for their protection: she needed her suit and various drugs to protect herself, probably an immune system, Boy in the Plastic Bubble situation. Batman returns to the Bomb--Rebecca--who dies happy, at peace.
It kind of feels like 200 years since I read any, but Detective Comics was, for me, for a long time, "my" Batman book.
I read it from Detective #589, and while the Grant/Breyfogle team was my favorite, Milligan and Aparo had some standouts there: we saw #629, "The Hungry Grass!" some time back. Although, looking at the covers, I don't recall #643, "Library of Souls!" We'll have to look into that...
Aww, this one is definitely a classic. It HAD to have inspired that episode right? Just seems too similar to not be. Also makes you wonder tho, as Batman was hard-pressed for time, would asking the JLA for help have helped save her? Probably not, as I bet even Superman might've had a hard time fixing the situation, which leads to wonder exactly how HE'D have handled this scenario.
Definitely agree with you that Grant/Breyfogle was the best Batman team of post-Crisis DC (not counting the Batman Adventures teams) and I followed them over to Batman after their Detective run and then Grant over to Shadow of the Bat. Not so sure about Milligan but Wolfman/Aparo was pretty good too, surprisingly (more of a surprise about Wolfman than Aparo). I'll say this- the Batman titles were more often decent to good for longer than almost any other title that made it through Crisis.
I could just me in a mood right now, but I could say Superman actually making things worse. Like, trying to take 'heroic' measures to save her life; but not with any quality of life that she would appreciate.
And H, definitely keep an eye out for the Milligan issues: 'Tec #630, "And the Executioner Wore Stiletto Heels" is another good one-and-done.
Eh, I've read it and a few other Milligan issues and it didn't do much for me. Everything feels a bit gratuitous. Honestly, most of the British writers that came over around then don't do much for me in their American works- their British stuff is much better.
You’re probably right there Goo. Superman being almost obsessed with saving life would probably make things worse compared to Batman who would hate the outcome but be more in favor of mercy for said person.
Aww, this one is definitely a classic. It HAD to have inspired that episode right? Just seems too similar to not be. Also makes you wonder tho, as Batman was hard-pressed for time, would asking the JLA for help have helped save her? Probably not, as I bet even Superman might've had a hard time fixing the situation, which leads to wonder exactly how HE'D have handled this scenario.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with you that Grant/Breyfogle was the best Batman team of post-Crisis DC (not counting the Batman Adventures teams) and I followed them over to Batman after their Detective run and then Grant over to Shadow of the Bat. Not so sure about Milligan but Wolfman/Aparo was pretty good too, surprisingly (more of a surprise about Wolfman than Aparo). I'll say this- the Batman titles were more often decent to good for longer than almost any other title that made it through Crisis.
ReplyDeleteI could just me in a mood right now, but I could say Superman actually making things worse. Like, trying to take 'heroic' measures to save her life; but not with any quality of life that she would appreciate.
ReplyDeleteAnd H, definitely keep an eye out for the Milligan issues: 'Tec #630, "And the Executioner Wore Stiletto Heels" is another good one-and-done.
Eh, I've read it and a few other Milligan issues and it didn't do much for me. Everything feels a bit gratuitous. Honestly, most of the British writers that came over around then don't do much for me in their American works- their British stuff is much better.
ReplyDeleteYou’re probably right there Goo. Superman being almost obsessed with saving life would probably make things worse compared to Batman who would hate the outcome but be more in favor of mercy for said person.
ReplyDelete