Wouldn't zombie Bane just be Solomon Grundy?

From 2022, Task Force Z #2, "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow." Written by Matthew Rosenberg, pencils by Eddy Barrows, inks by Eber Ferreira. The cover has the more delightful, "Bane, Bane, go away!"

I am super-not-up on current DC continuity, and I thought this was going to be in the DC zombie DCeased continuity, since I know there were a bunch of spin-offs for it. Nope! This was in regular continuity, and was yet another Jason Todd/Red Hood title. I'm really curious about his sale numbers now, since I feel like he's popular enough he keeps getting new titles, but he's not quite popular enough to maintain them? Or, like Venom in the 90's, everything he gets is designed to be a limited series, so a creative crew can do their story then hand it off. This also appeared to be kind of like something the Amazing Spider-Man books did a bit ago with Clone Conspiracy, namely, bringing back a bunch of dead characters in one go. Here, several have returned to life via the "Lazarus resin," which seems quicker than trundling their corpses all the way to a pit in Tibet or whatever.

So far, Task Force Z hadn't hit the ground running, as Jason nearly gets frozen to death by Mr. Freeze and eaten by the Arkham Knight. (I haven't played that game, I have no idea who that was in continuity!) Bane and Man-Bat had been killed, again; and Jason is barely saved by Bloom. Still, this is just a minor setback, or so his handlers claim: as long as their heads were still intact, they could be revived. Jason tries to tactfully suggest, do they have to? Really? The Arkham Knight, Astrid Arkham, apologizes to Jason for trying to eat him, but explains she can't quit the Force either, as without the resin she'd die. (I think with a full dose or treatment, she might be okay, but the handlers might be stringing them along with partial medication.)

The Force's next mission is pitched to Jason as a meeting, but they find a gathering of the Kobra Kult in an abandoned theatre, which leads to a fight after Man-Bat Leeroy Jenkin's that one. I also don't know how long he's had these, but Jason appears to be using electrified crowbars as his weapon, which...feels like a bit much. Bane is doing pretty well, until he caves in the floor and falls, possibly out of the title; but the Arkham Knight turns out the lights to release another member, the vampire-like Sundowner. The mission's sort-of a win, except Jason gets shot, by the revived corpse of Deadshot! 

I'm not positive how I got this comic--possibly in a pack or something? But, still, it was better than I was anticipating. I like the idea of Jason, who's usually the loose cannon, forced to be the adult in the room with the corpses.

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Oh, guarantee this guy's got a podcast.

I'm used to classic secret identity stories, where the hero has to pretend to be cowardly or incompetent, in order to duck out and change costumes. The cover makes it seem like Batman throws his most trusted friend under the bus, but it's more like Bruce pretending to be disinterested in everything. From 1976, Detective Comics #459, "A Clue Before Dying!" Written by Martin Pasko, art by José Luis García-López.

In theory, all the clues are there, you the reader could figure it out like Batman. Full disclosure, I didn't; but one of the clues is an "odd smell," so good luck. An author has a party for the forthcoming release of his new book, a non-fiction account of the "Dreamhouse Murder," which he's been working on in said dreamhouse. Several people stay over, including Bruce Wayne and Alfred, but when the author is shot dead one witness claims she saw a bald man flee the scene--and Alfred was the only bald guy there! Bruce pretends to not be interested in either the murder or what happens to Alfred, so he can come back as Batman to work the case. Also: the author is shot with his own gun, a silenced revolver; and you can't really do that!

Also this issue: a Man-Bat story, "Scream of the Gargoyle!" Written by Marty Pasko, art by Pablo Marcos. In a creepy cathedral moved stone-by-stone from Europe--who keeps moving those damn things? Man-Bat has to fight Dr. Thanatogenos to save himself and his wife from being turned into gargoyles. The bad doctor had thought they had "mystic energy," the thought of which creeps Kirk out.

And another tiny-print Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation; actual number of copies sold nearest to filing date: 386,697. At least that's what the GCD said, I didn't put my glasses on for that... Read more!

If I crash-landed crotch first, I think I'd hold a grudge.

Also, I couldn't say why he's got a face like a terrier, but whatever. From 2016, Harley Quinn and the Suicide Squad April Fools' Special #1, "Evil Anonymous" Written by Rob Williams, pencils by Jim Lee and Sean "Cheeks" Galloway; inks by Scott Williams, Sandra Hope, Richard Friend, and Sean "Cheeks" Galloway.

I got this (cheap, of course!) with a big order of comics from Midtown Comics, and I got the more-cartoony Galloway cover. I thought it would be a larf, wacky Harley hijinks, and there are some; but overall it's a bit darker. A bored and depressed Harley wants a change of direction, and gets one delivered to her door in a sequence resembling scenes from the Exorcist. It's a card and a file for "Evil Anonymous," like Alcoholics Anonymous for baddies. Harl wonders if that's why she became, as she puts it, "colorful," to walk like them, talk like them, in order to help them. Hmm, now who's a super-villain that could use her help? Man-Bat is the unlucky first recipient of Harley's "treatment," picked because he didn't look like a happy camper. Jumping on his back as he flies through Gotham, seemingly minding his own business, Harley crashes Man-Bat in an alley: she takes a pretty good bump on the head, but Man-Bat takes a worse one, reverting back to Kirk Langstrom and looking kind of dead. But, he's not a bat anymore, so yay, he's cured!

Probably concussed, as denoted by the art changing from Jim Lee to Sean Galloway, Harl is on the run from the cops and gets a lift from a mysterious--and noticeably large--benefactor. She wakes up, dressed as a psychiatrist, with an office to match. The next patient for Evil Anonymous arrives, Killer Moth, and Harley decides she can combine her two lives, cure super-villains, get a Nobel Peace Prize, then take over as president of the world. Well, it's no more grandiose than any of Lex Luthor's plans, I guess. She doesn't really question where her patients are coming from, until Poison Ivy suggests she not only "needs the bad," someone set this up with her in mind. In turn, Harley sets Killer Moth up with the next of "the Evil Anonymous Twelve Steps," namely helping someone else. Unfortunately for him, the Scarecrow "isn't quite ready to embrace change," but Harl is able to pick up a tank full of fear gas, which she uses on her patients, since she had learned all their secrets, like where their loot was. Kind of a dick move, and one that gets squashed immediately, by the larger-than-life arrival of the Justice League!

Although furious at the "bullies," Harley doesn't stand a chance, and is quickly straitjacketed up by Green Lantern. She does still give Batman a solid headbutt, though. As she loses consciousness, she tries to ask her subconscious inner voice, hey, who did set all this up, anyway? Amanda Waller, of course; who has Harl strapped into a pretty elaborate looking brainwashing set-up. Worse, apparently separate from that, a Joker hallucination advises Harley that she's going to want to get onboard with whatever Waller has planned, it might be a hoot. Was it all a dream? Does it matter? An off-panel member of the Squad (probably Captain Boomerang) chastises Waller for this particularly egregious violation of personal liberties, but Waller needed Harley motivated for what was coming...
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That's crazy, everyone knows Black Orchid's origin is...um...

Honestly, I'm not sure Black Orchid had a dozen appearances at that point. Did she even appear in Crisis? (Yes!) Well, she's in today's book as well: from 1985, Blue Devil Annual #1, "The Day All Hell Broke Loose" Written by Gary Cohn and Dan Mishkin, pencils by Paris Cullins, inks by Gary Martin and Bill Collins.

Lost and confused, reporter Jack Ryder finds himself being chased by the Man-Bat! Ducking into a mysterious-but-conveniently-open shop, Jack meets both Madame Xanadu, and the Phantom Stranger; who seem to have a little tiff over who has jurisdiction. That doesn't go very far, before Etrigan the Demon also shows up. Meanwhile, in California, Blue Devil is testing some new special effects robots for the upcoming Blue Devil II movie; when of course they start to rampage, courtesy of Felix Faust, who is after something in Dan Cassidy's workshop. BD tries to fight the robots without damaging them--they were $2 million a piece!--before Etrigan shows up to 'help,' smashing them to bits. After a brief encounter with Faust, Etrigan ends up with the bauble he had been looking for, and refers to it as an egg!

Meanwhile, in a cab there, Ryder tells Xanadu his portion of the story: the Creeper and Man-Bat had been taken over by Faust, but changing back into Ryder broke the control. Xanadu and Creeper free Man-Bat, while the Demon is positively drooling at the first egg, which spills out little monsters that he finds delicious. The Stranger gives an enchanted butterfly net to Blue Devil to gather up the creatures; while Xanadu does the same for the Creeper in NYC, but the creatures lump into one big one! Luckily, the Black Orchid arrives to help. Confused, Creeper asks Xanadu about her, and Xanadu dishes the previously unknown origin of the mysterious crimefighter:

The heroes join up in the desert (although, Orchid apparently arrives separately, under her own power) to stop Faust, who takes control of Blue Devil briefly. Black Orchid arrives in time to seemingly drop Faust off a mesa; and BD asks the Stranger about her, so he spills:

Those both seem familiar somehow...After Faust is finally beat, the Creeper suggests maybe they were all there for a reason, and suggests maybe they make the team-up a regular thing. It goes over like the proverbial lead balloon; but the name probably didn't help.

I guess if they had called Justice League Dark "John Constantine's Mystic Punters" that wouldn't have caught on either. Although she would have a few appearances with the Suicide Squad, it would be three more years before Black Orchid would get an origin, courtesy of Neil Gaiman.
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Well, at least now I can use "Destroy all Monsters!" for a post title.

For some reason, I thought this was the last issue of the title, even though the titular heroes don't really appear in it! From 2010, Superman/Batman #67, "Night of the Cure, part two" Story and art by Scott Kolins.

While Solomon Grundy has returned during the Blackest Night crossover, he's not the same Grundy his old pal Bizarro remembers: this black-ringed Grundy is a dick. Bizarro had been trying, in his Bizarro-way, to help his "super-pet" Batty--I mean, Man-Bat! Who was in the process of being corralled by Frankenstein, the Bride, and agents of S.H.A.D.E; as Kirk Langstrom's long-suffering wife Francine had a cure for Man-Bat, if he'll take it.

The monster mash goes all kinds of wrong pretty quickly: Grundy calls out for Bizarro's help, before being decapitated by Frankenstein. That doesn't kill him, and when S.H.A.D.E. fires at the furious Bizarro, Francine is hit by ricochets, giving Man-Bat the chance to become ascendant over Kirk again. Grundy tears out Frankenstein's heart, but seeing the brokenhearted Bride, Bizarro is reminded of Lois, and turns on his old friend, throwing him into the sun. Thinking Francine dead, Man-Bat leaves; and the Bride is surprised Frankenstein survives, since he had two hearts. And Man-Bat and Bizarro fly off alone and traumatized, which is a shame. I'd like them to team up more! If Superman and Batman are the World's Finest team, I'm not sure if they'd be the World's Worst, but it's a start.

Fun issue. Could use more monsters, though...
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Someone's excited about this page...

Um..."fap" of course being a common onomatopoeic representation of bats' wings flapping, and nothing else. Nothing. From 2009, the Outsiders #23, "The Hunt, part 3" Written by Peter J. Tomasi, pencils by Fernando Pasarin, inks by Jay Leisten and Scott Hanna.

Anyway, this issue Katana, Halo and the Creeper are on the trail of Killer Croc, when they run into Man-Bat. For this appearance, Kirk Langstrom had estranged himself from his family to protect them, but was seemingly addicted to being Man-Bat. His wife Francine had been working with the Outsiders, but as Man-Bat he didn't want to go back, and sides with Croc. Croc is eventually captured, but mocks Creeper as a freak, claiming his Jack Ryder persona was going to be submerged until the Creeper was all that's left.

The rest of the Outsiders wait for their friends to come back, since they already have Clayface, but they're surprised by the sudden reappearance of Geo-Force's dead sister, Terra, for the Blackest Night crossover. I forget if this next issue was one where if your comic shop bought a bunch, they got a power ring promo or two. I was also wondering if Katana and the Creeper had really interacted before the New 52 versions, where the Creeper is an evil demon living in Katana's sword and completely excised of fun...

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FCBD Haul!

Hopefully, you dropped some cash at your local comic book store for Free Comic Book Day. At my regular Comic Shop, I got the usual pile of books, and the trade The Strange Deaths of the Batman: I'd only read a single issue of it, and it's entertaining even if it's chock full of imaginary stories, lies, and dream sequences! Sadly, the trade doesn't appear to include the original covers, since I liked Batman #293, in which Lex Luthor claims to have killed Batman, but only as a "waste product" of killing Superman!

Later, at Hastings, I got 30% off the new DC Collectibles Batman: The Animated SeriesMan-Bat, and a pile of trades! Thanos: Infinity Abyss, Ghost: In the Smoke and Din, Star Wars: Empire volume 5, and Star Wars Tales volume 3. (I had much of the later in singles, but it included a Vader vs. Maul issue, and Garth Ennis's "Trooper.") On top of that, got the first three issues of Guardians 3000 and a pile of Batman: Gotham Knights, mostly for the Black & White back-up stories.

A fun haul, on a fun day! Now, if I just had time to read some of them...
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Admittedly, a guy with a skull for a face probably isn't spoiled for choice.

Man-Bat guest-stars this issue, and like a lot of his appearances, there may not be a lot of continuity from the last time. I'm not even sure Kirk Langstrom's human identity was drawn with any reference, or just pictured as a rather nondescript guy. From 1981, DC Comics Presents #35, "The Metamorphosis Machine!" Written by Martin Pasko, art by Curt Swan, inks by Vince Colletta.

This issue, and somewhat uncharacteristically, Man-Bat breaks into Metropolis's S.T.A.R. Labs, because his daughter Rebecca had inherited the super-hearing he and his wife Francine had as Man-Bats. (Superman questions if an acquired characteristic can be passed down like that, but it's written off as a mutation.) Supes knew S.T.A.R. had stopped their research in that area, but he thought he might have something in his Fortress of Solitude that might help. What they hadn't expected, however, was being eavesdropped on by the Atomic Skull! Who had picked up a female partner, Felicia, who wore a costume similar to his, and seemed awfully interested in getting the device Superman was going to use to help Rebecca.

Somehow, the device affects Superman so he could only use one power at a time, partially so the story isn't wrapped up by the eight-page mark.

Man-Bat scuffles with Felicia, and discovers why she wanted the device: she wasn't a human woman, but a hyper-evolved panther! The Atomic Skull had been a scientist before becoming a super-villain, and she had been an experimental animal. That he fell in love with. Well, they say there's someone out there for everyone; but they don't usually mean you have to make her yourself...

Felicia returns to panther-form (and possibly dies, it's not clear) while the Atomic Skull falls to his death because Superman can't fly at super-speed to save him. Recovering the device, Superman is able to help Rebecca and restore his powers; but wonders if the Atomic Skull could really be dead. Yeah, seems sketchy. Still, I thought he had an actual skull for a face; apparently it was just a mask. That may well depend on the artist, though.
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Since Somebody thought yesterday's strip was a little dark...

Also, apparently all the abandoned warehouses in Gotham have the same floor plan and walls, as seen in "Better Living Through Chemicals" and "Riddled." Hmm, only twice? I thought I had been back to that well a few more times there. Of course, the warehouse is the same set as Nightcrawler and Deadpool's apartment. Maybe they live in a warehouse, I don't know...
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80-Page Thursdays: Detective Comics #19!

A recent 80-pager, from DC's New 52: Detective Comics #19, featuring stories from John Layman and John Tynion IV, and art from Jason Fabok, Andy Clarke, Henrik Jonsson, Mikel Janin, Jason Masters, and more.

If Detective Comics had continued, uninterrupted by the New 52 reboot, this would've been the 900th issue. Cleverly, Layman's main story this issue is "The 900," named after a normally prosperous and safe neighborhood of Gotham City, tonight hit by a mysterious virus turning people into Man-Bats. As Batman tries to contain the outbreak, which he recognizes as similar to Talia al Ghul's soldiers; he's also dealing with the breakup of his family. Batgirl doesn't respond to Bats, but does help with the containment; while Nightwing just leaves town. Eventually, Batman discovers Patient Zero of the outbreak, the serial killer Zsasz, and stops him as Batwoman arrives with Drs. Kirk and Francine Langstrom. Kirk, of course, was the creator of the Man-Bat formula, which was stolen by Talia; but he still feels responsible. He injects himself with the serum, since by becoming a Man-Bat himself, he'll release a new pathogen that will cure the others. Francine is left alone as the Man-Bat flies off to parts unknown, and Zsasz is taken back to Arkham, but he admits he released the virus, on the behest of the Emperor Penguin. (The who? Having not read the book recently, I'm not familiar with "Ogilvy" at all.)

Also this issue: Francine plans to retrieve her husband, in a brief origin story for Man-Bat; the odd-looking Mr. Combustible leads a crime wave during the Man-Bat breakout for the Emperor Penguin; Bane plots against the Court of Owls and their Talons, since he sees them as an obstacle in taking Gotham; and some of the city's police discuss their positions on the Batman, some of which may have changed after the Man-Bat outbreak..

Not too bad of an issue, although I don't know if it's $7.99 worth: fortunately, I didn't pay anywhere near that! By that happenstance I hold so dear, found it for $1.99 at Hastings! For that price, pretty good!
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80-Page Thursdays: Batman Family #18!

Because I'm obviously insane, I have 80-Page Thursdays written almost six months (!) in advance. So, this was written in January, and I can only hope I'm still diligently blogging away and haven't been lured away by something shiny or abducted or anything. Today, from 1978, Batman Family #18, featuring stories by Denny O'Neil, Bob Rozakis, and Paul Levitz; and art by Michael Golden, Joe Staton, Juan Ortiz, and more.

"The Monstrosity Chase!" opens with Batman gunned down by the Gargoyle Gang. Well, a Batman; an actor working security guarding an aging actress and a golden mask. That, and a brief scene of Batman saving a radio DJ from being mugged, is mostly just setup, for a rather exciting chase through the sewers--the gang took a hostage, the sewer plans are out of date, and severe flooding is coming. There's a lot going on for a 20-page story, but it comes together nicely.

Next, in "The Fine Art of Murder," Dick Grayson is snoozing through his art history class, when a student is killed by a sniper. Quickly changing to Robin--Dick apparently wears at least three layers of clothes--he catches the sniper, but someone knifes the killer to silence him. Getting the clues to a Rembrandt smuggling ring leads to some friction with Dick's love interest Lori, which appears to be setting up something for the next issue; but aside from Barbara, did Dick ever have a halfway decent girlfriend? (I know he was with Starfire for a long time in Teen Titans, but that seems to be handwaved away as a phase or something.)

Speaking of the "Dominoed Daredoll," (and man, Gail Simone needs to bring that back) the next story Batgirl defends against "Assault on the Pentagon!" Congresswoman Babs is out parking by the Potomac with Senator Tom Cleary, but before anything crosses party lines (hey-o!) she spies a commando group on the river, and has to slap Tom as fresh to excuse herself.

One of the commandos is wearing an amusingly garish skimask and scarf, but for a reason! It's Madame Zodiac, who plans on using "the largest man-made pentagram in the world!" on this night of mystical confluence or something, to give herself mighty astral powers. Like optic blasts, for instance.

When the army is gassed out of commission, Batgirl uses a dropped pistol briefly, but that seemed more to underline the uses of her utility belt then anything: she uses at least four different items from it in 12 pages. I kinda liked this one.

In "Man-Bat No More!" Kirk Langstrom mopes over his scrapbook of cases, since as a new dad, he's resigned himself to giving up super-heroing. Although he's a zoologist who created a pill to turn into Man-Bat, he's had a harder time parleying that into cash money, so he's working at a factory. His wife Francine feels bad, and thinks Kirk should go ahead and be Man-Bat, but he feels it would be too addictive and too hard to work full-time days and flap around nights.

Meanwhile, another Man-Bat is seen nights, stopping a robbery and vandalism of a school. Kirk swears it isn't him, but worries he may be sleepwalking; as he see a report that his old villain SNAFU has broken out of jail. (It was him or the Ten-Eyed Man; Man-Bat hadn't built up a deep rogues' gallery.) The...ugh..."razzle-dazzle villain" terrorizes Madison Square Garden, but as Man-Bat arrives, Kirk is home, asleep, alone...! I liked this version of Man-Bat, as solid family guy with a decent head on his shoulders; since numerous other versions make him out to be a loon or a loser, with assorted creepy personality problems as needed.

Lastly, we visit Earth-2 and the Huntress in "A Choice of Destinies." Helena Wayne's day job as a lawyer at a public interest research group, is not leaving her especially satisfied; she feels enforcing the law as the Huntress is more necessary. Costuming up, she helps save some people from a burning building, but then sees a man give a small child cash and a bomb...more so than the Man-Bat one, this reads like a chapter rather than a full story. Still, a solid, solid 80-pager here; although in retrospect I'm not sure the cover has much to do with the contents, save a reference to Gotham's sewers!
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Retro Toy Week: BTAS Man-Bat!

For some reason, checking out Batman: the Animated Series Man-Bat at Amazon brought up pictures for a set of Charmed action figures. Maybe someone'll fix that by the time this posts...
We checked out the Legends of the Dark Knight Man-Bat last year, so why not take a look at another interpretation? Good grief, how many Man-Bats do I have?

Manny is tagged Kenner 1993, but I'm pretty sure he was a yard sale find for me; so I couldn't say how long I've had him. Easily ten, maybe fifteen years; and he still looks nice. Partly because as a bigger character, Kenner had a little more space to work with, so Man-Bat has more articulation than any other animated-style figure: swivel-hinges on the shoulders and a similiar set-up for the elbows and the neck, plus swivel hips. Unlike so many, many flying characters, Man-Bat can look up! There is also an unobtrusive t-shaped button on his back for wing-flapping action.

If you're a fan of the DCUC animated style, Man-Bat will be a great addition to a display. I've liked the character since his seventies adventures like the Power Records "Robin Meets Man-Bat." (You can find it at the Power Records Plaza!) Dig him up!

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80-Page Thursday: Batman Family #17!

It's November as I write this, but I had to schedule this week's 80-Page Thursday here: Batman Family #17, featuring stories from Bob Rozakis and Gerry Conway, and art from Jim Aparo, Don Heck, and Michael Golden.

This issue features three stories with a connecting thread: Earth-2's new heroine the Huntress visits the Earth-1 Batman. She comes seeking advice, since she had only recently taken up the cape-and-cowl, against the wishes of her father, police commissioner Bruce Wayne. Although he,and later Robin, are working a creepy kidnapping case, Batman still has time to have a chat with her, and point her in the direction of Batwoman.

Meanwhile, fortune-teller Madame Zodiac offers her "Horoscopes of Crime!" to Poison Ivy and Catwoman. They're skeptical when Zodiac tells them Batgirl will stop Ivy's latest scheme and the Huntress will break up Catwoman's next job. Zodiac tells them, double or nothing; and she's right: Congresswoman Barbara Gordon was near enough to get to Ivy as Batgirl (that's not suspicious or anything...) while Huntress is on-hand to stop Catwoman from kidnapping baseball player 'Catfish Turner.' Huntress has a hard time fighting someone who looks exactly like her dead mom; but pulls it together since this Catwoman is still "just another criminal!" Still, both escape capture with the unseen help of Zodiac, who has another plan in mind...

In their civilian identities, Batwoman and Huntress meet up with Batgirl at the carnival--the second carnival of the issue, they used to be everywhere. The ladies plan on lunch next to the museum...that Zodiac, Catwoman, and Ivy are going to rob. Zodiac wants to steal an anomalous Indian pipe: she's really excited about it, and Catwoman and Poison Ivy really don't care. After a scuffle, the criminals are caught, but Zodiac snaps her bonds, grabs the pipe, and fades away.

Huntress says her goodbyes to Batman and Batgirl in the JLA satellite, then takes the transporter back to Earth-2. But, unbeknownst to them...and fine, I'll never use 'unbeknownst' again...the transport energy and a freak interdimensional storm free the imprisoned Morgaine Le Fey. (I have a feeling that isn't the first time I've seen the JLA/JSA transports inadvertently free someone like that...) She's not wearing the armor and facemask she usually sports; but she's hellbent for revenge on Jason Blood. Teleporting to Blood's apartment, she steals back her Philosopher's Stone, regaining her power.

Meanwhile, Kirk Langstrom, better known as Man-Bat, is anxiously awaiting the birth of his first child; when he's distracted by the commotion of another birth, of a demon-child. A brief fight and the baby reverts to normal, and while the delivering doctor and Man-Bat try to explain to the cops, Blood arrives. When another demon baby appears, Blood turns into the Demon, defeats it, then uses "demon fire!" to drop the exposition on Man-Bat. Together, they stop Morgaine from maybe turning Man-Bat's baby into a monster...maybe. Kirk seemed to have been expecting a son, and got a daughter. Which I think has been retconned, as has large chunks of this issue: the Earth-2 visits, Barbara as congresswoman, maybe even Robin at Hudson U.

So why bring it up? March 14 is given as Catwoman and Poison Ivy's birthday! (And Madame Zodiac's too, no one cares.) Would've been nice if the date fell on a Thursday, but well, now you've got a week to steal them something nice.
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80-Page Thursdays: Batman Family #19!

For the next stretch, as long as I can find them, every Thursday we'll check out an 80-page comic! Not 64, not 100, 80-page giants only! Today, a doozy! From 1978, Batman Family #19! Featuring Huntress, Man-Bat, Batgirl, Robin, and duhr, Batman; in the lead with a twenty-page Denny O'Neil, Michael Golden, and (P.) Craig Russell story, "The Tomb of the White Bat!" Which we won't go into much, since although Batman gets trapped in and escapes from a clever homemade pit in the mountains, he also only triumphs because of the intervention of said white bat!

In the next story, Congresswoman Batgirl faces off against "The Sino-Supermen!" (Written by Bob Rozakis, art by Juan Ortiz and Vince Colletta.) Oddly enough, it ties into Firestorm continuity: the Chinese government, believing super-heroes like Superman or Firestorm to be creations of American scientists, work to create their own super-powered operatives. Batgirl points out to a federal agent that they both know damn well the U.S. didn't create Superman, but is told it's better to let the Chinese believe that, which seems somewhat dangerous. Batgirl busts up the spy ring, but gets a clue that her brother Tony may still be alive. (Where that fits in any sort of continuity, you'd have to tell me.)

Then, in "The Crime Rate is Earth-Shaking!" Robin faces a number of crimes and personal problems at Hudson University, none of which should be that big of a deal, since we see photographic proof Robin can punch a thug so hard his head explodes.


See? And there's also Man-Bat, and a Huntress story, which oddly appears to be the only one here to have been reprinted. ("Gotham Town is Burning Down!" Written by Paul Levitz, pencils by Joe Staton, inks by Bob Layton.)



All for a dollar, which according to this inflation calculator provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, had in 1978 the same buying power as $3.47 in 2011. If you find an 80-pager for that price today--ha!--buy it. That said, I know I didn't buy this issue in 1978--I'm pretty sure I paid fifty cents for it in the 90's, and I bought a couple other Batman Family issues around then as well...
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80-Page Thursdays: Action Comics #600!

For the next stretch, as long as I can find them, every Thursday we'll check out an 80-page comic! Not 64, not 100, 80-page giants only! If everything is still rolling along, this is the fourteenth 80-Page Thursday (EDIT: Fifteenth!) and there's still more to come. Keep in mind, this is by no stretch of anything a definitive look at 80-Page comics, just a crapshoot of what I have lying around now. And today, one I had as a kid: Action Comics #600, celebrating fifty years of Superman! With John Byrne, George Perez, Curt Swan, Mike Mignola, and more!

If the DC Reboot hasn't reached this point yet, it probably will, where Superman and Wonder Woman try a date seemingly just because everyone thinks its a good matchup. Hopefully, the Nu-date goes better than this post-Crisis one, where Supes plants a really long and really uncomfortable kiss on Wonder Woman straightaway. (To be fair, we did see Hal Jordan show WW his chest within seconds of meeting her once.)

Although they talk their way back to first-date territory, their date is interrupted by Hermes appearing to Diana, since he's gotten the tar kicked out of him by Darkseid, who's taken over Olympus. (Granted, I don't read a ton of Wonder Woman, but it was weird to see Diana kowtowing to the Greek gods here...) Diana flies through a portal, but Supes won't let a little thing like this wreck his date, and follows. The two are separated, so Darkseid has a plan...
Um, if it's the simplest and most obvious of deceptions, why are you surprised when it doesn't work? Kalibak and Amazing Grace pass themselves off as Supes and WW, respectively; fight our heroes for a moment, reveal themselves, then switch places so Superman and Wonder Woman are beating on each other. At least, that's the plan, which might've worked if they were really, really dense. Supes and Diana fake-fight their way to Darkseid, who's steamed about that trick not working; but gets really bent out of shape when Diana explains the Gods let Darkseid take an empty, deserted Olympus.

After ducking out, Darkseid tries to blow up Olympus, which also fails. As does Superman's date, since after all this god business, he feels Diana is out of his league, since he's just a simple farmboy at heart. Diana doesn't necessarily agree, but they part as friends. I know some people can't stand the idea of a Superman-Wonder Woman couple, or Superman with anyone besides Lois, or apparently Wonder Woman with anyone; but the idea doesn't bother me. I would guess that they would be an early superhero couple, date a few times, but it wouldn't work out...at first. Years later, though, I could see something happening. Best guess.

Also this issue: two-fisted reporter Lois Lane...is hit like a ton of bricks by the idea of a Superman/Wonder Woman couple. See? Told you some people can't stand the idea. Then, Superman saves his pal Jimmy Olsen from a toxic waste explosion, and Jimmy gets to return the favor, as Supes is debilitated by the sudden arrival of radiation from Krypton! Man, I think it took writers a long, long time to really work out post-Crisis Jimmy Olsen: they still wanted him to be Superman's best friend, but weren't really sure how to work that, and everyone wanted to see Superman and Batman hang out, anyway. I know there were Jimmy Olsen stories with him and the Newsboy Legion or some damn thing, but they were never my favorites...this issue, he saves Superman, and goes for help, which he doesn't appear to ever return with...

Meanwhile, Lex Luthor has a little chat with Maggie Sawyer of the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit. Luthor wants to talk truce, meaning blackmail the hell out of Sawyer. I'm not 100% sure I realized the subtext at the time, but Luthor had discovered she was a lesbian. Sawyer could give a rat's ass, and gets a treat when an angry Luthor bangs his fist on his desk and is rewarded with agonizing pain: the Kryptonite ring he had been wearing may not have been as harmless to humans as he had thought...

Meanwhile, the issue's final story is a last callback to the team-up nature of Action Comics for the last year or so, since the next issue would begin Action Comics Weekly. Man-Bat is enjoying a happy evening of batting about or whatever, when he stumbles across the now very Kryptonite addled Superman, who is somewhat understandably terrified by this bat thing in his face. Nice Mignola art, there, and a cameo from Hawkman, who would help Supes get to where Krypton was...(Don't ask where this fits in Man-Bat, or for that matter Hawkman's continuity.)

Good stuff, and I'm reasonably certain this issue sold a bazillion copies, so I don't think it's terribly difficult to find on the cheap. I may or may not have the one I bought in 1988, but I did have a quarter box copy. Dig one up!
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Retro Toy Week: Legends of the Dark Knight Man-Bat!

Over the course of Retro Toy Week, we usually see figures that have been replaced by newer, better versions. Today, we have one that still holds up next to so-called upgrades: from 1997 and Kenner's Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight line, Man-Bat!
I remember pretty clearly that ToyFare magazine loved this figure, featuring him in a Toy-of-the-Month style feature. "I'm getting Man-Thing and Man-Spider and we're coming for all your daughters!" Man-Bat proudly proclaimed, or to that effect. I don't think this was Man-Bat's first action figure: he had a solid figure in the Batman: the Animated Series line. But the Legends series was bigger, and more sculpted; a collector's line. (It would very likely be a response to McFarlane Toys raising the bar on terms of paint and sculpt.) The Kelley Jones-inspired Dark Knight Batman was my default Batman for years, and is still a solid-looking figure; and I still wish I could find a reasonably priced Batgirl as well.

The paint work is excellent, particularly on the Kurt Langstrom ID badge pinned to the remnants of his shirt. Also, the work on the wings gives the impression of a creepy, veined bat wing; without going overboard or being overly grotesque. The articulation on the arms is good, without being overdone or fiddly, but he has only hip joints below the waist. (The waist lacks a swivel as well.) Luckily, Man-Bat's feet are good-sized, so standing him is a little easier. He could use a ball-jointed head, though: it's a mere swivel, so he can't look up. Still, he looks good in several positions.

There's been a few more Man-Bat figures over the years: I liked the albino version from the Batman cartoon of a few years back, and DC Direct has taken a stab at it as well. (The Ninja Man-Bat is a different character, from Grant Morrison's run.) The most recent is the DCUC version, a Wal-Mart exclusive last year. (And a San Diego exclusive prior to that.)
But the LotDK Man-Bat still looks pretty good there. If you're a fan of the character, you could do worse. I like Man-Bat, even though in the comics his appearance and characterization and history is going to vary depending on who's writing him and what they need him for: he's gone from Batman fanboy scientist to creepy environmental extremist to private eye/family guy. But whichever one shows up, it's hard to go wrong with a scientist turned into a big bat guy.
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