"The End" Week: The Batman Chronicles #23!

There are still a few issues of this series I haven't read, possibly because #21 was so bad I'm gunshy now. We'll see...From 2001, the Batman Chronicles #23, featuring "The Bomb, the Bull, the Butler and the Bat" Written by Doug (credited as 'Dough' in the story), art by Bo Hampton; "Automotive" Written by Michael Jan Friedman, art by Cam Smith; and "The Mimic" Written by Jay Faerber, art by Paul Ryan.

It's a shame, but also fitting, that this issue ended with more of the oddball stories that wouldn't fit well in the regular monthly Bat-books. In "The Bomb, the Bull, the Butler and the Bat" while out grocery shopping, Alfred is nearly killed by a car bomb, but gets a good look at the bomber. Only thing is, the only criminal matching that description, was already dead. Suspecting the Black Mask gang, Batman leaves Alfred to deflect the police from poking around Wayne Manor, which Alfred is more than willing to do, when the investigating officer is Harvey Bullock! He's a walking disaster, but Alfred still wants to work the case, even if it means with Bullock.

In "Automotive" a petty crook thinks he has his getaway all planned out: hide in the garbage until the cops are gone, then walk away. He hadn't planned on the Batmobile parking in his alley, though! Reminiscent of Baron and Reinhold's "Colossus," the average thug in Gotham is no match for that car.

The last story, "The Mimic" is more substantial, featuring occasional supporting character (and former Batgirl love interest) P.I. Jason Bard. A young woman is getting weird, threatening letters on parchment; before the murder attempts start. Researching the case, Bard discovers this is an elaborate homage to an 18th century serial killer called the Mimic, who impersonated voices and used trickery to get others to kill for him. And his client, sharing a name with the original Mimic's last victim, could be next! It's a solid mystery, and I remember Bard from maybe old Batman Family stories, so it's good to see him getting work. Although I like Grant and Breyfogle's P.I. Joe Potato better! Still, figure there's gotta be enough detective work in Gotham to go around...