Limited Collector's Edition C-59, 1978
Batman's Strangest Cases
Redartz: Ever since I first started collecting comics, I've been a Marvel Zuvembie. And this is reflected, no doubt, in the many Marvel-themed posts you've seen from this aging fanboy. But today it's time to give DC a little love. Specifically, a spectacular issue of the "Limited Collector's Editon" featuring everyone's favorite Darknight Detective. DC's treasury-sized books predated the "Marvel Treasury Editions" , but I had never sampled them. I'd focused entirely on the Marvel giants. Until this one, that is.
"Batman's Strangest Cases"; from the striking Neal Adams wrap-around cover to the all-star lineup of creators, this treasury offered a wealth of pleasures. And as for the story selection- wonderful; most of the included tales, it turned out, I'd never read. So finding this gem at a flea market for two dollars was an irresistible temptation. Oh, a couple notes regarding that cover: according to the Grand Comic Book Database (and many thanks are due those folks for some of the information in this post), the cover was pencilled by Adams and inked by Bernie Wrightson. That may be the first time I've encountered that creative teaming. Also, Robin is featured prominently on this cover, but never appears inside. Ah well...
The lineup included:
"Red Water Crimson Death" by Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams
This is an eerie tale of ghosts, plots and menace. Originally presented in Brave and the Bold 93, featuring Batman and the House of Mystery (or more specifically, Cain from the House of Mystery, who narrated the story). This story starts the treasury off beautifully, with some truly fine artwork. That first page is really sharp...
Here's the final spread from the story; the colors here are spectacular and quite effective (and are credited, incidentally, to Bob LeRose).
"Night of the Bat" by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson
This story, from Swamp Thing 7, was the only story I'd previously read in this collection. A classic, made all the better by the larger size of the artwork (a big advantage to the Treasury-size format).
"The Batman Nobody Knows" by Frank Robbins and Dick Giordano
This was a novel little short, with Bruce Wayne chaperoning a group of kids at a campout. But rather than ghost stories, the group shared their impressions of Batman. Reprinted from Batman 250.
"The Demon of Gothos Mansion" by Denny O'Neil, Irv Novick and Dick Giordano
Another ghost story, with the added threat of a group of cultists. As with the first story in this book, Denny O'Neil delivers a good one, nicely illustrated by Novick and Giordano. Batman seems well-suited for these somewhat more macabre tales; a nice change of pace from super-villains. This first appeared in Batman 227.
"A Vow From the Grave" by Denny O'Neil, Neal Adams and Dick Giordano
I remembered the cover from this story, showing the 'boy with flippers', but this marks the first time I've actually read it. Batman follows a killer, and the trail leads him to meet some rather unusual folks. First seen in Detective Comics 410, this story concludes the collection with yet another entertaining yarn; and with typically striking art from Adams/Giordano. Again colored by Bob LeRose; he does some nice work. By the way, that opening page seems a bit evocative of Joe Kubert. Not that that's any fault; far from it!
This treasury ends with an informative write-up, by Mike W. Barr, of some other 'strange tales of Batman' (occupying the inside back cover) . He discusses several other notable stories from several points in Batman's lengthy history, and summarizes each nicely. It makes for compelling finish to a full package of comic entertainment. The 2 dollar price for this edition would have been well worth it in 1978. Much, much more so as a lucky find in this day and age!
8 comments:
Great book, thanks for the look! I've always wondered what this treasury was like. I've seen these stories before, except for the Irv Novick one. The Wrightson story with Swamp Thing is a classic. He also inked Adams in one Green Lantern/Green Arrow tale.
Glad you mentioned the colorist--looks great! It can make such a difference to have a colorist with an expressive artistic eye, instead of one who uses just plain or clashing colors. Creates a mood.
I've definitely read "Demon of Gothos Mansion" and I think I've read the last one. I've always been curious about Batman's first meeting with Swamp Thing, but I never bothered to track it down because I'm not a big Swampy fan. Obviously the art on all of these is great.
Really cool that you found this book for 2 bucks (cover price!). And what a nice collection of stories.
Garett- thanks for mentioning that GL/GA issue. I'll have to look that one up. Quite interesting to see two such strong styles combined; at least on the Batman treasury cover, more Adams is apparent than Wrightson. And yes, the coloring has an enormous impact on the look of the finished art. We may have a post specifically on that topic in the not-too-distant future.
Mike W.- if you get the chance, that Swamp Thing/Batman story is definitely worth a look. But spoiler alert: it's tough on a dog lover (I still can't watch "Old Yeller")...
Edo- yes, it was one of those rare lucky finds on a big table with a bunch of other unremarkable paper memorabilia. And the book is in pretty decent shape, too.
Yes Redartz, I notice Adams in this cover much more. Wrightson is more apparent in the GL/GA issue, and while I wouldn't say it's my favorite combo, it's interesting and I'm glad they had him on that one issue.
Holy shmolies, now that is a splash page, that Neal Adams one there. Wish I had this one.
There's nothing like a really weird Batman tale.
M.P.
Love the Treasurys and still hold onto them. Always felt that they were better suited towards DC especially reprinting their Big 3 from the early 1940s. It's like double the nostalgia: really old stories in a really unique format.
Hey - does anyone know how often one can tell a story has been reprinted. I still have the Gothos Manor comic (can't remember how if I bought it off the spinner) but I think it's been reprinted in numerous ways? Just curious how often and where. Help?
Cheers
Charlie- check out the Grand Comic Book Database. If you look up an issue, the listing will include any reprint appearances. The site is invaluable!
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