Batman (1940) #1
Writer: Bob Kane
Pencils: Bob Kane
Ink: Jerry Robinson
Length: 55 Pages (Estimated)
Can I start with this issue or do I need to know something?:
You will understand this issue even if it is your first comic ever. It is not the first appearance of Batman but it basically starts with an origin story.
What is it about?
At this point the plan was to publish Batman in a quarterly basis. This issue is 55 pages long and has 5 stories:
Story 1: The Legend of Batman (Who he is and how he came to be)
Basically an origin story. Bruce's parents get killed, he swears he'll avenge them. The main difference from the story we know today is that as he grows up he becomes a "Master Scientist".
Story 2: (no title)
First appearance of the Joker.
Joker's body count: Henry Claridge, Jay Wilde, Brute Nelson, Judge Drake = 4
For such naive writing I thought the body count was going to be zero, with only mild mischief to happen. I was wrong. The story is simple but I won't spoil the end.
Story 3: (no title)
They introduce Hugo Strange as an imprisoned arch-criminal. Once he breaks out of jail, he begins creating giants to rob banks. Something interesting in this story is that Batman has guns on the bat-plane, which goes against popular canon (Batman does not use guns, Batman does not kill).
Story 4: (no title)
We get Dick Grayson working a case on his own while Batman is busy. A rich lady held a party in a yacht, there's a valuable necklace on board and Dick is monitoring the assistants to prevent any trouble. This story introduces Catwoman, at this point called just "The Cat"
Story 5: The Joker Returns
Although all 5 stories are stand alone, this one follows up the fact that Joker is in jail and has some continuity on Batman #2. After Joker escapes from prison, Batman and Robin try to catch the Joker ending in a fatal fight.
Did I like it?
The first couple Batman stories that I read were written by Grant Morrison, it seems like he did his homework and read every Batman issue available, so he likes making references to them.
I find these first stories to be very naive, although they can be fun if you are aware of what you are getting; more less like watching B-Movies or one of those Adam West episodes.
I'm definetely interested reading other early issues to see how myth and cannon were built.
Have you read this issue? What do you think about the Bob Kane years? What are your favorite/least favorite stories?
Writer: Bob Kane
Pencils: Bob Kane
Ink: Jerry Robinson
Length: 55 Pages (Estimated)
Can I start with this issue or do I need to know something?:
You will understand this issue even if it is your first comic ever. It is not the first appearance of Batman but it basically starts with an origin story.
What is it about?
At this point the plan was to publish Batman in a quarterly basis. This issue is 55 pages long and has 5 stories:
Story 1: The Legend of Batman (Who he is and how he came to be)
Basically an origin story. Bruce's parents get killed, he swears he'll avenge them. The main difference from the story we know today is that as he grows up he becomes a "Master Scientist".
Story 2: (no title)
First appearance of the Joker.
Joker's body count: Henry Claridge, Jay Wilde, Brute Nelson, Judge Drake = 4
For such naive writing I thought the body count was going to be zero, with only mild mischief to happen. I was wrong. The story is simple but I won't spoil the end.
Story 3: (no title)
They introduce Hugo Strange as an imprisoned arch-criminal. Once he breaks out of jail, he begins creating giants to rob banks. Something interesting in this story is that Batman has guns on the bat-plane, which goes against popular canon (Batman does not use guns, Batman does not kill).
Story 4: (no title)
We get Dick Grayson working a case on his own while Batman is busy. A rich lady held a party in a yacht, there's a valuable necklace on board and Dick is monitoring the assistants to prevent any trouble. This story introduces Catwoman, at this point called just "The Cat"
Story 5: The Joker Returns
Although all 5 stories are stand alone, this one follows up the fact that Joker is in jail and has some continuity on Batman #2. After Joker escapes from prison, Batman and Robin try to catch the Joker ending in a fatal fight.
Did I like it?
The first couple Batman stories that I read were written by Grant Morrison, it seems like he did his homework and read every Batman issue available, so he likes making references to them.
I find these first stories to be very naive, although they can be fun if you are aware of what you are getting; more less like watching B-Movies or one of those Adam West episodes.
I'm definetely interested reading other early issues to see how myth and cannon were built.
Have you read this issue? What do you think about the Bob Kane years? What are your favorite/least favorite stories?
