Batman #1

About a year after Detective Comics #27 introduced the world to Batman, the character got his own title in April of 1940. The first comic included five different stories, introducing The Joker and Catwoman while also detailing Batman’s backstory.

While the comic has five stories, only four of them are notable. The first one shows how Bruce Wayne became Batman after his parents were killed (does anyone not know this origin). The two Joker stories involve him killing people in incredibly clever ways just so he can steal their treasures and the Catwoman does what she does best: steal things only to give them up.

The cover is pretty much the same as Detective Comics #27, but instead of Batman swinging while carrying someone, he’s doing it with Robin this time. But it’s just as mediocre as the other.

The origin story, which is first, does well in explaining that Bruce is just an ordinary human being that really just wants to get rid of crime by exploiting the cowardice of criminals. It’s also detailed, very brief, which actually helps it since it doesn’t get contrived. It explains that he’s at his peak physicality and is adept at science and deduction.

As for the Joker stories, they’re pretty interesting. He’s not as dark as Ledger’s portrayal, considering this is the Golden Age, but he still finds creative and clever ways to kill people, such as a gas that takes 24 hours to work or a needle in the receiver of a phone. But it is important to note that he actually died in the second story that featured him. In fact, if it weren’t for an astute editor, he’d still be dead.

As for the Catwoman story, it kind of overstays its welcome. Batman and Robin are on a boat that has valuable jewels and they find a woman that steals them. She gives them up after she’s caught, but then another group wants to steal them and it goes on from there. It would have been a better story had it left out the second group.

Batman #1 – 3/5

Detective Comics #27

In May of 1939, just after the start of the Golden Age, a hero was born. One that would forever be cemented in the annals of comic book lore. Also one that would spark countless debates of how evenly matched he would be against Superman. Batman, first appearing in the Detective Comics #27 story, “The Case of the Criminal Syndicate” would go on to have multiple titles, graphic novels, films and video games.

Everything’s going fine as Commissioner Gordon visits with his friend, the wealthy socialite, Bruce Wayne. However, he gets a call about a murder scene and goes to investigate, bringing Wayne in tow. However, it soon bores the man. Meanwhile, across town, another murder is taking place, but the perpetrators are soon stopped by the masked vigilante, The Bat-Man. The hero learns of a greater conspiracy, which he must stop.

How interesting that a story fully told in six pages would introduce the world to a character that would go on to become one of the most known heroes. There might not be a lot to talk about, considering the length, but it’s kind of odd seeing Batman at his earliest, especially since he not only purposefully kills someone, but uses a gun as well. It’s not well known, but his no-kill policy actually originated much later.

Also, the story can’t seem to be consistent with whether or not the character is The Batman or The Bat-Man. The quotes constantly around his name also don’t help and makes it seem like the story itself doesn’t quite take the concept seriously.

But despite the difference in characterization and the consistency in naming, it’s a pretty good story. It doesn’t delve too much into explanation and is able to solidify the difference between Wayne and Batman while outright stating that the two are the same in what little space it’s given.

On the other hand, the cover is kind of bland, just picturing batman swinging rooftop to rooftop carrying someone while some criminals look on. It’s not a bad cover, just mediocre.

Detective Comics #27: “The Case of the Criminal Syndicate” – 3/5

The Wonderful World of Film

The beauty of cinema is that it is both objective and subjective. Objective in that it has a purpose: to entertain; to inform; to create an emotional response. Subjective in that where one person my find an incredible film, another may find it atrocious. Where one may see a masterpiece, another may see mediocrity.

 

Far too long have I been stuck in a rut of only catering to my specific tastes, not allowing myself to be ensnared by the vast history of cinema. Yet, I seek to enjoy film, to love it. That is why I seek to immerse myself in the history of cinema: to see what others have hailed; soak in what they have created. But it doesn’t end there. It can’t. As much as I would love to, I cannot create film. But I can write about it.

Welcome to my experiment. The Wonderful World of Film is a chronicle of my experience. While I wish to view all these films, I obviously cannot review every film ever made. That would be downright foolish. Instead, I will take the winners of the Academy Awards for that year for Best Film and Screenplay. I will give a synopsis and go into what I liked and what didn't I like.

As it stands, my top ten favorite films are as follows:

1.      Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

2.      The Avengers

3.      Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

4.      Tangled

5.      Lord of the Rings Trilogy

6.      A New Hope

7.      The Lion King

8.      Return of the Jedi

9.      Batman (1989)

10.  Raiders of the Lost Ark

Maybe after all of this, my list will have changed. This shall be a lifetime of film. And I look forward to every minute of it.