Comic Book Review: The Batman Adventures Volume 2 written by Kelley Puckett, pencils by Mike Parobeck, inks by Rick Burchett
Batman: The Animated Series ran on Fox 1992-1995, and is considered one of the best animated TV series of all time, as well as one of the best adaptations of Batman outside comic books. It spawned an entire DC Animated Universe set of series with its unique look and strong continuity. The series also influenced the comics it had spawned from, creating the madcap Harley Quinn and her friendship with Poison Ivy (and suggesting they might be very close friends) and a new sympathetic backstory for Mr. Freeze, who had been a flat character before.
But more directly, there was a tie-in comic book series, The Batman Adventures. It was written for younger readers than the mainstream DC Comics universe, although it could still handle some subject matter that the TV series had to shy away from. The art was meant to evoke the style of the show, and frequently succeeded. Rather than copy scripts from the TV series, most of the issues tell stories in between episodes.
Many of the stories in this second volume revolve around secondary characters rather than Batman himself. There are stories for Batgirl (taking place before her first appearance on the show), Robin and the pair together. Man-Bat, Talia, and Ra’s al Ghul each get a spotlight story, as does Commissioner Gordon. There’s even an issue from the viewpoint of the Professor, a brainy guy who teams up with schemer Mastermind and reluctant master of violence Mr. Nice to steal nuclear weapons. Their plan is foiled by one unexpected glitch….
The cover story is from issue #16, “The Killing Book.” When the Joker discovers that the Gotham Adventures comic book depicts Batman always defeating him, the Clown Prince of Crime kidnaps an artist to draw the true-life stories of the Joker’s triumphs. This one has a lot of meta-humor, from the titles of the chapters to the comics creators being roughly based on the real ones at DC. The lighter nature of this series is shown by the Joker not actually killing anyone, though he tries to remedy this with a deathtrap for Batman.
The Scarecrow story in #19 is darker, as fear of the Scarecrow spreads over Gotham City, far in excess of his actual threat level. He’s even invading Bruce Wayne’s nightmares of the death of his parents! It turns out that Jonathan Crane isn’t the only ethically deficient scientist in Gotham this month.
Some bits in this series may be too scary for the youngest readers, but most ten year-olds and up should be fine. Older readers will enjoy the in-jokes and references.
Recommended to fans of the cartoon, and parents of young Batman fans who aren’t ready for the very dark mainline comics.
you have inspired me to pick up a comic book! I have read graphic novels recently,but I haven’t picked up a comic book since I was a kid!
The line between the two is somewhat arbitrary–I consider a “true” graphic novel to be a “done in one” story that doesn’t require having read anything else before or after to make sense of it.
I never did read comic books….I was hooked on tv as a kid and grew up on the old Batman and Robin television series in the 60’s. But….I think it is so important for kids to READ…and found this review very informative.
The cartoon was a bit less silly than the 1960s TV show, but there’s still humor in it. I’ve posted some reviews of other comics for kids that are also worth looking at.
I didn’t even know there was a Man-Bat but now of course I’m intrigued. And the idea of the Joker commissioning-by-kidnapping a book of his own successes makes me laugh. This may be aimed at younger readers, but it may make it to my reading table too.
Man-Bat is Kirk Langstrom, a biologist specializing in bats who (depending on the continuity) wanted to give people the abilities of bats for one reason or another. Unfortunately, his serum turns him into a bat-creature of dubious impulse control.
I may have to find a copy of this for my new son-in-law. He turned me on to the old 60s Batman show and I was aghast at how funny it was. I thought I was high a few times. Thank you Scott. Little did I know any of this stuff. But now I want that story where joker commissions the artist to do his book. Ha! Funny. Don’t tell my son-n-law but I just bought him a set of Batman and the Joker hot pads. He’s the cook in the family so he may as well love his hot pads. A woman in town made them and they’re fabulous!
Good to hear!
You might also enjoy the “Batman ’66” comic books that came out in the last couple of years. They’re based on the 60s TV show, but with a better special effects budget.