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Robert Greenberger
by Robert Greenberger
Tales of the Batman: Len Wein
There are most likely fewer people who like Batman more than Len Wein. Throughout his celebrated career, Wein has either written or edited the Caped Crusader’s adventures since soon after entering the field in the late 1960s. He’s written a number of unforgettable arcs as well as was one of the very first designers of contemporary day continuity for the Batman series. But, provided his short runs, he’s frequently overlooked. however DC Comics is correcting that this autumn with Tales of the Batman: Len Wein.
In Wein’s Gotham City, Batman is a human being devoted to crimefighting, a superhero in the traditional mode. He’s dark however without the brooding as well as obsessiveness. This is a Batman who works well with Commissioner Gordon as well as has adapted to his solo life while Robin is off at college. There’s likewise a higher than typical emphasis on Bruce Wayne as a guy as well as as the leader of Wayne Enterprises. It’s in these stories we satisfy Lucius Fox, his CEO as well as trusted ally, slowly building up Wayne’s own supporting cast. There’s a warmth as well as humanity to Wein’s characters, something that set his Batman stories apart from his contemporaries.
Detective Comics #408
But first, there are the villains. The earliest tale comes from Detective Comics #408, co-written with Marv Wolfman as well as features lovely Neal Adams as well as Dick Giordano artwork. Here, Batman is going with some mental mind games all at the hands of bit seen foe Dr. Tzin-Tzin however part of the larger tapestry of the league of Assassins, which had been floating around the DC world by then.
Detective Comics #444
Then, in the wake of writer/editor Archie Goodwin’s departure, returning editor Julie Schwartz tapped Wein to take over Detective as well as Wein provided the five-part “Bat-Murderer” storyline. Ra’s al Ghul has framed the Darknight Detective for his child Talia’s death as well as Gordon has to install a manhunt to bring him down. Along the way, Batman encounters the Creeper as well as satisfies new villain Sterling Silversmith. It’s a tightly paced story that has seldom been reprinted so it’s nice to see this with lovely art from Jim Aparo as well as Ernie Chan & Giordano. At just 66 pages, it’s difficult to believe however this was one of the longest serials for Batman to date.
Detective Comics #478
Later, after the celebrated Steve Englehart run ended, Schwartz asked Wein to come back to the Batcave with Marshall Rogers staying penciller, now gone along with by Giordano. The story provided us Clayface III, bad Preston Payne who utilized the previous Clayface’s blood to try as well as remedy his hyperpituitarism. It didn’t work out so well.
Batman #309
Wein was soon after transferred to Batman as well as here, as the editorial mantle was being passed from Schwartz to Paul Levitz, problem to problem continuity was lastly being established together with Fox, secretary Gwen Atkins, as well as the recurring appearance of Selina Kyle as a like interest. The John Calnan/Giordano artwork was fine as it was however more fascinating was the steady stream of villains restored into the spotlight beginning with Mr. Freeze as well as the Blockbuster in a touching Christmas tale. With Levitz in charge, we saw the introduction of the gentleman Ghost as a new opponent however then it was back to the more familiar calendar Man, Kite-Man, Two-Face, as well as Riddler. Calnan was replaced by the much better fit Irv Novick who looked fantastic either inked by Giordano or Frank McLaughlin. There are two stories pencilled by Walt Simonson including the well-regarded “Dreadful Birthday, Dear Joker”.
Batman #322
Bit by bit, though, we saw a new player in Karlyle Kruggerrand who appeared to be fronting a new business raider, Gregorian Falstaff. He required Atkins to quit, replacing her with Caroline Crowne, as well as tried to take over the Wayne Foundation. As it turned out, he was really in the utilize of Ra’s al Ghul, utilizing a new gambit to direct Batman’s fate. during this storyline Wein pitched Batman against Captain Boomerang (batarang vs. boomerang – what took so long?) as well as introduced the Firebug. then the simmering Catwoman storyline exploded with Catwoman as well as Catman vying for the Caped Crusader’s attention.
After that, Wein’s stories were fewer as well as further between. In ‘Tec #466, he’s back with Signalman with Ernie Chan as well as Vince Colletta artwork as well as it’s clearly a standalone tale. then he as well as Simonson partner up for the unforgettable two-pager “Once Upon a Time…” from Tec #500, which cleverly utilizes Snoopy’s attempts at book composing from Peanuts.
Detective Comics #514
Finally, there’s “Haven”, a basic Batman versus criminals story graced with art from Don Newton as well as Frank Chiaramonte. For some reason, the Adams-drawn werewolf story from Batman is absent from the printed contents as well as I hope that’s an oversight.
The Untold Legends of the Batman
As DC Comics slowly moved into miniseries territory, Wein was the rational option to provide us Untold Legends of The Batman. notable is the very first problem which was pencilled by John Byrne, making his DC debut as well as inked by Jim Aparo, who went on to draw the second as well as third installments. The story provided a secret that enabled Wein to revisit Lew Moxon as well as Joe Chill, the guy behind his parents’ murder all the method with his buddies as well as foes. He likewise introduced Jack Edison, a stunt driver accountable for designing as well as building Batmobiles for the Gotham Guardian. It’s nice to see this again.
Classic cover art from the Grand Comics Database
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Tales of the Batman: Len Wein