Batman chronicles
Today's post is on Batman Chronicles, the beginning and complete set of the Batman series in DC comics. In these chronicles, Batman is a 'mysterious figure... fighting for righteousness" (Kane 4) with no immediate background, no batmobile, and, to my suprise, no problem with killing his victims! At least at first. In the May 1939, Batman throws Alfred Stryker into acid, and says "a fitting end for his kind" (8). Another example would be the July 1939 issue, where he left Dr. Death to die in the fire.
This was a bit of a shocker to me, for I thought (I may be wrong, but my info from Batman strictly comes from the 90s Warner Bros. movies) that Batman never killed and that he was against it. Apparently, the earlier Batman issues hasn't yet developed that aspect. As I read onward, I noticed that he did not have his Batmobile, but rather a little red car that he parks in random places that he claims is out of sight from everything. I thought this was kind of funny, because usually the Batmobile is so beastly and makes such an appearance in the movies, but this little red car seemed a little more... I don't know... quirky?
As I read onward, I couldn't help but notice the total racist depictions of oriental culture in the January 1940 issue. I remember seeing something like this in the Superman Chronicles, but it was still a little surprising. Eventually it got to the origin of Batman, and how is parents were killed by a criminal and how he vowed his life to stopping criminal activity. I especially liked this story, along with the Robin intro about his parents dieing at the hands of gangsters in a giant gymnastic accident. Both had motives to do what they do. I don't know why I love Robin so much, but I really liked him as an addition to Batman. I guess I felt that Batman needed someone, since he's always going on these missions on his own. Plus, Robin's colors in his costume made the page a little funner to look it, in comparison to Batman's strictly black ensemble.
Alltogether, a great read. From vampires to the infamous Joker, I enjoyed seeing how the concept of Batman was birthed and grew in these comics. I am excited to get to the Frank Miller adaption, I am assuming they are much different!
Until next time folks!