NML Crossing, Episode 004 – Batman #553 (1998)
NML Crossing, Episode Four
Batman #553 (April, 1998)
“Cataclysm, Part Three: Lifelines”
Writer – Doug Moench
Pencils – Klaus Janson
Inks – Sal Buscema
Colors – Gregory Wright & Android Images
Letters – Todd Klein
Edits – Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95
Cataclysm reaches our flagship book, and its titular hero’s story takes a backseat to Barbara Gordon’s attempt at herding cats! It’s not the GCPD’s finest hour… but, at least they’re under good leadership!
Also: some tangent-laden back issue bin chatter!
I used to love finding comic shops in different cities when I traveled. Taking out that double sided loose leaf sheet with all the back issues I wanted on it. Rifling through unknown back issue bins. Good times. And exciting memories of exploration.
I actually liked that other heroes stayed out of this story. The JLA would have the whole disaster cleaned up in a week or two. Where is the drama in that. This storyline felt self contained in its own universe in that only the Bat-characters are involved. The greater DC universe need not be involved. The lack of other heroes made it feel like a movie plot, where (before cinematic universes) only one hero was involved in the story.