Batman #450 (Early July, 1990)
"Wildcard!"
Writer - Marv Wolfman
Penciller - Jim Aparo
Inker - Mike DeCarlo
Letterer - John Costanza
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Associate Editor - Dan Raspler
Editor - Denny O'Neil
Cover Price: $1.00
Hey a book with the Joker on the cover... from a time when that wasn't a weekly occurrence! This one's gotta be important!
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We open on the... maudlin scene of a the Gotham City Police Department discovering the body of Judge William Patricks, aka "the Hanging Judge"... and, well... he's been hung. Get it? Commissioner Gordon has a sneaking suspicion that the Joker is behind this murder, and shares an expositional conversation with Detective Hanrahan to catch us all up on The Killing Joke.
Gordon excuses himself and heads home. Along the way he wonders how anyone... even the Joker, could have survived a helicopter crash (which occurred at the end of A Death in the Family). He arrives home, and breaks down.
We shift scenes to a dilapidated brownstone building where a shadowy figure watches the television news report on "the Hanging Judge". He's surprised that "the Joker" would resort to such silly punnery rather than an actual gag... and declares the entire affair "unfunny".
At the same time, a plane full of youngsters lands in Japan. A trip sponsored by that kick-ass philanthropist, Bruce Wayne... which includes among the junior globetrotters, Tim Drake. A Professor Smith phones Bruce to inform him of their safe landing... which relieves our man because, if the newscasts are to be believed... the Joker is back at it. He'd prefer his newest charge be as far away as possible... for his own safety, as well as not to see what Batman might do to the baddie should he get his hands on him.
We jump ahead to that evening where a yuppie(r) version of Tony Robbins (named Curtis Base) is giving a gala seminar on investment opportunities. While the wide-eyed hopeful millionaires applaud his every word we see both Gordon and Hanrahan arrive... both seem like they'd rather be anywhere else, though.
Base wraps up his speech. As he leaves the stage, he is approached by Vicki Vale who attempts to question him on some of his alleged sketchy business practices... she gets blown off with the quickness.
We hop outside and overhear a very punny fella with a gaggle of leashed shaggy dogs. A "Shaggy Dog Story" is one with a whole lotta build up, twists, turns, yadda yadda... which ends with a disappointing or absurd anti-climax. Depending on your mileage, they might have some comedic value... but the pointlessness often makes you feel like you wasted your time watching, reading, or listening. Anyhoo, the dogs crash the party.
It's revealed pretty quickly that the baddie is... the Joker! And boy oh boy is he trying hard with the puns... what is he, me?
Anyhoo... he sics the dogs on several of the party-goers, and blows a few peoples' brains out before grabbing Detective Hanrahan... muzzling her, and threatening to poison her with Joker toxin. Commissioner Gordon, seeing a young lady at the Joker's can't help but bring up his daughter Barbara... and, oddly enough, the Joker doesn't react. It's as though he doesn't know who "Barbara" is. Hmm...
The Joker and his gang decide to quit da killin' and get ta stealin'. They clean out every pocket in the room, and split. Outside the main hall, we can see Mr. Base tied up and wearing a jester cap... the Joker got him too. Didn't kill him though, hmm...
After being untied and giving his statement to the police, Curtis Base asks if he can trust his aide Marty. He takes him into a back room, where he (and we) learns that his boss is actually the unfunny (unfunnier?) Joker!
Base gives Marty the ol' "Greed is good" speech that was still sorta fashionable before asking him if he's on board. Marty tells him that he can't live that way... so, Curtis decides he's not going to live at all! Marty is hurled out the window, presumably to his death.
Meanwhile, back at that ramshackle apartment we get a better idea who our shadowy television watcher might be. Okay, okay... it's the Joker... the real one. Trembly... scared even, he reaches for his old red hood. We get a few flashback panels to inform us that more than just the crippling of Barbara Gordon made it into continuity from The Killing Joke. Worth mentioning that he refers to "the stunt with Two-Face" here... which, we might recall being the nonsense with the radio during A Lonely Place of Dying.
As the Red Hood, he robs a jewelry store... but things are all wrong. He can't seem to find "the joke", even resorting to some Chris-level punnery. Holding a crowbar, he flashes back to what he had done to Jason Todd... and what had happened to him soon after. He panics, and drops the tool.
We wrap up this bit with an amazing panel... the Joker is laying in bed... terrified... with his red hood capsule-helmet next to him. Really great panel here... the terror in his eyes is so good!
We return to the phony Joker as he does some more punnin' and killin'. Not that the real-deal is all that charming, but Base is really tryharding the banter. I mean, he slices a dude open just so he can mention "side-splitting". C'mon man... the gore shouldn't be a means to an end.
We join Gordon, Hanrahan, and Batman (remember him?) as they investigate the latest Joker crime scene. They find a victim, suffocated... mouth stuffed with chestnuts. A-ha, double terrible pun! I haven't even hit that level yet... or have I? I'm scared to look. The trio of 'tecs deduce that the Joker isn't quite acting like himself... especially since he didn't react to the name Barbara. They put their heads together for a moment... but Batman bugs out before sharing his theory.
We wrap up the issue with the real-Joker watching the news... and growing really quite sick of the terrible pun-based crime. Seeing as though this is really hurting his criminal reputation, he decides it's time to come out of the shadows... this time, the Joker is Wild(er)!
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Alrighty... pretty good stuff. We got some stuff to unpack, so let's get to it.
I'm not as familiar with this era of Batman where I can say with any certainty that this was the first time the Joker's The Killing Joke origin was confirmed as the true Joker origin... but it's very likely to be one of the earliest. This story feels like the convergence of several story points... a true "moving forward" moment.
As stated, we have plenty of The Killing Joke here... with Joker's origin as well as the crippling of Barbara Gordon. We've got some A Death in the Family, with the bludgeoning of Jason and the Joker's helicopter crash... and we've even got some A Lonely Place of Dying with Tim Drake being a part of the cast, and mention of the Joker's radio-manipulation of Two-Face.
When I started getting heavily into DC Comics fandom (mid-late 90's), the "must read" Batman stories were... well, the three I just mentioned. Seeing all of those converge and advance here was a pretty big deal. I'm a big fan of lore and a very big believer in the "everything matters" approach to comics, so I love it anytime past events (regardless of how recent) are tied into a narrative.
For the story itself... I thought it was pretty good. Using Base as the ersatz Joker seemed like a neat approach, though I wish they altered the look a smidge. I don't think he'd look exactly like the Joker when in the paint... I mean, out of costume they even have very different builds. I dunno.
I like the idea of Base not really "getting" the Joker... and having to resort to puns in order to attempt to appropriate the gimmick. Being a long-time punster, I can tell ya... puns are easy, and often quite lame... so it stands to reason that a comedy neophyte might take that approach.
I appreciate Gordon and Hanrahan being invited to the investment pitch thing... as it had them front and center to see Base all tied up and jesterfied. Pretty good thinking there, keeping the heat off our baddie. Seems Base is a pretty smooth (and sinister) character... not bad for a short-term side-villain. I'm not sure if there's any commentary on investment bankers and/or real-estate moguls being made here... but, we can leave that to the fiduciaries.
The Joker being scared is something pretty new to see. I really thought those scenes were well done. Aparo is able to show the sheer terror in the Joker's eyes so well. I'm reminded of the old saying about airplane turbulence... if the flight attendants are still serving drinks, you got nothing to worry about... when they start to worry, it's time to get scared! Having the Joker visibly shaken... just isn't something ya wanna see!
Overall... really good issue! This truly feels like we're moving into the next "era" for post-Crisis Batman... the "big three" stories are out of the way, our status quo is taking hold... and we're moving into the future. A great read... worth checking out. Available digitally.
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Sherlock Holmes #1 (September-October, 1975)
"Chapter One: The Final Problem"
"Chapter Two: The Adventure of the Empty House"
Writer/Editor - Denny O'Neil
Adapted From - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Artist - E.R. Cruz
Cover Price: $0.25
Now for something completely different. I gotta mention up front, I know a thing or two about Sherlock Holmes... and that's not my cute way of saying I'm an expert... I literally know a thing... or two.
If I'm being honest, most of my Holmes experience comes from the Case Closed (Detective Conan) manga, an episode of Alvin and the Chipmunks... and, now, this comic book.
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We open on a chilly Friday night in London... the year is 1891. We see our man Sherlock as he's nearly run down by a horse drawn carriage. Diving out of the way, Holmes finds himself stood before yet another would-be attacker... who he handedly beats up, kayoing him with a right. An officer appears on the scene, recognizes him as Holmes and apologizes for not arriving sooner... not that Holmes needed his aid.
We follow Holmes to the home (ha!) of his associate Dr. John B. Watson... who is quite surprised to see him. We learn that Sherlock had been gone for three days... which Holmes refers to as the three most important days of his career. Ya see, he's been laying the groundwork to trap his greatest opponent yet... ya know, that guy.
Suddenly Holmes realizes they are about to be visited upon... keen hearing is vital to being the world's most pompous skilled detective. We meet a man calling himself Henry Hunter... a law clerk, who needs assistance. Dude barely gets a few words out before Holmes calls him out as a phony! Sure enough, "Henry" draws a sword from his cane... and prepares to attack.
Unfortunately for him, Holmes is quite the skilled fencer (he can also bowl a perfect game!). Sherlock takes the ruffian down with the quickness, while Watson stands by agog... wondering how Holmes was able to figure the fella for a fraud. Well, duh... it's elementary my dear chap... one look at "Henry's" index finger told the tale... there were no calluses from holding a pen. Also, "Henry" is wearing too nice a pair of shoes for some law clerk. While Holmes blathers on explains things, "Henry" flees... Watson locks the door behind him.
It's now that our man decides to come clean and explain everything. Holmes is very close to exposing and defeating the "Napoleon of Crime" Professor James Moriarty. He continues, explaining that Moriarty himself visited him that morning... with a threatening message... which explains why just about every bum in London is trying to kill him tonight!
Seeing as though his role in taking Moriarty down is finished... and Scotland Yard can take care of the rest, Sherlock suggests he and Watson go on holiday... and so, a steamer and train ride later, they arrive in Meiringen, Switzerland at the foot of Reichenbach Falls. Taking in the majestic sight, Holmes is able to get a few puffs off his pipe before a frantic local approaches the pair. Ya see, there's a very sick woman in town... and she needs Dr. Watson. Sherlock gives John the ol' thumbs up... and he heads off.
As soon as Watson is out of sight, Holmes calls out to Moriarty. He knew this was all a ruse to have them be alone at the Falls. Moriarty steps out... and they begin to tussle, before plummeting into the Falls... presumably to their deaths!
Chapter Two begins... some time later. If we're still using the short stories, this occurs in 1894... so, three years after The Final Problem. We watch as a braggadocios gambler named Adair jauntily skips down a cobblestone street, pleased as punch that he won forty quid at cards. As an officer looks on, the man drops dead! Shot in the back, with nary a sound!
Shortly, Dr. Watson arrives... which, is curious. I mean, just because he was pals with Holmes doesn't make him a detective, right? That's like going to a doctor's poker buddy and asking them to remove your tonsils. Anyhoo, Watson arrives... and says, yeah... I'm no Sherlock Holmes. I suppose this does provide him the opportunity to inform us that Holmes is dead though... so, fair enough.
Lestrade informs Watson that the man was murdered with a soft-nosed revolver bullet... though, again... there was no sound of a gun firing. Watson tells the officers that he's "consider the problem", which is almost certainly code for "get me the hell out of here". As he heads home, he comes across a vagrant who troubles him for a "ha'pence". Watson, kindhearted soul that he is, forks over the change. It turns out that this vagrant was actually... Sherlock Holmes in disguise! Whaaaaa--???
Ya see, Holmes explains, during the tussle with Moriarty at the Falls, he relied on the ancient martial art of Baritsu (or Bartitsu as it's known in the real world) to flip the baddie into the depths, while he snuck away none the worse for wear. He decided at this point, faking his own death might be opportune in taking down the rest of the gang.
He continues, explaining that on his way back up... he chose to climb the mountain, rather than risk leaving footprints in the snow. During his ascent, he was spotted by Moriarty's second-in-command, Sebastian Moran... who attempted to drop a boulder on him. Luckily, his aim wasn't so good. Sherlock claims that since that point, he took up an alter ego of a Norwegian explorer named Sigerson... biding his time until the Moriarty gang was behind bars.
Well, all but one anyway. Holmes claims that the most dangerous member of the gang... that same Sebastian Moran... is still at large, and believed to be responsible for the silent Adair murder as well! The game afoot, he tosses Watson his revolver... and the pair enter a cab... which transports them all the way... around the corner?
Sherlock takes a confused Watson into Camden House... the building directly opposed to 221B Baker Street. Peering through the window... into the rooms across the way, Watson spies a wax statue of Holmes sitting by the window... moulded by a Monsieur Oscar Meunier. Watson, as is customary, is confused... and so, Holmes explains... that Moran knows he's alive (hence the boulder drop at the Falls), and has likely been staking out the Baker Street residence.
Sure enough, moments later a man enter the darkened Camden House room, armed with a rifle. Holmes and Watson crouch in the corner to avoid detection, and watch as this fella aims... and fires, blowing the head off the wax figure across the way.
Holmes lights a lamp... and warns Moran that he's done for. Moran wildly swings his rifle... knocking poor Watson on his duff. Sherlock then proceeds to trounce and kayo the baddie... because, he's so much cooler than Watson.
The story ends with the revelation that Moran's rifle is actually an air gun... hence the lack of a "bang"... which was altered to fire revolver bullets. The pair leave, letting Inspector Lestrade arrest Moran. We end with the promise that the next issue will go on sale the final week of August... which, given that they didn't list a year, still might come true!
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As is sometimes the case, the story behind the story is a bit more interesting... just a bit though. Now, most Holmsians (is that a thing?) know that The Final Problem (December, 1893) was originally to be the final Sherlock Holmes story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle... in which Holmes and Moriarty... well, died. The plummet from Reichenbach Falls was supposed to be the end of it all. Ten Years later (due to, if the internet it to be believed, fan pressure), he would be brought back in a series of stories under The Return of Sherlock Holmes banner, beginning with... The Adventure of the Empty House (1903). Hey, that's kinda like comics, right? I gotta wonder if, had this series been allowed to continue at DC Comics, would Denny O'Neil have started to write original Sherlock stories? I mean, if we're going straight adaptation... why begin with what was intended to be Holmes' final adventure, right?
I can't claim to be an expert on copyright and public domain (which, by the looks of it, makes me a rarity online)... so I couldn't suggest that perhaps there were issues of copyright that arose, though, I'm pretty sure at least the character of Sherlock Holmes was public domain... though, not all of his stories. I suppose this wrinkle could've offered O'Neil the opportunity to "go his own way" post Holmes' return... though, I guess we'll never know. At least he'll meet Batman at some point during the 80's, right? Hell, he'll even get the chance to hang out with the Joker for a spell!
For the stories themselves... they appear to be fairly faithful retellings of the Conan Doyle originals... though, full disclosure, I am relying on the Wikipedia synopsis' here. I was unaware that Holmes came across so pompous... or at least, aloof to the point of pomposity. I mean, this is a dude... if you followed him on social media, you'd probably have to throw on "mute" more often than not. I found it hard to root for him here... and really hoped for Watson to give him a bop on the back of his head when he got out of line puffing out his chest.
The art here was preeeeetty fantastic. From Walt Simonson's cover to E.R. Cruz's interiors... this was a damn fine looking book. Total quality from beginning to end... fitting the tone and time of the stories pretty much perfectly. Add Denny O'Neil as writer and you get what seems to be an all-star effort... it's kinda surprising that this got cancelled after this single offering. It's too bad too... as, I think this might be the only way some readers (such as myself) could get into the character and lore of Sherlock Holmes.
Overall, if you come across this issue, I'd definitely recommend snapping it up. Couldn't imagine it being too terribly spendy... though, it might be a bit tough to find. To my knowledge, this has never been collected nor made available digitally... which really isn't all that much of a surprise.
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DC Universe #0 (June, 2008)
"Let There Be Lightning"
Writers - Grant Morrison & Geoff Johns
Pencils - George Perez, Doug Mahnke, Tony S. Daniel, Ivan Reis, Aaron Lopresti, Philip Tan, Ed Benes, Carlos Pacheco & JG Jones
Inks - Scott Koblish, Christian Alamy, Tony S. Daniel, Oclair Albert, Matt Ryan, Jeff De Los Santos, Ed Benes, Jesus Merino & J.G. Jones
Colors - Alex Sinclair, Tom Smith & David Baron
Letters - Nick J. Napolitano
Assistant Editor - Adam Schlagman
Editor - Dan Didio
Cover Price: $0.50
Had a whole big "thing" planned for today. Seeing as though this is my 616th post, I was thinking of doing a DC/Marvel crossover. Said it before... and unfortunately, I'll likely say it again... moving house stinks, and many of my rooms look like they've been hit by a four-color explosion.
I think most of my DC/Marvel stuff is in Longbox #33... just haven't the foggiest which room Longbox #33 might be in!
Soooo.... we'll read and discuss something else.
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We open with what appears to be the Universe (or perhaps a being who is "one with" the Universe)... monologuing. It's a long shot of the universe... and it claims to be "everything". It continues to speak of its defenders, the Justice League of America... and it's the original seven (the real original seven). We can also see several early recruits. The narration continues... speaking of a Multiverse, and a pair of Crises... one that nearly destroyed everything, and another that brought with it multiversal resurrection... and threats of a third, and Final Crisis.
We shift ahead to the 31st Century, where Superman (wearing a Legion flight ring) is battling a baddie called Tyr. Superman requests back-up from his teammates... and so, we see Legionnaires Brainiac-5 and the White Witch having a sort of seance. Brainy says he's attempting to drum up some help for the Man of Steel... however, the next page shows the entire Legion embroiled in battle with those Shadow Demons from Crisis on Infinite Earths!
Next up, we head to Arkham Asylum, presumably the "present day". Batman is visiting with the Joker, who seems to be using regular playing cards as a crazy sort of tarot. Folks really had some fun trying to decipher this scene back in the day. The first couple of cards dealt are the Ace of Clubs and the Eight of Diamonds... which if metasymbology.com is to be believed, the ACE is the card of "desire"... and the CLUB means many things, Education among them... so, it might symbolize Batman's desire for information. Or, it might just be a reference to the "Club of Heroes" or "Club of Villains". The EIGHT means "power" and "control"... DIAMOND means many things, among them Security. Lookit me, pretending to understand this stuff! (I don't by the way, just so we're clear).
Batman asks the Joker if he's heard of an organization (or person) known as The Black Glove. The next card dealt is the EIGHT of HEARTS. Hearts, among other things, means vulnerability... which is pretty apt at this juncture.
The Joker is kinda tickled by Batman not knowing what's to come. He tells him that there are people who are looking to... and are capable of hurting him in a way that he won't recover. Next card is the ACE of SPADES. Which could mean Acceptance... as the Joker follows up by pretending to blow his brains out with a finger-gun. Also worth noting, and more likely the "symbolism" of this scene than any of the nonsense I just researched... H is the eighth letter of the alphabet... soooo, the 8A8A card layout spells... HAHA.
Batman insists that he isn't afraid... after all, if he were, he'd no longer be Batman. The Joker shows the final card of this "dead man's hand" (Aces and Eights)... and, well, wouldja lookit that... the "wild card" is a JOKER card... didn't see that coming!
Next we check in on Wonder Woman, who is battling a Minotaur. Meanwhile, Zeus and Apollo appear to be plotting against her... assembling an army of men to take down the Amazons.
In Northern California, Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart are investigating a scene where the villain Black Hand (not to be confused with Black Glove... though, I've heard one fits perfectly into the other) exploded while being transported to a federal prison. They see a burnt corpse... with a handprint on its chest... a handprint we're about to become very familiar with.
We next follow Black Hand... and also take a tour of the emotional spectrum... as he is summoned by a... black lantern?! Uh-oh.
Next up, we see a scene of the Spectre fighting off the Anti-Monitor from Crisis on Infinite Earths... however, this isn't the green ghoul we're going to be reading about today. There's a new Spirit of God's Wrath/Vengeance/whatever around, and it's former Gotham City cop Crispus Allen. Our narrator is hopeful that, in the coming Crisis, he'll learn that there's more to his role than just vengeance.
We shift to somewhere between shadow and light, where a figure falls... a flaming figure, perhaps Darkseid? Perhaps our narrator?
Next up, a meeting of a reformed Secret Society of Super-Villains... this time led by Libra... and the Crime Bible from 52? Sure, why not?
We wrap up with our narrator's caption becoming clear... it's no longer shaded at one end... now, it features a... lightning bolt?! Now "he" remembers!
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Now, if I were to tell you that we were going to discuss an issue by Geoff Johns with "DC Universe" in the title, that was secretly narrated by the Flash... this probably isn't the first one you'd pick out.
Lemme be honest here... this whole era took place during my unemployment-fueled exile from comics. I did grab this one though... seeing as it only cost fifty pennies. I recall hating it. Not so much for the story, but for the fact that I'd only been away for about six months... and I was completely lost! I think as a primer for new/lapsed readers... this book kinda fails.
If you were ensconced in 2008 DC, however, I think there's a ton to like/love here. This serves as a pretty decent bridge from (whatever the hell) Countdown (was) to Final Crisis. I've tried several times over to read through Countdown... and never make it past the second (of four) trade collection. I think if you were so inclined, you could probably skip that... and just read this. If you're a new reader, you're going to be lost either way!
It's even tough to discuss the individual scenes, as they all play out in different titles. I suppose if you were following those books that would be one thing... I dunno... it's really hard for me to put this one in a "vacuum"... it's predicated on too many stories, and leads to too many more! I really feel like the "introductory" price is a bit deceiving... as this isn't new-reader (or even briefly-lapsed reader) friendly in the slightest. Maybe if this was Countdown to Final Crisis #0... or Final Crisis #0 I'd think differently, but as a stand-alone... it disappoints.
And, no... we're not going to get into Final Crisis today. That's a whole 'nother kettle of wax, ball of fish... whatever... which is on the agenda (likely to be followed up with Reggie and I digging our way through a Weird Comics History episode), but that's for another day.
This is a toughie to recommend, as it brings a whole lotta baggage with it. If you wanna read this as a snapshot of post-Infinite Crisis/pre-Final Crisis DC, I'm sure you could. You might not get much out of it... but, then again you may! On the other hand, if you are doing a mid-aughts DC reading project, than this is a must. How's that for riding the fence?
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