Hard to believe that Batman has been around for over 70 years… But he has.
In that time, countless numbers of writers, artists, actors and directors have given the world their interpretation of him.
In my first Inveterate Media Junkies column, I want to discuss two of the most recent writer and artist teams to tackle The Bat– people who are in charge of shepherding possibly the most coveted character in the Comic Book history.
Paul Cornell's 1st of 3
Paul Cornell’s 3-issue stint began with Batman & Robin issue #17. His interpretation of the character shows a very fun Dick Grayson, striving to represent the light-hearted side of the Batman psychology and mythos. Dick fights supervillians, banters with Robin and solves riddles—all while smiling more. LOTS more.
It’s clear that Cornell’s intent on continuing the Grant Morrison tradition where Batman is a SUPERHERO first and a VIGILANTE second… A superhero with a trusty sidekick and a cool Batmobile. Scott McDaniel’s artwork perfectly compliments Cornell’s lighter approach to The Bat. The cape’s always behind Dick, shifting and flowing– and you see a lot more of the gray costume than usual. You also get a lot more of Batman’s gold utility belt. The thing really shines, as if the colorist Alex Sinclair had been given the note to make it brighter. The cape and cowl are also a darker blue than a black. Sinclair certainly did a good job distinguishing his “take” on Batman.
Scott Snyder's 1st of Hopefully Many More
Scott Snyder is changing Batman again—this time by deconstructing and rebuilding Dick Grayson in Detective Comics #871. In this bat book, Batman is a true detective again. He’s also dealing with a lot of different personal and professional problems– all while protecting Gotham City to the best of his abilities.
What’s great– he doesn’t fight villains. He solves crimes. Snyder uses the classic storytelling device of someone using villain-tech to kill. As with Batman and Robin, Jock’s distinctive Detective artwork plays an enormous role in delineating the uniqueness of Snyder’s Batman. Jock’s Dick Grayson instantly looks tired and less put together. He looks exactly like he’s experienced a series of rough, sleepless nights (and days)– just like he describes to Alfred. You can almost feel every pain that racks Dick’s body… Every strain to every muscle.
Yet, when the action begins– you barely see any detail in Batman’s body. He is often little more than an outline of a terrifying bat-like demon– striking fear in the hearts of Gotham’s evil-doers. The cape constantly draped over Batman’s shoulders provides the most noticeable effect… The white of his Grayson’s eyes lost in a sea of black cape and cowl.
Beautiful is the only word suitable for this artwork. Jock and colorist David Baron bring Batman to new heights– giving Detective #871 the feel of a classic Bat story. It rains every night in Snyder and Jock’s Gotham. Bats fly against a dark purple and red sky while Batman talks to Commissioner Gordon on the rooftop of GCPD Headquarters. An ominous dark pink permeates the edgy scene where Batman interrogates a tied up suspect. Colorist Baron’s Bat is also paler than most people—emphasizing that the Bat’s best work is done at night. As a life-long Bat Fan, here’s the thing I loved most about the “new” look: Even Jock’s Batman looks rough, not entirely clean-shaven and a bit weary. Fantastic!
It would be easy for me to go with the masses and say I like Detective #871 better– But I can’t bring myself to do it. I appreciate both books in their own unique way… Be it the pop-art 60’s TV Show feel of Batman and Robin #17 or the dark gritty realism of Detective… I really do love them both.
I re-read page four of B&R expecting to see BANG! POW! and BIFF! And I re-read Detective half-believing Dick would exclaim, “I’m Batman!” while punching a dirty cop for double-dealing.
To any Batman fan– old or young– I highly recommend both these approaches. If you’re looking for the excitement of supervillians and fighting henchmen, pick up Cornell’s Batman and Robin. If you’re looking for gritty realism in a fantastic world as bats fly overhead in a dark red sky, I suggest Detective Comics.
Thanks for reading this, the first of many monthly posts for the Inveterate Media Junkies website. Thanks again to Insideman and Jose for the honor of this great opportunity… And finally, thanks to everyone for reading and for (hopefully) giving me your opinions and comments below.
Until next time!
– Aidan (assembleavengers124)
Aidan can also be found on his blog at: http://assembleavengers124.wordpress.com/
