What do you think?
Rate this book
The Batman Chronicles (Reprints) #4
The Batman Chronicles, Vol. 4
Collects the earliest adventures of Batman and Robin as they battle a variety of villains including the Monk and the Joker.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Bill Finger
645 books105 followersWilliam "Bill" Finger was an American comic strip and comic book writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development. In later years, Kane acknowledged Finger as "a contributing force" in the character's creation. Comics historian Ron Goulart, in Comic Book Encyclopedia, refers to Batman as the "creation of artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger", and a DC Comics press release in 2007 about colleague Jerry Robinson states that in 1939, "Kane, along with writer Bill Finger, had just created Batman for [DC predecessor] National Comics".
Film and television credits include scripting The Green Slime (1969), Track of the Moon Beast (1976), and three episodes of 77 Sunset Strip.
-Wikipedia
Film and television credits include scripting The Green Slime (1969), Track of the Moon Beast (1976), and three episodes of 77 Sunset Strip.
-Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 8, 2015
This book collect Batman stories from Detective Comics #51-56, World's Finest #2 and #3 and Batman #6 and #7, covering material from May-November 1941. These are very strong stories and there's a nice variety. There are two stories featuring signature Batman villains, but also Batman taking on river pirates, old west mysteries, a mystery set in timber country, and of course a good share of good old urban mysteries.
Some highlights of the book:
Viola Vane (Detective Comics #53): Bruce Wayne and a friend get into an argument over whether everyone in Gotham are heartless. Batman gets a chance to show the city has heart when he saves a wanna be actress who has been fibbing to her parents about the success of her career (she's actually a waitress.) Batman gets the city to set her up as a successful actress with jewels and furs. In many ways, this seems more like a typical Superman story rather than Batman. However, when some criminals muscle in on her and try to rob her that adds a nice twist.
The Scarecrow is introduced in World's Finest #3 (that's odd because World's Finest rarely has such fine material.) The story establishes many facts such as his occupation and name. However, the character's use of guns and violence is unusual and something that would be later abandoned.
The Joker has a very solid story leading off Batman #7 when he gets a bunch of practical jokers to start committing crimes for him. little by little. The twisted nature of the Joker is definitely on display in this story as he slowly turns them from regular practical jokes to a life of crime. Though the story is maybe a little over the top in telling kids that practical jokes leads to homicidal mania.
Perhaps, the most important change in the book is the focus of the relationship between Batman and the police. In issue 6, he helps a young patrolman with a tough beat defeat criminals and internal police corruption. Batman #7 features a very solid story, "The People vs. Batman" where Bruce Wayne is framed for murder and it's up to Robin to get the killers and eventually Batman is broken out of jail leading Commissioner Gordon to deliver a speech to the jury on Batman's virtue. In context, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense as to why he would be making this speech in this context, but it's awesome speech. Not only is that, it shows a shift in the characters with Batman being appointed an honorary member of the Police force resulting in Batman and Gordon working close together for decades to come until the relationship would be redefined in the 1980s. That alone makes this a must-read chapter in the Batman story.
Some highlights of the book:
Viola Vane (Detective Comics #53): Bruce Wayne and a friend get into an argument over whether everyone in Gotham are heartless. Batman gets a chance to show the city has heart when he saves a wanna be actress who has been fibbing to her parents about the success of her career (she's actually a waitress.) Batman gets the city to set her up as a successful actress with jewels and furs. In many ways, this seems more like a typical Superman story rather than Batman. However, when some criminals muscle in on her and try to rob her that adds a nice twist.
The Scarecrow is introduced in World's Finest #3 (that's odd because World's Finest rarely has such fine material.) The story establishes many facts such as his occupation and name. However, the character's use of guns and violence is unusual and something that would be later abandoned.
The Joker has a very solid story leading off Batman #7 when he gets a bunch of practical jokers to start committing crimes for him. little by little. The twisted nature of the Joker is definitely on display in this story as he slowly turns them from regular practical jokes to a life of crime. Though the story is maybe a little over the top in telling kids that practical jokes leads to homicidal mania.
Perhaps, the most important change in the book is the focus of the relationship between Batman and the police. In issue 6, he helps a young patrolman with a tough beat defeat criminals and internal police corruption. Batman #7 features a very solid story, "The People vs. Batman" where Bruce Wayne is framed for murder and it's up to Robin to get the killers and eventually Batman is broken out of jail leading Commissioner Gordon to deliver a speech to the jury on Batman's virtue. In context, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense as to why he would be making this speech in this context, but it's awesome speech. Not only is that, it shows a shift in the characters with Batman being appointed an honorary member of the Police force resulting in Batman and Gordon working close together for decades to come until the relationship would be redefined in the 1980s. That alone makes this a must-read chapter in the Batman story.
June 25, 2016
4th book read in 2016.
Number 277 out of 497 on my all time book list.
Review Pending:
Number 277 out of 497 on my all time book list.
Review Pending:
May 10, 2012
I was tempted to give it a three just because it's classic Batamn. But in the end these stories are almost all Batman vs. Petty Crime. We do get one Joker story and the origin of The Scarecrow, but even these stories are very small scale with nothing epic to them.
June 21, 2011
Wonderful, writers at creative peak. Truly a remarkable literary creation.
October 23, 2016
Compared to the Superman Chronicles, the Batman Chronicles appear darker in appearance & not as easy to read, but still fun
July 28, 2012
Read 7/14/09
November 16, 2011
This volume introduces The Scarecrow.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews