TALES OF THE BATMAN - a 1995 short story compilation,
featuring work from writers like Joe Lansdale and Isaac Asimov. Not sure how I
ended up with a copy. Those “Buy 10 Books for a Penny!” book club ads in ‘90s
comics always seemed to feature this collection, so I assume someone I knew
ended up with this and passed it along to me.
I’ll admit that, until now, I’ve never found the time to
read this thing.
For years, I assumed the cover was by Brian Stelfreeze,
but it’s a Steve Stanley piece. No spot illos on the inside, in contrast to
all of the Marvel novels of the era.
The collection opens with “Neutral Ground” by Mike
Resnick.
A short, unexciting intro chapter, based on the premise
of a neutral costume shop for Gotham’s costumed figures. Including Batman.
I’m sure DC’s bible now makes is clear Batman makes his
own gear. And the prospect of him ever sharing “Neutral Ground” with criminals
is hard to swallow.
The story also doesn’t indicate Bruce wears a disguise
when shopping for new gloves and boots, which is odd.
Then again, the Riddler is described as having “thinning
blond hair,” so maybe the implication is that all customers wear disguises.
“Command Performance” by Howard Goldsmith
A Dick Grayson solo tale, set during his high school
days. Apparently, Dick works for his high school newspaper -- which has its
own building, printing press, and reputation for investigative reporting.
Okay.
This reads as a YA story, which isn’t inappropriate,
since the plot centers on Dick investigating a ring of teenage thieves, led by
a hypnotist. I wasn’t expecting YA material in the anthology, however; it’s
presented as a novel for older readers.
Goldsmith’s portrayal of Batman is years out of date.
‘90s Batman was already past his “chatty” stage. He also thinks nothing of
having Batman and Dick Grayson interact in public, which likely didn’t happen
much after the Silver Age.
Goldsmith also isn’t writing Robin as a young martial
arts master; he’s unable to outmaneuver an aging hypnotist in one lengthy
scene.
The number of lame villains in these opening pieces is
stunning.
“Subway Jack” by Joe R. Lansdale
Lansdale became a writer on TAS based on his earlier
prose Batman work.
“Subway Jack” is a predator, possessed by the evil spirit
that inhabits a blade. It’s another entry in the Batman vs. serial killer
genre, following a rather goofy story that seems inspired by the ‘60s TV show.
Lansdale emphasizes the friendship between Gordon and
Batman, allowing both to take turns as narrator. That’s when the narrative
isn’t switching over to descriptions that read as excerpts from a comic script.
I’m assuming most readers are familiar with terms like “splash page,” but maybe
a casual fan at Waldenbooks was confused.
Nothing new about pitting Batman against Jack the Ripper
types, but Lansdale understands the two main characters well. And the way he
plays around with the narrative breaks up the monotony.
“Northwestward” by Isaac Asimov
The anthology’s biggest name, Asimov has little interest
in writing a straight Batman piece.
Instead, it’s a mystery story that centers on the “real”
Bruce Wayne, the millionaire investigator who inspired the fictitious hero
“Batman.”
Bruce, now 73, has approached a society of intellectuals
known as the Black Widowers to help him resolve a personal mystery.
Bruce is concerned that his current butler, Alfred’s
nephew, was plotting to steal valuable pieces of Batman memorabilia. (The real
Bruce having amassed the world’s largest collection of Batman paraphernalia,
flattered by “his” success.)
After exhausting all possibilities, it’s the Black
Widowers’ butler who notices a clue everyone missed, clearing the case.
Asimov seems enchanted by the idea of Batman as a human
hero, dismissive of Superman & other impervious gods. What that has to do
with creating fiction within fiction, giving us a “real” Bruce who was never
Batman -- that, I don’t get.
It seems, especially if the story stars an elderly Bruce,
that the same mystery could’ve been told with the standard, fictitious Batman.
But who am I to judge Isaac Asimov?