A BATMAN WEEK Epilogue: What we learned in 1974…
Saturday marked the 85th anniversary of Detective Comics #27 — which was released March 30, 1939 — and with it came the conclusion to BATMAN WEEK.
But hey, we have an epilogue for you. (Two, actually!)
See, our pal Rob Kelly, host of TreasuryCast on the Fire and Water Podcast Network, has a new episode out — and it covers 1974’s Famous 1st Edition #C-28: Detective Comics #27.
Bob Kane
Rob was kind enough to have me on as a guest to talk about the treasury (plus the new Limited Collectors’ Edition #C-51 Batman/Ra’s al Ghul Facsimile Edition.)
In preparation, I realized something: I had never read Detective Comics #27 cover to cover. Imagine that! Sure, I’ve read The Case of the Chemical Syndicate, by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, a zillion times but never all the other stories in the book.
Here’s what jumped out at me when I finished the issue: It’s obvious from the very start that the Bat-Man is a really groovy-looking dude. That’s a given. And if you read that first story in a vacuum, you think, “Well, that was OK, but it was pretty basic.”
And it was when you consider what came after. But reading the story in the context of the complete issue, it’s clear that Finger was far and away the best writer in the Detective stable. The other tales, including two non-Superman entries by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, are crude and in some cases amateurish by comparison.
The Case of the Chemical Syndicate is a taut little whodunit, well paced and well told, with action interspersed with the mystery. Finger was streets ahead of his colleagues and it helps explain why — beyond the visual trappings — the Bat-Man didn’t fade away like other masked men (like this issue’s Crimson Avenger).
Rob and I talk about this and a whole lot more, so click here to have a listen or check it out on your fave podcast app. You will most certainly be glad you did.
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MORE
— The BATMAN WEEK 2024 INDEX! Click here.
— KERRY CALLEN: What COULD Have Happened When That Bat Flew Into BRUCE WAYNE’s Window. Click here.
March 31, 2024
My favorite moment? When the door opens “to reveal its occupant…”
March 31, 2024
Having first read this story when this tabloid edition printed, I don’t think I ever noticed it was signed as “Rob’t Kane” until just now. I do remember how my young self was so disappointed there was only the 1 Bat-Man story.
March 31, 2024
No mention of the story being stolen from the Shadow?
April 4, 2024
No, but a fair point.