Batman annual #9

 

Yesterday was the 75^th anniversary of Batman’s first appearance on newsstands. So, of course I wasn’t going to let the milestone pass without reading a Batman comic. I choose Batman Annual #9, from 1985. Titled “The Four Faces of Batman” we delve into Batman’s history, first as a child witnessing his parents brutal murder. Then we see Batman as he avenges wrongs AND bends the rules when he investigates a bank robbery than results in an innocent’s death. Third, we examine Bruce Wayne’s dual nature as millionaire playboy and Dark Knight detective when a childhood friend of Bruce’s is murdered. Lastly, we examine the legend of the Batman as a child, a teacher, and a criminal recount in their own words how they were saved from a fire by the Caped Crusader. In a touching twist, we see that event from Bruce Wayne’s eyes but it’s loyal butler Alfred who gets the last word, turning off Bruce’s alarm clock so the playboy can recover from injuries sustained in the line of duty.

I felt like this was the perfect choice for something to read in tribute to one of my all-time favorite super heroes. This annual takes place in 1985, right in the middle of the Final Crisis, I’m pretty sure that Len Wein and the slew of artists who worked on this annual used it as a final tribute to the original Batman. Case in point, during the first face of Batman, Batman says “it’s been a long time since I thought about my parents death.” These days, you can’t go an entire story arc without the Batman having a flash back to his parents demise. Clearly, the Dark Knight honored in this annual is indeed “your father’s Batman.”

The art is pretty good (I just love the painted cover) and the plotting is fantastic. The third act was supposed to be an interactive tale with the reader solving the murder mystery. Sadly, the solution makes this chapter the weakest of the bunch. Otherwise, a fantastic annual that is very much Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.