Batman Family Giant #13 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In 1974, DC Comics unveiled a new anthology series called Superman Family. Though Superman was featured on the very first issue, the series centered on the adventures of friends and family of the Man of Steel. Superman Family served a financial purpose for DC as they cancelled the titles devoted to Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane and Supergirl individually and merged them into a giant sized publication for the affordable cover price of 60 cents. Numbering of the series picked upon that  issue #164 of Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen.

A huge success, DC followed up with the anthology formula with Batman Family the following year. Unlike Superman Family, the numbering for the new series began with #1. A few issues later, it was rebranded as Batman Family Giant. The exploits of Vicki Vale, Alfred Pennyworth and the Huntress were regular subjects along with reprints. The first main feature was a monthly team-up of Batgirl and the Dick Grayson Robin. Their first pairing was supposed to be featured in an issue if 1st Issue Special. However, once it was decided to create the Batman sister anthology, editors decided that the Boy Wonder and Batgirl combo would be an excellent selling point with readers. 

Beginning at issue #11, Man-Bat was also made a main feature of the title. An attempt had been made to feature the Jekyll and Hyde type character into a superhero in his own title. However, the idea proved unpopular and the series was cancelled after issue #2. However, as there were still several Man-Bat stories on tap that had yet to be published, the idea was to burn those stories in the pages of Batman Family.

Eventually, Robin and Batgirl, billed as the Dynamite Duo were fated to team with Man-Bat. 

In this issue, both Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon are gifted a new motorcycle. There's no note or indication who sent it. But it intrigues both sleuths, who don their costumes and decide to take their new choppers for a spin. This turns out to be a massive mistake as once they mount their new rides, their arms are essentially handcuffed to the handlebars. Then the motorcycles go into automatic pilot mode, and once in New York City, the two heroes meet, Travelling at speeds well exceeding the speed limit Robin and Batgirl about to play a most deadly game of chicken.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kirk Langstrom is trying to settle into his new role as superhero. Making a new start in the Big Apple, Langstrom has perfected his genetic serum, allowing his body to change into the Man-Bat while keeping his level headed Langstrom personality.

Staying sane as the Man-Bat hasn't been easy. In his most recent experience, a gang armed with a special type of flashlight was able to transform the Man-Bat into a savage jaguar creature. On his latest patrol of the city, Man-Bat runs afoul of the gang with the specialized light source. Knowing that he'll never be free until he can destroy that lantern, the new found hero goes in for the attack. Disarming the the gang, Man-Bat makes a leap for the device. Only another player has taken control of it: the Outsider! 

A classic foe from the 1960s, the Outsider was originally the resurrected Alfred Pennyworth, devoted butler to Bruce Wayne. The process that revived Alfred changed his psyche to wanting to kill Batman and anyone associated with him. It also changed his appearance with his skin becoming chalk white and covered in boils. Able to telekinetically control matter, it's very likely that the Outsider is behind the attack on Robin and Batgirl. Only it doesn't add up. Alfred Pennyworth hasn't reverted to the Outsider persona in years. Has Pennyworth gone mad again? Or has a new player found the key to becoming one of Batman's most deadliest of does?

Published roughly 8 times a year, Batman Family Giant survived until late 1978. Ultimately cancelled with issue #20, the series originally was to survive the infamous DC implosion. Batman Family Giant was actually outselling Detective Comics at the time. Execs actually planned to cancel Detective Comics. Artists and writers protested the loss of such an iconic title and thus Batman Family Giant got the axe. In a sort of compromise, Robin, Batgirl and Man-Bat's adventures were continued in Detective Comics, now given the 'Giant' moniker as the page count was upped to 68 with a $1.00 price tag. After 15 issues, the series lost the extra word and pages 'effectively cancelling Batman Family for good'.

'The Man Who Melted Manhattan' was written by the Answer Man, Bob Rozakis. Artwork was attributed to Don Newton, Marshall Rogers and Bob Wiacek. This issue is notable as being the first professionally published work by eventual Batman Norm Breyfogle, who submitted a redesigned Robin uniform in a portfolio display titled 'Robin's New Look?' in the back of the book. 

Completing this review completes Task #12 (Batman Comic from the 1970s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Superman #411 (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

It's the summer of 1985. You go to the local Fast Fare in hopes of the newest issue of Superman. Last issue saw the beginning of a 3-part 'Luthor Trilogy' that promises to cap the age old conflict between the Man of Steel and his greatest arch enemy right before Crisis on Infinite Earths changes everything. You scour the spinner rack where you find issue #411. Only instead of the 2nd part of Superman's battle with Luthor, you're faced with a special birthday issue devoted to DC editor Julius Schwartz!?

Elliot S! Maggin, Curt Swan, Murphy Anderson, John Costanza, Gene D'Angelo, Paul Levitz and Bob Rozakis crafted this September 1985 issue intended to be an oversized birthday to the beloved Superman editor known affectionately as Julie. This issue was planned as a surprise for Schwartz months before. Though you might be wondering how you can keep such an issue secret from the editor of DC's flagship hero. Enter Dick Giordano, who in his role as Vice President-Executive Editor, managed to keep everything under wraps until publication. 

'The Last Earth Prime Story' begins on Earth-One where that world's Julius Schwartz is down on his luck and homeless. Because of the existence of superheroes on that earth, interest in fictional stories about super-powered beings has waned. Hoping to change his fortune on his 70th birthday, Schwartz goes over to the Daily Planet building to ask old friend Perry White for a job but is turned away by White's secretary for his sloven appearance. 

Later in the day, Perry is alerted to Julie's visit and goes out with his wife to find him. When the White's run into Superman, Perry informs the Man of Steel about how Schwartz helped him get into publishing during the early days of Science Fiction pulps. Superman agrees to continue the search when he discovers Julie being held captive at the hands of a deranged member of a spy network who is literally half human/half machine! 

The book ends on Earth Prime at DC Comics headquarters. The Julie Schwartz of Earth Prime, our earth, is in the office enjoying his 70th birthday party. A number of DC talent make cameos in the scene including publisher Jeanette Kahn, Curt Swan and Dick Giordano. Astute fans of Superman history should also note the presence of former Superman editor Mort Weisinger, who appears as a decorative bust in Clark Kent's apartment. Superstars of the golden age of science fiction such as Ray Bradbury, Frederik Pohl and John W. Campbell cameo during the scene where Perry White explains his personal history with Julius Schwartz to Superman.

Julie retired from comics in 1986 after 42 years at DC Comics. In retirement, Schwartz would be a regular guest at comic cons nationwide. Schwartz was DC's editor emeritus until his death in 2004 at age 88.

Completing this review completes Task #44 (A Book Featured in a FB Group Post) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

V #8

Issue #8 spins off directly from the V television series. Episode 12, titled 'The Betrayal' was the final appearances of Ham Tyler, Chris Farber and Robin Maxwell. Robin is the mother of Elizabeth, the Star Child and the Visitors are eager to capture Robin and impregnate her once again in hopes of creating another super-powered hybrid child. 

Ham and Chris take Robin to Chicago in hopes of hiding her there. That's how all 3 characters left the show. But in reality, this was how writers wrote off actor Michael Ironside, who felt that the TV series lacked the quality of the original miniseries. Considering that the budget for each show was dramatically slashed, episodes looked more like Dynasty instead of The Invaders, and most of the special effects were recycled scenes from V and V: The Final Battle, Inronside might have been on to something. 

I like that guest scripter Bob Rozankis decided to focus on parts of the show left unfinished. The viewers got to see the trio leave for the Midwest. But we never find out if they made it and how they transitioned in an area reportedly known to be safe from Visitor influences thanks to the Red Dust. 

SPOILER- they are not safe!

I think Bob Rozankis wrote about Ham, Chris and Robin because they weren't off limits. Main characters such as Mike, Julie and Diana were probably listed as off limits until Cary Bates' return to the series. Just where is Mister Bates? Not sure. The letter col doesn't mention why he's absent from issue #8. However, the editors do mention that the fate of V: The TV Series is in danger of cancellation. But they reassure fans that if that happens, DC has been given permission to wrap up the storyline. I can live with that. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

DC Special #27

In a story that takes place simultaneously in the prehistoric past, modern day 1977 and the year 2056, a series of events are conspiring to destroy the very fabric of space and time. The time travel villain Chronos is releasing dinosaurs into the 20th Century in hopes of keeping a pair of intergalactic time cops busy while the fiend goes back in time to steal a comet from a race of dino-people!

Oh my god was this story a jumbled mess...

I've not really been a fan of the character of Captain Comet. In my opinion, DC needs to stay away from mutants. That's Marvel territory. To me, he seems like a second rate Man of Tomorrow.

Now the presence of Silver Age fixture Tommy Tomorrow in this story with the added mix of time travel- that's DC's bread and butter! And that part of the story comes along fine. Having Captain Comet and Hawkman tackle some time displaced thunder lizards was a lot of fun. Having a Jurassic age race of dinosaurs who worship a giant comet is really stupid. The addition of Chronos was fun and his diversion was rather smart. But there's a ton of stuff going on here and 34 pages just isn't enough room to get it all in. 

DC's answer man, Bob Rozakis, penned this story. I think if he was allowed to have a 2-parter, this would have been a much better story. But 1977, when this story was published, was during the dawn of the DC Implosion of titles. So the publisher was doing everything it could to get works published during a time when sales were at a near all-time low without sacrificing titles. Hawkman and Superman as members of the Justice League are in this story. And the JLA satellite is a setting that bookends this book. Why couldn't they have added a couple of more Leaguers and made this a two-part Justice League of America story? It would have worked, I tell ya!

It's not for me to question why DC did what it did. This was a dire financial time for the company that only a 1978 live-action feature of the Man of Steel would solve. But the possibilities of what if are just mind boggling. Oh, wait- What If... that's Marvel territory. Oops...

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.