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Showcase Presents: Batman #1
Showcase Presents: Batman, Vol. 1
Volume One - 2006.
552 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2006
3 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Gardner Francis Fox
1,192 books90 followersGardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer known best for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic book historians estimate that he wrote more than 4,000 comics stories, including 1,500 for DC Comics.
Fox is known as the co-creator of DC Comics heroes the Flash, Hawkman, Doctor Fate and the original Sandman, and was the writer who first teamed those and other heroes as the Justice Society of America. Fox introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics in the 1961 story "Flash of Two Worlds!"
Pseudonyms: Gardner F. Fox, Jefferson Cooper, Bart Sommers, Paul Dean, Ray Gardner, Lynna Cooper, Rod Gray, Larry Dean, Robert Starr, Don Blake, Ed Blake, Warner Blake, Michael Blake, Tex Blane, Willis Blane, Ed Carlisle, Edgar Weston, Tex Slade, Eddie Duane, Simon Majors, James Kendricks, Troy Conway, Kevin Matthews, Glen Chase
Fox is known as the co-creator of DC Comics heroes the Flash, Hawkman, Doctor Fate and the original Sandman, and was the writer who first teamed those and other heroes as the Justice Society of America. Fox introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics in the 1961 story "Flash of Two Worlds!"
Pseudonyms: Gardner F. Fox, Jefferson Cooper, Bart Sommers, Paul Dean, Ray Gardner, Lynna Cooper, Rod Gray, Larry Dean, Robert Starr, Don Blake, Ed Blake, Warner Blake, Michael Blake, Tex Blane, Willis Blane, Ed Carlisle, Edgar Weston, Tex Slade, Eddie Duane, Simon Majors, James Kendricks, Troy Conway, Kevin Matthews, Glen Chase
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 3, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. This book is not a book in the ordinary sense; it is a collection of comics ranging from different time periods. Batman has been a favorite comic book character of mine since I was a kid. I actually bought this looking for another comic, and it has many great comics in it. I will say, of course, not all of them are winners in my book. There were a few of them that were out there like the one about the blockbuster, which is basically a big giant with big muscles that fights Batman throughout Gotham City. For the most part, there were all very good comics. The stories aren't serious. They're funny. They're fun to read. I would recommend them to anyone who likes Batman. They really get back to the roots of Batman. Four stars.
February 2, 2019
A Great collection of Silver age Batman stories from 1964/5.
August 4, 2022
3.5 stars. In 1964 DC replaced most of Batman's creative team, jettisoned the SF and monsters that had taken over the series and launched the "new look" — down-to-Earth stories with mysteries and smart crooks. The results are enjoyable, occasionally inspired: "Two Way Deathtrap" is doing deconstruction years before I thought anyone was trying that.
These stories are much lighter than the darker, grimmer Batman who began at the end of the decade and still defines the character today. So as usual with older comics, YMMV.
These stories are much lighter than the darker, grimmer Batman who began at the end of the decade and still defines the character today. So as usual with older comics, YMMV.
September 12, 2025
1964-65 gems include Robin teaches Elongated Man how to fight, Joker rides a chicken, Penguins robs a jewelled meteroite, Outsider hires a witch, Getaway Genius debuts, Riddler reforms, Karmak debuts, Joker imperonates Chaplin & Bat, & Mr. Incognito & Robin Gang debut
June 15, 2018
great to read storylines that influenced 66 Batman with one or two direct adaptations
June 2, 2024
Finished Saturday night, June 1, thoroughly enjoyed and may buy other DC showcase collections.
March 3, 2015
A few significant things happen in this book which collects 16 months of Batman stories from Batman comics and Detective comics from May 1964-September 1965.
Fist, there's a new design for the Batmobile introduced in the second story of the book. Second, Alfred is killed off unceremoniously early in this book and Aunt Harriet moves in with Batman and Robin and makes perhaps two o three appearances during the rest of the period.
There are four stories featuring Batman's remarkable rogue's gallery (two with the Joker and one each with the Riddler and the Penguin.) The Riddler tale was notable because the character had last been seen sixteen and a half year's previously. The book is the best issue in the collection. Elements of "The Remarkable Ruse of the Riddler" would be the basis for very first episode of the 1960s Batman TV show. Another story that would be adapted to television would be, "The Joker's Comedy Capers."
The only other highlights is the introduction of the Outsider who periodically menaces the Dynamic Duo with wannabe supervillains. This particular storyline isn't resolved in this book. We also see Robin have one adventure on his own and one where he's the prime character as well as Batman on his own while Robin was on a mission with the pilot issue for the Teen Titans setting the stage for the future status quo.
Other than that, the comic is surprising for how out of date it is. Most of Batman and Robin's foes are the fairly generic crooks they were taking on in the Golden Age. Robin looks the same as he died when he was introduced twenty-four years ago. The Batman of this era was stuck in a rut, doing the same thing it'd been doing with the Golden Age with a few silly Silver Age touches thrown in. It's shocking that three years into DC facing competition from Marvel, Batman was this kind of book which is creaking into the 1960s.
Most of the stories are enjoyable, but there almost anachronistic compared to the other comics of their area. Not just Marvel, but other series like DC such as the Flash, the Atom, or Superman had more colorful stories. Still, they're not bad for what they are and a particular favorite of mine is, "The Genius of the Getaway Gimmicks" where a criminal figured out that rather than setting stupid death traps for Batman, it made more sense to put their efforts to getting away. A clever guy.
Bottom line, these are good but not great stories. They're fun if you're a fan of Batman and want to see character very slowly evolving.
Fist, there's a new design for the Batmobile introduced in the second story of the book. Second, Alfred is killed off unceremoniously early in this book and Aunt Harriet moves in with Batman and Robin and makes perhaps two o three appearances during the rest of the period.
There are four stories featuring Batman's remarkable rogue's gallery (two with the Joker and one each with the Riddler and the Penguin.) The Riddler tale was notable because the character had last been seen sixteen and a half year's previously. The book is the best issue in the collection. Elements of "The Remarkable Ruse of the Riddler" would be the basis for very first episode of the 1960s Batman TV show. Another story that would be adapted to television would be, "The Joker's Comedy Capers."
The only other highlights is the introduction of the Outsider who periodically menaces the Dynamic Duo with wannabe supervillains. This particular storyline isn't resolved in this book. We also see Robin have one adventure on his own and one where he's the prime character as well as Batman on his own while Robin was on a mission with the pilot issue for the Teen Titans setting the stage for the future status quo.
Other than that, the comic is surprising for how out of date it is. Most of Batman and Robin's foes are the fairly generic crooks they were taking on in the Golden Age. Robin looks the same as he died when he was introduced twenty-four years ago. The Batman of this era was stuck in a rut, doing the same thing it'd been doing with the Golden Age with a few silly Silver Age touches thrown in. It's shocking that three years into DC facing competition from Marvel, Batman was this kind of book which is creaking into the 1960s.
Most of the stories are enjoyable, but there almost anachronistic compared to the other comics of their area. Not just Marvel, but other series like DC such as the Flash, the Atom, or Superman had more colorful stories. Still, they're not bad for what they are and a particular favorite of mine is, "The Genius of the Getaway Gimmicks" where a criminal figured out that rather than setting stupid death traps for Batman, it made more sense to put their efforts to getting away. A clever guy.
Bottom line, these are good but not great stories. They're fun if you're a fan of Batman and want to see character very slowly evolving.
March 8, 2012
This collection shows a Batman who is in a transitionary phase, slowly leaving behind the goofier elements common to superhero comics of the 1930s-50s. Beginning with the debut of the "new look" Batman in "detective Comics" #327, this volume slows a slightly more down-to-earth Batman; gone are the strange transformations and travels to alien worlds. There is still plenty of lovable Silver Age goofiness though, and there is rarely a dull moment. Stories from this era provide a nice balance to the dark, "gritty" Batman that has been common the past few decades. I prefer the darker interpretation myself, but I also enjoy these more light-hearted tales quite a bit.
July 9, 2013
this collection is not nearly as hysterical as the golden age stuff, but has a laughable charm all its own. some of the worst concepts in comics ever came out of this era and how batman and robin managed to survive these goofiest of the goofy years is sometimes astonishing.
whenever people say "batman is supposed to be x" or "y" or "z", i remind them of these humble (and absurd) origins: batman is dark, gritty, zany, goofy, whatever the generation makes of him ~ that's part of why he endures.
so there's plenty to appreciate here; even with all of its "aww shucks" naivete and often flat-out lazy simplicity.
whenever people say "batman is supposed to be x" or "y" or "z", i remind them of these humble (and absurd) origins: batman is dark, gritty, zany, goofy, whatever the generation makes of him ~ that's part of why he endures.
so there's plenty to appreciate here; even with all of its "aww shucks" naivete and often flat-out lazy simplicity.
May 16, 2012
Great fun. I love the "wise guy" dialogue, the foiled capers, the mobs and gangs that get nabbed. After exploring the graphic novel treatments of Batman, it was wonderful to go back to the originals and see the stuff I saw as a kid after riding my bike to the drug store that sold comics. Sugar Daddy candy, comics, and 45 rpm records. those were the days!
June 1, 2009
A pretty fun collection of "Adam West-era" Batman stories from the mid 60s. The quality of the stories varies a lot, and it's kind of a chore to read more than a couple at a time, but overall I liked it.
August 24, 2010
The Batman I grew up with. Still as goofy and fun as ever.
January 1, 2011
Batman certainly has changed over the years.
May 16, 2011
I LOVE Batman! This collection of issues from the '50s and 60's are sooo funny. Seriously, what was up with Robin's costume???
might-read
April 8, 2015Detective Comics #327-342
Batman #164-174
1964-65
B&W
Batman #164-174
1964-65
B&W
September 19, 2020
Stories from the frankly un-memorable 60's. (Really. I didn't realize that I've read this before until I was putting up this post.) Two Joker stories, and a Riddler story and a Penguin story.
October 6, 2014
I LOVE these retelling and I never turn down Batman.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews