Batman: Seduction of the Gun

Batman Post-Crisis #103

by John Ostrander (Writer), Vincent Giarrano (Artist)

To some people, guns are a scourge; to others, a Constitutional right; for still others, they are merely a means to achieving an end. But at every level of society, children find guns, usually by chance...and often at the cost of their own lives. In BATMAN: SEDUCTION OF THE GUN, Batman and Robin confront the issue of gun control head on, in an action-packed and thought-provoking tale of gun-running, gang violence and the insidious lure of firearms. Inspired by today's headlines, this special takes a hard look at the way guns are perceived and used, with particular emphasis on their accessibility to juveniles. It is an extensively researched look into the subject with a strong emphasis on a story that avoids advocating any particular political view.

Genres: Batman, Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book

55 pages

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

John Ostrander is an American writer of comic books. He is best known for his work on Suicide Squad, Grimjack and Star Wars: Legacy, series he helped create.

Originally an actor in a Chicago theatre company, Ostrander moved into writing comics in 1983. His first published works were stories about the character "Sargon, Mistress of War", who appeared the First Comics series Warp!, based on a series of plays by that same Chicago theatre company. He is co-creator of the character Grimjack with Timothy Truman, who originally appeared in a back up story in the First Comics title, Starslayer, before going on to appear in his own book, again published by First Comics in the mid 1980s. First Comics ceased publication in 1991, by which time Ostrander was already doing work for other comics companies (his first scripts for DC Comics were published in 1986).

Prior to his career in comic books, Ostrander studied theology with the intent of becoming a Catholic priest, but now describes himself as an agnostic. His in-depth explorations of morality were later used in his work writing The Spectre, a DC Comics series about the manifestation of the wrath of God. His focus on the character's human aspect, a dead police detective from the 1930s named Jim Corrigan, and his exploration of moral and theological themes brought new life to a character often thought of as impossible to write. He has also worked on Firestorm, Justice League, Martian Manhunter, Manhunter, Suicide Squad, and Wasteland for DC.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went over to a friends house and looked through his Batman comics and came upon this book about guns - this summer has been so sad with all the mass shootings that have happened. The title really hit me: it is almost a seduction; and those who are seduced often inflict such pain and suffering on innocent people who were just going about living their life. But here is the disconnect: this term is now used as an 'trophy' in the Batman: Arkham Knight game (under the AR Challenge One Man Army). Something tells me a line has been crossed...will leave you to ponder this.

[Fred]

The art in the opening action sequence is very good and lively, then the story becomes heavier and was written in the aftermath of someone near the creative team dying due to gun violence.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batman and robin get involved with a case involving guns, gangs and teenagers. This is hard hitting stuff about the effect guns have on peoples lives. On the fence about guns, read this and I guarantee you won't be. Yes, it is a bit heavy handed at times but the message and story is still good. A very good read.

[Index Purga]

Publicado en Argentina como número 6 de la colección Grandes Historias de Batman.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seduction Of The Gun is a comic with a message, but the fact is that nothing much has changed and to be fair it probably never will. We know all the statistics, and in an time when school shooting and gun violence go up the idea that a Batman comic would try and spread this message makes a lot of sense,. The problem is that the book itself is preachy and weaves in a lot of facts into the story so that it becomes less about Batman taking down a gang and more about gun violence which is what the writer was aiming for (no pun intended). It makes sense to feature Batman in a story like this because Gotham itself it a gritty city with a high crime rate. Once you read it, there's no reason to read it again, or even recommend it to anyone becasue it's not a book that everyone will enjoy. Sometimes you just want read a comic and escape for a while but this is a depressing comic with outdated dialouge and a story tha reminds us just how dangerous the world is. The message is the same, but nothing ever changes which makes the book bleak and depressing. Not something you want in a comic book and while it's one of those books you will probably pick up because you're a fan and a collector but it's not something you really need to add.

[Rodrigo Tello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buena historia que alerta sobre el peligro del uso indiscriminado de las armas de fuego en Estados Unidos, a partir de la tragedia sufrida por el hijo de un ejecutivo de DC. El arte de Giarrano me encanta, así que aprobado.

[roberto ortiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un montón de escenas de violencia con armas, con muertes por disparo muy gráficas afin de aleccionar sobre el uso indiscriminado de armas entre los jóvenes y entre los delincuentes. Tal vez demasiado de manual pero bue... La intención es buena.

[cloverina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it is heavy-handed and a little outdated, it's everything I wanted from a personal and politically focused Batman comic. Extremely emotional and takes a firm and surprisingly progressive stance. Plus, a surplus of Tim content.

[Alejandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

[zicwic]

There's a reason Batman never uses a gun. This comic depicts how normal people come to the same conclusion.