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Batman
Batman: Masque by Mike Grell
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First published November 1, 1997
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173 people want to read
About the author
Mike Grell
713 books82 followersMike Grell (born 1947) is a comic book writer and artist.
Grell studied at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the Chicago Academy of Fine Art, and took the Famous Artists School correspondence course in cartooning. His entry into the comics industry was in 1972, as an assistant to Dale Messick on the Brenda Starr comic strip.
In 1973 Grell moved to New York, and began his long relationship with DC Comics. His first assignment at DC was on Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, a high-profile assignment for an artist with no prior experience illustrating a monthly comic book. Grell says he got that job because he was walking in the editor's door to ask for work, literally, as the previous artist was walking out the door, having just quit. These stories were written by Cary Bates and Jim Shooter. The Bates/Grell/Shooter run on the title is very well-regarded today by Superboy/Legion fans, who consider it one of the high-water marks in the character/team's history. Grell's work on SATLOSH is widely thought to be some of the best beefcake/cheesecake ever committed to comic book pages, and is affectionately referred to as the 'disco Legion' in retrospect by fans of the title.
A writer as well as artist, Grell cemented his status as a fan-favorite with his best-known creation, The Warlord, one of the first sword and sorcery comics, and reportedly the best-selling title published by DC Comics in the late-1970s.
The character first appeared in 1st Issue Special #8 (Nov 1975) and was soon given his own ongoing title (The Warlord #1, Jan/Feb 1976). In this book, Air Force pilot Travis Morgan crash-lands in the prehistoric "hidden world" of Skartaris (a setting highly influenced by Jules Verne's A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Edgar Rice Burroughs' Pellucidar). For years thereafter, Morgan engages in adventures dressed only in a winged helmet, wristbands, boots, and breechclout, and armed with a sword and (years before Dirty Harry handled one) a .44 Auto Mag.
At DC, Grell also worked on titles such as Aquaman, Batman, and the Phantom Stranger, and with writer Dennis O'Neil on the re-launch of the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series in 1976.
[edit] Tarzan
Grell wrote and drew the Tarzan comic strip from July 19, 1981 to February 27, 1983 (except for one strip, February 13, 1983, by Thomas Yeates). These strips were rerun in newspapers in 2004 - 2005.
[edit] First Comics: Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer
Cover to Jon Sable Freelance #7. Art by Mike Grell.Through the 1980s Grell developed creator-owned titles such Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer. Jon Sable Freelance was published by the now-defunct First Comics. Starslayer, a space-born science fiction series, started at Pacific Comics, but shifted to First.
The titular character of Jon Sable Freelance was a former Olympic athlete, later a African big-game hunter, who became a mercenary. First appearing with a cover date of June 1983, Jon Sable Freelance was a successful non-super-hero comic book in an era when successful non-super-hero comic books were almost unheard of, and a graphically violent comic sold in mainstream comic book stores in an era when such was as rare. Jon Sable was a precursor to what would eventually be called, by some, "the Dark Age of Comics," when even long-established super-heroes would become increasingly grim and violent.
The character was heavily influenced by Ian Fleming's James Bond novels as well as drawing on pulp fiction crime stories. Also, many of the stories of Sable's hunting exploits in Africa were influenced by Peter Hathaway Capstick's novels. At a convention in the late 1980s, Grell stated that his idea for Sable was "something like a cross between James Bond and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer."
Sable was adapted into a short-lived television series and the character's origin tale, "A Storm Over Eden," from the comic book, was expanded and novelized by Grell under the title Sable, which was publ
Grell studied at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the Chicago Academy of Fine Art, and took the Famous Artists School correspondence course in cartooning. His entry into the comics industry was in 1972, as an assistant to Dale Messick on the Brenda Starr comic strip.
In 1973 Grell moved to New York, and began his long relationship with DC Comics. His first assignment at DC was on Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, a high-profile assignment for an artist with no prior experience illustrating a monthly comic book. Grell says he got that job because he was walking in the editor's door to ask for work, literally, as the previous artist was walking out the door, having just quit. These stories were written by Cary Bates and Jim Shooter. The Bates/Grell/Shooter run on the title is very well-regarded today by Superboy/Legion fans, who consider it one of the high-water marks in the character/team's history. Grell's work on SATLOSH is widely thought to be some of the best beefcake/cheesecake ever committed to comic book pages, and is affectionately referred to as the 'disco Legion' in retrospect by fans of the title.
A writer as well as artist, Grell cemented his status as a fan-favorite with his best-known creation, The Warlord, one of the first sword and sorcery comics, and reportedly the best-selling title published by DC Comics in the late-1970s.
The character first appeared in 1st Issue Special #8 (Nov 1975) and was soon given his own ongoing title (The Warlord #1, Jan/Feb 1976). In this book, Air Force pilot Travis Morgan crash-lands in the prehistoric "hidden world" of Skartaris (a setting highly influenced by Jules Verne's A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Edgar Rice Burroughs' Pellucidar). For years thereafter, Morgan engages in adventures dressed only in a winged helmet, wristbands, boots, and breechclout, and armed with a sword and (years before Dirty Harry handled one) a .44 Auto Mag.
At DC, Grell also worked on titles such as Aquaman, Batman, and the Phantom Stranger, and with writer Dennis O'Neil on the re-launch of the Green Lantern/Green Arrow series in 1976.
[edit] Tarzan
Grell wrote and drew the Tarzan comic strip from July 19, 1981 to February 27, 1983 (except for one strip, February 13, 1983, by Thomas Yeates). These strips were rerun in newspapers in 2004 - 2005.
[edit] First Comics: Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer
Cover to Jon Sable Freelance #7. Art by Mike Grell.Through the 1980s Grell developed creator-owned titles such Jon Sable Freelance and Starslayer. Jon Sable Freelance was published by the now-defunct First Comics. Starslayer, a space-born science fiction series, started at Pacific Comics, but shifted to First.
The titular character of Jon Sable Freelance was a former Olympic athlete, later a African big-game hunter, who became a mercenary. First appearing with a cover date of June 1983, Jon Sable Freelance was a successful non-super-hero comic book in an era when successful non-super-hero comic books were almost unheard of, and a graphically violent comic sold in mainstream comic book stores in an era when such was as rare. Jon Sable was a precursor to what would eventually be called, by some, "the Dark Age of Comics," when even long-established super-heroes would become increasingly grim and violent.
The character was heavily influenced by Ian Fleming's James Bond novels as well as drawing on pulp fiction crime stories. Also, many of the stories of Sable's hunting exploits in Africa were influenced by Peter Hathaway Capstick's novels. At a convention in the late 1980s, Grell stated that his idea for Sable was "something like a cross between James Bond and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer."
Sable was adapted into a short-lived television series and the character's origin tale, "A Storm Over Eden," from the comic book, was expanded and novelized by Grell under the title Sable, which was publ
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 16, 2018
A Victorian Batman crossed with Phantom of the Opera. Mike Grell is the only thing making this one worth reading.
February 15, 2019
I always imagine that most experiments, outside of the parameters of the selected tried and true, fail. With good reason most everything opts toward conservatism. Case in point: this foray into another experimental take on the Batman mythos embraces the very worst in a disastrously open vision against what has been proven to work.
Truly deserving of the awfulness bequeathed to us by the Elseworlds imprimatur, a micro-tale that took as little work to conceive as it was utterly un-thought through in its execution has all of its failures well on display. Not a mere case of a benefited doubt, but rather this one is all warts. With little in the way of creativity, all modulations are merely cosmetic in nature. Costumes have been traded in for more period appropriate wear whilst the forms retain their essential essentialness. Ironically enough, this not-so fresh coat of paint does nothing more than cover its intrinsic staleness.
Accordingly, under their fetid veneers, known-known’s perform their known rituals since time immemorial (well more like the 40’s onward). And since the entire product is under 60 pages, things hardly have any room to germinate into anything memorable or enjoyable in the least. For all the promise of the Elseworlds take on things, this meta-series deserves all the scorn and derision that has been cast at its feet.
Let's leave this untouched relic under the cobwebs it deserves.
Truly deserving of the awfulness bequeathed to us by the Elseworlds imprimatur, a micro-tale that took as little work to conceive as it was utterly un-thought through in its execution has all of its failures well on display. Not a mere case of a benefited doubt, but rather this one is all warts. With little in the way of creativity, all modulations are merely cosmetic in nature. Costumes have been traded in for more period appropriate wear whilst the forms retain their essential essentialness. Ironically enough, this not-so fresh coat of paint does nothing more than cover its intrinsic staleness.
Accordingly, under their fetid veneers, known-known’s perform their known rituals since time immemorial (well more like the 40’s onward). And since the entire product is under 60 pages, things hardly have any room to germinate into anything memorable or enjoyable in the least. For all the promise of the Elseworlds take on things, this meta-series deserves all the scorn and derision that has been cast at its feet.
Let's leave this untouched relic under the cobwebs it deserves.
February 12, 2016
Well I love Mike Grell's art so that made this an above average read. Good gothic setting and story for Batman. Very recommended
September 25, 2020
Ahimè, le storie ottocentesche non mi sono mai piaciute granché, anche se capisco il fascino che si può provare per loro. Questa storia non fa eccezione, anche se si tratta di Batman.
Anche se non l'ho reputata un granché, mi sento tuttavia di salvare alcuni dialoghi legati alla dualità maschera/uomo che da sempre spacca i batfans: la vera maschera di Batman, è quella del giustiziere pipistrellato, o è Bryce Wayne?
Mike Grell dà una sua personale visione con scambi di battute e monologhi brevi, ma concisi e interessanti.
Anche se non l'ho reputata un granché, mi sento tuttavia di salvare alcuni dialoghi legati alla dualità maschera/uomo che da sempre spacca i batfans: la vera maschera di Batman, è quella del giustiziere pipistrellato, o è Bryce Wayne?
Mike Grell dà una sua personale visione con scambi di battute e monologhi brevi, ma concisi e interessanti.
August 2, 2024
This was purely fine story-wise, not anything groundbreaking and probably a bit of a weird read if you aren't familiar with Phantom of the Opera but for weird freaks like ME? This was beautiful, I want the cover art tattooed on my arm or thigh
May 9, 2021
Batman: Masque is an Elseworld one-shot published by DC Comics in 1997. The story is written and illustrated by Mike Grell. The story takes the Batman mythos and loosely combines it with Gaston Leroux's novel, The Phantom of the Opera.
Bruce Wayne as Batman is called to Gotham Police Headquarters by Commissioner Gordon. He is informed that three men broke out of Gotham jail. Two were already caught, but the third has taken to the rooftops and as Batman chases after the third, the fight moves to the Gotham City Opera House. The main lead, Harvey Dent, is scarred in a horrible accident when his costume caught fire.
The same night, ballerina Laura Avian meets Bruce Wayne, who was friends with her father when they were in school. There is an instant attraction between the two, but Laura expresses some concern for Harvey after his accident. As the love between Bruce and Laura grows, accidents begin to take place at the Opera House, which seems fortuitous for Laura Avian and it is revealed that Harvey is behind these crimes.
Mike Grell penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well. Grell blends the mythos behind Batman and The Phantom of the Opera moderately well. The narrative takes place during the 1890s, but not in France, but in Gotham City. Overall, the storyline is quite simplistic and slightly predictable.
Doing double duty, Mike Grell penciled the entire trade paperback. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, Grell's penciling depicts the narrative and captures the time and theme rather well.
All in all, Batman: Masque is a moderate narrative that melds the mythos of Batman and The Phantom of the Opera rather well with an execution that is much to be desired.
Bruce Wayne as Batman is called to Gotham Police Headquarters by Commissioner Gordon. He is informed that three men broke out of Gotham jail. Two were already caught, but the third has taken to the rooftops and as Batman chases after the third, the fight moves to the Gotham City Opera House. The main lead, Harvey Dent, is scarred in a horrible accident when his costume caught fire.
The same night, ballerina Laura Avian meets Bruce Wayne, who was friends with her father when they were in school. There is an instant attraction between the two, but Laura expresses some concern for Harvey after his accident. As the love between Bruce and Laura grows, accidents begin to take place at the Opera House, which seems fortuitous for Laura Avian and it is revealed that Harvey is behind these crimes.
Mike Grell penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well. Grell blends the mythos behind Batman and The Phantom of the Opera moderately well. The narrative takes place during the 1890s, but not in France, but in Gotham City. Overall, the storyline is quite simplistic and slightly predictable.
Doing double duty, Mike Grell penciled the entire trade paperback. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, Grell's penciling depicts the narrative and captures the time and theme rather well.
All in all, Batman: Masque is a moderate narrative that melds the mythos of Batman and The Phantom of the Opera rather well with an execution that is much to be desired.
December 29, 2021
This is an Elseworlds story, a story using DC characters outside of their main continuity. These are interesting ways to show these characters in a unique setting.
This story felt short—obviously because it is a one-shot, which constrains the story to 64 pages or what not. But there wasnt nearly as much characterization as, say, "Batman: Castle of the Bat". Which isnt bad, in fact it's a welcome change of pace. Nice quick read, but I felt there was so much more to be explored with this Batman and with this "phantom" of the opera. This universe quickly expanded and deflated. I want more.
I feel the story would have been better if Batman was the one whose face was burned. I find that more interesting and with more room for character development.
However, in the end, I feel this is a sturdy elseworlds. It's a change of pace. It's an interesting idea. I wish it was expanded on.
This story felt short—obviously because it is a one-shot, which constrains the story to 64 pages or what not. But there wasnt nearly as much characterization as, say, "Batman: Castle of the Bat". Which isnt bad, in fact it's a welcome change of pace. Nice quick read, but I felt there was so much more to be explored with this Batman and with this "phantom" of the opera. This universe quickly expanded and deflated. I want more.
I feel the story would have been better if Batman was the one whose face was burned. I find that more interesting and with more room for character development.
However, in the end, I feel this is a sturdy elseworlds. It's a change of pace. It's an interesting idea. I wish it was expanded on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2017
In this Elseworlds graphic novel from 1997, the members of the Batman Family are still in Gotham City, but it's now around the turn of the 19th century and the characters are now players in the classic Gaston Leroux gothic classic, The Phantom of the Opera.
Selina Kyle is the Christine archtype; an up-and-coming opera singer in whom fate has begun to smile on her career thanks to an assortment of tragedies that have occurred at the Gotham Opera House.
Bruce Wayne is playing the Raoul role- a wealthy socialite and paramour of Selina.
But who is the mysterious Phantom that haunts the Gotham Opera House? Is it the urban viglante known as the Bat, who assists the Gotham Police at night? Or is it another unknown factor from Selina's past?
Selina Kyle is the Christine archtype; an up-and-coming opera singer in whom fate has begun to smile on her career thanks to an assortment of tragedies that have occurred at the Gotham Opera House.
Bruce Wayne is playing the Raoul role- a wealthy socialite and paramour of Selina.
But who is the mysterious Phantom that haunts the Gotham Opera House? Is it the urban viglante known as the Bat, who assists the Gotham Police at night? Or is it another unknown factor from Selina's past?
September 17, 2016
Fun. Dumb.
September 11, 2025
Batman: Masque is a DC Comics premium-format one-shot comicbook written and drawn by Mike Grell and colors by Andre Khromov. Released in 1997.
An Elseworlds take in which Batman is reimagined as a lonely debonair who haunts Gotham’s opera house.
This book is light on plot and heavy on imagery as Batman is reimagined into The Phantom of the Opera. I think an actual story could have been found here that could have been interesting, but Grell keeps is fairly simple to the Phantom source material in that Bruce is a vigilante by night who likes to visit the opera house and watch over the understudy that he has fallen in love with from a distance. It is both creepy and romantic in that uniquely gothic horror way. The art does the large lifting in this book and almost every page had a captivating panel. If you enjoy Grell’s art, which I very much do, you may find more to appreciate here than just a “What if Batman was the Phantom?”
An Elseworlds take in which Batman is reimagined as a lonely debonair who haunts Gotham’s opera house.
This book is light on plot and heavy on imagery as Batman is reimagined into The Phantom of the Opera. I think an actual story could have been found here that could have been interesting, but Grell keeps is fairly simple to the Phantom source material in that Bruce is a vigilante by night who likes to visit the opera house and watch over the understudy that he has fallen in love with from a distance. It is both creepy and romantic in that uniquely gothic horror way. The art does the large lifting in this book and almost every page had a captivating panel. If you enjoy Grell’s art, which I very much do, you may find more to appreciate here than just a “What if Batman was the Phantom?”
April 3, 2022
This concept should be fun. It does a few things that I hate in Phantom retellings
The original phantom of the opera was a mystery and there's no mystery here at all in this Batman comic. It's obvious how it's gonna play out. I had a brief thought that they were gonna go off the rail like a good Elseworld comic should but no, it's pretty standard.
The original phantom of the opera was a mystery and there's no mystery here at all in this Batman comic. It's obvious how it's gonna play out. I had a brief thought that they were gonna go off the rail like a good Elseworld comic should but no, it's pretty standard.
September 26, 2018
PHENOMENAL!
A review would give too much away- this is a MUST READ for fans of theatre!
A review would give too much away- this is a MUST READ for fans of theatre!
February 7, 2021
3.5 stars. A short, well-illustrated Elseworlds tale. The story isn't overly special, but it does have some memorable moments. Definitely pick this one up for the artwork alone.
June 27, 2021
Delightfully derivative of many things. With art that is lurid, striking, or delicate as the precise page's mood requires.
September 11, 2025
the phantom of the opera fits perfectly with the whole batman aesthetic
August 7, 2022
Very fun!! Not many surprises, but if you want to see what Batman and Phantom of the Opera look like smushed together, you will absolutely get your money's worth.
June 22, 2025
At the turn of the twentieth century, Batman's attempt to locate some escaped prisoners leads him to a theater debuting a production of Poe's short story "Mask of the Red Death". The ensuing conflict results in a fire which causes the severe disfigurement of the play's lead actor Harvey Dent. As Batman investigates the connection of the criminals to the theater he becomes romantically entangled with the play's lead actress and discovers the production company is hiding some dark secrets.
This has some damn nice art by Grell, especially in the panelless transition sequences, but develops a plot that feels pretty pedestrian. The narrative develops exactly as one would think reading the premise and does little to differentiate itself from the Elseworlds crowd outside of the vintage setting.
This has some damn nice art by Grell, especially in the panelless transition sequences, but develops a plot that feels pretty pedestrian. The narrative develops exactly as one would think reading the premise and does little to differentiate itself from the Elseworlds crowd outside of the vintage setting.
September 23, 2015
OMFG ¡Batman y el fantasma de la ópera combinados! omfg
No soy nadie para hablar de cómics ni de Batman, pero este es una de las curiosidades más memorables que he tenido la delicia de leer. El dibujo y sus detalles son hermosos, aunque la trama se complica un poco y de la nada sale Dos Caras...
La historia es casi idéntica a la del Fantasma (duh), sólo que aquí nuestra heroína es bailarina de ballet, no cantante de ópera, su enamorado es Bruce Wayne y su compañero de baile es Harvey Dent.
Me perdí un poco cuando decidieron que Bruce fuera, al mismo tiempo, Raoul y Erik, y que Harvey fuera la parte de Erik que Batman no podía ser.
Como sea, yo lo recomiendo tanto para conocedores de Batman como del Fantasma... O para los fans de los crossovers raros.
No soy nadie para hablar de cómics ni de Batman, pero este es una de las curiosidades más memorables que he tenido la delicia de leer. El dibujo y sus detalles son hermosos, aunque la trama se complica un poco y de la nada sale Dos Caras...
La historia es casi idéntica a la del Fantasma (duh), sólo que aquí nuestra heroína es bailarina de ballet, no cantante de ópera, su enamorado es Bruce Wayne y su compañero de baile es Harvey Dent.
Me perdí un poco cuando decidieron que Bruce fuera, al mismo tiempo, Raoul y Erik, y que Harvey fuera la parte de Erik que Batman no podía ser.
Como sea, yo lo recomiendo tanto para conocedores de Batman como del Fantasma... O para los fans de los crossovers raros.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2014
I don't find this Phantom version of Batman interesting or impressive. It's not that because it's a love story. Rather, it's because of the fact that Batman can't be about love. It's about being gritty and angsty.
February 16, 2011
Melihat covernya sekilas, sempat berpikir... Aha, Batman versi Historical Romance! Mirip cover novel HR jadul sih...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews