What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Comics (1937-2011) #437-438,440-442
Tales of the Batman: Archie Goodwin
For the first time, the Batman stories from legendary comics writer Archie Goodwin are collected together.
Collects stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #437, 438 and 440-443, DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #3, SHOWCASE '95 #11, BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE #1 and 4, BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #132-136, and BATMAN: NIGHT CRIES.
Collects stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #437, 438 and 440-443, DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #3, SHOWCASE '95 #11, BATMAN BLACK AND WHITE #1 and 4, BATMAN: LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #132-136, and BATMAN: NIGHT CRIES.
472 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2013
10 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Archie Goodwin
970 books69 followersArchie Goodwin was an American comic book writer, editor, and artist. He worked on a number of comic strips in addition to comic books, and is best known for his Warren and Marvel Comics work. For Warren he was chief writer and editor of landmark horror anthology titles Creepy and Eerie, and for Marvel he set up the creator-owned Epic Comics as well as adapting Star Wars into both comics and newspaper strips. He is regularly cited as the "best-loved comic book editor, ever."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Read
April 9, 2019The trouble with an appearance that can strike fear into the minds of criminals is that it sometimes strikes fear in the innocent as well.
Archie Goodwin isn’t best known for writing Batman. He’s more recognizable as an editor, whether for DC, Marvel, or Warren. His editorial skills earned him great respect in the industry. But Goodwin seemed to have a soft spot for the Dark Knight; after a run on Detective Comics in the early 1970s, he came back to the character two decades later, writing and editing Batman comics until his death in 1998. If I were to sum up Goodwin’s take on Batman in one word, it’s “thoughtful.”
This book collects all of Goodwin’s Batman writing, beginning with his Detective Comics run. These Detective stories are typical Bronze Age fare: one-and-done crime epics with supernatural elements. They didn’t wow me, but there are some things I noticed. For one, Bruce really plays up the snobby playboy identity when he’s not avenging criminals. At this point, he’s living in his Gotham City penthouse, attending high society parties and courting multiple women. Gordon admits he’s become turned off by Bruce’s personality. The “penthouse Bruce” is keeping in continuity, going back to when he moved out of Wayne Manor in “One Too Many Bullets” from 1969. In fact, I’m finding that continuity plays a larger role in the Bronze Age than in it did in the earlier Ages.
Also worth noting is Lt. (Harvey) Bullock’s debut in “Judgment Day” from Detective Comics 441. The grizzled GCPD cop hates Batman, calling him out on his vigilantism. Interestingly, this story and “Death Flies the Haunted Sky” from Detective 442 have a distinct Golden Age feel to them. The art especially recalls early Batman comics. Batman returned to his darker Golden Age roots after the sci-fi silliness of the Silver Age, so perhaps these stories tribute the early era when Batman was a shadowy vigilante. I’m not sure if it was intentional, but the link between Ages is apparent in retrospect.
Then comes “Manhunter”. Unlike today, comics at the time generally featured several stories in one issue. For instance, Detective Comics had a main Batman story, then one with Robin, another with Batgirl, etc. During his Detective run, Goodwin teamed up with artist Walt Simonson for an ongoing story told in eight-page segments across seven issues. “Manhunter” is not about Batman, though he does make a memorable appearance. It’s about Paul Kirk, Manhunter, a Golden Age character, and his personal quest for vengeance (that’s him on the cover next to Batman). This is far and away the best story in this collection, and has to be one of the best DC stories of the 1970s.
I won’t get into plot details because I think you should seek this story out if you’ve never read it. The storytelling is magnificent, operatic. Simonson’s art, especially his layouts, add so much to the story. I’m glad “Manhunter” is included in this collection, in spite of Batman’s minor role. I keep thinking it would make an amazing movie.
After the pinnacle of “Manhunter”, we get Goodwin’s 90s Batman work, which takes up the bulk of this book. I think Goodwin still had a good grasp on the character. He wrote two offerings from Batman Black and White, one about a mysterious musical instrument and the other about a boy whose father has a connection to Batman. This second story reminded me of Astro City, a fantastic series concerning the lives of everyday people in a city of superheroes. Also included is a dark feature on an Arkham Asylum psychologist from Showcase ’95, and an emotional Annual issue that brings Batman to Japan as he confronts an old acquaintance.
My favorite of these 90s stories is the five-part “Siege” from Legends of the Dark Knight, published posthumously in 2000. Among other things, it’s about Wayne Manor and what it means to different people. Goodwin expands on Wayne family history in this story, and writes several fantastic scenes with Bruce and Alfred. At one point, Bruce tells the butler, “Since my parents’ death, you’ve been the only constant in my life. Perhaps I could be Batman without you, but I’d hate to try.” I love Bruce and Alfred’s relationship, and I think this exchange hits the nail on the head.
The collection ends on a high and very dark note with Night Cries. Published in 1992, this painted graphic novel sees Batman and Gordon investigating a series of crimes centered around child abuse. It’s a tough subject to discuss, let alone in comic form, but Goodwin and artist Scott Hampton treat it with the earnestness it deserves in a powerful story.
Stray observations:
The Batman represented here, both in the 70s and 90s stuff, is a dark character. There’s little in the way of humor, but that’s okay. Goodwin’s take is simply one interpretation of the Caped Crusader.
There’s a subplot in Night Cries involving Jim Gordon’s anger issues and potential abusive tendencies towards his son. Do the horrific crimes Gordon sees as a cop cause him to lose it and act as he does? We always think of Gordon as a good cop, which he is, but he has faults as a father and husband (his infidelity is glimpsed in Year One).
On the subject of Gordon, he and Batman have at least two great exchanges in the “Siege” story. My favorite: Gordon: “Your rage. It isn’t what the city needs at the moment.” Batman: “Since when have you had problems with my methods?” Gordon: “When the city needs you most, your anger will have burned you out.”
Several flashbacks in “Siege” feature Thomas and Martha Wayne. They have an absolutely gut-wrenching exchange in the fourth issue. During an attempted shooting at at a Wayne Foundation gala, Thomas punches one of the perpetrators away from Martha. She says, “Thomas, that man might’ve shot you,” to which he replies, “I’d take a bullet for you any day darling. Any day.” Heartbreakingly ominous.
Archie Goodwin isn’t best known for writing Batman. He’s more recognizable as an editor, whether for DC, Marvel, or Warren. His editorial skills earned him great respect in the industry. But Goodwin seemed to have a soft spot for the Dark Knight; after a run on Detective Comics in the early 1970s, he came back to the character two decades later, writing and editing Batman comics until his death in 1998. If I were to sum up Goodwin’s take on Batman in one word, it’s “thoughtful.”
This book collects all of Goodwin’s Batman writing, beginning with his Detective Comics run. These Detective stories are typical Bronze Age fare: one-and-done crime epics with supernatural elements. They didn’t wow me, but there are some things I noticed. For one, Bruce really plays up the snobby playboy identity when he’s not avenging criminals. At this point, he’s living in his Gotham City penthouse, attending high society parties and courting multiple women. Gordon admits he’s become turned off by Bruce’s personality. The “penthouse Bruce” is keeping in continuity, going back to when he moved out of Wayne Manor in “One Too Many Bullets” from 1969. In fact, I’m finding that continuity plays a larger role in the Bronze Age than in it did in the earlier Ages.
Also worth noting is Lt. (Harvey) Bullock’s debut in “Judgment Day” from Detective Comics 441. The grizzled GCPD cop hates Batman, calling him out on his vigilantism. Interestingly, this story and “Death Flies the Haunted Sky” from Detective 442 have a distinct Golden Age feel to them. The art especially recalls early Batman comics. Batman returned to his darker Golden Age roots after the sci-fi silliness of the Silver Age, so perhaps these stories tribute the early era when Batman was a shadowy vigilante. I’m not sure if it was intentional, but the link between Ages is apparent in retrospect.
Then comes “Manhunter”. Unlike today, comics at the time generally featured several stories in one issue. For instance, Detective Comics had a main Batman story, then one with Robin, another with Batgirl, etc. During his Detective run, Goodwin teamed up with artist Walt Simonson for an ongoing story told in eight-page segments across seven issues. “Manhunter” is not about Batman, though he does make a memorable appearance. It’s about Paul Kirk, Manhunter, a Golden Age character, and his personal quest for vengeance (that’s him on the cover next to Batman). This is far and away the best story in this collection, and has to be one of the best DC stories of the 1970s.
I won’t get into plot details because I think you should seek this story out if you’ve never read it. The storytelling is magnificent, operatic. Simonson’s art, especially his layouts, add so much to the story. I’m glad “Manhunter” is included in this collection, in spite of Batman’s minor role. I keep thinking it would make an amazing movie.
After the pinnacle of “Manhunter”, we get Goodwin’s 90s Batman work, which takes up the bulk of this book. I think Goodwin still had a good grasp on the character. He wrote two offerings from Batman Black and White, one about a mysterious musical instrument and the other about a boy whose father has a connection to Batman. This second story reminded me of Astro City, a fantastic series concerning the lives of everyday people in a city of superheroes. Also included is a dark feature on an Arkham Asylum psychologist from Showcase ’95, and an emotional Annual issue that brings Batman to Japan as he confronts an old acquaintance.
My favorite of these 90s stories is the five-part “Siege” from Legends of the Dark Knight, published posthumously in 2000. Among other things, it’s about Wayne Manor and what it means to different people. Goodwin expands on Wayne family history in this story, and writes several fantastic scenes with Bruce and Alfred. At one point, Bruce tells the butler, “Since my parents’ death, you’ve been the only constant in my life. Perhaps I could be Batman without you, but I’d hate to try.” I love Bruce and Alfred’s relationship, and I think this exchange hits the nail on the head.
The collection ends on a high and very dark note with Night Cries. Published in 1992, this painted graphic novel sees Batman and Gordon investigating a series of crimes centered around child abuse. It’s a tough subject to discuss, let alone in comic form, but Goodwin and artist Scott Hampton treat it with the earnestness it deserves in a powerful story.
Stray observations:
The Batman represented here, both in the 70s and 90s stuff, is a dark character. There’s little in the way of humor, but that’s okay. Goodwin’s take is simply one interpretation of the Caped Crusader.
There’s a subplot in Night Cries involving Jim Gordon’s anger issues and potential abusive tendencies towards his son. Do the horrific crimes Gordon sees as a cop cause him to lose it and act as he does? We always think of Gordon as a good cop, which he is, but he has faults as a father and husband (his infidelity is glimpsed in Year One).
On the subject of Gordon, he and Batman have at least two great exchanges in the “Siege” story. My favorite: Gordon: “Your rage. It isn’t what the city needs at the moment.” Batman: “Since when have you had problems with my methods?” Gordon: “When the city needs you most, your anger will have burned you out.”
Several flashbacks in “Siege” feature Thomas and Martha Wayne. They have an absolutely gut-wrenching exchange in the fourth issue. During an attempted shooting at at a Wayne Foundation gala, Thomas punches one of the perpetrators away from Martha. She says, “Thomas, that man might’ve shot you,” to which he replies, “I’d take a bullet for you any day darling. Any day.” Heartbreakingly ominous.
February 11, 2019
Most of these stories are just OK, even the collaboration with Marshall Rogers, which to rights should have been mind-blowing.
Set all that aside. This contains the complete Manhunter saga from the back pages of Detective Comics (with a concluding Batman team-up- see the cover); and Manhunter gets ALL the stars.
Way ahead of its time (and yet steeped in Eisner's Spirit.. and Eisner's spirit, if you know what I'm saying), or maybe all the innovators of the eighties were weaned on it. Frank Miller's Daredevil, and especially Elektra, and any mutant ninja mind-controlled assassin was born here.
Set all that aside. This contains the complete Manhunter saga from the back pages of Detective Comics (with a concluding Batman team-up- see the cover); and Manhunter gets ALL the stars.
Way ahead of its time (and yet steeped in Eisner's Spirit.. and Eisner's spirit, if you know what I'm saying), or maybe all the innovators of the eighties were weaned on it. Frank Miller's Daredevil, and especially Elektra, and any mutant ninja mind-controlled assassin was born here.
December 10, 2018
The MANHUNTER stories by Goodwin/Simonson are classic - and at the same time underappreciated. Also great are Goodwin's issues of the main Batman titles, where he shows a knowledge of the character and knack for dialogue that are nothing short of impressive - surely these stories served as some kind of inspiration for the acclaimed Batman Animated Series. Worth reading.
March 21, 2021
As an editor Archie Goodwin scoped some of the best talent before they were famous. Goodwin the editor served Goodwin the writer by knowing how to spin a tale any artist's greatest strengths. There's a great number of stories from comics legends with him here, often before they were famous: Walt Simonson, Gene Ha, Alex Toth, Todd Klein, Howard Chaykin, Gary Gianni, to name a few. As others have posed, Manhunter is the star of the show here. Not much to be said that hasn't already. That's an easy 5 stars on its own. The rest of the book contains the following:
*The lead Batman features from some of those same issues of Detective that originally contained the Manhunter backup stories-- solid Bat tales by the likes Chaykin and Toth etc. They average out to a 3 for me.
*Odds and ends from the final part of Goodwin's career in the 90's. The short stories from Showcase '95 & Batman: B&W are great. I was a bit disappointed by the "Siege" story, a collaboration between Goodwin and James Robinson. Knowing the impact Goodwin had on Robinson as editor on his Starman run, I expected something a bit more sentimental? from the final story published under Goodman's name. The references from John Ford to Sam Peckinpah read more as Robinson to me. They're a 3 too.
*The long out-of-print Night Cries. Denny O'Neill gave this a shout out as one of the best Batman stories of the 90's. When Denny O'Neill likes your Batman, that's as high as literary praise gets. It's a 5 for me as well.
*The lead Batman features from some of those same issues of Detective that originally contained the Manhunter backup stories-- solid Bat tales by the likes Chaykin and Toth etc. They average out to a 3 for me.
*Odds and ends from the final part of Goodwin's career in the 90's. The short stories from Showcase '95 & Batman: B&W are great. I was a bit disappointed by the "Siege" story, a collaboration between Goodwin and James Robinson. Knowing the impact Goodwin had on Robinson as editor on his Starman run, I expected something a bit more sentimental? from the final story published under Goodman's name. The references from John Ford to Sam Peckinpah read more as Robinson to me. They're a 3 too.
*The long out-of-print Night Cries. Denny O'Neill gave this a shout out as one of the best Batman stories of the 90's. When Denny O'Neill likes your Batman, that's as high as literary praise gets. It's a 5 for me as well.
Read
September 22, 2024Across all these tales Goodwin’s Batman is frequently a supporting character who arrives in a fully realized, original world created by Goodwin to halt an ongoing murder spree. While the main characters of each story are able to move forward despite whats happened to them, the stories often finish focussing on Bruce, unable to ever move on himself.
The ‘70s chapters definitely have an aged writing style that I think varies based on your taste, but Goodwin works with an all timer crew of artists. Toth, Simonson, Chaykin, and Aparo are all complimented well by Goodwin’s scripts that can feel ahead of their time in the space they leave without dialogue or sfx for an artist to shine. Sadly all of these greats are let down by the coloring in this collection, but thats par for the course for most DC reprintings of pre-1980s work.
Skipped or skimmed a few stories in here though (the James Robinson written one, one or two of the ‘70s tales).
My favorite Goodwin stories were the stuff from his return in the ‘90s, where it feels he’s really honed his writing shortly before his death. Night Cries pretty much blows everything else out of the water from a story perspective with great Jim Gordon material, and the black and whites are fun too.
The ‘70s chapters definitely have an aged writing style that I think varies based on your taste, but Goodwin works with an all timer crew of artists. Toth, Simonson, Chaykin, and Aparo are all complimented well by Goodwin’s scripts that can feel ahead of their time in the space they leave without dialogue or sfx for an artist to shine. Sadly all of these greats are let down by the coloring in this collection, but thats par for the course for most DC reprintings of pre-1980s work.
Skipped or skimmed a few stories in here though (the James Robinson written one, one or two of the ‘70s tales).
My favorite Goodwin stories were the stuff from his return in the ‘90s, where it feels he’s really honed his writing shortly before his death. Night Cries pretty much blows everything else out of the water from a story perspective with great Jim Gordon material, and the black and whites are fun too.
April 9, 2024
I honestly don’t remember Archie Goodwin particularly well. I recognize the name, but the cover of this book has the Manhunter and Batman from Walt Simonson’s famous run (which I also have as a hardcover) so that was apparently good enough for me to buy this one. And the cover is done by Simonson as well!
I gotta admit I love these collections of Batman by the artists: Jim Aparo, Don Newton Gene Colan, Marshall Rogers. I could see myself picking up quite a few of them.
The first story — "Deathmask"— has art by Jim Aparo, so no complaint from me.
"Bruce—! Where—??”
"He’s handsome, he’s rich… so he’s not brave! Two out of three isn’t bad these days!”
"A Monster Walks Wayne Manor" is the next story.
We don’t get to see the ‘droll playboy act’ of Bruce Wayne that often nowadays. I miss it.
”Bruce Wayne, where do you think you’re going at a time like this?!”
”To complain to the manager, kitten… our tornadoes flambe’ won’t be worth eating by the time this is over!”
As expected (by the cover) this is a reprint of the justly famous Batman and Manhunter story. I probably have this in a standalone hardback reprint as well, but it’s always worth reading again.
I honestly don’t know if this is the first time anyone has ever read of the Manhunter. It certainly reads like that but I could be wrong. Either way it’s a great story well told. There ought to be a movie…
Reading this it appears that this was the first appearance of the Manhunter. Apparently Archie Goodwin dug this guy out of the 40’s and decided to reinvent him. Very cool! I love it when writers respect the past.
It seems pretty clear this was the origin story of the Manhunter. I can’t imagine why he didn’t become a DC staple character.
Gotterdammerung! When the Batman comes into this story. Beware the used bookstores in Gotham!
Okay, it’s a little odd that Batman says, "Oh! You’re going to kill on this mission?! Okay, I’m outta here but I respect your decision…”
Well the Manhunter story ends with seemingly Manhunter perfectly alive to tell new stories. Don’t know why they didn’t.
The next story is art with Dan Jurgens and Dick Giordano. A home run right away.
The story is convoluted Yakuza tale. I do admire how it is subtly woven into Batman’s origin story.
It also shows Batman’s superior instincts - to not get into an Ford Pinto.
And once again, though compressed, it is still amazing how much story the old comics got into one issue. Nowadays this would’ve been a six-month arc.
Detective Comics Annual #3 was an epic tale, almost as good as the Manhunter story and certainly enough for a fantastic Batman movie if anyone had sense enough to make it.
The five part "Siege"story was actually excellent. It took the old and stupid story of Bruce Wayne’s father wearing a bat-suit and actually turned it into a cool story. It also made coming back to Wayne Manor from living under the Wayne Foundation (in the 70’s I think) into something cool. I love it when writers ‘fix’ dumb stories of the past by figuring out cool reason for them to happen! Recommended..
The last tale "Night Cries"is a great story. Unfortunately it uses a painted technique that I really hate. It’s not that the art isn’t good. It is. But it’s also ugly and super dark and muddies facial expressions in a way that degrades every story.
It also looks very stiff. Cause it is a painting after all and can’t use the dynamic expressions comic book art can to give motion to action.
Still a good story.
So Tales of the Batman was excellent in many ways and really bad in none.
I’ll give it a very strong 4. Not sure if I’ll keep it though.
I gotta admit I love these collections of Batman by the artists: Jim Aparo, Don Newton Gene Colan, Marshall Rogers. I could see myself picking up quite a few of them.
The first story — "Deathmask"— has art by Jim Aparo, so no complaint from me.
"Bruce—! Where—??”
"He’s handsome, he’s rich… so he’s not brave! Two out of three isn’t bad these days!”
"A Monster Walks Wayne Manor" is the next story.
We don’t get to see the ‘droll playboy act’ of Bruce Wayne that often nowadays. I miss it.
”Bruce Wayne, where do you think you’re going at a time like this?!”
”To complain to the manager, kitten… our tornadoes flambe’ won’t be worth eating by the time this is over!”
As expected (by the cover) this is a reprint of the justly famous Batman and Manhunter story. I probably have this in a standalone hardback reprint as well, but it’s always worth reading again.
I honestly don’t know if this is the first time anyone has ever read of the Manhunter. It certainly reads like that but I could be wrong. Either way it’s a great story well told. There ought to be a movie…
Reading this it appears that this was the first appearance of the Manhunter. Apparently Archie Goodwin dug this guy out of the 40’s and decided to reinvent him. Very cool! I love it when writers respect the past.
It seems pretty clear this was the origin story of the Manhunter. I can’t imagine why he didn’t become a DC staple character.
Gotterdammerung! When the Batman comes into this story. Beware the used bookstores in Gotham!
Okay, it’s a little odd that Batman says, "Oh! You’re going to kill on this mission?! Okay, I’m outta here but I respect your decision…”
Well the Manhunter story ends with seemingly Manhunter perfectly alive to tell new stories. Don’t know why they didn’t.
The next story is art with Dan Jurgens and Dick Giordano. A home run right away.
The story is convoluted Yakuza tale. I do admire how it is subtly woven into Batman’s origin story.
It also shows Batman’s superior instincts - to not get into an Ford Pinto.
And once again, though compressed, it is still amazing how much story the old comics got into one issue. Nowadays this would’ve been a six-month arc.
Detective Comics Annual #3 was an epic tale, almost as good as the Manhunter story and certainly enough for a fantastic Batman movie if anyone had sense enough to make it.
The five part "Siege"story was actually excellent. It took the old and stupid story of Bruce Wayne’s father wearing a bat-suit and actually turned it into a cool story. It also made coming back to Wayne Manor from living under the Wayne Foundation (in the 70’s I think) into something cool. I love it when writers ‘fix’ dumb stories of the past by figuring out cool reason for them to happen! Recommended..
The last tale "Night Cries"is a great story. Unfortunately it uses a painted technique that I really hate. It’s not that the art isn’t good. It is. But it’s also ugly and super dark and muddies facial expressions in a way that degrades every story.
It also looks very stiff. Cause it is a painting after all and can’t use the dynamic expressions comic book art can to give motion to action.
Still a good story.
So Tales of the Batman was excellent in many ways and really bad in none.
I’ll give it a very strong 4. Not sure if I’ll keep it though.
March 11, 2024
People talk about 'Who is on your Mount Rushmore of".... fill in the blank thing. And most of the time it is not easy to take the thing and reduce it to four names. With Batman writers, at least for me anyway, it is. Dennis O'Neil, sure. I think everyone would put him there. Steve Englehart would make most people's lists. I think most fans would give the other slots to Chuck Dixon and Frank Miller. Me, I take done one of those head (cough Miller cough) and give to one of Batman's most unsung writers... Archie Goodwin.
Unlike some of the other writers I mention, Goodwin brought humanity to each and every character he wrote in Gotham City. He could make Batman/Bruce flawed without just making him an asshole. He showed conflict in Jim Gordon without reducing him to the 'great cop/horrible husband' cliche. Even Alfred became a fully fleshed out character under Goodwin's typewriter. Doing so in the early 70s makes him one of the first writers to do so.
But the truly amazing thing (with the stories in this collection anyway) is they are currated so that he does this without really dragging in Batman's rogues gallery. There is ONE story in this book, count them one, where you'll see Joker, Killer Croc, or any of the other regular ne'er do wells. This is not a bug, it's a feature.
On top of that, in case you missed the paperback version, this includes the famous and also brilliant Manhunter Special edition that Goodwin wrote with art by the incomparable Dinosaur Man himself- Walter Simonson.
Unlike some of the other writers I mention, Goodwin brought humanity to each and every character he wrote in Gotham City. He could make Batman/Bruce flawed without just making him an asshole. He showed conflict in Jim Gordon without reducing him to the 'great cop/horrible husband' cliche. Even Alfred became a fully fleshed out character under Goodwin's typewriter. Doing so in the early 70s makes him one of the first writers to do so.
But the truly amazing thing (with the stories in this collection anyway) is they are currated so that he does this without really dragging in Batman's rogues gallery. There is ONE story in this book, count them one, where you'll see Joker, Killer Croc, or any of the other regular ne'er do wells. This is not a bug, it's a feature.
On top of that, in case you missed the paperback version, this includes the famous and also brilliant Manhunter Special edition that Goodwin wrote with art by the incomparable Dinosaur Man himself- Walter Simonson.
February 20, 2025
Archie Goodwin is not really known as one of the big Batman writers and his run in the 70s was relatively short, this volume being padded out in fact by two stories he wrote in the 90s and 00s and the Manhunter backup strip. But here's the thing - they are all terrific. I'm not sure that any individual item here reaches peak level of greatness, but it's consistently good; the earlier stories deal with more gothic subjects - a pivot from the rogues gallery and the lightness of touch in the 60s of course - such as an ancient cursed mask, monsters, cursed tribes and so on ... they are short but oh so sweet. The Manhunter backup strip is a pulp saga in which Batman only cameos, there's more of it and it's sometimes more convoluted than it needs to be, but justly celebrated as a weird and strange revival of a forgotten character, and it's beautifully drawn by Simonson. Batman The Siege is an overly dense 5-issue tale written in 00 but finally hits by reshaping Batman through a lens of nostalgia - I really liked this one - whilst finally Night Cries ('92) with its on the nose look at child sex abuse is bleak and dark, and should definitely be more revered than it is.
A great and surprising collection, overall.
A great and surprising collection, overall.
July 11, 2021
This volume contains the best of the best of Archie Goodwin, one of the best comics writers of his generation. It is worth it just to have the complete Manhunter series from Detective Comics #437-443 (1973-74) and "The Final Chapter" from 1999, all with the amazing artwork of Walter Simonson. But there are other treasures as well, such as the return of Silver St. Cloud, who was so instrumental in Steve Englehart's run in the 1970s, in an intense series from Legends of the Dark Knight #132-136 (2000), with art by two masters, Marshall Rogers and Bob Wiacek. The most emotional story is "Night Cries" (1992) with beautifully painted art by Scott Hampton, a haunting look at child abuse. The other stories, with art by the likes of Jim Aparo, Howard Chaykin, and Gary Gianni (and cover art by Jim Lee an Alex Toth) are a cross-section of detective tales that we don't see much of in Batman stories today; it seems today's writers only want Batman fighting the worst supervillains, monsters, and aliens.
March 14, 2025
This was a fun collection, showcasing much of Goodwin's Batman throughout the years of his time as a writer and editor. The big selling point for me were the Manhunter stories, detailing a spy themed science fiction adventure with a genetically altered man who has one notable special ability, just a year before Marvel's Weapon-X made their debut.
I will say the first half of the collection is significantly better than the second half, while the second half was enjoyable in its own way the stories didn't grab me like those Detective Comics issues, which veered a little more on the supernatural side, and had the benefit of some amazing artists like Jim Aparo and Walter Simonson. The Legends miniseries and the one shot at the end were a nice cap and they were well told crime stories, if nothing exceptional.
Overall I did enjoy it quite a bit, as a good primer.
I will say the first half of the collection is significantly better than the second half, while the second half was enjoyable in its own way the stories didn't grab me like those Detective Comics issues, which veered a little more on the supernatural side, and had the benefit of some amazing artists like Jim Aparo and Walter Simonson. The Legends miniseries and the one shot at the end were a nice cap and they were well told crime stories, if nothing exceptional.
Overall I did enjoy it quite a bit, as a good primer.
Read
January 25, 2023the 70's detective comics included are pretty run of the mill. manhunter is a great spy caper with fabulous art from walt simonson. 90's Obligation rules. batman fights the yakuza. he has a ninja sword. it rips. siege is beset by an art style i find dreary, but the story is engaging. bruce and batman at their best. night cries does horror batman justice (far more than grant morrison's arkham asylum in my opinion).
August 1, 2019
Pretty wide-ranging types of stories... seemed to have a lot of Commissioner Gordon, who happens to look like Archie Goodwin?!
I had read Manhunter before but got superconfused. I expected it to be an undercover Batman story!
Not sure I would buy a second volume of him for superheroes. I really dig his war comics though.
I had read Manhunter before but got superconfused. I expected it to be an undercover Batman story!
Not sure I would buy a second volume of him for superheroes. I really dig his war comics though.
January 21, 2020
Even the older stories from the 70s are great! But the best (and maybe the best Batman story I've ever read) is Night Cries. It takes Batman way out of his comfort zone to deal with children being abused and a serial killer who avenges them.
I also enjoyed the Manhunter story. The way it linked with Batman in the end is exquisitely done.
I also enjoyed the Manhunter story. The way it linked with Batman in the end is exquisitely done.
August 9, 2017
1970's Batman is the best Batman.
November 10, 2019
A great collection of stories from different eras, with a focus on mystery instead of outlandish villains.
February 10, 2022
Among the stories collected here, Manhunter: The Final Chapter, Night Cries and especially Siege stand out from the rest as all-time classics.
August 26, 2024
Tales of the Batman: Archie Goodwin collects stories by former DC editor Archie Goodwin. It starts with your typical Batman detective stories where Batman does actual detective work. This is followed by the Manhunter: Special Edition issues, which were released in 1973-1974.
Who is the Manhunter? Paul Kirk, the Manhunter, was once a big-game hunter who died and was revived by a secret organization hellbent on world domination. He was given enhanced physical abilities and a healing factor. So, why are Manhunter issues collected in this book? Because Batman teams up with Manhunter. If you like spy stories and clones, you will definitely enjoy this story.
In 1999, DC released Manhunter: The Final Chapter. This is a silent issue where the art really takes the center stage. You can really see how Walt Simonson’s art has improved over the years.
This book also collects stories from Batman: Black and White. The art in those Black and White stories is superb. I should really read my first volume of Batman: Black and White.
The Detective Comics Annual 3 was something that I had already read because it was collected in The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 5. I didn’t mind reading it again. I’ve always enjoyed stories involving Batman’s former mentors.
Another story that I had already read before because it was collected in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight - Marshall Rogers, is the five-issue Legends of the Dark Knight story - Siege. I enjoyed this story because it features Silver St. Cloud, who I am a fan of, and Bruce Wayne’s grandfather. It also explains where the money to establish the Wayne Foundation came from.
Lastly, this book collects Batman: Night Cries, a dark story that tackles child abuse. This is actually the reason why I purchased this book. I already have the Night Cries hardcover, but it’s in an oversized format, so it does not really fit my shelf.
Collects Detective Comics (1937) 437-443, Detective Comics (1988) Annual 3, Showcase 95 11, Batman Legends of the Dark Knight 132-136, Batman Night Cries, Batman Black and White (1996) 1 and 4.
Who is the Manhunter? Paul Kirk, the Manhunter, was once a big-game hunter who died and was revived by a secret organization hellbent on world domination. He was given enhanced physical abilities and a healing factor. So, why are Manhunter issues collected in this book? Because Batman teams up with Manhunter. If you like spy stories and clones, you will definitely enjoy this story.
In 1999, DC released Manhunter: The Final Chapter. This is a silent issue where the art really takes the center stage. You can really see how Walt Simonson’s art has improved over the years.
This book also collects stories from Batman: Black and White. The art in those Black and White stories is superb. I should really read my first volume of Batman: Black and White.
The Detective Comics Annual 3 was something that I had already read because it was collected in The Dark Knight Detective Vol. 5. I didn’t mind reading it again. I’ve always enjoyed stories involving Batman’s former mentors.
Another story that I had already read before because it was collected in Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight - Marshall Rogers, is the five-issue Legends of the Dark Knight story - Siege. I enjoyed this story because it features Silver St. Cloud, who I am a fan of, and Bruce Wayne’s grandfather. It also explains where the money to establish the Wayne Foundation came from.
Lastly, this book collects Batman: Night Cries, a dark story that tackles child abuse. This is actually the reason why I purchased this book. I already have the Night Cries hardcover, but it’s in an oversized format, so it does not really fit my shelf.
Collects Detective Comics (1937) 437-443, Detective Comics (1988) Annual 3, Showcase 95 11, Batman Legends of the Dark Knight 132-136, Batman Night Cries, Batman Black and White (1996) 1 and 4.
January 20, 2016
A compilation of Batman stories written by Archie Goodwin from the early 1970s to 2000, this wide-ranging, variable and varied collection shows Batman in many different and mostly excellent, lights.
Goodwin's writing is the centrepiece of the collection but, with more than twenty artists credited, it's fascinating visually too.
There's a handful of dated one shots from 1973 and '74. Not that far removed, in years and stylistically from the cartoonish TV series as Batman squares off against some Scooby Doo-ish villains, these are followed by a seven part series in which Batman barely appears – the '73-'74 revival of Manhunter.
Goodwin's origin story feels like the most 1970s' of comics imaginable with it's mixture of globetrotting action, fascination with the 'Mystical' East and the martial arts. Oh, and the technology – the mind control, the cloning and genetic manipulation.
It's also tremendous fun and Batman's belated appearance in it is, if anything, a distraction. A 'silent' Manhunter story from 1999 is interesting enough but it's absence of dialogue, while not getting in the way of the narrative makes it a bit of an odd read.
Back on 'proper' Batman territory, he's fighting the Yakuza in 1990's DC Comics Annual #3. More than a little over-the-top, it leads into a ten page story from 1995 centred on Arkham Asylum in which Batman himself never actually appears but plenty of his deranged enemies do.
After a couple of 'Batman Black and White' from '96 (both intriguing, unusual takes on the character and his world) another multiple issue story, a five-parter from 2000 pitting Batman against aged mercenary Colonel Brass is interesting mostly for what it has to say about Bruce Wayne's grandfather Jack and father Thomas.
Finally we end on a high, and incredibly dark note with 1992's 'Night Cries'. Superhero comics don't get much bleaker or blacker than this one.
Goodwin's writing is the centrepiece of the collection but, with more than twenty artists credited, it's fascinating visually too.
There's a handful of dated one shots from 1973 and '74. Not that far removed, in years and stylistically from the cartoonish TV series as Batman squares off against some Scooby Doo-ish villains, these are followed by a seven part series in which Batman barely appears – the '73-'74 revival of Manhunter.
Goodwin's origin story feels like the most 1970s' of comics imaginable with it's mixture of globetrotting action, fascination with the 'Mystical' East and the martial arts. Oh, and the technology – the mind control, the cloning and genetic manipulation.
It's also tremendous fun and Batman's belated appearance in it is, if anything, a distraction. A 'silent' Manhunter story from 1999 is interesting enough but it's absence of dialogue, while not getting in the way of the narrative makes it a bit of an odd read.
Back on 'proper' Batman territory, he's fighting the Yakuza in 1990's DC Comics Annual #3. More than a little over-the-top, it leads into a ten page story from 1995 centred on Arkham Asylum in which Batman himself never actually appears but plenty of his deranged enemies do.
After a couple of 'Batman Black and White' from '96 (both intriguing, unusual takes on the character and his world) another multiple issue story, a five-parter from 2000 pitting Batman against aged mercenary Colonel Brass is interesting mostly for what it has to say about Bruce Wayne's grandfather Jack and father Thomas.
Finally we end on a high, and incredibly dark note with 1992's 'Night Cries'. Superhero comics don't get much bleaker or blacker than this one.
March 19, 2014
These different stories on Batman were amazing and very interesting. From these comics you can say Batman was an exemplar detective who can solve almost any mysteries by using his senses. Batman's amazing tales is filled with all you need; romance, action, and mystery. The stories are interesting with their own conflict and the bigger picture that surrounds the conflict. There's the tale of Batman overcoming having to face his old master and repay the man who has protected him from danger, giving up his own life in the process. Then there was of Batman trying to help a girl he love but couldn't see her before it was too late, but before almost losing his life to his grandfather's old friend and now enemy. These stories have their own ways of relating to real life emotions and actual thoughts of those who experience certain problems.
In addition to this, the stories appeal to those who are interested in superheroes' life or to certain appeal to certain genres of literature. These different stories about Batman all contain a deeper meaning about life, about having the strength to do what is right. Plus, these stories told of keeping principles and never forget about one's obligations, family, love ones, and those who has done something for you. Batman kept these different things with him as he used his mind and ways to keep all he cares for safe from harm. Therefore, one may learn from this book many different things that would make them a better person, being more grateful and less ignorant on what happens around them
In addition to this, the stories appeal to those who are interested in superheroes' life or to certain appeal to certain genres of literature. These different stories about Batman all contain a deeper meaning about life, about having the strength to do what is right. Plus, these stories told of keeping principles and never forget about one's obligations, family, love ones, and those who has done something for you. Batman kept these different things with him as he used his mind and ways to keep all he cares for safe from harm. Therefore, one may learn from this book many different things that would make them a better person, being more grateful and less ignorant on what happens around them
January 16, 2023
Sometimes thematically ambitious, but rarely well written. Night Cries in particular feels like it's hitting on some stuff that a Batman comic does not the emotional depth to properly address (although the artwork is super effective). The only tangentially Batman-related Manhunter comics come off best, a sometimes fun blending of tropes from superhero comics, martial arts movies, and old-tymey adventure serials.
C-
C-
February 23, 2015
A lot of what was written in the 70's doesn't hold up too well today. Mr. Goodwin is one of the few exceptions. I had read the majority of these before, but still enjoyed every one. The Manhunter stories are still, to my mind the best stories of the era.
September 2, 2016
One of my favorite writers of Batman, creator of the Paul Kirk Manhunter series that was a featured backup series in "Detective Comics" in the early- to mid-'70s. A lot of great stuff, including a follow-up to the Englehart/Rogers "Strange Apparitions" storyline. Highly recommended.
March 24, 2015
Some great stories. The ghost-plane story was always one of my favorites as a boy and the MANHUNTER storyline was just wonderful (especially the finale, wordless issue).
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews