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Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga #40-53
Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga, Vol. 3
In the 1960s, during the height of Bat-mania, mangaka (comic book creator) Jiro Kuwata was commissioned to write and draw a series of original Batman comics for the Japanese market. Many Western readers were only recently introduced to the existence of this unique take on the Caped Crusader. Now DC Comics presents the series in its entirety for the first time, fully translated and unabridged!
Collects Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga digital Chapters 39-52.
Collects Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga digital Chapters 39-52.
333 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 26, 2022
Batman may be an American creation, but the values he stands for are universal. This manga version of the Caped Crusader is true to the old-school Adam West serial, but is good fun for pretty much any Bat-fan.
April 11, 2022
After the two previous volumes, I'm running out of things to say about these. I love Jiro Kuwata's art and the way he presents Batman and his world. It's a little disappointing to find out all the stories in the three Batmanga volumes were inspired by actual stories from Batman and Detective Comics and not Kuwata's own creations. Still, I love these madcap, off kilter Batman and Robin stories. The 60s manga art is refreshing and the way Batman and Robin lean into the weirdness and take it completely seriously is a lot of fun.
March 8, 2017
I can't help hearing the background music from the old TV show as I read this. If that's not a sign of an adaptation done right, I don't know what is.
October 27, 2017
A great conclusion to the series. Jiro Kuwatas Batman is a real gem of the Silver Age that I would recommend to any Batman fan.
July 23, 2024
I feel Volume three to be the most experimental one out of the three, even considering the bonkers storylines in the first two volumes.
Somehow it had the prequel to the Clayface story from volume 2. Was this a mistake on the compilation?
The storylines shown here feel a bit more serious in tone, and the villains manage to catch Batman off guard in very creative ways. My favorite villain this time around was Planet King, it showed how creative this interpretation of Batman can be to catch such a formidable foe.
I enjoyed this perspective on Batman. It truly feels part of the overal mythos of the character.
Somehow it had the prequel to the Clayface story from volume 2. Was this a mistake on the compilation?
The storylines shown here feel a bit more serious in tone, and the villains manage to catch Batman off guard in very creative ways. My favorite villain this time around was Planet King, it showed how creative this interpretation of Batman can be to catch such a formidable foe.
I enjoyed this perspective on Batman. It truly feels part of the overal mythos of the character.
April 30, 2016
Quick recap: The 1960s Batman television show was popular in Japan as well, and a tie-in manga was done by 8-Man creator Jiro Kuwata. It was not based on the show as such, but on the Batman comic books of the time, so had a slightly more serious tone. This is the final volume of the translated collection.
We open with Batman and Robin battling the Planet King, a character who uses superscience gadgets based on properties of the planets of our solar system. The Mercury suit projects heat, the Jupiter suit can make objects giant-sized and so forth. There’s a double fake-out as to the identity of the Planet King, and a motive for his rampage that seems better suited to a Superman comic.
Then there’s a story about three escaped criminals using remote-controlled robots to commit robberies. This one has a “electricity does not work that way” moment that took me out of the story.
This is followed by a Clayface story that chronologically happens before the story in the second volume, which may have confused some readers at the time.
The next story is about a series of robberies committed by criminals in cosplay outfits as part of a contest. Some highlights include Batman disguised as a criminal disguised as Batman, a functionally illiterate crook faced with writing a name, and one contestant’s attempt to rig the contest being foiled by criminals’ congenital inability to follow the rules. In many ways the best story in this volume.
After that, we have a story of Catman, whose cloak supposedly gives him nine lives. (No mention of Catwoman, alas.) His Japanese costume is much cooler looking than the American version.
Then a somewhat longer story about a “ghost” who initially looks like Robin, then Batman, and finally gives up the disguise to be his own character. The main difficulty the Dynamic Duo faces here is that the Phantom Batman can hit them, but not vice-versa.
The final story has our heroes being captured by an alien dictator and forced into gladiatorial combat with representatives of three other planets for the Emperor’s amusement. Naturally, Batman restores good government. “Peace is the best option for everyone.”
There’s a short article about Mr. Kuwata’s adaptation process, and a list of which American issues he adapted.
This is very much an adaptation for elementary school boys, with little in the way of subtlety, and female characters kept to a minimum. The art is often stiff and old-fashioned, and minor character faces are reused quite a bit. Still, it’s fun adventure, and Kuwata often put an interesting spin on the original material. Recommended for the intersection of Batman fans and manga fans.
We open with Batman and Robin battling the Planet King, a character who uses superscience gadgets based on properties of the planets of our solar system. The Mercury suit projects heat, the Jupiter suit can make objects giant-sized and so forth. There’s a double fake-out as to the identity of the Planet King, and a motive for his rampage that seems better suited to a Superman comic.
Then there’s a story about three escaped criminals using remote-controlled robots to commit robberies. This one has a “electricity does not work that way” moment that took me out of the story.
This is followed by a Clayface story that chronologically happens before the story in the second volume, which may have confused some readers at the time.
The next story is about a series of robberies committed by criminals in cosplay outfits as part of a contest. Some highlights include Batman disguised as a criminal disguised as Batman, a functionally illiterate crook faced with writing a name, and one contestant’s attempt to rig the contest being foiled by criminals’ congenital inability to follow the rules. In many ways the best story in this volume.
After that, we have a story of Catman, whose cloak supposedly gives him nine lives. (No mention of Catwoman, alas.) His Japanese costume is much cooler looking than the American version.
Then a somewhat longer story about a “ghost” who initially looks like Robin, then Batman, and finally gives up the disguise to be his own character. The main difficulty the Dynamic Duo faces here is that the Phantom Batman can hit them, but not vice-versa.
The final story has our heroes being captured by an alien dictator and forced into gladiatorial combat with representatives of three other planets for the Emperor’s amusement. Naturally, Batman restores good government. “Peace is the best option for everyone.”
There’s a short article about Mr. Kuwata’s adaptation process, and a list of which American issues he adapted.
This is very much an adaptation for elementary school boys, with little in the way of subtlety, and female characters kept to a minimum. The art is often stiff and old-fashioned, and minor character faces are reused quite a bit. Still, it’s fun adventure, and Kuwata often put an interesting spin on the original material. Recommended for the intersection of Batman fans and manga fans.
October 26, 2022
Amazing. Fantastic. Ridiculous.
I just really enjoyed this book. I think it's probably a step down from the previous volumes, as it felt like Kuwata was running out of ideas, but my goodness was I in the right mood for some silly Batman adventures Japan-style. We got aliens. We got robots. We got a Batzooka. We got Clayface again. We got crazy scientists. I had so much fun reading these stories, I didn't want them to end.
There is a little essay in the end that explains a bit of the history behind the title. I hadn't realized that Kuwata was actually basing his stories off of specific stories from American Batman comics. I would love to read them side-by-side and see what was changed!
I just really enjoyed this book. I think it's probably a step down from the previous volumes, as it felt like Kuwata was running out of ideas, but my goodness was I in the right mood for some silly Batman adventures Japan-style. We got aliens. We got robots. We got a Batzooka. We got Clayface again. We got crazy scientists. I had so much fun reading these stories, I didn't want them to end.
There is a little essay in the end that explains a bit of the history behind the title. I hadn't realized that Kuwata was actually basing his stories off of specific stories from American Batman comics. I would love to read them side-by-side and see what was changed!
November 5, 2024
El Batman de Jiro Kuwata cuenta con un dibujo muy simple y sencillo, pero por eso mismo es genial. Las escenas de acción son el fuerte de esta interesante recopilación de todos los comics que se publicaron en Japón bajo permiso de DC en 1966, gracias a que el programa de televisión de Batman resultó un éxito en tierras japonesas. Lo que yo no sabía y que viene comentado al final de estos tres libros que recopilan la serie completa de mangas de Batman, es que los guiones los mandaban de Estados Unidos de comics que ya habían sido hechos allá para adaptarse en Japón.
Indudablemente se trata de una historieta para un público entre infantil y adolescente pero vale la pena leerse porque, de entrada, no es nada aburrido, y porque sus dibujos son tan dinámicos que verdaderamente atrapan.
Indudablemente se trata de una historieta para un público entre infantil y adolescente pero vale la pena leerse porque, de entrada, no es nada aburrido, y porque sus dibujos son tan dinámicos que verdaderamente atrapan.
October 26, 2017
The final volume of Bat Manga offers a lot more of the same. We have mad scientists (who are look very familiar) and we have insane schemes. Some of the stories are a bit tired like the first tale, "The Crimes of Planet King." It's yet another battle between Batman and a crook for the sake of it with very little hook.
"Robot Robbers" is a bit more interesting though with a big plot flaw. "Clayface Encounter" is an interesting Japanese take on Clayface and it works pretty well. "The Robbery Contest" finds Gotham in the midst of contest by criminals for the most outlandish robberies and Batman's caught in the middle. "The Mysterious Catman" finds Batman and Robin facing a Cat-based villain with a secret. The ending's kind of confusing, but other than this, it's okay.
"The Phantom Batman," has a good mystery where Batman and Robin are stopping crimes but the real Batman and Robin know nothing about it. "Duel in Space," finds Batman and Robin kidnapped and on another planet facing off against creatures with deadly powers who could kill them.
Overall, this book is fun. The situations are outlandish but the art is beautiful. The translations are good, with only one translation sounding awkward. If you love silver age Batman or Manga, this is a very worthwhile read.
"Robot Robbers" is a bit more interesting though with a big plot flaw. "Clayface Encounter" is an interesting Japanese take on Clayface and it works pretty well. "The Robbery Contest" finds Gotham in the midst of contest by criminals for the most outlandish robberies and Batman's caught in the middle. "The Mysterious Catman" finds Batman and Robin facing a Cat-based villain with a secret. The ending's kind of confusing, but other than this, it's okay.
"The Phantom Batman," has a good mystery where Batman and Robin are stopping crimes but the real Batman and Robin know nothing about it. "Duel in Space," finds Batman and Robin kidnapped and on another planet facing off against creatures with deadly powers who could kill them.
Overall, this book is fun. The situations are outlandish but the art is beautiful. The translations are good, with only one translation sounding awkward. If you love silver age Batman or Manga, this is a very worthwhile read.
June 19, 2017
Overall pretty good. I liked in the "Planet King" storyline how some of the costumes echo other characters like Adam Strange and Kamen Rider.
The main niggle is the Clayface story. The second volume had a story that was referencing this one. I'd love to know if it was published later and the stories got reprinted in the wrong order, or if, for some reason, they were written out of order.
The other odd thing, most all of the signs/letters in all the volumes are in kana, with English translations below. Some of the letters in the last couple stories are just printed in English.
The main niggle is the Clayface story. The second volume had a story that was referencing this one. I'd love to know if it was published later and the stories got reprinted in the wrong order, or if, for some reason, they were written out of order.
The other odd thing, most all of the signs/letters in all the volumes are in kana, with English translations below. Some of the letters in the last couple stories are just printed in English.
February 15, 2018
The final version of “Batmanga,” the Batman comic published in Japan in the mid 1960s, is as good as the other two volumes.
The artwork is great. Cartoonish, but a lot of great Batman action. Clayface and Catman make appearances, but the best story is the battle between Batman and the Planet King.
Kuwata does an iconic Batman and Robin, and his bstmobile is amazing.
Recommended for Bat-fans and Manga fans.
The artwork is great. Cartoonish, but a lot of great Batman action. Clayface and Catman make appearances, but the best story is the battle between Batman and the Planet King.
Kuwata does an iconic Batman and Robin, and his bstmobile is amazing.
Recommended for Bat-fans and Manga fans.
February 27, 2021
Another fun entry in the 'Bat Manga' era, with Niro Kuwata adapting Batman & Robin for Japanese audiences, as they take on ghosts and super powered villains. Kuwata delivers a fun, cartoony book more in the vein the Adam West series. A fun read all-around and nice to check out for how Batman looks in manga.
December 29, 2023
Να υπενθυμίσω ότι αυτό το manga κυκλοφόρησε στα 60s, λόγω της επιτυχίας που είχε στην Ιαπωνία η σειρά Batman της δεκαετίας του '60 με πρωταγωνιστή των Adam West και είναι καλύτερο από οτιδήποτε Batman βγήκε στις ΗΠΑ την ίδια εποχή.
July 3, 2024
Book #11 of my #30BookSummer Challenge! Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga, Volume 3 by Jiro Kuwata. No one does black and white action frames like Jiro Kuwata! The motion and excitement are incredible!
July 21, 2017
The ending of Batman going back to his "home planet with Robin" kinda slayed me.
September 12, 2019
Fun to see villains looking like Lupin III.
Headache-inducing to read it backwards - I will never be a Manga reader.
Headache-inducing to read it backwards - I will never be a Manga reader.
October 31, 2019
3.5 Stars.
November 6, 2019
Very repetitive and very boring.
December 24, 2019
A fun goofy version of Batman with aliens, robots, and mad scientists. No rogues gallery just one offs. A neat oddity.
September 12, 2020
The series ends with more fantastic reimagination of Batman in a manga style. The ending is a bit weird (aliens? Really?) but it's still a lot of fun to read.
December 8, 2020
The art is amazing but the stories haven’t aged well.
September 13, 2021
A fun atypical way of presenting Batman. There is a lot of great art and action and no character whatsoever. Some of the plots are totally kooky. Lot of fun
March 20, 2022
More of the same.
Short stories featuring Batman & Robin.
Short stories featuring Batman & Robin.
April 10, 2022
So bonkers. So batman. So manga.
March 3, 2023
Similar style to the previous two volumes but slightly less appealing.
May 9, 2024
Para este volumen las historias ya se habían puesto un poco más locas, pero sigue siendo una joya
August 5, 2024
3,2 estrelas
September 17, 2024
Tomo final del Batmanga en edición argentina.
August 10, 2024
Libro de historietas con ISBN propio. Tercer tomo.
June 25, 2016
During the height of the Batman craze of the 1960s, and inspired by the TV show starring Adam West, artist Jiro Kuwata was given the assignment to commission a series of Batman stories for a Japanese audience. Fusing the East with the West, Jiro manages to create a hilariously fun, unique, yet serious dynamic duo that is as addictive as its original. Using source material from Detective Comics, each story follows the same story structure and action sequences. Though the stories are at times repetitive and lacking in depth, it is nonetheless a manga series that entertains and, at times, makes the reader want to laugh, due to the way in which the climatic action is resolved between the heroes and villains.
I recommend for anyone who enjoys comics and manga. Also, some of the villains are pretty awesome; they possess some neat powers.
Favorites stories from Volume 3:
1. "Planet King"
I recommend for anyone who enjoys comics and manga. Also, some of the villains are pretty awesome; they possess some neat powers.
Favorites stories from Volume 3:
1. "Planet King"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews