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Batman: Shadow of the Bat (Collected Editions) #4
Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Volume 4
Two-Face, The Joker, Solomon Grundy, Tally Man, KGBeast, Colonel Vega, the Ventriloquist, Anarky and an overzealous bounty hunter named Wild all want a piece of the Dark Knight. There's never a quiet moment in the shadows of Gotham City. Even with the help of Robin, Black Canary and Lobo, Batman can't catch a break.
Writer Alan Grant (Detective Comics) teams up with artists including Barry Kitson (L.E.G.I.O.N.), Bret Blevins (New Mutants) and John Paul Leon (Static) for Batman: Shadow of the Bat Vol. 4. Collects Batman: Shadow of the Bat #32-42.
Writer Alan Grant (Detective Comics) teams up with artists including Barry Kitson (L.E.G.I.O.N.), Bret Blevins (New Mutants) and John Paul Leon (Static) for Batman: Shadow of the Bat Vol. 4. Collects Batman: Shadow of the Bat #32-42.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2019
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51 people want to read
About the author
Alan Grant
1,719 books143 followersAlan Grant was a Scottish comic book writer known for writing Judge Dredd in 2000 AD as well as various Batman titles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is also the creator of the character Anarky.
Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thomson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines. After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on Social Security. He then met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor, who was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC, 2000 A.D., and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the Tarzan comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.
The pair eventually co-wrote Judge Dredd. They would work on other popular strips for the comic, including Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably Harry Twenty on the High Rock, written by Gerry Finley-Day. Judge Dredd would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in 2000AD as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as The Apocalypse War. Grant also wrote for other IPC comics such as the revamped Eagle.
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was a 12-issue miniseries called Outcasts for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman stories in Detective Comics from issue 583, largely with Norm Breyfogle on art duties across the various Batman titles Grant moved to. After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called The Last American. This series, as well as the Chopper storyline in Judge Dredd, is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. Grant and Wagner continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover Judgement on Gotham. During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an anarchist. The creation of the supervillain Anarky was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium. In the following years, he would continue to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved.
Grant's projects at the start of the 90s included writing Detective Comics and Strontium Dog, but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is The Bogie Man, a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is Lobo, a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in The Omega Men. Lobo gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing L.E.G.I.O.N. (a Legion of Super-Heroes spin-off) and The Demon (a revival of Jack Kirby's charac
Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thomson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines. After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on Social Security. He then met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor, who was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC, 2000 A.D., and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the Tarzan comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.
The pair eventually co-wrote Judge Dredd. They would work on other popular strips for the comic, including Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably Harry Twenty on the High Rock, written by Gerry Finley-Day. Judge Dredd would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in 2000AD as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as The Apocalypse War. Grant also wrote for other IPC comics such as the revamped Eagle.
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was a 12-issue miniseries called Outcasts for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman stories in Detective Comics from issue 583, largely with Norm Breyfogle on art duties across the various Batman titles Grant moved to. After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called The Last American. This series, as well as the Chopper storyline in Judge Dredd, is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. Grant and Wagner continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover Judgement on Gotham. During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an anarchist. The creation of the supervillain Anarky was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium. In the following years, he would continue to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved.
Grant's projects at the start of the 90s included writing Detective Comics and Strontium Dog, but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is The Bogie Man, a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is Lobo, a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in The Omega Men. Lobo gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing L.E.G.I.O.N. (a Legion of Super-Heroes spin-off) and The Demon (a revival of Jack Kirby's charac
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 11, 2019
Some solid, stand alone stories from one of the better Batman writers of the 90s. The Batman books of this era were plagued with crossovers and that trend continues through these Shadow of the Bat collections. We have crossovers 3 issues in a row with Prodigal and Troika. Grant does do a good job of making these readable without reading the rest of the crossover. We do get a lot of classic Batman villains with Batman facing off against the Joker, Bane, the Ventriloquist, Solomon Grundy, KGBeast, the Tally Man and Anarky.
February 21, 2023
Batman: Shadow of the Bat Vol. 4 collects issues 32-43 of the DC Comics series written by Alan Grant with art by Bret Blevins, MD Bright, Barry Kitson, Kevin Walker, John Paul Leon, Liam Sharpe, and Joe Staton
A collection of early Batman comics coming off the fallout of Knightfall. The first few issues feature Duck Grayson filling in as Batman before Bruce Wayne returns to take up the mantle. We get battles with the Ventriloquist & Scarface, the Joker, Two-Face, Anarky, Tally Man, KGBeast, and a new character known as Wild.
Many of the self contained issues were pretty solid except for the last issue in this volume which was one of the worst Batman issues I have ever read. Shadow of the Bat started off being very self contained but as the series progressed and the main Batman and Detective Comic series started to have more and more huge crossovers, Shadow quickly became a third-tier tie-in book. Even this volume had issues that crossed over with the main titles so the reader doesn’t get the full story, but instead parts that act as mini-contained stories within a larger story. This is DC’s last volume collecting the Shadow issues as the next 40 issues in the series are predominantly all tie-in to major events: Contagion, Cataclysm, and No Man’s Land.
A collection of early Batman comics coming off the fallout of Knightfall. The first few issues feature Duck Grayson filling in as Batman before Bruce Wayne returns to take up the mantle. We get battles with the Ventriloquist & Scarface, the Joker, Two-Face, Anarky, Tally Man, KGBeast, and a new character known as Wild.
Many of the self contained issues were pretty solid except for the last issue in this volume which was one of the worst Batman issues I have ever read. Shadow of the Bat started off being very self contained but as the series progressed and the main Batman and Detective Comic series started to have more and more huge crossovers, Shadow quickly became a third-tier tie-in book. Even this volume had issues that crossed over with the main titles so the reader doesn’t get the full story, but instead parts that act as mini-contained stories within a larger story. This is DC’s last volume collecting the Shadow issues as the next 40 issues in the series are predominantly all tie-in to major events: Contagion, Cataclysm, and No Man’s Land.
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November 1, 2023The opening chapters suffer a little from the same problem as previous volumes, containing only a quarter of a crossover which ran across all the Bat-books - but Prodigal (Dick Grayson's pre-Morrison stint in the cowl) is a simpler story than Knightfall. Also a less silly one, and in many ways painfully relevant right now, what with its paralysed court system, overstuffed prisons, and spectre of international, unabashed Russian gangsterism. Even once Bruce is back, partial subplots intrude - when did Alfred quit? Why is Bullock in hospital? Gordon's been replaced by his estranged wife? And so on. But never to the extent that the issues become incomprehensible, and more than anything it works as a reminder that this sort of soap opera stuff works far better with a strong supporting cast than with Batman himself or an ever-expanding roster of costumed sidekicks. And in general the collection reminded me of how much fun Batman comics could be when he'd been retooled by Miller and Burton, but not yet ossified into whatever the fuck he is these days. Gotham, as rendered by artists including John Paul Leon, Barry Kitson and Kev Walker, towers impossibly; in this Piranesi nightmare of a city, little wonder if monsters breed in the shadows. The villains range from Grant's own creations like the Tally Man and Ventriloquist, through KGBeast and Solomon Grundy, to the Clown Prince of Crime himself, the fundamental problem of his very seldom being funny turned from bug into feature by presenting him as precisely that, a failed comedian desperate to prove his critics wrong. Or if not wrong, then at least dead. The standout story, though, must be the return of Anarky, often considered the Batman antagonist whose writer thought he was right. Alas, with hindsight his certainty that the information society would spell an end to fascism, deceit and the lies of powerful men looks as detached from reality as anything King Tut or the Joker ever came up with.
July 22, 2023
Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Vol. 4 was written by Alan Grant. The first four issues of this book are part of the Prodigal and Troika story arcs, which are connected to the Knightfall event. These issues can be skipped, as they won’t provide the complete picture of what is happening in the Prodigal and Troika story arcs. The important thing to note in these issues is that Jim Gordon distrusts Batman. Sarah Essen Gordon, on the other hand, has a change of heart and is no longer against Batman. This dynamic puts a strain on their marriage.
The rest of the issues in this book mainly focus on different characters, with Batman, for the most part, playing only a supporting role. Issue no. 36 centers around Black Canary. The next two issues are Joker-related, wherein Grant introduces the readers to Wild Norton. Norton survived one of Joker’s murder sprees, but unfortunately, his family did not, so he seeks to avenge their deaths. Meanwhile, Joker wants revenge against those who did not laugh at his jokes when he was a struggling comedian. Bullock awakens from his coma (he got injured during the Troika story arc).
Issue no. 39 is a Solomon Grundy story. In this issue, Commissioner Sarah Essen Gordon informs Mackenzie "Hardback” Bock that Jim Gordon has resigned, and she offers Bock to be her assistant. Issues nos. 40 and 41 focus on Anarky. Issue no. 41 is a heart-warming issue. I enjoyed the letter that Anarky wrote to his parents. Grant knows how to write an Anarky story. An important development in this issue is a group of entrepreneurs successfully convincing Gordon to run for mayor. Issue no. 42, the last issue, was forgettable. However, I did enjoy the Gordon side story. Gordon pays Bruce Wayne a visit to ask for his backing as Mayor, but Bruce reveals that he is considering supporting District Attorney Marion Grange instead. Bruce then tells Alfred that Gordon would make a lousy mayor and that he wants him back as Commissioner.
Overall, this book is worth reading because it complements Batman by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones, Vol. 1.
Collects Batman: Shadow of the Bat #32-42.
My Batman Collected Editions Instagram page
The rest of the issues in this book mainly focus on different characters, with Batman, for the most part, playing only a supporting role. Issue no. 36 centers around Black Canary. The next two issues are Joker-related, wherein Grant introduces the readers to Wild Norton. Norton survived one of Joker’s murder sprees, but unfortunately, his family did not, so he seeks to avenge their deaths. Meanwhile, Joker wants revenge against those who did not laugh at his jokes when he was a struggling comedian. Bullock awakens from his coma (he got injured during the Troika story arc).
Issue no. 39 is a Solomon Grundy story. In this issue, Commissioner Sarah Essen Gordon informs Mackenzie "Hardback” Bock that Jim Gordon has resigned, and she offers Bock to be her assistant. Issues nos. 40 and 41 focus on Anarky. Issue no. 41 is a heart-warming issue. I enjoyed the letter that Anarky wrote to his parents. Grant knows how to write an Anarky story. An important development in this issue is a group of entrepreneurs successfully convincing Gordon to run for mayor. Issue no. 42, the last issue, was forgettable. However, I did enjoy the Gordon side story. Gordon pays Bruce Wayne a visit to ask for his backing as Mayor, but Bruce reveals that he is considering supporting District Attorney Marion Grange instead. Bruce then tells Alfred that Gordon would make a lousy mayor and that he wants him back as Commissioner.
Overall, this book is worth reading because it complements Batman by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones, Vol. 1.
Collects Batman: Shadow of the Bat #32-42.
My Batman Collected Editions Instagram page
October 12, 2023
At first, I thought this was another volume that I didn't like as much as the others. But upon reflection, the stories I did read were good. There are some comics that I have already read before since they are a part of the Prodigal and Troika storylines so I skipped them (if you were wondering: yes, the Tallyman with his too big mouth full of too big teeth does make an appearance). "In the Name of the Father" was alright; I don't think I have ever read a Black Canary story before. The two-part story about the Joker "The King of Comedy" and "Tears of a Clown" was interesting. It seems to make Batman: The Killing Joke canon, where the Joker was a failing comedian with a wife and child on the way. This is (to my knowledge) where the iconic quote originates:
"In my dream, the world had suffered a terrible disaster. A black haze shut out the sun, and the darkness was alive with the moans and screams of wounded people. Suddenly, a small light glowed. A candle flickered into life, symbol of hope for millions. A single tiny candle, shining in the ugly dark. I laughed and blew it out."
However, I do not know who Wild Norton is besides the reason why he is after the Joker, and the ending . The other two-parter story about Anarky "Prophet of Doom" and "The Anarkist Manifesto" was also interesting. I wonder how Anarky as a character would view today's politics and world issues. "One Night in Slaughter Swamp", like other stories about Solomon Grundy, makes me feel sympathy for the zombie(?). Whatever kind of man Cyrus Gold was in life, he deserves to be at rest. The last story "Feedback: The Day the Music Died" was the only one that I didn't like. It made me confused. Who are these musicians? Who is that man attacking them? And as the last story in the last Shadow of the Bat stand alone collection (the other issues are collected in other books as a part of Contagion or No Man's Land), it ends on a cliffhanger!
"In my dream, the world had suffered a terrible disaster. A black haze shut out the sun, and the darkness was alive with the moans and screams of wounded people. Suddenly, a small light glowed. A candle flickered into life, symbol of hope for millions. A single tiny candle, shining in the ugly dark. I laughed and blew it out."
However, I do not know who Wild Norton is besides the reason why he is after the Joker, and the ending . The other two-parter story about Anarky "Prophet of Doom" and "The Anarkist Manifesto" was also interesting. I wonder how Anarky as a character would view today's politics and world issues. "One Night in Slaughter Swamp", like other stories about Solomon Grundy, makes me feel sympathy for the zombie(?). Whatever kind of man Cyrus Gold was in life, he deserves to be at rest. The last story "Feedback: The Day the Music Died" was the only one that I didn't like. It made me confused. Who are these musicians? Who is that man attacking them? And as the last story in the last Shadow of the Bat stand alone collection (the other issues are collected in other books as a part of Contagion or No Man's Land), it ends on a cliffhanger!
January 1, 2020
A decent collection of stories in the second half, not so much in the first.
The whole first half of this book has the same problem as the previous one - it's all story chunks from the Prodigal and Troika storylines that have no beginning or end. Thankfully, the crossovers end after that and we get something coherent.
Back in the foreword for the first volume Alan Grant said that this series was all about the bad guys that Batman has to deal with. And finally we get back on track with this idea. Each issue even starts with the title words "Shadow of the Bat Falls on ..." Insert villain here. Solomon Grundy gets one, Anarky has one of his rare appearances, Joker has a decent arc where he kidnaps all the guys who didn't laugh at his jokes when he tried to be a comedian (this Joker is of the Last Laugh origins). Bret Blevins is gone and the art is done by different artists, all of a good quality. A nice collection but nothing outstanding.
The whole first half of this book has the same problem as the previous one - it's all story chunks from the Prodigal and Troika storylines that have no beginning or end. Thankfully, the crossovers end after that and we get something coherent.
Back in the foreword for the first volume Alan Grant said that this series was all about the bad guys that Batman has to deal with. And finally we get back on track with this idea. Each issue even starts with the title words "Shadow of the Bat Falls on ..." Insert villain here. Solomon Grundy gets one, Anarky has one of his rare appearances, Joker has a decent arc where he kidnaps all the guys who didn't laugh at his jokes when he tried to be a comedian (this Joker is of the Last Laugh origins). Bret Blevins is gone and the art is done by different artists, all of a good quality. A nice collection but nothing outstanding.
April 6, 2023
I did enjoy the last few stories. the first stories of this volume had the same issue as the the previous one. no ending or beginning and some parts being skipped. felt all over the place. irt gets better from the Joker storyline. overall I enjoyed the shadow of the bat collection. it indeed fell on me, if you know what I mean.
June 30, 2024
As try hard as it is with being edgy the Azrael era of Batman post-Knightfall does have a unique balance of being darker and still maintains cartoonish elements. A lot of these stories just feel like one-offs which is a shame because there is definitely room for there to be full thematic cohesion with all of the issues. Enjoyed the Black Canary one the best.
July 25, 2021
I am giving this collection ONE star, for violating a cardinal rule of comics collections and graphic novels, a commandment, as it were: Thou shalt NOT end a collection on a cliffhanger. 'Nuff said.
August 14, 2024
The first quarter of this collects issues I’ve already read via my Knightfall saga readthrough.
I wasn’t expecting a Black Canary story! I’m always here for more Dinah Lance. The Joker story was also pretty good.
I wasn’t expecting a Black Canary story! I’m always here for more Dinah Lance. The Joker story was also pretty good.
August 31, 2020
Boy, they sure had a different idea about crime in the 90s. And hairstyles.
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August 25, 2022DNF. I have better things to read.
May 16, 2024
Great series.
They sure don't make them like they used to. I miss this kind of art style and writing was just magnificent. A great series altogether. Very good.
They sure don't make them like they used to. I miss this kind of art style and writing was just magnificent. A great series altogether. Very good.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews