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Batman: Elseworlds
Batman: Dark Allegiances
It`s the late 1930s and daring industrialist Bruce Wayne masquerades as the Batman at night, fighting against crooked politicians and racist secret societies. The media spins his existence into an entire legion of Batmen, red threats against the American way of life. Along the way, Bruce is aided by his faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth as he is drawn into a web of blackmail and deceit involving beautiful film star Kitty Grimalkin, and uncovers a plot that might set off a world war.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
3 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Howard Chaykin
1,073 books112 followersHoward Victor Chaykin is an American comic book artist and writer. Chaykin's influences include his one-time employer and mentor, Gil Kane, and the mid-20th century illustrators Robert Fawcett and Al Parker.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 23, 2021
Howard Chaykin gives us a 30's era Batman full of communists, fascists and political intrigue. Reads like a great pulp novel. The only thing I thought was odd is that Batman's rogues gallery appears but they all have different names. Why not have the guy who looks like the Penguin be Oswald Cobblepot, etc?
August 10, 2022
Nice and different version of the Batman. good art and writing. Recommended
April 26, 2018
Let’s start this off with a choice quote from within to get the ball rolling:
“Of Course, my motivations aren’t entirely Simon Pure. Everyone needs a hobby. Some people sail. Some people play tennis. Some people play polo. My hobby is dressing up like a masked maniac and beating the living daylights out of people I don’t like.
Which some might say puts me in the same moral zoo as these hooded losers…”
Yup, right off the bat (heh, put intended) Bats is no longer merely a vigilante but a costumed hobbyist. No different from the grown-ups playing dress-up at those degenerate comic-cons except that this alter ego punches people in the face. And remember, it’s not for any ideals or moral impetus it’s to, “beat[ing] the living daylights out of people I don’t like.”
Just as this incarnation of the Caped Crusader is devoid of any deeper motivations, so too does this comic suffer from a dearth of developmental issues enshrouding a complete lack of fidelity to the original series. I’m sure Bob Kane was rolling in his grave as his seminal creation was shit on for ~60 some pages of brutal blasphemy. If you thought that was bad keep reading!
Choice quote 2: “So maybe I’m an egomaniac. A dangerous lunatic. A complete idiot. Maybe, even a psychopath. Fine. Better a madman with a mission – than a plutocrat hiding behind the walls of privilege.”
Violently smooshing the nonsensical with the SJW, our enblackened protagonist fights for a dizzyingly bizarre line of reasoning. Not content to deal with the institutional product of systemic racism that is clearly modern logic/science – something more visceral is chosen as the raison d'être. Seemingly emanating from purely primal energy, this Bruce Wayne is more animal than man. Which perfectly matches this mangled mash-up, devoid of the ubiquitous origin tale. Just as the tragedy is missing so to does this protagonist fill the reasons for his life's mission differently.
Anyways, nothing makes sense here. It’s boring. It’s trite. And worst of all nigh 2/3 of the comic is just vacuous dialogue with a shitty plot to match. A true cluster-fuck of awfulness at every level, nothing could truly prepare you for the insipid ending- which takes awfulness to a whole new depth.
“Of Course, my motivations aren’t entirely Simon Pure. Everyone needs a hobby. Some people sail. Some people play tennis. Some people play polo. My hobby is dressing up like a masked maniac and beating the living daylights out of people I don’t like.
Which some might say puts me in the same moral zoo as these hooded losers…”
Yup, right off the bat (heh, put intended) Bats is no longer merely a vigilante but a costumed hobbyist. No different from the grown-ups playing dress-up at those degenerate comic-cons except that this alter ego punches people in the face. And remember, it’s not for any ideals or moral impetus it’s to, “beat[ing] the living daylights out of people I don’t like.”
Just as this incarnation of the Caped Crusader is devoid of any deeper motivations, so too does this comic suffer from a dearth of developmental issues enshrouding a complete lack of fidelity to the original series. I’m sure Bob Kane was rolling in his grave as his seminal creation was shit on for ~60 some pages of brutal blasphemy. If you thought that was bad keep reading!
Choice quote 2: “So maybe I’m an egomaniac. A dangerous lunatic. A complete idiot. Maybe, even a psychopath. Fine. Better a madman with a mission – than a plutocrat hiding behind the walls of privilege.”
Violently smooshing the nonsensical with the SJW, our enblackened protagonist fights for a dizzyingly bizarre line of reasoning. Not content to deal with the institutional product of systemic racism that is clearly modern logic/science – something more visceral is chosen as the raison d'être. Seemingly emanating from purely primal energy, this Bruce Wayne is more animal than man. Which perfectly matches this mangled mash-up, devoid of the ubiquitous origin tale. Just as the tragedy is missing so to does this protagonist fill the reasons for his life's mission differently.
Anyways, nothing makes sense here. It’s boring. It’s trite. And worst of all nigh 2/3 of the comic is just vacuous dialogue with a shitty plot to match. A true cluster-fuck of awfulness at every level, nothing could truly prepare you for the insipid ending- which takes awfulness to a whole new depth.
April 22, 2025
Howard Chaykin's Elseworlds tale offers a re-imagining of Batman as a 1930s-style pulp hero. Instead of the tragic backstory of the privileged boy orphaned by an encounter in a back alley, we get a self-made man who builds a fortune as an industrialist and military contractor. This makes for a somewhat lighter Batman, who fights villains more out of a sense of righteousness and adventure than as a response to his trauma. And the villains he fights are those of the 1930s: a conspiracy between a preacher, a businessman, and a United States Senator that seeks to bring fascism to America.
The story is uncomfortably more relevant today than it was when it was first published in the 1990s, and it has an enjoyable blend of elements for those familiar with the decade of Hollywood glamor, labor unrest, and the looming prospect of another world war. Yet it did not come together for me as well as I would have liked. Part of it is the rushed nature of the plot, as after a brief exposition via newsreel the reader is thrown into a battle between Batman and a secret society of racists. This may have been in keeping with the pulp stories that inspired the story, but it came at the cost of a more detailed development of the world the author creates. One of most enjoyable parts of an Elseworlds tale for me is the distinctive setting created for it, only here Chaykin rushes the plot too quickly to allow for much exploration of it.
This hurried storytelling may have been part of Chaykin's homage to the pulp inspiration of the tale, which would make it a feature rather than a bug. The same cannot be said for the adaptation of the Batman world into the tale. Apart from the historical figures involved, the main characters are all adaptations of figures from the Batman comics. Chaykin's adaptation of the villains is somewhat strained, particularly in making the chaotic Clown Prince of Crime into a advocate for a fascist order. The others may be less of a corruption of their original characters, but much of the menace has been drained from them in the transition into Chaykin's setting. This detracted from what is otherwise a enjoyable enough tale of intrigue and adventure nicely depicted in Chaykin's evocative artistic style.
The story is uncomfortably more relevant today than it was when it was first published in the 1990s, and it has an enjoyable blend of elements for those familiar with the decade of Hollywood glamor, labor unrest, and the looming prospect of another world war. Yet it did not come together for me as well as I would have liked. Part of it is the rushed nature of the plot, as after a brief exposition via newsreel the reader is thrown into a battle between Batman and a secret society of racists. This may have been in keeping with the pulp stories that inspired the story, but it came at the cost of a more detailed development of the world the author creates. One of most enjoyable parts of an Elseworlds tale for me is the distinctive setting created for it, only here Chaykin rushes the plot too quickly to allow for much exploration of it.
This hurried storytelling may have been part of Chaykin's homage to the pulp inspiration of the tale, which would make it a feature rather than a bug. The same cannot be said for the adaptation of the Batman world into the tale. Apart from the historical figures involved, the main characters are all adaptations of figures from the Batman comics. Chaykin's adaptation of the villains is somewhat strained, particularly in making the chaotic Clown Prince of Crime into a advocate for a fascist order. The others may be less of a corruption of their original characters, but much of the menace has been drained from them in the transition into Chaykin's setting. This detracted from what is otherwise a enjoyable enough tale of intrigue and adventure nicely depicted in Chaykin's evocative artistic style.
September 8, 2012
A really nice take on the Batman mythos, and the setting in a nearly Fascist America works really well. The ending does let it down a little as Alfred should always just be Alfred.
April 13, 2021
Not only is this a fun Elseworlds version of a "film noir" Batman fighting fascists and white supremacists in the 1930s, but it also takes on fresh meaning in a world twenty years after it was first published--a world filled with renewed fascist and supremacist activity. As with most of Chaykin's work, this is a violent and sexual tale. Batman's foes are inexplicably renamed, but are clearly recognizable as Penguin, Two-Face, Joker, and Catwoman. Of course, Batman wouldn't be Batman without a few high-tech (for the times) gadgets and vehicles. Chaykin's artwork is beautiful as always, and captures the mood and action needed for this type of story.
June 19, 2009
Completely screwed-up brilliance. This Elseworlds tale has it all: political ideology jamming, devilishly handsome Bruce at his playboy best, feline fatale Selina Kyle as a celebrated actress, Batman shaking Hitler's hand, and Alfred as Robin. Diverting stuff if only for the total what-the-fuckery. All said in pulpy 1930s style.
December 27, 2015
Surprisingly good, set in the 30s with an alternative rogues' gallery and a guest appearance by Hitler. Batman seemed really cheerful and happy to be Batman, it was fun.
April 1, 2021
Batman: Dark Allegiances is an Elseworlds graphic novel published by DC Comics in 1998, written and penciled by Howard Chaykin.
Set during the late 1930s, daring industrialist Bruce Wayne masquerades as the Batman at night, fighting against crooked politicians and racist secret societies. The media spins his existence into an entire legion of Batmen, red threats against the American way of life. Along the way, Bruce is aided by his faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth as he is drawn into a web of blackmail and deceit involving beautiful film star Kitty Grimalkin, and uncovers a plot that might set off a world war.
Howard Chaykin penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well. Chaykin have created a narrative of Batman’s existence in the 1930s/Pre-World War II era. The dialogue's snappy and witty as Bruce Wayne as Batman uncovers a plot masterminded by a right wing senator and an entrepreneur. There's a beautiful dame who's being blackmailed, an old fashioned Batman scene at a theme park made up of giant props, and a nice sense of period throughout.
Chaykin does double duty as the penciler of the trade paperback. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, Chaykin's penciling is perhaps one of the saving graces for this trade paperback.
All in all, Batman: Dark Allegiances is an interesting experiment of merging a Batman story with the Pre-World War II era, which has Bruce Wayne as Batman trying to stop a plan that would force the world into another World War.
Set during the late 1930s, daring industrialist Bruce Wayne masquerades as the Batman at night, fighting against crooked politicians and racist secret societies. The media spins his existence into an entire legion of Batmen, red threats against the American way of life. Along the way, Bruce is aided by his faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth as he is drawn into a web of blackmail and deceit involving beautiful film star Kitty Grimalkin, and uncovers a plot that might set off a world war.
Howard Chaykin penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well. Chaykin have created a narrative of Batman’s existence in the 1930s/Pre-World War II era. The dialogue's snappy and witty as Bruce Wayne as Batman uncovers a plot masterminded by a right wing senator and an entrepreneur. There's a beautiful dame who's being blackmailed, an old fashioned Batman scene at a theme park made up of giant props, and a nice sense of period throughout.
Chaykin does double duty as the penciler of the trade paperback. Since he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, Chaykin's penciling is perhaps one of the saving graces for this trade paperback.
All in all, Batman: Dark Allegiances is an interesting experiment of merging a Batman story with the Pre-World War II era, which has Bruce Wayne as Batman trying to stop a plan that would force the world into another World War.
November 13, 2020
An Elseworlds story which reimagines the Batman as arising in the mid-1930s as a response to the growing threat of fascism in Europe and, more especially, at home in the USA.
I totally get what Chaykin was aiming for with this book, tackling the still-poignant truth that home-grown fascism is every bit as prevalent as that of foreign despots. For all that Hitler and the Nazis are obviously evil, it's a more important fact that those sorts of regimes don't arise in isolation.
Unfortunately, an alternate reality superhero story is not really the best way of tackling the weighty subject of American fascism. I get that it's supposed to be allegorical, (Buy this Batman book, but wait!, it's really about rascists!) but actually I found that weaving in alternate versions of Batman, Catwoman, Joker, Two-Face and the Penguin actually cheapens the more important message the writer is trying to convey.
I respect the attempt, but this is definitely 'a swing and a miss'.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com/ *
I totally get what Chaykin was aiming for with this book, tackling the still-poignant truth that home-grown fascism is every bit as prevalent as that of foreign despots. For all that Hitler and the Nazis are obviously evil, it's a more important fact that those sorts of regimes don't arise in isolation.
Unfortunately, an alternate reality superhero story is not really the best way of tackling the weighty subject of American fascism. I get that it's supposed to be allegorical, (Buy this Batman book, but wait!, it's really about rascists!) but actually I found that weaving in alternate versions of Batman, Catwoman, Joker, Two-Face and the Penguin actually cheapens the more important message the writer is trying to convey.
I respect the attempt, but this is definitely 'a swing and a miss'.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.com/ *
August 26, 2023
Chaykin's alternate take on Batman is set in the 1930s, and is a refreshing take (albeit one that makes use of many of the author's favorite tropes ... Bruce Wayne's jawline and shit-eating grin marks him as a standard Chaykin hero). This version of the character is the son of a doctor who was murdered by the Red Guard for treating a wounded anarchist. He grew up a poor orphan, and discovered a knack for industrial design, finally becoming a world-famous architect (as well as developer or special equipment for the military, which he first 'tests out' as Batman). The familiar bevy of villains make the rounds here, but as fascist political leaders rather that 'name' villains. It's all great fun and fans of the characters, or 30s adventure settings, will enjoy it.
April 27, 2018
retro pulp batman !!!
August 18, 2018
Maybe 3.5
October 22, 2024
"... But nobody does fascism like the good old U.S. of A."
That line aged like wine. Howard Chaykin was a true visionary with this one, though sadly for the worst reasons.
That line aged like wine. Howard Chaykin was a true visionary with this one, though sadly for the worst reasons.
January 21, 2025
Bruce Wayne stalks the night of late 1930s Gotham as Batman, tackling fascist secret societies and underground cabals that threaten to upturn the American way. He is soon drawn into a web of blackmail from a media campaign trying to frame Batman as a collection of communist vigilantes.
I really like the postwar pulp sensibility of this work and the integration of political intrigue into an elseworlds concept but found the overall execution rather lacking. While Chaykin's prose and plotting is compelling the narrative feels rather unfocused and the tone is an unsatisfying mix of serious and humorous. Well at least we get a scene where Bruce Wayne shaked hands with Hitler in a Hawaiian shirt.
I really like the postwar pulp sensibility of this work and the integration of political intrigue into an elseworlds concept but found the overall execution rather lacking. While Chaykin's prose and plotting is compelling the narrative feels rather unfocused and the tone is an unsatisfying mix of serious and humorous. Well at least we get a scene where Bruce Wayne shaked hands with Hitler in a Hawaiian shirt.
February 26, 2025
Not bad, but not great. I picked this up seeing that cool art deco-style bas-relief doors with Batman perched on the doorway columns and automatically felt this was something worthwhile. I judged a book by its cover and paid for it.
The 1930s were the golden age of comic books but back then they didn't touch upon politics, these were adventure stories dealing with good and evil, and there was no want to preach here. I guess the writers of this story wanted to delve into an alternate universe where they could and got it here.
There is an Elseworlds story element: Batman wasn't born into wealth and privilege, but his parents still died in tragic circumstances for standing up against evil. Bruce with his intellect becomes a self-made millionaire working alongside the Democratic US Government run by FDR. Taking tech that hasn't been accepted by the government to wage war on corrupt and virulently criminal elements like Nazis. Batman is not just criticized for being a vigilante but also for being an immoral element against the ultra-right. This was a time when liberals had their fascist boogeymen, who did hold a level of influence but not as viciousness or success. Mostly it was a strong sense of isolationism, letting the radicals and reactionaries of the world destroy each other while America lives in peace. The America First movement as it was known, with prominent Americans like Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, William Randolph Hearst, and so many others encouraged isolationism. Calling out liberals as communists or warmongers.
This story doesn't just kindle the idea of fascist infiltrators but lets it roar to life as Batman with a noirish feel, as many detective movies of the era were like, takes it to the ultra-right by suspecting corrupt politicians, and gangsters, some of them taking on the appearance of noted characters from his rogues' gallery in the form of an alternate Two-Face and Joker. I did like his costume, which is still dark and fearsome as well as powerful with his great weapons at his disposal. He shined, ironically, in this dark story as well as a good share of allies like Catwoman, who in this case I hoped was an original creation but wasn't. She still looked hot, probably the skimpiest outfit I've seen a Catwoman wear. Also, an odd turn for Alfred Pennyworth.
There is a satirical element with Bruce Wayne always making these awkward smiles as well as "Kitty" speaking in heart-shaped bubbles. I enjoyed seeing the ending involving the most powerful men in the world saved by Batman and Catwoman. But it was too political for my taste and prefer something more typical.
The 1930s were the golden age of comic books but back then they didn't touch upon politics, these were adventure stories dealing with good and evil, and there was no want to preach here. I guess the writers of this story wanted to delve into an alternate universe where they could and got it here.
There is an Elseworlds story element: Batman wasn't born into wealth and privilege, but his parents still died in tragic circumstances for standing up against evil. Bruce with his intellect becomes a self-made millionaire working alongside the Democratic US Government run by FDR. Taking tech that hasn't been accepted by the government to wage war on corrupt and virulently criminal elements like Nazis. Batman is not just criticized for being a vigilante but also for being an immoral element against the ultra-right. This was a time when liberals had their fascist boogeymen, who did hold a level of influence but not as viciousness or success. Mostly it was a strong sense of isolationism, letting the radicals and reactionaries of the world destroy each other while America lives in peace. The America First movement as it was known, with prominent Americans like Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, William Randolph Hearst, and so many others encouraged isolationism. Calling out liberals as communists or warmongers.
This story doesn't just kindle the idea of fascist infiltrators but lets it roar to life as Batman with a noirish feel, as many detective movies of the era were like, takes it to the ultra-right by suspecting corrupt politicians, and gangsters, some of them taking on the appearance of noted characters from his rogues' gallery in the form of an alternate Two-Face and Joker. I did like his costume, which is still dark and fearsome as well as powerful with his great weapons at his disposal. He shined, ironically, in this dark story as well as a good share of allies like Catwoman, who in this case I hoped was an original creation but wasn't. She still looked hot, probably the skimpiest outfit I've seen a Catwoman wear. Also, an odd turn for Alfred Pennyworth.
There is a satirical element with Bruce Wayne always making these awkward smiles as well as "Kitty" speaking in heart-shaped bubbles. I enjoyed seeing the ending involving the most powerful men in the world saved by Batman and Catwoman. But it was too political for my taste and prefer something more typical.
August 30, 2017
This Elseworlds tale revolves around a 30's era Batman going up against a secret society bent on starting a war. Will Batman meet Hitler at some point? Maybe. Chaykin's art as always is solid and the story is somewhat interesting if not predictable, but the ending is kind of weak. A quick one-shot read that I would recommend to fans of alternate universe style stories though.
December 30, 2012
Un repaso interesante al personaje en el contexto de su época originaria, con un par de cambios tan atractivos como innecesarios. Juega en su contra la extensión, pues pudo desarrollarse mejor en dos o tres números en lugar de un one-shot.
October 25, 2014
To admit, I wasn't really impressed with this version of pre-WWII Batman. It's just as fine, and there are some aspects that really do not fit but were forced to be there.
Also, c'mon, look at that ending. Too darn awful.
Also, c'mon, look at that ending. Too darn awful.
November 30, 2010
Disappointing. Batman in a nearly facist America. I think it was only written as an excuse to have Bruce Wayne meet Hitler.
Read
February 9, 2014A pulp Batman fights fascists and strikebreakers in thirties America, all executed with that inimitable Chaykin panache. Slight, but charming.
April 14, 2017
Este elseworld de Batman no estuvo tan mal, teniendo en cuenta la calidad promedio de lo que se publicaba bajo este sello. Tenemos a un Batman que más que Batman es como un The Shadow, un agente secreto americano durante la segunda guerra mundial, desbaratando una conspiración para liquidar a Roosevelt por ser judío y con Hitler advirtiéndole a Bats de que tiene "inmunidad diplomática" como nota de color. En cuanto al arte, a destacar el diseño de la Catwoman de Chaykin y la delirante paleta de colores de los trajes. Entretenido y bizarro, como es habitual en los elseworlds
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