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Showcase Presents #75
Showcase Presents: Bat Lash, Vol. 1
This value-priced volume stars Bat Lash, a self-professed pacifist, ladies' man and gambler whose hands are never far from his six-guns.
These are the original stories from the 1960s, involving jilted lovers, Indian raiders, card sharps and more as the legend of Bat Lash spreads across the old West.
These are the original stories from the 1960s, involving jilted lovers, Indian raiders, card sharps and more as the legend of Bat Lash spreads across the old West.
240 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2009
3 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Sergio Aragonés
576 books97 followersSergio Aragonés Domenech is a cartoonist and writer best known for his contributions to Mad Magazine and creator of the comic book Groo the Wanderer.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 8, 2023
Nice collection of this Classic DC western. Entertaining read. Recommended
October 16, 2009
DC comics constantly pushed the envelope during the Silver Age, and "Bat Lash" was the western comic that stood out from the pack about a non-violent cowboy perpetually drawn into a world of violence. The comic's secret weapon was the ornate stylings of artist Nick Cardy who gave the comic a bizarre rococo feel with elegant saloons, fetching dance hall girls and western period lettering.
Unfortunately Marvel Comics rapidly gained in popularity during this period (late Sixties) with their overwrought neurotic superheroes and DC had to keep up by darkening all their light-hearted comics (Metal Men, Doom Patrol and Bat Lash) which ironically killed off all three series, so you'll notice the last few issues of Bat Lash make an unexpected arc from funny to darkly tragic. This is one of the skimpiest editions of the Showcase series yet released but worth your time, anyway.
Unfortunately Marvel Comics rapidly gained in popularity during this period (late Sixties) with their overwrought neurotic superheroes and DC had to keep up by darkening all their light-hearted comics (Metal Men, Doom Patrol and Bat Lash) which ironically killed off all three series, so you'll notice the last few issues of Bat Lash make an unexpected arc from funny to darkly tragic. This is one of the skimpiest editions of the Showcase series yet released but worth your time, anyway.
September 1, 2012
Wow, after seeing Nick Cardy's art in the Aquaman Showcase 1, I couldn't believe this was the same artist that produced the original Bat Lash series. The art was great and suited the Old West setting perfectly. Lots of humor and even an emotional impact you wouldn't expect from a series like this. Great title.
December 11, 2023
In 1968, the Western genre’s popularity was waning. Yet, DC Comics rolled the dice with Bat Lash, introducing the character in SHOWCASE #76. SHOWCASE PRESENTS BAT LASH includes that introductory story, as well as the seven issues of the subsequent BAT LASH series and a smattering of smaller stories from the 1970s and 1980s (Those smaller stories appeared as additional features in comics that starred a more popular Western hero, Jonah Hex.). Compared to DC’s other SHOWCASE editions - most of which feature well known superheroes - it’s a scant amount of material. The smaller book does come with a smaller cover price ($9.99), although it is long out of print at the time of this writing, in 2023.
In fact, DC no longer offers SHOWCASE volumes at all, and I mourn the loss. Not everyone wants to read old comics stories on cheap paper, in black and white, but…this format came with relatively low prices, and often, a SHOWCASE volume was the only way to read the included stories without hunting down the original issues.
I certainly knew about Bat Lash, although I had never read a solo Bat Lash story. I was thus curious about him and happy to find this volume. My curiosity has now been sated, but truthfully, I found the stories to be a mixed bag.
Certainly, the Bat Lash who debuts in SHOWCASE #76 (1968) is not a likable character. He’s self absorbed and a bit peevish, shooting at people who bother him and then complaining about being misunderstood. He’s also presented as a dandy who wears flowers and likes fine food. Villains thus assume that he’s effeminate, and then, of course, he kicks their butts. He’s also a rather aggressive womanizer - a trait possibly included to offset any reader suspicions about the character’s sexuality. None of this, of course, has aged well, but dated elements aside, I found the character annoying.
DC clearly had some faith in him, though, as BAT LASH #1 went on sale a mere two months later. Fortunately, plotter Sergio Aragones and writer Denny O’Neil seemed to have a better handle on the lead character by then. BAT LASH #s 1-5 are the highlight of this volume and likely the highlight of Bat Lash’s entire history. In these stories, Bat is a rogue, albeit a much more likable one than he was initially. He’s a con artist, and he’s not above robbing or cheating someone, but he’s less annoying and his carefree attitude is even a bit infectious. He still makes pushy advances towards the ladies, and this trait, again, hasn’t aged well, although BAT LASH is hardly the only hero from that era to possess it ( See contemporary James Bond movies, e.g.). The stories are largely “done in one” affairs, but they’re fun, and the plots can be a bit “twisty,” with double crosses, triple crosses and sometimes even quadruple crosses and unexpected developments. Supporting characters are often colorful, and there are some good gags. There is a Mexican bandit character, for example, named “Sergio Aragones,” who does, in fact, resemble the famed comics creator who plotted the book’s first eight tales, and two coffin makers who resemble Laurel and Hardy appear in several issues.
Artist Nick Cardy provides some beautiful work - often lush, with just the right amount of cartooniness that the stories demand. HIs illustrations look great in black and white, and I imagine that it might be a slightly different experience seeing them in color. If only I had those original issues for comparison!
This creative team remains in BAT LASH #s 6 and 7, but the stories in those issues are much darker in tone. One suspects that sales weren’t good, and DC was attempting a course correction. Here, Bat Lash gets what is essentially an “origin story,” with flashbacks showing the seemingly inevitable murder of his family. One wonders about the point: Can’t Bat Lash just be a rogue con man? Does he really need a murdered family in his past to provide motivation for his behavior?
I didn’t care for those last two BAT LASH issues, and the remaining material - with no involvement from either Aragones or Cardy (O’Neil does write one of the later stories.) proves enjoyable enough but not nearly as memorable.
Ultimately, then, I can’t recommend this volume to everyone, given that only half of it truly stands out . If you like Westerns, DC’s Silver Age and Nick Cardy’s art, then you’ll find plenty to enjoy. If you like GROO (a comic that Sergio Aragones plots with writer Mark Evanier, as well as draws), then you might also want to check this out. Otherwise…well, DC’s “other” Western hero, Jonah Hex, also has a couple SHOWCASE editions, and while the art on those generally isn’t as pretty as Cardy's, the writing is, at least, more consistent, so perhaps you’ll want to give that a try instead.
In fact, DC no longer offers SHOWCASE volumes at all, and I mourn the loss. Not everyone wants to read old comics stories on cheap paper, in black and white, but…this format came with relatively low prices, and often, a SHOWCASE volume was the only way to read the included stories without hunting down the original issues.
I certainly knew about Bat Lash, although I had never read a solo Bat Lash story. I was thus curious about him and happy to find this volume. My curiosity has now been sated, but truthfully, I found the stories to be a mixed bag.
Certainly, the Bat Lash who debuts in SHOWCASE #76 (1968) is not a likable character. He’s self absorbed and a bit peevish, shooting at people who bother him and then complaining about being misunderstood. He’s also presented as a dandy who wears flowers and likes fine food. Villains thus assume that he’s effeminate, and then, of course, he kicks their butts. He’s also a rather aggressive womanizer - a trait possibly included to offset any reader suspicions about the character’s sexuality. None of this, of course, has aged well, but dated elements aside, I found the character annoying.
DC clearly had some faith in him, though, as BAT LASH #1 went on sale a mere two months later. Fortunately, plotter Sergio Aragones and writer Denny O’Neil seemed to have a better handle on the lead character by then. BAT LASH #s 1-5 are the highlight of this volume and likely the highlight of Bat Lash’s entire history. In these stories, Bat is a rogue, albeit a much more likable one than he was initially. He’s a con artist, and he’s not above robbing or cheating someone, but he’s less annoying and his carefree attitude is even a bit infectious. He still makes pushy advances towards the ladies, and this trait, again, hasn’t aged well, although BAT LASH is hardly the only hero from that era to possess it ( See contemporary James Bond movies, e.g.). The stories are largely “done in one” affairs, but they’re fun, and the plots can be a bit “twisty,” with double crosses, triple crosses and sometimes even quadruple crosses and unexpected developments. Supporting characters are often colorful, and there are some good gags. There is a Mexican bandit character, for example, named “Sergio Aragones,” who does, in fact, resemble the famed comics creator who plotted the book’s first eight tales, and two coffin makers who resemble Laurel and Hardy appear in several issues.
Artist Nick Cardy provides some beautiful work - often lush, with just the right amount of cartooniness that the stories demand. HIs illustrations look great in black and white, and I imagine that it might be a slightly different experience seeing them in color. If only I had those original issues for comparison!
This creative team remains in BAT LASH #s 6 and 7, but the stories in those issues are much darker in tone. One suspects that sales weren’t good, and DC was attempting a course correction. Here, Bat Lash gets what is essentially an “origin story,” with flashbacks showing the seemingly inevitable murder of his family. One wonders about the point: Can’t Bat Lash just be a rogue con man? Does he really need a murdered family in his past to provide motivation for his behavior?
I didn’t care for those last two BAT LASH issues, and the remaining material - with no involvement from either Aragones or Cardy (O’Neil does write one of the later stories.) proves enjoyable enough but not nearly as memorable.
Ultimately, then, I can’t recommend this volume to everyone, given that only half of it truly stands out . If you like Westerns, DC’s Silver Age and Nick Cardy’s art, then you’ll find plenty to enjoy. If you like GROO (a comic that Sergio Aragones plots with writer Mark Evanier, as well as draws), then you might also want to check this out. Otherwise…well, DC’s “other” Western hero, Jonah Hex, also has a couple SHOWCASE editions, and while the art on those generally isn’t as pretty as Cardy's, the writing is, at least, more consistent, so perhaps you’ll want to give that a try instead.
December 22, 2017
this is a thin volume and a quick read at that. personally, the "essential" Bat Lash is contained in the first 8 stories (written by Sergio Aragones and illustrated by Nick Cardy). following these is a handful of 80s short stories that unfold in television episodic style and don't feature the cinematic renderings of plot, character development or visuals that set the table. maybe it's my current age that feeds my bias towards any comic with a cover price of 12¢ or 15¢ but it really does feel like there was a greater sense of urgency in the story telling then when compared to that of later decades. since the book is heavily weighted towards the late 60s material I give it a high rating and equally high recommendation. I supposed the contrast in storytelling methods has some relevent cultural value.
November 23, 2019
4.5 Stars
This was surprisingly good. Published in the late 60s/early 70s this series was very much a spaghetti western on the comic page, albeit with more humor than most. Several of the issues would have made a great western film, or at least a good episode of the TV series Maverick.
My favorite western comic and character of all time is Jonah Hex, and while these stories aren't nearly as dark or gritty as Hex, they are almost as enjoyable in their own way. Nick Cardy's art is great, and Sergio Aragones of Groo fame was involved in most of the stories so that explains the humor.
Just a really good western series that features comedy but some more serious material as well. This is what I'd call a hidden gem, as many readers may not be aware of this series but if you enjoy western comics this is worth tracking down.
This was surprisingly good. Published in the late 60s/early 70s this series was very much a spaghetti western on the comic page, albeit with more humor than most. Several of the issues would have made a great western film, or at least a good episode of the TV series Maverick.
My favorite western comic and character of all time is Jonah Hex, and while these stories aren't nearly as dark or gritty as Hex, they are almost as enjoyable in their own way. Nick Cardy's art is great, and Sergio Aragones of Groo fame was involved in most of the stories so that explains the humor.
Just a really good western series that features comedy but some more serious material as well. This is what I'd call a hidden gem, as many readers may not be aware of this series but if you enjoy western comics this is worth tracking down.
June 9, 2019
Collected Bat Lash stories from the 60s. He’s very similar to James Garner in Maverick, but less charming. Several problematic scenes of him being a ladies man by forcing himself on other women.
June 22, 2022
Nick Cardy’s drawing in this is simply gorgeous.
July 20, 2009
Yes, it's an amalgam of Bat Masterson, Maverik, and a zillion other Sensitive Gunslinger-in-the-Wild-West stories. But this was a comic book, possibly the only one of its kind in the 60's and 70's. Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans) and Sergio Aragones (Groo, Mad magazine) outdid themselves in this series, and it's obvious they had a lot of fun doing it.
I was never a fan of Marvel Western comics like Rawhide Kid and Kid Colt, but DC made some interesting experiments in the genre in the 60's and 70's with Tomahawk (technically not a "Western" but close), Firehair (great Joe Kubert art), Jonah Hex, and Bat Lash.
Nick Cardy's "sketchy" style is perfectly suited for a story set in the West, and he paid attention to the smallest details in hats, buildings and horses. The panel borders have rounded corners and a rough, hand-drawn quality unlike the superhero comics of the day. Even the sound effects are drawn with a "stagecoach" lettering style. Everything about the art set this short-lived book in its own space.
Aragone's stories captured the mood as well -- how many cowboy books could sustain the hero dodging bullets while wandering through town in search of the ingredients for a perfect pheasant in aspic? Every story was exciting, tongue-in-cheek, and left you smiling.
Included in this anthology are a few stories by others, mostly back-up stories in other books when Bat Lash's own book was cancelled, but the Cardy/Aragones stories are far superior.
I was never a fan of Marvel Western comics like Rawhide Kid and Kid Colt, but DC made some interesting experiments in the genre in the 60's and 70's with Tomahawk (technically not a "Western" but close), Firehair (great Joe Kubert art), Jonah Hex, and Bat Lash.
Nick Cardy's "sketchy" style is perfectly suited for a story set in the West, and he paid attention to the smallest details in hats, buildings and horses. The panel borders have rounded corners and a rough, hand-drawn quality unlike the superhero comics of the day. Even the sound effects are drawn with a "stagecoach" lettering style. Everything about the art set this short-lived book in its own space.
Aragone's stories captured the mood as well -- how many cowboy books could sustain the hero dodging bullets while wandering through town in search of the ingredients for a perfect pheasant in aspic? Every story was exciting, tongue-in-cheek, and left you smiling.
Included in this anthology are a few stories by others, mostly back-up stories in other books when Bat Lash's own book was cancelled, but the Cardy/Aragones stories are far superior.
September 3, 2014
A very clever mix of westerns, monthly comic books, and humor.
The character of Batlash is written in a very personable way, as he chats up all these ladies he has crushes on, he declares his affinity for fine food and drink and flowers and stuff. In general, the dialogue is written in a very solid way, even though at times it's kind of forced exposition.
The stories have a great sense of action to them. Unlike a lot of comic books, they motivate the action pretty well, because Bat Lash has a personal stake. Usually he expects to get money in an underhanded way, or to seduce a lady, or some combination thereof. It makes the antagonism he comes across (usually a shoot out) feel more personal than other superhero/comic books.
The action scenes are well put together, largely a credit to the skill of artwork that Nick Cardy and subsequent artists have.
There's a couple of "dramatic" issues, the drama is forced and kind of mean towards our her, but its effective.
If you like fun to read western stories with a well measured use of humor and parody-ish of Western movies (all the writers in this are good, Sergio Aragones, Dennis O'Neil, Nick Cardy, Len Wein, all very skilled track records), READ THIS
5/5
The character of Batlash is written in a very personable way, as he chats up all these ladies he has crushes on, he declares his affinity for fine food and drink and flowers and stuff. In general, the dialogue is written in a very solid way, even though at times it's kind of forced exposition.
The stories have a great sense of action to them. Unlike a lot of comic books, they motivate the action pretty well, because Bat Lash has a personal stake. Usually he expects to get money in an underhanded way, or to seduce a lady, or some combination thereof. It makes the antagonism he comes across (usually a shoot out) feel more personal than other superhero/comic books.
The action scenes are well put together, largely a credit to the skill of artwork that Nick Cardy and subsequent artists have.
There's a couple of "dramatic" issues, the drama is forced and kind of mean towards our her, but its effective.
If you like fun to read western stories with a well measured use of humor and parody-ish of Western movies (all the writers in this are good, Sergio Aragones, Dennis O'Neil, Nick Cardy, Len Wein, all very skilled track records), READ THIS
5/5
December 22, 2012
This is the series by which most western comics should be judged. Bat Lash was a short-lived comic book in the late sixties created by Sergio Aragones (best known for his margin cartoons in Mad Magazine) and Nick Cardy (best known for his work on Teen Titans and Aquaman). Bat Lash reads like a spaghetti western directed by Fred Zinneman.
It's a shame that this series hasn't been given a hardcover color treatment yet, but the fine details of Nick Cardy's artwork, and Dan Spiegle's in the newer stories, shows through to great effect.
This is one of those books I can heartily recommend 100%! Comic fans and western fans will love Showcase Presents Bat Lash!
It's a shame that this series hasn't been given a hardcover color treatment yet, but the fine details of Nick Cardy's artwork, and Dan Spiegle's in the newer stories, shows through to great effect.
This is one of those books I can heartily recommend 100%! Comic fans and western fans will love Showcase Presents Bat Lash!
June 18, 2022
As one of the best Showcases around, Bat Lash is filled with the misadventures of Bartholomew Lash. He’s a cowboy who has been raised by his dad to be a strong, hard working man and by his mother to be a sensitive, European type. It works in that he is not afraid to get his hands dirty, but is then always looking for a proverbial way to get the muck back off. It’s a little bit short for a Showcase, which usually runs about 500+ pages, and that may be the very reason why it’s at five stars for me; it never left me feeling like it would never end. I hate that it was cancelled after only seven issues, plus a few odd-and-end appearances.
June 27, 2010
Reprints Showcase #76, Bat Lash #1-7, DC Special Series #16, and Jonah Hex #49, 51-52. Bat Lash travels the West and does whatever he feels like. Bat Lash is a very strange Western comic. It seems to be heavily influenced by series like Maverick where the action is tongue and cheek. Sometimes this works in the stories but other times it feels very repetative and the stories don't seem to know how to end. The few origin stories that ended the Bat Lash series seemed to start to develop the character but the series ended before anything could be really developed.
July 19, 2009
Fans of DC's Showcase series and Westerns should probably be warned this volume is notacably shorter than the others at 240 pages, not even half of the standard 500+ (meaning even Ambush Bug got more pages than Bat Lash), but this is a lighthearted series for the most part of a gunslighter who abhored violence and seemed to fall into a lot of it anyway. Its mildly humorous and has a certain charm, but there just isn't much here.
January 4, 2014
Back in the days when comic-book Western heroes were as true-blue as the Lone Ranger, Bat Lash stood out: a peace-loving (unless someone shot at him), womanizing, gambling crook, though not without a flash of decency. Unfortunately while Nick Cardy was a fabulous art, the look of the book is too slapstick-comical (very much in the style of co-creator Sergio Aragones) when it really needs something a little more black-humored.
May 22, 2015
A western hero in the vein of Maverick, Bat Lash takes western stereotypes and plays them up for comedic effect. The stories are fun and funny, and there’s a bit of heart too. Nick Cardy’s art is a perfect fit for the tone, although there’s a noticeable drop in quality when the artist switches for the last few entries.
November 3, 2009
Fun and funny, if a bit dated.
June 2, 2012
Gotta read this again in this edition!
Read
July 9, 2012One of the all-time great DC Western heroes. Aragones & Cardy tell some great, mostly lighthearted, stories.
August 27, 2012
Pretty fun stories. Glad to see these collected. Hopefully, we will see more of Bat Lash in the new 52.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews