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Batman: The Caped Crusader
Batman: The Caped Crusader, Vol. 6
A new collection featuring the legendary 1990s Batman epics "The Return of Scarface" and more!
This new collection of 1990s Batman tales includes the legendary story "The Return of Scarface," one of DC's most vindictive villains made famous from the Batman: The Animated Series. This volume also includes the first appearance of the Gotham Gargoyle, and a run of stories in which the Dark Knight must stop crime boss Zucco.
An all-star cast of talent, led by Jim Aparo (The Brave and the Bold), Alan Grant, and Doug Moench, presents Batman: The Caped Crusader Vol. 6, collecting Batman #475-483 and Detective Comics #642.
This new collection of 1990s Batman tales includes the legendary story "The Return of Scarface," one of DC's most vindictive villains made famous from the Batman: The Animated Series. This volume also includes the first appearance of the Gotham Gargoyle, and a run of stories in which the Dark Knight must stop crime boss Zucco.
An all-star cast of talent, led by Jim Aparo (The Brave and the Bold), Alan Grant, and Doug Moench, presents Batman: The Caped Crusader Vol. 6, collecting Batman #475-483 and Detective Comics #642.
248 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2022
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102 people want to read
About the author
Alan Grant
1,714 books144 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 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 1, 2022
This was fine. I would say - an okay read with okay art with no memorable stories.
If you are a Batman fan you will enjoy this collection from the early 90's (or late 80's?) but there aren't any stories that stand out. I think the Gargoyle story was the most entertaining because it was some nice storytelling with Batman being a detective (which I always enjoy) as opposed to winning with his fists.
Overall, Okay but not great.
If you are a Batman fan you will enjoy this collection from the early 90's (or late 80's?) but there aren't any stories that stand out. I think the Gargoyle story was the most entertaining because it was some nice storytelling with Batman being a detective (which I always enjoy) as opposed to winning with his fists.
Overall, Okay but not great.
May 21, 2022
... Okay, seriously, WHAT was Alan Grant thinking when he created Pagan?
From the fetish-wear to the "woman" symbol on her mask to her constant ranting about the evils of men, she is every bit a "feminist" vigilante as conceived of by a group of men for a teenage male audience. It ain't a great look.
The rest of these stories are middling-to-decent. Textbook filler issues.
From the fetish-wear to the "woman" symbol on her mask to her constant ranting about the evils of men, she is every bit a "feminist" vigilante as conceived of by a group of men for a teenage male audience. It ain't a great look.
The rest of these stories are middling-to-decent. Textbook filler issues.
February 19, 2022
The latest Caped Crusader collection, this time from the early 90s. A decent outing for the Ventriloquist and Scarface, and the introduction of Detective Montoya are highlights. A couple of lighter, less memorable editions fill out the collection.
February 27, 2022
I really love these series as they're all fun short stories. Comic books can be complicated nowadays, and sometimes even too much. Reading some old stuff is therefore refreshing as it's never difficult to understand while being very enjoyable.
My favorite stories were The Return of Scarface, Gargoyles (this one surprised me in a good way), and To the father, I never knew. I know that's almost most of it, but there wasn't a story in that I disliked.
My favorite stories were The Return of Scarface, Gargoyles (this one surprised me in a good way), and To the father, I never knew. I know that's almost most of it, but there wasn't a story in that I disliked.
March 5, 2024
3.5
It's solid. Not really any specific compliments or complaints.
"The Return of Scarface" is not a particularly grand moment for me, because I haven't been reading the Dark Knight Detective books, and therefore had no clue he went anywhere. That's okay, though, because there's no difficulty following it. More than all of the gang war stuff, my favorite part is the Vicki conflict. Probably 4 stars, maybe 3.5.
"Gargoyles" is another one that teeters between 4 and 3.5, but I'll go ahead and give it a 4. It's a sort of a King Solomon situation but with Batman. There is no good option, so it's interesting to see how Matt Wagner thinks he'd solved it. Then it takes a couple unexpected left turns. These covers look simultaneously great and wonky. If I ever found them in the wild I'd probably buy them just for framing.
"Pagan" is... not very good. Seems like a strange attempt at trying to portray a feminist from somebody who hates women. I see what could have been a more profound one-off about trauma, but Grant misses the mark. Perhaps too ambitious a story for a man to write (assuming he was trying to write a more empathetic issue) because, as user Darik mentioned in his review, the product caters more to teenage boys. Still, it's Batman, and I love it for that. 3 stars.
"To the Father I Never Knew..." is probably the best story in this collection. A little trip into how Tim is doing, his thoughts as he takes care of a father who never bothered to take care of him, how he uses Robin to escape it, moving in near Bruce, etc. Tim is my favorite Robin and it's nice to see how he's doing, but I wish he was doing better. Hopefully DC will be nice to my boy in the future.
"Messenger of Zeus?" I hardly know her... of Zeus...
2.5 stars.
Crash & Burn is barely even a Batman story and it's absurd and I actually really enjoyed it. Basically, this banker hates her life, and when her bank gets robbed, she decides to give the robber all the money and run away with him to start a life of crime. I love couple-on-the-run stories more than any other trope so, naturally, I had a good time. 4 stars.
It's nothing special and kind of a fizzle to end off on, but I liked it. I'm thinking I'll read the Dark Knight Detective books as quick as I can, clear out some year-one stories I haven't read yet, read a couple stories that follow this one, and then finally jump into Knightfall. I'm excited.
It's solid. Not really any specific compliments or complaints.
"The Return of Scarface" is not a particularly grand moment for me, because I haven't been reading the Dark Knight Detective books, and therefore had no clue he went anywhere. That's okay, though, because there's no difficulty following it. More than all of the gang war stuff, my favorite part is the Vicki conflict. Probably 4 stars, maybe 3.5.
"Gargoyles" is another one that teeters between 4 and 3.5, but I'll go ahead and give it a 4. It's a sort of a King Solomon situation but with Batman. There is no good option, so it's interesting to see how Matt Wagner thinks he'd solved it. Then it takes a couple unexpected left turns. These covers look simultaneously great and wonky. If I ever found them in the wild I'd probably buy them just for framing.
"Pagan" is... not very good. Seems like a strange attempt at trying to portray a feminist from somebody who hates women. I see what could have been a more profound one-off about trauma, but Grant misses the mark. Perhaps too ambitious a story for a man to write (assuming he was trying to write a more empathetic issue) because, as user Darik mentioned in his review, the product caters more to teenage boys. Still, it's Batman, and I love it for that. 3 stars.
"To the Father I Never Knew..." is probably the best story in this collection. A little trip into how Tim is doing, his thoughts as he takes care of a father who never bothered to take care of him, how he uses Robin to escape it, moving in near Bruce, etc. Tim is my favorite Robin and it's nice to see how he's doing, but I wish he was doing better. Hopefully DC will be nice to my boy in the future.
"Messenger of Zeus?" I hardly know her... of Zeus...
2.5 stars.
Crash & Burn is barely even a Batman story and it's absurd and I actually really enjoyed it. Basically, this banker hates her life, and when her bank gets robbed, she decides to give the robber all the money and run away with him to start a life of crime. I love couple-on-the-run stories more than any other trope so, naturally, I had a good time. 4 stars.
It's nothing special and kind of a fizzle to end off on, but I liked it. I'm thinking I'll read the Dark Knight Detective books as quick as I can, clear out some year-one stories I haven't read yet, read a couple stories that follow this one, and then finally jump into Knightfall. I'm excited.
September 1, 2023
This book contained many different stories featuring Batman and Robin (Tim Drake). The Scarface storyline was enjoyable, as he’s definitely a sleeper pick for great villain and one of my favorites stemming from BTAS. I enjoyed the Vicky Vale storyline as well and was fascinated with Batman’s internal dialogue about her and his own identity. The gargoyles story was morbid and darker than I expected, but I liked it a lot, showcasing a bit of Batman’s stellar detective skills. I thought the Pagan story was a classic one-shot Batman story that wasn’t great, but was okay and the Maxie Zeus arc was really also only just okay. By far though, and reoccurring throughout this stretch of issues, the absolute best factor in this book was Tim Drake dealing with his father and with Batman. The issue focusing mostly on that was beautiful and maybe one of the best character defining issues I’ve ever read.
March 13, 2022
My blindspot for these early-'90s Batman comics is enormous. I know they're not the best Batman books ever written and I doubt they're anybody's favorites. Yet I can't help it: I love them.
These were the books being published when, as a child, I began to really read comics (and quickly figured out that Batman was my favorite comic book hero). As a result, I love them unreservedly while also being aware that they likely seem quite antiquated to the modern reader.
These were the books being published when, as a child, I began to really read comics (and quickly figured out that Batman was my favorite comic book hero). As a result, I love them unreservedly while also being aware that they likely seem quite antiquated to the modern reader.
November 29, 2025
This is the final volume from DC comics collecting Batman comics from the late 1980s through early 1990s and this volume collects Batman issues 475 through 483 as well as Detective Comics #642. Specifically these comics are from the early nineties. After I finished this volume I read a post-2020 Batman series and I was so disappointed that it made me look back at this volume and appreciate some of the older Batman stuff where there’s no preachy agenda and lame story telling.
There are many stories here. One that stood out was "To the Father I Never Knew..." This story involves one of the Robins, Tim Drake, who with his father who is in a wheelchair goes to the grave of the wife/mother and it was vandalized by the Y-Dogs gang and Tim Drake as Robin go out to fight the Y-Dogs and stop them. There’s the motif of fatherhood in this story, that is an important motif in Batman’s comics. The three issues story “The Return of Scarface” which is featured in the cover of this trade paperback also stood out and here the Ventriloquist leaves prison hoping no longer to be in the life of crime but his puppet, Scarface, has other plans however. I don’t know what to make of Scarface and Ventriloquist but I thought it was interesting story here with making me think of how criminals leave prison have a hard time moving on and not criminally offend again.
I like the artwork, reading this makes me think of the times when these comics were made and it was great to read Batman comics that have interesting story telling. I recommend this volume.
There are many stories here. One that stood out was "To the Father I Never Knew..." This story involves one of the Robins, Tim Drake, who with his father who is in a wheelchair goes to the grave of the wife/mother and it was vandalized by the Y-Dogs gang and Tim Drake as Robin go out to fight the Y-Dogs and stop them. There’s the motif of fatherhood in this story, that is an important motif in Batman’s comics. The three issues story “The Return of Scarface” which is featured in the cover of this trade paperback also stood out and here the Ventriloquist leaves prison hoping no longer to be in the life of crime but his puppet, Scarface, has other plans however. I don’t know what to make of Scarface and Ventriloquist but I thought it was interesting story here with making me think of how criminals leave prison have a hard time moving on and not criminally offend again.
I like the artwork, reading this makes me think of the times when these comics were made and it was great to read Batman comics that have interesting story telling. I recommend this volume.
September 15, 2025
This collection starts with a gang war ignited by the return of Scarface, largely carried by cheeky "ganter" by Grant and solid art by Breyfogle & Aparo. This was followed with "A Gotham Tale" by Wagner & Kennedy, which was a fun bottle episode about entrapping an elusive villain named Gargoyle in a sting. "Pagan" by Grant & Mandrake trailed that with a forgettable female vigilante revenge plot that undercut its simplistic morality themes with reductive representation. A sentimental Grant & Aparo story in "To the Father I Never Knew" came after and was the best of the collection, focusing on Tim Drake figuring out how to remain Robin while taking care of his once distant and now disabled father. Moench penned a campy narrative after that about a deranged subordinate of Maxie Zues, and the collection ends with Moench delivering a simple yet fun adaptation of Bonnie & Clyde called "Crash & Burn" about a bank teller who decides to join a thief during a bank robbery. The volume didn't have any really notable standouts, but was passable bat entertainment nonetheless.
January 22, 2024
Some entertainning early 90's Batman short stories, each of those do not span more than two issues, and feature very good atwork from the likes of Breyfogle and Jim Aparo.
The writing feels a little dated at times, but for somehow who, like me, grew up reading them, its a welcome nostalgic trip to get back to them after so many years.
6/10
The writing feels a little dated at times, but for somehow who, like me, grew up reading them, its a welcome nostalgic trip to get back to them after so many years.
6/10
March 29, 2022
Back when Batman was a bit more fun. These aren't great stories but more lighthearted and the power of nostalgia is strong for me.
Also it is very appealing where there are no crossovers and the story is just the right length.
Also it is very appealing where there are no crossovers and the story is just the right length.
June 14, 2023
I enjoy the older comics released during the late 60s-80s. You get stories that have been forgotten with time or taken over by the popular well known Rouge Gallery villains. While I do enjoy the popular villains, sometimes it’s nice to read an story arc that isn’t as well know or popular.
April 13, 2022
All of the stories in this collection were good, except for the last one. It was kind of weak by comparison.
June 17, 2022
More great tales of the Dark Knight from some of the best talents to chronicle his adventures.
September 12, 2022
Not a whole lot of note in this other than solid Batman stories. Rene Montoya's first appearance is here, first as an aide to Commissioner Gordon, then as Harvey Bullock's partner. Scarface and Maxie Zeus appear. My favorite story was the one of the Gargoyle where Batman is locked in a bank vault with two people and they don't have enough air to all survive before it can be opened. I still remember those cool Tom Taggert covers for those two issues too.
November 29, 2022
After this "marathon" I won't be reading any Batman or Tec books for at least a month, that's for sure.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews