Batman: The Dynamic Duo Archives, Vol. 1

Batman: The Dynamic Duo Archives #1

by Gardner Francis Fox, John Broome, Carmine Infantino (Illustrator)

Since their first adventure together, Batman and Robin have become pop culture icons. Collected in this spectacular volume are the stories that celebrate that classic partnership between the World's Greatest Detective and the Boy Wonder. Presenting their greatest adventures as they originally appeared in the 1960s, this book includes an unforgettable battle with the Joker, the first appearance of the Elongated Man, and the first time Batman ever appeared with the yellow oval around the bat-symbol on his chest.

Genres: Comics, Batman, Graphic Novels

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Gardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer known best for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic book historians estimate that he wrote more than 4,000 comics stories, including 1,500 for DC Comics.
Fox is known as the co-creator of DC Comics heroes the Flash, Hawkman, Doctor Fate and the original Sandman, and was the writer who first teamed those and other heroes as the Justice Society of America. Fox introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics in the 1961 story "Flash of Two Worlds!"

Pseudonyms: Gardner F. Fox, Jefferson Cooper, Bart Sommers, Paul Dean, Ray Gardner, Lynna Cooper, Rod Gray, Larry Dean, Robert Starr, Don Blake, Ed Blake, Warner Blake, Michael Blake, Tex Blane, Willis Blane, Ed Carlisle, Edgar Weston, Tex Slade, Eddie Duane, Simon Majors, James Kendricks, Troy Conway, Kevin Matthews, Glen Chase

Reviews

[Dan Hensley · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories are 50 years old, and I may not be the right age to enjoy them. For the most part they were a bit boring, some were so cheesy they were entertaining however. And with every story being a different one-off,I have to give it to Kane and Finger for continuously coming up with new ideas even if half of them aren't anything special.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the Silver Age had been in full swing by the year these stories first appeared, 1964 debuted the "New Look" Batman under the aegis of Silver Age progenitor Julius Schwartz. Although there were some cosmetic changes, like the yellow oval around the bat symbol on Batman's chest, the killing off of Alfred, elevator from Wayne Manor to the Batcave, a new sportier Batmobile, the stories themselves were moved away from the sci-fi and Superman-inspired stories of former editor Jack Schiff. More emphasis was placed on Batman's detective skills, and super-villains returned after an absence of a few years.

Most importantly, Schwartz brought on board artist Carmine Infantino, who had helped Schwartz revitalize the Flash for the new age. Infantino's clean, realistic lines were a stark contrast with the Bob Kane studio's more cartoony approach. Although due to contractual obligations with Kane, Infantino did only every other issue of Batman, he did the covers for both Batman and Detective Comics, and their dynamism helped boost sales of two titles that were almost canceled.

These stories are still single issue stories, but a few recurring characters are brought in. After Alfred's death, Dick's Aunt Harriet comes to run Wayne Manor, and a new policewoman becomes a potential love interest for Bruce Wayne. The Joker returns, still not a homicidal maniac, but merely a thief, and Batman returns to his roots by facing various gangsters.

One story guest stars the Elongated Man, but the copy on Goodreads says this is his first appearance, which it isn't. It's a fine tale, though, and nice seeing Batman team up with another detective hero.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the Batman DC Archives series. These books reprint "The New Look" Batman from the 1960's, which was a radical change from the Batman of the 40's and 50's. Classic stories and art.

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do not be fooled by the 3 stars. Half the stories in this volume are disappointing to terrible, but these are the stories that start the "New Look" Batman of 1964 and so are historically significant and early on even the bad stories are interesting as editor Julius Schwartz slowly rolls out the changes that mark the new look. The minority of stories drawn Carmine Infantino are infinitely better than the majority drawn Sheldon Moldoff imitating Bob Kane, for Infantino is an infinitely better artist for this material. Had this book not ended strong I would have given it two stars but the penultimate story has a terrific and offbeat Bill Finger script that Moldoff does not ruin and the final story is a fine collaboration between Infantino and Garner Fox. For many of those middle of the book stories, however, BEWARE!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is always fun to take a break from the very complex and often dark plots of modern comics and revisit the stories that started it all. This is a great collection of early Detective Comics featuring Batman and the Boy Wonder. The stories are fun, but what makes them really interesting is comparing and contrasting them to modern comics. From a writing stand point, it's remarkable to see how the storytelling style has changed. But, from a broader perspective, these comics are an interesting peek back in time, a reflection of the society in which they were written. This is worth a read for any fan of Batman and anyone who likes a bit of pop culture history and nostalgia.

[Renee Perkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good one to sleep to cuz you could zone out a lil bit and still understand what was happening. Funny lingo. “Trousers”. Ch 332 meseum of mixed up men included elongated man and his wife sue… kinda like sue storm and reed richards

[Cyn McDonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

May through November 1964. Stories are lightweight and silly -- I suppose in keeping with the times, but not very interesting from 50+ years later. I will say that Policewoman Pat Powell holds her own pretty darn well, and in heels.

[Freda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, campy, old Batman and Robin at their best.