Bill Finger (1914–1974)

This was a Christman gift from my son Ben, and I am actually quite touched by it. It shows a certain attentiveness to what I like to read, and it is quite likely that he checked my library to make sure I didn't already have it. That said, this is a collection of "Superman" comic book reprints from 1959 to 1963. This was probably the worst period of Superman's long history. The stories were outlandishly contrived, the writers had a rigidly defined concept of Superman's capabilities, but often show more had not a clue to using them in a believable way. The art was frequently stiff and boring, with different artists subscribing to a rigid concept also of Superman's appearance. And Superman has never been more of an old fogeyish type than portrayed here. It's as if Superman were channelling Ward Cleaver. However, I read these comics during a formative stage in my life, and they still have a strong tug on my psyche. I'm glad as heck that comics have grown up so much, but these older stories had a certain charm and naivity that I quite enjoy. show less

This whole collection is really just how many bird jokes/puns can we fit into this bad boy. Which is one creative way to still make content during the comic book code era. Ngl, I quite enjoyed those.

Also there's one thought bubble that goes "Ornithologist. It figures, Penguin knew more than any man alive about birds--no surprise that he'd make contacts in the field." Brennan Lee Mulligan would like to have a chat with you on that (/joke).

This reprint of Detective Comics #27 contains the very humble debut of Bob Kane's Batman--a poorly drawn six-page story--and that will be its chief attraction to the average reader. What I found more entertaining were the backup features, particularly Fred Guardineer's suave "Speed Saunders: Ace Investigator" and "The Crimson Avenger" (the only other costumed hero in the book) by Jim Chambers. There are two stories by Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster: "Spy," featuring Secret show more Service agent Bart Regan, and tough private eye "Slam Bradley." Naturally, both Regan and Bradley are dead ringers for Supes; that's the only way Shuster could draw 'em. For those of us who weren't around in 1939, these tales paint a fascinating picture of a vanished world populated by no-nonsense, square-jawed protagonists and sinister assassins from exotic lands. (Most of the artwork is quite primitive, of course, but note the finely detailed renderings in "The Crimson Avenger" and Tom Hickey's "Bruce Nelson.") show less

First sentence: "Well commissioner, anything exciting happening these days?" "No...except this fellow they call the "Bat-Man" puzzles me!"

Premise/plot: Batman The Golden Age is an omnibus of original Batman (and Robin) comics which originally appeared in Detective Comics and Batman comics. The first issue in the omnibus is Detective Comics #27 from May 1939, and the last issue in the omnibus is Detective Comics #45 from November 1940. All comics predate the Second World War as you can see. show more There are a variety of villainous villains--including Cat Woman and the Joker--but only one sidekick, Robin the BOY WONDER.The comics are formulaic, as you can imagine, and Batman is never to be outwitted or defeated.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would. Now I don't see myself turning into someone who reads comic books--and superhero action comic books at that--regularly. I do think this is more for adults perhaps. (I wonder if kids would seek out Batman comics on their own???) I say that merely because it would be rare indeed for an entire issue--each issue has multiple stories--to not offend someone in someway these days. But there is something right in the fact that Batman rarely changes. Action with a hefty side of cheese.

Some of the stories were GREAT, absolutely worth the read. A few weren't so great. Plenty were just meh. Still I'm glad I read this one. show less