I read this book back when it first came out, during the buzz after the Michael Keaton "Batman" movie came out. I don't remember hardly any of the stories. I do remember that they were all Batman stories based on this or that Batman from different points in his comics history. By that I mean, one Batman story might resemble the Batman from the "Silver Age" where he fought villains on giant typewriters. The next might be a dark and brooding Batman from the 70's or 90's.
I do remember one story very well, and it alone is worth getting the book to read: "Subway Jack", which has a supernatural element. One, if I remember right, that was created by the author in his other books and mixed in with the Batman universe. Sort of a Jack the Ripper tale with Batman facing off against a man possesed by the mysterious "God of the Razor". Wild...

Share/Like this Review?

This book caught my eye 14 authors from traditional publishing backgrounds tackle the subject of The Batman, including ones I was already familiar with: Max Allan Collins, Stuart Kaminsky, and Isaac Asimov.

Unfortunately, as I read through the book, I found it to be like most anthologies some stories are excellent and really appeal to me, while others make me feel like my time would have been more productively spent watching butterflies flutter in a meadow.

Let's look at Bats, by Henry Slesar, as an example. In this tale, Batman publicly acts a little quirky, perhaps crazy. I don't think it will be much of a spoiler to reveal that the hero has a reason, and a plan. However, the Batman I've encountered in prior readings would not undertake this behavior for tactical gain, realizing that the long term implications to his reputation might be strategically unwise.

On the other side of the coin, I did enjoy The Pirates of Millionaires' Cove by Edward D. Hoch and Death of the Dreammaster, by Robert Sheckley. Both feature mysteries in which the Batman must use his problem-solving skills, coupled with his intimidation factor and combat skills.

Give it a read. Your opinion may agree or diverge with mine on any given story, but I'm sure there will be something in this collection that every Batman fan will like but be warned, there will probably be something that the same fan will not enjoy.

RATING: 3 stars. Some stories are a 4 to 5, others a 2.

Share/Like this Review?