OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: Marking the 85th anniversary of a superhero icon, Folio presents DC: Batman, the first in a brand-new series, following on from DC: The Golden Age by taking you even deeper into the characters who founded a worldwide phenomenon. Charting Batman’s evolution from Caped Crusader to The Dark Knight, this knockout collection features 12 key adventures by a host of equally iconic talent, from co-creators Bob Kane with Bill Finger to the legendary Frank Miller and Alan Moore. Selected and introduced by former Editor-in-Chief, Publisher, and President of DC Comics, Jenette Kahn, this compilation includes a separate replica copy of Batman #1. Scanned in its entirety from an original 1940 copy – backup strips and vintage ads included – this immaculate collector’s piece provides a unique starting point to one of the longest-running comic book series in history. Comprising tales from The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One, and the still-shocking The Killing Joke, as well as the debut appearances of Batman himself, Robin, The Joker, Catwoman, and Two-Face, DC: Batman is a hardcover compilation with more features than a utility belt, worthy of a place in the library of your own Wayne Manor.
2024 marks the 85th anniversary of Batman and The Folio Society has published a new book — DC: BATMAN — to celebrate.
I must admit that I was unfamiliar with The Folio Society, but after doing some research I discovered that they are known for publishing very high-quality illustrated versions of classic novels. With DC: BATMAN, they are now working in the medium of comic books.
DC: BATMAN is a 7″ x 10″, 320-page hardcover featuring 12 classic Batman comics/comic book stories. The book itself is found inside a cool and very sturdy slipcase. In addition to the stories included — I’ll get to those in just a moment — it comes with a facsimile reprint of BATMAN #1 from 1940. The facsimile has a paper slipcase/cover which is yellow with a black/gray image of Batman on the front. I’ve included pictures of my copy which you can check out directly below.
As far as the stories, they were chosen by Jennette Kahn, former DC President and Editor-in-chief, who also wrote the book’s introduction. Here are the stories by the Batman comic book legends behind them — Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, Sheldon Moldoff, Dennis O’Neil, Neal Adams, Steve Englehart, Marshall Rogers, Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli, Doug Moench, Alan Grant, Norm Breyfogle, Alan Moore, Brian Bolland, and all the color artists and letterers — that you will find in DC: BATMAN…
- Facsimile: BATMAN #1 (Spring 1940)
- “The Bat-Man” – DETECTIVE COMICS #27 (May 1939)
- “Robin, The Boy Wonder” – DETECTIVE COMICS #38 (April 1940)
- “The Crimes of Two-Face!” – DETECTIVE COMICS #66 (August 1942)
- Batman and Green Arrow: “The Senator’s Been Shot!” – THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #85 (September 1969)
- “Daughter of the Demon” – BATMAN #232 (June 1971)
- “The Dead Yet Live” – DETECTIVE COMICS #471 (August 1977)
- “The Dark Knight Returns” – BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS #1 (June 1986)
- BATMAN: YEAR ONE: “Who I Am, How I Came to Be” – BATMAN #404 (February 1987)
- BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE (July 1998)
- “The Last Arkham” (Part One) – BATMAN: SHADOW OF THE BAT #1 (June 1992)
- KNIGHTFALL: “Crossed Eyes and Dotty Teas” – BATMAN #492 (May 1983)
One thing that must be noted is that the stories have not been digitally altered or “updated” if you will. They actually look exactly like they did when each was first published which is very cool.
So, who is this for? Well, it would certainly be a good way to indoctrinate a Batman layman into the world of The Dark Knight…and The Caped Crusader too. Ultimately, I’d say DC: BATMAN is for the diehard Batman fan. It’s a bit pricey at around $100, but I say it’s well worth it. For full disclosure, I did get a free copy for reviewing purposes, but I’m so much of a Batman fan and collector, I would’ve purchased it regardless. Thus, I highly recommend DC: BATMAN to fans like me. And if you’re reading this, I suspect you are indeed a Batman fan. Visit The Folio Society for more details and to purchase. – Bill “Jett” Ramey
