The Centenary of BATSOWL, the British Batman of 1918

Next year marks the 80th anniversary of Batman since his debut in Detective Comics No.27 in 1939. However, the notion of costumed 'bat-men' didn't originate with Bob Kane and Bill Finger's creation. One such earlier character was Batsowl, who starred in a series of prose stories in the British comic Illustrated Chips in 1918, and who made his debut exactly 100 years ago this week.

I'm not suggesting for a moment that there was any connection of course. Bob Kane was born in 1915, Bill Finger in 1914, so it's highly unlikely they'd have seen a British comic when they were infants. However, there are some interesting similarities between the two characters, not least being the costume, as you can see from the header illustration above.

Like Batman, Batsowl's other identity was a wealthy figure. In this case, an Earl, Desmond Devance...

He also had a secret underground laboratory, not dissimilar to the Batcave...

...and his appearance struck terror into people...

Sadly, like most British comics of the time, Batsowl is uncredited. I don't know how long the serial ran as I only have one episode, which is the one I'm showing here. It's from Illustrated Chips No.1477, dated December 21st 1918. This was one of the comics presented as a facsimile in 1972 in the Six Comics of World War One collection. (More info about those comics here.) 

It's highly likely that both Batman and Batsowl were both partially influenced by The Phantom of the Opera, written in 1909, and The Scarlet Pimpernel (which was adapted as a very popular London play in 1905).

Click on the image below to see the page larger and read this chapter of Batsowl to see the 'British Batman' for yourselves...

As Rebellion bought the rights to Illustrated Chips and many other comics recently it seems they may own the copyright to Batsowl. Could he return in the pages of 2000AD as Black Max has this week? Who knows? Maybe one day...

New! The Legend of The Batman

There's a new partwork in newsagents right now, - The Legend of The Batman, - the start of a collection of hardback books reprinting contemporary Batman stories. It kicks off with Batman Zero Year Part One.

You'll find more details, as well as subscription info, at the website of the publisher Eaglemoss...
https://www.eaglemoss.com/en-gb/comic-heroes/dc-comics-the-legend-of-batman-1/

R.I.P. Adam West

Batman bubble-gum card, 1966.

The only bad thing about the Comic Expo at Brighton on Saturday was when the news broke that actor Adam West had passed away. For many of us, Adam West was THE Batman, as we'd discovered the Batman TV show before we'd even seen a Batman comic strip. 

Adam West with co-star Burt Ward.

Back in 1966, Batman made such a huge impact on pop culture. Every little kid wanted to be Batman, thanks to Mr.West's superb performance. Older comic purists of the time may have been dismayed that the TV show wasn't taking itself too seriously but for millions of us it was perfect. With a dry, earnest delivery and a straight face, Adam West helped ensure that the TV show worked on two levels; an exciting adventure series for children, and a marvellous superhero spoof for older, more savvy viewers. That's quite a feat to pull off, but it worked.

Me patrolling the front doorstep in 1967.

The Batman TV series was a direct influence on me creating Brickman, so I'll always be grateful for that. Adam West was due to be a guest at the London Film and Comic Con next month but sadly we'll never meet him now. 

Thanks for the many hours of TV entertainment and happy memories, Adam West, millionaire Bruce Wayne of stately Wayne Manor. 

Titan launch new UK Batman comic

Titan Comics are launching a new Batman title to be sold in newsagents. All-Star Batman No.1 will reprint stories from DC's All-Star Batman and Nightwing titles. There'll also be a double-sided pull-out poster in every issue. 

According to their PR, All-Star Batman No.1 is out now. Here's the content info for issue 1...

 ‘My Own Worst Enemy' - Parts 1 and 2
 Batman is taking one of his most duplicitous villains out of Gotham City to a mysterious destination, but when a bounty is put on Batman’s head, any villain with something to hide is on their tail. The scene is set for a cross-country chase, with everyone gunning for Batman!

Nightwing – ‘Rebirth’

After the events of the 'Robin War', Dick Grayson tries to decide on who he really is – is he Robin, Agent 37, or is he Nightwing? With a little help from Damian, Batmanand his ‘arch-frenemy’ Midnighter, Dick has to find a new purpose in life! But what are the Court of Owls planning?

Titan also publish a long-running Batman comic... if you can find it. Some branches of WH Smith (such as my local one) haven't stocked it for about a year, and claim it doesn't exist! I can only assume it's been wrongly deleted from their database. Hopefully All-Star Batman won't suffer the same fate, but to make sure of your copies you can always subscribe directly from the publishers at this link:
https://titan.subscribeonline.co.uk/subscriptions/all-star-batman?offerCode=DCNEWS

The clothes maketh The Batman

Back in 1966, this ad appeared in Smash! comic for a Batman costume! Who could resist? After all, it was the year of Batmania and every kid wanted to be Batman, right? 

I was lucky enough to have one of those costumes for Christmas. Here's me wearing it in the following summer...

Yeah... not quite as authentic as one might have hoped is it? To be fair, there's a couple of items missing in the photo; it came with a plastic Batman mask which just featured the front of the face (like a Guy Fawkes mask) including the mouth and chin. It broke easily so I made a domino mask out of a bit of leather. It also had gloves. Well, just the cuffs to be more accurate, leaving the hands bare. 

At least the cape was the right colour but all in all it was clearly a million miles from being an accurate Batman costume, and even having BATMAN stamped on it in yellow paint couldn't hide that fact. I doubt it'd even be passed by DC's licensing department today, but you know what? I didn't care! I was seven years old and playing at being Batman, and that was all that mattered.

UK Batman comic celebrates 50 issues

The British edition of Batman comic published reaches 50 issues this week and celebrates with a cover by Chris Burnham. Here's the PR directly from the publisher, Titan Comics...

Welcome to the 50th issue of Batman! Yes, we’ve reached our half-century of issues! Inside, you’ll find three thrilling stories about the Dark Knight. First up, there’s the latest instalment of ‘Superheavy,’ in which Bruce Wayne wants some answers! Next up is a special one-off story where Batman faces a double, before we round things up with Batman Eternal, where Batman tries to track down Hush! 

All for just £3.50!

Batman – ‘Superheavy' – Part 9’

Inspired by recent events, Bruce Wayne realizes who he really is, and insists on gaining entry to the Batcave. But even if Alfred lets him in, is he prepared for what he’ll find? And how far will Bruce go to reclaim his identity as the Batman? 

Legends of the Dark Knight – ‘I, Batman’

We take a break from Robin, Son of Batman for an issue, to bring you a special one-off tale! When another Dark Knight begins intervening in street violence in Gotham City, Batman finds himself facing a doppelganger with a difference! Featuring the Joker, Killer Croc and Clayface! 

Batman Eternal – ‘City of Whispers’ 

As riots break out across Gotham City, Batman and his new assistant Julia Pennyworth try to keep things under control. Meanwhile, the rest of the Bat family do their bit to keep order on the streets, but Commissioner Jason Bard has his own ideas on how to take back control! 

You'll find Batman No.50 in WH Smith (if you're lucky. My local branch dropped it two months ago, despite it selling well.) Or you can subscribe here:

http://titanmagazines.com/t/batman/

Eaglemoss launch DC Comics Graphic Novel Collection

Not much spare time for blogging at the moment but here's a quick plug for the DC Comics Graphic Novel Collection that has just been launched by Eaglemoss in the UK. The format is the same as the long running Marvel partworks that Hachette have produced and the launch edition (shown above) is just £2.99 which is in newsagents now. (Note: After the first few issues, shops often only take partworks on an reservation only basis, so you may have to 'place a regular order at your newsagent' as they used to say in the comics.)

From the looks of things the books will reprint contemporary material but it'll be from before the 'New 52' relaunch that DC did across their line in 2011. To find out more info, see the website here:
http://www.eaglemoss.com/en-gb/comic-heroes/dc-comic-books/?gclid=COamiNrWvccCFZUYGwod5uUAOw

Titan's latest DC Comics

There's a long tradition dating back to the 1950s of British reprints of DC Comics and here's a quick preview of the covers to the latest Titan comics that reprint DC strips for UK readers. Two of these issues are already in the shops (Batman No.40 and Batman/Superman No.10) with Batman Arkham No.21 on sale this week (16th July) and DC Universe Presents/Justice League Trinity No.9 on sale 23rd July. 

The comics are full colour throughout and contain 76 to 100 pages an issue. You'll find them in branches of WH Smith, comic shops, and selected newsagents. Alternatively, if you subscribe there's a free Top Trumps DC Universe pack with every subscription. See the Titan Magazines website for full details: 
http://titanmagazines.com/ 

DC Comics UK

On sale 12th March.

Like Marvel, the association with DC Comics and the UK has been going on for decades. In the 1950s there were British (and imported Australian) editions of DC (National) Comics on sale in British newsagents as import restrictions remaining from WW2 were still in place. (The original American DC comics didn't resume proper distribution in the UK until 1959.)

In 1969 Top Sellers launched Super DC as a monthly which ran for 14 issues and an annual. (See here.) In the 1980s there was The Super-Heroes monthly, and various UK editions of Batman, Superman and others. 

These days it's Titan Comics who have the license to publish British editions of DC material, and they currently have four titles: Batman, Batman: Arkham (both published every four weeks), Batman/Superman and DC Universe Presents/Justice League Trinity, which appear every 8 weeks. These comics follow the Panini format of US-sized comics with 76 pages (occasionally 100 pages), full colour throughout, with card covers. Each issue reprints three American comics for £3.50.

On sale now.

On sale 26th February.

On sale now.

You'll find the comics in WH Smith and selected newsagents but subscriptions are also available directly from Titan. Follow this link to find out more:
http://titan.subscribeonline.co.uk/subscriptions

My thanks to Titan Magazines for sending the cover images.

SMASH! The first 20 covers

When one thinks of the first series of Smash! comic (1966 to 1969) it may be the Batman strip of the covers that comes to mind. However, the comic's front page shifted and changed a bit before the Caped Crusader took up his position. Here's a look at all the issues leading up to that point. 

On February 2nd 1966 Smash! No.1 (above) debuted with a great Leo Baxendale cover promoting the free cardboard gun. The influence of Carl Giles was always evident in Baxendale's work of this period but Leo went in his own direction with it, enhancing his own style and bringing his creativity to every job. And it's incredibly funny too of course. 

Leo Baxendale was called upon to produce similarly manic covers to promote the free gifts in issues 2 and 3...

Issue 4 saw the arrival of The Man From B.U.N.G.L.E. (inspired by TV's Man From U.N.C.L.E.) and another cracking cover by Leo...

The cover to issue 5 was also by Leo Baxendale. Incidentally, the villainous 'Doctor Doom' was suddenly renamed 'Doctor Goole' in later issues to avoid confusion when Odhams started reprinting Marvel material. 

With issue 6, Ron Spencer became the new artist on The Man From B.U.N.G.L.E. doing a pretty good ghosting of Leo's style...

Issue 7, again by Ron Spencer. 

Issue 8, and a slight change, with B.U.N.G.L.E. as two panels this week. More great monsters drawn by Ron Spencer...

Uh-oh, here come the Chinese racial stereotypes on the cover of issue 9...

Issue 10, and an unusual Easter cover, again by Spencer...

Issue 11, again by Spencer...

Issue 12 saw a refreshing change with a split cover between The Man From B.U.N.G.L.E. (drawn by Ron Spencer) and a panel taken from The Legend Testers strip from inside by Jordi Bernet. Note the huge name check for Legend Tester 'Rollo Stones' in an attempt to get fans of The Rolling Stones to pick up the comic...

Issue 13 had a full cover B.U.N.G.L.E. illustration by Spencer again...

...as did issue 14...

Then with issue 15 a drastic change with a striking cover by Jordi Bernet for the latest Legend Testers adventure which was re-named The Trolls of the Under-Earth for that week. (You never knew what to expect in Smash!)

Issue 16 and The Man From B.U.N.G.L.E. was back, but this time drawn by Brian Lewis for one week only. Note that topline, - this key issue is when reprints of The Hulk started and Odhams relationship with Marvel Comics began...

Issue 17 proudly devoted its cover to The Incredible Hulk, reprinting Jack Kirby's cover from Marvel's Incredible Hulk No.1 (even though the story inside reprinted Hulk No.2). Marvel had supplied Odhams with black and white artwork but seem to have forgotten to tell them that the Hulk should have green skin...

Issue 18 saw the final Man From B.U.N.G.L.E. cover. A nice job by Ron Spencer. The character would later return as a comic strip serial inside the comic. 

Issue 19 and Smash! had abandoned its plan to pull in U.N.C.L.E. fans with a spoof, and instead went for the real thing by having an artist draw likenesses of Robert Vaughan and David McCallum on the cover. And why not throw in a likeness of Mick Jagger too, just to attract the pop fans? It was a plug for the Charlie's Choice strip inside but I don't know who drew the cover.

With issue 20 Smash! finally settled on a new cover star who would remain in place for the next couple of years. In a great coup for the comic, Batman had arrived, with Odhams gaining permission to reprint the strip from the American Sunday papers. Inside the comic, the contents had been steadily improving and adding new characters too over the first 20 weeks and now Smash! entered its golden age with a great mixture of home-grown humour and adventure strips plus reprints of Batman and the Hulk! Truly a comic to look forward to every week!

Batman ran on the cover every week (with one exception on No.34) until issue 114 when The Swots and the Blots took over for the rest of the run of the first series of Smash! I'm not going to show the rest of the covers as it'd soon become very tedious but I hope you've enjoyed looking through this selection of the early issues. Click each image to see it in more detail.