I appreciate how the story doesn't focus just on Batman and Catwoman getting together, but also on Bruce's inner struggle, with him dealing his traumas and fear of loss and loneliness.
One of the best Bronze Age Batman stories, hands down. When I read this issue as a ten year old, I was moved immensely. A very bittersweet ending, but maybe the best one for Bruce and Selina. Beautifully rendered and epic in scope. It still hasn’t lost its impact. Have it in both the original print and reprinted in “The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told”.
The not resorting to gratuitous violence part and the avoidance of an overly brooding aesthetic really is notable. I feel like the go-to for “mature” comic book stories has been the “gritty“ portrayal for so long that it can feel like the only way to do it-mature = gritty. But this is a good example of why that doesn’t need to be the case.
I mean, isn't the idea of appealing to urges being childish a bit of a social construct? Like I don't think this is inherently wrong when done well. I think when it's gratuitous without a point is more the problem. And even that has its audience.
Scarecrow is the perfect Batman villain; Batman doesn't kill people, and the Scarecrow's weapon - fear - literally _can't_ kill people. He's a hat change away from being Mysterio, yet he's taken much more seriously despite his limited power set.
@@babecat2000 I would argue sinestro don’t kill people with fears-he kill people with solid light construct that is powered by fear, which works not much different from other emotional spectrum
Fear absolutely can kill, such as through a heart attack. It can also kill indirectly, such as causing someone to tumble down a staircase, off a cliff, or even react in such a way as to cause fatal injury to another person. The difference between Batman and Scarecrow is that while both of them use fear to achieve their goals, their goals are polar opposites of each other. Batman uses fear to scare criminals straight, convince them that a life of crime isn't worth the risk. Scarecrow on the other hand uses fear to commit crimes, with the specific purpose changing from writer to writer and from crime to crime, but it generally boils down to him using fears in an attempt to get away with whatever criminal and/or unethical scheme he's hatching.
I think the weirdest part of this story is seeing Batman reacting to Catwoman's confession with patience and understanding. If this was modern Batman, he'd just grab her arm and yell at her for lying to him, in the Christian Bale voice.
I think a thing you missed is that the Bat Signal was shown during Bruce's death, implying that Gotham knew, was cool with it, and that means he actually changed it for the better as The Batman.
Nah, dude wrote an autobiography. It's a given Gotham was meant to find out upon his death. Also hence the crowd of mourners. Like, they are CROWDING the graveyard more than they would if it was just for the Bruce they knew before.
In Adventure Comics #463, Dr. Fate changed things so that both Bruce and The Batman BOTH died that day, but with identity remaining secret, so that Robin and The Huntress could go on crime fighting.
Reading this tale and learning about how the Golden Age/Earth-2 versions of Batman and Superman were able to find love, marriage and happiness before their modern day versions. Honestly, it should have been mentioned more in the DC encyclopedia collections. I mean honestly Superman got married via Earth-2 before his modern day counterpart should be mentioned more often.
I loved the recent "Earth-2" series; it's the series that got me reading regular comics, but I can't help but feel annoyed we lost this version of Earth 2, with its own set of characters and their own rich lives, in some ways richer than the main universe because the heroes of Earth 2 were allowed to grow and age and have progression to their lives rather than getting stuck repeating the same stuff over and over. That's part of the reason why the JSA is my favorite superhero team.
Alan Brennart comics writing was pure gold. About that photo of Catwoman on Bruce's desk, it's public record that Selina Kyle is Catwoman. Bruce could easily explain it as, Catwoman is a side of Selina too, and it matters to him to remember Catwomn.
Unpopular gripe: Batman now just seems to be a superhuman who is now written to outshine Superman at every turn. I thoroughly enjoyed the old stories such as this one where he is fully human, prone to everybody's frailties but continues to fight on because of his spirit, not some superhuman intellect that has over-prepared for every possible eventuality. I miss that feeling of a naturally flowing plot without set expectations and therefore predictability
Agreed. While Batman's "preparedness" can be fun ("Batman's Design" in Detective Comics 1,000 is a great example of it), that sort of thing misses the point. It often just comes down to Bruce's ability to buy whatever tool he needs at a given moment. How many times did we see the Bruce in BtAS lose a gadget or have a plan go array? All the time! But he pushes on with his wits and his willpower and still triumphs! That was why that Batman was awesome.
Man,I actually enjoy this old school art work more than current comics,good back ground drawings ( lots of detail )nice clothing rendering,no tablet drawings,no murky panels,no scarce back grounds,nice perspectives when needed in panels,etc,etc,..
It's not a huge quibble, but because Selina Kyle/Catwoman was an ex-con and incarcerated in Gotham Prison, and because Bruce Wayne was the one who married her (not Batman) it's actually fine to have a photo of Catwoman on Bruce's desk. It's not a golden age screw-up. After she was put in prison, everyone knew her secret identity once she was unmasked. They just didn't know Bruce Wayne was ever Batman, is all. The photo of Catwoman on the desk isn't an error.
@@ammagon4519 The three main villains who went to prison instead of Arkham Asylum were Catwoman (she was a burglar), the Penguin (he was only interested in robberies) and I believe Shame (since he was an outlaw.)
Even as someone who has read old and new Batman comics, this was new for me. I really enjoy your videos documenting excellent comic books: for example, I went and got a copy of Superman Smashes the Klan thanks to your explanation
I love the irony that when introduced to fear toxin, Gordon doesn't start suddenly seeing bats as terrifying, rather goes all the way around in a loop of logic to losing a friend type fear
"The Autobiography of Bruce Wayne" and "To Kill A Legend" are the absolute greatest Batman, superhero and comic book stories ever written. Period. Take that "The Killing Joke," "Batman: Year One," and "The Dark Knight Returns." They are matched in greatness only by "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man." These three stories transcend the two dimensional medium itself and turn the characters into real relatable human beings and give them more character in their single stories than literally preceding decades of stories hadn't done. They are forever indelibly etched into my heart and memory and showed me that stories and characters can be universally moving regardless of the medium, yet at the same time could only have been accomplished with these specific characters. Don't get me wrong, there's a reason those other Batman tales are referenced time and time again. But these two stories make you believe Batman is a real human being because they actually address the human condition. Thank you Alan Brennert for giving us the gift of the two greatest Batman stories of all time. I can't wait for your retrospective on "To Kill A Legend."
I loved stories like this one, using Earth-2 to explore the characters aging. From the original "Flash of Two Worlds" forwards, the old DC Multiverse was fun, and actually used well. The current iteration is a hopeless mess.
I think it has good ideas (in particular the Earth-2 books were the first comics I read regularly, but I do feel like current DC staff has been ignoring some of the charm and wonder of the original multiverse: letting heroes meet alternate versions of themselves and just watching the resulting uncanny wonder and amusement. Instead we now have the stupid Dark Multiverse, A.K.A., How many evil versions of Batman can we milk for profit?).
I remember reading this book, back when I was 16 or 17, and really loving it. Thanks for the memories, Steve. I have no memory of that bloody shoebox, though. Yikes, Joe!
Doesn't *everyone* have a framed photo of Cat Woman on their desk? I mean, I suppose mine is of Eartha Kitt playing Cat Woman but I think that still counts.
THIS was the multiverse I loved. It meant something. Not today's. And the Bruce and Selina of Earth-2 had a daughter. Her name was Helena, and she died together with Dik Grayson in COIE. The current Helena in the current Justice Society is not her.
Actually, this Bruce Wayne didn't die in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Rather, just a few years before this comic, in the pages of Adventure Comics #461-462, Bruce, acting as the Commissioner, had been killed by a criminal with energy powers who revealed his secret as Batman, before Dr. Fate managed to erase everyone's memories of it.
All true. But then it gets worse. Thanks to the events of Crisis not only were these characters, however unceremoniously killed off, were retconned to never have existed in the first place. Only Earth 2’s Superman and Lois before they died, and possibly their Power Girl remembered at all. And even THAT may have been retconned. I can’t keep up anymore. For an event that was meant to clean up DC continuity, we now have even more of a mess than ever!
@@jpboursaw4469 I'm not for anything that says the Golden Age stories never happened. As far as I'm concerned, they're the only stories that really happened. Everything else is fan fiction.
I kinda love pre crisis, the fact that they even took the time to tie off Jason's relationship with Nocturna. His bonding with Catwoman as a mother figure. Its cute and i love it
Man, how I wish the powers that be behind the DC movies could not only write this well, but also understand the character, his motivations and fears. The fear of being alone is brilliant psychology for someone left behind as young Bruce had been. Personally, I could re-read this story multiple times before I ever again pick up the dark and angry Frank Miller deconstruction.
This is a great video. I LOVE the DC Multiverse that came to a close in Crisis. I have a special place in my heart when I just think about all those older stories and characters coming to a close and thinking about how Crisis really was a closing of the book on one hand and moving forward while a lot of the story itself and the related tie-ins and wrap-ups that DC was doing in the first half of the 80s were kind of poignant on the other. Some people lost THEIR heroes (or their version of those heroes). I ain't too proud to say I get a little emotional when I think about that stuff and stories like this one. I also ain't too proud to say that's only grown since George Perez passed away.
The original Crisis was a good story (unnecessary number of false endings not withstanding), but I have always resented how it killed the original multiverse and so many of the characters along with it. The recent "Earth-2" series was the first series I read regularly, what really got me into comics rather than just cartoons and movies, but I can't help but look back on stories like this with a touch of longing for what we lost. Especially as modern DC hates giving characters happy endings.
One of my favorite Batman stories by one of the best writers to ever write the character. To Kill A Legend is still one of my favorites, it really started my love of the original DC parallel worlds
I have those old issues of The Brave and the Bold and I love them dearly. Great stories and amazing art! I've also had a fondness for DC's Golden Age heroes and villains. The one thing that saddened me about Crisis on Infinite Earths was that it erased Earth-2. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Steve. Long live all versions of The Batman!
I had to accept long ago that I would always be alone, but it's nice that Batman (at least this version) found a way not to be. Hopefully more people will be as lucky.
That story has a special place in my heart. That was the last story in The Greatest Batman Stories Volume 2. I got that as a Christmas present around 9. The book got lost at some point, but I always remembered reading it cover to cover. Years later I'm a dad, I find the book on eBay and get to read it to my son who's the same age I was when I got the book. Come to find out this issue was released the same month I was born too :-)
Excellent summary and analysis. I remember this issue very specifically, as Batman/Catwoman was my first-ever "ship" from childhood (given that I watched the Adam West series in grade school). This issue was perfectly conceived and written, and legitimately brought a tear to my eye -- and does again, seeing it recapped here. Let's not forget that Nolan ended his unsurpassable Dark Knight trilogy with exactly the same beat, which is why that ending was so satisfying and felt so *right* .
The funny part to me is Bruce assuming that Dick and Kathy and the like will ever willingly retire from this job, as if superheroes ever willingly retire. Look over there at the JSA, those old bastards have "retired" about a dozen times for each of them and yet they're still here. This battle gets into your blood, you just can't NOT answer the call
The strangest part of killing off the Earth 2 Batman is they didn’t bring him back. If only the writers of today could learn that trick. I have been reading comic books since 1986. In that time I’ve learned to be very suspicious of comic book deaths. I’m now at the point where if any character in a comic book dies, my first - correct - reaction is “no they’re not.”
I think that this might be my FAVORITE Batman story /comic! I remember reading this as a kid in the Greatest Batman Stories Trade Paperback. I believe that this was my first introduction to Crane/The Scarecrow, as well . And I’ve loved him ever since .
Part of why I like Batman Beyond so much is because it's an opportunity to see familiar characters, and Gotham, age. The old cantankerous Bruce Wayne is great to watch, and the series and movie dole out more world building over time that all ties together while leaving us with a worthy replacement for Bruce to carry on Batman's future.
As politically opposite as you and I are, I have to admit this is a beautiful retrospective. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the folks you disagree with still have a good heart. This was a really, really good essay.
Great video! One of the first DC stories I read was the Justice League/ Justice Society team up in 1976. I caught on to the whole multiverse concept pretty early, plus this story was one of the few teamups that included the Earth-2 Batman. The JSA iterations hold a strong place in my heart.
I read this story when I worked in a comic shop and it is a fun memory of delivering an experienced Batman at a crossroads! I still have a copy and got it autographed by Joe Staton in Baltimore a couple of years ago!😎🎯👍
I like that the Bat-signal is shining over Bruce's grave. It suggests that Bruce revealed his secret to the world, presumably through his autobiography. P.S. I still find it so asinine that the golden age is labeled "Earth 2" while the age that would come afterwards is "Earth 1". Come on, DC...
Some of the themes in this issue of elseworlds Batman remind me of a quote from columnist/cartoonist Tim Kreider (whose two books of essays are amazing BTW). Here’s the quote: “Years ago a friend of mine had a dream about a staircase you could descend deep underground, in which you heard recordings of all the things anyone had ever said about you, both good and bad. The catch was, you had to pass through all the worst things people had said before you could get to the highest compliments at the very bottom. There is no way I would ever make it more than two and a half steps down such a staircase, but I understand its terrible logic: if we want the rewards of being loved we have to submit to the mortifying ordeal of being known.” -Tim Kreider
If you haven’t yet, I’d love to see a video where you give a take on the animated Brave and the Bold series. I suppose it could be described as a parody of Earth 2 Batman, but, from my point of view, it’s done so with affection rather than derision. Anyway, this was a great video. I love your “Best Ever” series’s for both Batman and Superman. Keep em coming!
Damn, the Scarecrow is a hell of a wingman. I’m just imagining him watching them with a pair of binoculars as they overcome his fear toxins, and then making out and wondering “what the f*ck?”
In fairness... while Bruce was protective of his secret identity, Selina Kyle was known to the public to be the reformed criminal known as Catwoman. This wasn't secret. She even went to jail in the '40s. I guess it may be a little peculiar for Bruce to have a photo of his dead wife wearing the costume when she was a wanted criminal, but it's not exactly a giveway of his own identity. Great exploration of one of my all-time favourite Batman stories.
This was one of my absolute favorite comic book stories...Batman or otherwise...since I read it when it was first published. And after all of these years, nothing has diminished it in my estimation. Thanks for this great analysis, Steve!
Dude, I had this as a kid. I remember the cover but nothing of the story, but it was one that I read and read til it wore out. Thank you for unlocking a foundational memory.
The original classic Earth-2 comics Batman was a lot better and more wholesome than how today's modern Batman is now. Bruce was definitely more balanced with being Batman and his love life with Selina/Catwoman and married to her too.
I thought this video was going to be about Paul Levitz and Joe Staton's Adventure Comics #462 from 1979, which is also a great book. Blew my mind how good it was when I was just 9 years old. The title of the story was "Only Legends Live Forever!"
This may be a strange detail, but you know how when you read comic books you imagine the voices of your favorite interpretations of the characters? Like how most people hear Kevin Conroy when they read Batman (me included)? Funnily enough, I didn't realize until halfway through that I was actually imagining Batman's Brave and the Bold voice for this. My brain saw the ears and mask patterns and goofy but heartfelt 50s story, and just automatically put that voice in there instead of Kevin's. Fitting, since it's hinted that similar events happen in BATB's future timeline.
I wonder if this inspired the ending of The Dark Knight Rises. I've heard that Christopher Nolan wasn't a comic book fan for the first two movies, then went on a reading bender when writing the last one, and that's why it was so much more gimmicky.
I was thinking the same thing. This story is very similar to the ending of Dark Knight 3. The speech where Alfred tells him there has to be an ending where Bruce has accomplished something and can be happy.
Excellent overview. I remember you from your old days. I hope you are doing well, as I recall, you were taking in stray and/or hurt. A great calling. Take care, happy to have found you again.
Steve, what a great presentation, thanks so much. I linked to this from a Facebook group. I resonate completely with your analysis. I discovered this issue and Alan Brennert's other Batman pieces just in the last few years, and felt exactly as you did about his writing, becoming an instant Brennert admirer and very grateful for his excellent contributions to the Earth-2 Batman pre-Crisis canon. I look forward to catching up with your other comics analysis and your other topics as well.
@@charlie-obrien I mean, I already knew that the main DC timeline gets reset every few decades, and that Jay Garrick plus the rest of the JSA were from Earth 2. I just didn't realize that Batman, Superman, and Wonder woman were part of Earth 2 or that it was actually the original main DC universe.
I know this era is closer to Adam West, but I keep reading the Batman and Wayne dialogue blurbs with Kevin Conroy's voice. Strangely enough, it seems more fitting than with West's voice to me
In "Interlude on Earth-Two", besides E-2 Robin's discomfort with the presence of E-1 Batman, E-2 Batwoman's discomfort with the presence of E-1 Batman, and E-1 Batman being confronted with his own mortality (including materializing on E-2 at his counterpart's grave) - E-1 Batman is struggling with the presence of E-2 Batwoman. Earth-One Batwoman had been killed only "a few months ago"
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I appreciate how the story doesn't focus just on Batman and Catwoman getting together, but also on Bruce's inner struggle, with him dealing his traumas and fear of loss and loneliness.
I never noticed that until I started his comic in order👌🏿👌🏿👏🏿🔥
Knowing there is an ending, especially with how DC canon mostly just rhymes now, gives me a surprising peace.
As a widow who lost his soulmate and a comics lover...I'm not ashamed to say Bat & Cat's story told this way brought tears to my eyes.
One of the best Bronze Age Batman stories, hands down. When I read this issue as a ten year old, I was moved immensely. A very bittersweet ending, but maybe the best one for Bruce and Selina. Beautifully rendered and epic in scope. It still hasn’t lost its impact.
Have it in both the original print and reprinted in “The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told”.
Relate to this HARD! 💪🦇🦇🦇
That's golden age Batman
The not resorting to gratuitous violence part and the avoidance of an overly brooding aesthetic really is notable. I feel like the go-to for “mature” comic book stories has been the “gritty“ portrayal for so long that it can feel like the only way to do it-mature = gritty. But this is a good example of why that doesn’t need to be the case.
I’d say this Batman is definitely still brooding but I agree with the gratuitous violence part
I mean, isn't the idea of appealing to urges being childish a bit of a social construct? Like I don't think this is inherently wrong when done well. I think when it's gratuitous without a point is more the problem. And even that has its audience.
Absolutely agree
Scarecrow is the perfect Batman villain; Batman doesn't kill people, and the Scarecrow's weapon - fear - literally _can't_ kill people. He's a hat change away from being Mysterio, yet he's taken much more seriously despite his limited power set.
You can die of fear. I find it odd you don't think fear can be a weapon. Have you heard of Sinestro?
@@babecat2000 I would argue sinestro don’t kill people with fears-he kill people with solid light construct that is powered by fear, which works not much different from other emotional spectrum
@@kail4997 ok that sounds like it may be true
Actually it can, and has explicitly killed people before via literally giving them heart attacks
Fear absolutely can kill, such as through a heart attack. It can also kill indirectly, such as causing someone to tumble down a staircase, off a cliff, or even react in such a way as to cause fatal injury to another person.
The difference between Batman and Scarecrow is that while both of them use fear to achieve their goals, their goals are polar opposites of each other. Batman uses fear to scare criminals straight, convince them that a life of crime isn't worth the risk. Scarecrow on the other hand uses fear to commit crimes, with the specific purpose changing from writer to writer and from crime to crime, but it generally boils down to him using fears in an attempt to get away with whatever criminal and/or unethical scheme he's hatching.
Serious, emotional, non-gritty Batman is amazing.
I think the weirdest part of this story is seeing Batman reacting to Catwoman's confession with patience and understanding. If this was modern Batman, he'd just grab her arm and yell at her for lying to him, in the Christian Bale voice.
Yeah especially the aftermath of the Dark knight rises
WHY DO YOU WANNA LOVE ME????
I mean, Catwoman did leave him at the altar in a modern run, can you blame him?
@@mr.tomatohead3709 aren't they married now?
@@bladeofimmortal7224 And that changed literally nothing
I think a thing you missed is that the Bat Signal was shown during Bruce's death, implying that Gotham knew, was cool with it, and that means he actually changed it for the better as The Batman.
Nah, dude wrote an autobiography. It's a given Gotham was meant to find out upon his death. Also hence the crowd of mourners. Like, they are CROWDING the graveyard more than they would if it was just for the Bruce they knew before.
In Adventure Comics #463, Dr. Fate changed things so that both Bruce and The Batman BOTH died that day, but with identity remaining secret, so that Robin and The Huntress could go on crime fighting.
Reading this tale and learning about how the Golden Age/Earth-2 versions of Batman and Superman were able to find love, marriage and happiness before their modern day versions. Honestly, it should have been mentioned more in the DC encyclopedia collections. I mean honestly Superman got married via Earth-2 before his modern day counterpart should be mentioned more often.
Yeah Earth 2 was so ideal
Even that caused Infinite Crisis
I loved the recent "Earth-2" series; it's the series that got me reading regular comics, but I can't help but feel annoyed we lost this version of Earth 2, with its own set of characters and their own rich lives, in some ways richer than the main universe because the heroes of Earth 2 were allowed to grow and age and have progression to their lives rather than getting stuck repeating the same stuff over and over. That's part of the reason why the JSA is my favorite superhero team.
You make a good point I got the opportunity to skim through one of those books and never saw anything about this stuff
Alan Brennart comics writing was pure gold. About that photo of Catwoman on Bruce's desk, it's public record that Selina Kyle is Catwoman. Bruce could easily explain it as, Catwoman is a side of Selina too, and it matters to him to remember Catwomn.
You know, that probably is his actual reason for having that photo. Because he loved all sides of her.
Unpopular gripe: Batman now just seems to be a superhuman who is now written to outshine Superman at every turn. I thoroughly enjoyed the old stories such as this one where he is fully human, prone to everybody's frailties but continues to fight on because of his spirit, not some superhuman intellect that has over-prepared for every possible eventuality. I miss that feeling of a naturally flowing plot without set expectations and therefore predictability
Right on the money
Agreed. While Batman's "preparedness" can be fun ("Batman's Design" in Detective Comics 1,000 is a great example of it), that sort of thing misses the point. It often just comes down to Bruce's ability to buy whatever tool he needs at a given moment. How many times did we see the Bruce in BtAS lose a gadget or have a plan go array? All the time! But he pushes on with his wits and his willpower and still triumphs! That was why that Batman was awesome.
Im happy knowing that a universe exist when Batman is happy finally
Man,I actually enjoy this old school art work more than current comics,good back ground drawings ( lots of detail )nice clothing rendering,no tablet drawings,no murky panels,no scarce back grounds,nice perspectives when needed in panels,etc,etc,..
It's not a huge quibble, but because Selina Kyle/Catwoman was an ex-con and incarcerated in Gotham Prison, and because Bruce Wayne was the one who married her (not Batman) it's actually fine to have a photo of Catwoman on Bruce's desk. It's not a golden age screw-up. After she was put in prison, everyone knew her secret identity once she was unmasked. They just didn't know Bruce Wayne was ever Batman, is all. The photo of Catwoman on the desk isn't an error.
Unrelated but, how many Batman continuity actually put Catwoman on a jail rather than an asylum?
@@ammagon4519 I'd hope most? She's not really... one of those kinds of criminals and Gotham *does* have a prison.
@@ammagon4519 The three main villains who went to prison instead of Arkham Asylum were Catwoman (she was a burglar), the Penguin (he was only interested in robberies) and I believe Shame (since he was an outlaw.)
Even as someone who has read old and new Batman comics, this was new for me. I really enjoy your videos documenting excellent comic books: for example, I went and got a copy of Superman Smashes the Klan thanks to your explanation
I love the irony that when introduced to fear toxin, Gordon doesn't start suddenly seeing bats as terrifying, rather goes all the way around in a loop of logic to losing a friend type fear
Batman is at his best when he cares.
"The Autobiography of Bruce Wayne" and "To Kill A Legend" are the absolute greatest Batman, superhero and comic book stories ever written. Period. Take that "The Killing Joke," "Batman: Year One," and "The Dark Knight Returns." They are matched in greatness only by "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man." These three stories transcend the two dimensional medium itself and turn the characters into real relatable human beings and give them more character in their single stories than literally preceding decades of stories hadn't done. They are forever indelibly etched into my heart and memory and showed me that stories and characters can be universally moving regardless of the medium, yet at the same time could only have been accomplished with these specific characters. Don't get me wrong, there's a reason those other Batman tales are referenced time and time again. But these two stories make you believe Batman is a real human being because they actually address the human condition. Thank you Alan Brennert for giving us the gift of the two greatest Batman stories of all time. I can't wait for your retrospective on "To Kill A Legend."
Man the stories were so much better back then. They could be camp, but they were great. A great narration and editorial sir, thank you.
I loved stories like this one, using Earth-2 to explore the characters aging. From the original "Flash of Two Worlds" forwards, the old DC Multiverse was fun, and actually used well. The current iteration is a hopeless mess.
I think it has good ideas (in particular the Earth-2 books were the first comics I read regularly, but I do feel like current DC staff has been ignoring some of the charm and wonder of the original multiverse: letting heroes meet alternate versions of themselves and just watching the resulting uncanny wonder and amusement. Instead we now have the stupid Dark Multiverse, A.K.A., How many evil versions of Batman can we milk for profit?).
I remember reading this book, back when I was 16 or 17, and really loving it. Thanks for the memories, Steve. I have no memory of that bloody shoebox, though. Yikes, Joe!
Doesn't *everyone* have a framed photo of Cat Woman on their desk? I mean, I suppose mine is of Eartha Kitt playing Cat Woman but I think that still counts.
@@georgehenry1258 but she's a cat tho
I remember reading this issue as a child. It was so impactful for me; I remember the panels like I read it yesterday. Thanks for covering this issue.
THIS was the multiverse I loved. It meant something. Not today's. And the Bruce and Selina of Earth-2 had a daughter. Her name was Helena, and she died together with Dik Grayson in COIE. The current Helena in the current Justice Society is not her.
Actually, this Bruce Wayne didn't die in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Rather, just a few years before this comic, in the pages of Adventure Comics #461-462, Bruce, acting as the Commissioner, had been killed by a criminal with energy powers who revealed his secret as Batman, before Dr. Fate managed to erase everyone's memories of it.
All true. But then it gets worse. Thanks to the events of Crisis not only were these characters, however unceremoniously killed off, were retconned to never have existed in the first place. Only Earth 2’s Superman and Lois before they died, and possibly their Power Girl remembered at all. And even THAT may have been retconned. I can’t keep up anymore. For an event that was meant to clean up DC continuity, we now have even more of a mess than ever!
@@jpboursaw4469 I'm not for anything that says the Golden Age stories never happened. As far as I'm concerned, they're the only stories that really happened. Everything else is fan fiction.
@@jpboursaw4469 Agreed. DC has retconned too much. No one can keep up.
@@jpboursaw4469 it's all a mess that's been tangled in poor attempts to solve it
I kinda love pre crisis, the fact that they even took the time to tie off Jason's relationship with Nocturna. His bonding with Catwoman as a mother figure. Its cute and i love it
Man, how I wish the powers that be behind the DC movies could not only write this well, but also understand the character, his motivations and fears. The fear of being alone is brilliant psychology for someone left behind as young Bruce had been.
Personally, I could re-read this story multiple times before I ever again pick up the dark and angry Frank Miller deconstruction.
Holy flashbacks, Batman! I haven’t thought of this for years. Thanks for showing up in my feed
This is the Batman story they should've given Ben Affleck, not that grimdark Snyder shit. I bet he'd have crushed it.
A great story from one of the most underrated writers o it's time. Amazing video as always.
This is, very likely, my all-time favorite review of a comic. Thank you, Steve.
Now, to go look for that issue!
This is a great video. I LOVE the DC Multiverse that came to a close in Crisis. I have a special place in my heart when I just think about all those older stories and characters coming to a close and thinking about how Crisis really was a closing of the book on one hand and moving forward while a lot of the story itself and the related tie-ins and wrap-ups that DC was doing in the first half of the 80s were kind of poignant on the other. Some people lost THEIR heroes (or their version of those heroes). I ain't too proud to say I get a little emotional when I think about that stuff and stories like this one. I also ain't too proud to say that's only grown since George Perez passed away.
The original Crisis was a good story (unnecessary number of false endings not withstanding), but I have always resented how it killed the original multiverse and so many of the characters along with it. The recent "Earth-2" series was the first series I read regularly, what really got me into comics rather than just cartoons and movies, but I can't help but look back on stories like this with a touch of longing for what we lost. Especially as modern DC hates giving characters happy endings.
One of my favorite Batman stories by one of the best writers to ever write the character. To Kill A Legend is still one of my favorites, it really started my love of the original DC parallel worlds
One of my favorite Batman stories. So well done. It captured the Golden Age perfectly while also bringing it up to date. Thank you for the video.
Well done Steve. Well done.
Thanks, Keith!
I have those old issues of The Brave and the Bold and I love them dearly. Great stories and amazing art! I've also had a fondness for DC's Golden Age heroes and villains. The one thing that saddened me about Crisis on Infinite Earths was that it erased Earth-2. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Steve. Long live all versions of The Batman!
I had to accept long ago that I would always be alone, but it's nice that Batman (at least this version) found a way not to be.
Hopefully more people will be as lucky.
That story has a special place in my heart. That was the last story in The Greatest Batman Stories Volume 2. I got that as a Christmas present around 9. The book got lost at some point, but I always remembered reading it cover to cover. Years later I'm a dad, I find the book on eBay and get to read it to my son who's the same age I was when I got the book. Come to find out this issue was released the same month I was born too :-)
Excellent summary and analysis. I remember this issue very specifically, as Batman/Catwoman was my first-ever "ship" from childhood (given that I watched the Adam West series in grade school). This issue was perfectly conceived and written, and legitimately brought a tear to my eye -- and does again, seeing it recapped here. Let's not forget that Nolan ended his unsurpassable Dark Knight trilogy with exactly the same beat, which is why that ending was so satisfying and felt so *right* .
The funny part to me is Bruce assuming that Dick and Kathy and the like will ever willingly retire from this job, as if superheroes ever willingly retire. Look over there at the JSA, those old bastards have "retired" about a dozen times for each of them and yet they're still here.
This battle gets into your blood, you just can't NOT answer the call
I wish these kinds of...... happy stories would be DC more often.
You're commentaries are intriguing and thought provoking. I enjoy your work very much. thanks for sharing
The strangest part of killing off the Earth 2 Batman is they didn’t bring him back. If only the writers of today could learn that trick. I have been reading comic books since 1986. In that time I’ve learned to be very suspicious of comic book deaths. I’m now at the point where if any character in a comic book dies, my first - correct - reaction is “no they’re not.”
Even though this is a Golden Age story, it shows off the strengths of the Bronze Age excellently.
I think that this might be my FAVORITE Batman story /comic! I remember reading this as a kid in the Greatest Batman Stories Trade Paperback. I believe that this was my first introduction to Crane/The Scarecrow, as well . And I’ve loved him ever since .
Part of why I like Batman Beyond so much is because it's an opportunity to see familiar characters, and Gotham, age. The old cantankerous Bruce Wayne is great to watch, and the series and movie dole out more world building over time that all ties together while leaving us with a worthy replacement for Bruce to carry on Batman's future.
I wonder what would have happened if Helena Wayne was in Batman Beyond?
Absolutely beautiful analysis. I'm speechless at it, honestly. Fantastic work, as always!
As politically opposite as you and I are, I have to admit this is a beautiful retrospective. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the folks you disagree with still have a good heart. This was a really, really good essay.
Great video! One of the first DC stories I read was the Justice League/ Justice Society team up in 1976. I caught on to the whole multiverse concept pretty early, plus this story was one of the few teamups that included the Earth-2 Batman. The JSA iterations hold a strong place in my heart.
I read this story when I worked in a comic shop and it is a fun memory of delivering an experienced Batman at a crossroads! I still have a copy and got it autographed by Joe Staton in Baltimore a couple of years ago!😎🎯👍
This reminds me of Spiderman's life story a bit.
Every character should have the chance to grow and move on.
Staton and Freeman's artwork in this book is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for telling me about this story.
Agreed, great art
I like that the Bat-signal is shining over Bruce's grave. It suggests that Bruce revealed his secret to the world, presumably through his autobiography.
P.S.
I still find it so asinine that the golden age is labeled "Earth 2" while the age that would come afterwards is "Earth 1". Come on, DC...
He's one of the best comic writers ever and you covered my favorite piece of work of his. "To Kill a Legend" ❤️
In the original pre-Crisis multiverse, that world was designated as Earth-Five.
I love how they brought back this story in the batman the brave and the bold cartoon
That would have been a great ending for Batman,thanks for sharing this story.
Some of the themes in this issue of elseworlds Batman remind me of a quote from columnist/cartoonist Tim Kreider (whose two books of essays are amazing BTW). Here’s the quote:
“Years ago a friend of mine had a dream about a staircase you could descend deep underground, in which you heard recordings of all the things anyone had ever said about you, both good and bad. The catch was, you had to pass through all the worst things people had said before you could get to the highest compliments at the very bottom. There is no way I would ever make it more than two and a half steps down such a staircase, but I understand its terrible logic: if we want the rewards of being loved we have to submit to the mortifying ordeal of being known.” -Tim Kreider
This video was beautiful, thank you
I truly appreciate not only the excellently made videos and critique,
but also the time and energy it takes to do so.
May your next meal be delicious.
"Take a gamble that love exists and do a loving act"
If you haven’t yet, I’d love to see a video where you give a take on the animated Brave and the Bold series. I suppose it could be described as a parody of Earth 2 Batman, but, from my point of view, it’s done so with affection rather than derision.
Anyway, this was a great video. I love your “Best Ever” series’s for both Batman and Superman. Keep em coming!
The ending of The Dark Knight Rises is perfect.
I had never heard of this story before - thank you.
Damn, the Scarecrow is a hell of a wingman. I’m just imagining him watching them with a pair of binoculars as they overcome his fear toxins, and then making out and wondering “what the f*ck?”
In fairness... while Bruce was protective of his secret identity, Selina Kyle was known to the public to be the reformed criminal known as Catwoman. This wasn't secret. She even went to jail in the '40s. I guess it may be a little peculiar for Bruce to have a photo of his dead wife wearing the costume when she was a wanted criminal, but it's not exactly a giveway of his own identity. Great exploration of one of my all-time favourite Batman stories.
This was one of my absolute favorite comic book stories...Batman or otherwise...since I read it when it was first published. And after all of these years, nothing has diminished it in my estimation. Thanks for this great analysis, Steve!
This story needs to be modernized as a black label story. That way there can just be an ending for Batman, if you want one
Dude, I had this as a kid. I remember the cover but nothing of the story, but it was one that I read and read til it wore out. Thank you for unlocking a foundational memory.
Fascinating, captivating and heartfelt, what an eloquent tribute.
I'm reminded again how much I respect your reviews. Nice job.
Wow. Your whole presentation is top notch🙏🏾 Content. Pacing. Depth. Kudos
I'm partial to Gaiman's "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" myself, but this is a good one too.
Wow I've never read this one. What a nice ending for Batman.
The original classic Earth-2 comics Batman was a lot better and more wholesome than how today's modern Batman is now. Bruce was definitely more balanced with being Batman and his love life with Selina/Catwoman and married to her too.
I never knew about this story. What a treasure. Thanks for doing a video on it
I thought this video was going to be about Paul Levitz and Joe Staton's Adventure Comics #462 from 1979, which is also a great book. Blew my mind how good it was when I was just 9 years old. The title of the story was "Only Legends Live Forever!"
A very good book.
I thought this was beautiful and moving, and loved every page.
I don't know how this book has never come across my radar, but I'll be looking for it the next time I hit up my LCS. Awesome video, Steve!
This may be a strange detail, but you know how when you read comic books you imagine the voices of your favorite interpretations of the characters? Like how most people hear Kevin Conroy when they read Batman (me included)? Funnily enough, I didn't realize until halfway through that I was actually imagining Batman's Brave and the Bold voice for this. My brain saw the ears and mask patterns and goofy but heartfelt 50s story, and just automatically put that voice in there instead of Kevin's. Fitting, since it's hinted that similar events happen in BATB's future timeline.
Sort of like the way Nolan ended his trilogy.
I wonder if this inspired the ending of The Dark Knight Rises. I've heard that Christopher Nolan wasn't a comic book fan for the first two movies, then went on a reading bender when writing the last one, and that's why it was so much more gimmicky.
I was thinking the same thing. This story is very similar to the ending of Dark Knight 3. The speech where Alfred tells him there has to be an ending where Bruce has accomplished something and can be happy.
@@sleepinggorilla me too especially if Selina did became his wife and if this was in the DCEU
Pretty much whenever Alan Brennert writes Batman, he writes a stone cold classic.
I've always loved Earth-2 stories.
This series makes me happy.
this is a great review. I actually have quite a few Alan Brennert comics and didnit realize it. Good stuff.
Spot on! The cost of loving others is high at times but definitely worth it
Thanks for the video
The Power of Love saved Batman.
Catwoman & Batman being in relationship is Tight.
I like to call this the "ultimate" batman despite coming this one coming way before
Excellent overview. I remember you from your old days. I hope you are doing well, as I recall, you were taking in stray and/or hurt. A great calling. Take care, happy to have found you again.
Steve, what a great presentation, thanks so much. I linked to this from a Facebook group. I resonate completely with your analysis. I discovered this issue and Alan Brennert's other Batman pieces just in the last few years, and felt exactly as you did about his writing, becoming an instant Brennert admirer and very grateful for his excellent contributions to the Earth-2 Batman pre-Crisis canon. I look forward to catching up with your other comics analysis and your other topics as well.
Adam West and Kevin Conroy were the best incarnations of Batman. The best comic book version was the Dark Knight from the 1970s drawn by Neil Adams.
True. The three definitive versions of Batman: Adam West in live-action, Dennis O'Neil & Neal Adams in comics and Kevin Conroy in cartoons/games.
One of the best Batman stories period. I believe the last story Alan Brennert wrote was Snapshots: Namor...also excellent
I really enjoyed this video. Thank you.
Amazing video. I loved these stories and re-visting them with your video was a real treat. Thank you!
And here's me just now realizing that the OG Golden age Batman is earth-two Batman.
@@charlie-obrien I mean, I already knew that the main DC timeline gets reset every few decades, and that Jay Garrick plus the rest of the JSA were from Earth 2. I just didn't realize that Batman, Superman, and Wonder woman were part of Earth 2 or that it was actually the original main DC universe.
Thank you for doing this because I think Bruce deserves to be happy like what if this happened in Batman Beyond.
You really get it, Steve!
I know this era is closer to Adam West, but I keep reading the Batman and Wayne dialogue blurbs with Kevin Conroy's voice. Strangely enough, it seems more fitting than with West's voice to me
In "Interlude on Earth-Two", besides E-2 Robin's discomfort with the presence of E-1 Batman, E-2 Batwoman's discomfort with the presence of E-1 Batman, and E-1 Batman being confronted with his own mortality (including materializing on E-2 at his counterpart's grave) - E-1 Batman is struggling with the presence of E-2 Batwoman. Earth-One Batwoman had been killed only "a few months ago"