Batman Annual #1
Writers: Tom King, Scott Snyder, Ray Fawkes, Paul Dini, Steve Orlando, Scott Bryan Wilson
Artist: David Finch, Declan Shalvey, Neal Adams, Riley Rossmo, Bilquis Evely
Whenever I think of Christmas-themed Batman stories, I think back to Paul Dini’s classic “Slayride” story, which is one of my all-time favorite Batman stories. Note my excitement then when I read that Dini was coming back for Batman Annual #1 to do another Christmas-themed Bat story! But not only is Dini writing for Annual #1, but so are Tom King, Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando! A veritable smorgasbord of Christmas joy cooked up by some of the best Bat creators of all time! So, let me contain my excitement for a moment and let’s talk a little about this issue.
As I mentioned, Batman Annual #1 is split up into five stories, all happening (probably?) on the same Christmas Eve. These stories aren’t contiguous with the current ongoing storylines in Batman, All-Star, or ‘Tec, so if you haven’t been keeping up with these books until now (and shame on you if you aren’t!) you’re not going to miss much if you just grab the annual. These five stories in order are: “Good Boy” by Tom King and David Finch; “Silent Night”, by Scott Snyder, Ray Fawkes and Declan Shalvey; “The Not So Silent Night of the Harley Quinn”, by the incredible old-school tag-team duo Paul Dini and Neal Adams; “Stag”, by Steve Orlando and Riley Rossmo; and finally “The Insecurity Diversion” by Scott Bryan Wilson and Bilquis Evely.
These first three stories, by King, Snyder, and Dini, show us that even in the dark, dirty streets of Gotham City there exists some measure of Christmas joy – that there still exists a bit of hope and redemption in Batman’s city regardless of the terrible events that transpire in the city. Portraying Gotham City as a hopeful entity isn’t something that we see so overtly or often in Batman comics, so it’s really quite moving when it does occur.
“Good Boy” brings back one of the silliest Golden Age Batman characters ever – Ace the Bat-Hound! Although I’m not exactly a big fan of Golden Age Batman in general, I do love all the reintroductions of these classic characters we’ve gotten in recent years. Starting from the ridiculous (and ridiculously awesome) Bat-cow back in Morrison’s run, to Kate and Bette in the New 52, and now with Ace back in the fold. One of the best parts of this character introduction is the strength of Tom King’s writing of Alfred, and his tapping into the father-son dynamic between Bruce and Alfred. It’s one of those instant-classic Batman moments that we’ll be talking about for years to come.
“Silent Night” shows us that perhaps a group of scary masked people in Gotham aren’t about to blow something up. Could it be that even Gotham City can have a moment of peace during Christmas? I’d like to note that Declan Shalvey’s artwork has really been growing on me in All-Star Batman, and his work here is the best I’ve seen yet. The bright red coats and acrobatics really lends itself to a Shalvey’s impeccably dynamic art style.
Paul Dini and Neal Adams brings back a bit of what I love about pre-New 52 Batman and Harley in their story. For one, Harley is back in her red-and-black color scheme which I think is quaint. This story shows us perhaps yet another Christmas miracle. Does holiday cheer affect even the cold, calculating heart of the Batman? Being the work of two of the greatest creators who made their name in the 90s, “Not So Silent Night” brings back a bit of that 90s comic feel, what with all the bolded emphases and blocky text boxes.
Batman Annual #1 shows us that Christmas is a special time even in Gotham City, and this holds especially true for fans of the Bat. Annual #1 brings together an ensemble cast of some of the best Batman creators spanning multiple generations of the character to bring us a series of touching, fun-filled, holiday-themed stories that shows us that perhaps even the Batman has a little holiday cheer in his stone-cold heart. If you’re looking for touching character moments, beautiful art and a series of Batman stories that doesn’t try to take itself too seriously, make sure to pick up a copy of Batman Annual #1.
Artist: David Finch, Declan Shalvey, Neal Adams, Riley Rossmo, Bilquis Evely
Whenever I think of Christmas-themed Batman stories, I think back to Paul Dini’s classic “Slayride” story, which is one of my all-time favorite Batman stories. Note my excitement then when I read that Dini was coming back for Batman Annual #1 to do another Christmas-themed Bat story! But not only is Dini writing for Annual #1, but so are Tom King, Scott Snyder and Steve Orlando! A veritable smorgasbord of Christmas joy cooked up by some of the best Bat creators of all time! So, let me contain my excitement for a moment and let’s talk a little about this issue.
As I mentioned, Batman Annual #1 is split up into five stories, all happening (probably?) on the same Christmas Eve. These stories aren’t contiguous with the current ongoing storylines in Batman, All-Star, or ‘Tec, so if you haven’t been keeping up with these books until now (and shame on you if you aren’t!) you’re not going to miss much if you just grab the annual. These five stories in order are: “Good Boy” by Tom King and David Finch; “Silent Night”, by Scott Snyder, Ray Fawkes and Declan Shalvey; “The Not So Silent Night of the Harley Quinn”, by the incredible old-school tag-team duo Paul Dini and Neal Adams; “Stag”, by Steve Orlando and Riley Rossmo; and finally “The Insecurity Diversion” by Scott Bryan Wilson and Bilquis Evely.
These first three stories, by King, Snyder, and Dini, show us that even in the dark, dirty streets of Gotham City there exists some measure of Christmas joy – that there still exists a bit of hope and redemption in Batman’s city regardless of the terrible events that transpire in the city. Portraying Gotham City as a hopeful entity isn’t something that we see so overtly or often in Batman comics, so it’s really quite moving when it does occur.
“Good Boy” brings back one of the silliest Golden Age Batman characters ever – Ace the Bat-Hound! Although I’m not exactly a big fan of Golden Age Batman in general, I do love all the reintroductions of these classic characters we’ve gotten in recent years. Starting from the ridiculous (and ridiculously awesome) Bat-cow back in Morrison’s run, to Kate and Bette in the New 52, and now with Ace back in the fold. One of the best parts of this character introduction is the strength of Tom King’s writing of Alfred, and his tapping into the father-son dynamic between Bruce and Alfred. It’s one of those instant-classic Batman moments that we’ll be talking about for years to come.
“Silent Night” shows us that perhaps a group of scary masked people in Gotham aren’t about to blow something up. Could it be that even Gotham City can have a moment of peace during Christmas? I’d like to note that Declan Shalvey’s artwork has really been growing on me in All-Star Batman, and his work here is the best I’ve seen yet. The bright red coats and acrobatics really lends itself to a Shalvey’s impeccably dynamic art style.
Paul Dini and Neal Adams brings back a bit of what I love about pre-New 52 Batman and Harley in their story. For one, Harley is back in her red-and-black color scheme which I think is quaint. This story shows us perhaps yet another Christmas miracle. Does holiday cheer affect even the cold, calculating heart of the Batman? Being the work of two of the greatest creators who made their name in the 90s, “Not So Silent Night” brings back a bit of that 90s comic feel, what with all the bolded emphases and blocky text boxes.
Batman Annual #1 shows us that Christmas is a special time even in Gotham City, and this holds especially true for fans of the Bat. Annual #1 brings together an ensemble cast of some of the best Batman creators spanning multiple generations of the character to bring us a series of touching, fun-filled, holiday-themed stories that shows us that perhaps even the Batman has a little holiday cheer in his stone-cold heart. If you’re looking for touching character moments, beautiful art and a series of Batman stories that doesn’t try to take itself too seriously, make sure to pick up a copy of Batman Annual #1.
A Look Inside
