An Unexpected Ally

Batman #332 (DC, February 1981, 50 cents)
"Fallout!" Writer: Marv Wolfman, Artists: Irv Novick and Frank McLaughlin, Letterer: Ben Oda, Colorist: Adrienne Roy, Editor: Paul Levitz. (17 pages)

Fans of the current run of Batman would do well to return to this era of the title, as well. In the first chapter of the Lazarus Affair, a frightened Archer Templeton escapes Infinity Island in the Indian Ocean, only to be disintegrated by a crimson retriever. Meanwhile, in the Batcave, Robin leaves, distrusting Talia al Ghul's presence in Batman's life. Batman learns that Gregorian Falstaff is threatening Wayne Enterprise's business and that Bruce Wayne's secretary Caroline Crown has been "feeding him the numbers he needed to underbid us."



Batman encounters a "mutate," basically a muscular pinhead that is "anything but defeatable." Learning that Crown's daughter is being held hostage, Wayne goes to confront Falstaff—and Robin seeks assistance from an unexpected ally: Selina Kyle. Drugged by Talia, Batman goes to Falstaff, interrupting a meeting between the two before taking on a group of the pinheaded mutates. Batman defeats Falstaff and rescues Crown's daughter just before Catwoman arrives—just in time to see Batman kissing Talia al Ghul.

While Falstaff and the Mutates are pretty silly, the artwork on pp. 11 and 14 is excellent. The last three panels of p. 14 are particularly poignant and lead into the next story well.

"Cat's Paw!" Writer: Marv Wolfman, Artists: Don Newton and Steve Mitchell, Colorist: Adrienne Roy, Letterer: Todd Klein, Editor: Paul Levitz. (Eight pages)

A reformed Catwoman thwarts several crimes undertaken by colleagues of the defeated Falstaff. "We all have our masters... even Gregorian Falstaff! He was working for someone else... someone with true power." At the Northern Division Power Station, she finds a new batch of mutates and destroys them, perhaps uncovering a connection to Talia al Ghul.

This might be the first time I've seen a backup story not just include a character also featured in the main story, but also run parallel in terms of storyline. It's a practice that should be explored more often. The backup story in this case goes beyond the main story, filling in the cracks while progressing the plot importantly. Fascinating. The issue ends with a one-page letter column, "Bat Signals."

Availability: This issue has not been collected. We recommend Catwoman: A Celebration of 75 Years.

The Bat's New Paramour

Batman #33-35 (DC, December 2017 to January 2018, $2.99)
I've been enjoying Tom King's writing in Batman, and these issues start the storyline "The Rules of Engagement," which opens up a new direction for Batman and Catwoman.

Drawn by Joelle Jones, #33 opens with the two traveling across a desert on horseback. The first five pages are very slowly paced and quietly presented, giving the new couple a brief moment of comfortable togetherness. The counterpoint scene in Wayne Manor is also quiet and homey—affectionate and joking before Alfred informs Damian, Jay, Thomas, and the others ("The mansion, like this family... is as large as it needs to be.") about Bruce Wayne's illegal mission to Khadym.



With the help of the tiger king of Kandahar and "a little girl," Batman gets past the guard in the desert appointed by the Justice League of America. Soon, he'll meet again the "daughter of the demon."

Following #33's slow pace and gentle unfolding, #34 offers an alternative approach. Batman and Catwoman face "a lot" of enemies, the silent soldiers of the pit, as well as a very angry ex-girlfriend. The three-page fight scene is clever and brisk. "The bounce of their jaws on my knuckles. It's off. They don't have tongues." After telling Talia al Ghul why they're there, Batman falls to her sword. She then faces the Bat's new paramour, the Cat.



While Damian waits outside for his parents with Richard, Talia meets Selina. Their conversation is more important than their combat, although that's cleverly presented, too. "As much as I want him to love me, I'll always be second to a child's idiotic fantasy." All in all, their journey to Khadym ends well.

I'm quite impressed by how lovingly and tenderly these three issues unfolded. King has a real affection for the characters, and they have a real affection for each other, as complicated as the world of Supermen and Misters Terrific might be.

Availability: These issues of Batman have yet to be collected. The most recent Tom King collection is Batman Vol. 4: The War of Jokes and Riddles. And Catwoman: A Celebration of 75 Years collects some of the better Catwoman stories over the years.