While Batman did not get rebooted during the Silver Age like the Flash or Green Lantern, he does get a “new look” in 1964. There are conflicting reports on the reason for the change, but everyone agrees that Mort Weisinger just changes needed to be made. Longtime Batman line editor Jack Schiff was moved off the Batman books, and Julius Schwartz was given control of the character with orders to revitalize the Batman brand as he had done with the Flash and other characters.
Episode three of Season Four, where will be discussing these books (and going over quiz answers) will be released on November 4th.
Did You Know?…
In which comic did the Earth-1 Batman first appear?
Which Justice Leaguer saw his secret identity killed off in 1964?
What legendary DC artist was tasked with drawing the first “New Look” Batman story?
Which iconic Batman supporting character “died” in Batman #328, and would be gone from the comics for nearly 3 years?
What DC hero drove across the country with his wife in Detective Comics backup stories this year, solving mysteries at every stop?
Answers are revealed in the episode!
Reading List
Below are the books we will be discussing this episode. If you are subscribed to DC Universe Infinite you can access them through the link below. Each book also has a link to Comics.Org you can refer to for more information about these issues, their stories and the creators who worked on them.
DC Universe Infinite link: https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/mydc/lists/845ed672-3254-4e6c-b662-de2b8c8c2709
Detective Comics #324 – Menace of the Robot Brain!
https://www.comics.org/issue/18245/
A criminal who can control minds by means of a gimmicked camera has been using other people to commit his crimes. Also features a Martian Manhunter story by Jack Miller and Joe Certa – “The Beast Who Was J’onn J’onzz’’.
Detective Comics #325 – The Strange Lives of Cat-Man!
https://www.comics.org/issue/18296/
The Cat-Man returns from another apparent death, and Batman and Robin learn that the orange portions of his costume are made from a magic cloth that endows the wearer with nine lives. Backup story is “The Hero of 500 B.C.” starring the Martian Manhunter by Miller and Certa.
Detective Comics #326 – Captives of the Alien Zoo!
https://www.comics.org/issue/18345/
Batman and Robin are mistaken for two-legged animals by alien hunters, who capture the Dynamic Duo and place them on display in an alien zoo. Backup is “The Death of John Jones, Detective” by Miller and Certa
Detective Comics #327 – The Mystery of the Menacing Mask!
https://www.comics.org/issue/18397/
The trail of a jewel thief leads to a subterranean enclave of criminals. In the backup story the Elongated Man stars in “Ten Miles to Nowhere!” by Gardner Fox and Infantino
Detective Comics #328 – Gotham Gang Line-Up!
https://www.comics.org/issue/18452/
Alfred is apparently killed while rescuing Batman and Robin. Also, Fox and Infantino return with Elongated Man in the “Curious Case of the Barn-Door Bandit!”
Detective Comics #329 – Castle with Wall-to-Wall Danger!
https://www.comics.org/issue/18504/
Batman and Robin travel to England to capture a criminal. In the backup Fox and Infantino give us Elongated Man in the “Puzzle of the Purple Pony!”