UNITED STATES AUTHOR · FICTION · SUPERHEROES
Bill Finger
[NOTE: I'm truncating here, so if it seems a little choppy, that's why.
— from Batman
Most acclaimed
Batman, the golden age
"The stories that catapulted Batman to legendary status are collected here in this new graphic novel series. These original stories from DETECTIVE COMICS #27-45, BATMAN #1-3 and NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR COMICS #1 include the origin of the Dark Knight, as well as the debuts of Robin, Commissioner Gordon, Professor Hugo Strange, the Joker, Catwoman and more! BATMAN: THE GOLDEN AGE VOL. 1 features the work of such luminaries as Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Gardner Fox and Jerry Robinson!"--
The Joker
"A comprehensive look at the greatest comic book villain... Since his first appearance in 1940’s Batman #1, the Joker stands alone as the most hated, feared, and loved villain in the DC Universe. Though his true origins may be unknown, the Clown Prince of Crime’s psychotic appearances in hundreds of comic books has shaped the way we look at Batman, comic books, and ourselves. Indeed, a hero is only as good as his nemesis, so the Joker’s heinous crimes, including murdering the second Robin and paralyzing Batgirl, have elevated Batman to the highest levels of crime-fighting, and we, the readers, to the finest levels of quality pop-culture entertainment. The Joker is the first retrospective chronicling one of the most groundbreaking and game-changing villains of all time, and contains images from his more than seventy years in comics by comic book artists and writers such as Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Jerry Robinson, Dick Sprang, Grant Morrison, Dave McKean, Neil Gaiman, Geoff Johns, Alan Moore, Brian Bolland, Brian Azzarello, Bruce Timm, and Paul Dini. Also included are images from his various film, television, animated, and video game incarnations, such as the timeless interpretations by Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, and Heath Ledger, who won his posthumous Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight."--Publisher's description.
Batman
An original novel pitting Batman against the Court of Owls, a secret society of wealthy families that's controlled Gotham for centuries using murder and money. Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time Ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed Speak not a whispered word about them, or they'll send the Talon for your head. --a nursery rhyme The Court of Owls is a criminal secret society that has existed in Gotham City since the 1600s, led by some of the city's wealthiest and most influential families. They employ deadly trained assassins known as Talons, taken as children from circuses such as the one where Dick Grayson's parents were killed. These children are trained to become the assassins known as Talons. Bruce Wayne came to the Court's attention when he announced plans to reinvigorate Gotham, threatening their control. They sentenced him to death, bringing themselves to the attention of Batman. Though they suffer defeats, the Court continues to fight to retake control of the city's underworld - a fight that has gone on for centuries. Copyright © 2017 DC Comics. BATMAN, THE COURT OF OWLS, and all related characters and elements © & TM DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.