Any time I write about Batman: The Animated Series, it becomes increasingly challenging to find something new to say. I mentioned this in my review of The Batman Adventures Omnibus, where I acknowledged that there has been an abundance of discussion and writing about this series. At this point, we’re all just finding different ways to express how amazing it is. However, it’s important to note that new aspects of this beloved series can still be discovered. Just before the world shut down a few years ago, I stumbled upon something at a used bookstore that I didn’t even know existed: a novelization of two Batman: The Animated Series episodes. And for only three dollars? I would be crazy not to buy it. Over the next few months, I managed to find other novelizations and built a small collection of books that took place within the series’ continuity. Eventually, I decided to read them and thought it would be great to share these somewhat obscure treasures with other Batman fans. In the order of their release (as far as I can tell), let’s take a look back at Batman: The Animated Series novels and adaptations.
Batman: The Animated Movie ā€“ Mask of the Phantasm, written by Geary Gravel, based on a screenplay by Alan Burnett, is a textbook example of how a novel adaptation should be. It takes an existing script and expands upon it, providing new insights through narrative point of view while staying true to the overall story. Gravel’s adaptation largely sticks to the beats of the film, but manages to keep it fresh and interesting. There are some additional elements that are a bit hit or miss, but nothing too terrible or distracting. Gravel dives deeper into each character’s psyche and adds more dramatic context to scenes we already know well. Even though I knew what would happen in the climactic chase between Batman and the GCPD, Gravel’s strong narrative voice kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat. However, there are some supplemental details that feel a bit distracting and reflect some issues I have with Gravel’s later books. One subplot revolves around an original character named Burton Earney, which I can’t decide if it’s hilarious or ridiculous. Initially, this character is somewhat irritating and only loosely connected to the main story. As the story progresses, he finds himself in increasingly contrived situations. While he has a surprising character arc that I enjoyed, the very end of his story feels too forced and obvious. Despite my initial reservations, Gravel shines when he focuses on the existing story elements, delving into the psychology of each character and enhancing the already tense and moving plot written by Burnett. One standout moment is when Andrea discovers her father’s connection to the mob, which adds even more tension to an already emotional and terrifying scene. Gravel truly understands the unsettling nature of the Animated Series’ Joker, making him properly unpredictable. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a near-perfect Batman movie, and while this book doesn’t surpass the excellence of the film, it does what a good adaptation should do by making you appreciate the original material and providing more of what you love about the story and characters. Plus, it introduces a character named Burton Earney. Ho ho.
The Junior Novelization of Mask of the Phantasm, written by Andrew Helfer, based on an original story by Alan Burnett, is a book I had to add to my collection and read. Helfer’s writing is concise and easy to read, making it more suitable for middle-grade and younger readers. It remains incredibly faithful to the film’s story, trimming away any unnecessary details without ever feeling dry or dull. Some dialogue is altered, sometimes for the worse, and Phantasm is referred to by that name, despite never being named in the film. Nevertheless, the book remains faithful to an excellent movie, and it includes some cool illustrations throughout. It’s a quick and enjoyable read, perfect for younger Batman fans, and can be found in great condition at an affordable price. Can’t beat that.
Shadows of the Past, written by Geary Gravel, based on scripts by Gerry Conway, Dennis O’Neil, and Randy Rogel, is the first of three novels Gravel wrote, all of which are adaptations of multiple Batman: The Animated Series episodes. With an intriguing title and incredible cover art, this book is where my adventure began after finding it in a used bookstore. Drawing inspiration from the episodes “Appointment in Crime Alley,” “Robin’s Reckoning,” and a touch of “It’s Never Too Late,” this narrative mashup seems like it should work on paper but falls short in execution. Gravel mostly adheres to the scripts of each episode, including the dialogue and action beats, but fails to fully integrate them into a cohesive story. It feels like two separate narratives loosely tied together. However, I appreciate how he connects the two stories, even if his intentions aren’t fully realized. Introducing Robin in the “Appointment” chapters was a nice touch, especially as he serves as a third-party observer of the main story. Unfortunately, his introduction is less than stellar, but I’ll delve into that later. “Crime Alley” is a fantastic episode that exemplifies the series’ ability to tell mature stories suitable for children. However, expanding a 22-minute episode into a hundred pages poses a challenge, as most of the episode’s appeal comes from performances and atmosphere. Gravel manages to fill the pages, but just barely. On the other hand, “Robin’s Reckoning” provides more than enough material for a book on its own. The second half of the book, which focuses on Robin, is tightly plotted and faithful to the award-winning episodes. Gravel successfully captures the tension by delving into the characters’ inner thoughts. While there are some moments where the action isn’t clearly conveyed…
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