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To celebrate the 85th anniversary of the first comic book appearance of DC’s Dark Knight Detective, The Folio Society, an independent publisher of beautifully illustrated hardback books, has collaborated with DC to release DC: Batman.
This special collection includes twelve iconic comics selected by Jennette Kahn, DC’s former President, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief. The comics feature writers and artists such as Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams, Marshall Rogers, Frank Miller, Dave Mazzucchelli, Alan Moore, Brian Bolland, and Kelley Jones. Each story showcases the evolution of Batman and his billionaire alter-ego Bruce Wayne over the years. DC: Batman is a 320-page book that also includes a replica copy of Batman #1. This replica copy is scanned from an original 1940 edition and features the introduction of The Joker and Catwoman.
James Rose, Head of Editorial at The Folio Society, describes Batman as an iconic character that has evolved over time to reflect changing attitudes. The stories in DC: Batman showcase this evolution, from a dutiful crimefighter in the 1940s to a complex character facing a gallery of gothic villains.
The stories included in DC: Batman, such as The Dark Knight Returns and The Killing Joke, are considered some of the greatest comic books ever created. These stories changed the graphic medium with their cinematic storytelling, violence, and literary depth.
DC: Batman includes a compilation of iconic Batman stories:
Facsimile: Batman #1 (Spring 1940)Writer: Bill FingerCover artists: Bob Kane, Jerry RobinsonArtists: Bob Kane, Sheldon MoldoffEditor: Whitney Ellsworth
The Bat-ManDetective Comics #27 (May 1939)Writer: Bill FingerArtist: Bob KaneEditor: Vincent Sullivan
Robin—the Boy WonderDetective Comics #38 (April 1940)Writer: Bill FingerArtists: Bob Kane, Jerry RobinsonEditor: Whitney Ellsworth
The Crimes of Two-Face!Detective Comics #66 (August 1942)Writer: Bill FingerArtists: Jerry Robinson, George RoussosLetterers: Ira SchnappEditor: Whitney Ellsworth
Batman and Green Arrow:The Senator’s Been Shot!The Brave and the Bold #85 (September 1969)Writer: Bob HaneyCover artist: Neal AdamsPenciler: Neal AdamsInker: Dick GiordanoLetterer: Ben OdaEditor: Murray Boltinoff
Daughter of the DemonBatman #232 (June 1971)Writer: Dennis O’NeilCover artist: Neal AdamsPenciler: Neal AdamsInker: Dick GiordanoLetterer: John CostanzaEditor: Julius Schwartz
The Dead Yet LiveDetective Comics #471 (August 1977)Writer: Steve EnglehartCover artists: Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin, Tatjana Wood, Gaspar SaladinoPenciler: Marshall RogersInker: Terry AustinColorists: Marshall RogersLetterer: John WorkmanEditors: Julius Schwartz, E. Nelson Bridwell
The Dark Knight ReturnsBatman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 (June 1986)Writer: Frank MillerCover artists: Frank Miller, Lynn VarleyPenciler: Frank MillerInker: Klaus JansonColorist: Lynn VarleyLetterer: John CostanzaEditors: Dick Giordano, Dennis O’Neil
Batman: Year One—Chapter One: Who I Am—How I Come to BeBatman #404 (February 1987)Writer: Frank MillerArtist: Dave MazzucchelliColorist: Richmond LewisLetterer: Todd KleinEditor: Dennis O’Neil
Batman: The Killing Joke (July 1988)Writer: Alan MooreCover artists: Brian Bolland, Richard BruningArtist: Brian BollandColorist: John HigginsLetterer: Richard StarkingsEditors: Dennis O’Neil, Dan Raspler
The Last Arkham (Part One)Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1 (June 1992)Writer: Alan GrantCover artist: Brian StelfreezePenciler: Norm BreyfogleInker: Norm BreyfogleColorist: Adrienne RoyLetterer: Todd KleinEditors: Scott Peterson, Dennis O’Neil
Knightfall Part 1: Crossed Eyes and Dotty TeasBatman #492 (May 1993)Writer: Doug MoenchCover artists: Kelley Jones, Bob LeRosePenciler: Norm BreyfogleInker: Norm BreyfogleColorist: Adrienne RoyLetterer: Richard StarkingsEditors: Scott Peterson, Jordan B. Gorfinkel, Dennis O’Neil
DC: Batman is the second release in The Folio Society’s collaboration with DC, following the success of DC: The Golden Age. The book features images scanned from original copies in the DC archives and is available exclusively from The Folio Society website.