The first batch of Walmart-exclusive DC anthologies have arrived and if Batman Giant #1 is any indication, they may have a hit on their hands.
Batman Giant #1
Written by various
Art by various
Color by various
Published by DC Comics
Can I tell you a secret?
I haven’t set foot in an actual comic book store in almost two years.
After years of issues selling out before I can even get to the store, inflated prices on “hot” books and staff that act incredibly annoyed any time you ask a question, I gave up. I just couldn’t be bothered anymore. So I made the decision to go all digital. Now on Wednesday I fire up my tablet, buy my books and spend the day reading them without even having to leave my couch.
For the most part, going digital has been a wonderful experience.
However, I will readily admit that there are things about comics that I miss. The feel of the issue in my hands, turning the pages as the story progresses, the smell of the paper. But there was just no way I was going to set foot in a comic shop again since the bad heavily outweighed the good.
Now thanks to DC and Walmart, I don’t have to.
This past weekend saw the first issues of DC’s 100-page giant anthologies arrive. The books, available only at Walmart, include a mix of new material with older stories and are intended for folks who may have no desire to set foot in a comic shop or maybe had no clue that comic books even existed.
Of the four titles, I went with Batman Giant #1. It included a new story by Jimmy Palmiotti and Patch Zircher as well as reprints of the first issues of the “Hush” story arc, Nightwing and Harley Quinn.
And I’ll tell you right now, I’m hooked.
First, you simply can’t beat the price. $5 for 100 pages of comics is a steal by any measure. The fact it includes new material is just the icing on the cake.
As for that new material, “One More Chance” Part 1 is a decent, if routine, introduction to the world of the Batman. If includes an abbreviated origin as well as a set up of who the Dark Knight is, why he does what he does and his supporting cast. The fantastic art by Zircher saves the day in what turns out to be a pretty straightforward detective story.
As for the rest, I haven’t read “Hush” since it was first published many years ago and forgot just how good the story is. I mean, how can you go wrong with Jim Lee and Jeph Loeb? Both first issues of Nightwing and Harley Quinn are from their respective New 52 series and much like “One More Chance” work as a great way to introduce the reader to the characters.
That all being said, the real highlight of Batman Giant arrives with the third issue. That is when Brian Michael Bendis begins his year-long “Universe” storyline as he writes Batman for the first time.
Ever since DC announced their series of 100-page anthologies, some comic book retailers have been screaming from the rooftops, saying how DC wants to put them out of business. Which, as everyone knows, is nonsense.
If you are a certain age, odds are the first comic you bought was at a 7-11 or a neighborhood pharmacy from a squeaky spinner rack. That is how an entire generation was introduced to comic books and it went away just as the direct market was beginning to grow and take over.
For whatever reason, kids (and their parents) don’t want to go into comic shops yet love the movies, toys and TV shows inspired by the comic books they sell. If these 100-page giants get more kids reading comics, they should be all for it. And if they aren’t, well then they shouldn’t be shocked when comic shops go the way of the compact disc and Blockbuster.
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Batman Giant #1 is a solid, entertaining read even if you’ve read most of this material before. And if you’re like me and haven’t, then it’s even a bigger bang for you buck.
Here’s hoping these anthologies are around for years and years to come.
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