“Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” by Neil Gaiman, et. al. (DC Comics, 2009)

Neil Gaiman, bestselling author and writer of the renowned comic book series, Sandman, was asked to write a two-part series about Batman and was given complete choice of what story he could tell.  In his introduction, Gaiman talks about how Batman was one of the first TV shows he watched as a kid, and this was then the first comic book he ever read, and regardless of all the comic books he read after, and all the characters he created, he always had a special spot for Batman.  Because Batman never gave up, no matter what.

In Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader, Gaiman does the story of what happens when Batman finally dies and can rest in peace.  Brilliantly illustrated by Andy Kubert, and inked by Alex Sinclair, they perfectly capture the noir, colorful look of Batman, while combing the styles of all the different artists who have illustrated for Batman before.  The deluxe hardcover edition also features Gaiman’s four other Batman stories, the most entertaining of which is A Black and White World featuring Batman and The Joker behind the scenes waiting to go on.

Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader blends the fantastic world of Batman with all the familiar characters, combining Gaiman’s writing skill and some incredible artwork, making it a must for any Batman fan.

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Originally written on October 18th, 2009 ©Alex C. Telander.

Originally published in the Sacramento Book Review.