#reprint

Dear Len

Welcome to the editorship! As one of the best Batman writers in the business, you can only succeed. Just what tricks do you have up your sleeve, I wonder?

BATMAN #352 pulled a few neat tricks. and so did Christopher Chance, The Human Target, when he entered Wayne Manor as Bruce. You thought Alfred was taken aback? You should have seen me, flipping back and forth between the two pages like an idiot, forgetting all about Chance's recent appearances. But the payoff was the real Bruce entering as the bored playboy: "Scaring the hired help, Chance, old boy? Terribly bad form, don't you know." Lord Peter Wimsey lives.

It is probably a credit to erstwhile editor Dick Giordano and writers Conway and Kupperberg that I cared less for the current Colonel Blimp plotline than the continuing subplots. The hospital shots were crowded as hell, with Jason Bard, Barbara and ex-Commish Gordon, Pauling, McCloksky, Batman, and a whole slew of newspeople, but in two pages we were treated to a lot of plot. The final Michelangelo- spawned handshake between Bats and James capped it all off. It is comforting to know that we are dealing with real people here.

The relationship twixt Vicki and Bruce is intriguing to follow, but I can't believe that he is in love with her, or is even further than infatuation. The issue's most unbelievable bit of dialogue occurred after Vicki's boss shot himself, and on her date with Bruce she is amazingly unaffected by it: "Why shouldn't I be? I'm not the one who blew their (sic) brains all over the carpet!" Sure, she was in tears moments later. but thst was more in apology to Bruce for her recent deviltry. And yet, two seconds later, she is avidly snapping pictures of The Batman sparring against Colonel Blimp. Vicki is an enigma; she has a lot of lite in her and can certainly hold her own with journalistic cohorts Lois Lane and Lana Lang.

My dislike for Blimp and the major plotline around him is belied by my praise for the thoroughly engaging action scenes he prompts. I sheepishly admit I enjoy Batman the escape artist more than Batman the detective so when he sidestepped peril hanging from the blimp, I was nigh sitting at the proverbial edge of my seat. It was a rather disconcerting scene when Batman stumbled back to the Batcave in tatters, falling in Alfred's arms. At least this got Barman and Robin back in action again. Which reminds me, Len. now that both BATMAN (along with 'TEC and B&B) and the NEW TEEN TITANS are under your editorial wings, let's see some consistent characterization of Robin. Crossovers are now available, too; a nice, tight continuity between books s always a plus.

With a sad farewell to Dick Giordano and the stunning concepts and guidance he wrought, I close.

Sincerely, Mark Lagasse

Len thanks you (and everyone else) for the warm welcome aboard, Mark. The Batman has long been Len's favorite character, and he promises to hang onto the editorial reins forever, if possible. In point of fact, they'll have to nuke Len to get rid of him, and even then, he'll go kicking and screaming. But don't write off ex-editor Dick Giordano so quickly either, Dick had so much fun filling in on the inking last month in these pages that he hopes to make Bat-inking a permanent thing. He'll be back embellishing the pencils of guest-artist Dan Jurgens (of WARLORD fame) in DETECTIVE #525 and BATMAN #359, to ellow Don Newton time to illustrate the super-sized 500th Anniversary Batman story in DETECTIVE #526. Then, if everything goes according to plan, Dick will become the regular inker on 'TEC with issue #527. What can we tell you, Mark? Once the Bat gets into your blood, he's almost impossible to get out.

*****

Dear Bat-people,

I've never written a fan letter in my life, but I was impressed with BATMAN #352

"The Killer Sky" was a superior Batman story. It contained a very interesting plot; a villain gaining his revenge from a zeppelin. I do think, though, that Colonel Blimp underestimated the "bothersome" Batman and will be in for a shock when he discovers the Dark Knight to be alive.

I also enjoyed the sub-plot involving "Boss" Thorne's operations in Gotham City. He and his cohorts are beginning to see that they could be in trouble. Now that Batman has vowed to help his friends in their investigation, it will be interesting to see how the story is resolved.

On the whole, a good, full-length, action-packed issue. Keep up the good work

Jim Sullivan

Believe us, Jim, we intend to do our best.

*****

Dear Clan.

BATMAN #352 was a joy to read. It reminded me of the old scripts of David V. Reed and Denny O'Neil. Know why? Because it was down to earth. You see, to me, Batman isn't the man to battle aliens, or ghosts, or what-have-you. He's a detective! Please, I beg you, keep Batman's stories going in this direction. Make him use his mind as much as his muscle. He's capable, and he certainly fits this type of story better than any other kind. Thank you for your time

Greg Davis

It's our hope to involve the Caped Crusader in all sorts of different storylines, Greg, stories that will demonstrate all of his varied abilities. As witness, this year's BATMAN ANNUAL #8, comments on which follow immediately...

*****

Dear Editor,

I just picked up three copies of BATMAN ANNUAL #8, and in a few days I'm going to buy three more. "Why?" you ask, because it is the best annual that I have read since the DC line of specteculars of two or three summers ago.

Mike W. Barr's story was very pleasing for the simple reason that The Batman was THE BATMAN; even in outer space. Is there any chance of Mike's talents gracing the pages of one of the monthly BATMAN titles in the near future?

Trevor Von Eeden's artwork was also quite enjoyable. This is only the second time that I've seen the interior art on a comic reproduced directly from the pencils, but the process appears to work well, and I am rather impressed. The art isn't absolutely perfect--from the cover through most of the book, The Batman looks a bit scrawny and sickly, but what Trevor's Dark Knight of Justice is lacking in physical build, he makes up for in outright eerieness. Like I said, I'm impressed.

This is only the second of your new line of annuals that I've bought (the first being LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES ANNUAL #1) and, for the third consecutive time since this letter began, I'm impressed. These two books are better than any annual that your overly-publicized competition ever slogged out. The covers alone are enough to entice any dyed in the wool Marvelite to burn his M.M.M.S. card and go over the wall to the great, New DC!!!

John Hebert

And we'll be waiting here with open arms to welcome them, John, though it's not our intention to steal readers from anyone. We're just hoping the quality of our work will get the word out to comicdom assembled that DC no longer stands for Dull Comics (as some of our longtime detractors have been fond of saying) but rather for some of the most Dynamic Comics currently available.

By the way, though some advance advertising stated that BATMAN ANNUAL #8 would be printed directly from Trevor's pencils, production problems forced us to have said pencils inked. But since they were inked by Trevor himself, we really don't think there was any harm done.

*****

Dear Dick,

Regarding BATMAN ANNUAL #8:

You will, no doubt. be receiving several irate missives from many staunch religionists, who were offended by this annual's anti-cult stance, especially the portrayal (and personage) of Seth, the "born again" reference, and Biblical references.

However, I applaud your representation that logic and reason shall be at the forefront of any confrontation of survival in this world. And that representative of rationality is the Batman, himself, and Batman was triumphant.

There were several little touches, as well, which made this magazinie well worth the one hundred pennies, i.e. Alfred's being taken aback at his master's sudden appearance, Batman's healthy disrespect for army authority, Talia's taunting of Captain Reems--all made for good, realistic, character play.

Thank you, Michael, for your good script. The artwork, no doubt, will be compared to Marshall Rogers and, if so, there are similarities to be applauded. Yet, Von Eeden's style is inimitably unique. I remember his days on BLACK LIGHTNING and all I can say is, improving as he is, he is sure to become a fan favorite. A regular title would be a most propitious move, please.

Thank you, Trevor, for your good artwork. Thank you, DC, and you, Dick, for a very good book.

Kevin J. Dooley

And thank you, Kevin, for your good letter.

*****

Dear DC,

BATMAN ANNUAL #8 was a superb presentation. Mike W. Barr's script was conceptually interesting and laced with enhancing elements of drama, romance, physical action, atmosphere, suspense, death, conflict, and cerebral exercise. The characterization was consistent, faithful, and exciting. Trevor Von Eeden is a marvelous Batman artist and in many panels of this epic he truly shined. However, I felt that a few of his illustrations suffered from an overdose of the Golden-Age touch he selected to employ. When the style worked (which, happily, was the vast majority of the time) it was stimulating, but when it fell short it produced scratchy, undetailed renderings. However, on the whole, the art, like the entire issue, was involving, engaging, and enjoyable. Mike, Trevor, John Costanza, Lynn Varley, and Dick Giordano deserve much praise for this memorable, longest single Batman adventure ever. When one considers how capable of superior work DC's BATMAN personnel are, one must wonder, "Why has it been so long since we had original BATMAN ANNUALS?"

i vote for an encore next year.

Wallace Lee Hopkins

And you'll get one, Wallace, but not by the same team. Oh, Mike W. Barr will be here, all right, but his artistic partner-in-peril will not be Trevor Von Eeden, but rather one Mike Golden, for those of you who are into salivating early.

Still, if you enjoy the team of Barr and Von Eeden, may we recommend to you the upcoming GREEN ARROW MINI-SERIES, which will be on sale February 24 at newsstands and comic shops everywhere, and which will be written by Mike, pencilled by Trevor, and inked by one Dick Giordano (Now where have we heard that name before?). You'll hate yourselves if you miss it.