Batman #242
Published and © by DC, June 1972
Title: “Bruce Wayne – Rest in Peace!’”
Synopsis: Batman fakes Bruce Wayne’s death and adopts the mob persona Matches Malone in preparation for battle with Ra’s al Ghul.
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciler: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Review: As Bronze Age Batman continues to recover from the influence of the silly ’60s TV show, stories hinging on bat-ventriloquism don’t help. Dick Giordano’s inks keep this book looking Neal-Adams-esque, even with Irv Novick on pencils. This is a weak chapter in a greater tale.
•••
Title: “Death-Point!”
Synopsis: Robin and fellow Teen Titan Lilith attempt to free a friend from the influence of a Cthulhu cult.
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciler: Rich Buckler
Inker: Dick Giordano
Review: Readers are thrust into this story in medias res. Again, inker Dick Giordano keep the art looking consistent.
•••
Title: “The People vs. the Batman”
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne is framed for murder, and Batman is implicated, too. It’s up to Robin to save the day.
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciler: Bob Kane
Inker: Jerry Robinson and George Roussos
Review: It’s a treat seeing Golden Age tales, even if this one is a bit convoluted (at least there’s no bat-ventriloquism!)
Grade (for the entire issue): B
Second opinion: Included on Alan Brightmore’s “Individual Comics That You Should Not Be Without” list, from “A Consumer’s Guide to D.C. Comics, Part 2,” Comics Unlimited #51, October-November 1979. … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: That cover.
Not-so-cool factor: Those stories.
Notable: First appearance of Matches Malone. … The Golden Age story is reprinted from 1941’s Batman #7.
Character quotable: “If I were a gambler, I’d bet on the enemy!” – Batman, at odds with Ra’s al Ghul
Editor’s note: This review was written Aug. 31, 2024.
