Batman #229
Published and © by DC, February 1971
Title: “Asylum of the Futurians”
Synopsis: Batman responds to a telepathic cry for help from a photographer kidnapped by a secret society known as the Futurians.
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciler: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Review: Robert Kanigher’s lead story is a smorgasbord of its times: paranormal happenings, a secret society and all the gothic trimmings. While the international network of cult-like Futurians lacks depth, there’s a germ of promise in the concept. Journeyman Irv Novick’s art is solid, as expected.
•••
Title: “Temperature Boiling … and Rising!”
Synopsis: When a Hudson University professor running for Congress is undermined by dirty tricks, Robin decides to investigate.
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Penciler: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Review: Another solid-but-unspectacular dip into the zeitgeist, this time focusing on political dirty tricks and student unrest on college campuses.
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.
Cool factor: That’s a pretty groovy Neal Adams cover …
Not-so-cool factor: … that only sort of goes with the actual story.
Notable: Also includes a “Fantastic Fingerprints” educational one-pager reprinted from 1964’s Detective Comics #327. … The “Letters to the Batman” letters page includes an LoC from future Batman writer Mike W. Barr.
Character quotable: “Is this why you drugged me and dragged me out of my house while my wife was sleeping? To take photographs of this freak-fest? You’re all nuts!” – Stephen Grey, “famed photographer of psychic phenomenon”
Editor’s note: This review was written May 19, 2025.
