Original pre-CoIE (Earth-2) Golden Age Batman Appreciation thread

[MajorHoy]

While we already have an appreciation thread for Batman, this one is a bit more specialized: it's designed to honor / celebrate the version of Batman who originally appeared in comic books during the late 1930s, the 1940s, and into the early years of the 1950s, prior to the changeover from "Golden Age" to the "Silver Age" version (a point in time which I don't think has clearly been defined for Batman as to a specific title / issue #).

Once the "Silver Age" version became the focus for Batman stories later in the 1950s, the Golden Age version was basically sidelined for a while. An adult version of Robin took over for Batman in the Justice Society of America (who during the Silver Age were revealed to still be somewhat active on a separate Earth, called "Earth-2" or "Earth-Two"), and it was also later revealed that the Golden Age Batman had married Catwoman (Selina Kyle), had a daughter (Helena, who became The Huntress), and eventually became the Police Commissioner for Gotham City (on Earth-2, of course).

His death occurred during an adventure of the Justice Society of America in 1979,



but there were still some "untold stories" of Batman's past that would be published from time to time. The origin story for Golden Age Batman was included in Secret Origins #6 (from 1986),

and the ghost of the (former Earth-2) Batman even played a role in an adventure of the JSA back in 2006!
(More on that one in a future post!)

[nhienphan2808]

He is absolutely beautiful. A hero in every meaning of the word.

[CrazyOldHermit]

The coolest Batman I think.

[MajorHoy]

By the way, a couple of older related threads that may be of interest:

* Wish DC would give us a GOLDEN-AGE BATMAN: YEAR ONE series
https://community.cbr.com/showthread...EAR-ONE-series

* Batman: The War Years 1939-1945 (bargain book by Roy Thomas)
https://community.cbr.com/showthread...by-Roy-Thomas)

Not to mention the Batman Golden Age Omnibus (https://community.cbr.com/showthread...en-Age-Omnibus) which is up to Volume 6 in hardcover at present, with Volume 7 expected to be available in June (2019). See = https://www.dccomics.com/graphic-nov...-omnibus-vol-7.
The softcover collections are currently at Volume 5, released back in September 2018. See: https://www.dccomics.com/graphic-nov...lden-age-vol-5

[Restingvoice]

The Golden Age volumes have gorgeous classic looking covers

409389._SX1280_QL80_TTD_.jpg

[CrazyOldHermit]

The Golden Age volumes have gorgeous classic looking covers

409389._SX1280_QL80_TTD_.jpg

Those covers are so great, I wish there was a whole series based on them.

[Vakanai]

but there were still some "untold stories" of Batman's past that would be published from time to time. The origin story for Golden Age Batman was included in Secret Origins #6 (from 1986),

I have a fondness for origin stories (I know, I know, most fans are sick and tired of origin stories, but for some reason I can't get enough of them), is this collected in trade anywhere (preferably cheap and available on Amazon)?

[MajorHoy]

I have a fondness for origin stories (I know, I know, most fans are sick and tired of origin stories, but for some reason I can't get enough of them), is this collected in trade anywhere (preferably cheap and available on Amazon)?

According to the GCD, that story was collected in Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told Vol. 2 (2007)



and also in Legends of the Dark Knight: Marshall Rogers from 2011.



As for "preferably cheap", that I can't help you with. All depends on what format(s) / what price(s) you're willing to go with.

If you want more of Roy's Golden Age origins retold, have you tried this?


The Last Days of the Justice Society of America (2017)
which collects the 1986 issue of the same name and many of the (post-CoIE) origin stories of the JSA members that were originally published in the 1986 - 1990 run of Secret Origins.

[JoeInQueens]

At the time Adventure 462 (?) came out, was anyone surprised they killed of the Earth Two Batman?

[MajorHoy]

At the time Adventure 462 (?) came out, was anyone surprised they killed of the Earth Two Batman?

"Surprised"?
Trying to remember back to Adventure Comics #461-462, I don't really think so. At that time, Bruce was essentially retired in his role as Batman. Dick had taken over the job (but was still "Robin") of costumed crime-fighter (though he wasn't always based out of Gotham City) and Bruce was now the Police Commissioner in Gotham City.

[signalman112]

From DETECTIVE COMICS #36. Batman knocks out Hugo Strange.

Bathugo.jpg

[signalman112]

A page from The Brave and The Bold #200.

B&Bpanel200.jpg

[witchboy]

It seems like there should only be one more omnibus to come - maybe? - before the omnibuses move from the Golden to Silver Age?

[ngroove]

As for "preferably cheap", that I can't help you with. All depends on what format(s) / what price(s) you're willing to go with.

How about the issue, Secret Origins #6 in itself? I've got one myself, usually the standard late eighties Secret Origins issues are usually found a few dollars each, possibly even a dollar each if can be found in a lucky Comic Book Convention bin.

[MajorHoy]

In honor of Memorial Day 2019 here in the U.S. today,


Batman #12 (August-September 1942)


Batman #17 (June-July 1943)


Batman #30 (August-September 1945)