Bring on the Back-Ups: Elongated Man by Neal Adams and Gardner Fox

I was surprised to find out that before Neal Adams started work on such iconic DC superhero comics as the Spectre, Batman, Green Lantern and Green Arrow he deubted (along with his work on Deadman) on an Elongated Man back-up tale in Detective Comics # 369 (September 1967). Since finding this out I have been searching for a copy of this comic and as luck would have it I came across a copy while visiting family in the USA. Although the cover was badly ripped the interior pages were complete and for only around £8 I snapped it up for excellent Neal Adams art on this his one and only Elongated Man story.

Below the cover to Detective Comics #369 - image from DC Fandom

Favourite Comics: Detective Comics # 450 - Walt Simonson & Elliot S Maggin

I had all but forgotten about the above issue of Detective Comics # 450 (cover by Dick Giordano) until very recently when I came across a sale copy in Glasgow last week. As soon as I opened the book and saw that powerful splash page (below) by Walt Simonson, I was instantly transported back to late November 1975 when I picked up my original copy in John Menzies (newsagents) on a shopping trip to Glasgow with my brother.

Elliot S. Maggin offers up an enjoyable story with a powerful twist conclusion. However, the real star of this issue comes from the early art of Walt Simonson who had only recently ended his classic Manhunter storyline with a Batman /Manhunter finale in issue 443. With this issue Simonson’s art had progressed even further and his storytelling and his interpretation of Batman are both striking. Batman crouching with a menacing look on his face and his cape blowing in the wind! Just the way Batman should always look.

One possible criticism of Simonson’s (wonderful) art could be levelled at his interpretation of Bruce Wayne, who doesn’t really look like himself here.

In the story itself Batman searches for the person who assassinated Senator Locksley. He suspects Harcourt a criminal mastermind, who he thinks knows the assassin is Jeremy Wormwood, but not the person who hired the assassin.

Wormwood is invited to Bruce Wayne ‘s office where he finds Harcourt who hires him to steal Batman’s cape and cowl. Wormwood asks why Harcourt wants the cape and cowl and Harcourt offers him a deal, he will tell him his reasons if Wormwood tells him who hired him to kill the Senator. Wormwood reveals that is was Mike Carley (the Senators party boss), then asks Harcourt what he's going to do with the cape and cowl. Harcourt replies "I'm going to wear them."

Wormwood turns to find Batman attacking. After a short struggle, Batman defeats Wormwood and ushers in the awaiting police. Batman had been impersonating Harcourt all along

The final panel with Batman's cowl and cape hanging over a chair was a fantastic visual ending by Walt Simonson from a time comics could be dark and fun.