1. In a distinct shift away from the campy 1960s Batman, which was how I chiefly knew the character as a boy, featured Batman mostly as an athlete and martial artist and detective, but rarely depicted him using any of his special devices from his utility belt. Gone are the various gadgets and gimmicks that Batman might have with him on his person, to solve his various dilemmas. Now along with this point, we do see Batman with a cool old Roadster Batmobile a couple of times. But the bat helicopter for example and any of the variety of equipment and transportation vehicles that he was known to keep in his Batcave I have vanished. It's worth noting, along with the move in Batman #217 to finally move Dick Grayson (Robin) off to college, where he was featured in his own solo adventures in a backup story in most issues of Batman, the Batcave with also closed off, so that Batman and Alfred instead move in the center of Gotham City. So while this move was probably mostly dictated by ...

I just wrote a feature on J.M.'s first superhero work in the post before. Here's the questions John Marc DeMatteis graciously OK’d: Cecil 1. I think one of your thematic abilities involves discovering a character that might have been, alternative takes of who they might have been, when corporate trademarks were editorially guided to be written “a certain way.” “Going Sane” is a story that became a Batman/ Joker story before it became the essence of “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” which then transformed once more essentially into “Going Sane”: your favorite mainstream superhero story. J.M. Stories, like people, have a natural growth curve and we have to honor that as writers. That story led me from Batman to Spider-Man and back again (with some other twists along the way). Since “Going Sane” and “KLH” are two of the best superhero stories I’ve written, I’m glad I had the sense, and patience, to let them guide me along, instead of trying to control them. 2. Tell me about anoth...

Just as I promised: part two of the joker's utility belt, a classic Batman story Power Records style! Here's a good little tribute (yes, you are, yes you are!) to Power Records. Remember: they're ACTION as you READ! http://www.newsarama.com/comics/friday-flashback-power-records-100813.html

No way, that's pretty cool! I love this idea, it's been on my mind a lot: essentially, this is the prototype of the motion comic. I am thinking of audio as an indispensable part of our operation and am very ready to begin incorporating audio. I think this year's going to end with a lot of sound from Integr8d Soul Productions. As for this, who doesn't enjoy a really good old fashioned Joker match-up with the Batman? (Personally, I've watched three of these this morning upon their discovery. The Power Record I had as a kid was the Captain America one. Captivated much of my playtime!) Tune in for part two tomorrow!