We take requests here at Chuck's Comic of the Day, and after a review of one of Steve Englehart's issues of Justice League, I was asked to review more of his DC work - so let's run down his iconic issues of Batman in Detective Comics.
His first issue was issue #469, teaming him up with artist Walt Simonson, already established as one of the bright stars in comics. Here he's inked by Al Milgrom, which struck me as an odd pairing - but Milgrom actually blunts some of Simonson's excesses and brings his art more in line with mainstream DC at the time.
(One can debate whether or not this is a good thing. I'd prefer pure Simonson, myself, but I was happy to get his work here.)
The team worked on two issues together, which made up a single story (which is why I've lumped them together in this review). It featured Batman facing down a new character, Dr. Phosphorous - a horrific, glowing skeleton whose touch burns and poisons whatever it touches.
But the fun in these issues is watching Englehart start moving supporting characters and events into place that will play out over the rest of his run on the title.
We meet Boss Rupert Thorn, the corrupt politician trying to take over Gotham City - and Bruce Wayne meets Silver St. Cloud, the stunning and intelligent woman who would become his love interest.
The key pieces were in place, the stage was set - and with the next issue, Batman would reach new heights!
Grade: B+
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