Review by Frank Plowright

When does a comic numbered as part of a regular run become a graphic novel? One set of criteria would be an extension to 144 pages and a squarebound publication with cardstock covers. Plenty of covers, actually, with eleven variations in paperback.

Both Fables and Gideon Falls have previously concluded their run with graphic novels, but the occasion here is a thousand appearances for Batman in Detective Comics since his 1939 introduction. DC celebrate that with a dozen stories making for an anthology mixing writers not known for their Batman work (Brian Michael Bendis, Dan Jurgens, Matt Fraction), with those who’ve had extended runs (Grant Morrison, Scott Snyder, Marv Wolfman). Also featured are then near current Batman writers Tom King, Mariko Tamaki and James Tynion IV.

Artistically the concentration is on people who may have drawn Batman stories before, but never for extended runs, so veterans like Jurgens, Ivan Reis and Walt Simonson feature alongside relative newcomers such as Emanuela Lupacchino and Riley Rossmo. However, let there be no doubt quality is a priority, and the line-up is enough to consider the subsequently released deluxe hardcover edition.

There’s no theme whatsoever beyond Batman, and even then one of the best contributions barely features him, Greg Rucka and Eduardo Risso instead concentrating on the career path of a rookie signing up for Gotham’s notoriously corrupt police force. We see Batman beginning his career and a possible end to his life, associating with the Justice League, with Deadman, with those who protect Gotham alongside him, other heroes and Commissioner Gordon.

What this showcases more than anything is that it’s still possible to come up with new glimpses at Batman and Gotham. We learn about the Joker’s birthday presents, the hero who made his début at the same time as Batman, and what became an obsession for Bruce Wayne’s grandfather. The left sample art is from Brad Walker on Peter J. Tomasi’s consideration of Batman’s villains as he attempts to distil who’s trapped him. It’s paired with John Romita Jr illustrating Kelly Sue DeConnick’s tale of Bruce Wayne’s conversation with a thuggish businessman.

On the downside it’s cheap for Jurgens to use what should be a celebration of Batman as a lead-in to Generations, and Tamiko also supplies a prologue to other material, but as that’s in subsequent issues of Detective Comics it’s a lesser transgression. As is the case with all anthologies, readers will find some stories more to their liking than others, but there’s nothing that falls below average, and at least a third of the content is excellent.