Two of Dennis O’Neill’s best works with The Dark Knight have been collected in one volume by ECC Ediciones titled Batman: Shaman / Venom.
Dennis O’Neill was one of the most influential authors in the world of superhero comics, and now thanks to ECC Editions we get to enjoy two of his most celebrated stories in the Dark Knight franchise in one volume. The voice comes to us in the great Batman line of graphic novels titled Batman: Shaman / Venom.
The legend of the dark knight
The Tim Burton-directed film will be the third regular Batman series (after Detective Comics and Batman), the Dark Knight series that emerged in the late 1980s as the Caped Crusader’s equivalent of Conan’s Wild Sword. Series for Cimmerian. Here we’re talking about stories set in the character’s early years, when he’s still learning to be a Gotham City vigilante, which have a more mature and serious tone than what we see in the main titles of the character.
O’Neill served as editor of this series, but he also ventured into writing scripts from time to time, and the two stories included in this volume are a good example of this man’s work for the ninth art world. These well-narrated stories, which explore a character’s character, development, and sacred mission, are the most basic of the most successful forms of fiction in reality.
Shaman
Ed Hannigan’s drawing, John Beatty’s colors, and Richmond Lewis’ colors are the graphic part of this series’ first story arc. We jump straight into the adventures of a young Bruce Wayne as he tracks down an outlaw on a snowy mountain in Alaska. This episode dives into Bruce’s mind and not only partially determines his future actions, but also has the fatal effect of presenting the billionaire’s meeting to study the symbolism of the Crusades.
Alaska Native culture and the importance of the bat in it will be fundamental elements in the work, but above all, the perspective of our main character will be the way in which, as events gradually unfold, he will develop his skills. Vigilant and like a detective his will is getting stronger and stronger.
Although we have some problems in this arc (the graphics are not as good as they should be, the action scenes are sometimes a bit messy and sometimes too restrictive), the story has a lot of strength, it offers some fantastic pages (that is for the character himself as dark and unstoppable). vigilante against criminals) and treats Bruce with a care we’ve rarely seen.
Poison
Painting by Russell Braun and Trevor Von Eeden, coloring by the great Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, and coloring by Steve Oliff with O’Neil on the second arc captured here. This highlights the humane treatment of the heroine, moving away from the unbreakable hero who can do anything and is five steps ahead of his enemies.
This Dark Knight has hit hard among the masses, is very cool, but rather erratic and unreliable, with as many weaknesses as strengths. Here, more than ever, we see the feet of clay this hero stands on, and that’s good.
At the beginning of the story, we are presented with a shocking incident during these first years of training, one of which is a girl who dies when she cannot lift a stone due to physical limitations. Wayne isn’t Superman, and he never will be no matter how much weight he puts on, but that’s unacceptable to this obsessive vigilante.
This is what motivates our protagonist to take medicine (which will lead to the creation of Bane years later) that will take him to a new level in physical abilities, but the price will be very high. It’s not the first time that O’Neill introduces the use of drugs and its consequences, so in those times in society, in his stories (remember the series in which they share the title of Green Arrow and Green Lantern), and although he does not have a fundamental role here like others, he is treated well.
In memory of Dennis O’Neill
In addition to these two arcs, at the end of Sound ECC Ediciones has been detailed to include a silent short story written by the legendary Larry O’Neill and drawn by the always fantastic George Fornes. (no less impressive Dave Stewart). In just a few pages, this group manages to deliver a truly well-crafted and deeply emotional tribute to one of the authors who left an indelible mark on the world of comics.
This volume contains 288 full-color pages and includes 1 through 5 and 16 through 20 of The Dark Knight Rises and a special Green Arrow 80th Anniversary 100-page Super Awesome translation. For all related coverage, an introduction by Larry O’Neill and an essay by Fran San Rafael. It has a recommended retail price of €36.50 and goes on sale in October 2023.
Batman: Chaman / Veneno (The Greatest Batman Graphic Novels)
This is the story of Bruce Wayne, a young man who meets an Alaskan shaman who tells the legend of the Bat while spreading his skills around the world in hopes of ridding Gotham City of criminals. That incident marked the career of Batman, the hero who years later used an experimental drug to quell the regret he felt after failing one of his missions.
This volume compiles Shaman and Veneno, written by Dennis O’Neill and illustrated by Ed Hannigan and Trevor Von Eden, with the collaboration of José Luis García-López. And also a story starring the legendary screenwriter, signed by his son Larry O’Neill and cartoonist George Fornes.
Authors: Dennis O’Neill, Larry O’Neill, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Russell Brown, George Fornes, Ed Hannigan, John Beatty, Richmond Lewis, Steve Oliff, Dave Stewart, and Trevor Von Eden.