DC Comics has made great use of its editorial talent, its vast group of creators, and its scheduled hijinks, such as Fifth Fridays, to introduce new ideas and offer special issues. Quarterly anthology issues themed around each season have become a hallmark of this approach and the winter collection arrives this week in the form of DC’s Batman Smells, Robin Laid an Egg. The oversized one-shot features eight 10-page stories centered around the holiday season from a diverse collection of creators and characters. The overall quality of these stories is a testament to DC’s staying power as a comic book publisher today.
This winter anthology runs the gamut from sentimental Christmas celebrations to absurd, sometimes gag antics. It also features characters ranging from evergreen icons like Superman and Joker to cult classic concepts like Secret Six and Dr. Mid-Nite. With such variety on display, there is sure to be something for every DC Comics reader in this collection and each episode brings a distinct charm to readers during the long holiday nights.
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Each reader will bring specific connotations to this holiday celebration, but Batman feels, Robin has laid an egg avoid taking a particular approach to the combination of cold weather, gifts, and family traditions that extend far beyond Christmas. While the eight tales range from the bittersweet style of Blue Christmas to non-stop disgusting gags, they each display a specific twist on the holiday tradition. It’s evident throughout the reading experience that repetition was the one thing DC Comics editorial was sure to avoid.
Batman feels, Robin has laid an egg opens with a sweet, sentimental Green Lantern story featuring John Stewart whose working-class childhood left him disconnected from Santa’s generosity. His meeting with Santa Claus quickly turns maudlin, but fans of both heroes involved will appreciate this very sweet twist. Even cynical readers might find themselves shedding a tear after hearing how the DC Universe’s real Santa Claus didn’t sign any gifts for young John Stewart. This isn’t the only potential tearjerker found in this anthology, either.
On the other hand, there are tales that take the same heterodox approach to holiday stories as National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. “Ghosts of Christmas Present” has John Constantine drawn in a wonderfully exaggerated style by Aaron Conley fighting demons on Christmas Eve. Each new page reveals another horrific ordeal for Constantine, who would have been better served without ever leaving his pub. The Joker’s own tale offers a twist It’s a wonderful life as the Clown Prince of Crime discovers that a world without him would be a much better place, to no surprise to the reader. Although the story keeps messing up its homage and concept, the individual gags within it still elicit plenty of irreverent laughs.
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When readers examine the series of stories contained in Batman feels, Robin has laid an eggthey’re bound to notice a wide range of new names. The anthology, like many of DC’s seasonal collections, functions as a showcase for emerging talent. Any comic book creator will tell you how difficult it is to both tell a complete story in just ten pages and capture the voices of long-established characters. Despite some minor hiccups, the overall success ratio says a lot about the new voices selected in the pages of Batman feels, Robin has laid an egg.
New voices tackle nostalgic concepts like the Secret Six in “Secret Santa” and the old romance of Vixen and Bronze Tiger in “The Perfect Gift.” Both manage to capture familiar character dynamics and a lot of sweetness without relying too much on the reader’s knowledge. Rather, they demonstrate an appreciation of what has been done before in creating new stories capable of standing on their own merits.
The final story of the anthology, “O Glowy Night”, features Superman unexpectedly lit up like a Christmas tree. Writer Calvin Kasulke introduces a wide cast of familiar characters in Metropolis as Superman searches for solutions with humor that rings true to Superman in any season. Artist Anthony Marques makes each new appearance instantly recognizable in his own pop-art style, injecting plenty of extra fun into this comedic comedy. Their latest contribution is perhaps the best example of the exciting new talents discovered in Batman feels, Robin has laid an egg.
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That’s not to say casual readers won’t recognize some of the talented creators attached to Batman feels, Robin has laid an egg while a few stars make appearances. Iconic writer Marv Wolfman returns to Deadman alongside artists Paul Pelletier and Norm Rapmund as they make interesting use of the hero’s unique powers. Artist Francesco Francavilla, unprecedented in modern pulp illustrations, delivers a silent story in the aptly named “Silent Night.” Their inclusion allows a Blue Christmas story to unfold quickly and bring complexity to a storyline that avoids the simple morality of Dr. Mid-Nite’s golden age roots. The inclusion of these well-known names also serves to highlight just how capable their narrator peers in this anthology are as well.
DC Comics fans looking for holiday versions of their favorite characters won’t be disappointed by the quality and range featured in Batman feels, Robin has laid an egg. Despite its childish title, the collection offers all kinds of Christmas stories one could dream of, from superbly silly to sweetly heartfelt, and offers a glimpse of new talent along the way. While there are other great holiday-themed DC Comics series currently available, none will match the length of this exceptional anthology.
Batman
Batman is one of the oldest comic book superheroes, with nearly a century of comic books, television shows, films, and video games. Mild-mannered Bruce Wayne becomes Gotham City’s caped crusader, protecting it from villains like the Joker, Killer Croc, The Penguin, and more. Batman is also one of DC Comics’ “Big Three” alongside Superman and Wonder Woman, and together the three help keep Earth safe as founding members of the Justice League.
- Created by
- Bill Finger, Bob Kane
- First film
- Batman: The Movie
- Upcoming Movies
- The Batman – Part II
- First TV show
- Batman
- First episode broadcast date
- January 12, 1966
- Cast
- Adam West, Kevin Conroy, Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson, Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Josh Hutcherson, Will Friedle, Anson Mount, Will Arnett