Big Two superhero comics are an iterative process. What was conceived in the 1930s and 40s has evolved and changed over the intervening three quarters of a century. Usually? That's for the better. Characters get deeper and develop more of an internal life. Plots become more mature. Art becomes more realistic, or more stylized. 

And then there are the origins of the three Robins during DC's New 52. Dick Grayson becomes part Tim Drake, Jason Todd becomes a mess, and Tim Drake becomes an ungrateful ass. It was not a good time, and Matt and Will find a way to at least have a good time talking about them.

Perpetual Motion (Nightwing V.3 # 0)
Everyone Has to Start Somewhere (Red Hood and the Outlaws V.1 # 0)
Red Robin (Teen Titans V.4 # 0)

Check out our current ranking list at www.comicsxf.com/batchat-rankings/

Thanks to Geri Nonnewitz for our podcast logo

Follow the show on Twitter @BatChatComics and support the show on Patreon at www.patreon.com/batchatwithmattandwill

Episode 103: Conceived Behind a Dumpster

This week, Deadpool/Batman will be released, the first Marvel/DC crossover in well over a decade. And as anyone who knows how comics work, the biggest characters are the ones who get crossed over, and no one at DC is bigger than Batman. So to tie in, we're reading three Batman/Marvel team-ups. These are some fun books, and we have a good time. Plus, Will finally gets us to reverse the way the show works, and it confuses us both. Glad that's over...

Batman Vs. The Incredible Hulk: The Monster and the Madman (DC Specials Series # 27)
Batman/Captain America
New Age Dawning (Batman/Spider-Man)

Check out our current ranking list at www.comicsxf.com/batchat-rankings/

Thanks to Geri Nonnewitz for our podcast logo

Support the show on Patreon at www.patreon.com/batchatwithmattandwill

Episode 204: The Marvel-ous Adventures of Batman

Writer Meghan Fitzmartin joins the show to talk about her new BOOM Studios series Mary Sue. PLUS: Tim Drake, 2000s CW shows, the power of fan fiction and "Africa" by Toto.

The CXF Interview Podcast Episode 369: Meghan Fitzmartin talks BOOM Studios' Mary Sue

Time moves ever forward. I can't believe that Batman Begins is 20 years old this year. As I question my mortality and life choices, this week we read three stories from the Batman Begins trade, including the movie adaptation, a retelling of Batman's origin by Denny O'Neil and a one off by Greg Rucka.

Batman Begins: The Official Movie Adaptation
The Man Who Falls (Secret Origins of the World's Greatest Super Heroes TPB)
Air Time (Detective Comics V.1 #757)

Check out our current ranking list at www.comicsxf.com/batchat-rankings/

Thanks to Geri Nonnewitz for our podcast logo

Support the show on Patreon at www.patreon.com/batchatwithmattandwill

Episode 205: Batman Begins At 20

Henry Barajas and Rachel Merrill join the show to talk about their new Image series Death to Pachuco, their daily comic strip Gil Thorp, and much more.

The CXF Interview Podcast Episode 370: Henry Barajas and Rachel Merrill talk Death to Pachuco

Gotham Academy returns to comic shops this week with a new prequel series, so we're reading three stories about teens in Gotham. Tim Drake faces a major challenge with his first confrontation with the man who killed the previous Robin, the Joker. Duke Thomas is recruited into the We Are Robin movement in a Gotham with a very different Batman. And the mystery of Gotham Academy deepens.

Robin II: The Joker's Wild # 1-4
We Are Robin (We Are Robin # 1-6)
Calamity (Gotham Academy # 8-12)

Check out our current ranking list at www.comicsxf.com/batchat-rankings/

Thanks to Geri Nonnewitz for our podcast logo

Support the show on Patreon at www.patreon.com/batchatwithmattandwill

Episode 206: Youth of Gotham Unite

Sara Century (Best Issue Ever podcast) returns to help Dan discuss X-Force #94-95, the dawn of a bold, new era in which Pete latches on to a new X-team while on a mission in Genosha.

Our Son Pete Episode 35: X-Force #94-95 with Sara Century

We're back following the three runs we've been reading in order for a while now. No Man's Land reaches its midpoint as the Bat family comes home to Gotham and the identity of the new Batgirl is revealed. Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne face their ultimate challenge as they are trapped between Dr. Hurt and the Joker in the final arc of Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin. And Injustice lurches to the conclusion of Year Four as the Justice League and the Resistance find themselves at war not just with each other, but with the Greek Gods.

Assembly (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #120)
Batman and Robin Must Die! (Batman and Robin V.1 #13-16, Batman: The Return)
Injustice Year 4 V.2 (Injustice: Gods Among Us- Year Four #8-12, Annual #1)

Check out our current ranking list at www.comicsxf.com/batchat-rankings/

Thanks to Geri Nonnewitz for our podcast logo

Support the show on Patreon at www.patreon.com/batchatwithmattandwill

Episode 207: One of the Oldest Jokes

Writer Tini Howard joins the show to talk about her new BOOM Studios series Marian Heretic.

The CXF Interview Podcast Episode 371: Tini Howard talks BOOM Studios' Marian Heretic

Jim Gordon made his first appearance in Detective Comics #27. You know, the same comic that Batman made his first appearance. So, you can imagine the number of stories that Gordon has been featured in. But especially since Frank Miller made "Batman: Year One" as much about Gordon as it is about Batman, that number has exploded, and the history of that character, and his connection to Batman, has been fertile ground for various creators. This week we're looking at three stories about the life and times of Jim Gordon. These are some gritty and dark tales, and they come with some specific trigger warnings, so if you need to skip over some of this, we understand, but these are some fine comics.


Batman: Night Cries OGN [Trigger Warning: Childhood physical and sexual abuse]
Batman: Gordon of Gotham # 1-4 [Trigger Warning: Political violence]
Batman: Turning Points # 1-5

Check out our current ranking list at www.comicsxf.com/batchat-rankings/

Thanks to Geri Nonnewitz for our podcast logo

Support the show on Patreon at www.patreon.com/batchatwithmattandwill

Episode 208: You're a Damn Good Cop, Jim Gordon

In the first of two bonus mini episodes recorded at this year's New York Comic Con, Dan chats with Oni Press President and Publisher Hunter Gorinson.

TCXFIP NYCC Bonus Minisode 1: Hunter Gorinson talks Oni Press

Each week, hosts Matt Lazorwitz and Will Nevin look at three Batman stories, discuss them and put them on a list that will encompass all Batman stories. Some are great, some are not, but we hope you enjoy them all!

Episode 103: Conceived Behind a Dumpster

BatChat With Matt & Will: A Batman Ranking Podcast

Related tracks