Both long-time foes and allies of the Caped Crusader are gathered in a temporary truce to honor the fallen hero. The premise of the book is that various characters from the Batman mythos are attending Batman's funeral in Crime Alley. It was to be the "last" Batman story after the character's death in Batman RIP and Final Crisis, ending as a summation of the Batman myth and a meditation on his character and its various interpretations. "Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" is a 2009 two-part Batman story written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Andy Kubert. Tell me what's going on.Ī Woman: You're the world's greatest detective, Bruce. Now Gaiman and Kubert can stand proud among them.A Woman: I don't think Death is a person, Bruce.īatman: Then tell me who you are. It’s obvious how much geek-love has been poured into this project – you can sense the absolute fanboy glee in that authentic ‘50s Jokermobile or the faithful resurrection of Catwoman’s startling original costume.Īs a coda to an icon, this proves a loving tribute to the generations of talent that shaped the saga of the Dark Knight. There’s a hint of Will Eisner in there too, particularly in the ‘40s foxiness of Selina Kyle.
Their stories are perfect miniatures, offering two shots of resolution that the framing story so tantalisingly withholds.Īnd while Gaiman spins a reliably fine yarn, Kubert’s art has a real grace and charm, recalling the Silver Age appeal of the great Jim Aparo. Not yet.Īlfred and Catwoman offer two conflicting accounts of Batman’s demise in this intriguing first issue (the story concludes in Detective Comics 853). Witnessing it all is what may just be the shade of Batman, drifting and helpless, protesting “It never happened like this!” What gives? No one’s telling.
A Pearl Harbour era Catwoman collides with a Riddler who’s pure Frank Gorshin (“Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!”). The cartoon show Joker shares a reality with the Green Arrow from The Dark Knight Returns. This Gotham feels timelessly familiar but uncertain and strange. Gaiman slides us into a shifting, paradoxical storybook realm, built from seven decades of Batman lore. It’s a clever exercise in quantum narrative.
The Dark Knight lies in state, victim of an unknown fate, and as friends and foes assemble in tribute we’re offered clashing perspectives on his dying days.
With a title that winks at Alan Moore’s classic ‘80s tale “Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow?”, this collaboration with Andy Kubert is pitched as the final Batman story (as Moore said, “This is an imaginary story… Aren’t they all?”). So it’s little surprise that his stab at Batman accentuates the character's enduring, mythic aspects. His Sandman saga remains a resonant touchstone of comic book fantasy, a work that played with deep, abiding archetypes and the power of story itself. Gaiman’s always patrolled the more ethereal byways of the DC Universe, of course.
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