Batman Knightcast is back, which you should have figured out if you’re reading this and/or listening to the episode! First, Ryan Daly and Chris Franklin unearth the opening chapter of the macabre saga of Black Mask in Batman #386. Then they continue the story of the Dynamic Duo’s earliest adventures in Batman & Robin Year One #7.
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Music: “The Batman Theme: Epic Version (feat. Mask of the Phantasm + Imperial March” arranged by Samuel Kim. Check it out on Youtube right here: https://youtu.be/m-AnLl9Vyb8?si=H5SsJPY_L8FMdtG5
Additional music: “The Killing Moon” by Echo & The Bunnymen
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Like most characters who debuted after I started collecting, I consider Black Mask a “new” villain, even though he’s 40 years old. Damn, I remember buying Batman’s 40th anniversary digest, and now that isn’t even the halfway point of his history.
I didn’t realize Black Mask had gotten to be a big deal, until I got an eBay “recommendation” for this issue. “Why is the price so much?” I wondered. A guy I worked with who played Batman video games told me Black Mask was in whatever video game was released at the time. I guess that drove up the price. I’m glad I got mine for 75 cents back in the day. Of course, then, it was just the next issue of Batman, which I got every month.
THEy must have meant black Mask to be HUGE sadly he’s one of a few batman bad guys i only knew from the fan pages. Yep Chris is right I BOUGHt Batman VERY RANDOMLY but even so THERE WAS A TON of night-stalker,slayer,soldier,sailor I think that story is why I LOTHE villians as love interests
The black mask I’m some what familiar with the guy. But as I’ve recently watched Batman 66 and the monster squad tv show and if can remember both shows have a villain who has master of disguise gimmick even that isn’t black masks gimmick that’s what comes to mind .
I’m not a fan of the black mask maybe I’ve not read unuff stories with him if there is crime boss in Gotham I’ll take the penguin over black masks any day of the week a Cage e bird beats a black masks any day
I wouldn’t have thought May would be F&W’s “Terrible Trio” month, but here they are in Knightcast, and earlier they were in the Dr Mid-Nite mini-series covered by Shagg on JSA in the 90s. That’s crazy!
Make no mistake, I love Mark Waid’s writing and his ability to have reasonable explanations for sometimes non-sensical actions. But the flip side is the more things are explained, the more it invites follow up questions. So ok, Clayface held onto his victim’s body for reference. But couldn’t he have taken pictures instead? And that’s just the physical appearance, but an equally important thing for reference for impersonation is his voice. Since comics are not an audible medium, it’s almost always ignored how shape changers and even disguise experts manage that. It’s not that easy! And if the answer is “he made or found recordings”, then again, why not use visual recordings too? (i.e. photos)
Dick’s ongoing school and social worker problems are honestly my favorite part of the series. Not saying it should be the main storyline, just that I’m enjoying it a lot, and glad it’s included to add very different but significant stakes to the story.
Once again, Chris is my brother from another mother. I bought this off the newsagents rack as well and my 14 year old self was quite amazed by how dark this was. I don’t recall being bothered that Batman only showed on page 21 as I enjoyed the story and Tom Mandrake’s art was appealing even if I was very much in the Don Newton camp. This was a great issue and Black Mask was a thing for about 5 minutes. Co-incidentally, there was also an issue of PETER PARKER around this time that was all about J Jonah Jameson with Spider-Man as being merely a shadowy presence. Maybe there was something in the water.
I think Moench’s run on Batman might be a little dated. Black Mask just wasn’t a great villian Plus I think Chris and I might be some of thew people who remember Nocturna and the Night Slayer. Waid’s Year one is just a better story especially it’s focus on what it was really like for Dick to be Robin.
Great episode! As always.
Ryan I LOVE the idea of Gilda Dent becoming Two-Face. I just hope if they do that they don’t give it away in the trailers.
Doug Moench is an underrated writer in my opinion. This issue is great and I think he did even better work on Spectre and Moon Knight.
I too bought this issue off the stands and thought it was dark but I was pushing 20 and was all in on that stuff then. I do think Doug overdid it a little as you guys talked about but still a good origin for a good villain. And I had never thought about what you said about Black Mask might have gone into obscurity if Moench hadn’t come back to Batman. I think you might be right!
Enjoying the coverage of B&RYO too – glad we are going to get a sequel.
I bough this issue off the stands and really thought this was the introduction of a major new villain. Black Mask had the look, name, and the backstory. And then…not a lot. I know he EVENTUALLY returned to the comics and even made it into the movies, but during the years I was reading Batman comics, nothing!
Tom Mandrake as such a great fit for Batman, like if Gene Colan was inked by Klaus Janson. And I’m not just saying that because we share an alma mater.
Thanks for covering it on the show!