Batman Family Reunion #494 – Pinball, Fraternities, and the Crime Doctor!

Hold on to your shoes, bat-cousins! This month, we have another first-time podcaster (and our Patreon supporter), Brian Ciufo, join us at the Reunion! Dick and Jennifer go for a moonlight swim, Babs stares down a crime boss, and Bruce deals with a new threat to his secret identity! Black Lightning must deal with a troubled family, but we do get the return of Mr. Kool! (ish.)  Have some day-old snacks and enjoy the Reunion!

This month’s Bat Family History links for Charles Nicholas:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Nicholas#:~:text=Charles%20Nicholas%20Cuidera%2C%20also%20known,1942)

https://www.lambiek.net/artists/n/nicholas_charles2.htm

https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/cuidera_chuck.htm

http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/main/features/creator.php?creatorid=710

http://www.mikesamazingworld.com/main/features/creator.php?creatorid=36

Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content?  Have a specific issue you love and want to talk to us about it?

  • E-MAIL: batmanfamilyreunion@gmail.com
  • Follow Batman Family Reunion on Twitter: @batfamreunion

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

15 responses to “Batman Family Reunion #494 – Pinball, Fraternities, and the Crime Doctor!

  1. Hey chums this cousin Bucky agin this time brought mushrooms swish black bean Burgers and chicken sandwiches Jeremy is manning the grill with cousin Adam helping also we brought some peanut Ace biscuits for the dogs . Since Scooby has Scooby snacks Ace has ace biscuits. Also bat cow is here (mooo!) does any one know how to milk a cow ?

    1
  2. Great show guys! Brian is a podcasting natural.

    I was introduced to Dr. Dundee early, in one of the first comics I remember owning, Batman #304 (Oct. 1978), but I didn’t realize until today that was his first appearance, created by David V. Reed and Winslow Mortimer ! According to the DC Fandom.com/wiki, he made a total of 12 appearances, his last being Batman and the Outsiders #3 (Oct. 1983). So he was only around for five years! But as you guys pointed out, post-Crisis Alfred’s medical training was much more prominent. Plus, we now had Leslie Thompkins as a doctor who knew Bruce’s secret, so no need for Doctor Douglas Dundee!

    2
      1. Another great episode guys (and not just because I got a really nice shout-out)!

        Brian knocked it out of the park with his podcast debut. He was well-versed in the material and came prepared. Brian, I hope you find your way into more podcasts in the future.

        Thank you, Shawn, for the shout-out in the listener feedback segment. I have played that sound clip a few (dozen) times for my family. Having lunch together and hanging out for a while at the Baltimore Comic-Con was a lot of
        fun.

        I knew the end was coming, but hearing your reminder that this was the penultimate episode
        made me a little sad. I know we are going to
        hear from you guys in future shows, but this
        Bat-Family you’ve built will always hold a special
        place in my heart.

        Paul and Shawn, thanks for making this show such a fun experience and creating a real sense of family amongst the listening audience. I wish you both the best, not just for future podcasts, but in all aspects of your lives. You deserve it.

        2
        1. Okay, this was supposed to be its own comment, not a reply. Oops

          It doesn’t change the sentiments, it just makes them oddly placed.

          1
  3. I am calling it now: Uncle Paul and Uncle Shawn’s next project is WONDER WOMAN FAMILY ALBUM, covering the silver age “impossible” adventures of Wonder Woman, Wonder Girl, Wonder Tot, and Wonder Queen (Hippolyta), plus their numerous solo adventures!

    Sorry-not-sorry for spoiling next month’s surprise…

    I look forward to their biting commentary on Mer-boy and Bird-boy…

    4
  4. I did not like “Ask the Answer Man” … I *Loved* that feature in the Daily Planet! Probably where I learned a lot about DC’s characters.

    Batman – “Doctor Doctor” by the Thompson Twins

    I also noticed the Thorne name and wondered if the Doc had a fifth cousin twice removed named Rupert.

    The Doctor did make a couple of mistakes in leaving the prescription note. First, he left behind a handwriting sample. Second, he has incredibly legible handwriting for a doctor. A doctor with good penmanship should be very easy to find.

    Tales of Gotham City – “Pinball Wizard” by The Who

    This is a good example of the “slice of life” stories this feature should do, but I agree, it’s missing something. Why did Flip flip out the way he did? Maybe some sort of flashback to when he was Juan’s age and he got his first chance as a runner, or past experience with the West End Gang would fill the blanks.

    Also, this could be a tale in just about any US city in 1980. Are we sure it’s Gotham? Maybe one of those guys that stopped Juan WAS Mr. Kool from last issue!

    Batgirl – “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel

    Her supporting cast is filling out – coworkers, a returning friend, a single dad and his daughter that may be friends… or possibly more?

    Robin – “Shout” by Lloyd Williams from Animal House

    Jennifer thinks Robin is a student, huh? Well, I hope she won’t notice if her boyfriend and Robin both should leave New Carthage for Gotham at the same time. That won’t be at all suspicious, right?

    Black Lightning – “Purple Rain” by Prince

    How sad is it that, even with pages missing on DC Universe Incomplete, this was still a better story than the Robin story?

    I still say next up is Superman Family. My wife asked about it and I swear she’s psychic. And I just realized something – the final episode comes out on my wedding anniversary.

    2
  5. Hello, I’m not bringing anything to the barbecue this time, after all these picnics I think we need to diet.

    Excellent guest hosting spot from Brian!

    So, we’re almost done, but at least the show won’t be ending, just going in a Bold New Direction Because You Demanded It!

    The Crime Doctor story wasn’t bad, and it provided us with a fine main cover image… shame about the floating heads, Babs, especially, looked ghastly, a scratchy little thing. As regards the story, I know Batman was deputised in the Bronze Age, but going to meetings of the Police Department? Was he also a union man? And did Don Newton ever draw a Batman story in which Bruce kept his shirt on?

    I actually do like the way the Tales of Gotham City title is behind buildings, it’s neat.

    That Batgirl story has three exclamation marks – in my industry we call them dogs’ cocks – in the title. If I’d been Paul Levitz I’d have ripped it up on seeing that. Actually, I’m glad he didn’t because it’s so refreshing to see a comic book story that isn’t glorifying guns. Yes, firearms are scary, and Batgirl is right to remind us of that.

    Robin and Black Lightning were also in this comic book.

    Excellent Creator Focus on Charleses Nicholas!

    As regards the bonus strip with the Flash, Medusa is a great design. I expect turning a Hostess ‘food’ product to stone would likely improve the taste.

    Paul said he thought the first time DC gave us the Direct Current previews feature was in Amazing World of DC Comics – actually, it was in the April 1966 issues.

    In the comments, what was that John Hamm joke about? Is he going to be a guest on Superman Family Feud?

    1
  6. Thanks for all the positive feedback. I’m happy to have the opportunity to contribute to one of my favorite shows on the network. Paul and Shawn are gracious hosts and I look forward to whatever they have up their sleeves – under their tunics? behind their capes? – next!

    2
  7. I liked the Crime Doctor as a kid. But now as a grownup in the medical field, I love the Crime Doctor. I was going to wait to comment on the end of the story but I realized there might not be a wrap up episode. I mean … I want a tricked out ambulance and a secret lair. But most of all, I love how he puts the care of ‘patients’ over the crimes, writing prescriptions and even caring for an ailing man (next issue).

    I have really loved this show and truly hope that a Dollar Comics Superman Family show is being planned. I will want to guest star on that show A LOT.

    2
  8. Hey Bat Cousins. Sorry I’m late, I had a doctor’s appointment and got robbed. The good news is my blood pressure is fine. I brought roasted pumpkin seeds as we enjoy this brisk 78 degree fall weather because the world is burning.

    Good Batman story. Don Newton is killing it as usual. His individual thug designs are always on point. Especially one of my favorite 70’s/80’s hair styles: the balding afro! Good for you, henchman, don’t change for anybody! I’m impressed with the Crime Doctor’s philanthropy AND his manipulation of Gotham real estate. He must’ve bought up half a city block, but it’s almost all underground, so he probably got it for a song! As we all know the real money is in abandoned amusement parks, warehouses, and places with a two on it. How he actually built his secret HQ is another matter. I’m assuming there’s an architecture and construction company operating out of Gotham who know how to keep their mouths’ shut. Hot Take: I bet they’re owned by Wayne Enterprises. He’s subsidizing his war on crime by building secret headquarters for his villains so there is always crime. Change my mind!

    I didn’t read the Tales of Gotham City story. If I were to guess, it’s the story of a nerd who gets his pinball machine signed by Flash Gordon, then wonders what in the world he’s actually doing with his life before smashing his pinball machine and moving to Florida. Did I nail it?

    I couldn’t help but laugh at the description of fraternities in the splash page of the Robin story. Secret societies? Noble brotherhoods? I was in a fraternity and our society’s darkest secret was that we found a package store across state lines that sold Schlitz for $4.99 a case. We also didn’t have a huge meeting table to sit around. We had a club room that smelled like stale beer and gym socks. Jennifer is a great one-semester girlfriend replacement, but I question her water safety instincts. Doing a running dive into ankle-deep water is not the way to have a good time, Jen. Good thing she landed on that corpse or she could’ve really hurt herself! Speaking of which, the death rate in New Carthage has got to be becoming a concern at this point. I bet that’s driving down the real estate costs for all that acreage in the woods. Good thinking, Robin. Park the van and buy low.

    One more real estate note: The conference room door at Barbara’s H.R.D. Is massive! And those wide hallways! Why are my tax dollars going to fancy giant doors instead of keeping the streets safe from well-dressed gangsters in smoking jackets and ascots, Barbara?

    As you guys mentioned, Infinite is missing a few pages of the Black Lightning story, so I’ll just say; Black Lightning has the coolest late 70’s/early 80’s costume in comics. Perfect.

    Gotta go. Great Aunt Ethel is late for the Black Hole Convention. Careful, Shawn, She’s a real gatekeeper!

  9. Hello, Bat-Cousins!

    After picking up so many raisins from the cinnamon raisin bread incident last month, I decided to make and bring three large pans of spaghetti and meatballs to the reunion. Don’t ask for garlic bread. We shall never speak about bread again.

    Detective 494 was one of those books that holds a special place in my heart. As I discussed a couple of months before, this issue was one of the few back issues I bought from a used book store in my hometown around 1986-87. My mother bought me a number of comics and other books for me there and I voraciously read all those books numerous times. Many of the Batman-related comics I had to replace since almost all of them fell apart. Reading Detective 494 and the other various issues of Batman, Batman Family, The Brave and the Bold, and other titles I once got from that book store bring back memories of sitting on the front porch swing at my grandma’s house. I would read these books and wonder what would happen in the next issue. I also wondered if I could find the next issue at that book store.

    The Batman story I thoroughly enjoyed. The premise is a bit strange, but Michael Fleisher makes a doctor who prescribes aid to fellow crooks work for the story. It doesn’t need to be said, but I will say this anyway: Don Newton’s mastery of the human form is exemplary and underappreciated. However, that first page made me wonder, even at nine years old, how Batman got away with doing a two-wheel turn without being pulled over. Shouldn’t a Gotham traffic cop ticket the Darknight Detective for excessive speeding or reckless driving? The nerve of some costumed vigilantes!

    I thought the Tales of Gotham City story was okay. Not fantastic, not god awful. Just okay. I didn’t realize when I first read this story that the package in question was a bunch of drugs. I guess you could say I was a bit naive at the time, but, of course, I was only nine. Reading this now, and especially after last month’s issue, I noticed one thing. Flip calls the pimp who kills him Slick. This is incorrect. That was Mr. Kool. Get the identities of your drug-peddling pimps right, Flip. This is why you shouldn’t spend all your free time playing pinball. Besides, Roger Daltrey would kick your butt at pinball, even with perfect sight, hearing, and intelligence.

    The Batgirl story was decent, but I have to say Frank Chairmonte was the drawback to this story. His work over Jose Delbo’s art was okay, but the faces were off a bit. With other inkers, Jose Delbo’s figure work, especially the women, look smooth and attractive. With Chairmonte, I thought the people in this story looked off-scale to Delbo’s standards. Thankfully, the fluidity of the figures had not suffered. Story wise, Babs/Batgirl shows how she is able to overcome her own fears by stopping a crime boss who holds her at gunpoint. I appreciate that character growth and showing that she still has to overcome some mental obstacles three issues after being shot. And we also see a potential love interest in Mr. Dover. I don’t think I liked that at nine years old since I had a bit of a crush on Barbara Gordon. Ah, the trappings of youth…

    The Robin story was not bad, but not great. The pacing was quick, but not choppy or felt like there was an omission in detail or plot. In comparison, to the previous months’ stories, this was a great improvement. The art, like the last couple of issues, still felt stiff and formulaic. I don’t think a reader would have felt any emotion or excitement while reading the story panel to panel. And do we need to say more about how Dick Grayson gets around? How many girlfriends has he had at Hudson U.? Three? Five? Thirty…thousand? Sheesh! It wouldn’t be long until he quits college and then goes with Starfire. Wow. I’m not sure if I should be offended or jealous. Thankfully, there wasn’t a man in black following him around. Thank goodness that plotline ended.

    Finally, the Black Lightning story was good, but I wasn’t a big fan of the art. Some of the figure work was a bit awkward in panels. Further on in the story, I think the art improved, but having Black Lightning leaning on a wall while trying to intimidate two other guys didn’t seem all that menacing. I didn’t take the hero of the story seriously.

    I do have to admit one thing. For years, I had no idea that Suicide Slum was in Metropolis. I thought it was another crime-infested area in Gotham City. I did wonder if Crime Alley was a part of Suicide Slum or was it a separate area of Gotham. Again, blame the nine-year-old naivete.

    Well, I need to check on the spaghetti before any other crazy incidents happen. I did use spaghetti squash for one of the pans, but I had to have someone sit on the squash before I baked it. I always say it’s best to have someone sit on dinner before you serve squash. I look forward to hearing the next episode on the final dollar comic of Detective, or Batman Family, or Superman Family, or Where in the World is Suicide Slum? You think Carmen Sandiego could tell me?

  10. Hey Guys! Sorry for the late response to this episode, I’m way behind on my podcast listening and have been trying to get caught up recently. I am shocked no one picked up on this obvious error, but I didn’t hear it mentioned in the episode nor in the comments above. And I didn’t even have to read it backwards to find it! In the credits on the splash page of the Crime Doctor story, the penciller is credited as DAN Newton, not DON Newton (at least in the DC Universe app, I don’t have the original issue anymore). Maybe in the spirit of the series / podcast Dan is Don’s long-lost cousin??

    I know the pod is finished now and I’m looking forward to the upcoming Superman Family show, despite Rob’s statement to the contrary last episode. That’s just what someone who’s trying to surprise us with a highly in-demand show would say!! 🙂 Thanks for the great entertainment, I’ve really enjoyed your show and am looking forward to the last couple of episodes!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *