The week in between that I get my new books,I like to dig through my collection,grab a chunk of books & read 'em.This week it was Detective Comics.Starting in the late 500's & reading through the mid 600's just before Knightfall & then reading from 742 on up,I thought I'd see how things have changed.Both sets are great reading.Alan Grant & Norm Breyfogle really defined Batman of the mid to late 80's & Greg Rucka & Shawn Martinbrough have definitely given Detective it's own look these past couple years.
Whereas these days the Bat-office really plays up the "urban myth",back then Batman seemed to have been more...open.Sometimes appearing before the sun had set or even in broad daylight.Jason Todd made appearances often until his demise & wasn't mentioned until the "Mud Pack" storyline & we haven't even seen Tim Drake pop up around the book of late.The main thing is that both eras really focus on the detective,crime-solving aspect & less on the "super-hero".Both have easy reader-friendly stories that don't require a lot of back-reading to pick up what's going on & I have enjoyed reading them all.
In closing,if you're bored & feel like dusting off a book or two,go back & read these gems from the 80's.If you don't have 'em....go get'em.it's worth it.
