Batman and the Cases of the Chemical Syndicates
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- čas přidán 30. 04. 2024
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#batman #batmancomics #dccomics - Zábava
You know, a lot of Gotham's problems could be prevented by just putting some lids on its many vats of toxic chemicals. Maybe the hero Gotham needs is the EPA.
Or OSHA
The EPA, one of the few things Richard Nixon actually did that I approve of😂
An epic team up with EPA and OSHA.
What are you some kind of Pinko? The only way to solve the world problems, is for a wealthy individualist. To circumvent the functions of government.
The EPA is the hero they deserve, at least.
Don't trust the captions. Bruce Wayne and Batman are lovers. We all know it.
We also know that it's a toxic, abusive relationship.
@@thereluctanthipster6075 "You know what you have to do if you want me to keep buying you batarangs, Batman."
Not having read it, I feel like I have to speak up for the new 52 version combining Alby with the Joker: It minimizes the number of villains Batman throws into open chemical vats. If that number rises above one, it establishes a really alarming pattern of behavior.
I regret to inform that N52 Batman #24 had Batman go to Ace Chemicals to stop Joker. Although it’s unclear at what point Joker swapped with the previous Red Hood #1, William “Liam” Distal. So I’m pretty sure Detective Comics #27 is just noncanon.
It also included yet another recreation of Batman’s first appearance cover.
You missed the original version of “Chemical Syndicate.” The story was borrowed - almost verbatim in places - from “Partners of Peril,” the November 1936 issue of The Shadow, written by Theodore Tinsley under the house name of Maxwell Grant. The 2008 Sanctum Books reprint (The Shadow #9) has this story, plus “Lingo,” a true classic by Shadow creator Walter B. Gibson, plus plus an essay by Anthony Tollin on how Tinsley’s story was adapted from The Shadow for Batman.
True! If by "borrowed" you mean plagiarized. I'm glad someone made this comment.
@@braininajar_collection Well, early comicbookland was a strange world. And it’s not like the pulps didn’t peer over each other’s shoulders for test answers, too. 😀
A lot of the art was lifted from that story, also. Straight-up rip-off.
And Orson Welles voiced The shadow on radio.
There’s also the Black Bat/Anthony Quinn who is very similar but not exact, missing the ears. CBR writer Brian Conan once claimed Bill Finger saw Black Bat’s gauntlets and told Bob Kane to add them to Bruce’s outfit, but I’m not sure what his source on that is.
I want the next Batman reboot to have a five year old Honda civic, with a scuffed tire from that time he misjudged the curb while parking.
Bruce Wayne is The Batman?! I was SURE that Bruce Wayne was actually Clark Kent.
I love that Gordon hangs out with Bruce Wayne and still has no idea that he's Batman. That's some Silver Age Lois Lane levels of oblivious.
Fun fact... Silver Age Lois in the comics was more often presented as KNOWING she's being gaslit by Supes. She's not oblivious she wants to prove the two are one and the same. It's the serials and the George Reeves show that cemented the Lois can't see what's obvious into the pop culture consciousness.
Dick Donner knew this wasn't a good look for Kidder so wanted his two part movie to confront this head on and have her figure it out on her own. Unfortunately that material was cut from both Superman productions he was involved in.
Robin's musical tastes in the 1960s in spite of being a reactionary remind me of Paul Ryan, who wanted to be cool and enjoys Rage Against the Machine. And was told that he is the machine they rage against...
Conservatives who like RATM confuse me so badly. Have they never heard a single lyric in their lives?
I cited the Paul Ryan thing, too.
I'm imagining an in universe ad for a personal injury attorney. "Have you been dumped into a vat of acid or toxic waste by the Batman? Call us!"
McFarlane toys is putting out a golden age 1st appearance version Batman action figure and his accessory weapon is… a light blue colored comic accurate monkey wrench.
It’s funny because when you recap Star Trek I know what parts you’re embellishing or changing to be funny since I’ve seen every episode at least a couple times. But when you do Batman I have no idea so I just have to assume that everything happened exactly as you say.
And while Lambert gets interrogated, Batman's just standing there with Sherlock Holmes' pipe and Kolchak's hat...
Is NOTHING about this story original? 😂
- Joker claiming to be created by Batman, is a very Joker thing to do.
- Showing conclusive proof, of this being accurate. is a very 'new 52' thing to do.
One of these statements is an endorsement, one really isn't.
I'm not sure I would have been able to resist, tying things together like that.
especially when an earlier retelling did the "we are not so different, you and I"-thing pretty decently.
But that's why I shouldn't be a writer
I think it's fine.
I haven't really read comics since elementary school, but I love the way Steve pulls us into his enjoyment with these videos. It's always a fun ride.
This is a fun writing challenge; retelling an old story throughout the decades. Really lets you see how comic writing and art has evolved.
the Joke-Man, Will He Finally Defeat Society?
Uh Steve... Detective Comics #27 is NOT the first telling of the Case of the Chemical Syndicate. It is the second. The first telling was in Shadow Magazine as Partners in Peril in 1936.
Blue Beetle debuted in August that same year!
Robin as Archie Bunker, hilarious.
34:56 "Kicking it really really hard with both feet does work!"
Ahh, the old Kirk Special.
Tiny Purple Glove Bat-Man is best Bat-Man 💯
Oh yeah, Aparo and Breyfogle were my jam back in the day when I read Bar comics. Both had so very distinct but so fantastic styles of rendering the Bat.
The simplicity of the story is also able to more easily show batman and take on the different flavours of the writers and artists that retell the story
I think Robin's reactions could have been handled as a visceral reaction to someone he thinks is a failson, a useless inheritor of wealth who hasn't faced any real tragedy in his life. This could be a hook to delve into Robin's unresolved issues with his trauma.
Is this like the Batman version of "Steamed hams"?
"Toxic waste, at this time of year, in this part of the country, localized entirely within your vat of chemicals?"
@@NovaSaber "Can I see it?" - "Yes." *boot*
20:57 Jim Aparo is fantastic. His Jim Gordon is the platonic ideal of the character.
Seems to me the unspoken evil threatening society is the ignorance of basic stab wound treatement...If you don't want someone to bleed out, don't pull out a knife. Its whats keeping the blood in.
"don't pull out a knife" unless you need more room to spread the butter over the burn...
@7:57 - I sure hope none of Batman's enemies are watching this video.
The Shadow Knows... about plagiarism.
I see that you complained about Batman smashing the globe but totally gave him a pass on tainting that vat of acid which had to be disposed of. Those ain’t cheap either!
I feel like I need to ask why you know what vats of acid cost...
"Well, I certainly wouldn't kill all those innocent bystanders. That's something a, I dunno, remorseless sociopath would do."
But where is the story of him getting the old man costume?
Twelve-issue maxiseries drawn by Jim Lee starting this fall.
@@SteveShives do you mean for the making of the beard? Because I can’t see them being able to do the whole costume in that amount of time!
It's costumes all the way down
Shives, an interesting bit of backstory that I don't think you mentioned.... Bill Finger stole the story from was plagiarized from a story called “Partners of Peril” in The Shadow #113, written by Theodore Tinsley.
Even as a kid I wondered how many guinea pigs Stryker and Jennings were killing at a time in that huge dome.
Reading early Batman reprints is a blast. It's remarkable how much of what we take for granted about the character simply wasn't present in those very early issues. No Alfred, no Wayne Manor, no dead parents. Heck, Robin got an orign story before Batman did, at least if the reprint collection in my local library is any indication. Batman's just this generic rich guy who dresses up to fight crime, as generic rich guys of the period were wont to do. (See also: the Shadow, the Green Hornet.)
Of all the reinterpretations, my favorite is the Jim Aparo version. It keeps the mystery but adds a new villain who, much like many of Batman's rogues, is victim of tragedy and seeking revenger for her lost, acting as dark reflection of the caped crusader. Her fall into the toxic chemical works better than Batman tossing the villain, since shows the consequence for her letting herself be consume by vegence and how it lead to her own death.
Yeah, so is mine.
Sounds like Robin as written by Steve Ditko.
24:22 "Wouldn't you do the same, Batman...?"
"No. No, I wouldn't, Prisciilla. I wouldn't do... _the same._ See, you bring the deadly chemicals to the bad guys, while _I_ bring the _bad guys_ to the _chemicals_ to kill them. Totally different."
30:02 Ain't no party like a DC party, 'cause a DC party don't stop... it just reboots itself every few years and starts over again
Bravo Mr. Shives! Your witty presentation with a bit of poetic license is always appreciated no matter the topic. I knew NOTHING about the comic books other than that they existed. I enjoyed learning about them from you.
Thank you.
My favorite Steve series ever!
Steve, I regret to inform you that there is a secret, 7th version of the Case of the Chemical Syndicate you missed. Sort of. In 2014, DC published a book called Batman: A Celebration of 75 Years. It's a collection of reprints meant to sum up Batman's long history in comics, including both the original Case of the Chemical Syndicate and the most recent one from the New 52. The last story in the book, however, is something new. It uses the art from the 1939 story, but edited so that some panels are cut in half and used as separate panels, or only parts of certain panels are shown, to look more like a modern comic. It then puts the journal captions from the New 52 story over the recut panels and completely rewrites the dialogue to sound more modern and dramatic. The "designer" who did the edits and layout is credited as Chip Kidd. It's titled "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate (reimagining)". As far as I know, this version was only ever printed in the 75th Anniversary book and never anywhere else. It's an interesting way to tell the story, and I just thought you might want to know it exists. Maybe you'll be able to find a copy of the 75th Anniversary book in a library and read it!
One benefit of making Albie the Joker origin is that at least it reduces the number of times Batman has thrown someone into a vast of chemicals. It's slightly less of a habit, I guess?
Nice.
You are a prince among nerds.
31:07 "He's already dead!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
So, you didn't notice, in the original Case of the Chemical Syndicate, the straps holding Rogers to the floor, which would have prevented Batman from just dragging him out? Admittedly, the way they're drawn, they don't look that secure, but it was clear to me from the first reading that they were *intended to be* what kept him from either getting up or getting dragged out, I just don't know what held the straps to the floor.
In terms of the original gas chamber escape, I'm not seeing how Batman could have pulled Rogers out of there, Rogers was tied to the floor. Like I suppose the artwork makes it look like he's only loosely secured to the floor but I find it easy to just accept Rogers is well stuck to that floor and Bat-man did not have time to untie him or cut him free before the dome lowered.
Dick's characterization in the second story is really funny especially considering how they were characterizing him and the other sidekicks in the original run of Teen Titans at the time. It was Hippie City over there
Breyfogle is my all-time favorite Batman artist. Instantly recognizable!
Another great video, Steve. Would you consider expanding this series to other long-running characters?
The Best Wonder Woman Ever?
The Best Aquaman Ever?
The Best Green Lantern Ever?
The Best Atom Ever?
I had the 600th anniversary comic; it was neat seeing the four versions presented in it side by side.
I had issue 627 back in the day and that "600th appearance of Batman" thing always bothered me because his actual 600th appearance would have been issue 626.
I am no Batmaniac and yet I fully enjoyed this! :)
Pesticide's death looks pretty preventable. How many times has Batman leapt after someone out caught them with a roped batarang? Instead those last two panels make it look like he just stood placidly by, Kind of mixed messages about killing there.
The whole character would have changed if he had caught her ankle with the batarang rope through the hole, but then the rope dissolved against the chemical laden edge, foiling his attempt to save her.
Thanks, Steve I needed this. I’ve been too heartbroken to watch cartoonist Kayfabe since Eddie Piskor died nice to be able to watch a comic video and I’m a big stan of yours too.
This must have been when Batman realized that maybe he needed to teach Robin about ACAB.
All Cops Aren’t Batman.
really enjoying this, both as a comics fan and as an atheist. comparing different gospels to different versions of various superheroes is something I often use to make points about them. so clearly the shareable url for this video has been added to my utility belt
In a way this story with the Joker twist is kind of at the start of the first Tim Burton Batman movie.
Was the Friedrich retelling before or AFTER Hard Travelling Heroes over in Green Lantern/Green Arrow? Maybe having his best friend almost die from a heroin overdose made Robin take a harder stance on drug related crimes.
Before, i believe
@@Ian-hj4yt Then Steve is right... it doesn't make sense. I thought the Roy taking heroin was DC's first anti-drug comic. Though I could be wrong about that. (I know that if DC didn't have a much longer lead time on stories than Marvel did, we would have got Roy the drug addict before Harry Osbourn.)
I enjoy all your analysis videos but love these comicbook ones the best. And as usual this was informative, insightful, and fun. Thanks again, Steve. Oh, and I know it was probably on here that I found it out, but I heard that this Chemical story was either highly inspired by or out and out swiped from a Shadow tale. Any chance on analyzing that one and see these retellings actually rise above it? I'm guessing just having Batman in them elevates it well above the original, but curious all the same.
This was new knowledge to me. But the Dark Knight is undisputably awesome.
I remember this story! Not " I remember because I am too f****** old" but I used to own as a young kid a huge black and white anthology of old Batman stories from every decade (30s 40s '50s '60s '70s)
Lost it when it finally fell to pieces and my parents got rid of it in a garage sale😢 I really miss that old book.
"BATMAN -- FROM THE 30's TO THE 70's"
I still have my childhood copy.
I always wondered where Tim Burton got the Joker origin story from. Very cool 👍
The Tim Burton Batman movies were amazing!
Steve, fellow Marylander... have you done a piece on Batman #4, the "No Gun Rule?" Could be an interesting video. Denny O'Neill I think talked about it as well. Also plays a role, for if and when public domain of "Bat-Man" takes effect. For first two years, they'd better have the high-eared costumed vigilante use guns to kill criminals. The more complicated and toned down version who refused to use guns on criminals, was about 25 comic book issues of Detective Comics and Batman later.
5:40 I'm surprised I haven't seen that left panel used in the Man memes.
Man, I love these, Steve.
Who would've though a lackluster story would become Pop Culture's most popular character? The good thing about "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate" is, most of its remakes are superior to the original tale, my favorite being Marv Wolfman and Jim Aparo's take.
Marshall Rogers was a fantastic artist who seems to not get mentioned so much anymore when people look back at the greats. At least keep seeing him left off those lists, he would be on mine, whether it was Batman artists or all artists
I have that issue 627, enjoyed reading it.
Jim Aparo is the other artist I think of first, in addition to Rogers when I think of Batman.
🥳 Happy 85 years of the Bat-man and the Chemical Syndicate 🧪⚗️⚛️🦇. Thanks for this video.
Hey Steve - Please do a Nightwing at 40 years (the versions of stories how Dick Grayson leaves the shadow of the Bat.
Thanks, caption!
That was cool. I have Detective 627 and love they. Never seen the other two. I like the detective aspect of Bats. From what I understand that story was a direct swipe of a Shadow story and done as a pilot story not intended for publication.
Since Bob Kane ripped off one of The Shadow's old stories for Chemical Syndicate, I guess Batman's first appearance is also the first remake of the Chemical Syndicate story.
Man, Bob Kane sucked...
Robin's hippie hate is even stranger when you recall all the time he and the Teen Titans spent hanging around hippies in the 60s.
Stephen Crane says: I didn't do it!
Thanks Steve. Can you tell me about the background you are using in this video? It looks a lot like a store in Toronto I used to go to. Thanks again!
Delightful ❤love The Batman all incarnaties. Dankjewel 🎉
Isn't "Chemical Syndicate" lifted from a Shadow story?
Thanks!
You're welcome! And thank _you!_
In my head canon the criminal Joker is Alfred Stryker.
I don't seem to remember this being an episode of the animated series. Am I forgetting, or did they pass this one over
I wonder how much hope that heroic, righteous champion of the lower classes could bring by using his billions to build social housing instead of weapons. Or maybe just by passing his taxes.
Thats basically what modern batman does
I don't know about you, but I want, and now demand the Batarang CUT!
Do you know what Batman needs? Anally.
An ally.
Spaces are important.
Honestly I think my favorite variant is the "Robin just really fucking hates the Dirty Stinking Hippies" one, just because how weird I find the portrayal of Robin as a Frothing Right Wing Nutjob. It's like in Batman: Fortunate Son, where they make Batman a moral crusader against the evils of ROCK AND ROLL because it turns people into murderous psychopaths for no reason.
Has Superman’s first story in action comics #1 been retold?
Speaking of lazy no good hippies... PLEASE DO THE STAR TREK TOS SPACE HIPPIES EPISODE!!
I reach
Been on a quest to read all Marvel and DC (and Charlton) heroes, crime, and horror from the beginning. No reprints or lwgible fiche scans exist for the Doctor Occult stories, sadly.) I'm up to Detective 324. The first Batman still a favorite.
Imagine if these stories were done with the Marvel Method
Of course Batman was right about everything all along. He's Batman.
TOXIC AVENGER!!!
DC 387, Secret Origins 6, DC 627
🦇
By using the phrase "walking shadow" repeatedly, you've triggered an earworm.
"She should have died hereafter. There would have been time for such a word, tomorrow.
And tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day 'till the last syllable of recorded time.
And all our yesterdays light the way to dusty death.
Out, out brief candle.
Life's but a walking shadow.
A poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.
It is a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying--nothing."
--Bill Shakespeare, The Scottish Play
(That's from memory, so I probably screwed something up.)
I like the image of Batman being a "walking shadow". There and not there. Clearly visible, yet amorphous.
The outline of something that is formed by light, is the opposite of light but that can't exist without it.
Batman IS a walking shadow in the Shakespearean sense., if you consider that Batman and Bruce Wayne are both the same person and two separate characters as far as the rest of the world knows. He does "strut and fret his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more". Batman appears, does what he needs to do and vanishes. From the perspective of the citizens of Gotham City, there are two people; the mysterious crime fighter and the boring high-society layabout.
I always enjoy your takes on comic book heroes. You bring a true fan's attention to detail along with a sharp, incisive commentary.
They may be riff raff, but they’re human beings
Sadly, rabid, ranting, reactionary, right wing Robin (love your alliteration) and his fondness for Janis Joplin isn't too incongruous when one remembers real world examples like Paul Ryan and Rage Against the Machine or all the conservatives and crypto-racists who love Star Trek--and i say that as a sad veteran of the Tuvok Wars.
Has any Batman writer ever attempted to relate Chemical Syndicate character Steven Crane to Scarecrow Jonathan Crane?
Batman Begins does this essentially.
Too bad it was too early to call it "My Chemical Bromance".
This robin is my favourite he's man of culture who can make leftist cry😂😂😂
4:54 Real Glass?! Cry me a river!!
Nicely done.
And, you're fired.
@@SteveShives Just call me "The Scapegoat"
Robin being a sqare and a Janis Joplin fan isn't so strange when you realize there are some republican fans of Rage Against The Machine who are suddenly surpriced the group is anti MAGA.
See, that second take on the story reminded me of the 2nd Doctor story, Enemy of the World, which I strongly recommend anyone that hasn't seen it, that has a taste for 60s sci-fi, take the chance to check out.
I'll rot13 my reasons why to avoid spoilers.
Gur Qbpgbe vf rkgerzryl urfvgnag gb gnxr npgvba ntnvafg gur boivbhf ivyynva bs gur fgbel, orpnhfr gur crefba gryyvat uvz nobhg ubj rivy ur vf, vf nyfb nfxvat gur Qbpgbe gb xvyy uvz.
Nf vg gheaf bhg ur jnf evtug gb or fhfcvpvbhf -gheaf bhg gurl jrer obgu onq thlf jub unccrarq gb or wbpxrlvat sbe cbjre!
Really good story, definitely worth your time - though while I'm recommending 2nd Doctor stories, check out Power of the Daleks for a pretty good take on how fascism rises to power and influence.
First