Batman: Strange Deaths of Batman Review on CBR

[Mister Intensity]

I love the fact that Timothy Callahan reviewed this trade. I do have a number of issues regarding this review. I do agree with him about his point about the 90's Batman, he definitely lost his personality during that era but the real selling point of this collection are the Brave and the Bold story he mentioned and the 1977 death of Batman story from which the collection takes its cover from. I doubt you could get all four issues at a price cheaper than $19.95 unless you are really lucky. And since DC rarely reprints late-70's Batman stories (of course judging from the sollictations of upcoming collections that may be changing) unless it is the Engleheart/Rogers run the inclusion of the story is the real selling point and it's a smart move by DC to use an issue from that story as the cover.

Also, anytime the classic Catwoman costume is front and center is a chance to rejoice.

[jgiannantoni05]

The problem with the trade is that it's mostly forgettable.

David Reed's "Death of Batman" is very forgettable, as were many/most of Reed's Batman stories.
________
Leone (http://www.toyota-wiki.com/wiki/Subaru_Leone)

[Chad]

I really liked this trade though I was somewhat disappointed by the first story. Tec 347 has that classic cover with Robin holding a newspaper announcing Batman's murder as he vows to avenge his death. The death however, was simply tacked on at the last moment and had little to do with the story as it had been presented up until then. In fact, had it been left out entirely, the adventure that it interupted would have been a lot more satisfying. The Bouncer was a villain with a clever gimmick that provided Batman with a real challenge. The fact that his plan to kill Batman was to simply pull a gun on him and shoot him added to the tension that this story had thus far perfectly sustained...until we discover that he couldn't just shoot him. He had to bounce the gun off the wall and hope that as it discharged, the bullet would miraculously hit Batman. Ugh.