Tales of the Batman: J.H. Williams III

5 stars best of the best

"Tales of the Batman" is a series of hardcover books reprinting the work of talented writers or artists who have brought their distinctive creative gifts to chronicling the cases of Bob Kane and Bill Finger's classic character, the Batman. This particular volume showcases the artistry as well as the writing skills of J.H. Williams III, a storyteller who may be better known as the artist on such award winning comics as "Promethea" and "Batwoman." It is also a departure from previous tomes in this series as they have featured the works of more veteran comic artisans whose contributions to the exploits of the Caped Crusader number in the decades. Mr. Williams has the distinguished honor of being the most recent interpreter of the Batman to be awarded with such a collection, alongside such older talents as Jim Aparo, Gene Colan, Archie Goodwin, Carmine Infantino, and Len Wein. Readers discovering this book are thus given the rewarding opportunity to experience the vision of this versatile comic creator on one of sequential art's most charismatic and enduring heroes.The distinguishing style of J.H. Williams as a comic artist, particularly in his interpretation of the Batman, is his use of light and shadow. While his line rendering technique is precise, somewhat similar in look to the work of John Cassaday ("Astonishing X-Men"), Mr. Williams utilizes a strong sense of shadow in his vision of the Batman's world, which is appropriate for the adventures of the Darknight Detective. But being a modern artist, he has also taken advantage of the advancements computer technology has brought to the comic page. Collaborating with such gifted colorists as Todd Klein and Dave Stewart, Mr. Williams has succeeded in producing exciting and impressive pages of comic art depicting the Masked Manhunter.This volume features the following Bat-tales:"Constant Whitewater:" from "Batman" #526 (1996)Mr. Williams' light and shadow technique is especially appropriate for the first story in this collection, a tale in which the artist pays artistic homage to a distinctive Batman illustrator, Kelly Jones,the regular artist on the monthly "Batman" comic during this period (1995-1998). This tale, written by Doug Moench, relates a long, action-packed night for the Gotham Guardian, involving car chases, warehouse break-ins and muggings, an unfortunately typically grim night for the Batman and the city he protects. This story was inked by Mr. Williams' long-time embellisher, Mike Gray."Conspiracy:" from "Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight" #86-88 (1996)"Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight" was an ongoing monthly comic series which premiered in 1989 and ran to 2007, featuring a total of 215 issues, in addition to 7 annuals, 3 specials and a 3 issue mini-series. In contrast to traditional monthly comics, this series was designed as a showcase for comic writers and artists to produce self-contained Batman story arcs, independent of the other Batman titles, initially multiple issues in length but later revised to suit the individual story and creator. This comic was themed to delve into the early career of the Dark Knight, but as the series progressed it sometimes shared continuity ties to the other Bat-comics, like "Detective Comics," "Batman," and "Batman: Shadow of the Bat (which was published from 1994-2000 for 95 issues).""Conspiracy" was another collaboration between Mr. Williams, writer Doug Moench, and inker Mike Gray, and involved the Batman in a complex case of murder and multi-level corruption."The Screams of the Green Dragon:" from "Batman Annual" #21 (1997)This special "Batman" comic was part of a series of annuals published by DC Comics in 1997 titled "Pulp Heroes," which paid homage to pulp magazines, a format featuring genres like adventure, romance, science fiction and westerns, popular in America during the 1930s. United again with Mr. Moench and Mr. Gray, Mr. Williams illustrates a dramatic story of the Batman battling eastern mysticism and criminal gangs."Chasing Clay:" from "Batman" #550 (1998)A special anniversary issue of the "Batman" comic, this issue also served as an introduction of a new DC Comics character: Cameron Chase, a young detective specializing in out of the ordinary cases. This story would lead to the premiere of "Chase," a regretfully short-lived 1998 comic series, which the team of Williams and Gray were the art collaborators. In this adventure, co-drawn by Mr. Williams, Mr. Gray, Kelly Jones, and John Beaty, the Batman and Chase reluctantly team up to defeat the menace of many Clayfaces!"Shadowing the Bat:" from "Chase" #7 & 8 (1998)Cameron Chase comes to Gotham City on a case involving a drug that mutates its users into demonic aberrations but also on a quest to learn the true identity of the Batman! The Dark Knight guest stars in this story written by D. Curtis Johnson and co-plotted by the writer and Mr. Williams."Snow:" from "Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight" #192-196 (2005)In this multi-part tale, Mr. Williams shares story credit with D. Curtis Johnson on an ambitious retelling of the origin of Mr. Freeze, featuring artwork by Seth Fisher. A year into his mission as the guardian of Gotham City, the Batman forms a team of specialists to aid him in combating crime in the city. But when a personal tragedy changes the lives of Doctor Victor and Nora Fries, the Caped Crusader soon faces an unexpected and chilling new danger."The Beautiful People:" from "Detective Comics" #821 (2006)Mr. Williams fully illustrates a story written by Paul Dini, contributor to the classic "Batman: The Animated Series," in which the wealthy citizens of Gotham City are targeted by a mysterious villain called Facade."The Island of Mister Mayhew:" from "Batman" #667 (2007)"Now We Are Dead!" From "Batman #668 (2007)"The Dark Knight Must Die!" From "Batman" #669 (2007)Writer Grant Morrison draws inspiration from a pair of vintage "Golden Age" tales: "The Batmen of All Nations," from "Detective Comics" #215 of 1955; and "The Club of Heroes," from "World's Finest" #89 (1957), to bring this collection to a nostalgic yet murderous finale. In this dark trilogy, Batman and Robin (alias Tim Drake) travel to a Caribbean island to reunite with heroes inspired by the Dynamic Duo only to discover their meeting is a death trap!Mr. Williams pulls out all the stops to illustrate my favorite story in this collection. From creating pages to give them a retro 1950s look, drawing dramatic storytelling sequences to using computer aided artistic effects to add atmosphere to the narrative, the artist gives Mr. Morrison's tale of lost "Golden Age" gallantry a contemporary perspective.This volume of Batman adventures offers the reader a wealth of excellent comic stories, drawn by a worthy addition to the generations of comic creators who have brought this great character to life.It comes sincerely recommended.

I can't possibly write as good (or as voluminous) a review as some of the other reviews on Amazon, but I can tell you that the majority of this books was well-written, inventively illustrated, and creatively colored.J.H.Williams III wrote some of the stories and penciled others. He didn't have the same impact on Batman as others in the "Tales of the Batman" collections, but his artwork is interesting, and most of the stories unexpectedly good. For the Batman fan, this is a solid entry in the series, and worth the purchase. (Especially if you only pay $3.95 used!)

Not a bad collection from a very talented artist J H Williams.He isn’t my top fave, but I loved his Grant Morrison Black Glove work.This book shows his early beginnings to his later work.The stories are all a medley of different writers.The artistic style is ever changing, but the skill is there.It’s not a bad gap filler for stories.I’m sorry I can’t say which ones of these have been double dipped and published in other comics (Except Morrison’s Black Glove)But I’ll include a picture of the contents.It’s a nice hardback with a lovely cover design.It also has Batman #526 which is missing from Doug Moench and Kelley Jones Tales of Batman vol 1 (Kelley Jones did the cover of #526 so that is a lovely touch.The binding is touch and hard to spread the pages.The pages are nicely thick and glossy.The writing is... hit and miss.I enjoyed most of the stories.Is it worth the purchase?Well, if you’re after gap fillers and love JH Williams Batman art, then yes.If you’re after compelling stories and continuity in one place? I’d avoid.Like I said, it’s a great read with some great but not ground breaking ‘main events’ but it really shows Batman in his detective mode.If you do purchase, then I hope you enjoy :)(ps. Sorry for these sideways photos)

The best of Batman! Amazing! I recomend!