"Batman!" That was my answer when asked what I thought was a hot pick, when discussing hot comics in the office the other day.

"Look at the lists, though. Batman is not even on the top ten list!" That was the rebuttal that came back my way.

You might be wondering, "So, why tell me this?" Well...That was the discussion that resulted in this article. My defense of Batman as the hot pick ended with, "Hey, why don't you write an article about Batman?" So here I am.

First of all, let me go on record as saying, "Yes, the X-Men are hot, and yes they seem to be on the list quite a lot, especially since they have so many titles. Also, Spawn looks sharp (I've always liked Todd McFarlane's work), as do all the Image Books and from what I hear, DC's Sovereign Seven is looking really fine ."

With that said, I have to continue with my stand that Batman is the hot pick of all. Batman has out-lasted many "Hot" books and will continue to do so. Batman has even gone the distance with some pretty inane periods that he was subjected to by the writers and others involved with the television production of Batman. While the TV show was fun it did diminish Batman in a way. Almost stubbornly, Batman regained his image of "The Dark Knight". People like Jim Aparo and Frank Miller had a lot to do with it, yet, the character of Batman itself is be the force behind the renewed dark look.

While there are numerous heroes out there, with origins based upon very good story-telling, Batman's origin is not in an accident or even a tragic event. The story starts with young Bruce Wayne watching as his parents are shot down before him,yet the birth of Batman begins within the heart of that scared and hurt little boy. Batman's origin is based, not on the event itself, but on the determination made by that boy; no one will be hurt by an unjust society again. That to me seems to be the drive behind Batman, a little boy desiring "justice". Therein lies a concept that everyone can relate to, a desire that wrongs be made right. I'll grant you, while a character such as Wolverine is a fascinating character, how can the average person relate to having a mutant power. We might wish we did, but when it comes down to it there is nothing we can do to make it so (short of eating plutonium and then sitting inside a microwave oven). The driving force behind Batman is that need for justice, aided by a discipline to hone oneself into the most efficient fighting machine alive. As so many other writers have stated, that's something that, while not commonplace, is possible.

Even the overwhelming criminal element of Gotham City is not enough to stop this man. On the contrary, they seem to fuel his desire for justice, not just for the little boy he once was, but the innocents and even the guilty as well. The ending to The Killing Joke really impressed me. It showed that Batman understood the the Joker's pain. Batman didn't let the Joker get away with his crimes, but proved his battle against the Joker was not personal one. (For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, go get a copy of The Killing Joke, I am not going to give away the ending.)

With an origin built upon a "noble ideal", Batman continues to out-last and out-perform any contenders that might wish to take his place.

DC Comics has created a marvelous collection of works that deserve special attention, specifically the "ElseWorlds" stories. While alternate universe stories are not original to comic books, DC has succeeded in giving the idea a fresh originality. One could argue that DC started the idea, with its Earth-1, Earth-2... ad infinitum. However with their (in my opinion) mistake of Crisis on Infinite Earths they did away with some great stories. Marvel Comics tried with their "What-If" titles, but they were never able to pull it off with the flair of DC's "Elseworlds". In Marvel's series, the slightest change in the story very often results in other heroes being eliminated, the main subject of the story ending in failure, or never becoming a hero at all. "What-if" generally seems to betray the integrity of the hero they have chosen. "Elseworlds" has always highlighted and strengthened that core integrity, and shown more than even the regular titles have been able to show about Batman. They have shown that no matter what situation or time period Batman is in, at the heart of the whole matter is the realization that Batman will always be a symbol of justice.

What does this have to do with Batman? "Elseworlds" started with Batman. Titles such as Holy Terror and Gotham By Gaslight in my opinion are some of the best stories that have been done so far. I use the words "so far", because DC is still writing "Elseworlds" stories, and from what I have seen, I am looking forward to some very exciting titles. Batman: Knight Gallery and Batman: Brotherhood of the Bat are first on my list to drool over. (I just wish they would get here.)

The subject of "Elseworlds" brings me to another point. DC had such tremendous success with the "Batman-Elseworld" stories that they launched other characters into the Else-world. Superman, of course, was the next hero chosen for a flight into an alternate universe. Yet, his first story chosen was really a Batman story. I am referring to Speeding Bullets which superbly merged my two favorite heroes into one man. I was disappointed with the ending, however, as I would rather see him remain as Batman, and his costume change on the last page had nothing to do with the story. All of these stories and titles led to a marvelous experiment with DC's annuals last year, a whole season of "Elseworlds" featuring nearly every DC character.

Speaking of annuals, DC has launched another annual theme, based again on some of the best Batman stories I have read. "Year One" in the Batman mythos had what I think is the best artwork and story-telling I have ever seen. I really enjoyed David Mazzuchelli's light style on the illustrations. (Anyone know where I can get my hands on some Mazzuchelli's original Batman artwork? Signed original's, of course.) "Year One" versions of DC titles are now appearing as annuals; another example of Batman 's influence, not only on the criminals of Gotham, but also on the marketplace.

I could start anywhere in the time line to illustrate how Batman has revived DC's Market. The 70's with Neal Adams were great, they brought it back from the campy days of the 60's. DC during the 80's had trouble remaining anywhere on the list, with the popularity of John Byrne and Chris Claremont's X-men stories. (John, I hope you have noticed I have put your name first. No slight to Mr. Claremont, it's just that the artwork was the reason I read the title.) However since Frank Miller aided in the restoration of Bruce's dark passion that drives his mission of protection, DC started a climb in the charts that affected almost every title it has. From Green Arrow to The Legion of Super-heroes to Swamp Thing, every title has taken on an audience that is more mature, and consequently has more buying power. (Always a nice little boost.) By the way, that reminds me, if you haven't done so yet, check out what Jerry Ordway has done with The Power of Shazam and Captain Marvel.

I have rambled quite a bit, and have not even hit upon the fact that Batman is just plain fun to draw. It was the very first picture I had ever drawn. (Funny the things you always remember) Nor have I mentioned the wonderful toys that have been made. I will never forget the big plastic cowl they had in the 60's. That is the other staying power of Batman, he is just plain fun. You should see my son with his Batman toys.

I admit there have been some very hot books that have hit the list and gone again, and while the X-men have been there for a while, Batman consistently remains a character to be reckoned with today.

DC Comics has been called the "House that Superman Built", and that is true. However, DC Comics could now be called the "House that Batman Rescued". After all, isn't that his mission.

.....Jeff Germann

Batman illustration by Jeff Germann

Originally written for an online comic magazine