Howdy, Groove-ophiles! Here, sadly, is the final ish of DC's wonderful
Bat Lash series. Dang. Ol' Groove hasn't even rapped about how cinematic the strip was, right down to the TV-like round corners on the panels. We've only scratched the surface of the depth O'Neil and company gave, not only
Bat, but supporting and even incidental characters. Ah, well, you can rap about all that in the message section if ya wanna. After last issues' origin, it's only fitting that
Bat Lash #7 (August 1969) would focus on
Bat's past catching up to him--in the form of his brother Billy (wasn't he "Tommy" last ish? Bill Tom? Tom Bill? Hmmm...). Though neither man learned/realized their relationship, it sure made for a whip-snappin' great final ish!
Not only was that the final ish of
Bat Lash, but it would also be the character's last appearance until 1977! But we don't wanna end on a downer note, so, just 'cause Ol' Groove loves ya, baby, here is the awesome editorial from the final ish, with Joe Orlando giving us the "low down" on how an ish of
Bat Lash is scripted.
Not only that, but here's a page by co-plotter Sergio Aragones detailing his thoughts on
Bat Lash's brother.
What a GREAT post. Thanks. I'm always delighted when you run a Western, as I think that the genre is under-appreciated by a medium that prefers superheroes.
ReplyDeleteThe art is stunning.
The Bat Lash story in DC Special Series 16 had very nice art, I recall.
ReplyDelete