NML Crossing, Episode 042 - Batman #561 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Forty-Two

Batman #561 (January, 1999)
“Bruce Wayne Goes to Washington, Part Two: The Witness”
Writer - Chuck Dixon
Pencils - Jim Aparo
Inks - David Roach
Letters - Todd Klein
Colors - Lee Loughridge
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

In which Bruce Wayne takes the stand and pleads the case for Gotham City to be bailed out by the United States government... and comes across as completely tone deaf and out of touch!  Not a good outing for the fella I'm struggling to remember is also actually Batman!  With advocates like this, who needs enemies?

Plus: The long-awaited (by me) return of the NMaiLbag!

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NML Crossing, Episode 041 - Batman #560 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Forty-One

Batman #560 (December, 1998)
“Bruce Wayne Goes to Washington, Part One: The Jackals”
Writer - Chuck Dixon
Art - Jim Aparo & David Roach
Colors - Lee Loughridge
Letters - Todd Klein
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

Mr. Wayne Goes to Washington... and isn't off to the greatest of starts in his attempts to plead the case for saving Gotham City with the United States government!

Also... ugh, Nick Scratch. 

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NML Crossing, Episode 040 - Batman: Shadow of the Bat #82 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Forty

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #82 (February, 1999)
“Wax Man and the Clown, Part 3”
Writer - Alan Grant
Pencils - Mark Buckingham
Inks - Robert Campanella
Colors - Pam Rambo & Digital Chameleon
Letters - Bill Oakley
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

With meds, food, and supplies completely depleted, Jeremiah Arkham needs to make a decision that brings with it some horrible consequences.  Does he let all of the inmates starve to death... or, does he give them their freedom -- releasing them into the new-look Gotham City?  Judging by Jerry's recent decision-making process, the answer ought to be clear!

Alan Grant and Mark Buckingham's time on Shadow ends in pretty spectacular fashion!

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NML Crossing, Episode 039 - Batman: Shadow of the Bat #81 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Nine

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #81 (January, 1999)
“Wax Man and the Clown, Part 2”
Writer - Alan Grant
Pencils - Mark Buckingham
Inks - Robert Campanella
Colors - Pam Rambo & Digital Chameleon
Letters - Bill Oakley
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

Morituri Te Jokeramus!

With supplies and medications nearly depleted, Jeremiah Arkham is easily convinced that all his answers lay in.... gladiatorial combat?!  That's right, Joker's able to convince Jerry that it'd be in the best interests of the Asylum to have two of the biggest and baddest residents fight... to the death!  What could possibly go wrong?

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NML Crossing, Episode 038 - Batman: Shadow of the Bat #80 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Eight

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #80 (December, 1998)
“Wax Man and the Clown, Part One”
Writer - Alan Grant
Pencils - Mark Buckingham
Inks - Robert Campanella
Colors - Pam Rambo & Digital Chameleon
Letters - Bill Oakley
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $3.95 (flip-book)

It's another one of those "good news, bad news" situations on the Road to No Man's Land. The good news is, we're back to Shadow of the Bat... the bad news is, this is Alan Grant's swan song arc! This time out, we check in on our favorite Arkham, Jeremiah, as he deals with the fallout of the verybadthing that happened at 7:03, and the fact that, ever since, he's been unable to get any supplies or meds for his Asylum full'a lunatics! As of this issue, he's t-minus one week away from being out of everything! What's a man to do? Perhaps turn to... the Joker for help?!

A great issue to kick off the arc, plus (by popular demand) a replaying of my "Idiot's Guide to Comic Book Podcasting" from way back in 2021! It's a long one... but, I give ya ample warning as to where you can safely hit "stop" on your listening device!

NML Crossing, Episode 037 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #49 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Seven

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #49 (February, 1999)
“Gotham City Must Die!”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Demetrius Bassoukos & Prismacolor
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Berrios & Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

The final Azraeling... for now, anyway!

Wrapping up the Nicholas Scratch stuff... well, sort of.  There... really ain't much to say about this one, not that that'll stop me from occupying your ear for the better part of an hour.

Thankfully some friends of the show have delivered us an amazing NMaiLbag!

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NML Crossing, Episode 036 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #48 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Six

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #48 (January, 1999)
“Scratching the Surface”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Demetrius Bassoukos & Prismacolor
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Berrios & Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

More Azrael!  More Nick Scratch!  You're Welcome... and I'm Sorry!

This time out, our man JPV has some answering to do for pulling a boner on his mission to protect the life of Gotham's only friend, Senator Esty Halivan!  Not only that, he's now on the hook for the murder!  What IS an Angel of Vengeance to do?  Listen in and find out!

Plus: A wonderful dive into the NMaiLbag!

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NML Crossing, Episode 035 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #47 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Five

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #47 (December, 1998)
“... a Man of Wealth and Taste…”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Demetrius Bassoukos & Prismacolor
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Frank Berrios & Mike Carlin
Cover Price: $3.95 (flip-book)

We're officially on THE ROAD TO NO MAN'S LAND... and, with it comes a three-part dive into Azrael-Land.  In today's episode our Angel of Whateverthehell is sent off to Washington, DC to protect Gotham City's last hope on the Hill.  He does so quite poorly.

We also meet the Sensational Character Find of 1998... Nicholas Scratch?!

All 'at and a deep dip into the ol' NMaiLbag!

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NML Crossing, Episode 034 - Detective Comics #726 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Four

Detective Comics #726 (October, 1998)
“Fool’s Errand”
Writer - Chuck Dixon
Art - Brian Stelfreeze w/Scott McDaniel
Colors - Gloria Vasquez & Android Images
Letters - John Costanza
Edits - Vincenzo & Peterson
Cover Price: $1.99

Wrapping up the Aftershock Era with... a Red-Sky issue?!

Rather than going out with a Cataclysmic Bang, we ready ourselves to embark upon the Road to No Man's Land with a wonderful little "evergreen" story, featuring the Joker imparting quite the impactful lesson upon our Caped Crusader.

Potentially the strongest single-issue story of our NML Crossing journey so far!  You're gonna dig this issue... and hopefully, this episode!

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NML Crossing, Episode 033 - Detective Comics #725 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Three

Detective Comics #725 (September, 1998)
“At The End Of The Day”
Writer - Chuck Dixon
Pencils - William Rosado
Inks - Tom Palmer
Colors - Gloria Vasquez & Android Images
Letters - John Costanza
Edits - Vincenzo & Peterson
Cover Price: $1.99

In our penultimate Aftershock issue, we get to go on patrol with the original Dynamic Duo as they discuss things like "the good old days" and spray people down with literal bat poop!  It's a good time as always... join us, won't you?

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NML Crossing, Episode 032 - Batman #559 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Two

Batman #559 (October, 1998)
“Dead City”
Writer - Doug Moench
Pencils - Bob Hall
Inks - Sal Buscema
Colors - Gregory Wright & Android Images
Letters - Todd Klein
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

As we approach the end of the Aftershock Era, things can't help but to go from bad to worse for Gotham City and its costumed protectors!  Hope continues to dwindle... almost as much as the Gotham population!  We're very nearly on "The Road to...", and boy, this road be bumpy!

Also: We check out the first official mention of No Man's Land in the pages of Wizard Magazine #83! 

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NML Crossing, Episode 031 - Batman #558 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-One

Batman #558 (September, 1998)
“Dying City”
Writer - Doug Moench
Pencils - Jim Aparo
Inks - Sal Buscema
Colors - Gregory Wright & Android Images
Letters - Todd Klein
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

It's time for a situation report!  Let's take a beat and catch ourselves up on all things post-Quake Gotham City... with an eye toward its uncertain future!

Plus: A dip into the comics journos of the day in Wizard #82, and a collector-focused installment of the NMaiLbag!

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NML Crossing, Episode 030 - Batman Chronicles #14 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty

Batman Chronicles #14 (Fall, 1998)
"Master of the House"
"The Lunatic Fringe"
"Random Encounters"
Writers - Lisa Klink, Bruce Canwell, Greg Rucka
Pencils - David Boller, Jim Aparo, Sal Buscema
Inks - Aaron Sowd, Drew Geraci, James Hodgkins
Colors - Noelle Giddings, Jason Wright
Letters - Albert DeGuzman, Clem Robins
Edits - Vincenzo, Gorfinkel
Cover Price: $2.95

Perhaps the most off-beat issue/episode yet!

Where else can you hear about an old man giving himself a cottage cheese sponge bath, a child who'd rather be eaten than see her captor beaten up... and also have a text-story in a turn of the century comic book?!  It's an odd one, all right!

Plus: A very Jack Drake-focused NMaiLbag!

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NML Crossing, Episode 029 - Batman: Shadow of the Bat #79 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty-Nine

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #79 (October, 1998)
“The Blank Generation, Part Two: A Favorable Wind”
Writer - Alan Grant
Pencils - Mark Buckingham
Inks - Wayne Faucher
Colors - Pam Rambo & Android Images
Letters - Bill Oakley
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

Wrapping up our two-parter with a bang... well, a boom.  The supervillain team-up didn't go as smoothly as the Mad Hatter would've hoped... but, hope itself now (briefly) reigns among Bruce Wayne's Junior-Entrepreneur Club!

But all 'at is just preamble to the return of the raucous NMaiLbag!

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NML Crossing, Episode 028 - Batman: Shadow of the Bat #78 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty-Eight

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #78 (September, 1998)
“The Blank Generation, Part 1: Corporate Nightmares”
Writer - Alan Grant
Pencils - Mark Buckingham
Inks - Wayne Faucher
Colors - Pam Rambo & Android Images
Letters - Bill Oakley
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

Today our "dark horse" Bat-Book delivers what might just be one of the tentpole issues of the entire NML run.  What can Gotham City do when all of the non-Wayne-owned companies and industries threaten to bail?  Thankfully, the people... those who'll stay... have some ideas, but will it (can it) be enough?!

We also get a peek at an upcoming (super?) villain team-up!

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NML Crossing, Episode 027 - Detective Comics #724 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty-Seven

Detective Comics #724 (August, 1998)
“The Grieving City”
Writer - Chuck Dixon
Pencils - Jim Aparo
Inks - James Hodgkins
Colors - Gloria Vasquez & Android Images
Letters - John Costanza
Edits - Vincenzo & Peterson
Cover Price: $1.95

It's not that the people of Gotham don't believe he exists... it's that they no longer believe in HIM.  What happens when the urban legend of the City having a protector becomes moot... since, what has he done for us lately?  Well, it leads to a crisis of confidence for our Caped Crusader... and it lends a whole lotta weight to our "new normal".  If you've always known Batman as being the "coolest" guy in any room he enters... this is an issue you'll need to read to believe.

We've also got a Letters Page to discuss! 

Plus: A wildly confusing (for me) NMaiLbag!

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NML Crossing, Episode 026 - Batman #557 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty-Six

Batman #557 (August, 1998)
“Ballistic’s Evidence”
Writer - Doug Moench
Layouts - Vince Giarrano
Finishes - Sal Buscema
Colors - Gregory Wright & Android Images
Letters - Todd Klein
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95

Gotham City gets a visit from... a New Blood?!

The Bruce Wayne Batman has his first team up with the man called Ballistic... and, well... that's about the size of it!

Plus: A hoppin' NMaiLbag!

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NML Crossing, Episode 025 - Batman: Shadow of the Bat #77 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty-Five

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #77 (August, 1998)
“Arwin’s Theory of Devolution”
Writer - Alan Grant
Pencils - Mark Buckingham
Inks - Wayne Faucher
Colors - Pam Rambo & Android Images
Letters - Bill Oakley
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95

Luck is for losers... but, luck'll beat skill any day!

In today's episode we're checking in with a Professor called Arwin, who no longer believes in Darwin... and is looking to prove his own theory using the Caped Crusader as his test subject!  Lots of interesting food for thought... and, as has become a trend... plenty of callbacks to bits 'n bobs from that New York Magazine article!

Plus: The return of the NMaiLbag, featuring a discussion of comic book annuals, that is as fun as it is frustrating!

NML Crossing on Youtube

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weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com