NML Crossing, Episode 081 - Batman #568 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Eighty-One

Batman #568 (August, 1999)
“Fruit of the Earth, Part Two”
Writer - Greg Rucka
Art - Dan Jurgens & Bill Sienkiewicz
Colors - Noelle Giddings & Wildstorm
Letters - John Costanza
Edits - Illidge, Vincenzo, O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

After your humble host rambles on (and on) about his ongoing ocular challenges, we discuss the middle chapter of Fruit of the Earth, wherein Batman and Poison Ivy form an uneasy alliance against the terror of Clayface. We also get more GCPD Wolfpac drama from our friends Petit and Foley... who might just have a third member (but who's side is she on?!)

The Bada-Bin!

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NML Crossing, Episode 074 - Batman #567 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Seventy-Four

Batman #567 (July, 1999)
“Mark of Cain, Part One”
Writer - Kelley Puckett
Pencils - Damion Scott
Inks - John Floyd
Colors - Greg Wright
Letters - Todd Klein
Edits - Illidge, Vincenzo, O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

Who's that girl? Today we get introduced to that family Cain... David and his young (unnamed as of yet) daughter. I'm sure we'll never see either of them ever again. People always fall through the cracks in No Man's Land!

The Bada-Bin!

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NML Crossing, Episode 069 - Batman #566 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Sixty-Nine

Batman #566 (June, 1999)
“The Visitor”
Writer - Kelley Puckett
Pencils - Jon Bogdanove
Inks - Eduardo Barreto
Colors - Richard & Tanya Horie
Letters - Willie Schubert & John Costanza
Edits - Illidge, Gorfinkel, O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

In which a strange visitor arrives in Gotham City to try his hand at saving the place... only to find out that he might just be completely out of his element. Superman puts a band-aid on a broken bone and expects it to set!

The Bada-Bin!

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NML Crossing, Episode 059 - Batman #565 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Fifty-Nine

Batman #565 (May, 1999)
“Mosaic, Part One”
Writer - Greg Rucka
Art - Frank Teran
Colors - Gloria Vasquez & Wildstorm Studios
Letters - John Costanza
Edits - Illidge, Vincenzo, O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

Kicking off an all-new story arc, featuring our "Level Three Boss", Black Mask!  Today we see some marital bliss between the Gordon-Essens, Babs seeing her replacement, and we get some hints as to where Batman puts the baddies after he's done dealing with them!

Good stuff all around... now, listen to an idiot talk all about it!

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NML Crossing, Episode 055 - Batman #564 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Fifty-Five

Batman #564 (April, 1999)
“Fear of Faith, Part Three: Life in Hell”
Writer - Devin Grayson
Pencils - Dale Eaglesham
Inks - Jaime Mendoza
Colors - Noelle Giddings & Digital Chameleon
Letters - Todd Klein
Edits - Illidge, Vincenzo, O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

In which all them dominoes the Scarecrow has been setting up these last couple of chapters are starting to tip... Jonathan Crane truly is as dangerous without the fear toxin as he is with it... perhaps even more so!

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NML Crossing, Episode 049 - Batman #563 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Forty-Nine

Batman #563 (March, 1999)
“No Law and a New Order, Part Three: Tactics”
Writer - Bob Gale
Pencils - Alex Maleev
Inks - Wayne Faucher
Colors - Dave Stewart
Letters - Willie Schubert
Edits - Illidge, Gorfinkel, Vincenzo, O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

After... another... extended moving break, NML Crossing is back!  Today we're going to be discussing the penultimate chapter of "No Law and a New Order" by Bob Gale and Alex Maleev.  We're also going to be talking about the proceeding chapter, since I neglected to share my thoughts on that last time out!

In this issue, the GCPD adapts to the new normal of No Man's Land... by crossing a few lines into ruthlessness!  Also, our titular hero finally returns and makes his presence known!

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NML Crossing, Episode 043 - Batman #562 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Forty-Three

Batman #562 (February, 1999)
“Bruce Wayne Goes to Washington, Part Three: The Devil His Due!”
Writer - Chuck Dixon
Pencils - Jim Aparo
Inks - David Roach
Letters - Todd Klein
Colors - Lee Loughridge
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.99

Wrapping up the last pre-No Man's Land issue of the flagship, where the hammer finally (officially) drops on Gotham City. Bridges are bein' blowed up, and it's time for all good Gothamites to up-stakes and get the eff out. We also get some more ineptness from Nick Scratch and his crew of buffoons.

Plus: One'a dem "soul bearing" installments of the NMaiLbag!

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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 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 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 024 - Batman #556 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty-Four

Batman #556 (July, 1998)
“Help Trapped Money Rescue Ruins”
Writer - Doug Moench
Pencils - Norm Breyfogle
Inks - Joe Rubinstein
Letters - Todd Klein
Colors - Gregory Wright & Android Images
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95

Back to the flagship for a (relatively) quiet issue, where we check in on the man behind the mask(s), Bruce Wayne, to see how he's handling the Aftershock Era.  We get a bit of tacked-on action, but this is mostly (thankfully) a character piece!

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NML Crossing, Episode 020 - Batman #555 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty

Batman #555 (June, 1998)
“Trapped Like Rats”
Writer - Doug Moench
Pencils - John Beatty
Inks - Sal Buscema
Colors - Gregory Wright & Android Images
Letters - Todd Klein
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95

The Aftershock Era rolls on with our titular hero doing a little search 'n rescue in the down below and running afoul of the Ratcatcher!  Lots of fun and interesting chatter to be had today!  Join us, won't you?

Plus: Even another extra-stuffed NMaiLbag! 

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NML Crossing, Episode 013 - Batman #554 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirteen

Batman #554 (May, 1998)
“Cataclysm, Part Twelve: Master of Destruction”
Writer - Doug Moench
Pencils - Klaus Janson
Inks - Sal Buscema
Colors - Gregory Wright & Android Images
Letters - Todd Klein
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95

Aka. Remedial-Theoretical Geology!  Come for the Bat-Talk, stay for the (heavily abridged) tangent regarding Crustal Displacement and the belly-contents of the Woolly Mammoth!  We get a whole lot of information this time out suggesting that our Big Bad might not be able to put his quakiness where his mouth is!

Plus: A wonderfully fun stroll down pod-memory lane via the NMaiLbag!

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NML Crossing, Episode 004 - Batman #553 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Four

Batman #553 (April, 1998)
“Cataclysm, Part Three: Lifelines”
Writer - Doug Moench
Pencils - Klaus Janson
Inks - Sal Buscema
Colors - Gregory Wright & Android Images
Letters - Todd Klein
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95

Cataclysm reaches our flagship book, and its titular hero's story takes a backseat to Barbara Gordon's attempt at herding cats!  It's not the GCPD's finest hour... but, at least they're under good leadership!

Also: some tangent-laden back issue bin chatter!

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Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode 36: Batman #458 (1991)

Chris is on Infinite Earths, Episode #36

Batman #458 (January, 1991)
"Night Monsters"
Writer - Alan Grant
Pencils - Norm Breyfogle
Inks - Steve Mitchell
Colors - Adrienne Roy
Letters - Todd Klein
Assistant Editor - Kelley Puckett
Editor - Denny O'Neil
Cover Price: $1.00

After an extended absence, the Chris is on Infinite Earths Podcast returns with plenty of housekeeping, some answers to your questions regarding the future, a lot of guilty introspection... and, if you can believe it, a comic book! 

Bonus Book #11 - Batman (1988)

Bonus Book #11 - Batman (Winter, 1988)
"Cold Cuts"
Writer - Jeff O'Hare
Pencils - Roderick Delgado
Inks - Jerry Acerno
Letters - Helen Vesik
Colors - Matt Webb
Edits - Joey Cavalieri
Executive Edits - Joe Orlando

There's change (and a chill) in the air for this installment of Bonus Books... it looks as though, with this outing, DC Comics has decided that this ongoing-and-forever project would be coming to an end.  In our Bonus Books Bios page, which looks much more "phoned in" than earlier versions (seen at the bottom of this post), DC announces that colorist, Matt Webb "colored the last four Bonus Books".  Meaning, after yesterday's and this one... there're going to be two left... and, it looks like they're all in the can.

This Batman chapter appeared in Detective Comics #595 (Winter, 1988)... another of my nebulous "cover-month fill-ins", as the indicia doesn't even bother assigning it a year... much less a month!  Heck, maybe this one should've been "Winter, 1989"?  Whatever the case, tomorrow's piece will have a firm January, 1989 cover-date... so the more anal among us (read: me) can rest at ease.

Worth noting, I included Denny O'Neil's letters page commentary regarding the 1-900-Jason Todd gimmick and outcome that, even though it has nothing to do with the Bonus Book, I thought folks might find interesting.  I know I did!

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We open at S.T.A.R. Labs, where Dr. Klyburn is celebrating the fact that she and her team have created this 100% artificial diamond that can be used to shoot a laser with pinpoint accuracy.  I hope this research isn't coming out of the taxpayers' pockets.  Anyhoo, this endeavor, "Project: Hot Ice" a success... and could mean good things going forward... orrrr, just be something that bad guys might want to steal.  I don't wanna spoil anything for ya.  Meanwhile, a rather paunchy-looking Batman is beating up a trio of thugs down some dingy back alley.  After the police arrive to arrest the creeps, Batman notices that one of them had dropped something.  Wouldn'cha know it, it's a S.T.A.R. Labs ID Pass... in fact, it's Dr. Klyburn's!  If you're hoping to find out why these geeks had her pass... prepare for disappointment.

We jump ahead to Batman's visit to S.T.A.R. to return the ID... and while he's there, he gets a full demonstration of "Project: Hot Ice".  Turns out, this laser is capable of destroying a tank, while not harming the driver inside (it will, however, destroy all of his clothes, sans his boxer shorts).  Remember that.

Meanwhile, the Gotham City Prison is receiving it's monthly supply of meat.  As inmates are all loading it into a freezer... they're complaining about having to work alongside a certain nut case.  Ya see, this fella probably belongs in Arkham... however, for whatever reason, they're trying to "mainstream" him into regular prison.  That "nut case", well, if you haven't seen the cover... and missed the "Hot Ice" reference, and the fact that we're working in the freezer right now... you might be shocked to learn that we're talking about Mr. Freeze.

One of the inmates mocks him for looking like Mr. Clean... and for losing to Batman over and over again.  This enrages Freeze, and so, he strips the inmate of his shirt, attaches him to a meathook... and freezes him solid?!  An officer rushes in to see what all the hub-bub's about... and is also frozen!  This is a dude they're trying to "mainstream", ya kidding me?  Anyhoo, this distraction proves to be enough for Freeze and some fellow inmates to escape.

We jump to the next night, where an alarm is sounding at S.T.A.R. Labs.  This looks very much like Metropolis' S.T.A.R. Labs building... which is where Klyburn works, right?  So, why is Batman on this case and not Superman?  Ehh... maybe all S.T.A.R. facilities look alike?  Anyhoo, he swoops in to check it out, and... ta-da!  It's Mr. Freeze.

Batman gets zapped and trapped, while Victor gives him (and us, I suppose) the quick and dirty on his origin.  Ya see, he had a mishap in the lab with some "experimental freezing solution"... which led to his being unable to survive in non-freezing environments, hence the groovy helmet.

Freeze straps Batman to a table, and prepares to blast him with the Project: Hot Ice Diamond.  Which... I mean, haven't we already established that it's harmless against humans... and underwear?  Freeze begins by cutting off Batman's utility belt... but, doesn't notice that our man had already palmed an extra 'rang.  Batman performs a behind-the-back toss of this Batarang while Freeze tinkers with the settings.

The rang slices through an icicle protruding from the ceiling... sending it down into the computer console, and causing a pretty sizable "boom".

Freeze goes flying, and cracks his dome when he hits the ground.  It's too warm for him to survive.  If Batman doesn't help him, he will very likely die.  And so, Batman does just that.  He blasts Freeze right in the head with his freeze-pistol to close off the crack.  The first-responders burst into the place... making some very good time, might I add... the explosion must've been, what, ten-seconds ago?  Batman waxes philosophical about how similar he and Freeze might be... trauma, lashing out, yadda yadda yadda.  If only Mr. Freeze wasn't so damn boring, this might've meant something!

Some weeks later, we're back at Gotham City Prison... back in the freezer unloading more meat.  Guess what?  They're still trying to "mainstream" Mr. Freeze!  Someone mentions Batman, Vic flips his crap, and we all have a hearty laugh.  Really, after seeing this, is it any wonder Gotham is constantly in the state it's in?!

--

Sooo, who thought it'd be funny to slip a Silver-Age story into a 1988/89 issue of Detective Comics?  I mean, this was pretty weird... full of conveniences, uninvestigated story-threads, crazy pseudo-science, a quick origin story... and nobody learning their lesson in the slightest!

I feel like some "random goon" having Jenet Klyburn's ID should have been followed up on a little bit, no?  I mean, she's one of the top dogs at the world's foremost research facility... so, how did he get his grubby paws on the thing?  Is she just that out-to-lunch that she didn't realize it was gone?  If so, how the hell did she manage to get into the building?

Project: Hot Ice feels like something right out of a 1950's Superman story.  A laser that can destroy a tank... but not harm a human (though, leaving said human in quite an embarrassing state of undress).  It's not bad or anything... just silly.  Ain't nothing wrong with silly... it's just one of those touted "world changing" inventions in comics, that somehow, we'll never hear of again.

Not sure what the GCPD are thinking trying to "mainstream" Mister Freeze in the first place.  He's obviously a very dangerous fellow.  Maybe the folks at Arkham find him as boring as I do, and just wanted him to go away?  I dunno.  Seems like a dumb thing... even dumber yet, why in all hells would they attempt to mainstream him a second time?!  He nearly killed a bunch of people... and broke out of jail!  Clearly, the Gotham City Prison is not equipped to handle and house such an inmate!

Yeesh... we "comics critique" sorts (too) often dredge up that old chestnut about "suspending our disbelief".  What can I say, It makes us feel wicked smart.  But, here we go again... I can believe that Batman can beat up thugs.  I can believe that Mr. Freeze can freeze people... heck, I can believe that S.T.A.R. Labs can create a diamond that can destroy anything but a pair of boxer shorts... but, what I can't believe is that the Gotham Police would try and mainstream Mister Freeze twice in one month.  Ay yai yai.

Our writer, Jeff O'Hare, did not go on to be a prolific writer in the field.  Man, I feel like I ought to have a macro for that... I've typed nearly that exact same sentence a dozen times this week.  Jeff's success was found in designing games for TSR, Parker Brothers, and Mayfair Games.  There isn't a whole heckuva lot about him on the ol' internet.  So, we'll have to assume he kept working as an English teacher, while helping to design games on the side?  I dunno.

Across the table sits our penciller, Roderick Delgado.  Guess what?  This was the only DC story he drew!  Maybe this is why DC decided to shutter the Bonus Books program?  I mean, they started hot-n-heavy, brimming with excitement to be working with folks they were certain were going to be the "big names" going into the 1990's.  Total "broken clock" scenario for DC Comics.  Roddy would go on to contribute a little bit of art here and there for Marvel's Punisher family of books in the early 90's... but, that's about it.  I will say, outside of Batman looking kinda "paunchy" in the opening pages, I think he did a great job here!

Overall... a pretty "meh" outing... which, judging by DC's lack of enthusiasm for the Bonus Books project at this point, comes as hardly a surprise.  Worth noting that this story was reprinted in the fairly recent Batman Arkham: Mister Freeze (2017) Collected Edition... which is available digitally.  So, if you're dealing with chronic insomnia... DC Digital's got your hook-up!

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(Not the) Letters Page:

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(Also, not quite the) Letters Page (but interesting, nonetheless):

Batman #598 (2002)

Batman #598 (February, 2002)
"Santa Klaus is Coming to Town!"
Writer - Ed Brubaker
Pencils - Scott McDaniel
Inks - Andy Owens
Colors - Roberta Tewes
Separations - WildStorm FX
Letters - John Costanza
Associate Editor - Michael Wright
Editor - Bob Schreck
Cover Price: $2.25

Hey remember yesterday when we met Santa Klaus?  Well, we're just two months later (publishing time), and he's back... just in time for Christmas, even!

Unfortunately, all of DC's books that shipped in December, 2001 were part of a weird "cover theme" month... and so, we're robbed of a fun Holiday cover.  Not the biggest fan of this (or any) cover-theme, but it's far better than that month during the late 90's where it was just close-ups on a hero's face.  Yeesh!

Anyhoo, let's see what this creep's got in his sleigh for us good girls and boys!

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It's a week before Christmas, and we open at Wayne Manor.  The man of the house is quite displeased that his bodyguard (Sasha Bordeaux) has found where he keeps all of the Christmas decorations.  He tells her they don't celebrate the Holidays there, but she ain't havin' none of it.  Before Bruce can put up too much more of an argument, he spies the Bat-Signal illuminating the night sky... and he's off to work in a flash.

We rejoin him, in his work duds, at a Gotham dentist office where he meets Detective Montoya.  She tells him that our new pal Santa Klaus had been brought in for some oral surgery (impacted molars!), and during the procedure, he happened to overtake the surgical team and get away!

Not before killing them though!

Renee brings Batman out into the reception area where he speaks to a couple of survivors: a nurse and a security guard.  They both report that Santa Klaus knew their darkest "naughty" secrets... it was as though he could read their minds... 

We catch up with Klaus as he roams the streets of Gotham, causing all sorts of mischief by telling people the secrets they never want to hear said aloud.  He happens upon a pair of panhandling children who he hires as gun-wielding "elves".

Back at Wayne Manor, Bruce gets all melancholy staring at Sasha's Christmas Tree.  He briefly allows himself to think back to a perfect holiday season from his youth, before snapping out of it.

Over the next few days, reports come in about a dude in a Santa costume (flanked by a pair of elves) handing out gifts to naughty men and women.  Those gifts are, naturally, bombs.

Batman is called in to check out the latest bombsite... a bar, where ol' Klaus just went nuts handing out "gifts" left and right.  A bartender managed to survive the blast, because he chased after "Santa" to try and get a gift for his kid.  That's when he saw him push the detonator... which blew up the whole joint.  The bartender claims to have overheard Santa Klaus say he now had "ze perfect chance".

Batman immediately assumes this means that the baddie is going to bomb Gothafeller Center... er, Gotham Square.  And, sure enough, Klaus and Company are present and accounted for... and handing out gifts!

Santa tries handing a gift to one man in particular, who turns it down on account'a he's Jewish.  This causes Klaus to fly into a rage... how dare he refuse one of his gifts!  Luckily, the ruckus caused is enough to tip Batman and the GCPD off on his location!

Batman has the GCPD comb the crowd for "gifts" while he gives chase to Klaus.  As he follows, Batman accidentally knocks a fella down.  Unfortunately, that fella was smoking a cigarette... which rolled right under the giant Gotham Square Christmas Tree!  Before we know it, the whole thing has gone up in flames.  They probably should've refilled the water reservoir!

During the struggle, Santa himself winds up engulfed.  Using his cape, Batman manages to put out the fire... and Santa Klaus's "season of giving" comes to a close.

We wrap up back in the Batcave, where Sasha has brought Bruce his Christmas gift.  He sheepishly tells her that he didn't get her anything.  She's not surprised.  Bruce unwraps the present, and is shocked that it's just what he had wanted (we readers don't get to see what's in the box...).  The pair retire to the not-cavey part of the Manor to watch some Christmas movies, and we're outta here.

--

Well, that's more like it, eh?

While I'm certainly a "Christmas all year long" type'a dude, it's definitely better to see ol' Santa Klaus as close to the actual Holiday as possible.

Thing of it is, there ain't all that much more to say about him, right?  We know from yesterday's piece that he's going to punish all of the "bad" boys and girls... only this time around we get the added wrinkle that he might be able to read minds?  Does that mean he knows about Batman's secrets?  That kinda ups the ante, dunnit?  Guess it's a moot point though... dude went down pretty easy.

I'm not sure we've discussed Sasha yet on the blog... I thought she was a pretty fun character, and that she added a bunch to the bat-books around this time.  I had a buddy I worked with who was positively obsessed with her, for whatever reason... kept asking me questions about her, at a time when she only had all of five appearances.

I appreciated how she could go from all-business bodyguard, to a sorta perky, sorta charming pain in Bruce's butt.  I hated it when she got sucked into the post-Infinite Crisis Checkmate book, because that book be boring, my friends.

I'm not sure if this is a complaint or not... but, I'm really wondering what Sasha's gift to Bruce was.  It's been... jeez, 16-17 years since I read any of this... so I don't know if it was ever followed up on, or was just meant to be a nice "moment" between the two.  I'm pretty sure many readers were convinced that there was going to be a long and tangled romance between the two... and thought maybe this was going to be the start of it.

Of course, that's not the case... the following month will see Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure, which rolls right into the several months-long Bruce Wayne: Murderer/Fugitive storyline... which, I'm now kinda getting an itch to revisit.

Overall... this was a good read.  If you're a sucker for Christmas books like I am, this one's a no-brainer.  If you wanna see some Moonlighting-esque awkwardness and contention between Bruce and Sasha... you'll probably dig this one as well.  This issue is available digitally.

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Letters Page:

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Interesting Ads:

On the Ninth Day of Christmas on Infinite Earths, I gave to you, Batman #598, Batman #596, Flash (vol.5) #17,Batman and the Outsiders #31, Captain Atom #13! Scooby-Doo! #139, Superman #369, Impulse #34, and a Flash (vol.2) #73 Discussion and Review.

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