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!

NML Crossing on Youtube

https://gothamquake.com

https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

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!

NML Crossing on Youtube

https://gothamquake.com

https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

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!

NML Crossing on Youtube

https://gothamquake.com

https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

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!

NML Crossing on Youtube

https://gothamquake.com

https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

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?

NML Crossing on Youtube

https://gothamquake.com

https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

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! 

NML Crossing on Youtube

https://gothamquake.com

https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com