Batman has psychopathic tendencies. He’s antisocial with signs of violent behavior, but readers love him. He has an ethical code and maintains familial ties. Bats is also one to hold himself accountable for his actions and makes sure that others do the same, particularly Superman. Especially Superman (among other necessities in his utility belt, kryptonite is there just in case). That being said the audience can’t get enough of this iconic and arguably, superhero. There have been books written about storylines and possible psychoses of the dark knight, but has the audience been satisfied? Haven’t you wondered about how Bruce Wayne has evolved to dressing like a rather large mammal? Why are we attracted to him and why do we drool over those gadgets?
Matt MacNabb fulfills what some have seen as a void in other superhero compendiums. In his latest work “Batman’s Arsenal: An Unauthorized Encyclopedic Chronicle†he delves into every aspect of Batman from the obvious to the most obscure. The table of contents is well edited and some may say that the same eye should have gone to some of the sections of this encyclopedia. Still what you’re looking at is a well-researched book that should not be read like a novel. Go to a topic that you’ve always wanted to know about and then work your way to sections that you know very little about. What’s more, you can test your own knowledge. Just how much do you know about Bob Kane’s, Frank Miller or Alan Moore’s Batman? Between the original creator (Kane) to some great storytelling and artwork, writers and artists have added on to the legend of the caped crusader.
Take for instance Batman’s ride. In all honesty did you think you cared about the Batmobile? After all Bruce Wayne is rich, he’s supposed to have an arsenal that includes a plethora of cars. Still, even if you’re not a car enthusiast you’ll like the history of this well-known symbol. It is inconceivable how a car would be integral to the Batman mythos, but the Batmobile matters. From iconic, out of continuum graphic novels to important story arcs, to the television and movie series this car (sometimes truck) either drives the storyline along or shows where Batman is in his life. Besides a sports-like car that can convert into a luxury vehicle is everything. More importantly, this look at all of Batman’s stuff takes the reader back to when Jason Todd was voted off by fans and helps the reader understand the pathology behind the mask.
There are many tidbits from why Batman stopped brandishing a firearm to all things prefaced by the bat to his sanctuary. Thoroughly investigated from the golden age to the yet to be released film MacNabb has managed to look at the many facets of Batman. What’s wanting from this work is more of the man himself. You also only get glimpses of the other parts of the Bat-family. The different origin stories of the Batcave while interesting lack a cohesion of what makes Batman the legend. It seems that this refuge was reimagined to suit the purpose of the time period and perhaps the limited imaginations of some of the early writers and limited budgets of filmmakers. But even that lack of togetherness weaves a picture of Batman. That he is more of a complete entity than Bruce Wayne. That even though it is Wayne’s parents who are murdered, it is Batman and his gadgets that can, at least, bring some form of closure. Perhaps in taking a closer look at the history of the utility belt gives a reader more insight into Batsy than the two-page synopsis of the prelude to the Bane storyline.
Looking at this reference book, from planes to caves you get a sense of what drives Batman and why he is still so fascinating for over 75 years. And face it- doesn’t reading this make you want a giant penny?
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