Batman [1940] #311 - DC Comics

BATMAN [1940] No. 311, May 1979

Containing a somewhat substantial cast of super-heroes, villains, criminals and supporting characters, as well as a plethora of state-of-the-art gadgets and vehicles, readers of “Doctor Phosphorus Is Back” were probably astonished in May 1979 that “guest writer” Steve Englehart only required a single, seventeen-page periodical with which to tell his thrill-a-minute story. Indeed, considering that the Inkpot Award-winner’s narrative depicts a fiery tale of industrial revenge, senatorial shenanigans in America’s political capital, the general public’s anxiety surrounding nuclear power and councillor-turned-crook Rupert Thorne’s recuperation in a Mental Hospital, many fan of the Dark Knight would probably believe this comprehensive comic’s pulse-pounding pace to be near miraculous.

Happily however, the American author uses every trick in the book to make his enthralling story both thoroughly informative and followable, whilst at the same time keep the Caped Crusader’s convoluted chase after the utterly unstable Doctor Alex Sartorius well and truly alive. Foremost of these guiles is the use of flashbacks with which to bring any naïve bibliophile bang up to speed with the crime-fighter’s past exploits in “Detective Comics”. Perfectly penned within the space of a handful of panels, this summary not only establishes Doctor Phosphorus’ ghastly origin and immoral motivations, but also his seemingly past fatal defeat at the hands of Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego.

Similarly as succinct are Englehart’s ‘snapshots’ of Barbara Gordon’s dual life in Washington D.C. Featuring a fantastic cameo by Killer Moth amongst the metropolis’ famous white-columned buildings, the former art assistant to Neal Adams is able to quickly demonstrate just how formidable a foe Batgirl has become since leaving Gotham City. Coupled with the congresswoman’s unwavering commitment to do what is best for the people she represents, even in the face of the central committee’s desire to replace her with “someone who’ll do the job we selected them to do”, Steve soon establishes that Commissioner Gordon’s daughter has much more to give this publication’s narrative than simply being this book’s “special guest-star”.

Irving Novick’s pencils, along with Frank McLaughlin’s inking, also greatly helps this comic produce plenty of ‘bang for its buck’, courtesy of some sensational action sequences near its end. Batman has arguably never looked better in the Batmobile than when the vehicle is careering towards a heavily-throttled aeroplane, alongside the Batgirl-cycle, nor a cowled Barbara more resourceful as she uses brains over brawn to best her hideously disfigured, radioactive opponent single-handedly.

Guest Writer: Steve Englehart, and Artists: Irv Novick & Frank McLaughlin