BATMAN: GOTHIC GENESIS - GARDNER FOX - THE MAN WHO SAVED BATMAN!

Spread from the new feature article entitled Gothic Genesis: Gardner Fox - The Man Who Saved Batman. This article explores the brief, but brilliant time period when Gardner Fox took over the writing duties for the first year Batman stories from Bill Finger, beginning with Detective Comics #29 (July, 1939).

Gardner created and introduced many important elements to the series, including Batman's first two "name" villains in Doctor Death (Detective Comics #29-30), and the diabolical Monk (Detective Comics #31-32). He also initiated Batman's first use of his utility belt, with glass pellets filled with chocking/ knockout gas, the Batarang and the Bat-gyro - the first Bat plane. Gardner’s work on Batman has gone generally unknown and unlauded due to his multitude of other significant creations and contributions to the comic book world as well as Bill Finger’s own work on Batman. This is unfortunate for a myriad of reasons, but mainly due to the fact that if it was not for Gardner Fox filling in for Bill Finger as early as Batman’s third appearance, Batman may very well have suffered an inglorious, quick and ambiguous demise.

This expose aims to remedy this unfortunate state of ignorance and apathy and celebrate Gardner’s significant creative contributions to the Legend of Batman, which stand as tall and stalwart as ever after 80 years of thrilling, action-packed adventures.

This feature article will be soon offered as a free download on our web-site at:
https://www.archangels.com/mythos.php

A printed copy of the publication can be purchased for $20 + $5.95 (domestic shipping) via PayPal.

A version will be published in the new upcoming Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #50, due out in the summer of 2020.