“The Spirit 50th Anniversary Salute To [The] Batman” by Will Eisner from Detective Comics #600 (MAY 1989)

(May 1989) (DC Comics) Detective Comics #’s 598, 599, & 600 contained the 3-part story, “Blind Justice” written by Sam Hamm who also wrote the screenplay for “Batman” the movie. Although the story was well drafted and the art of Denys Cowen & Dick Giordano was well matched, these 3-issues of Detective Comics contained “fortuitous treasures” found within. Towards the back of each issue, there was a section simply entitled, “Tribute: People Of Note Pay Homage To The Batman”. There were tributes made by many notable figures who at one time or another, read and adored the Adventures of The Batman: Terry Gilliam (Film Maker), Harlan Ellison (Novelist, Screenwriter, & Comic Book Writer), Tom Fagan (Writer & Fanzine Innovator), Julius Schwartz (Editor), Adam West (Actor), Sergio Argones (Animator & Cartoonist), Dick Sprang (Golden Age Comic Book Artist), Neal Adams (Silver and Bronze Age Comic Book Artist), and yes, even Will Eisner (Golden Age Comic Book Trendsetter, Wartime Cartoonist, and Graphic Novelist Extraordinaire). The portfolio pin-up image that Eisner chose to meticulously create features The Spirit tipping his brimmed hat and shaking The Batman’s hand as he is bracing himself from a fire escape ladder. Directly in front of these two legendary crime fighters, Robin is kneeling down in front of a brick building posting a sign that reads: “Congratulations 50th Year Of Crime Fighting”. The atmospheric surroundings for this scene feature five well-defeated thugs sprawled across an alleyway, hanging from a window, and even from a building’s ornamental ledge. This crime scene would not be complete without Will Eisner’s trademark use of light and shadow to provide the perfect “film noir” ambience for a chance midnight meeting between The Spirit, The Batman, and Robin the Boy Wonder. (10" x 15") (William Erwin Eisner: 3/6/1917 to 1/3/2005)