Super-Powered Comics: Batman Private Casebook

Batman Private Casebook goes back and picks up the stories that DC skipped when they rushed “Heart of Hush”; to the stands. Like most of Paul Dini’s run, this is made up of mostly done-in-ones, with the exception of a 2 part Zatanna guest shot.

The book opens with an epilogue to the recently completed “Resolution of Ra’s Al Ghul” that turned out better than that entire crossover combined. Batman’s way of disabling Al Ghul is sheer genius in this one.

“The Wonderland Gang” follows. It features a long necessary but never used team-up between the Mad Hatter and Tweedledee and Tweedledum. They recurit an entire gang of Wonderland inspired characters. Once again it comes with a great twist ending.

Peter Milligan takes over for a one-shot prequel to the new Azrael book detailing the abilities of the Suit of Sorrows. Meh.

The two-parter follows and it not only introduces Zatanna back in to Bruce’s life, but also gives us the origin of the new Ventriloquist. I am still not a big fan of the original Ventriloquist, but the story works as what it tries to do.

“The Riddle Unanswered” closes the book with another story of the detective rivalry between Riddler and Batman.

A short Zatanna Halloween story does little more than fill pages at the end of the book. Still, it is an exercise in solid story, and I would argue the first two tales are well worth it to all comic fans. The trade is reasonably priced and worth it to anyone looking for some fun Bat-tales. Recommended.