3. Batman '66 #4 By Jeff Parker And Jonathan Case (DC)
It's DC's most (only?) fun title ever, old chums: it's Batman '66! And this is the Brit issue as Batman and Robin come to London on the trail of the Hatter who's attempting to steal the Crown Jewels! So the usual quick explanation for those of you who haven't heard about this series: it's the 1960s Adam West Batman TV series, as a comic, with new adventures and the characters look just like the actors so Batman is West, Burt Ward is Robin, and David Wayne is The Mad Hatter, Jervis Tetch. The wonderful Jonathan Case returns to draw the story of Batman and Robin stopping the theft of the Crown Jewels from Tower Bridge and once more his art is tremendous - a loving homage to Silver Age comics graphics. Jeff Parker is writing some of the best stuff he's ever done with this comic and both he and Case seem to be having a lot of fun with this series because it really shows when reading it. When Batman and Robin fly to England, do they take the Batwing? Nope, they fly commercial! Sitting in first class, in costume, among civilians, sipping apple juice - what an amazing visual. They're met at the airport with a Beatlemania-style reception (the Fab Four are also in the panel) as fans flock to see their heroes who of course drive off in the British Batmobile (with a licence plate that reads "BAT2C" - genius). The benefit of comics over TV is the lack of a budget and Parker and Case take full advantage of this fact, giving Hatter a pair of flying top hats to make his escape in (really) as Batman throws up a grappling hook in an effort to bring him down. It's such a fun chase sequence but then the whole comic is ridiculously fun, relishing its silliness and celebrating its camp reputation. If you're at all a fan of Adam West Batman or a Batman fan with a sense of humour, you need to get this series. Great art, great writing, great golly, Batman, it's a delight! Rated E for Everyone, it says on the cover, and, yes, everyone should be reading Batman '66.