Not many graphic novels are New York Times bestsellers, but Neil Gaiman's Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? made the cut. Should it have? Read on, but I do have spoilers.
This graphic novel is comprised of four stories, all written by Gaiman over the years. The headliner, though, is the first, longest, best, and gives its title to the entire volume (the other stories are okay, but pale in comparison). In Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader (hereafter, WHttCC), Batman has an out-of-body experience. He's at his funeral, and all his villains, sidekicks, and friends are in attendance. Each gets up, in turn, and relates how they were responsible for Batman's death- and all give different accounts. As each relates his or her tale, the Batman therein is wearing a different version of his costume- which both draws from the character's rich history (he's been around since the '40s, and has many wardrobe changes in his time), and sheds some light on the overall tale. In the end, out-of-body Batman realizes he will soon die 'for real,' but then the cycle will start all over again- the last frame has newborn Bruce Wayne being handed to his mother for the first time.
So what's the point? Batman has died many times over the years, in his various forms, and everyone has a take on how it happens. But, Bats just keeps coming back. He never gives up. When he dies in the comics, he's brought back, reinvented- but never yielding. He's both mortal and 'eternal.' He embodies both man's weakness, and his desire to overcome- his failure and success.
At first, I didn't like this story. But, as I reflected on and digested it, I saw the value. It is different, yes- it's certainly not the standard Batman storyline. But it is deep, and makes you think- which is good. It forces us to reflect upon who we hold up as heroes, why, what makes them heroes, and their mortality (and immortality) in our culture. Overall, it's a worthy read.
Rating: B+
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