FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: DC’S TALES OF THE BATMAN: DON NEWTON

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Tales of the Batman: Don Newton

by Robert Greenberger

Don Newton was one of the very best artists to work during the 1970s as well as 1980s as well as is unfortunately bit kept in mind today by visitors since of his sudden, unforeseen death at 49 in 1984. far as well few of his stories have handled to be collected although that is lastly being rectified this autumn as DC Comics releases Tales of Batman: Don Newton. The 272-page hardcover is just a sampling of his four year stint as the main Batman artist, very first in The take on as well as the strong before taking over Detective Comics as well as being graduated to Batman.

Newton grew up a major comic book as well as superhero fan, born in Virginia however moving to Arizona at an early age to assist battle his chronic asthma. He always drew, ultimately studying art as well as ending up being an elementary institution art instructor while still reading comics as well as going to conventions. look carefully, as well as you’ll discover him in a Superman attire from a 1970s con. He was active in fandom as well as dreamed of drawing for DC as well as Marvel. He utilized his fan connections to end up an assistant to the fantastic curmudgeon, C.C. Beck however their tempestuous connection led to an early departure. When chance lastly knocked, it was at Charlton Comics as well as it wasn’t drawing superheroes, however horror stories. Editor Nicola Cuti liked his craftsmanship as well as kept him hectic beginning in 1974, letting Newton style the Baron Weirwulf character for Ghost Manor.

He lastly got to draw men in tights when he took over The Phantom, not only penciling as well as inking the stories however painting the covers, preserving that pulp feel. He likewise complained sufficient about Joe Gill’s scripts that his longtime fandom buddy expense Pearson, now a Charlton editor, provided him a totally free hand to rework the scripts to his satisfaction. Newton stayed with Charlton up until the business crashed in 1977 as well as he went searching for work. Fortunately, his friend, artist Dan Adkins, threw him a lifeline with work at Marvel.

Not long after, Newton was called by Neal Adams, informing him that DC had been trying to reach him as well as all of a sudden Newton ended up being the artist of Aquaman (with Adkins inking). That began a long tenure with the business up until his death. While he delighted in the undersea adventures together with cosmic tales with a revived new Gods, he had been hankering to get his hands on Batman.

That chance began with the very first stories in this collection, two eight-pagers by Bob Rozakis for the Unsolved situations of Batman back-up. right here as well as in his very first Detective Comics outing, 1978’s #480 with Maxie Zeus as the foe, he was inked by Dave search who was serviceable however didn’t draw out Newton’s best. Still, when Don got to ‘Tec he was loathe to let go as well as wound up drawing 38 out of the next 45 problems before moving to Batman. When he wasn’t drawing the Dark Knight, he was doing other work including Captain Marvel, his other true love, as well as other features. a number of of those [turned out to be] three problems of The take on as well as the Bold, all included right here so you can see Don’s interpretation of Red twister (written by Cary Burkett), Man-Bat (written by Martin Pasko), as well as physician fate (also by Burkett).

Don occurred to be on hand when Denny O’Neil ignited the war between the league of Assassins as well as the Sensei which began with the shocking death of the very first Batwoman, Kathy Kane. That specific serial is included right here in it’s completely (no question lifted from The Tales of the Demon collection). There are likewise stories including Batman versus Maxie Zeus as well as about all of these were inked with a nice, slick line by Bob Smith. When he wasn’t drawing the lead, he handled to in shape in short tales featuring Robin as well as Man-Bat (boy, I miss anthologies).

Don was on hand to show a few of the strongest stories from that period in Batman’s history. Along the way, he briefly left for marvel before being enticed back to DC to not only return to Gotham City however assist Roy Thomas introduce the just-reprinted Infinity, Inc. Don left Batman in 1984 only to die a few months later.

This is one collection that just shows a peek of what a fantastic artist Don was as well as reminds you that his work is much missed.

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Tales of the Batman: Don Newton

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