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Over the last year, Batman would finally face his demise.
It is now time to mourn and remember the Dark Knight. All are invited to the funeral in the masterfully crafted, Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?
Back in 1986, legendary comic scribe Alan Moore, along with equally legendary Superman artist Curt Swan, created what would be known as the "last" Superman story, Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?
Of course, this was not technically the last Superman story, as Superman still exists in the present day. But it was the closing of the silver age of comics, the wonderful and wacky period of comics that stretched from the early '60s to the '80s.
Now, over 20 years later, bestselling author Neil Gaiman and superstar artist Andy Kubert bring us the "last" Batman story. Characters from Batman's 70-year history have come to pay their respects to the fallen hero.
The story starts off with ominous narration; one voice is the Dark Knight, but the other is an unknown female.
Two facts are made known instantly: Batman is dead and this is his funeral.
A car in the shape of a cat pulls up to a bar in crime alley, The Dew Drop Inn. Out steps Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, who proceeds toward the back of the bar to a secluded room filled with a multitude of Batman's villains and allies.
Another Selina Kyle, one who is much older with graying hair, steps up to tell a story of how she killed Batman. One by one, friends and foes step up to tell their story.
Gaiman has gained a reputation for his multi-character tell-alls that carve multiple dimensions to stories that could have been quite rudimentary. Though his previous hit, The Sandman, was packed to the brim with mythological references and used them in a number of brilliant ways, he manages to keep this technique fresh in Whatever Happened and plays around with Batman's mythology in a very unique manner.
Each of the guests' stories adds another complex layer to the legend of Batman as they usher in a new era of Batman's existence.
By the end, Gaiman successfully sews an elegant tapestry of the life of Batman.
The ending consists of the final goodbye to Batman. It is an emotionally gripping and beautifully written aspect of the story.
In the end, Gaiman presents to his readers why Batman is Batman, and why he will forever be the Caped Crusader.
Throughout the story, careful readers will able to pick up Easter eggs and other nods from many different famous Batman stories.
Gaiman's and Kubert's neo-classic tale defines what Batman is all about. Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? is destined to go down as one of the greatest Batman stories of all time.
