On The Shelf: A thesis on Batman, and M & M's solve a mystery?

 Last time, I had stated I had acquired a copy of Rabbi Cary Friedman's 2006 tome, reissued last year, Wisdom From The Batcave, from the author himself, after he'd found my name in some old lettercols dating back to the late 80's and early 90's. I'd guess I wasn't the only one.

Using selected panels from various Bat-books and an editorial cartoon from the NY Post, circa 2001 (the panels go back to the 70's & 80's), Friedman offers 18 chapters of life lessons, based on an exploration of the Dark Knight himself.

With testimonials from a host of comics luminaries, including Gerry Conway, now a television producer, Ed Brubaker, and the late Dennis O'Neil, Friedman hit the best-seller list in 2006. This could also pass as a college course for serious Bat-fanatics.

Rating: A.

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Titan Comics has rolled out its anticipated miniseries, Battle of The Black Stone, which was previewed in Savage Sword of Conan #4 last month. The idea here is to bring a number of Robert E. Howard's creations, not just Conan, but Solomon Kane, Black Agnes, and others, sans Red Sonja, whose rights are held by Dynamite.

That said, this is a time travel adventure as it'll unfold over the next three chapters, enveloping all of the protagonists. Unfortunately, the artwork doesn't do anyone any favors. Titan could've gotten Conan artists Doug Braithwaite and/or Roberto de la Torre, the latter of whom contributes a cover to issue 2, out next month, to do the interiors, but, nope. We're not sticking around.

Rating: B--.

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Mars Wrigley licensed the M & M's mascots to Marvel for a 1-shot special, Small Town, Big Trouble, aimed at the kiddo's as school begins for the season. The gang run across a robot that's draining happiness is a suburban village. Adding to the Scooby-Doo vibe this book generates are a cover and pin-ups by The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries artist Dario Brizuela. Delightful fun, but released a wee bit too early. Marvel should've waited until Halloween. No, really. The book's pretty fun, though.

Rating: A.

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Now that Tom King's The Penguin has wrapped, two months later than originally scheduled, the villain will return in new book tied to the HBO series starring Colin Farrell, itself spun off last year's "The Batman" feature film.