Being a child of the 90’s, what influenced me the most in my comic book selections were the great cartoons of that time. X-men, Spider-man, Superman and of course Bruce Timm’s dark Batman: The Animated Series. Seeing as this was the greatest cartoon of all time (I still believe this) it’s only natural that my first comic was indeed a Batman selection. Batman: Shadow of the Bat #58 to be exact. Unfortunately, I didn’t purchase this from a great comic book store. I saw it in the check out line at what was then Cub Foods, and ask my mom if I could have it instead of candy.
In the issue Batman fights the Floronic Man from releasing his highly addictive and deadly product of marijuana. Poison Ivy shows up to pit the two against each other is a battle of fisticuffs, and it ends with Batman cutting off Floro’s head. (It’s okay because he’s a plant and will grow a new body.) Tim Drake makes brief appearances because his friend is tripping on the wacky weed, and at the end decides to pick up being Robin again.
What better message for a young kid. Batman kick’s butt and helps you say no to drugs by making it look scary as hell. It worked for me, and has always been a big influence in my writings and comics as well. I still have the issue, of course. It’s not in the best condition only because it has been read so many times, but it’s bagged and boarded and is to this day one of the greatest Batman covers I have seen for an issue. Check it out for yourself.
