Making a Splash: Michael Golden Goes Bats, Man!

Hey, hey, hey, Groove-ophiles! Michael Golden's Batman was way beyond awesome, and it's a shame he didn't draw more of the Darknight Detective's adventures. We can give thanks, though, for those he did illustrate (and, yeah, you lucky Groove-ophile, you, they're all here on the Diversions--check 'em out!). Here are the splashes from those gorgeous-o-yet-all-too-rare masterworks...

Batman #295

Batman Family #18

Batman Family #19

Batman Family #20

Batman #303

DC Special Series #15

Mining for Gold(en): "Bulls-Eye for Murder!" by Rozakis and Golden

We're back with the second part of our superior (and kinda spooky) Man-Bat saga by Bob Rozakis and Michael Golden, Groove-ophiles! Is Kirk Langstrom gonna be a daddy--or a widower? Let's go back to November 1977 and Batman Family #16 and find out!

Oh, and if you want to read the next part, just click here! Whoooooooooooo loves ya, baby?

Mining for Gold(en): "Target: The Shotgun Sniper!" by Rozakis and Golden

Greetings, Groove-ophiles! It's been a while since we rapped about Man-Bat, so Ol' Groove's gonna make up some time! Today we're gonna check out "Target: The Shotgun Sniper!", the first of a two-part mini-saga by Bob Rozakis and (the main man of this post) Michael Golden! This was Golden's Man-Bat debut, by the by, which makes today's funky flashback even more special! Are you ready for a were-bat-wanted-for-murder, his pursuer Jason Bard, and his pregnant-but-plucky wife Francine? Oh, and some bad-guys, too? Then here it comes from Batman Family #15 (September 1977)!

Tune in tomorrow for part two!

Groove's Faves: "Trial By Fire" by Levitz, Staton, and Layton

What it is, Groove-ophiles! Nope, Ol' Groove hasn't forgotten we need to wrap up Paul Levitz, Joe Staton, and Bob Layton's haunting Huntress three parter from Batman Family! Right here it is, "Trial By Fire" from Batman Family #20 (July 1978)! Crank up the AC, baby, this one's hot!

Groove's Faves: "Gotham Town Is Burning Down!" by Levitz, Staton, and Layton

Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Ya dug chapter one of Paul Levitz, Joe Staton, and Bob Layton's The Huntress series in Batman Family, so here comes chapter two! From Batman Family #19 (May 1978), "Gotham Town Is Burning Down!"

Part 3 coming soon!

Groove's Faves: "A Choice of Destinies" by Levitz, Staton, and Layton

The Huntress. Earth-2's Batgirl. The daughter of Earth-2's Bruce (Batman) Wayne and Selina (Catwoman) Kyle. Teen Groove really, really dug her. From her origin tale in DC Super-Stars #17 (August 1977--read all about it here) to her many appearances in the Justice Society (in All-Star Comics and Adventure Comics), I was really taken by this creation of Paul Levitz, Joe Staton, and Bob Layton. When she finally got her own series in Batman Family (issues 18-20--by the selfsame creative team that thunk her up), I was in fanboy heaven! Finally, here's the Diversions debut of that short-but-oh-so-sweet series! From Batman Family #18 (March 1978), here's The Huntress facing..."A Choice of Destinies"!

Two parts left? Wanna see 'em? Lemme know, Groove-ophiles!