BATMAN: TOP HAT AND NAILS
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It was just another assignment given to me to draw, from a Steve Englehart script, but after it had been drawn (both issues) the powers that be balked at the idea of printing a comic featuring actual freaks, so it was withdrawn. A shame, because the subplot concerning the female "freak" was quite touching.
One unfortunate incident, concerning this job: The portion of the original inked pages returned to Joe Rubinstein were stolen from in front of his door, so only the pages returned to me exist--as far as public accessibility. Maybe the thief'll have an attack of conscience, once the site goes up, and return 'em...yeah, I know...I'm not keeping a lookout for any flying pigs, either.
I did notice that they'd "adapted" my full-page shot of Batman carrying the unconscious girl through the sewers from this story--for the "Batman Begins" poster, though--adding a few bats scurrying about in the background for effect. But I've noticed portions and elements of my work appearing in movies for quite a while, going back to the all-black, multi-gun toting "Salvo"-like characters and bullets-galore sequence in "The Matrix"--as well as the adaptation of Kane Creole's scene from "Thriller", when he dangles from a line attached to a helicopter, as it flies past the skyscrapers of the city. That, too, was seen in "The Matrix."
How do I feel, when I see this sort of thing? I'm pleased--what else? I don't need credit, it's enough for me to know that I've made--and shared--a good idea.
That lasts forever.
Contents & Editorial © Copyright & ™ 2009 ACAB
Art & Text © Copyright &™ 2009 Trevor Von Eeden
All characters © Copyright &™ Their Respective Owners
STEVE ENGLEHART: A book called BATMAN CHRONICLES had two stories as a bookend, but only one got published. The first, concerning Batman's first few nights on the job, is called "Got a Date with an Angel." The second, concerning Batman's latest few nights on the job, is called "Gotta Dance with the Devil"; it features the Joker. This project was very similar to AVENGERS CELESTIAL QUEST in that it engendered a flood of mail from people thrilled to see something outside the box again, but here, a lot of it came from other pros in-house.
I wrote a "prestige" album introducing a new Mad Hatter which was a poster child for where things have gone with comics. First, "Top Hat and Nails" was a complete album. Then I was asked to split it in two so it could go in BATMAN. Then it was knit back together to go in CHRONICLES. Then CHRONICLES got cancelled. Now it sits on a shelf, even though a top Bat-editor called it "the best Batman in the last five years."
