For over 50 years he has been a part of the American culture. He was a sensation from the moment of his first appearance, and today he has achieved an even more phenomenal level of popularity. Now the Batman's tales are being reprinted in exact chronological order from his appearance in the pages of Detective Comics Nos. 27-38 and Batman No.1...

Volume Five of The Batman Chronicles continues to reprint the original tales of the Batman in chronological order. As I've said in previous reviews in this series, this won't be to everyone's taste. To start with Bob Kane's artwork is a little simplistic and the stories are a little on the childish side. But then you have to put the stories into historical context - these were aimed at children as there wasn't really a comic industry for the more mature reader.

This latest collection includes a couple of familiar villains: The Penguin and The Joker. There are also a few characters that never went on to be quite as popular. Sadly fans would not see Professor Radium reach the fame of some of Batman's foes - nor would the White Whale (thankfully) which appears in a high seas adventure.

At the end of the day this collection will only really appeal to die-hard Batman fans who want to see the origins of the character. But, if you a fan, then this is an essential purchase.

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Nick Smithson