Stories is a standalone Batman tale first published in 1997. Originally appearing in issue #94 of Legends of the Dark Knight, Stories is from writer/artist Michael Gilbert and looks at the different ways in which the Caped Crusader has been depicted over the years.
The story focuses on a group of strangers who all have one thing in common – they have previously encountered Batman. Each stranger recounts their interactions with the Dark Knight, demonstrating the differences in his mythology.
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What happens in Batman: Stories?
For five years, author Fisher Saul has lived in constant fear. He published a tell-all book about a group of fundamentalists and in retaliation, they have made multiple attempts on his life.
The latest attempt on Fisher’s life has left him trapped in an elevator along with a small collection of strangers. As they sit in the dark awaiting a rescue, each stranger recounts a time in which they met Batman.
The first story comes from Julie Madison who explains that she met Batman in 1939. The Caped Crusader rescued her from the clutches of the Monk.
The second story is told by Dick Paris, who says he met Batman in 1952. The encounter happened when Batman and Robin were fighting the Bulb.
The third story is from Al Rosenberg, who claims to have met Batman in 1969. The incident involved the villainous, Age O’Quarious.
Fisher doesn’t believe any of the stories that have been told, chalking them up to nonsense. He also doesn’t buy into a fourth story, which depicts Batman as a metal-clad vigilante.
As the group continue to wait inside the elevator, the gun-touting fundamentalists arrive outside, ready to open fire. But Batman intercepts them and saves the day.
Eventually, the group of strangers are released from the elevator to see Batman leaving the scene. But Fisher misses the Dark Knight and continues to believe the hero does not exist – he only sees what he wants to see.
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Is Batman: Stories worth a read?
Stories is a love-letter to the Batman comics of the past. It is a tale which offers up a snapshot of various incarnations of the Dark Knight and effectively says that it doesn’t matter if some versions of Batman appear bizarre or fantastical, they are all as valid as each other.
Those who have read Batman comics from the 1930s, 1950s, 1960s and 1990s, will enjoy seeing these eras recreated. While readers who are new to Batman comics are given a brief flavour of yesteryear.
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Has Batman: Stories been adapted for film?
Stories has not been adapted for film, however, the concept of different interpretations of Batman has been used on film and television.
The idea of incorporating multiple Batman tales formed the basis of Batman: Gotham Knight (2008) – a feature-length animated movie composed of six different segments, all showcasing different animation styles. Gotham Knight didn’t take the same direction as Stories, but in terms of adapting the concept it is perhaps the closest.
On television, Batman: The Animated Series delivered something much closer to Stories, via the episode Legends of the Dark Knight. First aired in 1998, Legends of the Dark Knight told three different Batman stories, all from different eras of the Batman mythology.
Legends of the Dark Knight is a great episode and one to check out – especially if you like the sound of Stories.
Breaking away from movies and television, you may also wish to check out the short comic book tale, The Batman Nobody Knows. This story – first published in 1973 – provided some inspiration for Stories.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about Batman: Stories on I’ll Get Drive-Thru. For more Batman related posts, please check out one of the recommended reads below.
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