DC Comics; $14.99 

Under a cover by Neal Adams, Limited Collectors' Edition #25 was originally published by DC Comics, cover-dated December 1974. It featured a selection of early and then-modern tales that showcased the story and stylistic development of the Dark Knight Detective over his first three decades, and those offerings stand up well in this new facsimile edition. 

The six stories in the issue include "The Case of the Joker's Crime Circus!" from Batman #4 by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, and George Roussos, "The Case Batman Failed to Solve!" from Batman #14 by Don Cameron and Jerry Robison, "The Mayors of Yonville!" from Batman #24 by Don Cameron and Dick Sprang, "Hate of the Hooded Hangman!" from Detective Comics #355 by John Broome, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella, "Hot Time in Gotham Town Tonight!" from Batman #221 by Mike Friedrich, Irv Novick, and Dick Giordano, and "Ghost of the Killer Skies!" from Detective Comics #404 by Denny O'Neil, Neal Adams, and Dick Giordano. 

The development of Batman's tone and style wasn't a straight upward line, but it's fascinating to see the changes in storytelling happening in just the first few issues. By the half-way point in this issue, the approaches changed substantially, culminating in the dynamic visual approach Adams brought with him. 

DC's recent spate of Facsimile Editions of their classic treasury edition publications has been thoroughly enjoyable. It's fantastic to see a new generation of readers and collectors being exposed to the format and to early tales of great characters. 

– J.C. Vaughn