A review by rickklaw
Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan by Jiro Kuwata, Geoff Spear, Saul Ferris, Chip Kidd

5.0

Unbeknowst to most fans and historians, an original series of Batman tales appeared in the pages of the popular sixties weekly manga Shohen King. Inspired by the Adam West Batman show and employing a unique blend of Western and Japanese styles, Jiro Kuwata's unique vision of the Caped Crusader (and Robin) debuted in 1966. Kidd reprints a large selection of the strips along with full color covers and images of various 1960s Japanese Batman paraphernalia. Kuwata's tales compare favorably with any of the era's Batman stories. Designer Kidd's wise decision to reprint the strips in the traditional manga format, right to left, and in an over-sized thick volume reminiscent of the original Shohen King adds an additional layer of quality to this sensational collection.