You can definitely tell O’Neil’s era was one of the main influences for Bruce Timm on Batman The Animated Series. Especially with the direct adaptation of the Ra’s Al Ghul storyline.
Apart from Bill Finger, I don’t think there has every been a more influential contributor to Batman’s character development as Denny. Don’t forget he was also the editor durning the Knightfall story arc back in the 90s.
Definitely Denny o'neal doesn't get the credit he deserves he definitely did a lot for the character Batman knightfall is a great crossover story it's still a favorite of mines to this day
One aspect I loved about the Dennis O'Neil run on Batman was the way he balanced the tone of his stories. Unlike writers such as Frank Miller who often try to make Batman way too dark, to the point he becomes a "punisher wannabe". O'Neil was able to give Batman stories with more mature tone but still keeping the enjoyble spirit of the classic super hero comics. His Batman version was still a vigilante badass but he also had moments that humanized him (the story There's no hope in the Crime Alley, which introduce Leslie Thompkins is great exemple of this).
@@OwenLikesComics Not just Batman. O'Neil was responsible for redefine many characters in the comics such as Green Arrow in his amazing Green Lantern/Green Arrow run
This was also before we got the post-crisis 'mentally unstable, tactical genius who can take on anyone with enough prep-time' version of Batman. Which I think helped his Batman be alot more human. I miss how street-level Batman used to be back then. How he would not consider stopping a random mugging on the street to be 'below his level', because no crime was ever truly too small or too insignificant for the Batman.
@@marvelfannumber1 Agreed. While I still enjoy some Batman stories nowadays, I miss the classic street level detective Batman, who protect the gotham citzens from thugs, mob bosses, and costume crazy villains. For me Batman dealing with more global threats should happen only in his battles against villains like Ra's Al Ghul (who is the only villain who challenges Batman in a more global scale) or in his adventures with the Justice League.
Thank you. Denny O'Neil is the responsible for all we know about Batman. He certainly made Batman dark and grim again, as well as bringing Two Face and Joker, and introducing new characters and places like Arkham Asylum, Crime Alley, Ra's Al Ghul, and Leslie Thompkins. Even as an editor, he created great characters like Tim Drake and Jean-Paul Valley. Detective Comics 457 is my personal favorite Batman story.
Joker’s Five Way Revenge and Ra’s Al Ghul’s first appearance are two of my favorite Pre-Crisis Batman stories. He (re)defined both villains and Batman himself in his Bronze Age work.
Glad to see O'Neil and Adams get the credit they deserve. Not to put down Miller or Burton (though I'm not a fan of neither) but they don't deserve the honor for this one but the public doesn't realize that. Thanks for getting the word out.
You're absolutely right about O'Neil and Adams. Truth to power, Miller and Burton, don't deserve the overly enamored praise they've received for Batman.
Thank you for this. It has bothered me for such a long time how widespread the myth that "Frank Miller is the one who made Batman dark again" is. Fact is, that by the time Miller started working on Batman, the character had already been returned to his dark roots for almost two full decades. It is a shame Denny O'Neil hasn't got much recognition for his defining run until after his passinig. As a kid I was actually lucky enough to have reprints of his run. So despite the fact that I was born well after his run ended, I was lucky enough to be exposed to his version of Batman from an early age. Because of this, it became really apparent to me how many of his fingerprints still are all over more modern versions of Batman, in particular the animated series, especially once I learned the wider context of his run and how Batman was before his run started.
Disagree, to me Dennis O'Neil perfected the classic Batman. He belongs to the pre-crisis continuity and we're proud to say that. The modern Batman from the post-crisis is nowhere as good as the silver/bronze age one.
Denny O’Neil was my first exposure to Batman. The campier version was what I was used to seeing on super friends. But when it came to the comics, I read mainly Mr. O’Neill‘s stories! Rest in peace sir!
Agreed. If you haven't, check out the early episodes of the podcast Fatman on Batman where Kevin Smith interviews Mr. O'Neil and Adam's! Super interesting. Great video.
R.I.P Dennis O'Neil. I'll admit that while I couldn't deny both Miller's work and influence on the character, it's frustrating how O'Neil's run"s influence often goes either understated or straight up over-looked many of the times despite it saving Batman comics, being the first to bring him to his darker roots, and introduced many staples of the Bat-lore. All that on top of just being one of the best-written/illustrated Batman runs of all time and I'm glad that next year's The Batman is being inspired in many ways by this legendary take with the esthetics and muscle car.
It puts a really big smile on my face to see O'Neil credit Bill Finger, this is such an important thing to see. Everything we love about Batman, starts there. Finger was the one who called him the Dark Knight Detective. I hope one day you make a video on him, also everyone should watch the Bill Finger documentary, its very eye-opening.
You should, his run with Neal Adams is only 11 issues (he did other writing with different artists, and then was editor of Batman for years too), but it's so great.
For anyone who loves the great storytelling in The Animated Series but are perhaps less familiar with the comics... this does an EXCELLENT job of showing how much the series writers drew from and adapted this material. Well done @Owen Likes Comics!
I recently got the Shaman story that kicked off Legends of the Dark Knight and I have "There is No Hope in Crime Alley", "Half an Evil", "The Demon Saga" & "Venom" on my radar You never REALLY appreciate an artist and their work until they're gone...RIP Mr. O'Neil. Thank you for all you have done, your legacy will live on forever.
Denny O'Neil was a rare breed, a man who was solid gold with almost every book he wrote. And while his impact has been felt across characters like Batman, the Question, Green Lantern/Green Arrow... the man himself, sadly, is obscure outside of comic nerds.
Excellent! I've long thought that Denny O'Neil's contribution to the Batman mythos can't be overstated, and it's great to see the recognition he deserves for that being brought to light. Especially in Owen's very capable style!
Neal adams art is so price and timeless, thats my batman... startet reading the comics in 1971. Picked up the new issue every friday at the barber store on the corner of my street! Good times! Thats where my money went :D
Great video! The influence of O'Neil and Adams cannot be overstated! Without them and a lot of other talented artists along the way laying the foundation for everything that came after, another legendary run from the 70's is the Steve Englehart and pencilers Walt Simonson and Marshall Rogers with Len Wein immediately following up Englehart with the creation of Clayface III, these creators along with Julius Schwartz saved Batman and paved the way for all the amazing Batman runs that came later, and that's not even counting Denny being the editor of Batman during the from 1986 to 2000! Denny O'Neil was the man!
I have, tragically, never read any of Dennie O' Neil's stories (and to think I call myself a Batman fan lol! Time to get started on that soon), but even then I have always believed that it was more so his and Neal Adams' run on the Dark Knight that really redefined him into what we know today more than Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns (even though it had an considerable part in it). And this video perfectly explains why. Thanks for making it man!!! :) And may Dennis O' Neil forever RIP!
I was 10 years old when the O'Neil / Adams Batman was in his heyday. Those were the best Batman stories in my humble opinion. Man, I read that Ras Al' Ghul series of stories over and over again. I couldn't agree more with you assessment.
One of the things I love about Mr O'Neil's writing is how he played Devil's advocate. He was willing to look at both sides of the argument. Great video as always.
This is a great tribute. Denny O'Neill and Neal Adams were the reasons I loved Batman comics so much as a little boy. I still have many of the books highlighted in this video. Thanks so much for doing this .
I've been arguing for Denny O'Neill to be more recognized as THE important Batman writer who got most of the credit he deserved gobbled up by Miller. Miller had ONE good decade and TWO four issue stories on Bats. O'Neill kept coming back and refining the Dark Knight as both writer AND editor. He just deserves more love, you know?
Denny O'Neil didn't make Batman too dark like they do nowadays but he was certainly one of the first people to be like "Yeah, this guy has lost his mind." RIP
Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams definitely saved Batman, and set the tone for the character in the 1970s and beyond, but as you pointed out, they really only did a handful of Batman stories. For the 1970s, at least, it was up to other writers and artists to consistently come up with Batman stories in between the O'Neil/Adams stories. People like Frank Robbins, Len Wein, Bob Haney, Irv Novick, Jim Aparo, Steve Englehart, Marshall Rogers, and others. They may have borrowed the tone of the O'Neil/Adams stories, but they're the ones who actually kept Batman, Detective Comics, and the Brave and the Bold going through the 70s.
It's also worth mentioning that while the O'Neill/Adams stories were special and Adams was a fan favorite, many of O'Neill's stories in this period were ably illustrated by Irv Novick on pencils, and a unity of style was maintained by Dick Giordano inking both Adams' and Novick's stories. Giordano only rarely pencilled a story, though the classic "There Is No Hope in Crime Alley" is his solo work (pencils and inks).
another excellent video! these are just getting better and better, I especially appreciate how you don't insert yourself into the show as so many other hosts do. your calm, intelligent voice is a nice counterpoint to the loud, vibrant images you put on screen. Mr. O'Neil's contribution stands as testament to how an individual writer can give other writers a legacy to build upon. thank you.
Great work! I was fortunate to briefly meet O'Neil in person back in 1997 in a comic book convention in Mexico City. He was signing his then freshly released 'Azrael/Ash' crossover, I hope it's still in that box I stored at my brothers' basement... I didn't quite grasp his contribution to the Batman mythos back then, but he will remain as one of the most influential Batman writers of the modern era.
I enjoyed your video, Owen, thank you. I will point out that you jumped a little at the beginning, though. While Batman had remained fairly true to his roots for many years, it wasn't until the mid-1950s that he began losing readers with DC trying to copy what had been going on in the Superman books - i.e. a family of characters and pets, aliens, time travel and general stories that were outright bizarre for Batman to be in. Julius Schwartz's 1964 revitalisation of the character saved Batman from cancellation and it was those 'back to basics' stories that inspired William Dozier to suggest the 60s TV series. The massive and instant impact of the TV series had DC now following that for inspiration as the camp approach was mirrored there. Basically, the company took Schwartz's success and made a right turn into embracing camp for the character. It briefly took Batman to the top of the sales charts, but that quickly backlashed when the market finally collapsed from oversaturation. That's when sales began to flag again 1968. Enter, the brilliant work of Denny O'Neil and Neil Adams. This time, DC ensured the character stay true to his darker roots and avoided ties to the often silly Superfriends cartoons. Subsequent writers and artists kept with the O'Neil/Adams blueprint, itself an update of the original Bill Finger stories. Standouts are the prolific Jim Aparo as well as an outstanding run of issues from writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers, the latter two coming up with one of the finest Joker stories ever done with the laughing fish. As for Frank Miller and the Dark Night stories, that was more Miller imagining a darker future and a retired Batman seeing the need for him was still strong. But, by then, he'd become angry and vicious. Personally, I hated those stories then and still do now, but that's just me. They're far too dark, in my opinion. Despite how influential that series has been, it's such a shame that those who follow have chosen the Miller Batman as their model. Lost is one of the greatest assets Batman possesses - his great deductive intellect.
The Bronze Age of Batman is awesome. most of it is just a bunch of one shot stories but really good stories. truly a great time to have been a fan of the character
Love your channel as I've been inro comics since the early 70s this stuff takes me back to being a kid and going to my friend's house and trading comics twice a month. Count me as a subscriber 👏👏👏💯
Green Lantern/ Green Arrow debuts just a bit after O'Neil and Adams teamed up for Detective 395. Beautiful library of images, mate. I'm working on my podcast and video. It's good t o see quality material coming out still, as I hoped, this far after Denny's passing.
Great video. This explains why I loved Brave and the Bold so much! 'The Demon Lives Again' story is amazing. For me, Neal Adam's art was what lured me in and the stories by Denny O'Neal was what kept me wanting the next issue/s. What I loved is how mature the stories were and the action depicted by Adam's art is the amongst best I've seen for Batman.
Funny for me the first thought of Batman is the way Neal Addams drew it, for me that is still the greatest era of Batman. Testament to this is perhaps any merchandise depiction of Batman, it’s almost funny that whenever I see the dark knight depicted on lunch boxes, paper plates or glasses, it’s always the design out of the Addams and O’Neil era, despite this not being the look in comics or movies for decades. There is just one iconic design, and I’m so glad it is still recognized.
There's a really good reason for that, which is that much of that merchandising artwork was done out of Neal Adams' and Dick Giordano's Continuity Studios by a group of artists known as the Crusty Bunkers.
That's my man, there. I love his writing. His characters know how to throw them hands. Read the novelization of Knightfall. Compared to Bane batman's other foes look like comic-book villains. He's criminally underwritten in the comics medium. Rest In Peace Denny O'Neil
I loved O'Neil and Adams Batman. This is the go to guys for making him great. I never cared for Frank Miller. I once talked to Roy Thomas and he and I agreed that Miller wasn't the one who saved Batman.
Bronze Age Batman may very well be the most definitive Batman, rivaled only by it’s descendant, the Animated Series (Side note: it is a crime that you can’t collect these stories as they were originally presented because Neal Adams wanted to reink and recolor all of his old work)
Great video man. I'd just argue that he definitely got his chance to tell some massive Batman stories as an editor with things like Death in the Family, Knightfall and No Man's Land.
Thanks for this! When I was a kid the first Batman books I read were Detective Comics written by Denny. He was also the first editor whose name and influence I grew to know and appreciate as I became a teen and the creatives behind the comics I loved started taking on more meaning for me. I am sure every Batman writer have a decent fanbase (maybe not Tom King), and there have been many eras and writers of Bats that I have enjoyed over the decades... but to answer the question at the start of the video, when I think of Batman the first two people who come to mind are Denny O'Neil and Norm Breyfogle. I was already a huge fan of the character by the time the Tim Burton movie came out, and it's thanks largely to O'Neil in my mind. I found most everything he wrote to be great reads... but he understood the Dark Knight better than most I think, or at the very least his take resonates more with me than anyone else's. Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns and Jim Starlin's work are also up there for me... but Denny will always be in a league of his own. Thank you for spotlighting his Batman material, and totally agree his influence in the "returning to the roots" was/is both critically important and criminally ignored.
As much as he did for Batman, and as great as that run is, what I feel is the greater overlooked masterpiece of O’Neill’s career was his absolutely brilliant Question run with Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz.
My heartfelt gratitude for this Denny O'Neil tribute. For epic Denny Dark Knight stories (writer), see Sword Of Azrael and the opening arc of the Legends Of the Dark Knight series. RIP Sensei. MTGGLF, Gorf
I loved this video. I didn't even know about about this era. I'm thinking about getting the Neal Adams Batman omnibus, but I wonder if it include his and Denny's full run?
Thanks for this video, O'Neil isn't just one of my favourite Batman writers, but one of my favourite writers in comics. My other favourite Batman writers are probably the underated Chuck Dixon (who also wrote a lot of Robin and Nightwing issues in the 90's), and Jeph Loeb (Long Halloween, Dark Victory, and Hush).
8:08 I got the Millennium Edition reprint of this comic. Even with the stilted dialogue, Secret of The Waiting Graves still blew me away. The final sardonic touch of Bats scratching in the death dates sealed it for me.
As a kid, Denny O'Neil may have been the first creator i truly knew the name of. That era of Batman was amazing from my perspective. Batman was presented as a detective, again, who tackled mysterious events and faced masterminds rather than his rogues gallery. I loved Adam's ability to have peril and surprise catch Batman and his expressions were remarkable. The world has lost another great creator.
Not only did he save Batman but he also saved Green Arrow too! If it weren't for his amazing Green Lantern/Green Arrow story the character would have fallen to obscurity.
I remember reading batman in the eighties and he was far from the silver age batman. Miller just made him psycho and that helped usher in the era where you'd REALY have to be crazy to not recognize Bruce Wayne or Clark Kent because they were huge and had no neck. I remember classic batman stories like where he's buried in a coffin six feet under and has to get out, or where joker has him staked to the ground waiting for the tied to come in. That was already the 'modern batman', then they made psycho batman. This was long before killing off robin and the Bane storyline.
