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Jun 17, 2009 Web Exclusive By Kyle Lemmon

Devotees of Batman: The Animated Series will no doubt recognize writer Paul Dini and artist Bruce Timm's seminal Batman one-shot, Batman: Mad Love. Mad Love and Other Stories' centerpiece recounts Harley Quinn's dark origin. This tale of obsessed love was later adapted into an episode of the series and finds Quinn at her emotional nadir; trying to impress her "Puddin'" (The Joker) by offing ol' Bats. Once a psychologist for Mr. J, her insanity reveals some surprisingly adult-oriented sexuality. In the "Afterword" to Mad Love, Timm notes that the adult themes were only slightly censored for the comic book and animated versions. And as this clip can attest, Dini's snappy dialogue and Timm's lively Art Deco/retro-futuristic art remain true as well. Timm was the main artistic cog for The Animated Series, exploring the thin line between Chuck Jones-like cartooning and the winsome linework of Jack Kirby. In the same way, the cartoon's main writer, now Detective Comics scribe Dini, once wrote for discerning children.

Mad Love and Other Stories aims to win back the adults that may have snubbed all the Johnny DC titles Dini and Timm collaborated on in the past. Of course, Mad Love is the best yarn here. The nine-panel-grid narrative may seem rudimentary at the outset, but it's one of the best Batman stories. The way the dramatic tension unveils is gripping, yet subtle and Mad Love certainly earns its glowing cover review from DC's "sacred cow" Frank Miller. Also included in the collection are stories that feature villains from the rest of the Rogues Gallery. The Scarecrow, Ra’s al Ghul, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, The Ventriloquist, and more, make appearances in Batman Adventures Annual #1-2, and short stories from the Batman Adventures Holiday Special, Adventures in the DC Universe #3, and the film noir-ish Batman Black and White #1. Even though the stories that follow are not as good, the supplemental artwork is a nice change of pace. “Going Straight” weaves together small vignettes of villainry. The Ventriloquist (”Puppet Show”), The Scarecrow (”Study Hall”), and Catwoman all have a swipe at Batman.

Poison Ivy's "stuffed-sea-serpent" attack (“Cruise to Nightmare”) is the most anticlimactic battle here. The charity boat auction peril is over before it begins. Batgirl’s Yuletide tumble with Clayface, in “Jolly Ol’ St. Nicholas,” has pleasant, light artwork and plenty of funny one-liners. Darker things are afoot with Ra's and Talia al Ghul's "Demons." It was nice to see a cameo from Jack Kirby's Etrigan as well. The trade ends on the best note possible; Timm's black-and-white "Harvey Dent/Two-Face" is brilliantly hard-boiled. Most of these collected works make you want to watch the '90s cartoon series yet again. They have the right amount of comedic élan and sinister underpinnings for repeat readings. And of course, any self-respecting Batman fan should have Mad Love nestled somewhere in their bookshelf. (www.dccomcs.com)

Author rating: 7/10