The Dynamic Duo and those altruistic Avengers Steed and Peel finally head across the pond to London in pursuit of Ms. Gough, Lord Ffogg and Mr. Freeze in the eighth installment of Batman ’66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel.
Will our heroes uncover the villains’ nefarious plot?
Can they keep the White Star Diamond safe?
Do Cybernauts look just as dashing dressed as Beefeaters?
Read on to find out, chums.
If I sound like a broken record, I apologize, but as per usual the strength of the series is the whip-smart dialogue and clever visual style. I’ve actually had a chance to interact with both Ian Edginton and Matthew Dow Smith recently, though through different avenues of communication, and it’s great to know that they’re just as much fans of the material as we are. Frankly, with all the in-jokes and callbacks in this chapter alone, that love and reverence is evident.
To make their way across the Atlantic, Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson travel incognito so as to not arouse any suspicion. In a delightful nod to comics history, Bruce is undercover as a Mr. Malone, while Dick is… well, Totally Not Dick Grayson. He doesn’t get a code name.
He does get a hilarious/amazing pencil thin mustache, which aside from the addition of a match in Bruce’s mouth is the extent of their disguises. It is the best.
They rendezvous with Steed and Peel, who had flown in earlier, and head to the Tower of London to check on the status of the White Star Diamond. This sequence is delightful for two reasons: first, it’s loaded with references to the last time Batman and Robin tarried in London, way back in Batman ’66 #4. They meet Chief Inspector Gordon, who has a healthy ‘stache of his own, and are reminded of their run-in with the Mad Hatter from that same story. I’m a sucker for continuity in this title, what can I say?
Even better? After discovering that the diamond is literally ice, the group is attacked by Cybernauts.
Dressed as Beefeaters.
I love this book.
Besides a fun fight, there’s quite a bit revealed here: the heroes learn that Michaela Gough is working directly with Ffogg, and Mr. Freeze’s involvement is finally explained. It’s a bit obvious, but I liked the way Freeze was utilized, because who else could make such a convincing false diamond?
With just four installments to, we’ve reached the rising action before the climax. Things are moving fast, yet it never feels like filler, and with such consistently great writing I’m expecting a big, satisfying ending to such a great series in the next few months.
Recommended if:
- You like Batman ’66.
- You like Steed and Peel.
- You like great writing, creative illustrations, and great chemistry between the two.
Overall: Whip-smart and a massive entertainment, this is yet another winner from Edginton, Smith, and team. Batman fans will love it, Avengers fans will love it, and really, anyone who loves good, fun comics will love it. Balancing humor, intrigue, action, and intelligence, Batman ’66 Meets Steed and Mrs. Peel is one of the most consistently excellent titles DC is publishing today.
SCORE: 8.5/10
