Batman: Shadow of the Bat #56 - Atop the Fourth Wall

Welcome to Atop the Fourth Wall, where bad comics burn. In this episode, Linkara looks at a comic where Batman battles against marijuana!
atopthefourthwa...
Originally uploaded July 14th, 2014.
ORIGINAL INFO: A comic where Batman is too concerned with marijuana to worry about the evils of rock and roll!
RUMINATIONS: Got a little flack from people about the title card for this one, since I'm usually pretty critical about scantily-clad women in comics. Well, people also forget that I don't actually tell Al what to do for them - I give him the comic cover and a general idea of what's in the book (if I can - sometimes he asks me for it before I've actually read the dang thing). It's not what I would have gone for, but the thing to remember is that one of the problems with cheesecake in comics is that it's SO PERVASIVE. There wouldn't be nearly as much of an issue if there was more of a balance of it or if it was equal across the genders, but it really isn't, especially not in this regard. And since my title cards tend to err on the side of more modest attire, I think there can be the occasional cheesecakey indulgence. Hell, I notice no one notices the pot-smoking in it despite me never having done drugs nor claiming I promote drugs in it or something.

[@DJtheChaos246]

“Are the two henchwomen supporting Poison Ivy’s hair?” If this episode had been made 7 years later, Crafty probably would’ve tried to reference “Record of Ragnarok” in the title card.

[@darkservantofheaven]

Batman hates pot and rock and Roll....man he would really be up a creek in the 1960s

[@kimifw58]

+darkservantofheaven In the 1960s, he was Adam West, so he was pretty square.

[@darkservantofheaven]

Kimi FW must not be alot of hippies in Gotham back then

[@ikiry0830]

@@kimifw58 Eh, Adam West Batman wasn't that square. He was on the side of the hippies generally when they turned up.

[@kimifw58]

@@ikiry0830 You're right. He was more than Adam West. He was restricted by the Comics Code.

[@jfdrac]

@@kimifw58 Have you seen the Batusti...He was the Cats Meow Daddio

[@SacridFire]

Tim: "Are you crazy, Mason?! Smoking *grass* in *school?!*" Me: (face palm) Tim, you live in Gotham City, I am fairly certain this is not the worst thing you've caught your school mates doing.

[@darkhero-3097]

Berserker Rogue At my school a kid was caught beating it. He was expelled.

[@bryedtan]

Considering for some reason Gotham has very loose definition for insanity making almost every criminal being considered insane that they are always sent to Arkham and even looser adoption laws that a bachelor billionaire can adopt a kid with nary a child welfare visit or for that matter any female in the household I am going to say they have an even looser drug laws than Canada.

[@fallingskymedia4421]

@@otaking3582 You assume teenagers wouldn't do either version throughout the USA.

[@KevlarNinja]

Say what you will about the Marvel swimsuit issues, but both the men AND women got fanservice. Even if it did give us Punisher in a speedo. Which I'm pretty sure IS some sort of crime.

[@themediumcheese]

That sounds amazing

[@KidSnivy69]

When did that happen?

[@dr.limeade3035]

+Matt Lipton The worst thing I would say about cheese-cake is that it's mostly silly and kind of pointless with the internet. But really I don't really care about cheese or beef-cake.

[@rikowolfin4984]

Well you can say there is fan service in almost every super hero comic as most of them wear skin tight suits that cling to every muscle and underwear that bulges some times on close ups and shows off their asses a lot. ( Examples are nightwing, green lanter, Flash, Martian Man Hunter used to wear just the shorts but I think they changed that, Aqua Man ext. ) The only difference being a matter of color, while the female characters are more obvious about it just try and replace batmans black/grey on his suit with a more skin toned one, it will look like he is just running around in his speedos with a bat symbol painted on his chest. Same thing with super mans blue, unless you are going with the movie outfit then it will just look like he is a ken doll. I know that drawing fan service is usually in bad taste most of the time but you can't say there isn't a ton of the same kind of stuff for the other side of it, while yes skin tight tights are covering more its not doing anything to hide their bodies from the viewer.

[@PosthumanHeresy]

Same thing with Metal Gear Solid. People complain about Quiet, but there is so much more fanservice of the men. The Snake Family Ass, just to start.

[@christopherthibeault7502]

"I get high from impoverishment! "Show me a poor person, and I am high as a kite!" That has got to be the best line ever taken from a critical review for any comic book, ever. Linkara, you've done it again!

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

This would have been an excellent time to reintroduce Snowflame into the DC universe.

[@dukespubber741]

All the complaining about the title card, you could have just said "It's Poison Ivy." Sexuality is, y'know, one of her things.

[@kimifw58]

+Duke Spubber What I got was that there was less sexuality than there usually is, and "Twin Peaks" is an immature pun.

[@Tareltonlives]

That's a pretty awkward pose, though.

[@harrietr.5073]

If she was opening instigitating it, yeah. But it's a title. Have her say that to Batman to show she's being horny openly.

[@edfreak9001]

Next issue: Poison Ivy VS A Bulbasaur

[@omiorahman6283]

edfreak9001 solarbeam

[@garchomplord5081]

Bulbasaur wins and teams up with linkara nostalgia critic and the angry video game nerd to defeat thanos

[@redhood7650]

Plot twist: she just ends up having it as Her pet

[@TheHeroOfTomorrow]

I was gonna review a comic--but then I got high!

[@Meskarune]

I gotta go play that now.

[@SpeedyEric1]

*Pot is nothing but death, and crime, and the rage of a beast!*

[@Egalitariat-likesecretariat]

I was gonna talk about Archie's Sonic, but I got high. Now the pages are all ripped up, and I know why! (Ya HEY!) Because I got high, because I got high, because I got high. YADDA DA DA DA-DA-DA

[@andrejg4136]

**Instrumental to "But I Got High" plays in the background**

[@TheZipperDragon]

OoooOOOOOH!

[@thelittlebookdigitaltheatr2079]

You might like this quote: "Further, females are posed in ways in which males simply are not. In the most extreme version, a female character’s back is drawn unnaturally twisted as well as arched, displaying all of her curves in front and back simultaneously. That pose has come to be called ‘broke back’ since one’s back would have to be broken to possibly contort oneself in that way" (The ‘Broke Back Test’: a quantitative and qualitative analysis of portrayals of women in mainstream superhero comics, 1993-2013 Carolyn Cocca).

[@KalleMichael]

+Milsong um .......ok.

[@Cdr2002]

This is gonna sound weird but I like it when superheroes who swing around a lot like Batman or Spider-Man have detailing on the soles of their shoes

[@connorrivers995]

I want a follow up to this where it's revealed that Tim now takes medical marijuana to deal with all the pain he suffers from while crime fighting.

[@warlockfemale]

As someone highly allergic to pot, I was personally annoyed when the kids smoked right outside of the school. Dudes, think about others! Reminds me of living in the dorms and trying to figure out what places will kill me at what times....

[@KidSnivy69]

Agreed. While I'm not allergic, I get easily queasy with the scent of pot. So whenever I'm with my family or friends who smoke they are respectful enough to not smoke when I'm near.

[@tenkaiechi01]

@@KidSnivy69 The majority of cannabis users are like this. We do not push or prod you to accept what we do nor do we deliberately smoke around people who are disdainful/reactive to the substance. Its old propaganda that all pot smokers are burnout idiots with no ambition or perception of reality. Most of us are quite down to earth and open minded people.

[@gracekim25]

I’m not allergic but that’s how I view smokers in general

[@TheSkully343]

The cover of this comic is giving me serious reminders of Batman Forever.

[@ChronicNOTAG]

Oh, come on. Chill out. No need to freeze up. Here's a joke for you; What killed the dinosaurs? The ICE AGE! There, killed the joke. Again. Now pass the popcorn.

[@TheSkully343]

ChronicNOTAG That was Batman and Robin. Wrong movie.

[@batfan1939]

+TheSkully343 Pretty sure Batman and Robin was the intended movie, since Ivy wasn't in Forever.

[@thegayghost872]

I always liked Poison Ivy. Her weird sense of morality makes her interesting.

[@LordSpongy]

You have the best Batman quips in that voice. Every time you play Batman as a giant egotistical silly manchild it's a riot. Keep it up! xD

[@dreamcream3738]

3:52 Assuming that's a Glock chambered in 9mm, it's relatively easy to miss at even close ranges while *stationary*, having a proper stance, and a solid grip. It doesn't take much difference in aim to actually throw off accuracy. At 25 yards, being even a millimeter off center can result in the bullet flying way off course. This crook is not only in a moving vehicle, but is firing it one handed and at a moving target. Given how frantic the situation seems to be, he is also not giving himself time to readjust for recoil and is instead taking pot shots in the hopes one of them lands as opposed to being a marksman.

[@NavySharkz]

Lol, I love when you review Batman comics. Your Bale voice is frickin hilarious!

[@Tareltonlives]

Batman vs Joe Friday: Dawn of Narcs

[@Tareltonlives]

Mobster: Eva Green?! I loved you in Casino Royale! Can I have your autograph?

[@CthulhuianBunny]

"1. Which cultures in particular?" The culture of the TV Sitcom, obviously.

[@romdan7136]

Or Gungan Culture.

[@tanuki01]

I'm pretty sure Poison Ivy is supposed to be less a feminist and more a misandrist

[@PolarPhantom]

+Edwin Latorre A misanthrope with heavy extra helpings of misandry, I'd say. Except for Harley. She's special.

[@KidSnivy69]

+Misterprickly I get the feeling you rarely know what your talking about

[@KidSnivy69]

Misterprickly You assume I care

[@KidSnivy69]

Misterprickly Your pun was shit

[@tanuki01]

I am a feminist, and, while I do hate myself, this does not extend to all men. My self-hatred exists on a more personal level :D

[@QuietBatperson96]

"Go away, Arkham. I'm busy. I'd rather spend a minute with a plant than a month with any man." What about Robert Plant?

[@daelen.cclark]

I wonder why there hasn’t been a story where all the twin henchwomen of the DCU get together and chat. There’s lots of them.

[@rorylumley4727]

One good thing about the batman cartoon is the villians were always in prison jumpsuits when in arkham.

[@Marelfan]

3:59 Oh don’t you talk about my boxes! I like boxes!!

[@Kuudere-Kun]

As someone who was Highschool aged more recently then you were, I cna say that simply smoking Weed out in the open is pretty normal. I also thinking i'ts disingenuous to assume the way anyone writes Poison Ivy is what they think Feminism is, they're writing a generic Femme Fatale not an ideology.

[@Ungulates]

Linkara, if it weren't for Bale's over-the-top voice, how do you think you would do a Batman impression? Would it be different when he's being stupid or crazy?

[@thegayghost872]

I bet he'd do Adam West's voice.

[@Ungulates]

Andrew Addams But does an Adam West voice work for "grim gritty batman?" I know it is silly, but it doesn't quite work for mocking Batman as an overly serious vigilante.

[@thegayghost872]

Ungulates Fair point.

[@Nintendon85]

I personally prefer the smooth, cold quality Kevin Conroy gave it.

[@Ungulates]

Tabula Rasa Of course! But that's a good voice for when Batman is being competent. It's not a good fit for when Batman is doing something overly silly or dark. I also don't know too many people who can do that voice well; Conroy's pretty unique.

[@jeremyusreevu237]

13:45 And of course, Tim doesn't respond to that rational point. Because the writers themselves don't have an answer to that.

[@hotaru8309]

3:43 BATTREAD Leaving footprints of "the Bat" around Gotham. I imagine Batman shoeprints are like a serial killer leaving a flower at the scene. ...in a twisted "Batty" sort of way Edit: I may have paused this review and commented while walking through a public place, so I apologize for commenting on something Linkara immediately brings up. Aside from that faux-pas , I just like to imagine detectives examining the crime scene at looking at Bat-Tread through magnifying glasses like Sherlock-Holmes.

[@caitlinsnowfrost8244]

Okay, I appreciate the usage of "Defying Gravity."

[@Ice-Climber]

Why does Batman hve his own insignia on the soles of his boots?

[@xzenitramx666]

+Ice Climber wants to onw the franchise?.

[@L1701]

Two words: Bat. Ego.

[@batfan1939]

So he can leave Bat-signal impressions in his enemies' faces.

[@fredbedlam]

Ice Climber Because he's Batman.

[@josephroszell]

Super bat-traction

[@LoboGuara5bruxaria]

Funny Thing: Mason defending his right to smoke weed is currenly the main image page of Starwman Has a Point trope.

[@MicrowavedAlastair5390]

Marijuana is poison... ... For me. I'm allergic to the hemp family. Fun times.

[@kdgmr97]

psa hell, miller time and comic quickies are my favorite episodes. hope he does one in the future

[@reidheidler5138]

Tim Drake's school went from Gotham High to Gotham REALLY High!

[@TheAllSeeingEye2468]

3:40 batman trademarked his shoes

[@cpcoultertweedles7216]

I like this PSA more than some of the others that you've reviewed. It's still bad, but I like the fact that they aren't demonizing the pro-marijuana side. They're giving some fair pro legalization arguments and highlighted some of the consequences at the same time. It's nice to have a more balanced comic, rather than just 'drugs are bad, 'mkay?'

[@supersmashbro596]

ya know. marijuana is like, no more dangerous than smoking a cigarrette. hell, the worst that happens is you get the munchies. not saying it's good for you, but it isnt worse than what was already made widely available and legal to ingest/smoke.

[@lucasmackey2808]

3:58 Oh don’t you talk about my boxes! I like boxes!

[@Sitharos]

Linkara is the best comic reviewer of all time!!! 😀

[@GanonGhidorah]

The flowers of Robert Maplethorpe...XD

[@maxdunn1989]

Hey Linkara I noticed in the pile of comics in your intro you have the first issue of the Batman city of light 8 parter. are you ever going go review that mini series?

[@SpeedyEric1]

Nice job on the AVGN clip. Seriously, whenever someone does a review about a movie were someone or some people run into empty boxes, I always feel like putting that quote down here in the comments. 9:18- ...Eva Green the actress, or someone ELSE names Eva Green? I'm asking, because if it's the actress, you got a deal. 17:12- And people STILL bitch about Batman's unintentionally killing people in Batman v Superman.

[@jfdrac]

I judst picture the Box Ghost crying "Those boxes never did anything to you...the BOXMANITY"

[@ChiefMedicPururu]

6:28 I so want to do a Mega Man joke. 17:14 Crazy Steve??

[@DarthCuddlefluff]

I love how the "pot" is just leaves. That's not what you smoke.

[@alanfoxwolf7233]

The character of the black Bang's hair kind of reminds me of Terry McGinnis from Batman beyond.❤

[@0n1baka]

What the- Shakespeare is apparently alive and selling marijuana @ 17:00

[@andreworders7305]

7:25 you’ve never heard of a “party pooper”?

[@Tareltonlives]

Yes, watching this on 4/20 "...I'm batman"

[@CuppaLLX]

you know I often wondered about logosonthe soles of your boots but I could totally see Batman (as opposed to say spider man) kicking a guy in the face hard enough to leave a bat boot impression on his face

[@alexaliennerd3990]

"Robert Mapplethorpe. That man can photograph a flower." ... Has... Has anyone else in the comments told you?

[@AT4W]

Told me what? I'm aware of who he was and various things he did - I was mostly referencing the bizarre release for the Phillips CD-I called "The flowers of Robert Mapplethorpe."

[@jeremyusreevu237]

2:40 Or maybe the makers of this comic are fans of David Lynch.

[@Tareltonlives]

I just really really miss Snowflame...

[@furioussherman7265]

What;s the name of the music that plays during the PSA Hell sequence?

[@rorylumley4727]

what I like about the Batman cartoon whenever arkham is shown the criminals are always in Orange prison uniforms

[@spookyrosev6467]

Although even when Poison Ivy is in prison outfits the artists always have the need to make those as scantily clad as possible. Because comic books

[@jfdrac]

Case in Point Arkham Asylum the game

[@sesfilmsllc]

And don't forget the Mountain Dew

[@Dreigonix]

I am so hiiiiiiiiiigh, I’m defyyyying graaaavity!

[@amiefortman7220]

I'm just disappointed you didn't go for a Wile E. Coyote joke in the scene with the drug dealer. :)

[@Zxzero36]

That reminds me did you read the snow flame fan comic?

[@jeremyusreevu237]

13:30 Yeah, that's actually a good point. There are things way worse than Marijuana that are completely legal. But of course Tim Drake doesn't respond to that, because then this comic would get into a discussion about the ethics of marijuana, and we all know that Marijuana is eeeeeeevil, so we can't have actual discussions about it.

[@DarkMProductions]

Watching this, I realized that a comic, or movie about Arkham Asylum would be really interesting. And no, not like the Arkham Asylum games. But a story about the facility itself, and its workings, with Batman playing a minor role at most. Like the main characters would the doctors and nurses trying to rehabilitate Gotham's rogues gallery. Heck, you could make it entirely about Harleen Quinzel, before Joker made her crazy.

[@jfdrac]

They have actually done a few comics about Arkham

[@perrilewis180]

Weed is probably a godsend in Gotham. Instead of people commiting crime everyone is just laughing at subar spongebob episodes

[@ZoanBlade90]

13:24 And we've wasted a lot of money and life in a war that only made the problem worse!

[@Sillybeanz]

Tim: sniffs drug. "Im vengence" breaks kneecaps

[@noir-214]

9:25 leave it Frank miller, although we wouldn't be able to tell what was happening due to is art work post Dark knight returns

[@bujilou]

One of the few comics I had as a kid! Wow

[@deadaccount7520]

Seen a dude who pooped the party one time. But he was drunk. lol. Your patton is dangerously close to mr. T. THAT would be an awesome conversation.

[@MoonShadowWolfe]

At 4:24 (damn, by just a bit ...), we can see Batman installed a pimp ring on his feet. It's very important to him that everyone knows who stepped on you.

[@andreworders7305]

How many different Batman series are there?

[@jdpragmatic8644]

6:10, to answer your first question: Gungan culture

[@thegreatguldo9956]

I feel you and nostalgia critic would be a good duo together

[@jfdrac]

They used to do many team ups until Channel Awesome pretty much imploded

[@gracekim25]

You’re late😅

[@alexanderfix3629]

Am I the only one who thinks that Ascetti looks like Doppler from Treasure Planet?

[@Egalitariat-likesecretariat]

When he said "Mr. Ascetti," I heard Mister Resetti. And then I thought, "Damn, Animal Crossing's black market must really be thriving if Resetti joined up with Crazy Redd."

[@Egalitariat-likesecretariat]

When he said "Mr. Ascetti," I heard Mister Resetti. And then I thought, "Damn, Animal Crossing's black market must really be thriving if Resetti joined up with Crazy Redd."

[@bigevil1001]

Holly and Eva Green? EVA GREEN?!

[@SerenityM16]

11:45 ehhhh, it does keep the dangerous criminal calm and compliant.

[@johnkirby8939]

So at 15:23 why does Jason Woodrew look like zombie H.P. Lovecraft?

[@oliverklinton7164]

2:05 what song is this?

[@seraphonica]

9:10 It's not a GOOD joke, but you missed a joke here. Eva Green being pronounced like "evergreen"

[@Tareltonlives]

This comic just makes me want to watch the Rifftrax for Reefer Madness "They'll never smell this through the slats, Gerry!"

[@Tareltonlives]

Come to think of it , wouldn't Poison Ivy be a better fit for the New Guardians than the Floronic Man? She actually is human.

[@Tareltonlives]

Wait, Eva Green? Come to think of it, I think she'd be good as Poison Ivy; she's done a LOT of evil vamps.

[@jfdrac]

@@Tareltonlives depends on the writer lol

[@Somebronysomewhere]

6:00 I mean if there's a culture that treats sitcom plots as some type of holy gospel that's true, but...

[@jfdrac]

There are many alien cultures who do ;)

[@andreworders7305]

Weed isn't even harmful though (If older then 25)? Why is Batman worried about it? I'm fine with it staying illegal since it smells terrible, but besides the Poison Ivy part this seems like it really shouldn't be on his radar.

[@alanfoxwolf7233]

Yeah, the car does look like Christine.

[@ShadeMeadows]

Damn that Title Card Art is Hot

[@andreworders7305]

Bat-Sneakers

[@cyrilmoore3rd374]

favorite episode

[@brandonmccarthy6768]

would anyone else love to see another Channel Awesome crossover to review SUICIDE SQUAD as the characters links ta would be an awesome captain boomerang The NC WOULD be a good rick flag Snob would have to be deadshot he's so snarky and the return of Melvin and Harley Quinn

[@orcatwar9810]

well since most members left (and later sue them) will will never it

[@gracekim25]

😂I find it hilarious that people had a ‘issue’ with the title card. You know about WICKED?!🤩 HELL YEAH!😁🥳 Well I’m invested AGAIN 🤣❤ 21.10.22

[@alanfoxwolf7233]

Oh oh, God, it's Christine is gone berserk.

[@TheZipperDragon]

Almost feels like 90's kid should've reviewed this.

[@Tareltonlives]

Even better: 60s kid

[@TheZipperDragon]

@@Tareltonlives 1930's kid

[@TheNomade5]

What is 1:25 from?

[@MoonShadowWolfe]

Harvesting six times a year? Dang! That's better than the 4 times a year we can do now with good autoflowers. Given that it's the 90s, I bet 'double' means, like, 12-20% or something. We're basically already living with these genetically modified plants being grown in national quantities, is the world over yet? Seriously. Is it?

[@Merit2397]

I'm probably not the first to point this out (and probably won't be the last) but with all the bizarre artistic choices and dialogue exchanges made in this comic, I'm not entirely convinced that the creators weren't smoking something themselves.

[@andreworders7305]

17:26 didn’t they say it was grown locally before?

[@yagalalexis4011]

What tv show is the clip of the detective from

[@archer1949]

Dragnet.

[@Barduwulf]

If I had to guess why Ivy has her costume and a plant is part of her therapy. I admit it's been a while since I've studied psychology, but I imagine for the costume, possibly a concession for good behavior, since aside from her rather coquettish response, she's not causing trouble. As for that potted plant, best guess it's part of her therapy, considering her connection to plant life. Give her some flora to watch over, rather than cut her off could keep her calmer. Again, like I said, been a while since I've taken psychology classes, so I'm just basing this off of some logic, with what little I know on such.

[@Zcumgod]

It makes sense

[@jfdrac]

That is exactly the reason states in the comics many times...and is actually the reason we often see the Arkham inmates in costume as its helps them with therapy....

[@GeminibBorn]

Gritty reboot of the Little Rascals, hilarious.

[@MsTwinkle101]

Because drugs are bad... M'kay? 😁

[@DragonslayerProd]

7 years after the fact, so I'm sure nobody will see this but... From the thumbnail, I thought this was called "Shadow of the Bat Nose"

[@marvelthinker3910]

Forgive the novice question but what does PSA stand for?

[@charlezard5579]

public service announcement it is OK it used to confuse me too

[@NU121493255]

Linkara, have you seriously never heard the term "party pooper"?

[@tanuki01]

Every party needs a pooper and that's why they invited you Party pooper Party pooper

[@thomasjenkins7506]

+NU121493255 people don't typically say "pooped the party" though.

[@Andreu0rtin]

Edwin Latorre Shut up, super kami Guru.

[@Tareltonlives]

NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIL