The Death of Batman | Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?

Happy holidays from ComicPOP! Gaiman joins artist Andy Kubert and inker Scott Williams for a story that shines a new light on the Batman mythos. Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? Never miss an episode by subscribing today! bit.ly/2WYvgkt #batman
ComicPop is a few friends talking about comic books. The ComicPop team brings a bunch of unique points of view to every single discussion about a comic book, graphic novel, character or story arc. You can find full conversations about your favorite titles from Marvel and DC Comics, plus a few pretty key independent comics. If you're looking for a long, funny conversation about Batman or a deep dive into why Spider-Man is so neurotic, check out the hours and hours of amusing, insightful and downright stupid conversations about some of your favorite comic books over the years. If you're a longtime comic book reader or just starting out, make sure to subscribe right now!
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[@comixproviderftw_02]

Young Ben with dat pony tail tho

[@Benm701]

That is a great Christmas present for us all.

[@sethstrattan7380]

ComiXProvider FTW_02 I must see that video lol

[@benbaragona]

This is what happens when I open my big mouth. Thankfully I will never learn and keep doing things like this, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

[@rema999p]

Riddler: *inhales* "...and scene. . . . Wait! Did I do that?"

[@mitchellregan21]

*Last week's Back Issues:* "The Joker got away... like in the song." A subtle hint that the Christmas episode would be another Batman story? Probably not, but there's fun in reading into things.

[@mitchellregan21]

You guys have been a major part of my life and entertainment for the past 3 and a half years. I wish Sal, Ethan, Ben, Tiffany and all the Population a happy holidays, and an even better year in life and for ComicPOP in 2020.

[@puffnisse]

This didn't age well for anyone, oof.

[@mitchellregan21]

@@puffnisse Well in Sal's new episode with Chip Zdarsky he said the channel did well in the pandemic, so there's that lol

[@JLRules]

I love that it's Martha who's the "afterlife avatar", as 99% of the time the creators (and thus, Bruce) focus on Thomas. In the Bale/Nolan trilogy, for example, I don't think Martha even says one line. Where's the dead street urchin, though? I've gone through the two issues and can't find any reference to Joker going back and killing him.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

On the first death of Batman, my true love gave to me, his blood all over my seat. On the second death of Batman, my true love gave to me, 2 backstabbing actors, and his blood all over my seat~. On the third death of Batman...

[@jaytheartman610]

Three beaten robin's two back stabbing actors and his blood all over my seat.

[@JohnClark-tt2bl]

On the fourth death of Batman, my true love gave to me, Batman dieing live on TV.

[@toob_noob4381]

@@jaytheartman610 on the fourth death of Batman my true love gave to me, 4 costumed villains 3 beaten robins 2 backstabbing actors And his blood all over my seat!

[@architeuthis3476]

I'm not really a Neil Gaiman fan (I don't _dislike_ him or his work by any means, I'm just not a fan), but I really enjoyed this strange mix of _Canterbury Tales_ and _Citizen Kane_ ...and the twist in which the entire Batman mythos is just a game Alfred and some of his theater friends played with Bruce is great!

[@gavinstott9963]

Bens long hair is something to treasure

[@barofsoap12]

Tiff looks like she came straight from a Hallmark Christmas movie... and I’m here for it.

[@alicedubois1348]

Merry Christmas everyone! No matter if you family is tiny (like mine), your alone, or if you are surrounded by the people you love, I wish you a plentiful holiday. I sincerely hope that you guys take care of yourselves. mentally, and physically. Here is to 2020!

[@loganshirley9058]

Today has been extremely difficult and I don't have the words to express how much I needed exactly this video. Thank you guys. So much. Happy holidays!

[@TheRealZubes]

Hey, I hope things get better! Keep going, you've got this!

[@loganshirley9058]

@@TheRealZubes aww, thanks, Tiffany! I'm happy to say that yesterday was much better! 😊

[@ridge825]

Hope you get through this bruh

[@batfreeze56]

This was one of the first comic books I bought that wasn't based on a Back Issues recommendation. To see you guys finally review it is the best feeling in the world. Merry Christmas!

[@jonjones6764]

I still have my single issues along with the trade. This is by far my favorite Batman story. It's so moving, and perfectly displays what is so great about Batman in every form, campy, dark, realistic and gritty, every form and tone the character has taken since 1939. And I tear up every time I read the ending where Martha prepares Bruce for his death and rebirth. Just amazing

[@mrboy8121]

Happy holidays population!!

[@EvilRobstar88]

Mr Boy happy holidays brother!

[@MegaBatman39]

Had forgotten just how good of a story Whatever Happened to The Caped Crusader was. Haven't read in in a couple of years.

[@alberto1583]

This was one of the first stories I was introduced to when I first got into comics. I didn't understand nor appreciate it way back when. But passing by it again years later, it really is special. Definitely a favorite of mine.

[@ArgentoLives1610]

One of my absolute most favorite Batman stories ever.

[@Noah5110]

Merry Christmas, can't believe I've been watching you guys for four years, looking forward to many more

[@masterrance]

Early Back Issues? It must be a Christmas miracle Happy Holidays POPulation!

[@dead0ntime]

masterrance lol for me it came out just before 8

[@masterrance]

Dead on Time You must be a fellow west coaster

[@bL4zZ3e]

this came right in time, i was feeling a bit down and now i feel better :)

[@SolteiroeNerd]

Dunno If you guys will see this but it's just past midnight here in Brazil (Amazon). So I wanted to wish you guys a Merry Christmas and thank you for giving us such a good time every new episodes.

[@TheRealZubes]

Thank you so much!! Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@anirudh.v.n7636]

Man this book was mind-blowing

[@michaelthethird702]

That video of Ben... this is why I love you guys Additionally, this was a great story. Thanks for sharing it with us, and for adding another story to my back issues search.

[@crimsonking440]

I love watching old back issues and getting a notification for a new one. Merry Christmas to you all and thank you for the Christmas gift

[@GitShiddy]

Finally a quintessential Bat-Book I was able to read, & thoroughly love, before the Back Issues episode. Yeah this 2 parter is genuinely great.

[@darktheg.o.d5541]

Merry Christmas and can't lie I got excited when I figured out back issues Wednesday was on Christmas

[@bushysbakedbeans]

Another Batman book to the playlist, nice

[@Danial_Duval]

Something I did not realise until I watched this episode was how it reminds me of Sandman v.14- The Wake. With all the guests telling stories about the departed before sending him off and a sort of "rebirth" happening in the end. Thanks guys. And Happy Xmas. PS. Also kinda hoped this book was for last episode of Bat-Issues but sure, doing it during the end of the year seems fitting.

[@LaskInHD]

No days off for BATMAN! Merry Christmas guys!

[@EliDEVITTSpeaks]

Ben actually said Batman is DCEASED. 😩😩 my lungs.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

At least he didn't say "He's Feliz Navidead" like I just did right now.

[@d.r.dorsey8563]

CHRISTMAS BATMAN

[@infamouscavalier9446]

I was somewhat familiar with this story but I didn't know neil gaiman wrote this. Wow neil has done a lot of cool stories.

[@catlawyerwilldefendfortrea6038]

Happy Holidays!!! You guys just saved Christmas eve for a guy with no plans

[@wittycomment]

Wow! Seriously one of the best episodes yet. Gives me a new appreciation for a book I haven’t gone back to in a while. Seeing the gang enjoying this is a perfect Christmas gift. Thanks ComicPOP, here’s to more and a merry Christmas to you all.

[@DavidTSmith-jn5bs]

The nicest Christmas present I've received in a long time. Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and your families.

[@JoshMunroe]

Andy Kubert just ran a clinic with his approach to this book. Bloody legend.

[@TheGreatDevlin]

That should've ended with the couch morphing into hands that deliver Sal to Ben

[@pikapal91]

Merry Christmas and happy holidays ComicPop, and Population

[@aayanr3893]

Ben looks pretty different from what he looks now

[@prestonyates8003]

I thought he looked kind of like Jim in the early seasons of the Office but that's probably just me

[@Skyhunter826]

MERRY CHRISTMAS GANG! i've been loving back issues all year and i can't wait to see you guys again in the new year

[@taylorpechter5422]

A fantastic episode for a fantastic book. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays ComicPop!

[@dead0ntime]

33:33 funny I talked to Jim Lee at a signing last Thursday and I asked him the same thing and he said he was talking to Frank about it so maybe there’s a possibility it’ll happen

[@jonathanshaw9704]

MERRY CHRISTMAS COMIC POP!!!!! And Ben had a pony tail?

[@WhelmedButReady]

I see Santa came a little early and gifted us with a new Back Issues

[@jlev1028]

I really enjoyed reading this comic earlier today. It has a very surreal atmosphere with Batman narrating his own funeral and all his friends and foes coming together to mourn him and tell their own accounts on his death, but it's surprisingly very emotional. Especislly at the end where Bruce realizes that, while many elements of Batman's history has changed, the essential points haven't.

[@gabrieljimenez9762]

LOVE this story! Huge Gaiman fan and was very excited about this story when it first came out. Different than from what I expected at first, (muuch more meta) but enjoyed it greatly. A couple of comments as I'm watching the video: - Retro Ben is incredible. That hair will haunt my dreams for weeks to come. - Reason # 5,994 why Tiff is awesome: Coming up with lines like at 9:16 "Meow" - Interesting take of Kubert on how to represent different artist styles. - I'm the Goddam Riddler!! - Tiff never stops flipping the book and being amazed by it! - Ben's definitive proclamation of the superior "last story". - 55:03 is such a great encapsulation of the Comic Pop experience. I always prefer having the single issues, but this collected edition looks like there's a lot of cool extras. Great show guys. Keep on rocking!

[@adamsos]

Thank you guys again for putting one more video up, I could FEEL it coming!

[@ComicGeekTV]

Happy holidays!!

[@wiarchie9972]

0:35 young Ben’s hairstyle tho

[@KTiMe13]

Its a really good book, thank you so much for introducing it to me. Merry Christmas ComicPOP.

[@kendariusdupreeart3891]

Havent watched the video yet, but I'm just glad you're doing this story because it's the story that got me into comics, and it's my favorite comic of all time.

[@xanderreimers4445]

Was digging thru my dads billion short boxes of back issues and found this one. Read it and loved it it right away

[@therecliningreader548]

It still amazes me how much of an emotional impact this story had on me. I was tearing up just listening to you go through the story. Which is probably better than when I first read it when it came out and I had to stop reading because I literally couldn't see through my tears, lol.

[@MythmasterFunky]

Wimp

[@dearlydemented19ify]

Merry Christmas everyone! Young Ben with a ridiculous ponytail is the greatest gift I've ever received. Thank you lol.

[@BillH2949]

I love that shot at 30:13 when the light bulb comes on for Ben!

[@brianadkins3880]

Great episode,everyone! Hope you had a Merry Christmas! Maybe next year you could do Superman:Peace On Earth?

[@dariooben9]

Merry Christmas guys!! And thanks - X-mas was not good this year, so being able to watch the show and relax it's truly a gift.

[@TheRealZubes]

I'm sorry to hear that, but I hope that things get better soon!

[@dariooben9]

@@TheRealZubes thank you! you're too kind :) True story: in mid-2018, my dad had a heart attack, and the only reason I was awake at 2am in a weeknight to take his emergency phonecall asking me to rush to his house and take him to the hospital... was because I was watching a new Back Issues. So, you know, if not for you guys my old man wouldn't be here, so I'm thankful forever and I love you all. Happy Holidays!

[@TheRealZubes]

@@dariooben9 Thank you so much for sharing that story! I passed it on to the rest of the team and we are so humbled by it. We hope you and your family have the most amazing 2020! ❤

[@dariooben9]

@@TheRealZubes Thank you very very much, and I hope you all have the most amazing 2020 too!! ❤ (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ

[@chrisconcannon6490]

Thanks for another great year of content! I can't wait to see how this channel continues to grow in 2020. Happy Holidays!

[@jasondennison8911]

The “well done my good and faithful servant” is a biblical reference about perseverance and faithfulness. It’s actually a really nice pull for a tombstone lol

[@comicpop]

Ctrl+f+actually

[@Martin_TheCollector]

Love this tale!! Happy holidays to all of ya.

[@Udgrasil13]

Yeah....I will buy this book immediately. That looks and sounds amazing. Thanks to all of you guys for the great work. Happy Holidays to you all =)

[@_Redtro]

26:36 Ethan what a great line 👍

[@xxmunkiexx]

man, that ben really is like a fine wine.

[@DoubleO7-11]

Only a year late... but just in time for the reprint. Loving the holiday spirit!

[@bigfest6498]

Leave it to Ethan "is this a Christmas episode?" NOOOOOOOO It's Batman

[@darkposthardcore]

Salutations from Brazil! I really love that story!

[@Deadspace448]

Merry Christmas Batman and here's to another new year of Gotham's Dark Knight.

[@davidesterley3163]

Merry Christmas to you all. Much love to you & thank you for the hard work you all put into the channel

[@joedee9811]

Best xmas gift !

[@SpiralSine6]

Holy Ghost of Christmas Future, Batman!

[@zachodell1480]

I had this book sitting on my shelf for years finally read it an love everything about it. The moment where alfred becomes the joker made me really like Kuberts art so twisted of an idea of gaiman super excited for the upcoming wolverine series by ben percy now. Never read much books with Kubert on them but I love gaiman an this book was a great read to watch after holidays thanks for covering it .

[@chriswimberley7511]

Christmas came early!!!

[@nerdyrockcomics5428]

Merry Christmas comic pop

[@This.ability]

Happy holidays, ComicPOP!

[@ivansplvd6518]

I didn-t know this was a thing. I need this now Thnx Comic Pop and happy holidays

[@sonicjr53]

this book is going on my amazon wishlist. It sounds fantastic.

[@timothylam5388]

Love this episode, love the story, such a beautiful book. Merry Christmas!

[@rossmiller6246]

thanks for doing what you do guys, love this channel and can’t wait for comicpop 2020!

[@JimmiMiller1]

I fought a Giraffe once. Had to take it down like an At-At Happy Holidays !! 🎄🎄

[@LaraFoley]

Had to pause to cry just from Sal telling the Clayface line.... Everyone is worth it.... Batman is so often told through a lens of being an badass cool asshole, I love being reminded he's also a hero

[@chisasa9509]

It wasn't Martha: it was the Speed Force. FLASH!

[@chisasa9509]

Merry Christmas Comic PoP. Love this Channel! Love all your hard work. Every story, every tale. Happy Holidays! "And good will towards men. And Woman" No matter what Great Stories may go unsung keep them in your ❤ so their power can stay with you forever.

[@mattmacias9699]

Happy holidays comic pop and everyone

[@thomasarcanine]

Happy Holidays, y'all goddamn beautiful ComicPOPulation people!!!!

[@glo3236]

One of my all-time favorites

[@coltonhuston1062]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE BEST CHANNEL ON KZbin !! Love you guys and the Population!!!

[@diegoyerse593]

That was great! Merry Christmas

[@PowerPackers90]

Yeah i always took this books ending as "The Birth of NEW52 Batman" also.

[@SuperboyLilly]

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

[@jeromeharris7934]

Merry Christmas thanks for the gift

[@sonofhercules195]

This book have a very Ghost of Christmas Future feel

[@jmail1984]

Man do you guys ever stop to tear up a little? This made me tear up multiple times!

[@BurnedChiliMan]

Woooooh! Merry Back Issues everyone!!!

[@1KingMichaelJackson1]

Thank you for this !! Happy Holidays to You all! You are all Amazing :)

[@Omar-wq9dz]

HAPPY HOLIDAYS Sal, Ben, Ethan, and Tiffany!!! :)

[@TevyaSmolka]

happy holidays

[@kurtoogle4576]

I really love this episode. Really, really well done. And such a good story. :)

[@jeremiahmoli7194]

Happy Holidays Comic POP!

[@RojoDawg31]

Young Ben looks like my friend sean now, i suspect clones?