“Yesterday’s” Comic> Batman & Robin Adventures #14

“Okay, who wants the turkey leg?”

The Batman And Robin Adventures #14

DC Comics (January, 1997)

A new transfer to Stonegate Prison hears the tale of “Dagger” Dixon, a mob enforcer who once got a beating from Batman. Thinking only of revenge he manages to escape a prison transport truck with another criminal, who shoots without thinking and gets them both the attention of Batman. When Dixon tries to get the gun away before they’re both mowed down by cops, Batman has to save him. However, Dixon still has revenge in mind and tries to get Batman with his own Batarang. One beatdown later and Dixon ends up with a Batman tattoo…to remind him not to cross the Dark Knight again and how stupid he was trying to kill the man who saved his life.

What they got right: I like the occasional shift of following someone other than our heroes, to see Batman’s world from, in this case, the point of view of the guy Batman takes down.

What they got wrong: This is usually the part where I bring up that Robin isn’t in this story…again…but as I recall this will be made up for in a later issue featuring the return of “Dagger” Dixon, so I’ll let this one slide. I’m pretty sure they have better safeguards to keep the prisoners from taking over those small trucks, though.

Recommendation: This is one of my favorite Batman stories since it shows what happens when you mess with Batman. Pick this one up. Hopefully Dixon’s return with Robin fares just as well.