Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman: Black and White #6.
In the latest issue of DC Comics’ Batman: Black and White, the Dark Knight’s very first comic cover is revealed to be part of the current DC canon, with it being revealed it was an actual picture taken by a cop-turned-photojournalist in Gotham City. The Batman: Black and White series has proven to be an incredible anthology series featuring all-star teams of creatives providing dynamic short stories about the Dark Knight and his world. “A Thousand Words,” featured in this new issue, is no different, providing a unique perspective from the camera lens of a resident Gothamite, including the photo taken that was Batman’s first ever comic cover with 1939’s Detective Comics #27.
Coming from writer Scott Snyder and artist John Romita Jr., “A Thousand Words” sees a former forensic photographer reminiscing about how his life changed with the arrival of the Batman. He soon became a dedicated photojournalist documenting the adventures and exploits of the Caped Crusader, and Commissioner Gordon even called him the Shutterbat. The short story sees him reflecting on all the ways his work was changed by the papers who bought his pictures, editing them to fit their differing narratives and perspectives they had of the Dark Knight. While some would heroize Batman in their photo tailoring, others would darken the Shutterbat’s pictures in order to vilify the Caped Crusader. However, some didn’t even tamper with them at all and simply let the picture speak for themselves.
However, one of the most interesting things revealed in the short story was that the first picture the Shutterbat ever took of the Batman was the cover art for Detective Comics #27, providing in-world origins for the iconic piece of pop-culture artwork. Furthermore, the photographer also reveals that this first picture is his most famous, and the small-time thug featured in the photo got rich off the fame simply for being lucky enough to be the one Batman was bringing to the GCPD at the time.
However, despite this being the Shutterbat most famous piece that’s now been, one that’s made official DC canon, it’s not his favorite picture. Instead, his favorite is the one that’s beautifully drawn by John Romita Jr., depicting the first time Jim Gordon turned on the Bat-Signal. In the photographer’s mind, it’s a picture that best conveys pure hope: “None of us knew what to expect but Jim…he was hopeful. We were ALL hopeful. Starting something new together.“
That being said, the Shutterbat still wanted to know which one Batman thought best depicted the Dark Knight himself, which is why he tried to visit the Caped Crusader on the GCPD roof, though his age got the better of him and he fell. Luckily, he was saved by Batman, and when he woke up in his bed he had his answer: the original photo of the Batman answering the signal for the first time (which Batman somehow procured from the Waynes).
Despite consisting of only 7 pages, “A Thousand Words” is true to its name, conveying so much about the city’s varied views of Batman, but also how Batman sees himself: a bringer of hope and justice to a darkened city. Additionally, making his very first comic cover a part of the Batman canon and mythos is an incredibly fun cherry on top.
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