Batman 66 Issue 17- The Inevitable Jail-Term

Contains spoilers!

Here we go! The concluding part to Bookworm's story. Will Batman's identity be revealed?

The issue starts with Batman and Robin trying to decipher Bookworm's next move with the word 'Strike' and Robin figures it out as a matchbook, you strike a match against a matchbook. Bit of a Riddler moment going on here. Anyway this leads them to the 'Dicken's Match Boutique' which Bookworm plans on striking.

On the Dynamic Duo's stakeout Robin is drinking Root Vegetable Juice as Batman says, 'A healthy Body is an invaluable deputy.' If being a superhero (technically they

Vegetable juice, yum!

aren't superheroes I know) involves drinking that then I don't think I ever would want to become one. Sounds disgusting!

When the Bookworm shows up Batman informs Robin to look but don't make it obvious. Right...because two costumed guys sitting in a fairly outstanding car across the road wouldn't grab anybody's attention right?

Bookworm enters the store, threatens to let off some toxic gas (insert funny joke here) and is struck by a batarang which was planned all along so he could gather more information on Batman. Apparently Batman throws like baseball pitcher Jim Creighton!

Bookworm now intends to sell his information about Batman to the highest bidder. I'd still go for the 'knock him out and take a peek under the cowl' routine.

Next Bookworm targets the police and when Batman and Robin show up Batman refers to Robin as...Rozza! Haha! Great stuff. Of course this is all being recorded for his Batcyclopedia.

Turns out Bookworm has stolen the police rule books and until they are returned the police can't do anything by the books!

Rozza: Holy loose cannon cops!

Having all the information he needs, Bookworm breaks into Stately Wayne Manor and falsely accuses Alfred of being Batman as Batman had planted clues like the vegetable root juice which is sold at a spa in the outskirts of Gotham and the slang that Batman used earlier was from Alfred's old university.

Batman and Robin are revealed to be hiding in the shadows and the classic 'Pow! Boff! Zonk!' fight ensues. During the fight one of Bookworm's men falls back against the bust containing the button to the batpoles and presses it. The entrance opens but Batman and Robin knock all the villains out before they have a chance to look.

So the heroes win yet again and Bookworm ends up wanting to watch TV!

What's better then? To watch TV or to read more?

Hmmm....

I think this was a clever story and the writers have the references spot on. Still quite a fun read. Which villain will feature next?

Also the art is pretty cool, thought i'd give that a mention. 

Man, I wish I could draw!