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Bat Lash
Cover to Bat Lash #3 (Feb./Mar. 1969), art by Nick Cardy.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceShowcase #76 (August 1968)
Created byJoe Orlando
Carmine Infantino
Sheldon Mayer
Sergio Aragonés
In-story information
Full nameBartholomew Aloysius Lash
Team affiliationsRough Bunch
Black Lantern Corps
Justice Riders
AbilitiesGreat marksman
Bat Lash
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
ScheduleBimonthly
Format(vol. 1): ongoing series
(vol. 2): limited series
GenreWestern
Publication dateOct./Nov. 1968 – July 2008
No. of issues(vol. 1): 7
(vol. 2): 6
Main characterBat Lash
Creative team as of 1968–1969
Written by(vol. 1)
Sheldon Mayer
Sergio Aragonés
Dennis O'Neil
(vol. 2)
Peter Brandvold
Sergio Aragonés
Artist(s)(vol. 1)
Nick Cardy
(vol. 2)
John Severin
Javier Pina
Colorist(s)(vol. 2)
Steve Buccellato
Collected editions
Showcase Presents: Bat LashISBN 1-4012-2295-1

Bartholomew "Bat" Aloysius Lash is a fictional Western superhero character in the DC Universe. A self-professed pacifist, ladies' man, and gambler, Bat Lash's adventures have been published by DC Comics since 1968.

Character origin

[edit]

In 1968, Carmine Infantino, newly installed editorial director of DC Comics, and his editor, Joe Orlando, came up with the name and basic premise of the loner whose family had been wiped out by murderous thugs, and then brought in Sheldon Mayer (former DC editor and creator of Sugar and Spike) and Sergio Aragonés (an artist best known for his comedic illustrations in Mad magazine) to further flesh out the concept.[1]

Mayer wrote the first appearance (Showcase #76, August 1968).[2] Infantino claimed to have greatly rewritten it. The assignment was then handed to Aragonés, with Denny O'Neil doing the dialog over Aragonés' plots, and Nick Cardy providing the art.[3] Issues were produced in a variation of the full script method. First, Aragonés would create a plot in thumbnail sketch form, then O'Neil would write the dialog, and last came Cardy's finished art.[4]

Publication history

[edit]

Bat Lash first appeared in 1968, in a house ad running in Superman DC Comics. It featured a gangly figure, in silhouette, stalking toward the reader, with the tagline: "Bat Lash. Will he save the West, or ruin it?".

The character's first published story appeared in Showcase #76.[5] It featured a devil-may-care character, a peaceful, violence-hating man who attracts trouble wherever he goes. Dialoguer Denny O'Neil summarized that, "he was a charming anti-hero, or as close to a charming anti-hero as comics ever came—at least as we did him. In subsequent handlings Bat Lash became a churlish anti-hero. Sergio [Aragonés] and I tried to make him in the tradition of the charming rogue. Bat had a conscience represented by the flower in his hat which he inevitably threw away whenever he was doing something ratty" [emphasis in original].[4]

Bat Lash's own series only lasted seven issues. Even though editorial director Carmine Infantino claimed it sold well in Europe, sales in the States were not enough to sustain a run of the title. O'Neil questioned this, remarking that low sales was "always" the reason given for cancellation in those days, and that he had reason to believe that this was not the case with Bat Lash.[4] The character and the series bearing his name have been recognized in the industry, including the 1968 and 1969 Alley Awards for Best Western Titles.[6][7]

Bat Lash made several other appearances after his cancellation in issues of Weird Western Tales and other titles. He had a story in DC Special Series #16 and a brief backup series in Jonah Hex #49 & 51–52 in 1981. In the 1989/90 miniseries Time Masters Bat Lash makes a brief appearance along with Jonah Hex. He appears in an alternate time-line in Justice League Europe Annual #2, written in 1991. An older Crimson Fox, through a time travel accident, appears in the middle of a card game, allowing Bat Lash the opportunity to save himself (and her) from Bat's own cheating. During the chase, Bat encounters one "Miss Sally", who is sad that she has not seen Bat in months.

A 1998 miniseries, "Guns of the Dragon" set in 1927 China, teams an elderly Bat Lash with Biff Bradley and Enemy Ace on an adventure that sends them to Dinosaur Island.

In 2006, writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray wrote Lash into Jonah Hex #3. For Halloween in 2007 Bat Lash works with Jonah Hex to save Lazarus Lane in Jonah Hex #24. He also appears in Jonah Hex #70.

In 2008, Bat Lash appeared in a self-titled, six issue miniseries from DC, written by Aragones, with dialog by acclaimed western novelist Peter Brandvold, art by John Severin and covers by Walt Simonson. It was reprinted in trade paperback as Bat Lash: Guns and Roses in 2008.

In Blackest Night, Bat Lash is temporarily resurrected as a Black Lantern alongside Jonah Hex and Scalphunter.

Bat Lash is one of six DC heroes featured in Walt Simonson's 2012 graphic novel The Judas Coin.

During the Dark Nights: Death Metal storyline, Bat Lash is among the superheroes revived by Batman using a Black Lantern ring.[8]

In other media

[edit]

Television

[edit]

Bat Lash appears in the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Once and Future Thing, Part One: Weird Western Tales", voiced by Ben Browder.[9]

Film

[edit]

Video games

[edit]

Bat Lash appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[12]

Miscellaneous

[edit]
  • Bat Lash's popularity was discussed on Conan during an interview between Conan O'Brien and Peter Girardi, creative director of Warner Bros. Animation, in regards to DC characters that "sucked".[13]
  • Bat Lash's alien abduction in Crisis on Infinite Earths #3 is adapted into "Westerner", a 2012 song by electro-rock band Judge Rock.

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bat Lash

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Bat Lash, whose full name is Bartholomew "Bat" Aloysius Lash, is a fictional Western anti-hero in DC Comics, portrayed as a charming and witty gunslinger who embodies a pacifist amid the lawless American Old West of the late 19th century. Created by writer and artist Nick Cardy, the character debuted in Showcase #76 in August 1968, introducing him as a fugitive skilled in marksmanship but reluctant to use violence, often relying instead on cunning, charisma, and his loyal horse Daisy to navigate conflicts. The character's early stories, written by and Denny O'Neil and illustrated primarily by Nick Cardy, with covers by artists including , appeared in his self-titled series (Bat Lash #1–7, 1968–1969), blending humor, romance, and adventure in a satirical take on traditional Western tropes. Bat Lash's backstory involves tragedy—his family lost to , leading to his parents' murder and his self-defense killing of a , which brands him an —yet he maintains an optimistic, self-indulgent lifestyle, frequently entangled in romantic pursuits and high-stakes . Later revivals, such as the 2008 miniseries Bat Lash: Guns and Roses by Peter Brandvold and with art by , revisit his origin, depicting a young Bat confronting a corrupt and greedy rancher while wooing a rancher's , emphasizing themes of and personal redemption. Over the decades, Bat Lash has crossed over with other DC Western icons like Jonah Hex in titles such as Weird Western Tales and Jonah Hex, solidifying his place in the publisher's frontier universe while highlighting his unconventional heroism—preferring diplomacy and wit over gunplay. His enduring appeal lies in subverting macho Western stereotypes, offering a flower-adorned, flower-loving rogue whose exploits mix levity with moral complexity.

Creation and concept

Creators and development

Bat Lash was created by writer Sergio Aragonés and artist Nick Cardy, with development contributions from editorial director Carmine Infantino, editor Joe Orlando, and editor Sheldon Mayer. Infantino and Orlando developed the character's name and core premise in 1968 as part of the publisher's efforts to experiment with and revitalize its Western genre titles amid declining sales. Mayer contributed editorial oversight and initial scripting elements for the debut, while Aragonés integrated humorous gags and shaped the character's roguish tone. The character was initially pitched as a pacifist anti-hero to set him apart from conventional cowboy protagonists, emphasizing his aversion to violence, love of fine food and women, and reluctant involvement in frontier conflicts. This concept emerged during a period when DC sought innovative approaches to the Western genre, drawing on the success of anthology formats for testing new ideas. The series received approval for a try-out in Showcase #76 (August 1968), DC's established proving ground for potential ongoing titles. Bat Lash's innovative design and storytelling earned critical recognition early on, winning the Alley Award for Best Western Title in both and , which underscored the character's fresh take on the .

Influences and design

Bat Lash's visual design fuses traditional Western iconography with symbols of counterculture non-conformity, featuring long flowing hair, a prominent mustache, and a distinctive flower tucked into his hatband. These elements position the character as a gunslinger who subverts the rugged archetype prevalent in American Westerns, reflecting the era's youth rebellion against conventional norms. Cardy, who illustrated the character's debut, emphasized this blend to create a visually striking figure that stood apart from standard Western heroes. Thematically, Bat Lash embodies a pacifist gunslinger ideal, drawing inspiration from the morally ambiguous anti-heroes of spaghetti Western films, such as Clint Eastwood's "Man with No Name" roles in Sergio Leone's Dollars Trilogy, which emphasized reluctant violence and sharp wit. This concept also echoes the anti-war sentiments of the Vietnam War period, portraying Lash as a reluctant fighter who prefers charm and avoidance over confrontation, aligning with broader cultural shifts toward peace and introspection. Additionally, the series incorporates humorous elements derived from Sergio Aragonés's style at MAD Magazine, where he honed his knack for satirical, visual gags that infuse the Western narrative with lighthearted absurdity. In the late 1960s, as Western comic sales declined amid the boom—evidenced by DC's own titles like seeing reduced circulation from around 180,000–230,000 copies in the early to mid- to 157,000 by 1968—DC sought to revitalize the genre by positioning Bat Lash as a "" . This modernization effort aimed to appeal to younger readers influenced by the movement, blending Old West adventure with contemporary social commentary to sustain interest in a fading category. His gambler persona, meanwhile, echoes historical Old West figures such as —a famed lawman and cardsharp known for his —but subverts it by prioritizing and clever cons over outright gunplay, transforming potential into opportunities for roguish charm.

Fictional character

Origin and biography

Bartholomew Lash, known as Bat Lash, was born in the American Old West during the mid-19th century, growing up on his family's in alongside his parents Lemuel and Martha Lash, as well as siblings including his brother Tom and sister Melissa. As a young man, Lash's life was upended when his family's land was swindled by unscrupulous men in league with a corrupt , leading to the murder of his parents in a retaliatory attack on their . In the aftermath, Lash fled with his surviving sister and fiancée, concealing them in a for safety while he pursued the perpetrators responsible for the family's ruin, killing a deputy in during the chase, which branded him an . The tragedy profoundly shaped Lash's path, turning him into a wandering gambler and reluctant protector who traversed the Western territories, often drawn into conflicts with outlaws and land barons over injustices against the innocent. A pivotal event in his early adulthood occurred when he confronted Sheriff and rancher Gavin Wilder after being caught romancing Wilder's daughter, , sparking a chain of violent pursuits that forced Lash to defend his loved ones and ultimately track Brubaker to for a final . Upon his return, Lash discovered that Dominique had entered the to atone and chose to remain there as a , mirroring the fate of his other family members and leaving him to continue his solitary travels. Lash's journeys frequently intersected with personal vendettas, such as his pursuit of the swindler Rickett, whose scheme directly caused his parents' deaths; in one , Lash killed Rickett but was arrested, using the opportunity to expose the full extent of the before escaping to check on his hidden kin. These experiences solidified his role as a drifter who intervened in the plights of the vulnerable, from guarding orphaned children entangled in crooked land deals to uncovering plots involving lost treasures and frontier schemes. Within the broader DC Universe, Bat Lash exists in the Earth-One continuity, where his timeline has been bridged through time-travel events, notably allying with the Justice League against threats like the Lord of Time alongside figures such as Jonah Hex and the Flash during incursions into the 19th-century West.

Personality and abilities

Bat Lash is depicted as a self-professed pacifist in the Old West, often proclaiming his aversion to violence while reluctantly engaging in it to protect himself or others, typically opting for non-lethal methods such as warning shots or disarming opponents. His charm and enigmatic demeanor serve as key tools for navigating conflicts, allowing him to flirt his way out of trouble or use humor to defuse tense situations with outlaws and lawmen alike. As a quintessential ladies' man and professional gambler, Lash embodies the roguish archetype, leveraging his wit and charisma to con adversaries or escape precarious scenarios without resorting to outright killing. In terms of abilities, Lash excels as an expert marksman, wielding firearms with precision but adhering to his pacifist principles by favoring shots that incapacitate rather than kill. He possesses strong skills honed through frequent saloon brawls, enabling him to hold his own in physical altercations. Additionally, his high shines in devising clever cons, outsmarting foes, and executing escapes, often turning the tables on corrupt sheriffs or greedy ranchers through strategic deception rather than brute force. Lash's personality is marked by flaws stemming from a traumatic family backstory, which fuels internal moral conflicts and reinforces his anti-heroic tendency to bend rules in pursuit of personal justice. This haunted quality adds depth to his selfish and egotistical traits, as he prioritizes his own welfare while inadvertently achieving good outcomes. Over time, his core characteristics have remained consistent, though modern interpretations adapt them for collaborations with other Western heroes, such as teaming up with against common threats like bandits or revolutionaries.

Publication history

Original series and early appearances (1968–1970s)

Bat Lash made his debut in Showcase #76 (), a try-out issue featuring a 23-page story titled "Will He Save the West—or Ruin It?" written by with layouts by Aragonés and art by Nick Cardy, under the editorial direction of . The story introduced Bartholomew "Bat" Lash as a dapper, pacifist gunslinger who avoids when possible, preferring fine , and the company of women, while still navigating Old West conflicts through wit and reluctant gunplay. This introductory tale followed Lash as he arrives in the town of Welcome, cleans up a gang of outlaws non-lethally where feasible, and uncovers a plot by a local cook, highlighting his gourmet tastes and aversion to bloodshed. The character's positive reception in the try-out led to a solo ongoing series, Bat Lash (Volume 1), which ran for seven bimonthly issues from October–November 1968 to October–November 1969. Primarily written by Aragonés and Denny O'Neil, with art by Nick Cardy for the first four issues and later contributions from Mike Sekowsky and others, the series blended Western action with humor and satirical elements, often centering on Lash's misadventures involving corrupt officials, revolutionaries, and personal vendettas. For instance, in issue #4 (April–May 1969), Lash travels to Mexico amid a revolutionary uprising, using his charm and non-violent tactics to escape with stolen gold, while issue #7 explored his tragic family backstory tied to a swindler's scheme. The series concluded after issue #7 due to insufficient sales amid a broader decline in the Western comics genre during the late 1960s, exacerbated by rising production costs and competition from television Westerns. In the early 1970s, Bat Lash appeared in reprints and guest spots within Weird Western Tales, such as a reprint of pages from Bat Lash #7 in issue #12 (June–July 1972) and a guest role in the Scalphunter story "Night of the Gun" in issue #14 (October–November 1972). Original backup stories followed later in the decade, including in issues #46 (June–July 1978), #52 (June–July 1979), #53 (August–September 1979), and #63 (February–March 1980), emphasizing his pacifist philosophy through clever resolutions to frontier threats rather than outright gunfights. By 1978, Lash guest-starred in DC Special Series #16 (Fall 1978), a 68-page anthology that included a solo Bat Lash story alongside tales of Scalphunter and Hex himself, written by Michael Fleisher with art by Dick Ayers and George Evans. Critics have praised the original series for its innovative blend of humor, anti-hero tropes, and subversion of Western conventions, with Bat Lash's dandyish pacifism and gourmet obsessions providing fresh contrast to gritty gunslingers like . Reviews highlight the work of Aragonés and Cardy for injecting MAD Magazine-style wit into the genre, making Lash a groundbreaking figure as DC's first prominent anti-hero, though its short run reflected the waning popularity of Westerns by the mid-1970s.

Guest appearances and revivals (1980s–2000s)

In the 1980s, Bat Lash made a return through backup stories in the series, appearing in issues #49, #51, and #52 published in 1981. These tales, written by and illustrated by Dan Spiegle, depicted Bat Lash navigating frontier conflicts while maintaining his pacifist demeanor and charm amid escalating tensions with outlaws. Later in the decade, he featured briefly in the Time Masters miniseries (1989–1990), a four-issue arc by Bob Wayne and involving and historical crossovers; in issue #3, Bat Lash joins and Scalphunter in a cantina confrontation during a disrupted timeline event. The 1990s saw Bat Lash integrated into broader team-ups, starting with Justice League Europe Annual #2 (1991), where he appears in an alternate timeline alongside other Western heroes like Hex, aiding the against temporal threats in a story emphasizing frontier grit against modern superheroes. This era culminated in the four-issue Guns of the Dragon miniseries (1998–1999) by Timothy Truman, set in 1927 ; an elderly Bat Lash, now a , teams with and Biff Bradley to recover mythical swords amid supernatural encounters involving dragons and wartime intrigue, blending Western tropes with exotic adventure. Entering the 2000s, Bat Lash guested in Jonah Hex vol. 2 #3 (2006), co-written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Luke Ross, where he reluctantly allies with Hex to unmask a gang masquerading as warriors, highlighting their contrasting personalities in a tense pursuit. He returned in Jonah Hex #24 (2007), collaborating with Hex and El Diablo during a Halloween-themed possession plot to rescue Lazarus Lane from demonic forces, underscoring themes of horror in . The decade closed with a self-titled six-issue limited series (2008), scripted by with dialogue by Peter Brandvold and art by , revisiting Bat Lash's youthful origins as he confronts a corrupt and rancher in while pursuing romance, collected as Bat Lash: Guns and Roses. These appearances increasingly wove Bat Lash into DC's , merging traditional Western elements with , , and crossover narratives to revitalize the character.

Recent stories (2010s–present)

In the 2010s, Bat Lash featured in several limited appearances that tied him to DC's ongoing supernatural and Western narratives. He was resurrected as a Black Lantern corpse in the Blackest Night crossover one-shot Weird Western Tales #71, where he joined other undead Western heroes like Jonah Hex and Scalphunter in a ghostly confrontation amid a haunted ghost town. Earlier that year, Bat Lash guest-starred in Jonah Hex #49, assisting Hex in a frontier skirmish that highlighted his gambler persona and reluctance for violence. He also appeared in Jonah Hex #70 (2011). During DC's New 52 era, Bat Lash starred in backup stories in All-Star Western (vol. 3) #6, #10, and #19–21 (2012–2013), written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti with art by various artists including Alberto Ponticelli, depicting further Old West exploits often intersecting with Jonah Hex. In 2012, Walt Simonson's original graphic novel The Judas Coin centered a key chapter on Bat Lash in 1881, depicting him entangled with a cursed ancient coin that passes through history, cursing its holders with betrayal and doom in a self-contained Western tale. The 2020s saw Bat Lash incorporated into DC's multiverse-spanning events, often in ensemble roles that bridged his Old West roots with contemporary continuity. He made a brief cameo in Dark Nights: Death Metal #6 as one of many revived heroes in the chaotic "Anti-Crisis" climax, appearing amid a vast assembly of DC characters fighting the Batman Who Laughs. This integration continued in reprints like the May 2024 release of Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 3, which contextualized his earlier crossovers within broader team-up histories, though no new original content emerged that year. Bat Lash featured in the August 2025 anthology Batman: The Brave and the Bold – Legends of Justice, teaming up with the Signal and in a story that blends his Western flair with modern DC heroes in an adventure uncovering Gotham's hidden mysteries. These appearances underscore a trend of reviving Bat Lash in crossover formats, enhancing Western representation within DC's expansive by pairing him with iconic figures across eras.

In other media

Animation and television

Bat Lash made his animated debut in the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Once and Future Thing, Part One: Weird Western Tales," which aired on January 22, 2005. In this time-travel story set in the Old West town of Elkhorn, , in 1879, Bat Lash serves as an ally to Batman, , and as they pursue a villainous time manipulator named Tobias Manning. Voiced by , the character is portrayed as a charismatic gambler and self-professed pacifist, introduced while imprisoned for card sharping, where he demonstrates quick wit and composure under pressure. His visual design retains the classic comic elements, including a prominent mustache, wide-brimmed hat, and ornate gun belt, emphasizing his dapper, roguish persona. Throughout the episode, Bat Lash's adaptation highlights his non-violent conflict resolution style, aligning with his core personality as a reluctant gunslinger who prefers over gunfire; for instance, he proposes splitting a disputed poker pot to defuse tension with Manning's gang. He joins forces with other Western heroes like , El Diablo, and Sheriff Ohiyesa "Powhatan" Smith to aid the in thwarting the antagonist, contributing through cunning and diplomacy rather than direct combat. Beyond this appearance, Bat Lash has not received a solo .

Films

An illusionary Bat Lash's first appearance in an animated feature film was in : Warworld (2023), where he was voiced by . In this release, Bat Lash features in the opening prologue set in town of during the late , portraying him as a charismatic gambler and reluctant leader of the townsfolk in a standoff against bandits commanded by . He collaborates with a mysterious female gunslinger—revealed to be an amnesiac —to halt a train loaded with illicit cargo, showcasing his sharpshooting skills and pacifist reluctance toward violence before being fatally shot in the back by Hex, emphasizing his charm and vulnerability in a brief but pivotal role. Bat Lash returned in a cameo role in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three (2024), again voiced by Brett Dalton. As the concluding installment of the animated trilogy adapting DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline, the film depicts Bat Lash as a Western hero from an alternate Earth, joining an ensemble of multiversal defenders against the Anti-Monitor's destructive forces. His portrayal integrates his gambler persona and quick-draw expertise into the larger-scale action sequences, highlighting his role in the chaotic battle to preserve reality without delving deeply into his personal backstory. As of November 2025, Bat Lash has no live-action film adaptations, with no theatrical or projects announced.

Video games and other adaptations

Bat Lash appears as a summonable character in the Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure, where players can invoke him by typing his name to assist in solving levels, often in contexts that align with his Western gunslinger persona. Released on September 17, , for platforms including Nintendo Wii U, PC, and mobile devices, the game features over 2,000 DC characters, with Bat Lash integrated among other obscure heroes for creative problem-solving mechanics rather than direct combat. Beyond video games, Bat Lash has received limited adaptations in other media. He is referenced in the 2012 electro-rock "Westerner" by the Canadian band Judge Rock, a tribute track that incorporates elements from #3, portraying Bat Lash alongside fellow Western DC characters like and during an sequence. The , from the album Narrative Mindfucking, highlights Bat Lash as a " womanizer" and crack shot, drawing directly from his comic lore. Merchandise for Bat Lash remains minor and sporadic, primarily tied to broader DC Western collections in the 2000s, though no dedicated lines have been produced. As of November 2025, Bat Lash has not been adapted into major novels, radio plays, or other non-interactive formats.

Collected editions

Trade paperbacks

The primary trade paperbacks collecting Bat Lash stories are Showcase Presents: Bat Lash and Bat Lash: Guns and Roses. These editions compile key early and revival material from the character's publication history, focusing on his adventures as a pacifist gunslinger in . Showcase Presents: Bat Lash (DC Comics, 2009, ISBN 978-1-4012-2295-6) is a black-and-white collection that reprints the character's debut and original series in an affordable format. It includes the try-out story from Showcase #76 (1968), the full run of Bat Lash vol. 1 #1–7 (1968–1969), the Bat Lash feature from DC Special Series #16 (1978), and his guest appearances in Jonah Hex #49, #51, and #52 (1978). The volume highlights early tales emphasizing Bat Lash's reluctant heroism, with notable artwork by Nick Cardy on several issues, capturing the character's blend of Western action and lighthearted charm. Bat Lash: Guns and Roses (DC Comics, 2008, ISBN 978-1-4012-1943-7) collects the six-issue 2008 miniseries written by , with art by and others. Set in 1875 , the story follows young Bat Lash as he confronts a corrupt threatening his family's while pursuing a romance with Dominique Wilder, underscoring themes of humor through the character's pacifist quips and romantic entanglements amid gunplay. This edition revives Bat Lash with a focus on his ladies' man persona and comedic undertones, drawing from his original series origins. Both trade paperbacks are currently in physical form but remain accessible digitally through , where the collected stories and individual issues are available for subscription reading as of 2025.

Omnibus and reprint collections

The Omnibus Vol. 3, released in May 2024, collects key stories from the late 1980s and early 1990s titles, including the 1992 Annual #2 featuring Bat Lash in an alternate-timeline adventure alongside other Western heroes. This edition provides contextual framing for Bat Lash's crossover appearance, addressing previous collection gaps by incorporating the annual alongside Justice League America #51-60, #28-34, and related specials. Batman: The Brave and the Bold Legends of Justice (DC Comics, June 2025) collects ensemble stories featuring Bat Lash alongside heroes like the Signal and , including team-up narratives that highlight his role in broader DC adventure tales. This trade paperback expands on Bat Lash's collaborative appearances, bundling them with other crossover stories from DC's history. Several Jonah Hex trade paperbacks from the 2000s incorporate Bat Lash's guest spots, such as Jonah Hex Vol. 2 TPB #8 (2010), which features him alongside Tallulah Black in a vengeance-driven arc led by Quentin Turnbull. These collections occasionally bundle Bat Lash's backup stories or cameos from the original Weird Western Tales era, enhancing the Western without standalone focus. The 2021 Dark Nights: Death Metal Deluxe Edition hardcover includes a brief cameo by Bat Lash among resurrected heroes in the multiversal conflict, appearing alongside figures like in the chaos of Perpetua's army. This edition compiles the core seven-issue series and tie-ins, offering a modern entry point for Bat Lash's integration into broader DC events. These recent omnibuses and reprints, particularly the 2024 and 2025 releases, rectify earlier incomplete collections like the 2009 Showcase Presents: Bat Lash by prioritizing team-up material and high-profile crossovers, thereby broadening access to Bat Lash's underrepresented stories.

References

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  43. https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comic/5065810/justice-league-international-omnibus-vol-3-hc
  44. https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/batman-the-brave-and-the-bold/batman-the-brave-and-the-bold-legends-of-justice
  45. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0618162/
  46. https://subslikescript.com/series/Justice_League_Unlimited-6025022/season-1/episode-12-The_Once_and_Future_Thing_Part_One_Weird_Western_Tales
  47. https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Bartholomew_Lash_%28DCAU%29
  48. https://dcau.fandom.com/wiki/Bat_Lash
  49. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Justice-League-Warworld/Bat-Lash/
  50. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27687527/
  51. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Justice-League-Crisis-on-Infinite-Earths-Part-Three/Bat-Lash/
  52. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30150917/
  53. https://scribblenauts.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DC_characters_and_objects
  54. https://judgerock.bandcamp.com/track/westerner
  55. https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/bat-lash-2008/bat-lash-guns-and-roses
  56. https://www.midtowncomics.com/product/1027153
  57. https://www.amazon.com/Bat-Lash-Guns-Roses/dp/1401219438
  58. https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/comics/series/bat-lash-2008/ee53d779-73d6-496c-a0d9-9059f54b6eb6
  59. https://comicbookrealm.com/report/character/8815/bat-lash-bartholomew-aloysius-lash&t=appearances
  60. https://www.comicreleases.com/2025/03/dc-june-2025-solicitations/
  61. https://comicbookrealm.com/series/12925/240565/dc-comics-jonah-hex-vol-2-tpb-8
  62. https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comic/3670163/dark-nights-death-metal-deluxe-edition-hc
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