Today in Comics History, Mother's Day: Mother's Day in Gotham City

This is an expanded and updated version of posts originally published May 13, 2012 and May 8, 2022.


cover of Batman: The Long Halloween #8 (DC, July 1997), pencils and inks by Tim Sale, colors by Gregory Wright (?)



Why, you might ask, is Batman so afraid of Mother's Day? Well, aside from the whole Dead Martha thing, but you don't see Superman bein' worried about that.


from Batman: The Long Halloween #8 (DC, July 1997), script by Jeph Loeb, pencils and inks by Tim Sale, colors by Gregory Wright, letters by Richard Starkings
But even Batman knows that superbvillains take good care of their moms, right? (reads below panels, makes chokiong sound, tugs at collar nervously)


So what was today's date again, albino Lex Luthor?


Also happening today: Ma Joker gets a visit from her prodigal son!



from Batman: Dark Victory #8 (DC, July 2000), script by Jeph Loeb, pencils and inks by Tim Sale, colors by Gregory Wright, letters by Richard Starkings
Also today, Haly is asked to change the name to the Zucco Circus!


And Alfred sets up Bruce to kidnap adopt an orphan!


There's lotsa others, but here's some panels from my favorite Batman Mother's Day story, in which Damian Wayne tries to help orphan pal Colin find his mother.


from "Mother's Day" in Batman: Li'l Gotham #11 (DC, November 2013); co-script, pencils, inks, and colors by Dustin Nguyen; co-script by Derek Fridolfs; letters by Saida Temofonte
They don't find Colin's mom, but there are fine lessons learned.



And there's a lovely story ending for both Damian...



...and for Colin.



Happy Mother's Day, citizens of Gotham City.