TALES OF THE DARK KNIGHT: Batman’s First Fifty Years: 1939-1989<i> By Mark Costa Vaz(Ballantine: $17.95, illustrated) </i>

This big, elaborate volume traces the history of the Caped Crusader from his first appearance in issue No. 27 of Detective Comics through Tim Burton’s hit film. “Batman” underwent numerous shifts in tone, graphic style and content over the decades: The earnest crime fighter of the early ‘40s bears little resemblance to the cynical, aging loner in Frank Miller’s ‘80s graphic novels. Mark Vaz chronicles these transformations with the affection of a devoted fan, but offers little serious analysis or criticism. Lavishly illustrated with film and television stills, as well as comic-book pages and covers, “Tales of the Dark Knight” will delight comics fans.