Batman: Anarky is a 1999 trade paperback published by DC Comics. The book collects prominent appearances of Anarky, a comic book character created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle. Although all of the collected stories were written by Alan Grant, various artists contributed to individual stories. Dual introductions were written by the creators - both of whom introduce the character and give insight into their role in Anarky's creation and development.
Cover of Batman: Anarky (1999), trade paperback edition; art by Norm Breyfogle and colors by Sherilyn van Valkenburgh.
Alan Grant is the singular author of each collected story in Batman: Anarky.
Anarky assaults a security guard in "Anarky in Gotham City", illustration by Norm Breyfogle.
Anarky stands before his "de-brainwashing" device atop a sky scraper in "Metamorphosis", illustration by Norm Breyfogle.
Anarky is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Co-created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle, he first appeared in Detective Comics #608, as an adversary of Batman. Anarky is introduced as Lonnie Machin, a child prodigy with knowledge of radical philosophy and driven to overthrow governments to improve social conditions. Stories revolving around Anarky often focus on political and philosophical themes. The character, who is named after the philosophy of anarchism, primarily espouses anti-statism and attacks capitalism; however, multiple social issues have been addressed through the character, including environmentalism, antimilitarism, economic inequality, and political corruption. Inspired by multiple sources, early stories featuring the character often included homages to political and philosophical texts, and referenced anarchist philosophers and theorists. The inspiration for the creation of the character and its early development was based in Grant's personal interest in anti-authoritarian philosophy and politics. However, when Grant himself transitioned to the philosophy of Neo-Tech developed by Frank R. Wallace, he shifted the focus of Anarky from a vehicle for social anarchism and then libertarian socialism, with an emphasis on wealth redistribution and critique of Capitalism, to themes of individualism and personal reflexions on the nature of consciousness.
Promotional art for Anarky, vol. 2, #1 (May 1999) by Norm Breyfogle.
Anarky's debut, in Detective Comics #608. Artist, Norm Breyfogle, later included the cover among a gallery of his favorite works.
Fabian Nicieza reintroduced Lonnie Machin to publication as "Moneyspider", a supporting character for Tim Drake in the concluding story arc of Robin and its follow-up series, Red Robin.
The cover of Detective Comics #609 contrasts Anarky as a champion of the oppressed, and Batman as a champion of the law; art by Norm Breyfogle.