Comic Day Week 11 - Mar 11, 2009

[DoctorFinger]

http://www.colonyofgamers.com/images/JohnnyGigawatt_2_500px.jpg (http://johnnygigawatt.com/)

Sick of Watchmen stories yet? No? Good, because this week's edition is all Watchmen, all the time. With a film like this there are a lot of ways to attack it. First, does is work as a film, and second does it work as an adaptation? We answer these questions and more.

DC
Action Comics #875
Batman Battle For The Cowl #1
Booster Gold #18
Fables #82
Green Lantern Corps #34
Top 10 Season 2 #4
Trinity #41

Marvel
Captain Britain And MI 13 #11
Guardians Of The Galaxy #11
Immortal Iron Fist #23
Invincible Iron Man #11
X-Men Manifest Destiny Nightcrawler

Indie
GI Joe #3
Hexed #3
Super Zombies #1

Picks of the Week

Batman Battle For The Cowl #1 - I think some people make a little too much of 'event fatigue', but that's clearly becoming an issue for the Batman books. With the beginning of 'Battle for the Cowl' we're a full year-and-a-half of nonstop events for that part of the line: Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul, Batman RIP, Last Rites, Battle for the Cowl. And that's before whatever the hell the trade dress will be when Morrison & Quitely (http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/03/the-dynamic-duo-morrison-and-quitely-strikes-again/) take over Batman & Robin. This is clearly one of the longest 'event' stretches in a comic I've ever seen, but is it counterproductive?

Super Zombies #1 - I don't know much about this book other than a) Marc Guggenheim is writing it and b) it's about Super Zombies. What else do I really need to know?

Question of the Week - While there have been a lot of movies based on comic characters and properties, Watchmen is one of the few which directly adapts a specific story. Which other specific stories would make the best films?

[alienmastermind]

Doc, I have to say a retelling of Kevin Smith's run on GL's return would be kickass. I'd also like a big screen version of 'The Walking Dead' or 'Powers: Who Killed Retro Girl?'....even though it's like a retelling of Watchmen. :)

[Xerxes]

Green Lantern movie is so on... (http://www.themovieblog.com/2009/03/green-lantern-movie-details-confirmed)

[Doctor Setebos]

I've only got eyes for Battle for the Cowl, Green Lantern, and Trinity these days. Battle for the Cowl because I need closure for the RIP series. Green Lantern because I'm extremely excited for the Blackest Night series to start. And Trinity because I've already invested too much time into that lame series, and I just need to watch it finally end. :D

[Heresyte]

And Trinity because I've already invested too much time into that lame series, and I just need to watch it finally end. :D
I was wonering if the first Trinity trade would be worth ordering. Apparently that's a no?

[DoctorFinger]

I think Trinity is good, but not well suited for a 52 week run. DC doesn't seem to realize that a weekly series doesn't have to be a year long one.

[AgtFox]

I think Trinity is good, but not well suited for a 52 week run. DC doesn't seem to realize that a weekly series doesn't have to be a year long one.
Their next weekly evidently won't be 52 weeks long. I also argue that both DC and Marvel are in a cyclical non-ending event mode. There has been no break in the universe wide events, although it looks like now that Final Crisis is done that DC might be done with universe events in the near future (until Blackest Night probably) while Marvel continues on going from one event to the next with no end in sight.

I'm not even sure I'd call Batman's stuff events, they're general story arcs that just happen to run into each other and in the case of Batman RIP got a lot of hype attached to it. There's rarely a break issue now in any major titles. Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Daredevil, Captain America (one of the best recent examples of a never-ending event starting from issue #1...and it's been really good), Green Lantern, etc.

An "event" to me either has a standalone mini-series (Final Crisis and Secret Invasion being the most recent) or covers most/all of the universe (Dark Reign). None of the recent Batman "events" as you call them were as long as Dark Victory, Long Halloween or Hush for instance.

[Savok]

That tournament they had in Iron Fist would make for a pretty good 80s style kung fu movie (which lets be honest, is what it was).

The first Annihilation War would make for a hell of a space epic. Might need to be broken into a trilogy though, simply to fit everything in.

[muddi900]

I am currently reading Annihilation, and it can really be a good epic. Yes, the Iron Fist story would be awesome on screen as well.

As far as event fatigue is concerned, DC is doing it right. There are tie-ins, but they're not required to enjoy the main series. Regardless if you liked Final Crisis or not, most of the stories happened in the series. Of course, Blackest Night will have it's own series, AND will run through GL/GLC. For a guy like me, who buys them monthly anyway, that's not an issue, but for people who aren't, they will be pissed.

PULLS:
Action Comics #875
Angel Blood And Trenches #1
Batman Battle For The Cowl #1 (OF 3)
Captain Britain And Mi 13 #11
Fables #82
Green Lantern Corps #34

Another event is coming up, the great Fables crossover. Also, is this James Jean's last issue or will it be the next one?

[MosBen]

Yeah, I think "event fatigue" depends a lot on how you define and event. Secret Invasion was clearly an event, but it's not so clear to me that Dark Reign is. There's no main mini series for Dark Reign and there doesn't seem to be a singular main story. Dark Reign is more of a title for the current status quo in Marvel.

Muddi, I only read trades these days, but from what I gathered on the internets I thought Final Crisis did have tie-ins that were pretty necessary.

[muddi900]

Nope. Only Superman Beyond. The rest of the tie-ins, though good, were unnecessary. And in some cases. they didn't even have anything or very little to do with Final Crisis. Like Legion of 3 worlds or Rogue's Revenge.

[MosBen]

I guess Superman Beyond was what I was referring to, but I suppose you're right that that's not much extra material that you'd need to pick up beyond the main series.

[Doctor Setebos]

Muddi, I only read trades these days, but from what I gathered on the internets I thought Final Crisis did have tie-ins that were pretty necessary.Muddi's right, the Superman Beyond 3D issues are the essential tie-ins. However, I would also argue that at least Resist and Submit are pretty important, as well for giving you a sense of what's going on in the world as it is falling apart.

And while not at all essential to the main storyline, the Revelations arc was my favorite of the entire FC series.

[agentgray]

I think New Frontier would make a good counter-point movie to Watchmen. I know it's been animated (and faithfully so), but live action would be neat.

[Superman's Dead]

A faithful Death of Superman movie would be great. Now understand, I choose to believe that Returns didn't happen.

New Frontier would be great, too. I think a version of Green Arrow: Quiver would be great, with flashbacks detailing his origin and past.

I think Mike Mignola's Hellboy style and pacing is so well-suited to the screen that it could be done almost shot-for-shot instead of adapted like it has been. B.P.R.D., too.

The Goon! Ooooooooooh the Goon.

And 100 Bullets as an HBO miniseries, and a serious Daredevil movie (around the Lowlife/Hardcore/King of Hell's Kitchen time), and...

[Spigot]

DC
BOOSTER GOLD #18

Marvel
GHOST RIDER #33
FRANKLIN RICHARDS TP NOT SO SECRET INVASION DIGEST
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #11

That's about it. If I didn't already own all of the other Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse books, I'd get the HC since it's just a delightful, fun book about Cthulhu creatures, zombies, interdimensional travel and a cranky worm that feasts on the corpses of gods...

[Ghostbear]

Muddi's right, the Superman Beyond 3D issues are the essential tie-ins. However, I would also argue that at least Resist and Submit are pretty important, as well for giving you a sense of what's going on in the world as it is falling apart.

And while not at all essential to the main storyline, the Revelations arc was my favorite of the entire FC series.

As far as Final Crisis, the tie-ins were far better than the actual mini series. I really enjoyed the first issue of Final Crisis and my enthusiasm dropped off quickly from there. Revelations was great and I particularly enjoyed Resist, though I must admit some bias, my buddy wrote it.

My list:
ACTION COMICS #875
BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL #1
BOOSTER GOLD #18
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #34

GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #11
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #11

WARHAMMER 40K DEFENDERS OF ULTRAMAR #4

I have to say, Guardians has been great, in fact all of the Marvel "cosmic" stuff that Abnett has been writing has been great. War of Kings, Nova and Guardians are probably my favorite books at Marvel right now.

[muddi900]

A faithful Death of Superman movie would be great. Now understand, I choose to believe that Returns didn't happen.



So you'd prefer a gimmicky "Superman vs the MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE!" movie

[Spigot]

So you'd prefer a gimmicky "Superman vs the MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE!" movieI know I would!

[Hemalin]

So you'd prefer a gimmicky "Superman vs the MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE!" movie
As long as Superman dies at the end.

[muddi900]

As long as Superman dies at the end.

...and comes back wearing a mullet in the sequel.

[Xerxes]

I would actually like the Metallo story from Superman: TAS in a live action story. Hulk 2 type retcon and pretend like the last movie didn't happen at all. We all no the origin. The villain's story could be built up a little more.

I don't think a World Finest movie could be made better than the Timmverse version. DC needs more Timmverse.

[Hemalin]

...and comes back wearing a mullet in the sequel.
Save super-mullet for the third movie. The second one would have Steel, Cyborg Superman and Eradicator kicking ass.

[muddi900]

I would actually like the Metallo story from Superman: TAS in a live action story. Hulk 2 type retcon and pretend like the last movie didn't happen at all. We all no the origin. The villain's story could be built up a little more.

I don't think a World Finest movie could be made better than the Timmverse version. DC needs more Timmverse.

All the better Superman stories were better done on screen in the animated series. The Apokolips Now...! episode can be a great Superman story.

[Xerxes]

All the better Superman stories were better done on screen in the animated series. The Apokolips Now...! episode can be a great Superman story.

See the thing about most of those is nobody would know who this guy. You'd get comic book readers, but then we'd need a Venn diagram for all those that or actually pirates who'd download it. With something like Metallo and Luthor, you get all villainy at the start of a trailer, and the mid way it's like BAM! Holy shit it's a Superman movie.

[DoctorFinger]

I've said this a million times, and I'll say it again. 'What's so funny about Truth, Justice and the American Way" would make an absolutely awesome Superman film.

[Xerxes]

I've said this a million times, and I'll say it again. 'What's so funny about Truth, Justice and the American Way" would make an absolutely awesome Superman film.

Is this another super community service movie?

[muddi900]

I've said this a million times, and I'll say it again. 'What's so funny about Truth, Justice and the American Way" would make an absolutely awesome Superman film.

That story was great, but kinda timely and relevant only to comics being published at the time, namely The Authority.

EDIT:
The new Batman and Robin:
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo299/muddi900/batman-robin-20090311021113379.jpg


This means that Tim rake isn't going to be Robin any more, and from the looks of it, it looks like Damian is the new Robin.

[Spigot]

Holy crap! How young are they making Robin now? He looks shorter than my (almost) 5 year old!

Of course, my kid is also freakishly tall...

[Xerxes]

Yeah but Damian is a born assassin.

[Spigot]

Yeah but Damian is a born assassin.You haven't seen the training I put my son through. You know those basement renovations I was talking about?

It's actually a Danger Room.

[Spigot]

I just finished reading ASS v. 2 and I have to agree with some of the other comments from last week. It was good, but there was something... lacking? different? I'm not sure. There was just something about it that didn't sit as well with me as the spectacular volume one did. It didn't help that we had two issues of Bizarro-speak to suffer through in the second volume.

I also found some of the same things that bugged me about Final Crisis bugging me in several of the issues in Vol. 2 of All-Star Superman. Maybe it's a phase that Morrison was going through last year or something. I don't know... But in almost every issue contained in Vol. 2 of ASS, I had that sense that there were panels missing. I'd have to keep looking back to see if I'd missed something while the narrative progressed. Am I the only one who felt this way?

Oh, and I can't resist posting this.

http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/fail-owned-action-comics-fail.jpg (http://failblog.org/2009/03/11/action-comics-fail/)

[Doctor Setebos]

EDIT:
The new Batman and Robin:
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo299/muddi900/batman-robin-20090311021113379.jpgI kinda had a feeling Damian might end up as the new Robin.

Who do you suppose is Batman there? Could that be Jason Todd?

[muddi900]

It's definitely Dick Grayson.

[Savok]

Which is bullshit. All those years getting out from under the Bat-shadow and against all odds actually accomplising it, lets go piss that all away, awesome.

[DoctorFinger]

I can say with complete honesty that I don't know who that Batman is. I can say that Bruce will almost certainly be back in the suit when Morrison is done with his run on the book.

[Savok]

Ah come on, the casual pose, the height, that hint of a smile.

[muddi900]

Which is bullshit. All those years getting out from under the Bat-shadow and against all odds actually accomplising it, lets go piss that all away, awesome.

Bat books were getting a little stale. While RIP wasn't very good, the rest of the bat books were great.

[AgtFox]

Well, if you read Battle for the Cowl #1 it's pretty assured (in my mind) that Dick is going to be the new Batman no matter who else wants dibs on it.

Who else would Bruce have raise Damien than Dick? In some ways I think DC has played its hand a bit too early on this reveal because that is obviously Damien...there's literally no doubt about it. Then again Didio is well known for letting the cat out the bag early (52 anyone? He pissed off all his writers when he blew it open halfway through).

The one interesting side thought on who Batman is above would be Hush, who now looks like Bruce. DC pulling a Marvel by having bad guys as Batman and Robin...so there'd be 2 Batman and Robins running around Gotham. However Damien was shown to be a whimpering little boy in Battle for the Cowl #1, so maybe his decidedly wicked days are behind him.

[muddi900]

The one interesting side thought on who Batman is above would be Hush, who now looks like Bruce. DC pulling a Marvel by having bad guys as Batman and Robin...so there'd be 2 Batman and Robins running around Gotham. However Damien was shown to be a whimpering little boy in Battle for the Cowl #1, so maybe his decidedly wicked days are behind him.

DC will never do that.


Since we're on topic, I kinda like Dark Avengers, which makes me think, does New Avengers get better after Civil War? Wiki tells me Luke Cage becomes the leader and Bendis can really write Luke Cage.

[Heresyte]

I switched to reading trades right before Batman RIP started, so I have no idea what it was about and all that. Is it worth waiting for the trade or should I just read a synopsis online and wait for the fallout of whatever is going on now?

[muddi900]

Get the Detective Comics trade. And the Robin trade. Check the Synopsis. Basically Morrison wanted to kill Batman, WB didn't allow him to. The result was RIP + what happened in FC.

[DoctorFinger]

The problem with New Avengers post Civil War is that it's just about all setting up Secret Invasion. The issues are good, but it's a lot of set up.

[MosBen]

That Batman pick looks pretty clearly to be Damian as Robin, and I think it makes the most sense to have Dick as Batman to raise/train Damian. Can't say I'm wild about the art, particularly the Batmobile, which looks like utter shit.

As to New Avengers, there really haven't been very many discrete stories told in the series since it started, so I don't really see the run up to Secret Invasion issues as being anything new. Personally, I really like the way this particular team speaks/interacts, and I like the Secret Invasion plot, which was really running since the beginning, so I'd give the post-Civil War trades the thumbs up. YMMV, of course.

Spigs, it's nice to have some company on ASS vol. 2. I probably liked vol. 1 less than you seem to, but just feels like Morrison is so pleased with his own ideas that he can't help but focus on integrating them rather than telling a story that makes me care about what the characters are going through. And yeah, I did a lot of skimming through the Bizarro issues.

[Xerxes]

So Tim Drake is going to be the new Nightwing? Costume musical chair.

[muddi900]

The new "Nightwing" is currently appearing in Action Comics. He's of Kryptonian origins.

Greg Rucka is writing it. So that can't be bad.

The problem with New Avengers post Civil War is that it's just about all setting up Secret Invasion. The issues are good, but it's a lot of set up.

Not my cup of tea. What about Mighty Avengers? I really want to like Bendis' Marvel stuff, but it isn't really that good.

Also, check out GLC this week. Mongul vs Arkillo. Brutal shit.

[DoctorFinger]

Mighty Avengers was mostly meh with a few exceptions. It's Bendis trying to do a lighter and airier style, but it didn't really work great. Slott is writing it now, and it's fulfilling his promise as the 'Avengeriest Avengers book'

[Ghostbear]

Batman and Robin will be an out of continuity title. They just can't call it "all star" for obvious reasons. At least, thats the impression I am getting.
The new "Nightwing" is currently appearing in Action Comics. He's of Kryptonian origins.
Nightwing got the name from a story Superman told him about a Kryptonian hero.

[Spigot]

Hey Sazime, I just listened to an old podcast of JG&TTMFM (I'm finally catching up). Did you ever get a hold of a copy of that first Civil War X-Factor?

[MosBen]

muddi, I think it's unfair to characterize Bendis' Marvel work as not good. His Daredevil stuff is quite good (just starting through it now), The Pulse was good as well, and Ultimate Spidey and Alias are great. When it comes right down to it, I think Bendis is better than average at super heroics and great at writing characters talking to each other, so books where people expect a lot of talking (a procedural like Powers) are considered his good works while books where people expect lots of punching and whatnot (Avengers books) are thought of as his weaker product. Personally, I don't care about the punching side of things, so I really appreciate a book with quality repartee, and for me Bendis brings the goods on that stuff in just about everything he writes.

I'm consistently baffled by praise for the concept of The Mighty Avengers. While reading New Avengers I never once thought, "You know, this story is ok, but what I really want is a big space battle!" I love Slott, but "most Avenger-y Avengers" sounds like a recipe for shallow writing covered by big punch-fests with a ridiculous enemy of the week. Again, if anyone can save such an uninspiring concept it's Slott, but I'll never understand the impulse to bring back stories that essentially boil down to "team fights super powerful bad guy. Saves world."

[AgtFox]

Batman and Robin will be an out of continuity title. They just can't call it "all star" for obvious reasons. At least, thats the impression I am getting.
I was going to float this idea in my post, but I took it out. I would think it is in continuity since it is one of the "replacement" books for the cancelled series (Nightwing, Robin, Birds of Prey).

I still hold out hope that the Batman there is Hush. Damien certainly can get his hands on some Wayne money considering he is the only blood relative...nevermind that Hush as Bruce could probably fool enough people to get his hands on some money. Course there is Jason too, but I'm pretty sure that's him at the end of BftC #1.

[muddi900]

I'm consistently baffled by praise for the concept of The Mighty Avengers. While reading New Avengers I never once thought, "You know, this story is ok, but what I really want is a big space battle!" I love Slott, but "most Avenger-y Avengers" sounds like a recipe for shallow writing covered by big punch-fests with a ridiculous enemy of the week. Again, if anyone can save such an uninspiring concept it's Slott, but I'll never understand the impulse to bring back stories that essentially boil down to "team fights super powerful bad guy. Saves world."

You do know that first 20 or so issues were written by Bendis.

Batman and Robin will be an out of continuity title. They just can't call it "all star" for obvious reasons. At least, thats the impression I am getting.


Maybe it's set in the "fun", campy years. You know, before O'Neal and Adams "ruined" it.

Course there is Jason too, but I'm pretty sure that's him at the end of BftC #1.

It was confirmed a few months ago somewhere.

[Xerxes]

I was going to float this idea in my post, but I took it out. I would think it is in continuity since it is one of the "replacement" books for the cancelled series (Nightwing, Robin, Birds of Prey).

I still hold out hope that the Batman there is Hush. Damien certainly can get his hands on some Wayne money considering he is the only blood relative...nevermind that Hush as Bruce could probably fool enough people to get his hands on some money. Course there is Jason too, but I'm pretty sure that's him at the end of BftC #1.

Wouldn't Grayson and Drake get some money? Weren't they adopted? Then there is still Alford. Didn't he have control of the estate until Bruce grew up. I'm not a fancy comic book lawyer or even in real life. Seems like fighting over Bruce Wayne money would bring about too much attention.

[DoctorFinger]

I can't see the Batman & Robin title being OOC. It's going to be strange as hell - Morrison describes it as "David Lynch does the 60s Batman show" - but it'll be in continuity.

[MosBen]

muddi, yeah, I know Bendis wrote Mighty, and what I've read is fine if not spectacular. And I'm sure Slott wiill put out good stuff because he's Slott. What I was trying to get at was the clamor for an "Avenger-y Avengers" series in the first place. I associate that with a desire to take the Avengers back to some indeterminate era before New Avengers started, but plenty of Avengers stories (as is the case with lots of team books) were either straight crap or just slugfests with a villain of the month. There's probably a lot of crossover here with what people were saying about Metzler's JLA run. Both Bendis' first run on NA and Metzler's JLA were fun for me not because I cared about who this collection of characters were punching but because it was interesting to see them interact with each other. And of course, Metzler's run was followed by an attempt to get back to more action-y fare and it was utterly boring.

Ooh, and this is a chance to flex a little lawyer-ing skills. Tim Drake is probably the default for inheriting Bruce's fortune as he was legally adopted. I don't know if Dick was actually adopted, but if he was then he would get a cut as well. If he wasn't adopted then he probably wouldn't have any right to inherit anything unless it was given to him by Bruce's Will. Bruce's paternity of Damian probably wasn't established legally before his "death," so he wouldn't be entitled to anything unless he could establish his blood relation. Given that there's no body that's going to be hard, but maybe there's some legally admissable proof kicking around. If he were able to establish that he was Bruce's son then he would be on equal footing with Tim (and Dick if Dick was adopted). Jason's not entitled to anything. Alfred's not entitled to anything unless there was some kind of severance package in his contract with Bruce.

Of course, this is all dependant on there not being a Will. Bruce being the master of preparation, it stands to reason that he created a legal Will that divied up his fortune to all the people he cared about. Of course, it'd be a pretty strange will that would send a sizable chunk of money to some kid Damian that he may not have even "known" publically, but hey, Bruce Wayne's lawyer probably doesn't ask a lot of questions.

I will say that as stupid as R.I.P. sounded, I do like the idea of Bruce turning up in a year and not having a fortune anymore. Of course, in reality he would probably get much of his fortune back if he was wrongly pronounced dead. Still, I like the story possibilities for Bruce Wayne building his empire back while reclaiming his role as Batman and protector of Gotham.

[AgtFox]

Wouldn't Grayson and Drake get some money? Weren't they adopted? Then there is still Alford. Didn't he have control of the estate until Bruce grew up. I'm not a fancy comic book lawyer or even in real life. Seems like fighting over Bruce Wayne money would bring about too much attention.
Well, the thing is technically there is a "Bruce Wayne" out there in Hush. It is just that everyone in the Batman family knows it is Hush, but the general population doesn't.

Yes, everyone would get some money. I am guessing outside of the Batman family Bruce Wayne is considered to be still alive. If you want to take it a step farther, if the general population saw Hush around they would think Bruce was still alive.

As far as I know, this is still the lineup:

Dick Grayson - ward of Bruce Wayne (no longer applicable because he is over 18), as far as I know Dick was never legally adopted by Bruce

Tim Drake - legally adopted son of Bruce Wayne

Damien - biological son to Bruce Wayne

Chances are excellent if Bruce had a will and he was publicly confirmed as dead that he would leave his whole fortune to Dick and it would be left to him to take care of Tim and Damien as well as control Wayne Enterprises.

[Savok]

If you boys had been reading your Dini you'd know Hush already tried that, it didn't end well for him.

And the Batclan have been faking Bruce globe trotting, how they'll handle what comes after is anyone's guess.

[AgtFox]

If you boys had been reading your Dini you'd know Hush already tried that, it didn't end well for him.

And the Batclan have been faking Bruce globe trotting, how they'll handle what comes after is anyone's guess.
Oh, I read the Dini Hush stories...liked them quite a bit. Yes, he tried it, although he was chopped off by a combination of the JLA, Catwoman and Dick/Tim and really wasn't ambitious enough. It is pretty obvious from the teaser image revolving around Battle for the Cowl that Hush is very much a part of it.

[MosBen]

Damn it all, DC is way too slow on their trades. I've only got the first two Dini trades.

[Savok]

It's a little known fact that all current DC trades are pulled from 2035 by a time machine that's powered by the blood of DCU characters.

[DoctorFinger]

Actually at some point - I think in early years of the Nightwing series - Bruce did formally adopt Dick. I think he may have even adopted Cassandra Cain (Batgirl) at some point, too.

[Savok]

That always annoyed me actually, "hang on, Batman has a new sidekick around and Bruce Wayne just adopted another incredibly athletic teen", out of everything that's the most obvious way to out yourself there is (except Ollie's beard, come on Ollie, who else has that beard?)

[DoctorFinger]

That always annoyed me actually, "hang on, Batman has a new sidekick around and Bruce Wayne just adopted another incredibly athletic teen", out of everything that's the most obvious way to out yourself there is (except Ollie's beard, come on Ollie, who else has that beard?)Well, Tim didn't move in with Bruce until long after his introduction as Robin, so that shouldn't be a stumbling block.

As for the secret ID thing. If there was a stunning female hero out there with a canine sidekick, would you suspect her of being Paris Hilton (with rat dog!)? Same with Bruce and Batman.

[Savok]

Paris Hilton is stunning?

[DoctorFinger]

Paris Hilton is stunning?Well, I'm pretty sure her Lips could kill :eek:

[MosBen]

Yeah, I think the adoption only outs a member of the dynamic duo if one of their identities is known. Of course, there's lots of other stuff that could incriminate Bruce.

And Paris Hilton is not stunning. She's thin, too thin, but not super hot. Plus, she's so powerfully annoying that it really hurts her case.

[Savok]

Yes, well, lets not forget how Tim became a Robin :p

[muddi900]

It's a little known fact that all current DC trades are pulled from 2035 by a time machine that's powered by the blood of DCU characters.

This is the most factual statement of this thread. DC aren't slow with their trades, they're abysmal. Dini's Detective Comics run was great, especially Adams/O'neal style single issue stories. But both his Hush arcs were awesome. The last page of Detective #850 was, indescribably good.

[Xerxes]

Yes, well, lets not forget how Tim became a Robin :p
How is that?

If you boys had been reading your Dini you'd know Hush already tried that, it didn't end well for him.

And the Batclan have been faking Bruce globe trotting, how they'll handle what comes after is anyone's guess.

What did Hush try already?

[Ghostbear]

How is that?


He did detective work and figured it out. He then told Bruce that "Batman needs a Robin."

[Xerxes]

He did detective work and figured it out. He then told Bruce that "Batman needs a Robin."

Oh yeah, I fucking forgot. He's the Detective. And Nightwing supposed to have the more physical prowess of a sidekick. And Jason was pure runt? :confused:

[Savok]

Or more exactly, Tim saw Batman and Robin fighting the Penguin when he was 9, with Robin pulling off something he recognized as a Flying Graysons signature. From that he managed to work out the identity of both of them.

And Hush has already tried to be Bruce Wayne to get money (after what Selina did to him in #850, hehehe), Selina and the Batclan came down on him like a ton of sexy bricks.

[AgtFox]

And Hush currently resides at the top of Wayne Enterprise's HQ. Although Dick and Tim think they have him locked up for good, Hush notes to himself that an opening will appear and he'll escape yet again.

[muddi900]

So Tim's gonna be Red Robin, in Paris... (http://comics.ign.com/dor/articles/962621/batman-a-new-era-video/videos/ign_dc_battleforthecowl_part2_031309.html)

Oh, and Dini is still doing a Bat book.

[DoctorFinger]

Actually Dini is writing two Bat books. Streets of Gotham, about the people with no real contact with Batman, and Gotham Girls starring Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.

[muddi900]

I think it's called Gotham sirens.

[Xerxes]

Alfred is the next Oracle? I guess he doesn't have to Butler as much. And he was a spy for MI-5 or something right?

[muddi900]

Alfred is just handling the Outsiders. Babs is still Oracle. Hey wasn't a new Justice League series announced last year at San Diego. What the hell happened to it?

[MosBen]

Wasn't there some indication that Babs was going to be walking again and therefore perhaps back in the tights?

Also, I didn't get "Tim's going to be Red Robin" from that video. All they said was that a former sidekick becomes Red Robin. Though artists certainly can be inconsistent with that sort of thing, Red Robin looks a lot more like Jason Todd's body type.

Side note: What is this "Your comment can't be posted because the token has expired" bullshit?

[DoctorFinger]

The other Justice League book, by James Robinson, still hasn't been solicited but it was recently downgraded from an ongoing to a mini.

The rumors about Oracle getting her legs back are very strong. The subtitle of her upcoming mini is 'The Cure' and multiple people at DC have referred to it as 'Batgirl: The Cure". There's also a Batgirl series coming with the Bat-relaunch in June. I think we get the solicitations this week, so we may know more then.

[MosBen]

Yeah, the emotional impact of Martian Manhunter has faded a bit, if it was ever terribly strong. A team put together to avenge him and to be a bit more Xtreme than the JLA isn't sounding as exciting these days.

Also, I wonder how they'll deal with Barbara deciding to call herself Bat "girl" rather than some other, more mature sounding, name. I'm sure it hasn't really been established, but I'd be surprised if she wasn't older than Batwoman. Plus there's Casandra Cain running around calling herself Batgirl, right? What's she gonna do?

[Savok]

They've confirmed that Cass isn't going to be Batgirl anymore. So unless Misfit is getting a serious promotion then Babs will walk again.

Of course she'll be crippled again at some point and turn into another Xavier of endlessly going back and forth like some sad joke.

As for J'onn... those emotions are gonna be plenty fresh.

[muddi900]

Wasn't there some indication that Babs was going to be walking again and therefore perhaps back in the tights?

Also, I didn't get "Tim's going to be Red Robin" from that video. All they said was that a former sidekick becomes Red Robin. Though artists certainly can be inconsistent with that sort of thing, Red Robin looks a lot more like Jason Todd's body type.


Well he wore the Red Robin suit in the last arc of the comic. It was really hint enough.

[Xerxes]

Who the hell is this Batwoman then?

[DoctorFinger]

They've confirmed that Cass isn't going to be Batgirl anymore. So unless Misfit is getting a serious promotion then Babs will walk again.

Of course she'll be crippled again at some point and turn into another Xavier of endlessly going back and forth like some sad joke.

As for J'onn... those emotions are gonna be plenty fresh.Where is this confirmed, because she was in Battle for the Cowl this week?

[muddi900]

Who the hell is this Batwoman then?

Batwoman was a chracter created probably by Greg Rucka during 52, her "real" name is Kathy Kane. She was also a love interest for Renee Montoya. She got a lot of heat for being a gimmick character, a "lesbiaaaaan" superhero. But Rucka has been saying he wanted to do a Batwoman book since 2 years.

[Savok]

Where is this confirmed, because she was in Battle for the Cowl this week?
As usual I don't remember. And we have to remember it's DC, left hand doesn't know right hand exists.

[Deadend]

But where is Bruce Wayne?

How the fuck did all this happen in one week?!

I read what I thought was all of RIP and I am so lost right now.

For some reason I see Jason Todd and Damian becoming the Batman and Robin from hell.

[Savok]

You didn't read Final Crisis? That was the real end of RIP.

Silly boy, thinking a story arc would actually end when it was supposed to.

[MosBen]

Deadend, I didn't read Final Crisis, but I think Bruce Wayne's hanging out in the Stone Age in some cave. No, really.

You'd think he could think up some coded message that would only make sense to Superman after the events of FC or something (so as not to screw up the time stream) saying, "Hey, stuck in the past. Come get me. Bats."

[muddi900]

Batman's fate was to be revealed in FC#6. This is what we got:
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo299/muddi900/FinalCrisis6of7-Page32.jpg
That looked a little too definitive for DC's taste.


This is what we got in FC#7.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo299/muddi900/FinalCrisis7of7-Page36.jpg

If you're wondering "WTF", you're normal

[Savok]

You'd think he could think up some coded message that would only make sense to Superman after the events of FC or something (so as not to screw up the time stream) saying, "Hey, stuck in the past. Come get me. Bats."
I expect that's what's happening in the 2nd pic.

[AgtFox]

FC #7 spoiler stuff:

Actually the end of FC #7 made the most sense out of anything in the series...if you read the Mister Miracle mini-series during the time of Morrison's Seven Soldiers mini where all the New Gods took human hosts and Darkseid gained the ability of the Omega Sanction (versus the Omega Beams which actually kills someone) which sends a person through time and basically puts them through hell.

The new Mister Miracle went through the Omega Sanction in his mini-series and pulled out of it. He went through several levels of mental challenges through different times if I remember. The obvious parallel is that Batman will find a way out as well. Also, it's a bit hard for him to write something to Superman not knowing that Superman is now on New Krypton for a time.

From what Morrisson has said, the Batman shadow was put in via edict by Dan Didio. He felt that the assumption that it was Batman by Andro's dead body was too subtle (the pants and utility belt on Andro wasn't obvious enough?)

[Ghostbear]

It should be noted that Darkseid's Omega beams don't have to kill, they can trap the target in other realities.

[DoctorFinger]

In any case, we'll get the answers to all of this soon enough when Morrison comes back to the Bat books in June.