And so finally - the end of Batman?

[_____V_____]

November 25, 2008


So they're killing Batman.

Famed comic writer Grant Morrison has said that last issue in the ongoing Batman RIP series will see the end of Bruce Wayne as Batman.

These words, coupled with popular online rumours that Robin will defect to the dark side and be the man who leads to Batman's horrible end, have fans in a tizzy.

But it really isn't time to worry just yet.

For one, these comic 'events' happen all the time. And as we learnt in the 90s when Superman returned from the grave, A-listers are rarely the people who die.

In a bid to sell more comics both major publishers Marvel and DC have invariably been coming up with massive events, on a nearly-annual basis. Events involve storylines that go through each of their top-rung comics (and a bunch of obscure titles usually ignored otherwise) and despite these sagas often encompassing galaxy-altering revelations and character deaths, things are routinely turned 'back to normal' a few weeks after the arc is over, blaming it on memory losses and parallel universes or even involving characters returning from the grave.

And despite Marvel having 'killed' Captain America last year in a move that shocked fans around the world -- and Steve Rogers remains dead and unlikely to return -- DC isn't stupid enough to kill Batman. No way.

Batman is bigger than Superman and the entire Justice League put together, and the company isn't likely to finish off their biggest icon just when he's also responsible for their biggest movies.

I am betting Bruce might get hurt -- or be rumoured to be dead with no corpse in sight -- and will give up the Batman costume. But only for a while, because he has to come back.

Because what would the rest of DC's jokers do without him? Especially the one who laughs the loudest?

[urgeok2]

as far as the comics, novels, and cartoons go - which batman, which robin ?

there are so many series - past - present - and future running all at once i'm confused.

i thought there werre 3 robins ?

[Phalanx]

i thought there werre 3 robins ?

Yup.
Grayson - Now Nightwing
Jason Todd, once "killed" by the Joker and retconned back into existence as a sometimes reluctant hero, sometimes bad guy.
Tim Drake - The "current" Robin.

...those are the main three in the dc continuity.
I assume the rumours would be about the current one.
Although, my take on the Batman RIP thing is that he's going to quit - no more batman..etc.
Might fake his own death as he did for Catwoman.

Out of all those likely to "take over", I'd ike to see Jason Todd, bit of a redemption thin after all the bullshit he's caused since his "return", as well I think he's pretty close in terms of batmans use of terror.
Although, Grayson would have more experience, and Drake seems to be following more closely to BM in terms of the detective bit...hard to tell...

Wouldn't mind seeing Jean Paul Valley bought back "to life" to join whatever remains of the team.

[neverending]

They killed Superman in the 70s before Batman gained his popularity. As mentioned- it lasted a few months.

They're looking to sell some comics.

[massacre man]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

Yup.
Grayson - Now Nightwing
Jason Todd, once "killed" by the Joker and retconned back into existence as a sometimes reluctant hero, sometimes bad guy.
Tim Drake - The "current" Robin.

And Stephanie Brown who was Robin for not even a year before being killed by Black Mask.

[ferretchucker]

If it happens, it will be bad, but also a bit realistic. Fighting crime for all these years and bouncing back. I just hope that if they do it, they give him a justified end. But as we all know, it won't be permanent. Whether it's for a few months, years or even decades, he will be back in some shape or form. I'd like to see Nightwing/ Grayson take on the role of Batman. I know it's pretty predictable but I think he has gained that darkness that makes him ideal. As for Tim Drake, I think he'll stay a good guy. They've already made on robin turn pretty bad, it would be dull to do it again.

[sfear]

Marvel may have killed Captain America last year but they did bring back Bucky Barnes who's been dead (or at least thought dead -- I haven't been following) for around sixty years. I hope they don't kill Bats since I've been collecting him since the early nineties. But even if they do I'm sure there are plenty of untold tales left to make up many mini-series for years to come.

[massacre man]

Originally Posted by ferretchucker

If it happens, it will be bad, but also a bit realistic. Fighting crime for all these years and bouncing back. I just hope that if they do it, they give him a justified end. But as we all know, it won't be permanent. Whether it's for a few months, years or even decades, he will be back in some shape or form. I'd like to see Nightwing/ Grayson take on the role of Batman. I know it's pretty predictable but I think he has gained that darkness that makes him ideal. As for Tim Drake, I think he'll stay a good guy. They've already made on robin turn pretty bad, it would be dull to do it again.

I don't think they'd bring him back too soon if he were to die. They just brought Barry Allen back from the dead.

[Doc Faustus]

I posted a thread about this months ago.

[Phalanx]

I saw the "conclusion" if you can call it that.
**spoiler**


Helicopter crashes then exlpodes after Bats is attacking someone on board, but you don't really see the initial explosion, and you don't really see a body fly away or anything, nor do you see the body itself. Nightwing finds his cowl, but that's about it...the last page would lean towards him picking up the mantle.


But yeah, nothing really conclusive.