I wrote a big column about death and superheroes a couple weeks back, and when I sat down to write today, I wasn’t too keen on revisiting the idea. I didn’t want to beat a dead horse (no pun intended) or rehash anything I’d already said, but I’m writing a weekly column about superheroes, and I’d feel a little guilty if I didn’t mention the death of Batman last week. It’s sort of one of those things people like to refer to as “news”. Everybody else on the internet is talking about it, so why shouldn’t I?
So Batman died, or didn’t die and people are either raising Grant Morrison up on a pedestal or calling for his head on a platter. Regardless, Bruce Wayne won’t be wearing the cape and cowl for the immediate future and there’s going to be a fight of some sort to determine who gets to assume the identity of Batman. Don’t worry, Bat-fans, Bruce will be back eventually. We know that (a) because it’s a superhero comic and that’s what always happens and (b) because the fine folks at DC have pretty much said so. With the way the story ended, the doorway for Bruce’s return has been left wide open, and a pie has been left cooling in the windowsill in case he gets hungry.
But for the time being, let’s imagine a world in which Bruce Wayne never dons the cape and cowl again. I think it could happen, and I think it could be really cool. If you’ll indulge me for a moment, I’ll play the part of that guy at the comic shop who always acts as Devil’s Advocate or better yet, the guy who writes comics with subtitles like “Not a Hoax! Not an Imaginary Story!”
Hell, why not take it a step further and steal a title from DC’s arch-rivals: What if Batman Was Really Dead?
I know the #1 argument against replacing Bruce Wayne is, quite simply, because Bruce Wayne is Batman. That whole “parents getting killed in the alley” thing sorta defines the character. He’s more than just a classic hero or a legend, he’s an icon. I won’t argue that point with anyone, but I think that iconic status is exactly why you can replace him permanently. Bruce Wayne is Batman, but just because that version of Batman doesn’t appear in the main monthly title doesn’t mean that he can’t be featured in new stories. Two words: Flashback and Mini-Series. (Okay, I guess that’s technically three words. Four if you count “and”)
The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Batman and the Mad Monk, Year One. These are just a few Batman stories that either feature retellings of classic Batman adventures or brand new stories set in the early days of The Dark Knights career. Over at Marvel there’s been Daredevil: Yellow, Hulk: Grey, Spider-Man: Blue and Captain America: White. They’re a bunch of stories with colors in the title that tell tales about comic characters in their formative years and they don’t pay any attention to what’s happening in the ongoing monthlies. See, when dealing with a fictional character, there’s really no limit to the kinds of stories you can tell. If a writer comes up with a really great idea for a story about Bruce Wayne, he or she doesn’t need to be limited by the fact that Bruce Wayne is dead or retired and that Dick Grayson (or somebody else) is currently running around the rooftops of Gotham City referring to himself as the new Batman. You just write a flashback story. For those worried about figuring out where these stories would fit into continuity… have you read a DC comic lately? They seem to have a pretty open door policy when it comes to continuity. I don’t think it’ll matter.
The world of superheroes is an odd one in which you actually get to have your cake and eat it too, as long as the publishers are willing to give it to you. Whether you’re looking for drama, adventure, science fiction or comedy, it’s all there. There’s really no reason we can’t have a monthly comic in which the storyline actually progresses and characters aren’t forced to remain stagnant as well as several mini-series’ or graphic novels featuring classic versions of the character. Actually, there’s no reason that Batman can’t be a monthly title featuring a new character under the cowl and Detective can’t be a flashback title or out-of-continuity book featuring Bruce back when he was wearing the suit. Have cake – eat it! Everybody’s happy.
Now, there are those who would say “But Chad, Batman is a huge film franchise and there’s bound to be another movie on the way! What if someone should see that movie, heads down to their local comic shop to pick up a Batman book and finds someone else under the mask? They’ll be confused and they’ll never read another comic again!”
That’s a very good point. But if you ask any of the high ranking muckity-mucks at Marvel or DC they’ll tell you that a successful movie doesn’t necessarily mean the comic is going to start flying off the racks. In fact, sales spike only slightly. While the theory of keeping a recognizable character under the mask for the purpose of making things easier for new readers sounds logical, it actually doesn’t apply. For that matter, if a newcomer wants to start reading comics, odds are they won’t just randomly pick up a single issue anyway. Ask your local comic retailer how to get someone into comics, or ask your buddy how he got his wife to start reading comics. I’ll wager that 9 times out of 10, the answer is either graphic novels or trade paperbacks. It’s easy for you and I do read single issues that constantly end in cliffhangers because we’ve been doing it our whole lives. When a newcomer wants to read a comic book, they usually want a story that is structured more like a novel: with a beginning, middle and an end. Ta-daaa! All of those Batman mini-series’ featuring the classic version of the character that I was suggesting earlier? When collected in trade paperback form, they become the perfect way to get the newbie who’s only familiar with the Batman movies into reading comics.
The average Joe on the street who’s never read a comic book in his life isn’t going to run out to the closest comic shop and start a $100-a-month pull list just because he liked a movie. But he might grab a graphic novel off of the shelf at his local book store or library. The average Batman tpb might feature a universe that’s a bit too daunting to delve into, but if there was a line of “Batman Classic” stories… next thing you know, he’s buying more and more graphic novels and maybe someday with a little luck he’ll branch out into the “real” universe. But probably not, because the DCU is confusing for those of us who have been reading it for years and are familiar with it. I can’t imagine what it would be like for a newcomer.
Over on the other side of the coin, you’ve got the rest of us: The ones who frequent comic book and movie websites throughout the day, looking for our daily dose of pop culture. Now, I know I can’t speak for everyone (and I probably don’t even speak for the majority), but there are a lot of us out there who wouldn’t be opposed to seeing some real growth and change in our superhero comics. Those of us who don’t want to see Steve Rogers become Captain America again. Those of us who wouldn’t mind seeing Dick Grayson actually do what he’s been groomed to do since day one: assume his rightful position as the heir to the Mantle of the Bat.
It’s a shocking proposition, and one that would be bound to draw the ire of a lot of fans. But as I said earlier, there’s no reason we can’t have our cake and eat it too. I think a lot of it just depends on the readers being a bit more willing to free themselves of the notions of what can and can’t happen in a comic book series. The idea of a world without Bruce Wayne as Batman is just as terrifying as it is exciting… but when you realize that just because he’s not wearing the mask in the current storyline doesn’t mean that DC can’t publish Batman comics featuring Bruce Wayne as Batman, it kind of makes sense. After all, Spider-Man’s daughter had a pretty successful run despite the fact that she’s been dead (or written out of continuity) for some time now. There has been a number of Barry Allen stories published since his death in the first Crisis. It can probably be said for any popular dead character. DC and Marvel regularly publish stories that don’t take place in the regular continuity and for that matter, they rewrite continuity as they see fit any time they please. A world without Batman isn’t really a world without Batman at all… it would be more like a world with two Batmans (or would that be Batmen?) Who doesn’t want more of a good thing?
It’s all a moot point anyway. I may as well just print this whole thing out and throw it in the trash. Bruce Wayne will be back as Batman, and it’s not like you’re going to hear me complain when it happens. Most comic book fans would not accept a permanent change in Batman’s identity anyway and they’re certainly not wrong for having that opinion either. I won’t argue the point that Bruce Wayne should be Batman, but I can’t deny I would love to see a superhero world in which real permanent change can and does happen. What if the Big Two weren’t so afraid of challenging their readers? What if we, the readers, weren’t so afraid of change? What if toy, underwear and other assorted merchandise sales didn’t dictate storylines? What if Batman Really Was Dead?
Only I know… for I am the Watcher!
Oh wait, wrong universe. Uhhh… onward to The Spinner Rack!
The Spinner Rack
By Ben Johnson and Chad Derdowski
DARK HORSE COMICS
Creepy Archives HC Vol 02 $49.95
Ben: Chad’s dark history.
Chad: Finally in hardcover!
Criminal Macabre Cell Block 666 #2 (Of 4) $2.99
Ben: And his time in jail.
Chad: I feel like I should be getting royalties…
Hellboy Wild Hunt #1 (Of 8) $2.99
Kull #2 (Of 6) $2.99
Magicman Archives HC Vol 01 $59.95
Ben: What Chad spray paints on his van, along with ‘Free Candy’ and ‘Not a Kidnapper’.
Chad: Stop with the spoilers already!
Solomon Kane #3 (Of 5) $2.99
DC COMICS
Army @ Love The Art Of War #5 (Of 6) (MR) $2.99
Authority #5 $2.99
Batman #682 $2.99
Ben: And now… what happens next.
Chad: More crossovers!
Chuck #6 (Of 6) $2.99
Chad: … Chuck, bo-buck. Bananna-fanna-fo…
El Diablo #4 (Of 6) $2.99
Haunted Tank #1 Cover A (Of 5) (MR) $2.99
Ben: Abbott is dead, and he is in your closet.
Haunted Tank #1 Cover B (Of 5) (MR) $2.99
Jonah Hex #38 $2.99
Justice Society Of America #21 $2.99
Ben: I love it.
Looney Tunes #169 $2.50
Sandman Dream Hunters #2 (Of 4) (MR) $2.99
Sgt Rock The Lost Battalion #2 (Of 6) $2.99
Showcase Presents Supergirl TP Vol 02 $16.99
Spirit TP Vol 01 $19.99
Supergirl Cosmic Adventures In The 8th Grade #1 $2.50
Ben: I think I want to die before Christmas.
Superman Batman Vengeance TP $12.99
Superman Supergirl Maelstrom #3 (Of 5) $2.99
Teen Titans On The Clock TP $14.99
Ben: Morning Robin. Morning Beast Boy.
Cyborg: Another day, another dollar.
Terra #3 (Of 4) $2.99
Terror Titans #3 (Of 6) $2.99
Trinity #27 $2.99
Two Flowers For The Dragon Vol 03 $9.99
Ben: But you’ll never catch him.
Vixen Return Of The Lion #3 (Of 5) $2.99
IMAGE COMICS
Astounding Wolf-Man #10 $2.99
Broken Trinity Witchblade Blake Cvr A (One Shot) $2.99
Broken Trinity Witchblade Spokes Cvr B (One Shot) $2.99
Charlatan Ball #5 $2.50
Ben: Watch me dance.
Darkness #72 Lucas Cvr A (MR) $2.99
Darkness #72 Sejic Cvr B (MR) $2.99
Godland Tp Vol 04 Amplified Now $14.99
I Hate Gallant Girl #2 (Of 3) $3.50
Ben: It’s kind of like 2 girls 1 cup.
Jingle Belle Santa Claus Vs Frankenstein (One Shot) Cvr A $2.99
Chad: My money’s on Claus.
Jingle Belle Santa Claus Vs Frankenstein (One Shot) Cvr B $2.99
Chad: No, no… Frankenstein!
Mice Templar HC Vol 01 The Prophecy $29.99
Noble Causes #38 $3.50
Chad: A concept completely foreign to Ben.
Proof TP Vol 02 $12.99
Ben: At least 80, preferably 101.
Sword #13 (MR) $2.99
Youngblood #6 $2.99
Zero G #3 (Of 4) $2.99
Ben: What my wife says after sex.
Chad: Man, you should hear some of the stuff she says to me…
MARVEL COMICS
Amazing Spider-Man #579 $2.99
Anita Blake VH Laughing Corpse #3 (Of 5) (MR) $3.99
Astonishing X-Men HC Vol 02 $34.99
Astonishing X-Men HC Vol 02 Dm Ed $34.99
Cable #9 $2.99
Ben: The one that tangles with my Xbox cord when I’m trying to return it after finally getting the red rings on death.
Criminal 2 #7 (MR) $3.50
Daredevil By Miller Janson TP Vol 02 $29.99
Ben: Oh who cares? Did anyone even read this? Boring.
Daredevil Prem HC Yellow $24.99
Enders Shadow Battle School #1 (Of 5) $3.99
Ben: Good times.
Enders Shadow Battle School #1 (Of 5) Symbol Var (Pp #841) $3.99
Essential Wolverine TP Vol 05 $16.99
Eternals #6 $2.99
Genext TP $15.99
Hulk Family Green Genes #1 $4.99
Ben: I hope there’s a flying horse.
Chad: Does Frank Zappa make and appearance?
Immortal Iron Fist #20 $2.99
Infinity Crusade TP Vol 01 $29.99
Ben: Read this while wearing Hypercolor.
Invincible Iron Man Prem HC Vol 01 $24.99
Invincible Iron Man Prem HC Vol 01 Dm Ed 1 Movie Cover $24.99
Invincible Iron Man Prem HC Vol 01 Dm Ed 2 $24.99
Iron Man Hulk Fury One Shot $3.99
Lords Of Avalon Knights Of Darkness #1 (Of 6) $3.99
Marvel Adventures Hulk TP Vol 04 Digest $8.99
Marvel Illustrated Kidnapped #2 (Of 5) $3.99
Marvel Spotlight Secret Invasion Aftermath $2.99
Marvel Zombies 3 #3 (Of 4) $3.99
Marvels Eye Of Camera #1 (Of 6) $3.99
Moon Knight Silent Knight #1 $3.99
Ben: Yeah, shut up!
New Avengers #47 SI $2.99
Ben: I don’t even care.
New Exiles #15 $2.99
New Exiles TP Vol 02 Soul Awakening $15.99
Nyx No Way Home #4 (Of 6) $3.99
Punisher Max X-Mas Special 2008 (MR) $3.99
Punisher Max X-Mas Special 2008 Bloody Var (MR) $3.99
Secret Invasion #8 (Of 8) SI $3.99
Ben: BIG F-ING SPOILER!!! It is 24 pages, all saying ‘Read Final Crisis Instead’.
Secret Invasion Front Line #5 (Of 5) SI $2.99
She Hulk Cosmic Collision $3.99
Spider-Man Magazine #4 $6.99
Weapon X First Class #2 (Of 3) $3.99
What If House Of M $3.99
Wolverine Manifest Destiny #2 (Of 4) MD $2.99
Wolverine Power Pack #2 (Of 4) $2.99
X-Infernus #1 (Of 4) $3.99
X-Men Manifest Destiny #4 (Of 5) MD $3.99
X-Men Noir #1 (Of 4) $3.99
X-Men Noir #1 (Of 4) Calero Var $3.99
Sounds like lazy storytelling to me. Like they can ever change Bruce from Batman. I am still waiting for Cap America to come back however. I do like Bucky as Cap so far. But Batman is more popular than Cap, at least for now! Hopefully the movie will change that.
Wow. Way to describe how I got back into reading comics almost to a T. That's perpendicular, baby!
I don't read comics. As close as I've ever gotten was... the Dark Pheonix Saga during when I had braces and had access to X-Men at the orthodontist.
Plus, some heroes might get despirate if they are close to the end: what would it mean if a hero suddenly clones themselves? Suddenly looks for a Fountain of Youth? What would it mean if the old Justice League is in semi-retirement, and are ranting at their old protege's on a screen to do it the way they'd like? (sorry, trying to get rid of a mental image of a retirement home for superheroes who all have communication devices to young heroes...) Anyway, any organism exits in one of two states: growth or stagnation/death. Keeping these heroes in essential statsis, keeps them stagnate. In the long run, it will kill them.
Sorry for the back to back posts. My edits seem to be... cannibalizing any previous typing.
Anyway, had a mental image: the Hulk (because of his origin) ends up not aging. Twenty years into the future, he's stuck in the Hulk mode... but is again the Banner-smart Hulk. Ends up the trainer to the superheroes, if they find him.
Now, imagine him getting angry because some replacement hero isn't fighting the way he or she was trained, or against character, and Hulk getting angry a la Mickey Goldmill. Something along the lines of "Professor X wouldna never got in the fight and HIT Magneto! Use your brain!!! The Thing would NEVER have worn purple!!!"
Sorry, I just have a mental image of a Hulk screaming on a headset, whilst leveling a small mountain, because a new hero isn't dealing with a purse snatcher appropriately...
Even if Dc kills Batman or whatever the case is theres another Bat that can take his place and who other than BatGirl? Batmans Daughter and Catwomans I suppose. Have her go to the cementery where there she finds out that master Bruce Wayne is the caped hero, Selena wanting her to be more like her, Helena refuses and heads to Wayne Manor where she meets The Joker. Joker as crazy as he is sitting laughing and crying at the same time because now he doesn't have a competitor later finds out that Bruce isnt the last Bat at all. As The Daughter of Bruce Wayne inherits Wayne Manor she finds a piece of Bruces hair on his suit, builds a machine where she lays down the piece of hair and voila Batman Clone. But this Batman isn't anything like the original, this Batman has the same appearances but his attitude is completely different. More of the Get things done and ask questions later, but like any other clone it has weird memories doesn't know why hes here. Helena Wayne explains that she is his daughter but hes a clone brought back because she wants to take that responsibility and so on there Helena in time earns the name.
Ugh. How I am getting old. When I saw the Hulk Family issue "Green Genes" I was expecting a snarky Captain Kangaroo joke. Oh well...
Perhaps they need to get real ballsy writers to inject "What If" or "Else Worlds" to revamp and run stories of the heroes dead and the rest of the Marvel/DC universe respectively go with it. Reading the start of "Ultimatum" even though it isn't THE marvel Universe, its still cool to see how the killing has started, and so far, they were just sideline deaths, nothing glorious. It brings a real human aspect to them, to NOT die Phoenix or Captain Marvel or Captain America style, where it can be martyred, just one of the masses and ultimately, unimportant.
To repeat what we all know: As businesses, Marvel & DC are never going to fundamentally change their heroes. The iconic natures of Superman, Spiderman, and every other hero out there is and will always be the greatest asset the big two have. Talent comes and goes, but 60 years worth of advertising for batman (in some form or another) is not something you throw away. As much as we'd like to see an ending to their stories, get some sense of closure, it will never happen. 20 years from now every major character will die/retire at least once only to return again in time for the newest movie/tv show/podcast.
And when did this forum transmogrify into a fan fiction site?
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That's it!!! I'm so done with the whole killing off iconic superheroes!!! They did it with Superman and made a few bucks so why not do it with Batman...I'm officially done with DC Comics, and I won't be the only one.