DC Reveals Batman's New Status Quo

My impression of it from what I've read is this:

Dick is going to remain in Gotham as Batman with Damian. I think Bruce will recognize what a remarkable job Dick has done both in holding Gotham together, and in taking care of his son.

Bruce is going to travel the world, acting as Batman on an international level. I think he's going to seek out up-and-coming, or even established crime-fighters in cities around the world and bring them into the Batman fold, offering help with training, equipment, support, and finance. I can see him taking Tim along for this, since Tim is already a well-established world traveller as well.

Good idea? Bad idea? That remains to be seen. I'm just glad to see Bruce is expanding his horizons a little, looking beyond Gotham. Hopefully this move will give Bruce some much needed international legitimacy as well, and help shed the "idiot playboy" identity. I still think there would be nothing cooler than to see: Bruce Wayne, Head of Checkmate (or whatever large-scale international peace-keeping force there happens to be at the time)

Wasn't expecting Bruce to go public to expand the Batmen line. Could be interesting.

Now that I think about it, I hope they bring back Most Excellent Superbat for this. *crosses fingers*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombie Man Bruce should be using his money to hire artists for Batman's comic books who can draw better than a Chick tract.

It's Frazer Irving. I'm with you on the guy's style, but the higher ups at Marvel and DC, and Grant Morrison in particular I think, love the guy's work.

good luck D.B.B.

This thread did not deliver the cross-over I was expecting...

My problem with this is not what happens to Dick and what happens to Bruce.

Let's play a game. Can anyone give me an example of a heroic corporation? What about just an ethical one?

Okay, now can you give me an example of an unethical or villainous corporation? Whoa, there, form an orderly line and one at a time, please.

Corporations have the image of being *evil*. They are typically greedy, short-sighted organizations that run on faceless policies more than principles. They are dehumanizing, soulless constructs. I'm seriously unable to think of an ethical real world corporation. The best I can think of is Google, with their motto "Don't be Evil". But note that it's not "Be Good" -- that would be asking too much of them.

Yet Batman is an iconic hero, a living symbol of ethical vigilanteism with a human heart. How do you attach that symbol to a corporation and not lose the message? It's exciting when a superhero saves the day. It's not exciting when you know he's doing it on the clock for a paycheck.

In my opinion, the concept of Batman, Inc. is an awful mistake that will ruin an iconic hero.

I forget the name but it's something like Clockwork something that is owned and ran by Barbara Gordon as a front for the Birds of Prey, but the Birds are part of the corporation...so >.>

I'm excited for Batman, Inc. It represents a new chapter in Batman in some obvious ways, some less obvious ways. For those of you who haven't been following the recent Batman comics, Bruce is less darkity dark dark now. His experiences lately and what he saw upon his return encouraged him that he doesn't have to be closed off. He trusts Dick, Tim, and Damian, and is open enough with others now that he is actually letting others use the Bat name instead of yelling at them and kicking them out of Gotham like he used to. Yes, it's a new direction for an iconic hero and that's always risky. But I'm personally a fan of Morrison's work - most of the problems with it stem from delays in publishing, which isn't always his fault - and I trust him to carry Bruce in a cool new direction.

"Knight and Squire, you have the ability to defeat injustice.

Welcome to the Batman Corps."

I have no problem at all with the art.

Don't worry, True Believers! This storyline is happening on Earth 53 and has absolutely *no* bearing on what's going on in the *real* DC Universe!

Excelsior!

I tell ya, if the art style continues the way it has been lately I think I'll just stick to Red Robin and Batman Beyond (not too crazy about the art there either, though). Seriously, this last issue of B&R had like 3 different looks to it. The first 8 or so pages looked great, the rest was total ****.

Oh yeah... this is yet again another reminder as to why I've stopped reading comics...

ive never been overly fond of a lot of Morrison's work on the Bat-franchise, and the last few major storylines of his have been somewhat less than stellar. doesn't mean a couple of the concepts he's running with aren't worthwhile. while at the moment, the Silver/Bronze Age fanboys are running the show, DC isn't adverse to having a couple characters running around with the same name. (Green Lantern & Flash being the two most prominent examples) So i'm interested in seeing how long Bruce & Grayson will both be running around as Batman before Grayson gives up the cowl again. (because hey, fanbois want development, but HATE permanent change. hell, fanbois that don't even get the comics anymore ***** about it)

Morrison has been setting up the idea of a worldwide Batman network for a while now, and i want to see where he goes with it. With any luck, they'll have a better artist. Now, will this ruin the Bat-franchise? of course not. if this falls on it's face that ******* horribly, they can handwave it away within a couple months and everything will be back to fanboi quo. but who knows, this could be a worthwhile story with some staying power.

In the coming years...

Helena Bertinelli will retire from Huntress
Misfit will become Huntress
Bruce will semi-retire
Bruce and Selina will get married and refind/adopt Helena Kyle
Bruce will retire and Damian will take over
Helena Kyle will become Huntress
Damian will disappear
Bruce will try to be Batman again and have a problem causing him to perma retire.
Bruce will become commissioner for a short while
Selina will die
Barbara will become commissioner
Terry will become Batman

that sound about right with what they're doing...

This is actually just to set up the mega Marvel/DC Intercompany crossover involving Mephisto that they're going to do in two years.

Actually no, Backfire... Gotham City seems to operate in another universe or be filled with d-bags because vigilantism in the DCU is considered perfectly ok for everyone other than Batman. Even Dick and Tim are perfectly accepted when they aren't with Batman.

I think the whole no vigilante thing is actually blow back from Batman's "this is my city" thing where he doesn't allow anyone else in the city...If they don't have to deal with the rest, why deal with Batman too? Or something like that.

That's well and good when you've got a local understanding with the police, but he just went GLOBAL. And he's rich. No way can the local authorities look the other way now. My suspension of disbelief can only handle so much...

this will not end well......