Tag: Dick Grayson

6 Characters Who Could Appear on Arrow

May. 08 Comic Books, Editor's Pick, Television 6 comments

Arrow and Batman

About two months ago at PaleyFest, Arrow executive producer Andrew Kreisberg was asked which characters from DC Comics’ roster of heroes he’d like to see on the show. Almost immediately, Kreisberg answered:

“Dick Grayson and Nightwing were always my favorite. I doubt we’ll ever get to that point. The bat-universe will never coincide with ours, but Nightwing would be my fantasy.” (Source: Comic Book Resources)

The mention of Dick Grayson/Nightwing is interesting considering how heavily Arrow borrows from Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy in terms of its tone and aesthetic. The show is essentially the closest the CW will ever get to Batman without having Batman. That being said, it seems that most of the major players in the Bat-universe are off the table for Arrow because of licensing issues and restrictions on characters with possible ties to a movie deal. That doesn’t mean Arrow hasn’t done its damnedest to use characters and drop names within the DC Universe. Last week’s episode, “The Undertaking,” took us to Blüdhaven while Ted Kord, Ray Palmer, and Jean Loring were all mentioned within the flashback sequences. Actually makes you wonder why Ray hasn’t dropped by at this point since he and Ollie seemed to be friends five years ago.

Though Nightwing will sadly not be appearing in Season 2 of Arrow, even though Dick would completely make sense as an ally of Ollie’s within the universe of the show, there are still a fair amount of potential heroes and villains that could – and some that should – appear on the show. Here are some of those possibilities.

Ted Grant (a.k.a. Wildcat)Wildcat and Black Canary

Of all the DC heroes who have the most potential to appear on Arrow, Ted Grant is, by far, the most likely! Pre-reboot in the comics, Ted was a former boxer turned vigilante who eventually became one of the most sought after trainers for new and experienced heroes within the DCU. The creators of Arrow wouldn’t even have to tweak him all that much since his back story actually ties into Ollie’s world perfectly through Laurel. In the comics, depending on the continuity, Ted trained Dinah before she took over the mantle of Black Canary from her mother who was a former colleague of Ted’s in the Justice Society of America (JSA). Arrow has been heavily hinting at Laurel’s heroic destiny, so it would completely make sense for Laurel to begin going to a gym owned by Ted Grant and start training under him. It would also give Laurel a father-figure to look to since I’m pretty sure Quentin Lance is not long for this world.

Ted could eventually be a guiding father-figure for Ollie as well. His relationship/partnership with Diggle is more brotherly with the two operating as equals in the field more than anything else. Ted could provide another avenue of storytelling with the seasoned veteran guiding the next generation, which could also be a way for Ted to make amends for past sins (Tom Bronson, anyone?). It would also be an interesting juxtaposition with Ted providing advice for Ollie when he eventually takes on Roy as a sidekick. Don’t act like you don’t know what’s happening!

Victor Sage or Renee Montoya (a.k.a. The Question)The Questions

Even Arrow co-creator Marc Guggenheim thinks Vic Sage would fit in perfectly on Arrow and I’m inclined to agree. Never mind the cosmic mumbo-jumbo going on in the New 52, The Question is a faceless P.I. searching for answers. Vic Sage’s original origin story was a brilliant actor turned vigilante using an experimental artificial skin called Psuedoderm to cover up his face while he hunted criminals. Dennis O’Neil later revamped his backstory a bit in the 80s, making Vic an investigative journalist for a television station who used the faceless mask to go places and find clues where his well-known visage could not. Like Ollie, he was also a ruthless vigilante and often opted to not save criminals should they find themselves in dire straits. Vic also has a clear intro point to the series through Helena Bertinelli (a.k.a. The Huntress) since the two were quasi-romantically involved in the comics (and Justice League: Unlimited) when Vic spent some time in Gotham City, so you could easily bring both of them in for a two-parter since we’ve already established Helena’s presence in Ollie’s life. Can you say “drama”?

Another possibility is Renee Montoya who Vic trained to replace him when he found out he had lung cancer. Though she is part of Batman’s universe of law enforcement allies, Renee really came into her own as The Question, so you could always have her arrive in Starling City as a disgraced or disillusioned cop looking for a fresh start as she follows the remnants of The Undertaking’s conspiracy. It also diversifies the cast on several levels.

Stephanie Brown (a.k.a. Spoiler)Spoiler

Oh, Stephanie Brown, you’ll never go away, will you? NOPE! I’ve already spoken about how I think Steph should be the new Robin in the comics, so I’ll keep this one brief. When you think about it, Spoiler is like the female version of Nightwing. She’s light-hearted, but serious when she needs to be, skilled, but tends to overreach, and she has mob connections! Win-win, really. You could argue that Huntress and Felicity Smoak make up most of what distinguishes Stephanie as a character, but I’d argue that it’s Steph’s personality that sets her apart. Though Felicity has the awkward-ish nerd thing, Stephanie can bring tons of bravado and fun to being a vigilante in contrast to Ollie’s super seriousness. Watching them work together with Stephanie all pumped to do some crime-fighting could do wonders for bringing out Ollie’s lighter side.

King FaradayKing Faraday

Why the hell not? DC’s answer to Nick Fury (minus the eye patch), King is one of those agents that fits into whatever organization you need him to. Arrow has already introduced A.R.G.U.S., so why not throw King into the mix of Diggle’s former colleagues? Once The Undertaking has been taken care of, I imagine there might be some recruiting going on from various agencies looking to use “The Vigilante” or “The Hood” as a pawn in their own games across the DCU. In the comics, Ollie has been pulled into many an organization to carry out a mission or two, so it wouldn’t be out of the question for Checkmate or the C.B.I. to come a callin’ with King Faraday as their primary recruiter.

Sandra Wu-San (a.k.a. Lady Shiva)Lady Shiva

I hesitate to suggest yet another female assassin since Arrow already has China White and Shado will more than likely make an appearance in the present at some point. Plus, there’s always the possibility that Cheshire will show up since we now have Roy Harper in the mix. But screw it, Lady Shiva is awesome! The most respected and feared master of martial arts, Shiva is an assassin-for-hire who can be both friend and foe to Green Arrow. Like Ted Grant, Shiva was mentor to many heroes pre-reboot, training Black Canary, Robin, The Question, and even Batman after Bane broke his back. If Arrow continues with the Triad subplot, I could imagine Shiva showing up as another hired assassin to replace China White (in the most brutal way possible) or as an operator higher than the Triad who inspires fear even at the mention of her very name. To change things up, maybe she figures out that “The Hood” has to have some money in order to have all of those custom arrows, so she lets him make a counter-offer so she won’t kill him so long as she’s compensated. They form a tentative alliance/friendship and she shows up whenever some international flair is needed for the plot.

Hugo StrangeHugo Strange

Yet another character that seems like a no-brainer, Hugo Strange, while a Batman villain, is still the foremost expert in criminal psychology since he is, in fact, a criminal who specializes in psychological warfare. Being a vigilante and living a double life has to take its toll on Ollie at some point and wouldn’t it just be fitting for world-renowned psychiatrist Dr. Strange to be visiting Starling City? His visit also happens to coincide with a string of crimes from people who otherwise would never commit such acts, so Ollie sees Strange under the guise of the billionaire playboy with problems, but then has the tables turned on him by Strange. Episode practically writes itself!

Obviously these are only a few possibilities, but I think you could make a case for all of them making at least a guest appearance at some point down the line. That’s what I like the most about Arrow. The show provides an avenue for lesser known villains and heroes to at least step out of the long shadows cast by Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman and give viewers other characters to get to know that may just grab a new reader or two for the comics.

Did I miss someone? Probably. Let me know if there are any heroes or villains you think could show up on Arrow. Go a little deeper and tell me how!

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Earth 2 Batman: Who’s Behind The Cowl?

May. 08 Comic Books, News, Press Release, Previews 1 comment
Batman of Earth 2

Earth 2 reveals Batman

 

Earth 2 will be getting a new Batman, but who will don the cape and cowl and carry the mantle of the Dark Knight? Everyone is being very hush-hush, of course, but that is not going to stop Bat-Fans or Earth 2 fans from speculating. James Robinson has been slow-playing the readers for months. He’s taken his time to introduce and develop the characters, as he is known for doing. His run on Starman remains among my favorite series, and I have been reading comics since the mid 1970s. He developed a rich and beautiful environment in Opal City with the city itself becoming an integral character. The other main character, Jack Knight, was born to be a hero, and grew into the role like no Starman before him. Robinson also breathed life into a relatively unimpressive villain, making The Shade an interesting adversary, foil, and even partner for the enigmatic Starman. When it was announced that Earth 2 would be Robinson’s playground for the Justice Society, post New 52, I was all-in!

 

Earth 2

Earth 2 by James Robinson

 

At the beginning Earth 2 was an action movie on paper. Darkseid sent his parademons to Earth 2 under the command of Steppenwolf. The war was devastating to Earth 2. The Trinity of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman were left practically alone to stop the final onslaught. It looked grim for this alternate Earth until Batman devised a plan. It ended with the sacrifice of all three heroes and was still barely enough to stem the tide. Earth 2 was not without heroes for long, almost as if nature itself, with the help of some powerful benefactors, had to find worthy vessels for powers otherwise lost. As the world and characters developed the action slowed a bit. The subsequent issues drew the reader in, just as the various JSA heroes found themselves drawn to each other. Now, we’re a year in and it only makes sense that some brave hero would pick up the mantle of the Batman. But who? I have a few possibilities…

 

Wildcat

Wildcat, Ted Grant

 

1. Ted Grant (Wildcat) is a natural to eventually appear in Earth 2 continuity. Why not as the Batman? He has the right skill set, and this war-torn world could sure use a Batman. Regardless of the parallels, I’m not sure how likely this is. Robinson loves to take the underdog character and breathe new life into him. This could play either way for Wildcat. On the one hand, Robinson could really make Ted Grant a robust and full character, as Wildcat. On the other hand, he could just make him the Batman, and run with it. I’m sure Wildcat will have a home in Earth 2, I just don’t think that it will be as The Dark Knight.

 

Damian Wayne

Damian Wayne

 

2. My next possible New Batman is the Earth 2 version of Damian Wayne. We know Bruce Wayne had a daughter on Earth 2. Helena, aka Robin, daughter of Bruce and Catwoman, ended up on New Earth after the climactic battle of the Apokoliptan invasion. Could Earth 2′s Batman have had another child? A son? Why not? It would be a bit of a cop-out to kill Damian in Batman Incorporated #8, then resurrect him fairly quickly into the Earth 2 continuity. Then again, maybe that was the plan all along. There were so many stories left untold when the young Wayne died. So many stories that I wouldn’t mind James Robinson telling. As much as I would like to see the character back, I’m not sure this is the right time or place.

 

Dick Grayson

Dick Grayson

 

3. My final possibility, and most likely in my opinion, is Dick Grayson. This is just a logical choice. Many fans were disappointed when, after the 1993 story arc entitled Knightfall, in which Batman was gravely injured, Grayson was not tapped as his replacement. Instead, Jean-Paul Valley, better known as Azrael was chosen. Years later in 2008, following the events of Final Crisis, Dick Grayson actually does become Batman, with Damian Wayne as his Robin. His attempt at being Batman was half-hearted at best, and was interrupted by Jason Todd, who had also assumed the role of Batman. Earth 2 could be just the place for Dick Grayson to finally get a true shot at the cowl. He could assume the mantle and give back to his world a hero that they so desperately need.

Personally, I hope that it’s Dick Grayson because I grew up idolizing his Robin character, and later his Nightwing persona. It would certainly satisfy the unfulfilled desires of the fan base without alienating anyone. It’s Earth 2, and James Robinson is at the wheel, so anything can happen. Maybe I should have considered Bruce Wayne himself as the “New” Batman. It wouldn’t be the first time he survived sure death and returned against all odds. I really hope this isn’t the case. New Earth has a Bruce Wayne/Batman. Earth 2 Batman should be different, and should be the basis for epic adventures well into the future.  Robinson himself said, ““He’s a huge part of ‘Earth 2,’ he’s going to be a huge part of the DC Universe, and everything he does from the Annual onward will have huge implications for the DC Universe. This isn’t some new person coming in to be Batman. This is definitely a part of Batman lore.” We will all find out as soon as Earth 2 Annual #1 hits the shelves. I only have one question left…Is it here yet?

 

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The Death of Damian Wayne…Some Thoughts

Mar. 06 Comic Books, Nerd's Perspective 7 comments

Batman and Robin

Understand one thing, DC Comics: I’m not angry. I’m disappointed. Do I really need to link Max Landis’s video about “The Death and Return of Superman” to this article? Because I’ll do it. Don’t believe me? There! Done and done! Ya wanna know why I did that? Because everyone knows that death is meaningless in comics. It’s a stone cold fact. The only deaths that have ever, in the history of comics, remained fixed points in time are the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne and Ben Parker. Why? Because they are necessary for the creation of Batman and Spider-Man. That’s the only reason why deaths even occur anymore. It’s a means of creation, a motivation that drives heroes to fight for justice or pushes villains over the edge. But as a storyline, as an event to shake up the universe (even though it just gets us back to the status quo), death is the laziest plot point in comics. It serves no purpose other than to sell books. So, yes, well done. You’ve made a lot of money at the expense of a character who was showing tremendous growth and had nothing but potential.

Damian Wayne was one of the best things to happen to the world of Batman in a long time. He monumentally shook up the status quo of the Bat-family in the best ways possible because he was so different from what we’d seen before. His motivations were different, his upbringing was different, and his personality—a snotty, bratty, entitled, and elitist sociopath—made him the perfect foil for everyone in the Bat universe. But he was also the heir to two warring dynasties, which gave him a fantastic starting point from which to begin his journey. For Damian, everything was about family. He craved Bruce’s love and respect, despite his aloofness, and he begrudgingly began to respect and accept his surrogate brothers (even Tim). War of the Robins was one of the best mini-arcs in Batman and Robin because it solidified the relationships between Batman’s many sidekicks while reinforcing the importance of the Robin legacy. Damian sought to prove himself the best Robin because he saw the title as one deserving of respect and the next step towards donning the cape and cowl as Batman, a mantle he believed himself heir to as well.

Oh, wait, I forgot! Silly Sam! This is DC Comics! You guys hate legacy even though you have the longest and richest history of characters in comic books! God forbid that seven years worth of stories matter to a character or seventy plus years (condensed into five) of history affect the relationships amongst your heroes. Nope, we can’t have a kid hanging around who could potentially grow up the way his predecessors have. That would be ridiculous! Oh, look, he’s growing as a person, he’s changing under the guidance of his family… better kill him before he becomes even more interesting!

War of the RobinsAnd the worst part of it is that Damian’s death is extra meaningless because the death of a Robin has already been done. Jason Todd and Stephanie Brown both “died” while wearing the red R and both of them eventually came back from the dead. In fact, Jason’s death still defines him in the New 52, the one thing that separates him from Dick and Tim other than his prickly personality, which is a trait he also shared with Damian. Re-treading old ground with the loss of not only a partner but a son for Batman is actually a bit mean-spirited when you consider the progress Damian’s made since his introduction in Batman & Son (2006). However most people feel about Grant Morrison’s run on Batman, Batman and Robin, and Batman, Inc., his greatest contribution was, and always will be Damian as well as the partnership between Damian and Dick during Batman and Robin. That being said, Morrison doesn’t own Damian, and by giving him the go-ahead to kill him off in a book that was only eight issues in—compared to the year-and-a-half worth of stories post-reboot—shows you really don’t know your readers very well.

And with all respect to Mr. Morrison, your explanations for why Damian had to die are complete bullshit!

“He saves the world. He does his job as Robin. He dies an absolute hero.” (Source: The New York Post)

“In many ways this has been Damian’s story as much as it has been the story of Bruce Wayne, and it’s a story that had its end planned a long time ago – for what son could ever hope to replace a father like Batman, who never dies?” (Source: DC Comics)Little Damian

Really? I’m pretty sure Dick, Jason, Tim, and Stephanie all saved the world at one point or another. They did their jobs, so why does that mean Damian has to die? How does taking down your own genetically enhanced clone become a prelude to death? And that whole bit about the futility of replacing a seemingly immortal father? Hmmm, let’s see… Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin… pretty sure all of Bruce’s sons have found a way to do that! Ya know what? I think you just had it planned out, and when Damian became popular, you just said “fuck all!” and kept your story going the way you wanted without bothering to account for what other writers like Scott Snyder and Peter J. Tomasi were doing with Damian.

That’s another thing, DC. If your whole schtick about the New 52 was to get new and younger readers, why the hell would you let the only Robin they’ve known die? And in the pages of the lowest selling book amongst the Bat-titles that’s so far out of sync with the others that it might as well be its own universe? Why does Morrison get to dictate the shape of Batman’s world when he’s had nothing to do with it since the reboot? Damian will be back, we all know it, we all anticipate the “event” that will resurrect him, but going this far to finish one man’s story and shake the foundations of the already crumbling Bat-family is just low.

Damian deserved better.

Batman and Son

 

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DC Confidential – Episode 27

Mar. 01 Podcasts no comments
The Robins Episode! This week Sam is at ECCC but there is a wealth of panelists to discuss Damian’s untimely demise. Lets just say that even the non-comic reader Rebecca thinks JP is too angry about this. Does Damian deserve the farewell he got? Where does he rank among the history of Robins? What is [...]
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DC Confidential – Episode 18

Dec. 18 Podcasts no comments
This week Jack stays up late into the UK night to join JP and Sam in DC pontificating. The crew dives further into the Batman event “Death of the Family” and discusses the validity of the Justice League film. They also give their positives and negatives on the surprisingly popular Arrow.
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DC Confidential – Episode 17

Nov. 30 Podcasts no comments
In this episode JP and Sam attack Death of the Family and how viable the Joker will be going forward. They also get into who may be lost in the aftermath and ponder whether it will lead to the return of Stephanie Brown. Don’t miss this episode of the ever popular DC Confidential!
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(POLL) The Nerd Smackdown: Who’s your favorite Robin?

Oct. 10 Comic Books, The Nerd Smackdown 4 comments

Batman’s a busy guy, so busy that he needs a tough errand boy, or girl, to help him whup supervillain booty. These feisty sidekicks are the Robins, young people with the ninja skills to hang with the bat in style. ‘Ole Bats has been at this for years, so there’ve been quite a few people who’ve interned, so to speak, for the Dark Knight.

So here they are:

1. Dick Grayson – The first Robin, and arguably the most famous. He’s his own hero as Nightwing now, but before that, he earned his stripes as the ORIGINAL boy wonder.

2. Jason Todd – He’s the Red Hood now, and he’s bounced back onto comic book pages after fans disliked him enough to VOTE FOR HIS DEMISE. (Yikes!) He’s hot-headed, but he proves that even death can’t keep a good Robin down.

3. Tim Drake – Arguably the brainiest Robin, Tim’s a science whiz and natural detective who was smart enough to figure out Batman’s real identity. He also leads the Teen Titans right now, proving that he’s got the leadership chops his mentor has as well.

4. Damian Wayne – This most recent Robin, Batman’s biological son, was trained from birth to be a deadly assassin by his mother, so he was a one-man army by the time he was like, nine. And he’s also been taught to be an expert in tons of academic and artistic subjects, and he hasn’t even hit puberty yet.

5. Stephanie Brown – She’s fought crime as Batgirl and Robin, so this crimefighter’s dipped her toe in TWO superheroic legacies, and before that, she was her own hero, the Spoiler. She’s also the daughter of a supervillain, Cluemaster, so she’s got hardcore stuff in her blood.

BUT… who’s your favorite of the five? VOTE and make your voice heard!

 

Writer’s note: I know there was another Robin, Carrie Kelly, in the Dark Knight Returns, but I’m restricting this to Robins from the regular, Earth 1 universe that’s not an alternate future.

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Will Robin Feature in The Dark Knight Rises?

Jul. 09 Movies 4 comments

Dick Grayson as Robin

 

Holy spoiler alert, Batman fans! Could it be true? Will Boy Wonder grace the silver screen in Christopher Nolan‘s conclusion to the Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises? While it seems unlikely that Nolan will allow the teenage sidekick, clad in medieval Robin Hood inspired acrobatic wear to sully the intensity and seriousness of his dark universe, evidence is mounting that a Robin-inspired character is, in fact, part of his master plan.

Rumors have been incessantly circulating around the internet concerning this great debate, so I’d like to present to you the evidence that I have culled together which has me leaning toward the belief that some Robin thread will be woven into Nolan’s dark tapestry. Let’s begin with Robin’s origin:

  • He was born (on the first day of Spring) Richard John “Dick” Grayson
  • Mom gave him the nickname “Robin” for a number of reasons, ie. birth date, flying work on the trapeze
  • As a child Robin was an acrobat in an act called The Flying Graysons with his family in the Haley Circus
  • His parents were killed in a fire in the circus at the hand of Tony Zucco, a mob boss
  • Robin was an orphan
  • Bruce Wayne took Dick Grayson on as a ward
  • He became Batman’s sidekick after he learned Brice’s secret while they were both investigating his parent’s murder

These bullets of point are from the origin of Robin that we know (read more on the Dick Grayson Batman Wiki Page). I think to expect this formula from Christopher Nolan would be foolish, however, Nolan can not stray so far from the identifying features of Robin that he turns out to be completely unrecognizable. I think that would be unforgivable. So, for a moment, examine that list again and think about the characteristics you deem as true definers of Robin, at his core. As you are doing that, I’d like to present some other Robin facts from Robin’s comic book legacy that I believe are relevant to this conversation of speculation:

  •  At 17, Robin was shot by The Joker
  • After being Batman’s sidekick, Robin became a solo crime-fighting act known as Nightwing
  • Dick Grayson has taken on the Batman mantle after the death of Bruce Wayne

Obviously, I’m only scratching the surface of Robin’s lore, but, let’s pull up the evidence surrounding The Dark Knight Rises so far and see if I can get you to walk this spoilery tightrope with me.

John Blake is Begging To Step Up

Since the casting of Joseph Gordon-Levitt Robin fanatics have been foaming at the mouth, hoping beyond hope that when the details were settled, his name would be linked to an acrobatic “Dick Grayson.” Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Gordon-Levitt is cast as John Blake, a young sergeant in the Gotham Police Department. It would appear, on first sight, that Blake is not our man. That is, of course, if you delve no further.

A number of fans did not give up on their Boy Wonder, being spurred on by the continual portrayal of Gordon-Levitt in nearly every trailer released to date. John Blake must be more than he seems with that kind of screen time, right? I think so. Take a look at this picture from ComicBookMovie.com that gives a brief description of Blake as well as Batman’s assessment of him:

JohnBlake ComicBookMovie.com

I think every fan who reads this must catch their breath when they first learn that John Blake is an orphan! Add to that fact that he is “committing himself to the ideal of justice,” and “he has become an asset to the city” and you almost expect to see him swinging from a trapeze.

The Chalk Bat

In The Dark Knight Rises trailer, a chalk bat is sketched on asphalt. While we don’t see who drew the bat in the trailer, Mark Hughes, a contributor to Forbes.com, believes it is John Blake. Whether it it actually John Blake who etched the mark or not, the close analysis of the bat offered up by Hughes is something to consider…

Here is the chalk bat:

Chalk Bat TDKR

Here is Nightwing’s emblem:

NightwingHere is the chalk bat upside down:

Chalk Bat TDKR Upside Down

 Whether John Blake sketched these chalk bats or not, one would be hard pressed to shake my belief in that sketch being a bird. I mean, with that small white mark at the top, it even has a beak! Coincidence? I’m thinking, no.

Nolan’s Comments About Blake

Earlier this week MovieLine.com did an examination of the 50 page production notes of The Dark Knight Rises. As part of their examination they shared some excerpts about the characters, including John Blake. While the whole thing is worth a read, I felt the comments from Nolan were worth sharing here:

Nolan comments, “Commissioner Gordon and Bruce Wayne have become somewhat jaded, so we wanted to contrast that with a younger, more idealistic individual who, in a way, represents where they’ve come from. Joe really captured the strength and courage of a man who refuses to back down, regardless of the odds.”

This idea that Blake “represents where they’ve come from” definitely sounds to me like a character being groomed to take up the mantle from a jaded mentor. While one can argue that the mentor would be Commissioner Gordon, I think that’s exactly the red herring Nolan wants us to chase.

The Joker’s Origin Seals The Deal?

The Dark Knight Manual

In reviewing The Dark Knight Manual, William Wharton of moviepilot.com stumbled upon a piece of evidence that ties this all up nicely. Although Christopher Nolan never gave us a clear idea of the Joker’s origin in the films, this companion book to the trilogy sheds light on a piece of his past that is sure to excite Boy Wonder’s fan club:

The Joker does not appear to have any connections to Gotham’s crime syndicates, though he knocked over a mob bank. One possible motive for this, which could also explain the clown motif, is the Haley Brothers Circus. The circus was recently in town for a two-month engagement and it was rumored their boss had connections to Sal Maroni. The Joker could be a former Haley Brothers employee with some kind of grudge against the mob

Can’t you just see Christopher Nolan building a new origin story based on these facts? Wharton’s enthusiasm for his find is palpable in his post, as he continues to put the pieces together:

Yes. The Haley Brothers Circus was in town just before the Dark Knight began? And the The Dark Knight Rises takes place 8 years later? That’s about enough time for a 18 year old Dick Grayson to grow up into a 26 year old Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

It’s definitely probable…

My Bonus Track

Perhaps this one will snap my tightrope and send me hurdling for the nets below, but I have a bonus track to offer up for consideration:The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack.

TDKR SoundtrackTake a long at the track listings:

Track Listings

1. A Storm Is Coming
2. On Thin Ice
3. Gotham’s Reckoning
4. Mind If I Cut In?
5. Underground Army
6. Born In Darkness
7. The Fire Rises
8. Nothing Out There
9. Despair
10. Fear Will Find You
11. Why Do We Fall?
12. Death By Exile
13. Imagine The Fire
14. Necessary Evil
15. Rise

I am struck by tracks seven and thirteen both mentioning fire. If I want to approach this as if I already believe Dick Grayson is a part of this story, then the mention of fire is quite compelling. Dick Grayson is motivated, like Brice Wayne, largely due to the untimely and cruel death of his parents. In Grayson’s case, they died in a fire. Will he, as an adult, be reminded of his loss around the time of track #7 when The Fire Rises? And will he then have to Imagine the Fire after a Death By Exile needs him to remember that someone needs to continue to fight the good fight?

I know. I’m assuming Dick Grayson’s in the story already, but, give me a break, I’m having fun with this!

What’s Your Verdict?

Dismissing my complete leap of logic with The Dark Knight Rises Soundtrack, what do you think of the rest? We’ve seen evidence that John Blake is an orphan, that the mob-laiden Haley Circus was in town just before the trilogy began, we’ve read that Christopher Nolan pegs John Blake as the “idealistic individual” Batman once was, and we’ve looked at a possible trailer Easter egg in the form of the chalk bat. Is this enough for you? If so, what are your conjectures, will John Blake assume a role as Robin, Nightwing or take on the mantle of Batman himself?

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Review – Batman #9 (Night of the Owls)

May. 11 Comic Books, Reviews no comments

Batman #9The Talons have spread out across Gotham City.  Their targets have been identified and they are closing in for the kill.  The allies of Batman have been dispatched to stop the Talons from killing their victims.  Meanwhile, Batman and Alfred are under siege in the Batcave.

Although I have had high praise for Scott Snyder and his stewardship of Batman, I have to say that this issue is my favorite overall.  The captivating story and stunning artwork of this issue has made it onto my list of all-time favorite comics.  This is turning out to be one of those stories that will forever impact the Batman mythos and will have lasting effects on nearly every member of the Bat-family.

When I got to speak with Scott Snyder at C2E2 last month, he made it a point to say that his best work on Batman was coming soon.  I really didn’t think much about it at the time, but after reading issue 9, I realize now that he wasn’t just giving me lip service.  The Night of the Owls event is shaping up not only to be a great storyline, but will change what we’ve come to know about the origins of Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth and Dick Grayson.

We were left last issue with the Talons, a group of seemingly immortal assassins with extraordinary regenerative abilities breaking into Wayne Manor and the Batcave to kill Batman.  Based on his previous encounters with other Talons, Batman has finally determined what he must do to defeat these relentless warriors.  One thing that the Court of Owls has failed to realize is that on his home turf, Batman is nearly unbeatable.

Batman #9Alfred has locked himself in the armory in order to call the Bat-family into action and to aid Batman as he battles the endless wave of Talons.  Batman instructs Alfred to lower the temperature in the cave to subzero levels in order to slow the Talons regenerative abilities.  Batman dons an armored suit to give himself a fighting advantage and protection from the extreme cold.

As the Talons begin to overpower him, he then decides it’s time to show them why he is the god damn Batman.  Releasing thousands of bats to create a distraction, Batman ditches his armor and fights like a man possessed, like a man protecting his home.  With the Talons in the cave disabled, he sets out into Gotham to retake the city from the Court of Owls.

As a bonus at the end of this issue we also get part one of a three-part subplot about Alfred Pennyworth’s family’s past involvement with the Wayne family and the curse that is plaguing them.  Just like I’ve said before, this will have lasting ramifications on nearly everyone close to the Wayne family and Batman.  I am delighted that Snyder is taking such broad strokes and taking Batman beyond (no pun intended) what we know and introducing a fresh and unique story.

Batman #9Another aspect of this issue that bears mentioning is the spectacular artwork by the team of Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, FCO Plascencia and Rafael Albuquerque.  The full-page panel of the bats coming out of the cave is absolutely awe-inspiring, conjuring up images of seeing that scene on the big screen.  The images of shock and horror on Alfred’s face as he monitors the battle from the armory are brilliant.  Capullo certainly goes all out on this issue.

 

“My ancestors…they used owls to kill the bats.  Owls everywhere.  But I forgot…the thing I forgot is…as soon as the owls left…the bats…came back.  Yes…I remember now.  The bats had simply hidden deeper in the caves.  In the darkest parts, the parts the owls couldn’t tolerate.  And when the bats came back…it was with a vengeance.”

 

As a die-hard Batman fan, it is easy to see how this story will carry the characters to new levels.  As the plot continues to develop and become more complex, we find out that not only is this about Bruce Wayne and his family history, but it is also very much about Dick Grayson and even Gotham City itself.  How will young Damian Wayne deal with the threat to his father and his legacy?  Will Batman’s allies survive their individual encounters with the Talons and how will this affect their lives?  What a tangled web you are weaving Scott Snyder.

 

Be sure to check out Hilton Collins‘ review of Batman & Robin #9 here for more details from Night of the Owls.

 

Batman #9

 

 

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Feature – Comic Wallpaper Of The Day

Jan. 28 Features, Wallpaper no comments

Yeah okay, so we didn’t have a wallpaper yesterday.  An impromptu office party got a little out of hand and we just simply forgot about it.  But we made up for it yesterday with a lot of other great content that surely kept you busy.  Things here at Word of the Nerd seem to always be in a perpetual state of change.  However in our case that’s not a bad thing.  We’re constantly trying to build and expand on the company and provide you with the best possible experience every time you visit the website.  We have a unique philosophy here at Word of the Nerd.  We’re not trying to outdo, out-perform, or compete with anyone.  We don’t look at other websites as our competition or “the enemy”.  Other websites are exactly that, other websites.  They are not our rivals, quite the contrary, they are potential friends and partnerships not yet discovered.

 

Today’s wallpaper is courtesy of Wallpaper Abyss

 

Nightwing

View and download here

Be sure to check back daily for more great comic wallpaper here at Word of the Nerd!

Have you hugged your nerd today?

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Sets Them Apart: Bruce Wayne

Dec. 13 Comic Books, Editorials 1 comment
There are characters in the comic world that are set apart from the rest. Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Spider-man, etc. These characters for some reason have the ability to carry a company. DC and Marvel have lived and died on these characters because they are special, set apart from all the rest. This piece (and others like it) will explore my opinions on what makes these characters special.
Let me start by stating the point that lies at the heart of this article. Batman is special, and he is special because of Bruce Wayne. This may seem obvious, or even applicable to other characters, but Batman is different because Bruce Wayne is broken. Everything about Batman and what he stands for comes from a man who is irreparably fractured. That’s not to say I do not like Dick Grayson as Batman, or even Terry McGinnis. I love them both! But they only exist because Batman exists, and Batman in turn only exists because Bruce Wayne is broken. And Batman is huge; he is a city, an ideal, a model for both heroes and villains alike. Even after DC’s latest reboot, Batman and his family own the show. If you don’t believe me, just look at the numbers. The Batman Family has eleven dedicated to it. Compare that to the Superman Family and all seven corps of Lanterns, who get four titles each. And all of this is because at Batman’s core lies Bruce Wayne, broken, crazy and vengeful. He uses Gotham to meet his ends, and in turn the city has become an extension of Batman. He is the closest friend to one of the greatest boy scouts of them all, and yet they are one step away from being enemies. And his villains, they are especially wonderful because they are manifestations of his broken psyche. They are all part of what makes him dark and on the edge of sanity, but they are also what make him a great hero, and that only further sets him apart.
At one point in time, Gotham City was meant to be a fictionalized version of New York City. Now, New York plays predominantly in other DC books, but let me just say that if Gotham was real in any fashion, I would never go near the place. The city itself is a character, and in any other context it would be a villain. But when it comes to Batman, everyone is a vigilante, even Gotham. Gotham is a dark and dirty place, and while in the beginning I think DC’s intent was to portray it as a place of crime and debauchery, I think now it has become a giant bat-cave. The city’s dark oppressive atmosphere plays into Batman’s use of fear. Imagine as a petty criminal in a place where you literally never know when a guy in a bat suit is going to jump out and beat you to a pulp. Let’s face it, the cost benefit is just not worth it, like in any industry you need to go where the money and opportunity is. Coast City is bright and shiny, and its everyday hero is normally gallivanting around the galaxy. Same thing with Metropolis. Yes, Superman is… well… super, but he is all over the globe and does not always have time to deal with petty crooks. However, Batman takes those same petty crimes personally. He hates crime with every fiber of his being. Having watched his parents murder at the hands of Joe Chill (a small-time crook) over a set of pearls he asked his mother to wear, he sees that in every punk he gets his hands on. And I, for one, would not want to be living and stealing in a city whose hero would love nothing more than to put me in a hospital. Remember, Bruce is broken, and everything is an extension of that. Would it not then make sense that the very city he prowls would be just as broken as he is? A place whose dark presence serves both to build the darkest criminals in the world, and also as the weapon of its hero. It is a city on the edge, perfectly suited to a hero on the edge.
Now let’s talk about Kal-El for a moment. Superman is great for a lot of reasons, many of which I will cover in a piece dedicated to him, but above all else he is the ultimate representation of good. Take a nerd moment and imagine an all out war between the characters of every fairy tale, comic, movie, video game, etc. Good vs. Evil in the showdown to end all showdowns, and I guarantee you standing on the side of good, right there on the front line would be Superman, cape billowing in the wind and prepared to take on the forces of evil. Now imagine that group in the middle that is not easily identifiable with either side, yup there he is in the back, Bruce Wayne. Don’t get me wrong, Bruce is a good guy, but heroism and villainy are often determined by intent. Batman is not out for the betterment of the world, he is out for revenge. He is trying to fill a bottomless pit of hate and despair that can only be satisfied with the complete decimation of the criminal element. This is why when Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne get together there is a fair amount of awkwardness. They just can’t relate to one another. Clark wants picket fences and golden retrievers for everyone, whereas Bruce wants to hurt as many criminals as the day will allow. Now, I think Clark at one point felt that he could help Bruce, but ultimately they balance each other. At the end of the day Superman is still an insanely powerful alien, and Bruce is a mistrustful psychopath, but there is your balance. Think of all the characters in the DC universe, are there any more similar than Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor? Hell, I would even say that most of the time Lex’s reasoning is more logical, but still Bruce and Clark find a way to not only co-exist, but to be greater because of one another.
And then there are the rogues: Penguin, Catwoman, Riddler, Two-Face and the Joker. They are as identifiable as any set of villains, perhaps even more so, and each are simply paths not taken. Penguin is Bruce Wayne if he chose to be a petulant child instead of taking his parent’s deaths to heart. Catwoman is the care free Bruce Wayne using his skills for thrills instead of a mission. Riddler is that logical, deductive mind finally broken. Harvey Dent represents the two sides of Batman, Bruce and the bat. And then there is the Joker. Joker is both a figurative and literal creation of Batman. The original Red Hood’s fall into that vat of chemicals was Bruce’s first and largest mistake. He blames everything Joker has ever done on himself, and at the heart of it I think he knows why. No one knows who the Joker really is, and we may never know. But whoever he was before, what he represents now is a Bruce Wayne who has gone completely off the rails. The Joker is Bruce after he finally gives into all of his anger at what happened that night outside the theatre. See, the Joker is always craziest when he feels like Bruce is not playing his game with him. He becomes angry and depressed, willing to go after anyone in his way. Now imagine Bruce Wayne with no mission. Imagine all of that anger and rage boiling over. The Joker is frightening because there is no reason behind his actions, no method to his madness, just killing for the sake of watching the world burn. Is this not what Bruce would do to the criminal element if he had the opportunity? Watch it burn until there was nothing left? That is why the world needs the Joker, because what would Batman be without his mission? Who might he become? It is Batman’s ultimate question.
Now I know there have been times when everything I said has been less true, and times when it has been more true. Frank Miller’s Batman is everything I’ve described and a whole lot that I haven’t. But at the core, this is who Bruce Wayne is. He is someone who feels so connected to one night, one incident, one moment, that even in his happiest times, he is still a slave to the memory. Batman #1 was fantastic, and throughout the new books we have seen Bruce in his many different personalities, the crazy one coming at the end of Catwoman, but I, like many of you, am just waiting. Waiting for the day when it will all come crashing down around him. Waiting for the guilt and brooding to finally overcome him. Waiting for the day that last thread of sanity breaks. And when that day comes, I will watch him find his way out of the dark, because that, the ability to live and breathe in the shadows, to know the villain and understand the villain, but not become the villain, that my friends is Bruce Wayne’s superpower. That is what sets him apart.
Originally posted on www.comicbooked.com.
By JP
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