DC to REBOOT???

[shivkala]

Yay, Scott Snyder will continue writing Batman, albeit Batman, instead of Detective Comics. His run on Detective has been phenomenal. Fans of Batman: Year One should pick it up, especially for the James Gordon, Jr. storyline, which started out as a second feature and moved to a separate storyline. #675, especially, is amazing.

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

The more i'm reading the more confused I am... it seems like each title has it's own "rules" on what's continued and carried over and what's not.

the comics industry: even when making things simpler, they end up making things complicated.

Seriously, just do a clean reboot. Don't carry over anything. Start new, as if you were starting an Ultimate title or All-Star title or Earth One title.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

So, am I to understand that there will still be multiple Batmen but that Dick Grayson is getting a demotion anyway? Ouch.

Remember, Bruce didn't want Dick to take up the cape and cowl when he "died." And when Bruce returned from his travels through time, Dick assumed he would go back to his Nightwing persona. Calling it a "demotion" makes it sound like Dick is forced out of the Batsuit, when it may, in reality, be a decision that he makes over the objections of others.

 

[Hound of UIster]

Presumably Tim Drake will continue as Red Robin? I don't think that's been mentioned yet...

There is the possibility that he is the sacrificial lamb that spurs on the reboot in the Batbooks and becomes what Jason Todd was before his resurrection: a stuffed exhibit in the Batcave. Not much of a loss since he is the whitebread amongst the Robins.

I whole heartedly disagree in the strictest most possible way. Tim was the catylayst for a great many positive things in the Bat books in the early to mid 90's. His continued presence has only served the 'family' well. If anything Todd can die again.

Nope. Tim is a boring clone of Dick Grayson. Jason is interesting in his villainy, Tim is just bland.

 

[Myasishchev]

The more i'm reading the more confused I am... it seems like each title has it's own "rules" on what's continued and carried over and what's not.

the comics industry: even when making things simpler, they end up making things complicated.

Seriously, just do a clean reboot. Don't carry over anything. Start new, as if you were starting an Ultimate title or All-Star title or Earth One title.

If they were going to do that, 52 titles is way too many. Superman ain't special when 51 other dudes show up at the same time.

If I were doing this, I'd have followed through on what (iirc) Jemas and Quesada intended to do with the actual Ultimate line, which was phase it in and replace the original line.

On the other hand, when you do that, what you usually get are updated--and terribly accelerated--retreads without the power of the originals (UXM, UFF, arguably USM) and abject cosmic horrors which bear no relation to the characters or basic aesthetic sensibility (Ultimates 3, Ultimatum), albeit, occasionally, you get something really special that simply doesn't have staying power, or at least cannot outlast its creators (Ultimates 1 and 2).

 

[Captain Craig]

There is the possibility that he is the sacrificial lamb that spurs on the reboot in the Batbooks and becomes what Jason Todd was before his resurrection: a stuffed exhibit in the Batcave. Not much of a loss since he is the whitebread amongst the Robins.

I whole heartedly disagree in the strictest most possible way. Tim was the catylayst for a great many positive things in the Bat books in the early to mid 90's. His continued presence has only served the 'family' well. If anything Todd can die again.

Nope. Tim is a boring clone of Dick Grayson. Jason is interesting in his villainy, Tim is just bland.

For you. Not me and his popularity and longevity would suggest also that a high % of others don't find him to just be a bland clone of Dick either.

 

[Admiral_Young]

It was also revealed in Batman, Inc that it was Tim that gave Bruce the idea for the expansion. Tim Drake is not a clone of Dick Grayson, both men have established themselves quite nicely over the years. Jason isn't a villain in the traditional sense either, he's more or less DC's version of the Punisher now.


Batman Inc will be returning next year.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/06/06/dc-relaunch-2012-batman-inc-1-next-year/

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

If they were going to do that, 52 titles is way too many. Superman ain't special when 51 other dudes show up at the same time.

There are a number of editorial strategies to deal with that, though. You wouldn't necessarily have to start the whole line from Year One.

 

[Professor Zoom]

If they were going to do that, 52 titles is way too many. Superman ain't special when 51 other dudes show up at the same time.

There are a number of editorial strategies to deal with that, though. You wouldn't necessarily have to start the whole line from Year One.

That's what imagine it will be. starting in Media Res.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

I think I've figured out the Batgirl problem.

Go back and look at Batman: The Return, specifically page 15.

Bruce has returned from his journey through time. He's giving his "team" their marching orders, and he gives Barbara Gordon a dossier.

Bruce: "In spring next year, WayneTech is announcing Internet 3.0." A pause. "I want you to be my Ghost in the Machine. You'll have access to cheat codes, vehicles, and weapons no one else has. Oh, and feel free to customize your avatar -- design divison..."

The third panel shows Bruce's rough concept for Barbara's Internet 3.0 avatar. It's a heavily modified Batgirl costume with lots of ridges and seams, and it has a Batpod-like bike.

The next panel shows Stephanie, and she's also questioning her dossier. "You want me to enroll in a finishing school in England?"

It's not Stephanie holding the Batgirl design page in the third panel -- Stephanie is in costume (hence, gloved), and the woman's hand holding the Batgirl design has painted fingernails. Process of elimination, it's Barbara looking at the Batgirl outfit.

So! What if Barbara Gordon is a cyberspace hero in the new DCU -- and what if Batgirl is her avatar? And what if Stephanie follows Bruce's instructions and goes to England?

Now that we know for certain that Morrison's masterplan is still on, looking back at Batman: The Return offers some intriguing possibilities for the Bat-corner of the DCU.

One other point in favor of Batgirl-as-TRON is that it gives her a unique role. Is there really a need for two redheaded Bat-heroines with very similar costumes kicking ass in Gotham City? If Batgirl is mainly about cybercrime, the book would have a very different hook from Batwoman.

 

[Captain Craig]

^^^
Interesting.
Do we want to think they really planted that seed so far out though?
Were they that savy?

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Gail Simone's blog post indicates that theory won't be borne out:

This is classic Barbara as she was originally conceived, with a few big surprises. It’s a bit of a shock, to be sure, but we’re doing everything we can to be respectful to this character’s amazing legacy, while presenting something thrilling that a generation of comics readers will be experiencing for the first time…

…Barbara Gordon leaping, fighting, and swinging over Gotham. Now, when citizens of that city look up, they are going to see BATGIRL.

 

[Hound of UIster]

I think I've figured out the Batgirl problem.

Go back and look at Batman: The Return, specifically page 15.

Bruce has returned from his journey through time. He's giving his "team" their marching orders, and he gives Barbara Gordon a dossier.

Bruce: "In spring next year, WayneTech is announcing Internet 3.0." A pause. "I want you to be my Ghost in the Machine. You'll have access to cheat codes, vehicles, and weapons no one else has. Oh, and feel free to customize your avatar -- design divison..."

The third panel shows Bruce's rough concept for Barbara's Internet 3.0 avatar. It's a heavily modified Batgirl costume with lots of ridges and seams, and it has a Batpod-like bike.

The next panel shows Stephanie, and she's also questioning her dossier. "You want me to enroll in a finishing school in England?"

It's not Stephanie holding the Batgirl design page in the third panel -- Stephanie is in costume (hence, gloved), and the woman's hand holding the Batgirl design has painted fingernails. Process of elimination, it's Barbara looking at the Batgirl outfit.

So! What if Barbara Gordon is a cyberspace hero in the new DCU -- and what if Batgirl is her avatar? And what if Stephanie follows Bruce's instructions and goes to England?

Now that we know for certain that Morrison's masterplan is still on, looking back at Batman: The Return offers some intriguing possibilities for the Bat-corner of the DCU.

One other point in favor of Batgirl-as-TRON is that it gives her a unique role. Is there really a need for two redheaded Bat-heroines with very similar costumes kicking ass in Gotham City? If Batgirl is mainly about cybercrime, the book would have a very different hook from Batwoman.

I think it's fair to say that the current regime at the Batbooks have decided to divest themselves of Morrison as the lead writer of the Bat-franchise.

Most likely Barbara is probably going to walk using some sort of Waynetech cybernetics, which could allow for a backdoor if they decided to undue it.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Yes that panel was particularly important. There was some discussion about it here in a couple threads. The speculation was at that time that Wayne Tech as House of Ulster suggested was working on new cybernetics for Babs. The costume design on the Batgirl #1 cover looks updated as well.

 

[Thestral]

Gail Simone's blog post indicates that theory won't be borne out:

This is classic Barbara as she was originally conceived, with a few big surprises. It’s a bit of a shock, to be sure, but we’re doing everything we can to be respectful to this character’s amazing legacy, while presenting something thrilling that a generation of comics readers will be experiencing for the first time…

…Barbara Gordon leaping, fighting, and swinging over Gotham. Now, when citizens of that city look up, they are going to see BATGIRL.

Mad respect for Simone, but how is Barbara Gordon any more Batgirl than Stephanie Brown (or Cassie Cain for that matter)?

 

[Admiral_Young]

^ That's an easy answer. She's the Silver Age Batgirl. Once again the clues to the relaunch can be uncovered if you are aware that Johns and DiDio are huge Silver Age fans. I can't stress that enough. There has been rumors and talk that there have been plans to bring back Babs for a while now.

 

[Hound of UIster]

Gail Simone's blog post indicates that theory won't be borne out:

This is classic Barbara as she was originally conceived, with a few big surprises. It’s a bit of a shock, to be sure, but we’re doing everything we can to be respectful to this character’s amazing legacy, while presenting something thrilling that a generation of comics readers will be experiencing for the first time…

…Barbara Gordon leaping, fighting, and swinging over Gotham. Now, when citizens of that city look up, they are going to see BATGIRL.

Mad respect for Simone, but how is Barbara Gordon any more Batgirl than Stephanie Brown (or Cassie Cain for that matter)?

Adam West TV show.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Batman Inc is on hiatus.

http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/

“Batman, Incorporated will continue through to Issue #10 and August’s shocking season finale that changes the Batman status quo yet again. The series will take a brief hiatus while I work on a major new project to be announced shortly. Batman, Incorporated returns next year with me, Chris Burnham and Batman: Leviathan, the epic 12 part conclusion to my 6 year Batman saga. Don’t miss it!”

I gotta wonder if this will be a part of the "new" continuity or if it will be a throw back to the continuity that the rest of the story took place in? If it's in the ""new" continuity, then that might be confusing to people who follow trades and don't know about the "reboot".

 

[Snaploud]

I think the comics have done well to draw distinctions between Tim Drake and Dick Grayson. In particular, Drake has become a master strategist (something Grayson has never quite accomplished). Also, Drake can plan out a complicated fight, while Grayson depends more on his acrobatics skills.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

I think it's fair to say that the current regime at the Batbooks have decided to divest themselves of Morrison as the lead writer of the Bat-franchise.

Since the Bat books are in good shape, they're obviously hoping Morrison can turn the Superman titles into a powerhouse.

I gotta wonder if this will be a part of the "new" continuity or if it will be a throw back to the continuity that the rest of the story took place in? If it's in the ""new" continuity, then that might be confusing to people who follow trades and don't know about the "reboot".

It looks like the current continuity will stay largely intact for Bat books, with the changes some characters will undergo being an extention of the past rather than a reboot.