Batman: Year 100

[SG-17]

I just read this today and I have a few questions.


First, is this Bruce Wayne somehow immortal? Or is he the original's grandson or something?

Second, what happened to the government?

Third, am I correct in thinking that some of the Arkham inmates were turned into government pawns after the place was scrubbed?

 

[JoeZhang]

First, is this Bruce Wayne somehow immortal? Or is he the original's grandson or something?

Originial, if he's actually immortal it's not explained.

Second, what happened to the government?

It became fascist.

Third, am I correct in thinking that some of the Arkham inmates were turned into government pawns after the place was scrubbed?

No idea.

 

[byron lomax]

I just read this today and I have a few questions.


First, is this Bruce Wayne somehow immortal? Or is he the original's grandson or something?

Second, what happened to the government?

Third, am I correct in thinking that some of the Arkham inmates were turned into government pawns after the place was scrubbed?

I think the basic idea of Year 100 is that Batman is an eternal ideal, always there to fight corruption and crime in whatever from it takes.

I can't remember there being any reference to Arkham inmates (at least, not that I noticed).

 

[God Magnus]

I love, LOVE this book and have read it many times. I wonder many of the same things you do. My thoughts...

First, is this Bruce Wayne somehow immortal? Or is he the original's grandson or something?

It's never explained, and I've searched for any interviews where Paul Pope explains this and turned up nothing. I agree with Bryan that the symbolism is Batman as an immortal concept. That said, I do think this is Bruce who has somehow made himself immortal. I can think of dozens of ways he could have pulled this off (the Lazaraus Pit being one obvious one). The DC Universe is a weird and wacky place!

Second, what happened to the government?

It went completely fascist and became super corrupt and oppressive. The visual of the White House being under guard and fences is one of the more striking images in the book.

Third, am I correct in thinking that some of the Arkham inmates were turned into government pawns after the place was scrubbed?

There's no indication of this. Based on what Gordon says, none of them should be around at all. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if we found out some escaped before the purge or did become government pawns.

That leads me to my great wish that Pope would do a follow up series. I love the story and his art style is so distinct every page is a pleasure to behold.

 

[SG-17]

I love, LOVE this book and have read it many times. I wonder many of the same things you do. My thoughts...

First, is this Bruce Wayne somehow immortal? Or is he the original's grandson or something?

It's never explained, and I've searched for any interviews where Paul Pope explains this and turned up nothing. I agree with Bryan that the symbolism is Batman as an immortal concept. That said, I do think this is Bruce who has somehow made himself immortal. I can think of dozens of ways he could have pulled this off (the Lazaraus Pit being one obvious one). The DC Universe is a weird and wacky place!

Second, what happened to the government?

It went completely fascist and became super corrupt and oppressive. The visual of the White House being under guard and fences is one of the more striking images in the book.

Third, am I correct in thinking that some of the Arkham inmates were turned into government pawns after the place was scrubbed?

There's no indication of this. Based on what Gordon says, none of them should be around at all. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if we found out some escaped before the purge or did become government pawns.

That leads me to my great wish that Pope would do a follow up series. I love the story and his art style is so distinct every page is a pleasure to behold.

It seemed to me that how the government was using telepathic agents (Mercer) they might have decided to use some of the inmates.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Question:

Is it any good? Well writtien/plotted, so forth.

Do you have to know any in-verse stuff from the last decade or two or Batman comics?

 

[Admiral_Young]

^ No to the last question and yes it's Paul Pope so it's pretty good. It's like another Dark Knight Returns style story. As God Magnus stated the intent behind the "Batman" in the story seems to be the symbolic nature of the costume and identity as opposed to who is wearing the costume. It is not really implied in the book I don't think that it's a Wayne. Plus this is essentially an Elseworld's book and not a take on current DCU chronology.

 

[JoeZhang]

It is not really implied in the book I don't think that it's a Wayne.

It's explicitly revealed to be Bruce in the last issue.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Is it? It's been a while since I read (a couple years). Thanks for the correction.