What would happen if Batman decided to no longer be Bruce Wayne in order to totally devote himself to fighting crime?
As reported here at MajorSpoilers, DC Comics will be selling a limited series that explores what would happen if Batman decided to completely commit himself to the war on crime.
Here’s an important paragraph from the news release from DC:
Available just in time for Batman Day (Saturday, September 16), Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham brings Grampá’s twisted vision of both the Dark Knight and the city of Gotham to life in a tale that reaches its icy black tendrils into the deepest and darkest corners of human nature to leave you gasping for breath—and begging for more!
The following significant info helps clarify what will happen in the book:
In a Gotham City where every day feels darker and more irredeemable than the last, Batman makes a definitive choice—to kill off the Bruce Wayne identity for good and embrace the cape and cowl full-time. But though he knows the streets of Gotham, Batman will soon come to find that he hardly knows himself. A serial killer is on the loose, and while the murder victims seem random at first, every clue draws Batman closer to the terrifying truth—that they are all connected, not just to each other, but to him as well. When an all-new rogues gallery of utterly depraved villains begins to emerge from the depths of the city, Batman will have to contend with the very nature of evil—including that which lurks in the darkest corners of his own heart—to face what is coming for the city he has sworn to protect.
There will also be a noir black-and-white version of the this book as well! You can pick up versions sporting covers by Jim Lee, Frank Miller, David Finch, Priscilla Petraites, and Paul Pope.
The idea of a secret or “real” identity for comics characters has been a popular one for heroes in particular for decades.
I was always intrigued by the notion in comics that some citizens in Metropolis apparently had that Superman actually had NO civilian guise, that he was always patrolling the city in his costume.
I was surprised when Superman recently exposed his secret identity to the world in recent comics. For someone known for his morality and humanity, this didn’t work for me.
So, during a recent science-fiction convention, I had the chance to ask Superman actor Brandon Routh a question about this recent development in the comics of the Man of Steel revealing his identity to everyone. When I asked how that would impact his portrayal of Superman, he had an interesting reaction. He told me he viewed Clark’s identity as a place Superman could “let his hair down” and just be a regular person, not one who was always facing so many challenges. Clark was a respite for Superman. He wasn’t certain how Superman would function without the Clark identity.
I always considered Superman marrying Lois Lane a very human thing to do. Batman, in contrast to the Man of Steel, has always been in danger of becoming even less human due to his desire for justice.
As a long-time Batman fan, I’m fascinated to see how actually killing off his alter ego would affect the Dark Knight. (Along the same lines, I’m also intrigued by the Batman/Catwoman relationship because the hero has been only going through not-so-extended romantic relationships.) Seeing Batman completely alone, well, that’s new territory for us as fans!
Granted, the Bat-family helps keep the Dark Knight grounded. (I still miss Alfred!) If Batman were completely alone all the time, I don’t think that would be particularly healthy (not that Bruce is still all that healthy mentally). Obsession is one thing—a life of solitude that keeps someone from having friendly interactions could make even Batman less humane.
There are some storytellers and fans who think Batman should go more to the extreme hinted at by stone, possibly cold sculptures. If he cares too much, he might be less able to deliver justice when it is needed. Some fans have found a more “heartless” Dark Knight vastly more appealing.
I don’t. I like a decidedly darker Batman rather than a “bright knight” like Adam West, but too far the other direction can make the Dark Knight too much of a “grim knight” like the one who appeared in Scott Snyder’s recent “Dark Multiverse” stories. He was Batman too strongly “turned to the Dark Side.”
Of course, there is a certain amount of irony in all this, especially when it comes to animation. Warner Bros. developed Batman: The Animated Series, which was followed not long after by Disney making Gargoyles, another cartoon about creatures of the night. Both were among the best animated shows of the decade, possibly of all time. That a comic title blends the two shows is appealing to me.
Also, many artists today like to draw Batman at night, sometimes in the pouring rain, crouched on a stone gargoyle in Gotham City. Visually, there are many similarities between the two. Of course, these imply more than just likenesses in appearance.
So, would Batman indeed become more of an animal, perhaps more like a gargoyle, a creature of stone? That’s what this limited series will apparently explore, and I’m looking forward to how the creator will examine a more focused, possibly less human Dark Knight! If it were to happen, would it be a good or bad development? I want to see his this will all turn out according to this creator!
What do you think? Is Bruce Wayne a hindrance to Batman? Should heroes have secret identities or not? Would you prefer Batman to be more stoic, more gargoyle-like? Whatever your opinions, be sure to share them in the space below!
