Batman Isn’t Dead! DC Brings Us The Return of Bruce Wayne in April 2010!
Dec 9th, 2009 | By Aaron | Category: Articles, News, Superheroes in Comicsby Aaron Einhorn
There was a considerable amount of derision over the past two days in response to the Earth One books – just as there was to Marvel’s Ultimate line when it was announced. But today’s announcement from DC reminded me of just why I think having alternate continuities is a good thing. Because it allows for meaningful, lasting changes to happen to characters.
Battle For the Cowl was a good storyline, and watching Dick Grayson become Batman has been a great read. But just as Marvel couldn’t let Steve Rogers remain dead with Bucky becoming the new Captain America, Bruce Wayne as Batman is too valuable a property for DC to let Dick keep the cowl. And so, today over on DC Universe: The Source, we received the news that this April would see Bruce Wayne fighting his way back through the timestream to reclaim his life, his city and in all likelihood, his identity as Batman.
Grant Morrison and Chris Sprouse will be the minds behind Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne 1, which Morrison promises will be “The latest chapter in the long-running, ‘definitive’ Batman epic.” In other words, Morrison is going to claim that this was always his intent, through Batman R.I.P. and Final Crisis
On the plus side, we do have a pair of pretty awesome Andy Kubert sketches for Bruce Wayne’s appearance throughout history – but as cool as they are, I’d have been just as happy to see them as Elseworlds outfits.
Morrison also gave an interview to USA Today’s John Geddes, where he explained a bit more about the storyline. Including the fact that in addition to Pirate Batman and Caveman Batman, we’ll also see a Witchhunter Batman, a Cowboy Batman, and a P.I. Batman.
According to Morrison, the status quo of the Batman universe will be “changed completely” after the title finishes it’s six issue run, with the possibility of the Robin identity changing hands yet again, and Damian Wayne possibly taking on a new identity.
More frustrating, to my mind, is the conflict between Morrison’s point of view and Geoff Johns. Morrison claims that Bruce was never actually dead, only AWOL. So this isn’t a “back to life” story. Except then how are we to explain Nekron’s channeling of the Black Power rings through Bruce’s body in Blackest Night 5?
If you’d like to read the full interview with Grant Morrison, head over to USA Today.
(Source: DC Universe: The Source and USA Today)
I don’t even care that they’re bringing him back, I just wish they’d waited a while to do it. We all love Bruce Wayne as Batman, but come on. Give it a few years and then it’ll be meaningful.
I wonder if they’ll work Vandal Savage into the story.
A fair point, and one I meant to include. Of course we knew that Bruce was returning. Just like we knew Steve Rogers was returning. But did it have to happen so quickly?
This in post MTV – “give it to me NOW!!!!!!!!!” generation this is a LONG time
So why the hell have I been bothering to read the new (and it is still NEW) Batman & Robin series? The series is built on the relationship between the new Batman and Robin. Where will they take it after Bruce Wayne returns? What I thought would happen happened. Dick’s tenure and Batman is so short that all the stories are going to be about him trying to live up to the mantle left behind that we won’t get any good long run of him solely BEING Batman. What a waste.
Oh, and what crime is he fighting as Caveman Batman?!? Seriously? CAVEMAN Batman?
“Oh, and what crime is he fighting as Caveman Batman?!? Seriously? CAVEMAN Batman?”
Well, we know what the next logical team-up is:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UKF1J1RnSxlaJIBQ09IbSg?authkey=Gv1sRgCKTRjYSuzsvcXA&feat=directlink