DC Relaunch: Batman

I don’t feel like I should have to explain who Batman is to you. You’ve likely seen one of the movies, maybe the old Adam West TV show, one of the myriad animated series over the years, maybe your only experience is through Superfriend or the movie Batman & Robin. I couldn’t say. But if you’ve experienced Batman in more than one medium, then at some point you’ve noticed how different those Batmen were. And that is the case, that over time Batman has changed, and has been defined by those who write him and their motivations at the time. For the past few years, Batman and his vast gallery of rogues have gone through numerous changes which were reflected through the pens of Grant Morrison and Paul Dini. As we move on into a new era, and only the second Batman #1 in existence, I can’t help but feel that this book will set the bar for the other surrounding titles.

Batman, as you may well know, is the defender of Gotham City. Sometimes in shadow, sometimes in the light, he waffles between paranoia and clarity of mind, between a ruthless vigilante and a hopeful optimist. And the question every writer faces is how much of Bruce Wayne is still there? Is there only Batman, Bruce merely an act? To me, the juxtaposition is what makes the comic, just as the Joker provides the absolutely madness without an end goal, the far end of the scale. The Joker is scheduled to appear in Detective Comics, so I’ll talk more about him tomorrow.

I’d like to put a little more focus on the writer, Scott Snyder. Currently the writer of Detective Comics and weaving a great story involving the changing face of Gotham under the wings of Dick Grayson as Batman, and flipping the story to show James Gordon’s separate but related investigations that lead all paths together. The story, called “The Black Mirror,” has shown how the city of Gotham begins to reflect the charm and swagger that Dick Grayson brings to the Batman role, and spits back his muddy reflection of crime. Now Bruce Wayne is forced to confront these new elements as he make his return as sole Batman of Gotham.

Synder will also be writing Swamp Thing in the relaunch., He has been writing American Vampire, which feature contributions from Stephen King and art from Rafael Albequerque. On art will be Greg Capullo, who has been doing work for McFarland studios, working on Spawn and most recently Haunt in collaboration with Robert Kirkman.

Where to begin with Batman in the comics? I’d avoid the recent Grant Morrison epic until you’re read to experience some really weird Batman stories. So here’s the most basic, with Scott Snyder’s recent contribution included:

Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and Dave Mazzuchelli

Batman: The Black Mirror by Scott Snyder, Jock, & Francesco Francavilla

Tomorrow we'll look at Detective Comics and the Joker!