Batman: Battle for the cowl

[Saint]

First issue was a fair start. Daniel sold Gotham's descent into chaos well enough and seems to have a handle on the characters--though, personally, I would have expected Damian to spit in Croc's face and declare that the son of Batman is more than a match for mutated gutter trash. That would have been fantastic. Damian is awesome. He's what happens when you have a mind, and ego, and a will like Bruce Wayne's, without the discipline.

Since Damian seems to be the new Robin, as per the Quietly Batman & Robin preview art, I'd like to say I hope he stays on as Robin if/when they bring Bruce back.

 

[Drz]

I loved this issue, i knew alot of people were abit "meh can Tony Daniel write?" but imo this was pretty awesome. Saint i think they want people to make Damian less of a punk because well.. its the cliché typical way of him maturing up as Robin and most defo Nightwing becoming his foster-father and trainer aka Batman. And jesus christ did you see how gorgeous Tony made: Black Mask, Poison Ivy and Jason Todd! Jesus the art was so spectacular.

 

[Motown Marvel]

first issue was pretty good. it all felt very 90's though. anyone else get that vibe? i too was kinda surprised about damien b!tc#ing out in front of croc.

 

[The Joker]

Loved the first issue. Action packed, and immediately grabbed my attention and held it throughout. The artwork was terrific, too. Loved the cliffhanger.

Very promising start to this story.

 

[The Joker]

Whoops

 

[The Joker]

Whoops triple post

 

[NoirMan82]

I really enjoyed the 1st issue of BFTC. Croc is a bit menacing and just ate a young girl, so I don't blame Damian for chickening out. I love the return of Black Mask, but I highly doubt that it's Roman. Am I the only one who thinks Tim Drake takes over as Batman? If he doesn't, then why would he vacate his post as Robin for Damian to take over? Looking back at recent Bat-History, Bruce seemed to be grooming Drake to take over as Batman someday, and the way Grant Morrison describes the new Batman, it doesn't really sound like the Dick Grayson we now know. This is all very interesting, I'm really digging it.

 

[Saint]

Morrison described the new Batman as more lighthearted. Sounds like Dick to me. As for Tim? The last issue of his book implied that he's going to be Red Robin.

 

[NoirMan82]

I remember that, but it seems a bit redundant. In the current story Dick isn't lighthearted at all, if fact, he hasn't really been for some time. Nightwing has seemingly grown into his own super hero, one of the best crimefighters in the DCU and a leader of multiple supergroups. I don't think Dick wants the Batmantle, because he's forged a life of his own and believes that Batman is something that should die with Bruce.
Tim Drake, however, understands the need for a Batman and (Spoiler Alert!) dons the cape and cowl in BFTC #1. His detective work with chasing down the crazed new deadly Batman (who's most likely Jason Todd) proves that he has the detective chops to fill Batman's shoes, somewhat. With Damian as Robin, it is effectively Bruce's "sons" that take up his legacy. It makes sense to me. The dynamic between the two brothers could make for an awesome comic and turn the Batman and Robin dynamic on it's ear.

 

[Sub-Zero]

I remember that, but it seems a bit redundant. In the current story Dick isn't lighthearted at all, if fact, he hasn't really been for some time. Nightwing has seemingly grown into his own super hero, one of the best crimefighters in the DCU and a leader of multiple supergroups. I don't think Dick wants the Batmantle, because he's forged a life of his own and believes that Batman is something that should die with Bruce.
Tim Drake, however, understands the need for a Batman and (Spoiler Alert!) dons the cape and cowl in BFTC #1. His detective work with chasing down the crazed new deadly Batman (who's most likely Jason Todd) proves that he has the detective chops to fill Batman's shoes, somewhat. With Damian as Robin, it is effectively Bruce's "sons" that take up his legacy. It makes sense to me. The dynamic between the two brothers could make for an awesome comic and turn the Batman and Robin dynamic on it's ear.

dick grayson was his 1st adopted son. i do agree about why nightwing doesn't want to be batman. back in knightfall batman chose valley instead of dick for those same reasons...i think. it would be cool if like in the reign of the supermen there will be multiple batmen showing up in the bat-verse. that pic of all the "new" batman in costume made me think that they are doing something like that. and hush and damien become batman and robin the duo where as all the others (dick, jason, tim, harvey) become their own incarnations of batman.

 

[NoirMan82]

dick grayson was his 1st adopted son. i do agree about why nightwing doesn't want to be batman. back in knightfall batman chose valley instead of dick for those same reasons...i think. it would be cool if like in the reign of the supermen there will be multiple batmen showing up in the bat-verse. that pic of all the "new" batman in costume made me think that they are doing something like that. and hush and damien become batman and robin the duo where as all the others (dick, jason, tim, harvey) become their own incarnations of batman.

Hadn't really thought of Hush much, but in he is currently wrapped up in bein a Bruce imposter, and now under thumb of Catwoman, I don't see him as much of a factor.

 

[Saint]

I remember that, but it seems a bit redundant. In the current story Dick isn't lighthearted at all, if fact, he hasn't really been for some time.

Sure he has. He has moments where he's closer to Bruce's temperament, but he's still Dick, and being lighthearted is just his nature. Check out recent issues of Nightwing.

I don't think Dick wants the Batmantle

Which is exactly why he should be the one to take it up. Conflict.

 

[NoirMan82]

Sure he has. He has moments where he's closer to Bruce's temperament, but he's still Dick, and being lighthearted is just his nature. Check out recent issues of Nightwing.


Which is exactly why he should be the one to take it up. Conflict.

That's true. I love Nightwing and I'd prefer to see him as Batman, but I just suspect it may be Time Drake. Or maybe Drake becomes a new crimefighter of some sort?

 

[The Joker]

We've already seen Dick in the cowl before though.

 

[Majic Walrus]

Sure he has. He has moments where he's closer to Bruce's temperament, but he's still Dick, and being lighthearted is just his nature. Check out recent issues of Nightwing.


Which is exactly why he should be the one to take it up. Conflict.

I think he'll be the last one to take it up. After Tim (et al) makes mistakes in the suit Dick will step up because he knows that he is literally the next best thing to Batman.

 

[Cain]

first issue was pretty good. it all felt very 90's though. anyone else get that vibe?

Yeah because it was spectacle after spectacle but it's a blockbuster event so you know that's alright. I enjoyed it a solid read and not bad on Daniel's part his art has improved and he gets Batman's kids. I laughed at the Damian moments. Those two are going to be a fun Batman & Robin.

 

[Cain]

We've already seen Dick in the cowl before though.

Yeah but that was when he didn't think Bruce Wayne was gone for good. Mainly cause Bruce was still alive of course. I think what was said earlier could happen Tim effs up somehow or maybe just wants to be his own dude.

He really wants Dick to be Batman he's being written that way and maybe somehow Dick sees this has to happen and then dons the cowl. He represents the fan that wants to see that happen. Dick represents the fan that thinks Batman dies with Bruce Wayne.

Dick is the only realistic replacement from a storytelling perspective it'd be great he's just as old as Batman is to us. A lot of us know him just as well as we know Bruce. Bruce's biological son and the first one he raised as a son as B&R is a concept full of lots of potential win.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Battle for the cowl is off to a great start, This storyarc is very similar To Reign of the Supermen four different Men try to take up the Mantel of Superman (after his death at the hands of Doomsday). In BFTC We all know Dick Grayson is going to become the new Batman until Bruce returns and reclaims the cowl . Althought I'm not ruling out Tim, he become so much like Bruce that he too could become The New Dark Knight himself .

 

[NoirMan82]

The one thing that makes me thing of Tim Drake as the new Batman is the way he is depicted in Morrison's new series. The posture of the New Batman, and even the look of the new Batmobile calls forth a certain playfulness and youthfulness.

 

[Garret]

The one thing that makes me thing of Tim Drake as the new Batman is the way he is depicted in Morrison's new series. The posture of the New Batman, and even the look of the new Batmobile calls forth a certain playfulness and youthfulness.

I'm pretty sure it's gonna be Dick because 1) The costume is similar to the one we speculate Dick is wearing in the "I Am Batman" teaser pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25398606@N04/3137106728/ and 2) I dont see how, with the rivalry Tim and Damian have, Damian being so cooperative with him (unless their relationship has changed/changes).

I would be suprised if it turns out to be Jason. Him and Damian would make one hell of a duo!

 

[Nepenthes]

I thought this was a piece of ***** and I'm not buying the next two. I was cautiously optimistic about Daniels but now I'm just annoyed; no more Batman comics for the next two months .

This was a great 'event' idea put in the hands of an amateur writer because DC wanted to shrimp on pay I'm suspecting. It was always gonna sell bucket loads, so they decided they didn't need a decent writer on it at all! The 90's really are returning with this one.

 

[NoirMan82]

I thought this was a piece of ***** and I'm not buying the next two. I was cautiously optimistic about Daniels but now I'm just annoyed; no more Batman comics for the next two months .

This was a great 'event' idea put in the hands of an amateur writer because DC wanted to shrimp on pay I'm suspecting. It was always gonna sell bucket loads, so they decided they didn't need a decent writer on it at all! The 90's really are returning with this one.

I really don't think you're giving the book a fair shake. It is the first issue and Daniels writing is fairly solid. He's sticking to some great characterizations and making a fairly interesting read. He only has 3 issues to cram in a lot of story. I love how he's using Tim Drake and the new Black Mask, and he's showing how crazy Gotham is getting without Batman. It's nothing groundbreaking, but I think he is more concentrated on just telling a good story and not trying to be the next Alan Moore.

 

[Majic Walrus]

I thought this was a piece of ***** and I'm not buying the next two. I was cautiously optimistic about Daniels but now I'm just annoyed; no more Batman comics for the next two months .

This was a great 'event' idea put in the hands of an amateur writer because DC wanted to shrimp on pay I'm suspecting. It was always gonna sell bucket loads, so they decided they didn't need a decent writer on it at all! The 90's really are returning with this one.

This coming from the person who just a few months ago scolded half the bat-community for not giving Morrison a fair shot. What's so different now?

 

[maninthechair]

I just can't wait until I log onto this forum and see the thread that Bruce is back

 

[Two-Face=Badass]

I felt it was fair, but overall a jumbled mess. The whole BFTC thing s really turning out be reading like some ridiculous fanfic to me, with DC execs going "Jason becomes x, tim takes over x identity, Dick becomes the next x, etc". I really think it's poor storytelling, and makes the members of the Bat family seem really incompetent without Bruce.

Like someone else said, I'd much rather no one takes up the Batman identity, and actually work together in new ways that would do a better job than Bruce himself.

Another problem is the characterisation, Tim is suddenly light and Dick is the one shutting himself off? As much as I hate Fabian's destruction of tim's characrer by making him wangsty, the least DC could do is keep that consistent and then fix it.

This is to say nothing of the blatant "symbolism" with Dick looking on to the cape and cowl. Seriuosly DC, it really isn't clever. In fact, it's about as stupid as Jason's case getting smashed every Batcave fight.

But yeah, the art was real pretty and some cool stuff were there.