March 14, 2009
The first time, it took ‘em 30 years to run me off. This time though, they must have upped their game, ‘cause they’ve made me wave the white flat after only 4 years.
“Thanks” DC.
*rolls eyes*
After watching a recent interview with DC’s Dan DiDio and Mike Marts discussing what they have in store for Batman in comics (CLICK HERE to view) -- this so-called “New Era for Batman” -- I’m sad to say that I have absolutely ZERO interest in any of these future endeavors.
Why?
BECAUSE “BATMAN” HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF THIS!
Sure, there’s going to be a guy (Dick Grayson I presume?) in a Bat-Suit fighting crime in Gotham City. But unless it’s Bruce Wayne in a Bat-Suit fighting crime in Gotham City, it’s NOT Batman.
It’s like they say, it don’t matter how much perfume you spray on a piece of crap, it’s STILL a piece of crap.
Bruce Wayne is Batman, Batman is Bruce Wayne. Remove that element from the character, and you don’t have THE character.
And DC has to know this, right? Really, there’s just no way (*crosses fingers*) they think that you can stick anyone in the suit -- Dick Grayson included -- and it’s Batman. And that’s what makes this all the more maddening is because it’s nothing more than a gimmick -- a stunt to get people talking and angry (duh!) and buying more comics.
I guess DC figures that all of the Bat-sheep will simply fall in line and buy “Battle For the Cowl,” this BATMAN & ROBIN by Grant Morrison, this DETECTIVE starring Batwoman -- and ALL of this other Bat-Garbage and wait. The Bat-sheep’ll just bend over and scream “Thank you sir, may I have another” buy and read this drivel, and wait for Bruce Wayne’s inevitable return. Then when he DOES return, the Bat-sheep will laugh a laugh of relief and say, “Whew! You really had us going there DC!” And the fine Bat-Folk at DC will -- and probably have been -- laugh a laugh of “Ha! We really had those Bat-sheep going!”
Is Grant Morrison the tail that wags the dog at DC?
Well you know what? I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!
And YOU -- you “Bat-Sheep” -- should be too.
Check out these results of a recent "Bat-Poll":
Yeah, I know this isn't a scientific poll, but the results pretty-much echo the feedback I'm getting from fans via email. I think it's pretty telling that 32% don't read the Batman comics and 27% have stopped reading because of FINAL CRISIS and BATMAN, R.I.P.. On the other hand, only 17% seem to like what's going on while 23% are going to keep reading -- despite not liking the state of the Bat-Comics.
Before y'all even do it, spare me with the “It’s all about the story…being creative…and the ride” stuff, OK? This is the sort of mentality that’s allowing DC to do this BS to all of us Batman fans. When people write in to me and tell me, "Give it a chance" or "Enjoy the ride," all you’re really saying is “Thank you sir, may I have another.”
Think about that when your paying for that next Bat-Comic, OK?
The thing is though, DC’s is getting too cute for their own britches. I guess they didn’t learn anything when previous gimmicks like KNIGHTFALL, UNDER THE RED HOOD, CONTAGION, CATACLYSM, and “Whatever BIG Stunt Crossover” drove longtime fans away -- like me -- back in the late 90s/early 2000s.
Do they NOT think fans will simply accept good storylines in the monthlies that DON’T have to crossover into the other titles and NOT come off as superhero soap operas? Like the BEST Batman comic book of late -- Paul Dini's run on DETECTIVE.
Apparently not.
I have a new crusade and I haven’t been this fired up since I walked out of BATMAN & ROBIN back in June of ‘97.
I’d like for DC Comics to realize that they can have their cake and eat it too. If they feel the need to do all this crazy-ass crossover/stunt/gimmicky stuff, cool. BUT, how about a regular -- and QUALITY -- title or two that isn’t mixed up in all that soap opera-ish insanity? How about more miniseries like Matt Wagner’s BATMAN AND THE MONSTER MEN and BATMAN AND THE MAD MONK? Or the classic THE LONG HALLOWEEN from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale? Hell, or even more of stuff like the recent BATMAN: CACOPHANY from Kevin Smith?
DC, trust me, you’re alienating A LOT of you longtime, loyal fans. And BOF is now banging the drum on their behalf of them -- and mine.
Think…think about this: Bruce Wayne’s now a caveman in the comics.
*shakes head*
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