I was looking through some of my older comics and I came across this picture in Detective Comics #700 from August 1996. It seems that during this time of Batman, he cared more about taking care of his partner than he does now.Â
One reason for this is the dark direction Batman has been traveling over the last several years. This dark direction has gotten so ingrained that his complete character is defined by darkness and persistent “grumpiness.” While I enjoy Batman comics, I feel that this direction is unfortunate. I would personally like for him to return to the cheery guy he was in the early days. But, that is just me.
Another reason for Batman’s protectiveness is the experience of Tim Drake. He has been around for awhile, Batman’s constant protection of Robin would get old. Robin is the leader of the Teen Titans, he is not equal to Batman, but they fight as a team. So it would make since that Batman doesn’t codel Robin as much as he used to.
I was surprised to see Batman running away from the danger, but I enjoyed the change of pace.
Cass says
Batman’s image has been darkened for plenty of reasons. Obviously the forefront of it is the storylines. The Joker is an increasing pest, Jason’s dead, his parents are dead, his childhood bestfriend is a villain, Two-Face slipped back to his old habits, etc.
But behind a lot of it is marketing. Everyone was sick of Adam West, and DC wanted to show that he was GONE. They got rid of anything that might be considered campy for a harsher and more pessimistic hero. Depressing, yes. But he sells. I do like reading back to things like the beginning of the Knightfall series, where he was a darkened and hardened detective, but the full sprectrum of him really shows… Hes just in it to save everyone but himself, to give Gotham a good life, and more importantly keep Robin and Alfred safe at his side.
dcuboymw says
Batman is a dark character and always will be. But ya I don’t like when he is written as being a total [jerk] (ala All-Star Batman and Robin) but at the same time I wouldn’t want to see a “cheery” Batman.
Rohan says
Dear Mr. Andrews,
I’ve not read any current issues of Batman for a long time. Here in India, all I can get are the collected paperbacks, and the latest available here is the War Drums collection.
If you don’t mind, could you please tell me what is this “dark direction” the Batman seems to be headed for? And what happened to Hush? I have really no idea about the 52 crossover or the Infinite Crisis series.
Thank you.
Rohan