Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Batman and Robin #0


In my past commentaries, I asked a few questions that have been answered by DC recently. Sort of answered. I had an issue with how short a time Batman had to train and deal with four separate Robins. Now DC has altered some of the trade paperbacks to note that Tim Drake was never a normal Robin. He has always been Red Robin. But they altered it in such a way that he was still "Batman's Boy Wonder." So that doesn't actually change the time line for Batman training Robins. It does possibly allow for two Robins to have worked together. My guess is that would be Jason Todd as Robin and Tim Drake as Red Robin. I say this sort of answers my question because it really just makes everything messier.

My second question was whether or not DC would alter Trade Paperbacks to fix continuity mistakes and if you bothered to read the first paragraph of my commentary like a socially responsible member of society instead of some "reading punk" that thinks you can start reading anywhere, then you'll know what the answer to that question was. Yes, DC is altering their Trades. Red Robin makes mention of a previous incarnation of the Teen Titans in Teen Titans #2 which I mentioned when I read it. It was confusing! But in the trade, that narration box I scanned does not exist. Apparently Flamebird in Batwoman #1 also mentioned being a member of the Teen Titans and having battled Deathstroke! That was also edited out of the Trade. I hope somebody collects all of these changes. I'd really like to see everything they change.

My third question was, "Are they going to draw Batman into a few panels in Justice League #11 in the trade so it fucking makes sense?" I bet they do!

So barely any of that had to do with Batman and Robin. But it's Robin's fault for distracting me.
This issue takes place one and a half years ago. That would make Damian 8 and 1/2 10 (I forgot a year of comics has gone by and Damian began as a ten year old in Issue #1). And I think that would also make him an undisciplined murdering bastard as well. I spoke too soon. The first three pages take place one and a half years ago. And then Damian falls from the sky after cutting off the wings of one of Talia's manbats that had been holding him, and he tells his mother (while still falling!) that there should be no secrets between them and then he loses himself in his memories.


Damian is going through a topsy-turvy Oedipal Complex. He has to kill his mother to be with his father. I guess that's technically an Electra Complex.

Now I have The Electric Company song stuck in my head. "HEY YOU GUYS!"

When Talia turns her back on Damian to speak with the future dead person, Otto Netz, Damian decides to go through her things.


I don't have kids but I'm constantly warning my friends with small children to remember that as they get older, they will be going through their things. Hide the porn and dildos well, parents. Why is it that parents seem to forget that kids go through their parents' shit?

Throughout the years, Damian kills and kills and kills. He kills about three dozen people in this comic and a tiger and a great white shark as well. Lots and lots of murder and death. And yet this comic book can still make me laugh with images like this:


Tomasi has found that balance of fun comic book humor that think is needed with overly violent comic books. Exactly what has been missing from Deathstroke (which many people probably don't see as an issue). But I want my Deathstroke to be full of Grim Whimsy! Grhimsy?

And since Damian is hanging out with Batman as a ten year old, you can probably guess that he finally defeats his mother in combat. She tells Damain about his father as they travel to meet him.


I suppose the first place Batman took Damian was The Maury Povich Show.

I think the rest of the story is told in Grant Morrison's Preboot Batman Incorporated, a comic that kind of straddles the Preboot and the Reboot in a bunch of really confusing ways.

Batman and Robin #0 Rating: Decapitastic!

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