DICK’s would be “Death of a Bachelor” by Panic! At the Disco…
JASON’s, “Heathens” by twenty one pilots…
TIM’s, “Basketcase” by Green Day…
And, DAMIAN’s, “The Imperial March” by John Williams.
I don’t know about you guys, but Batfamily-wise, the New 52’s “Batman and Robin Eternal” is just a gift that keeps on giving.
Be forewarned: this is going to be long and panel-heavy. I want to highlight precious, character-revealing moments from the series, and there are a lot. Thus, panels won’t be arranged chronologically, but thematically.
Most of it will be focused on Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne, though. But, story-wise, Cassandra Cain (then Orphan) and Harper Row (Bluebird) play central roles. Barbara Gordon (as Batgirl), Stephanie Brown (as Spoiler), Duke Thomas (then a “Robin”), Jim Gordon (then “Batman” in a mech suit), and Azrael, as well as others Batfrenemies, make appearances, too. So, yeah. Definitely a Batfamily affair.
I love this series. By writing this, I’m going through it for the second time.
Just like in the “Robin War” story arc, we see that Bruce manages to unite his family even in his absence. (Sure, they sometimes do so out of begrudging respect, but they really do love him!)
Throughout the series, the present is juxtaposed with the past.
The story revolves around a villain that Bruce Wayne first encountered in his early years as Batman, way back when his Robin was still an enthusiastic, fresh-faced Dick. Simply referred to as “Mother”, her goal is to produce “perfect” children. Believing that overcoming intense personal trauma is the key to pushing a child towards his or her full potential, she targets children, murders their parents, then takes them under her wing. With the help of brainwashing (and Scarecrow’s fear toxin), she molds them into human weapons intent on pleasing her. Rich and powerful clients in search of ideal children avail of her, um, services.
To investigate deeper, Bruce posed as a potential client and pretended to be dissatisfied with his ward.
While Robin continued to fight alongside Batman on a daily basis, Bruce purposefully left Dick in the dark about Mother.
Later on, we find out why: dealing with Mother revealed some truths that Bruce was ashamed to face. Perhaps he was no different from Mother? That he’d been using the death of Dick’s parents to mold him into Robin? Did he really want to replace Dick?
Take a gander at a very handsome younger Bruce Wayne undercover as… himself.
But before Batman could shut down Mother’s twisted operation, he “died” and came back amnseic – but not without leaving a trail leading to Mother behind (in true Batman fashion).
At present day, when parents turn up dead and children become orphaned, a mysterious vigilante (okay, it’s Cass!) leaves Dick a digital device containing Bruce’s confession to him and the file on the Mother case.
And so, he enlists the help of his brothers to investigate and hunt down this “Mother”.
MORE, MORE, MORE UNDER THE CUT:
In spite of all the masks Dick has worn over the years – Nightwing, Batman, Agent 37 – he never forgets his superhero roots. He’s still Robin at his core.
So much so that even while wearing his Spyral uniform, he prioritizes Batman’s mission….
… and calls on the best. Back-up. Ever. (Who we’ll be discussing later on.)
He takes charge of the mission at the get-go, and his brothers know better than to argue with that. They respect his seniority and trust in his leadership (and for good reason).
Nearing the climax of the story, he delegates tasks to the rest of the Batfamily, then takes on the most dangerous one on his own. Not out of bravado, mind you. It’s just the selflessness that comes in the Dick Grayson package. This is also personal to him, after all. An unfinished mission from both his and Bruce’s past that’s come back to haunt all of them.
A gazillion miles away, all alone, and he still manages to mother-hen everyone else.
And in the final showdown, when Mother tries to turn him against Batman – tries to convince him that Batman failed the Robins – he doesn’t sway. In spite of the secrets that Bruce kept from him, he still trusts in his former mentor’s intentions.
(Of all of Bruce’s children, I do think Dick understands him the best. Over 75 years of partnership? Come on.)
As for Dick calling for back-up…
… even to the point of abiding by Batman’s “rules”. It’s been so painful watching him fight his way in, then out of, and then in the family again, that it’s such a breath of fresh air seeing him… back home.
He provides a lot of the levity in the series by way of self-deprecation and playful banter with both heroes and villains.
He’s our resident street-smart former “street rat”. (A lot more sophisticated now, though.)
He’s matured quite a bit, too. Biting his tongue, holding back his punches. Using his own past failures to encourage others (like a brainwashed Harper trying to kill Cass).
I can’t help but think that, for better or worse, Jason being portrayed as the venomous – villainous, even – antihero in the past makes all of his moments in this series (heck, even in DC’s “Rebirth”) much sweeter.
(I mean, if all his monstrous transgressions are still canon in this timeline, then he truly does have a lot to make up for. Maximum security jail time in the real world, really.)
With Batman out of commission, he’s currently the “World’s Greatest Detective”, expediting missions through brilliant strategies and A+ geekiness.
He’s still a teenager, though (and apparently has to remind Jason of it).
He’s still cool, still calculating. But, somehow, more sure of himself, I guess?
… and we’ll see how much good comes out of two brothers outgrowing their resentment towards each other.
They go on assignment to Egypt in search of answers from the Order of St. Dumas. While Tim poses as an acolyte, Jason is subdued by its members and infected with a bioprogramming virus they created called “Ichthys”.
Whammied, Jason dreams of his final moments with the Joker. But, this time, instead of being defenseless, he turns into a Red Hood-like version of Robin and mercilessly beats the villain up.
However, as Jason overcomes his most traumatic experience, he also loses himself to the virus (as Mother intended). Tim quickly realizes this and forms an alliance with a disgruntled Azrael (who just found out he’s been betrayed by his own order) and…
Oh, and this one right here!
Speaking of banter in the middle of a life-and-death situation… we weren’t gonna leave Dick out of it, were we?
The ladies have them, too!
Although his superiority complex is perfectly intact, he’s become more cooperative, more willing to concede to his brothers (just not, you know, out loud), for the sake of the mission.
In some ways, he just might be the most grown-up of them all. (Perhaps it has something to do with his recent accomplishment of the “Year of Blood”?) When his brothers start giving in to helplessness, he calls them out and reminds them of the legacy that he’s inherited.
Now, I think it’s important to discuss these parallels because they sort of address a polarizing issue.
Jason sees the Robins as Batman’s army-turned-family…
… but Dick sees it very differently…
… and so does Bruce.
Oh, wait, do you remember this scene from an episode of “Young Justice”?
Wonder Woman: “You indoctrinated Robin into crime fighting at the ripe old age of nine.”
Batman: “Robin needed help to bring the men who murdered his family to justice.”
Wonder Woman: “So he could turn out like you?”
Batman:
(P.S. Please remember that this is fantasy, people. Not the recommended real-world parenting method.)
At this point in the comics, the Batboys have already overcome a lot of their personal issues with one another – and with Bruce. They’ve all gone through enormous character development in their respective titles. (Writers seem to be making up for a lot of emotional damage to the fans over the years.) So when we experience them together like this, we find that they’re more mature (which may come off as “gritty”), more accountable for other people, more efficient as a unit. And, dare I say, more grateful for Bruce’s role in their lives.
Big brother Dick puts things into perspective one last time…
Of course Bruce is back before the series concludes. And this last part? I can’t ask for better reunion panels.
Intense. Emotional. Action-packed. 11/10 would recommend.
Batman and his “kids”.
From: Batman & Robin Eternal #21 (2016)
Bruce and Clark are clearly best buds who “co-parent”.
From: Batman & Robin Eternal #19 (2016)
In which brotherly banter and a trip down memory lane in the midst of murderous mind-controlled ladies is as normal as it gets.
From: Batman & Robin Eternal #20 (2016)
Perhaps if y’all had just waited for “the Real Robin” to finish his “Year of Blood” you could’ve avoided this mess?
I meant to get this done in March and of course it didn’t happen. But, Dick’s got so many birthdays, I figured I could post it whenever.
And when in doubt, always consult good ol’ Al
Oh, @inkydandy. Always with the fantastic Batfam representation. ❤
Dick is the son who likes to (dramatically) talk it out with him (and hopefully hug it out after)…
Jason, the one who would rather steer clear of him to avoid a fist fight or any form of parenting from him…
Tim, the one who drowns himself in work (perhaps to collect enough evidence to prove his point)…
Damian, the one who makes snarky comments and spiteful comebacks, but ends up doing what his father says anyway.
*shrugs* Probably.
When I first came across this issue, it was in one of those “sale” shelves. Apart from Batman himself, I wasn’t as intimitately familiar with the rest of the Batfamily just yet. The cover intrigued me, though, and a few pages in, I was sold.
In hindsight, it was ridiculously cheap for such a gem (plus, in fairly good condition)! It’s one of the first single issues I’ve ever bought, and one of the first to solidify my growing addiction to moments of Batfamily angst.
So, I guess the cover can clue you in about what this issue might be about, but here’s a little backstory (and some spoilers):
Outsiders #1 is set a while after the Titans parted ways following the loss of Lilith and Donna Troy (Wonder Girl). Roy Harper (Arsenal) approaches Dick Grayson (Nightwing) about forming a new team of superheroes. Dick, still brooding over their loss, is uninterested. It’s clear that he isn’t ready for the emotional burden of leading a team, then putting their lives at risk again.
Roy reminds him why they formed the Teen Titans in the first place (to be heroes in their own right, and not just sidekicks), and that this time around, they didn’t have to be as emotionally invested as they used to be. They didn’t have to be a “family” like the Titans were, just a team.
Reluctant but convinced, Dick eventually becomes their leader.
Note: Now, if the “Outsiders” sound familiar to you, remember that Batman led his own version of the team?
Anyways…
In the previous issue, Outsiders #20 (2005), following Metallo’s attack on the Outsiders’ headquarters, Indigo makes an incidental finding in the wreckage: the high-tech cables hidden in the building walls aren’t supplied by Optitron (the corporation they believe to be financing their vigilante operation), but by one with much deeper pockets…
Now, onto the current issue again (and a little more backstory):
Optitron, which was once merely a syndicated cable company, eventually acquires three of the largest cable companies in the world. As a way of giving back to the people for its immense success, the corporation becomes involved in global philanthropy. To step it up a notch, it funds a crime-fighting unit of superheroes (yes, the Outsiders).
Cue dramatic suspenseful music: *DUN-DUN-DUN DUUUUUUNNNN*
And, by “this”, it’s safe to assume that he means Bruce – to put it lightly – interferes. Ask any member of the Justice League – he’s notoriously controlling!
Now, you’d think that Dick would be more grateful, right? While other vigilantes conduct their operations in cramped hole-in-the-walls, worrying about their day jobs to carry on their night ones, he and his teammates are gettin’ paid.
But, this is a father-and-son, not benefactor-and-beneficiary, kind of issue. It has nothing to do with money. As it usually is between Bruce and Dick, it’s a matter of principle.
So, brace yourself for some DramaTM, Wayne Manor style…
So, here’s Dick, dropping some heavy truth bombs…
Part of Bruce’s parenting style is to absorb his children’s rage (over him, over anything), then channel it into a teaching moment (eventually). As long as they’re not in the middle of a life-threatening scenario, he’ll hear them out.
He’ll let them say what they want to say, how they want to say it.
Then, he’ll seem detached and uncaring. But, see, he’s not exactly Mr. Heart-on-His-Sleeve. When you’ve become as hardened by years of pain and loss such as him, it becomes a habit to tuck any semblance of vulnerability away.
It doesn’t mean he doesn’t love his children – he clearly does,1000% yes – but sometimes silence is all he has to offer. A moment to listen. A mind that isn’t racing towards the next case. Because he knows that there are problems a utility belt just can’t solve. (Plus, he’s not always the best at words when emotions are concerned.)
He has his moments when he’ll let his guard down, too. When he’ll act like their father-father, not just their mentor-father. A tight hug. An affectionate hair tousle. Forgoing patrol to watch a movie (*cough* Jason *cough*). The little things. Rare, perhaps, but they do happen.
But, yeah, then there’s moments like this, too (where we’re extra thankful that Alfred’s around):
Anytime Bruce keeps something from him, Dick gets hurt. Because he’s always thought highly of Bruce and the bond that they share is sacred to him.
Now, keep in mind that part of why Dick became Nightwing was to shed his sidekick persona. Much of his adult life has been spent trying to step out of Bruce’s shadow and become his own kind of superhero.
So, understandably, he feels betrayed. In his mind, Bruce lied to him and is still closely keeping tabs on his endeavors.
(That act of “omission” on Bruce’s part? I guess we can chalk it up to his habit of not-needing-to-explain-himself.)
For some reason, the next set of panels reminds me of that episode from the first season of Young Justice in which Bruce requests a private meeting with Kaldur’ahm (Aqualad) in which even Dick (then Robin) isn’t invited. Dick gets jealous and takes it out on the (concrete?) gym wall. By the end of the episode, Bruce makes it up to him by challenging him to a one-on-one basketball match – undivided attention! – which Dick gladly accepts.
Bruce’s opinions matter very much to Dick, whether the latter agrees with them or not. In both instances (Young Justice and this issue), he’s expressing his insecurity (though, he seems to be denying it in the fourth panel). Where does he stand with Bruce? (A question which every Batfamily member has probably asked at least once in his or her life.)
Bruce. Ever the pragmatist. Always punishing himself with reminders of his failures, of people he wasn’t able to save.
And, Dick, ever the optimist. Always trying to give others the benefit of the doubt.
For the purpose of closure: At the end of the issue, we find out that it wasn’t actually Bruce who’s been giving Roy intel all this time, but Slade Wilson disguised as Batman.
Bruce and Dick… they’ll have these fits of rage, then calm down as if nothing happened. Neither needs to say “It was my fault” or “I love you” or whatever. It’s all just kind of understood somehow.
Like, you know, a family.
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