BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL #3 (OF 3)
Written by Tony Daniel
Art by Tony Daniel and Sandu Florea
Covers by Tony Daniel
And the new Batman is….. Spoilers below.
BFTC is “almost” done, next week’s “Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive” bookends the series (with the first issue Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead? Being the precursor) and finishes off the story. Then June sees the launch of the “New Batman and Robin”, in addition to the newly shaken up status quo in Gotham, old series with new spins returning, and several new series launching.
Nightwing (AKA Richard “Dick” Grayson), is finally putting everything together and acting more pro-active than playing clean-up as disasters strike Gotham. He realizes that Two Face and Penguin going to war not only makes no sense, the destruction of Gotham and its financial institutions also cuts off their “criminal” funding and activities. Nightwing then meets up with the “Network” (featured below) and task’s them with finding the answers to the questions previously mentioned.
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Owlman (Roy Raymond JR), Katana, Geo-Force, Halo, Creeper (Jack Ryder), Knight, Wildcat, Manhunter (Kate) Nightwing, Lady Blackhawk, Ragman, Batgirl (Cassandra Cain)
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Black Canary (Dinah Lance), Metamorpho, Black Lightning, Huntress, Lynx, Misfit
Dick goes after Tim (who was last seen stabbed in the chest by Jason with a Batarang) as Oracle (Barbra Gordon) tracks him via the transponder in the old Bat-Suit he’s wearing. In his internal monologue while racing to Tim’s rescue, he also reveals Bruce’s last message to him was to “Stay away from the cape and cowl”. Bruce believed Nightwing and Robin would be enough to reign in Gotham’s criminal element (though to me it seems a bit odd and short sided, knowing how Bruce built Batman to be a symbol against the criminal element).
Meanwhile, Commissioner James Gordon and detective Harvey Bullock stand and watch the military pour into Gotham city as a result of Two Face’s “attack” (though Dent wasn’t behind the attacks, as it was Firefly and Jane Doe under Black Mask’s orders). As Jim laments how he’s lost Gotham, the military forces put Gotham on lockdown and occupation, until they can find Dent and stem the chaos.
Back at the Batcave, Damian (recovering from injuries) attempts to beat Alfred unconscious (again! Beat Alfred once, shame on him, beat Alfred twice, well…) and “key” a freshly locked down Batmobile. Realizing Damian is going to go out regardless of his condition, Alfred hands him the Robin costume (he’s worn previously) and sends him out with Squire (of Knight and Squire, the Batman/ Robin respectively of the UK) as putting him on a bit of a leash.
As we get a bit of a news montage via on the scene reporter Vicki Vale (now a TV news reporter) regarding Gotham’s current “disaster”, we’re re-introduced to forgotten character “Batman Jones” (more on him in the near future). Then the scene segues into Black Mask watching the report, his mask removed but shadows cover his identity. He speaks to himself (we assume, as no one else is seen) in “dual person” referring to sacrifices made, and the beginning of a master plan.
Dick tracks down Jason’s “Batcave” in order to find Tim and stop Jason. While the fight ensues, it breaks briefly as Dick delivers a message from Bruce to Jason stating that he was Bruce’s “Biggest failure” and now wants to help him heal from a “secret” the two of them shared, and should have not “kept”. I’ve heard a lot of speculation regarding said “secret”, but I almost wonder if it’s referring to the rapist he killed (you’re welcome to debate this, but I’m 100% sure he killed him) back in Batman #424, right before the “fans” killed him off.
Skipping way ahead, Dick defeats Jason after a fight atop a moving train. As Jason clings to dear life on the edge of the train tracks, Dick once again extends his hand to help him. Out of spite, Jason hurls himself from the ledge metaphorically spitting in his face while cryptically remarking “I’ll be seeing you sooner than you think.”. We assume he fell to his death in the water below, but we’ve seen many before go this way and return (matter of fact, I believe this was the Joker’s signature move in several of his “deaths”).
Dick finally comes through and dons the cowl in the final pages. Honestly, I feel it was a missed opportunity not having Dick fight Jason as the new Batman. It would have been more dramatic and added a dichotomy in the yin/yang between the two, and their own respective philosophies as individual Batmen. Back to Dick, we see the ending of the series really as the beginning of the New Batman and Robin era (more on that below).
In retrospect, I find myself with more questions than answers with the final issue. And questions I’m not sure will get answered? Ultimately, it will be up to the creative teams on the books as to whether or not the threads get picked up and woven back in.
Three things specifically I’m curious to know- Speculations on!
1. Who is the Black Mask? As far as I can tell, it’s not Jason or Harvey Dent/ Two Face (as I originally suspected). And why did black Mask destroy Gotham? And what’s his “larger” plan? Could he be Hush/ Tommy Elliot/ Faux Bruce Wayne, using Bruce’s plans to set the Gangs of Gotham at each other (like “War Games”)? Plus, he implanted radio controlled chemical triggers to kill anyone who went against his orders (Tommy is a surgeon after all). Also, with a military presence in Gotham, it may in fact make it easer for Tommy to operate as Bruce as he could “acquire” military protection against any “superheroes” that come his way by using Wayne Industries. Even if the Bat-Family tries to wrest control away, it’s going to be hard to do without producing a “body” proving Wayne’s dead.
As for why he’s speaking in “dual” person though I’ve no idea and may throw this idea out the window. As it stands though, he’s still my most likely suspect.
2. Jason Todd is messed up, really messed up! Something from his past that Bruce and Jason both knew, I mentioned previously it could have been the murder, but what if it isn’t? If it is something dating back to before Bruce was around, it’s either abusive in nature, or perhaps psychosis passed on from parents to son.
And what if it is in fact the parents? From what we know, Jason discovered his “birth” mother wasn’t in fact Catherine Todd, rather he discovered his mother was really Sheila Heywood, a doctor who was in cahoots with the Joker. From everything she told Jason about his “birth” sounded shady at best, she also turned him over to the Joker, “we only assume for him to “take care of” in a mafia kinda’ way.
With all the lies and deception, what if Jason’s father wasn’t in fact Willis Todd (a small time hood killed by Two Face)? And if so, who was his father?
I’m going out on a limb here, but could it be that Jason the Joker’s “son”? That would explain quite a bit, from Death in the Family, all the way to BftC (especially the laughing psycho part). Even his anger during “The Red Hood” arc where he returned, beat the Joker nearly to death, and was “furious” to find him still alive. Could there be more to it than simply wanting Joker dead due to his own death at his hands?
3. Where was the Joker while Gotham was burning?? He apparently had something to do with the Arkham Inmates being removed from the Asylum (perhaps the events in RIP?). I find it hard to believe with the carnage going on and the “rumors” of the “Death of the Dark Knight” he’d sit this one out. I know there are plans to have Joker show up late in the Batman and Robin series, but I can’t see him disappearing for that long.
Agree? Disagree? Have your own speculations? Make your voice heard and post your thoughts!
Before we go into this weeks books, lets look at June’s Bat books post Battle for the Cowl as the new Batman era “Begins”.
All info provided by dccomics.com
On 6/3/2009, first title released is-
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Frank Quitely:
Variant Cover by JG Jones
Sketch variant cover by Frank Quitely
“Batman Reborn” begins here! With the reunited team of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, WE3,New X-Men), this first issue kicks off a 3-part story arc that can’t be missed! The new Dynamic Duo hit the streets with a bang in their new flying Batmobile as they face off against an assemblage of villains called the Circus of Strange. They also tackle their first mission investigating a child who’s been abducted by the mysterious Domino Killer. But will everything go smoothly? And who exactly are the new Batman and Robin? The newest era of The Dark Knight begins here!
Then on 6/10/2009-
BATMAN #687
Written by Judd Winick
Art by Ed Benes and Rob Hunter
Cover by Tony Daniel and Sandu Florea
Variant Cover by JG Jones
In this special epilogue to BATTLE FOR THE COWL, new BATMAN writer Judd Winick rejoins the Bat Family! This 40-page issue explores the final moments of the Battle for the Cowl as the new Batman learns that winning the Cowl comes at a high price! Witness the new Batman taking to the streets of Gotham City for the first time! Putting a new man inside the Bat-suit was the easy part – now the fun begins! Guest-starring Superman and Wonder Woman, this issue is a must-read for any Batman fan.
RED ROBIN #1
Written by Christopher Yost
Art by Ramon Bachs
Cover by Francis Manapul
Variant Cover by JG Jones
Writer Chris Yost (New X-Men, X-Force) and artist by Ramon Bachs (Civil War: Front Line) kick off a brand-new ongoing series right here with “The Grail” part 1 of 4! Following the aftermath of BATTLE FOR THE COWL, a new Batman watches over Gotham City. But not everyone is ready to give up on the old one. Someone believes that Bruce Wayne may still be alive…and that someone is Red Robin. But who is wearing the Red Robin costume, and why is he traveling the globe looking for a dead man? Whoever he is, he’s not alone in his search!
6/17/2009 sees the release of-
BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #1
Written by Paul Dini and Marc Andreyko
Art by Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs and Georges Jeanty and Karl Story
Cover by Dustin Nguyen
Variant Cover by JG Jones
An all-new Batman series by the DETECTIVE COMICS creative team of Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen! As a new Batman rises on the streets of Gotham City, the heroes, villains and citizens take notice. How will the police feel about this new Batman, and can he control the crime in Gotham the way the old Batman did?
This new series also features a regular ongoing co-feature starring Manhunter written by Marc Andreyko and illustrated by Georges Jeanty (Buffy Season 8)! Kate Spencer lost a friend during the chaos of BATTLE FOR THE COWL, and now she wants payback. As usual, she’ll use any means necessary to get it
Finally, on 6/24/2009-
DETECTIVE COMICS #854
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by JH Williams and Cully Hamner
Cover by JH Williams
Variant Cover by JG Jones
“Elegy” part 1 of 4! A new era in the history of DETECTIVE COMICS begins as Batwoman is unleashed on Gotham City! Marked by the blood-red bat, Kate Kane is a soldier fighting her own private war – one that began years ago and haunts her every waking moment. With a script by Greg Rucka and breath-taking art by JH Williams III, you’ve never seen anything like this!
Featuring the debut of a new co-feature starring The Question written by Rucka! Odds against you? Alone and nowhere to turn? Willing to fight, but you don’t know how? When you’re searching everywhere for an answer, sometimes all you need to do is ask the right Question. Renee Montoya again dons the faceless mask to help those in need, all the while searching for her own answers in this new adventure with art by Cully Hamner (BLUE BEETLE).
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1
Written by Paul Dini
Art and Cover by Guillem March
Variant Cover by JG Jones
This all-new series features the bad girls of Gotham City! Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn are tired of playing by other people’s rules regardless of which side of the law they’re on. These tough ladies have a new agenda that’s all their own, and they’ll use any means necessary to pursue it. But can they get along and work as a team? And who will get hurt along the way? DETECTIVE COMICS and STREETS OF GOTHAM writer Paul Dini kicks off this brand-new ongoing series with amazing artwork by Guillem March (JOKER’S ASYLUM: POISON IVY, GOTHAM GAZETTE).
NEW DC COMICS AVAILABLE ON 5/27/2009 (note, due to the Memorial Day holiday, Diamond shipments will not his stores until Thursday the 28th)
DC/ JOHNNY DC
* BATMAN IN BARCELONA: DRAGON’S KNIGHT
* BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #5
* BAYOU VOL. 1
* CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #57
* DC COMICS CLASSICS LIBRARY: ROOTS OF THE SWAMP THING
* FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: INK #1 (OF 6)
* GOTHAM GAZETTE: BATMAN ALIVE
* GREEN LANTERN #41
* JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #33
* JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #27
* THE LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #1 (OF 6)
* ROBIN: THE TEEN WONDER
* THE SPIRIT #28
* STATIC SHOCK: REBIRTH OF THE COOL
* SUPERMAN #688
* TEEN TITANS #71
* TRINITY #52
* TRINITY VOL. 1
* WONDER WOMAN #32
* WONDER WOMAN: LOVE AND MURDER
VERTIGO
* INCOGNEGRO
* THE LITERALS #2 (OF 3)
* MADAME XANADU #11
* NORTHLANDERS #17
WILDSTORM
* FRINGE #5 (OF 6)
* RESISTANCE #6 (OF 6)
* STARCRAFT #1
* WILDCATS #11
* WORLD OF WARCRAFT: ASHBRINGER
Check out DC Comics at- dccomics.com for more news and info, and be sure to check out DC’s blog, The Source for previews and teases.
As always, thanks for reading!