Batman on the Edge of Despair

 Will Catwoman Pull Batman Back From the Abyss?

Peter Tomasi has reached the penultimate stage of the Kubler-Ross model exploring the five stages of grief.  The fourth of which to be examined here, depression.

Depression is a critical step in the grieving process in that if one does not successfully move on from this stage he or she may find themselves wallowing in it's abyss forever.

In my previous post that dealt with the bargaining phase,  I imagined this sequel to encompass something like a warm embrace from Catwoman to salve the damaged psych of the Batman. She would tell him the things he needed to hear and provide the loving touch his cold heart demanded.

It didn't exactly go that way.  Tomasi has different plans.

First, let's look at the analytical definition of "Depression" as included in the Kubler-Ross model. 

Depression - I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die soon so what's the point?"; "I miss my loved one, why go on?" During the fourth stage, the dying person begins to understand the certainty of death. Because of this, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time crying and grieving. This process allows the dying person to disconnect from things of love and affection. It is not recommended to attempt to cheer up an individual who is in this stage. It is an important time for grieving that must be processed. Depression could be referred to as the dress rehearsal for the 'aftermath'. It is a kind of acceptance with emotional attachment. It's natural to feel sadness, regret, fear, and uncertainty when going through this stage. Feeling those emotions shows that the person has begun to accept the situation.

The above definition cannot be taken literally in Batman's case.  He is not the one that is dying nor is he near death.  Instead he is the bereaved.  His feelings mirror the "certainty of death", in other words, his son Damien will never come back.  The danger for Batman is the "disconnect".  Something, if not alleviated, will become so dire that he will push away everyone close to him and he will become the menace to society that Batgirl warned him of in the previous issue,  (Something that is going through the test phase with Carrie Kelly.)

I should've gotten wind of Tomasi's tact when the story opens and Catwoman is in the middle of a heist.  The object of her desire is a golden figurine, "Ram in a Thicket".  The allusion here is a story from the Old Testament where Abraham is about to sacrifice his son Isaac.  Abraham's deadly hand is stayed when he is distracted by a Ram stuck in a nearby thicket.  If I had put the pieces together here I would have realized that Batman was standing in for Abraham and he needed something to stay his own deadly hand before he did something rash.

Catwoman provides him with that distraction.

 Her solace comes none too soon.

In the above image Batman sits alone in the Batcave and he's replaying audio from a mission with Damien.  The signs of depression are clear.  The head is bowed and the eyes blackened with sorrow.  His posture is slumped in forlorn resignation.  In listening to his son's voice Batman seeks to recreate Damiens' presence.   It is a desperate venture and one that is hollow in nature.  Listening to the sound of his son's voice won't bring him back.  In fact it is a trap that forms a closed loop that keeps you perpetually in its grasp.

As I said, lucky for Batman, Catwoman is on the prowl.  I was a bit disappointed that Tomasi had Catwoman appear on the scene in the line of duty, not of her own volition.  The story opens with Catwoman receiving orders from Steve Trevor on behalf of the JLA.  So, Catwoman really is just using Batman to aid in her invasion of the Chinese embassy to recover a "valuable asset" not to directly aid Batman in overcoming his sorrow.

That's too bad.  Red Robin and Batgirl both actively sought out Batman, I thought Selina Kyle would do the same.  These two have been pretty close over the years and this would have been a great opportunity to bring them even closer and develop their relationship further.

I guess Tomasi had different thoughts.

At least we got this superb image from Patrick Gleason.  The above frame is worth the price of the comic alone.  With the villains easily subdued, Batman and Selina take to the sky in possession of their new charge, Jai-Li.

Batman shows a some heart here and gives the little girl a thrill ride for the ages.  I suppose Tomasi's plan was to have Batman figure out how to beat his funk on his own.  Batman sees a little girl lost and without her father so he substitutes himself and takes the opportunity to bring a family together.  His may be lost, so this feels good even if it's only for a few moments.

The above image speaks volumes in that regard.

It was a bit puzzling to see Carrie Kelley return for the final frames of the book.  She receives a fake message from Damien that Batman constructed in order to preserve the fiction that Damien is still alive.

This seems to go against moving beyond the hurdle of depression.  This moment signifies there is still a bit of denial going on.  For the comic book reality it makes sense but as far as Batman's psyche is concerned it seems like a step back.  Maybe Tomasi is just setting up the next storyline.

Speaking of which!  Nightwing returns to help Batman with the next step of the Kubler-Ross model, acceptance.   A perfect symmetry to end this journey, the original Robin.  So how does Carrie fit in?

Batman and Red Robin #19 In Denial?

 

Peter Tomasi and Pat Gleason follow up their masterwork that was Batman and Robin #18 with Batman and Red Robin #19 and it is a somewhat more muted affair.  

Yes, I am aware of the irony of calling a dialog heavy sequel to the totally wordless issue that was  number 18 "muted" but I do so because it lacked the depth of its predecessor.  Batman and Red Robin 19 is a different cat altogether and it threw its readership for a loop with the reintroduction of Carrie Kelley to the Batman universe.

I'll get to that later.  What I really wanted to focus on was Tomasi's deliberate follow up to 18 and how he was going to explore the five stages of grief as originally outlined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.

As noted by Wikipedia the stage of Denial can be explained as, "Conscious or unconscious refusal to accept facts, information, or the reality of the situation. Denial is a defense mechanism and some people can become locked in this stage."

I don't see Batman as "locked in this stage" because, A, Tomasi is going to move him through all 5 stages and B, Batman has to move on to "anger" because if Batman is anything it's angry!

The first glimpse of "Denial" we get from Batman is from his alter ego Bruce Wayne.  Wayne has sought out Carrie Kelly to pay off her fees as charged to Damien for what I can only assume are lessons in theater.  (Whether acting or history or both.)  Wayne is referring to Damien as if he is still alive which is classic denial and at this stage of grief almost reflexive.  Alfred (callously?) points this out to Wayne and he retorts with a sardonic thank you.  Wayne's rebuttal can also be seen a symptom of denial as it is a slap at his closet ally and friend, Alfred, and intended to sting.  Lashing out at ones closest to you keeps you from facing the truth they wish to impart.

Paying Carrie Kelly off is also a form of denial as Wayne intends to close that chapter that involved her and Damien.  Thus, he no longer has to deal with it.

From here I sensed that Tomasi drifted a little from the theme of denial and drifted into the second stage of "Anger" and added a touch of the third stage, "Bargaining".  Batman goes on a mad caper to capture "Agent of S.H.A.D.E." Frankenstein with the hopes of incorporating "Frankie's" insight and abilities of reanimation.  

 In doing so Batman is effectively admitting that his son is dead.  This is in contretemps to the stated definition of denial.  I suppose Tomasi is to be forgiven for this drift of thematic narrative.  I really don't know anything of his educational background nor would it be fair of labeling him a psychologist.  I'm only pointing out that if you are going to entitle your book, "In Denail" you'd be better served to sticking with that theme and plumb the depths of that particular issue.

 

In the above set of two frames we get Batman admitting Robin is dead ("Not for long") and denying it has any permanence when he recounts his own "death" and that of Superman's.  Again, a bit of a mixed message for the stated theme of denial by Tomasi but who said Batman was anything but complicated.

 

I suppose it fortunate that Batman isn't into full on "Anger" or he may well have dismantled Tim Drake.  Here we can make a case for a solid return to the denial theme.  If Batman had been in full use of his capabilities instead of being in the thrall of denial he would have anticipated all of Red Robins tactical moves.  Instead, the tables are turned on Batman as the former pupil outmaneuvered the master catching him when his judgement is clouded and his plans for a grisly re-animation are foiled.

 

While this issue doesn't measure up to the greatness that was issue 18 and I think it drifted from its stated theme, we still get a look at Batman while he begins his descent into grief.  "Anger" is the next step and we certainly got a glimpse at the rage that is engulfing Batman.  The next issues is to be entitled "Batman and Red Hood in Rage."  The Jason Todd character of Red Hood has visited death before and as a former protege of Batman this pairing should unearth some deeply buried resentments and sublimated issues that were never successfully resolved.  If that isn't a recipe for anger then nothing is.

As for the introduction of the Carrie Kelley character, the fictional non-canon character that is now inserted as a fictional canon character, so what!  I know it has the resolute fan-boys' knickers in  a twist but if it was intended as a publicity stunt it worked as the first printing of Batman and Robin #19 was completely sold out.

 Kelley will add a new dimension to world of Batman as she seems determined or at least the type to be determined to find out what happened to Damien.  A thorn in Batman's side is always good theater.

Next up:  Do you believe Batman and "A New Beginning?"