Batman Catches The Red Eye

Is Batman evil?

Or is he just demonic?

If you go by some of the ways he's drawn you'd swear he was from the dark side.  Of course, there have been many iterations of Batman and most of the "evil" or "demonic" Batmen come from Elseworld or Earth 2 versions.  It seems that whenever the artists and writers collaborate on a newer darker Batman (if that is possible) they make sure his eyes are the color red.

Red is a passionate color and is often associated with all things Satanic.  There is no better way to show the evil intensity of a different Batman than to color his eyes red.  He'll simply radiate rage and if the eyes are the window to the soul then perhaps this Batman is without one.

One of the more infamous versions of the "Red-eyed Batman" comes from the Flashpoint series in which Thomas Wayne was the Batman.  This Batman was full of rage and wrath and he was inspired to become the Bat over the loss of his son Bruce.  His intimate relationship with the Joker of that day furthered his decent.  Flashpoint and the Batman spinoff with it's shocking revelation is a series not to be missed.

The Red-eyed Batman has made his return in the pages of "Earth 2" as originated by James Robinson.  We don't know his identity yet although it's been rumored he is another version of Thomas Wayne.  I hope that isn't true as we don't want to go to the same well too often do we? 

This Batman seems to have other worldly powers as he survived a bullet to the head in a recent issue.  But he seems to know Bruce Wayne the original Earth 2 Batman quite closely and to further that point he went out of his way to murder the Joker of that world that was being held in stasis.  It seems this Batman whose costume is tinged with red and whose eyes glow with the same hot coals of the Flashpoint Batman is no less angered and we should learn his identity in the the Earth 2 annual issue.

The Red-eyed Batman reappears in the pages of Batman-Superman number six as written by Greg Pak and illustrated by Brett Booth.  This Batman is caught up in a living organic video game and he has already died and made his resurrection.  In the above frame Batman has been reborn as some sort of automaton and he is stunned to find he doesn't have any lungs.  His rage is fueled by the combined hate of millions of gamers and he soon finds himself the equal of Superman and their fear and anger set him against the Man of Steel.  Pak hasn't been afraid of taking liberties with his story telling so we should expect to more craziness from the Red-eyed Batman.

Justice League 3000 made it's debut this past December and it seems the efforts of Giffen, Dematteis and Porter cannot do without a Red-eyed Batman.  I can't say I've read this issue but I do intend on catching up with it.

This particular Batman also sports the red bat on his chest and naturally his eyes glow with the same menace that runs straight from the depths of Hell.  Is he man or is he demon?  Is he consumed with anger?  I'm tempted to guess the eerie glow that comes from this Batman eyes probably comes from having to step between the ever lustful Superman and Wonder Woman.  No wonder he seems filled with rage.  Those two can't keep their hands off each other even a thousand years from now.

Poor Red-eyed Batman!

Who Is The Earth 2 Batman?

DC comics recently announced that the Earth 2 annual will hit the stands on May 29th.  The biggest reveal about ts announcement is that a new Batman will enter that universe!  Anyone that has been reading the "Earth 2" comic knows that Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman of that world, died when the saved that planet from destruction  The issue will be written James Robinson and the art will be provided by Yildiray Cinar, Cafu and Julius Gopez. (Earth 2 is an alternate universe or reality concept that DC publishes to bring fresh perspective to their heroes.)

So who will Robinson choose to follow in the footsteps of that world's original Batman?  Even money is on Dick Grayson but the above illustration is decidedly dark in tone.  So does that mean that world also had a Damien that we didn't know about?

My money would be on the Jason Todd of that planet.  Why?  Well, *spoiler alert* thanks to the recent solicit for "Red Hood and the Outlaws" due February 20th, if one Jason Todd dies in this universe then wouldn't it be fitting to resurrect that character in the Earth 2 universe? 

Below is the cover to "Red Hood and the Outlaws #17.

DC loves the concept of Jason Todd and they may be more in love with the idea of killing him off which has been done several times.  Hopefully if the Earth 2 version turns out to be Jason Todd he'll get a little longer shelf life to further explore his character.  He is usually characterized as harder edged with a propensity for breaking the rules.  Maybe the Earth 2 version will be a nice guy.  But I doubt it and I doubt he will be allowed live past a whole year.

Goodbye in advance Earth 2 Jason Todd, we hardly knew ye.