Bargaining With Batman

Batman's Sanity Hangs in the Balance.  Can Batgirl Save Him?

Peter J. Tomasi along with guest penciller, Cliff Richards, returns to his examination of Batman's grief in "Batman and Batgirl #21".  Tomasi has been using the Kubler-Ross model of the five stages of grief and this chapter's examination covers the "Bargaining" stage.

Here is the Wikipedia definition.

Bargaining — "I'll do anything for a few more years."; "I will give my life savings if..."
The third stage involves the hope that the individual can somehow postpone or delay death. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made with a higher power in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. Psychologically, the individual is saying, "I understand I will die, but if I could just do something to buy more time..." People facing less serious trauma can bargain or seek to negotiate a compromise. For example "Can we still be friends?.." when facing a break-up. Bargaining rarely provides a sustainable solution, especially if it's a matter of life or death.

For this definition we are not speaking in the first person.  Or rather, I should say, Batman, is not speaking in the first person.  When the above definition says, "I will do anything for a few more years" Batman is really saying, "I will do anything for a few more years, if Damien were only alive".  

Batman, of course, is not dead here.  His son is dead and as we find everything in this chapter is post mortem.  

Tomasi has taken the interesting tact of handling this stage for Batman not through his eyes but through the eyes of Batgirl.  In fact, Batgirl, does a little Bargaining of her own.  

Batman has not asked for any help in coping with his grief (although he has shared some grief with Alfred) and here we find Batgirl trying to volunteer her help.  Naturally Batman rejects all her advances and pretty much spends the entire book ignoring her entreaties.  When they first meet in this issue, Batgirl can barely share two words with Batman before he storms off.  

This actually allows Batgirl to come to grips with a death in her own family.  Her brother died when she confronted him and he fell to his demise before she could grab him.  She blames herself and she takes this opportunity to make a confessional of sorts to her father, Commissioner Gordon.  She can't speak to him face to face, it would expose her identity, but it least she talks it out.  This alleviates her guilt to some degree and lightens the emotional load.  Too bad Batman doesn't afford himself the same luxury.

Batman makes his own effort at bargaining by confronting some two bit hoods that are attempting a robbery and holding some hostages.  The robbers decline his offer and make the mistake of going for the whole enchilada.  Classic mistake.

It's not clear what kind of bargain Batman is really trying to strike here.  Damien is already dead so he can't bargain for more time with him.  Are we to understand the bargain he really is trying to offer here is his own life?  Is Batman trying to sacrifice himself in order to join Damien in the afterlife in order to end his misery?

This would run counter to the aforementioned definition of "Bargaining".  It barely comes close to the part where there is a "sustainable solution".  If so, Batman would be dead.  He doesn't voice this but this would end Batman's career in crime fighting and his "raison d'etre" is to avenge the death of his parents and seek revenge for the innocent.  (Something he tangentially he refers to later in the Batcave.)  Deep down Batman realizes this and violently takes down the hoods.  

Batman doesn't bargain.  He can't even transcend the denial stage of grief.

Batgirl offers a unique solution to overcome Batman's grief and in doing so she allows herself a solution to overcome her own pain.

Batgirl offers to take the place of Robin which is a wonderful solution.  It would help exorcise her own demons and fill the role Batman so desperately needs, a sounding board to bounce his troubles off of.  I would have loved to see Barbara Gorden as the new Robin.  She can't get close to her own father as Batgirl but at least she would have had a father figure in Batman and he would have had the protege he needs to protect and nurture with the added benefit of not being so raw.

Batman declines this ingenious offer, telling her to go....

The fool.

Well, perhaps I should be a little more sympathetic.  Batman is deeply in the throes of pain.  The kind of pain that is of superhero proportion.  Maybe if talks his anguish out with someone he truly loves.  Someone he loves nearly as much as much as he loved Damien.  Perhaps then he could come to some sort of bargain and work through his depression.

I wonder who that could be?

Next up, Batman and Catwoman.

The Dark Knight Descends

The Iconic Batman: Art of the New 52 #10 

I found this unusual perspective of Batman in "Batman and Batgirl #21".  Batgirl has been chasing down some heroin pushing thugs down by the Gotham docks when Batman suddenly makes his appearance.  She had just been wondering where Batman has been, as she wants to talk to him about the loss of his son, Damien.

This particular issue deals with the third stage of the Kubler-Ross model of grieving which is known as "Bargaining".  I'm not going into the depths of this particular topic at this point (that will be for a later post).  Instead, I'd like to comment on this striking frame as contributed by guest penciller, Cliff Richards.

You can almost hear Batman's cape snap open as he launches himself into the fray.  This dynamic entrance is made all the more surreal by having Batman's disembodied head wreathed in the darkness of his gothic veneer.

There is no encumberment of arms and legs to distract the viewer, just the bizarre promontory of Batman's head reaching out from some blackened netherworld.  Batgirl's narrative box exclaims, "Speak of the devil".  This just adds to the spectral quality of this depiction as Batman seems like some holy terror reaching out to pull those into some hellish place where he only dares to tread.

Batman's athleticism is often characterized by the inclusion of overwrought musculature.  Something I am often critical of.  I'd rather see a more human Batman rather than someone whose physique is comperable to Superman's.  Batman is a part of this world not something that is alien or unreal.

That is why I find this rendering of Batman so fascinating.  The other-worldly musculature is gone as is the human aspect.  All we get is tendril like extensions from Batman's cape which makes him neither bat or human.  Instead we get a minimalist vengeful wraith that characterizes Batman's innermost quality.

A rare feat.

Peter J. Tomasi has been exploring  the depths of Batman's pain over losing his Robin in these issues of "Batman and Robin" each with a guest partner.  In this issue Tomasi has found an ideal collaborator in Richards as Richards seems to understand that the depth of Batman's anguish resides in his mind.  So it is fitting we see this mind detailed in his cowled visage as his heart breaking struggle continues.

I'm not sure if Tomasi had any input into Richards work, specifically this frame.  But it seems like a partnership worth pursuing in the future.

The New Earth 2 Batman Is In The House!

And he knows how to make a grand entrance!

The new Earth 2 Batman made his appearance in the recent Earth 2 annual and if there are any comic detectives out there they have figured out who he is.

But not me.

Not to sell myself short but all I can think of is the Thomas Wayne Batman from the incredible "Flashpoint" series. 

There are similarities, particularly the glowing red eyes and propensity for meting out justice with "extreme prejudice".  (That's an Apocalypse Now reference people.)  The Bat logo is different on the chest but both utility belts are tinged in red.

The Flashpoint Batman lost his son in Crime Alley and took up the mantle of the Bat so who is to say that the Earth 2 Thomas Wayne, upon learning of his son's demise, didn't do the same thing?  I know what you're thinking, "Too easy".  You may be right.  It does seem a little too easy but it would be a wonderful way to revisit the character and take a new spin on his vicious application for crime fighting.  It would be difficult to top the twist of the Joker reveal in that series but I am game if they are.

Any other candidates?  (Apparently, we still don't know who E2 Batman is after the publication of Earth 2 #13 although he does make a cameo.)

I had a theory that it would be Jason Todd after the tease came out in the form of the cover of "Red Hood and the Outlaws" #17.  I figured Jason Todd would die in one universe and be "resurrected" in Earth 2.  There was poetry in that.

But Jason Todd didn't die in "Earth 1".

That doesn't mean he can't be the Earth 2 Batman it only means that the poetic symmetry is lost.  I can live with that.

The new Earth 2 Batman seems to be incredibly fit and obviously fearless.  He even has the ability to travel the world at will, has the best tech and knows all about the new Earth 2 heroes.

That's not something you pick up overnight.  You need some serious cash to pull that off.  So is it Thomas Wayne?  He should've been able to access his son's fortune.  (Did his son have a fortune?)  If the original E2 Batman was a billionaire wouldn't it be easy for his heir to inherit that fortune.  Does Earth 2 have a Dick Grayson?  How about this, Damien Wayne dies in the original universe and his doppelganger takes up the reins in the E2 universe.

Now that makes sense.  Damien was no stranger to violence and was trained in a world of assassins.  He was even a killer.  We witnessed that when he took out the character of "Nobody".

 

So, the poetic justice I wished upon Jason Todd may come true in the form of Damien Wayne.  At one time Damien Wayne was seen as the future Batman as depicted in this image taken from Batman #666.

 This future version of Batman was a ruthless killer and he even used Gotham City as weapon rigging all the buildings with explosives.  We don't know the E2 Batman very well but it doesn't seem as though he is willing to let Gotham burn, let alone the world, to see an end to his means.  Still, if we were to transfer these attributes to the Earth 2 Batman then we may have deduced his identity as Damien Wayne.  

Something is holding me back on this.  The maturity of this E2 Batman for one.  The Damien Wayne we knew was a child of ten years this new Batman is obviously way beyond that.  Anything is possible in the comics yes but something just doesn't feel right.  I can't put my finger on it but I'm going to lean towards Thomas Wayne or Jason Todd as the new E2 Batman.

Or it's their Azrael.

No, wait, it's Alfred.

Is Batman Angry? No, He's Raging!

Writer Peter J. Tomasi continues his exploration into Batman's despair by examining the next step of the Kubler-Ross model of grief, Anger.  Actually, as you open the cover to this mag the first page reveals that Batman is experiencing a higher resolution to anger, rage.

Before we move on let's take another look at the Kubler-Ross model and how anger is defined. 

Anger — "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; '"Who is to blame?"
Once in the second stage, the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue. Because of anger, the person is very difficult to care for due to misplaced feelings of rage and envy. Anger can manifest itself in different ways. People can be angry with themselves, or with others, and especially those who are close to them. It is important to remain detached and nonjudgmental when dealing with a person experiencing anger from grief.  (Definition courtesy of Wikipedia.)

In the issue of Batman and Robin #20 or better put, Batman and Red Hood #20, we once again get a guest appearance from Carrie Kelley.  I'm starting to believe that Kelley has been introduced as a touchstone for Batman.  Not someone to reflect each stage of grief off of, but instead to help measure each stage by enduring Batman's grief (with snappy comeback's) and be there when he's cleared the last hurdle.  Maybe she will be the next Robin.  I can see Batman reaching the final stage, Acceptance, and not only passing through that moment but accepting a new partner.  Someone that has withstood all his barbs, Carrie Kelley.

As an example, in the illustration above, Batman can barely contain his anger as illustrated by Gleason and Richards.  His jaw is clenched, a vein protrudes from his neck and his eyes are shaded a cavern black to accentuate the depth of his pain.  (So, good luck to you Carrie.)

For Tomasi , the real focal point for Batman's rage in this issue is going to be Jason Todd, also known as the Red Hood.  Tomasi has a unique use for Todd.  If I am reading him correctly, Tomasi is going to use Todd, not as a buddy and former partner to Batman and not someone he can share an adventure of revenge in, but for a  much more darker purpose.

As a canard, Tomasi does position the two former partners on a mission to Ethiopia to root out the assassins that targeted Damien, Batman's now dead son, and take them out.  Accomplishing this the two move on and Batman reveals to Todd his real reason for bringing him along.

Batman tells Jason that he wants him to relive that awful night where he died at the hands of the Joker. In doing so, Batman hopes this will jog Jason's memory and provide a key of sorts that will help Batman in his quest to bring Damien back from the dead much like Jason was resurrected.

I have no doubt this is partially true.  I think Batman is seeking to rid himself of guilt and sincerely looking for clues to bring Damien back but Jason is just a pawn in this pursuit.  There is a larger truth playing out here and this is where Tomasi reveals the real reason Jason Todd is along for the trip.  If Batman is to move beyond the second stage of grief he just doesn't want to come to grips with it, he wants it beaten out of him.

This is particularly brutal and I give credit to Tomasi for this device.  I had wondered in a previous blog post how someone like Batman, who is pretty much angry all the time, could deal with this stage.  As noted above Batman just isn't dealing with anger as a stage of grief, he has evolved it into a stage of rage.

At first Batman provokes Jason into hitting him.  From then on he gets his wish.  Todd doesn't like being used as a pawn so he is particularly viscous in his attack.  No doubt Batman counted on this also.  Batman feels he deserves this out of guilt for Todd and for Damien.  He even taunts Todd by weakly boasting he's, "Still standing".  Todd is smart of enough to know he is being used and grows weary of Batman's pathetic machinations.  Batman has done Todd a favor, whether Todd realizes it or not, and let Jason work through his own pain.  But I think Jason Todd and Tomasi know the rest is up to Batman and in order for him to move on the next step is up to the Caped Crusader.  They go their separate ways.

This issue is extremely well done.  I think Tomasi has given us a terrific look in to the stage of Anger for Batman.  Or Rage if I read it correctly by Tomasi.  Batman is special, he's always dealing with anger at some level and he uses it as a motivational tool.  It comes from the death of his parents as a child and he has donned the mantle of the Bat to work through that pain.  But what about the pain and grief of losing his son?

Only Rage will suffice and Batman needs it beaten out of him.  Kudos Peter J.Tomasi.


Next up: Bargaining

The Iconic Batman: Art of the New 52 Pt. 9

I spotted this image by Cameron Stewart in Detective comics #19 which was also the 900th issue of the comic if you follow it back chronologically.  The issue itself was an expansive collection of stories meant to tie in many of the Batman universe characters and serve as a compendium to smooth out the continuity wrinkles brought about in other Batman issues such as Batman Incorporated.

While I thought it a bold effort I don't think it was entirely successful and it acted more as a jumping off point for future stories rather than a homage to 900 issues of Batman in Detective Comics that I hoped it would be,

Saying that, what I would really like to discuss is the excellent piece of art contributed by Cameron Stewart as shown above.  As near as I can tell, it seems to be influenced by the "Art Deco" school of thought.  I say so because it employs the use of geometric shapes and invokes the modern age of machinery and the buildings made possible by it.

Batman is a creature of the night and is often set in a dark Gothic motif.  Stewart also sets Batman in the heart of the night, but instead of gloomy forbidding shadows, his frame is awash in a cold neon glow.  This is further accentuated  by the use of depth as our picture descends nearly to street level where it develops into a blur of greenish haze.  This haze serves just as foreboding as any pool of shadows because it disguises the endless whir of man's crimes against his own kind and the confusion wrought by the relentless maleficence that makes up the world of Gotham City.

Batman is depicted in minimalist fashion.  Absent is the sometimes overwrought musculature that often defines Batman artistically (See the cover to Detective Comics #19).  Stewart, instead, gives a partial glimpse of  the Batman, his square cut chin juts out defiantly over the depths and seems to add a quality of momentum as if Batman is moving from roof top to roof top.  The square cut of the shoulders and the frame of the cape adds to this dynamic canvas and serves as a nice counterpoint to the checkerboard of the cityscape with it's art deco inspiration.

Batman's cowl with it's sharpened nose and piercing ears are complimented by his armored kneecap and adds to Batman's fearsome nature which gives him a weapon like quality that cuts into the night.  The knife like edges to the cities buildings with their Escher like opposition to each other further supplements this dangerous spectacle.

This is a refreshing perspective offered by Stewart and is deserving of praise.  It evokes motion, danger, and a dizzying fathomless environment that only Batman  can decipher.  We can only hope to see more of this fascinating work.

Batman: Still in Denial over Damien?

I thought it would be interesting to see how the rest of the Bat family of writers are handling the aftermath of Damien's death.  If we take a quick look at James Tynion's effort we'll see he's following Peters Tomasi's line of thinking that Batman is still in denial.

Tynion got a short feature and the end of Scot Snyder's Batman #19.  At first I thought it just another tacked on story to justify the added dollar for the issue (that and the fold out cover) but I thrilled to see it explored the world of Batman and Superman in real time.  I'm eagerly anticipating the return of the Batman/Superman comic for early this summer and here we get a sneak peek into that dynamic.  The added bonus here is that Superman and Batman are not only allies but friends.

It seems Superman has been trying to contact the Caped Crusader and accusing Batman of ignoring his calls.  From there we get to see the world's greatest superheroes together in the panel we see above.  Call me a geek but I thought it was pretty exciting.  Yes, we've seen them together in the Justice League but this seems a lot more organic to their relationship.

Tynion and artist Alex Maleev depict the two in the natural state.  Superman regally floating above the city, stock still but impressively powerful.  Batman, haunched over in the shadows using binoculars, ever the detective.  (Also not surprised to find Superman floating nearby.)

Superman shows his concern for Batman by asking about Damien.  Batman, emotions still raw from Damien's demise cuts him off with typical impatience.  Well, not so typical in this case.  Even an intervention from Superman isn't enough to break down the wall.

Batman, still in denial.

Our next set of frames comes from the greater part of Batman #19.  Snyder and artist Capullo continue to explore Batman's denial.  We find Batman in the depths of the Bat Cave.  He had just been ruminating over a recent case with Robin and a close scrape with death.  As was his want, Damien teases Batman about his fallibility.  Now Batman stands over a pool of water deep in thought.  Alfred tries to shake Batman out of his gloom by voicing concern over recent events and how Batman reacted to the "death" of Jason Todd.  As Batman did in Tynion's story he cuts of Alfred with a curt, "enough".  Alfred can only look on with a mixture of shock and dismay.

Batman, still in denial.

Soon Tomasi will move on from the "denial" storyline and explore the next step of the five stages of grief and that is "anger".  I'll continue to seek out clues that his fellow writers are following his lead.  (Then again, it'll hard to tell Batman's regular anger from the anger over Damien's death but I'm game.)

(p.s., Did anyone else get the impression that Batman was standing over a water filled Lazarus pit?)

Do You Believe in Batman and the Red Hood's New Beginning?

The above illustration was taken from "Red Hood and the Outlaws" #18.  In that particular issue Jason Todd, who was the second Robin in line behind Dick Grayson, was just recovering from a dream filled fugue state after he was poisoned by the Joker.  When he awoke from his trance he found himself in Wayne Manor and in the arms of Bruce Wayne.

The issue was one of redemption and forgiveness and it occurs in the aftermath of Damien Wayne's death.  (Although it isn't entirely clear that Jason knows of Damien's death at this point.) What is known is that this story comes in the wake of the "Death of the Family" series and it appears that Bruce Wayne wants to start the healing process and it begins with Jason Todd.

So why would I ask if this scenario is believable?

Running parallel to these events is Peter Tomasi's examination into Batman's  five stages of grief in the Batman and Robin series.  Tomasi has just finished the first stage, Denial, and the second stage is Anger.  The third Robin in line, Tim Drake, had to deal with Batman's issues with denial and in the next issue Jason Todd will be featured as the "guest Robin" in "Batman and Red Hood #20"

Jason Todd is known to have a few anger issues of his own so I wonder if he is the right partner for Batman.  Todd has also undergone some recent transformations in Red Hood and the Outlaws # 19 although I won't spoil them here.

The immediate above illustration come from the solicitation for the May 8th issue of Batman and Red Hood #20 (or Batman and Robin #20 if you prefer).  It depicts the angry visage of Batman bursting through the  Red Hood of Jason Todd.  So what can we derive from this?

• Will Batman's anger issues be so great that it will shatter the identity of Jason Todd both new and old?
• Does this illustration suggest Todd's influence will be futile and Batman's anger cannot be contained?
• Are we being given a clue into the fate of Todd as his own story progresses?

Adding fuel to the fire of a rapprochement between the figures of Batman and Jason's Todd's Red Hood we get these events as depicted in Justice League #19.  Here, it is obvious there is an element of trust between the two as Todd has continued access to the Batcave.  It's also clear Todd has forged a tight alliance with Alfred and more importantly, Batman, despite having his lair invaded with Todd on duty.  Instead of being disappointed with Todd, Batman voices his concern that Jason Todd is okay and trusts him to watch over the fallen Alfred.

I'd like to think that Batman and the Red Hood can start a new beginning.  Seemingly, the ground work is being laid for such a thing.  But like the cover of Red Hood #17, seen above, things aren't always as they seem and a little misdirection is usually employed.

Batman and "Red Hood" #20 comes out May 8th and we are sure to get more answers at that time.

Until then, can we believe Batman and the Red Hood's new beginning?