Batman's Rogues Gallery being cut down in size?

[Sean Walsh]

In at least 2 or 3 of the solicits for James Robinson's upcoming BATMAN/DETECTIVE storyarc, it mentions that "villains continue to die."

I wonder -- with the rumors that Batman will be turning into a "nicer" and not-as-dark character post-IC, will they be eliminating a lot of the more......violent and murderous Bat-villains introduced in the last 10-20 years?

Mr. Zsasz, Amygdala, Tallyman, KGBeast....?

[mohammedali]

It's an interesting point, and one I was slightly worried about myself. I hope they don't use this arc for spring cleaning - I hate it when that happens.

[SpartanX]

If those rumors about Batman being "nicer" are true, I might not enjoy it much. Hopefully, Morrison will excel as always. If not, I'll stick with ASBAR...there. I said it. So what! :D

[Maleficentogre]

I think people are mistaking nice for not being a douche.

[dancj]

Mr. Zsasz, Amygdala, Tallyman, KGBeast....?

They can kill the KGBeast if they want - he was a terrible character in the first place, but they'd better leave Zsasz alone. He's one of the best villains Bats has got

[geordiesteve]

I would keep him away from the JLA, keep him focused on what he does best, and if they kill off some of his villains, well, someone can always invent some more. But making him brighter and nicer, hmm, I don't like the sound of that, bad, bad idea.

[OverMaster]

As I said, DC can never kill enough of its characters. :rolleyes:

[mohammedali]

Unless they call SBP in again ;)

[EDmanwalking]

Hmm, I wonder...

Tec Comics solicit
"As the body count mounts and more villains die..."

Batman solicit
"can the Penguin survive Harvey Dent's new brand of justice?"

I wouldn't be too fussed if Penguin bit the dust.

[Buried Alien]

They can kill the KGBeast if they want - he was a terrible character in the first place.

He's also a relic. His origin and theme are inextricably tied to the Cold War, which falls farther into the past each year.


Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[BeastieRunner]

I wouldn't be too fussed if Penguin bit the dust.

Me too. Kill somebody big. And KGBeast while they're at it. Maybe Hush or somebody else too. I like Hush but seriously, Joker needs to kick his ass and then kill him by shooting him. In the face. On panel. Then burn the body. :D

[Watchman]

Hmm, I wonder...

Tec Comics solicit
"As the body count mounts and more villains die..."

Batman solicit
"can the Penguin survive Harvey Dent's new brand of justice?"

I wouldn't be too fussed if Penguin bit the dust.
Me neither. But Penguin does play some interesting roles in some Bat-stories/arcs, often when he's playing the crime kingpin (NML being one).

As for Zsasz, I highly doubt DC is going to kill him off. There's no point, really. Besides, unless someone puts a hit out on him while he's in Arkham, he's staying in the nuthouse. :)

SPOILERS

Let's see... Ra's is dead (but I'm sure he'll be back), Poison Ivy is dead (don't know what's happening with her), Black Mask was recently killed (from what I've read on this site, in Catwoman, right??), and it looks like the Joker (#%&#$#&$) and Jason Todd (YAY!) are both gone (but I'm sure they'll BOTH be back). I'm thinking Two-Face is going to go soon, and the Penguin.

[Damo]

Killing any of the big names is pointless, because it won't take. Nobody believes Ra's is gone for good. Killing old Batvillains wouldn't be a bad thing... it the new villains were even mildly better. Nicodemus anyone? Hush? I defy anyone to prove that Nicodemus is better than the KGBeast.

The thing of it is, you can kill as many characters as you want. It won't breing me to the book. But if I here that someone took a lame character and made them cool (Julian Day's Lecter-makeover in Long Halloween, Freeze's origin in BTAS, or Catman's raw lion-testosterone transfusion in Villains United, for exampe) and I'm there. You want to clean up the Rogue's Gallary? Make the guys in it cool, not dead.

[Space Suit]

Ra's Al Ghul, Poison Ivy, The Ventriloquist, The Ratcatcher ,Firefly and Black Mask have recently been killed in various titles and they plan on killing even more Bat villains? At this rate Batman will just end up fighting the same five villains over and over. Although a lot of fans probably wouldn't have a problem with Bats fighting The Joker in every other issue, I would prefer a little variety.

[LordEd1976]

Ra's Al Ghul, Poison Ivy, The Ventriloquist, The Ratcatcher ,Firefly and Black Mask have recently been killed in various titles and they plan on killing even more Bat villains? At this rate Batman will just end up fighting the same five villains over and over. Although a lot of fans probably wouldn't have a problem with Bats fighting The Joker in every other issue, I would prefer a little variety.

When the heck did Poison Ivy, Blask Mask, and the Ventriloquist Die?????

[Sean Walsh]

When the heck did Poison Ivy, Blask Mask, and the Ventriloquist Die?????

If you look at the preview pages for Birds of Prey OYL, you'll see that the last name on that list shouldn't be there.

As for the others..............Ivy died several months ago in GOTHAM KNIGHTS, and Black Mask may (or may not) have gotten blown away in CATWOMAN this week.

[prand_2002]

As long as they dont cut out Two face, Poison ivy, Ras al ghul, Riddler i am okay.

Oh wait...

[handOFfate]

I doubt they kill off the Penguin. He fills a unique role in the Bat-universe as Gotham's main information broker and arms dealer. Plus, they've killed off enough A-listers for now. At least until Ra's and Ivy inevitably return. Oh, and for anybody who thinks that Joker and Red Hood are really gone, i've got a bridge to sell you.
The thing is is that Batman has a LOT of villains. Hundreds of them, dating back to the 40s. Many of them haven't been seen in years. I'm not going to whine if a few of them are killed. Morrison will probably throw in a semi-recognizable name in there, like a KGBeast or a Killer Croc. But he'll leave the A-listers alone.
What I really want is for Prometheus to become a badass again.

[PercussionMasta]

A note about making Batman nice: Remember Morrison's quote about increasing the contrast of the DCU, making dark darker and light lighter. Doesn't necessarily mean Batman will be happier. I think that would ruin the character. Part of the point is that his methods are different from Superman and Wonder Woman. He better still be beating the piss out of people OYL.

I agree that I'd prefer villains that are cool instead of dead, but if this is impossible or the villains are simply silly, then get em out of Dodge.

[Guts/Batman]

Getting rid of Black Mask and Hush was a start. Getting rid of Jason Todd would make me even happier.

Black Mask and Hush need a nice cool down in Comic Book Limbo.

[Panman]

It's depressing that DC thinks its characters are more interesting dead than alive.

[Sean Walsh]

http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/OYLpreviews/daylast.htm

Someone read my original post here, redid the opening pages of DETECTIVE #817 ( :p ) and made one of the people I named DIE! :D

Also, a certain Gotham cop is back in action again (and sounds like he was busy in those 52 weeks to get to this point). :)