The question no one is asking....(potential SPOILERS)

[the Hornet]

or maybe somebody asked and I missed it -

Who will be Robin when Bruce is back in the cowl. I mean Dick will probaply be Nightwing again or take on a new ID but he really can't go back to being Robin without reversing his age or diminishing Wolfman's work in the New Teen Titans.

Tim is the most obvious choice but like Dick he has now grown into his own new identity (I am still assuming he will be Red Robin) and to go back to being Robin is like taking a step back in his character growth. Still he is the better choice between him and Dick.

There is no way DC would allow Damian to be the Robin to Bruce's Batman. It made sense when Dick was Batman and it was cool to see Bruce's first adopted son raise his true son. But with Bruce having the true son would make him seem old and comic publishers would rather stay away from all that when it comes to Superman, Batman and Spider-Man. The only way I could see this happen is if during the current arc, it is discovered that he is not really Bruce's son and that Talia lied. Then it may work.

Or it may be a new Robin all together.

Prefer a girl if we get a new one.

[T Hedge Coke]

Even if Talia lied, I don't see Bruce Wayne just up and abandoning Damian. Bruce isn't that kind of guy. Blood doesn't seem to mean much to a guy raised by a non-relative, who has a history of adopting outside his bloodline. And, you get the feeling (or, at least, I do), that Damian would behave a little better the more he's under his poppa's watchful bat-eye.

[Armless Penguin]

DC will allow Grant Morrison to do whatever-the-heck he wants to do, including making Damian the Robin to Bruce's Batman. I mean, just look at what they've let him do so far, and since this is all just a middle "act" in a Batman story he already has planned, I think it very likely that that's how it will end up.

[nepenthes]

Even if Talia lied, I don't see Bruce Wayne just up and abandoning Damian. Bruce isn't that kind of guy. Blood doesn't seem to mean much to a guy raised by a non-relative, who has a history of adopting outside his bloodline. And, you get the feeling (or, at least, I do), that Damian would behave a little better the more he's under his poppa's watchful bat-eye.

I have to agree. Even if I didn't like the character of Damian it would still seem it make the most sense to keep him as Robin. It looks like Tim is about to prove that he's outgrown junior sidekick status. if he hadn't proved it already.

[Batman Fan 31593]

or maybe somebody asked and I missed it -

There is no way DC would allow Damian to be the Robin to Bruce's Batman... with Bruce having the true son would make him seem old and comic publishers would rather stay away from all that when it comes to Superman, Batman and Spider-Man.

I'm afraid we might be stuck with Damian.

I think DC can get away with having Damian as Robin and having Bruce not seem too old. Physical age and chronological age are different things entirely. Bruce might be chronigically nearing or already may be in his 40s (depending on who you ask), but DC can always physically de-age him if they want to. Hell, they're already done it twice that I can think of. Bruce took a dip in a lazarus pit in Denny O'Neil's Birth of the Demon hardcover from the early 90s. Then a few years later, after suffering a broken back he is magically healed by Shondra Kinsolving. Both of these undoubtedly rejuvinated Bruce. I'm sure that as a result of Bruce being "lost in time" after Final Crisis, DC can probably find a way to de-age Bruce because of it when he returns if they want to.

Not saying I agree with the above, but it's most likely what DC will do. I would personally prefer it Bruce were depicted as being slightly older. They don't have to come out and say he's a certain age but they could make sublte hints that he's not as young as he used to be. They could also make pigs fly and hell freeze over while they're at it, too. :wink:

[nepenthes]

Putingt the specific character and personality of Damian to one side...I actually really like the idea of a genuine father & son team and in regards to Batman. I'd say that was a good idea no matter what. Add the bratish and arrogant nature of Batmans son and it's even better. The offspring of Wayne and one his worst and ancient enemies, a killer, obsenely rich and spoiled without a tragedy to bring him back to earth and drive him in despair, only the desire to live up to his dads principles. Damian is a great character. if only other writers will use him after Morrison leaves.

[shinjiro15]

I agree that they will find a way to de-age Bruce. he may come back a few years younger yet his memories will be intanct. There is a lot of speculation about Dick getting killed at the end of B&R to make way for bruce. It may be that Bruce will decide to "retire" to let Dick remain as Batman. that will cause alot of problems since Bruce is a control freak and he'll want to take up the mantel again. that may be the time that Dick is killed or even Damien.

i wouldnt be surprised to see Damien get killed, especially if they keep Dick and Tim.
If Bruce decides to become batman again, Tim will be Robin. Dick will either be dead, or take a new ID, or even try to live a normal life for once (again).

Damien, will be gotten rid off when morrison leaves the comic for good.

[CMBMOOL]

I would like to see DC kill off Damien, especially when they show that he isn't Bruce's child and that he was the spawn of Jason Todd instead. :evilsmile:

[Spiffy]

I agree that they will find a way to de-age Bruce. he may come back a few years younger yet his memories will be intanct. There is a lot of speculation about Dick getting killed at the end of B&R to make way for bruce.
Ah. That explains the DiDio "Who said I wanted to kill Dick Grayson" column this month, eh? He's deflecting!

[bannermanonemillion]

I can't wait to see what Conner Kent thinks of his best friends replacement.

Conner: Who's this little punk?
Damian: "Punk?" (to Dick) Can I just break his neck?
Dick: Two things: One, he's a nice guy once you get past the attitude and Two, you just can't beat up Kryptonians you don't like.
Damian: Father used to.

[Quinnhop]

Damian will be killed off the second that Morrison leaves.

It's too bad, but I have no doubt about it.

Tim Drake won't go back to being Robin, though. I'm betting we'll get someone completely new. Or, even more likely, we'll have a few years of Robin-less Batman.

[Captain Jim]

I have every expectation that Damian will continue as Robin for the foreseeable future--even after Morrison leaves.

[DonC]

Damian will be killed off the second that Morrison leaves.


One can only hope.

[Quinnhop]

I have every expectation that Damian will continue as Robin for the foreseeable future--even after Morrison leaves.

I wish I had your optimism.

One can only hope.

No, no. I like Damian. I just think most writers won't be able to handle him and, even if they can, I don't know that they'll want to.

Morrison sets the bar pretty high. It's the same reason that even when they brought back Xorn over at Marvel, they quickly got rid of him.

[CMBMOOL]

I truly do not like Damien because to me he's a little prick and can only hope that he is killed off after Bruce gets back, either that or be Dick's version of Jason when all is said and done. :evilsmile:

[Bat_Fan2232]

ive been out of comics for awhile and just picking up all the back issues as i go. But who is Tim drake as of right now?

[shinjiro15]

I actually dont mind Damien as much as i did in Son of Batman or Ressurection, but I think there are too many "wards" connected to Bruce. in fact there are too many chracters that are in his "family". he'is a prettty detached person, and it seems wierd he's invested this much trust in so many people. I liked the idea of Dick and Tim in his life, but now Jason and Damien are all in there? The dynamics are what they have evolved to, but it still is saturated wiht "wards" and signs point to somone dying.


DiDio already said Dick was redundant......

[the Hornet]

I truly do not like Damien because to me he's a little prick and can only hope that he is killed off after Bruce gets back, either that or be Dick's version of Jason when all is said and done. :evilsmile:


Just like how some would like to see Wally lead a Speed Force based book with various speedsters and Kyle co-leading GLC, I would like to see Dick lead a team of Batman's primary partners team up on abook featuring Dick (Nightwing), Tim (Red Robin) and Damian (Robin, get it?; not the car!). Let Batman be solo to match the movies for a while. They should rename "Batman and Robin" to "The Robins". I always prefered Dick and Tim partnerships to Bruce and Tim and I would like to see Dick continue raising Damian. That would make Dick's return to Nightwing seem like less of a step back (despite him becoming Nightwing to get away from the whole Batman shadow and all :rolleyes: ).

Dick should become the interim mentor for all of Bruce's potential sidekicks or partners.

[rashen546]

Batman is better when he's on his own without a teenage sidekick.

[TheAmazingSpidey]

Damian will be killed off the second that Morrison leaves.


Hopefully. I don't like Damien, never did. I want him gone.

[Earl of the RCs]

I truly do not like Damien because to me he's a little prick and can only hope that he is killed off after Bruce gets back, either that or be Dick's version of Jason when all is said and done. :evilsmile:

Seriously? You read superHERO comics but want to see said comics depict the death of a young child because you don't like him personally? Isn't there other less mainstream (potentially illegally) `entertainment' forms you should be off and watching right now?

[Earl of the RCs]

Also, I think it makes total sense that Bruce, a man orphaned by crime, would constantly adopt other young people similarly effected. And I think Gotham's continuing growth of heroes only makes sense when compared to the similar continued growth (attraction) of villains.

[Von Zombie]

If/when Bruce comes back why would they have to de-age him?

[carabas]

I don't get these calls for Damian's death.

Sure, I get that some people may not lik the character, but that's hardly a good reason. I loathe the red Hulk, but you don't see me going to the Hulk boards crying for his gruesome demise.

[Sean Whitmore]

Damian will be killed off the second that Morrison leaves.

It's too bad, but I have no doubt about it.

Honestly, it's a lot more likely that he'll be watered down for a while and then sloooowly shuffled off into limbo.

Unless Morrison himself kills him, which is not outside the realm of possibility.


SEAN

[AJM]

There is no way DC would allow Damian to be the Robin to Bruce's Batman. It made sense when Dick was Batman and it was cool to see Bruce's first adopted son raise his true son. But with Bruce having the true son would make him seem old and comic publishers would rather stay away from all that when it comes to Superman, Batman and Spider-Man. The only way I could see this happen is if during the current arc, it is discovered that he is not really Bruce's son and that Talia lied. Then it may work.

No, i think Damian's here to stay and i tend to think that Dick's death - the one hinted at in #666 - is exactly where this is heading, leaving a true father and son team as Batman and Robin. I don't think there's any doubt about Damian now - everyone is convinced, including Alfred and Dick, plus he's been referred to as Bruce's true / biological son in interviews with Morrison and others. I expect Damian will be Robin for a very long time, especially now as other writers begin to have fun with him too.

[nepenthes]

I can't wait to see what Conner Kent thinks of his best friends replacement.

Conner: Who's this little punk?
Damian: "Punk?" (to Dick) Can I just break his neck?
Dick: Two things: One, he's a nice guy once you get past the attitude and Two, you just can't beat up Kryptonians you don't like.
Damian: Father used to.

ha. very good :cool:


Also, I think it makes total sense that Bruce, a man orphaned by crime, would constantly adopt other young people similarly effected. And I think Gotham's continuing growth of heroes only makes sense when compared to the similar continued growth (attraction) of villains.

I've always kinda thought of Batman as a Pied Piper or Fagan type character - he naturally draws people around him, especially youth. He's compassionate and a leader and an inspiration. of course he should have a large network of allies and family. I also generally think that most people (in real life) are a collection of walking contradictions. There are definitely important aspects of Batman leaning towards a tragically lonely, solitary nature....but it wouldn't be very interesting if there was no inherent contradiction in that. let alone a supporting cast ha. Basically, the line that's often trotted out about batman being a loner creature of the night...is shallow and simplistic imo and only one very small part of the whole

If/when Bruce comes back why would they have to de-age him?

They don't, this is just speculation that's popped up recently. the idea is that Batman having a genuine son by his side would suddenly turn him into an Old Man, and DC wouldn't want they're main brand too look all fuddy and uncool. apparently Dads and married men limit the appeal of stories you can tell with that character eg Spidermans One More Day which cosmically anulled the history of his marriage from existence

[AJM]

the idea is that Batman having a genuine son by his side would suddenly turn him into an Old Man, and DC wouldn't want they're main brand too look all fuddy and uncool. apparently Dads and married men limit the appeal of stories you can tell with that character eg Spidermans One More Day which cosmically anulled the history of his marriage from existence

So how come DC have been more than happy to have Batman in the role of father for the past three years while sales have soared? The Batman monthly was a huge hit under Morrison's direction, and he introduced Bruce's son, Damian, in the first issue of his run!

[nepenthes]

So how come DC have been more than happy to have Batman in the role of father for the past three years while sales have soared? The Batman monthly was a huge hit under Morrison's direction, and he introduced Bruce's son, Damian, in the first issue of his run!

hey I'm not saying I agree with the idea, I think overall it's pretty silly, that's why i compared the proposed "fix" to OMD.

to play the game however I don't think Morrisons sales can be tied to Damian much, most people say they hate character. it's been a fresh and interesting run all round basically

[AJM]

hey I'm not saying I agree with the idea, I think overall it's pretty silly, that's why i compared the proposed "fix" to OMD.

I think Batman is the exception to the rule though - he's had a young sidekick for sixty-nine years now, so i don't think it makes a difference whether his son is adopted or biological. Readers are used to seeing him with a young boy... so to speak.

most people say they hate character.

See, i don't think that's true. There's a lot of moaning on this and other forums, but the vast majority of readers don't belong to these message boards and have been happy to support sales and continue to buy comics with Damian in - Batman And Robin is almost universally loved and i'm sure the sales were humongous too.

it's been a fresh and interesting run all round basically

It has indeed!

[NeoStar9X]

There is no way DC would allow Damian to be the Robin to Bruce's Batman. It made sense when Dick was Batman and it was cool to see Bruce's first adopted son raise his true son. But with Bruce having the true son would make him seem old and comic publishers would rather stay away from all that when it comes to Superman, Batman and Spider-Man. The only way I could see this happen is if during the current arc, it is discovered that he is not really Bruce's son and that Talia lied. Then it may work.

Or it may be a new Robin all together.

Prefer a girl if we get a new one.

I never got the feeling that DC was that bothered by aging their characters. There are always ways of making them younger if they wanted and it would fit with the way the DCU works. Batman actually gets better with age I think and if you don't let him age, even if it's at a snails pace, so many other characters are impacted negatively. Superman is arguably more badass and more powerful the older he gets based on the older versions that have shown up. I think it's been shown that both characters aging and being older is acceptable to various degrees and now that the multi-verse is back they could always start focusing on a different Earth is they wanted to make a clean break if characters naturally aged to far even with how slow time passes.

[xnef1025]

Old Man Bruce is awesome. See Batman Beyond for proof.

[Jorriss]

Seriously? You read superHERO comics but want to see said comics depict the death of a young child because you don't like him personally?
Emphasis should be on comics, where lives are completely irrelevant. If you don't like a character, kill them off, it happens all the time.

[T Hedge Coke]

Emphasis should be on comics, where lives are completely irrelevant. If you don't like a character, kill them off, it happens all the time.

And those comics, unlike ones where a death (or anything) is necessitated by story, character, theme or a confluence of all three... those stories that kill characters because someone did not like them suck. Or they're three page/minute gag skits.

[Dard]

I don't want Damian dead.
I want him humiliated, spanked and finally thrown off the bat books.

[Lester C.]

If/when Bruce comes back why would they have to de-age him?

To explain people like Dick Grayson, who is in his very late twenties, Tim Drake who is now 18, and Damion who is ten or something like that. Those ages only work if Batman is in his very late 30s or early fourties and many people veiw those ages as too old.

[Batman Fan 31593]

If/when Bruce comes back why would they have to de-age him?


Because they can.

[Jorriss]

Old Man Bruce is awesome. See Batman Beyond for proof.
Word. I seriously wish a high profile writer like loeb or morrison would write a Batman Beyond graphic novel. I pretend thats the future of the mainstream DCU myself =x

[nepenthes]

hmm a Batman Beyond book....Jeff Parker or Brian Wood come to mind, for some reason, though they're both very different writers. Parker currently writes Agent of Atlas and Wood does the viking book Northlanders and the old DMZ series. Both would be awesome on Batman Beyond. get it done, DC

[Mat001]

Damian will be killed off the second that Morrison leaves.

Or maybe Damian is the Batman corpse that Superman found.

[heffison]

I have every expectation that Damian will continue as Robin for the foreseeable future--even after Morrison leaves.

I've been wondering if he's going to stick around but become an out-right villian. I think that would work best for the character long-term, especially since his relation to Bruce could factor into how the heroes feel they can treat him, no matter what he does to them. I think Morrison did describe Damien as Bruce's "evil son."

[Captain Jim]

I've been wondering if he's going to stick around but become an out-right villian. I think that would work best for the character long-term, especially since his relation to Bruce could factor into how the heroes feel they can treat him, no matter what he does to them. I think Morrison did describe Damien as Bruce's "evil son."

I hope not. We don't need a Jason Todd retread.

[Nate Grey]

Hmmm...what about working in Terry McGuinnes into continuity and making him the new Robin?

[AJM]

I've been wondering if he's going to stick around but become an out-right villian. I think that would work best for the character long-term, especially since his relation to Bruce could factor into how the heroes feel they can treat him, no matter what he does to them. I think Morrison did describe Damien as Bruce's "evil son."

I can't see that happening - we've already seen a vision of the future with damian as Batman, so i expect the plan is to have him grow into the hero role over the next twelve months. We may even come to love him - i certainly did in 666.

[heffison]

I can't see that happening - we've already seen a vision of the future with damian as Batman, so i expect the plan is to have him grow into the hero role over the next twelve months. We may even come to love him - i certainly did in 666.


Not if he gets Dick Grayson killed.

Also, I think Morrison has a certain endpoint for this in mind, and as soon as he's finished and someone else takes over, we won't see Damien very much.

Wasn't 666 actually several years in the future, not just the space of time likely to pass in the DCU in twelve issues? I was thinking that would be a longer period of DC time than they are likely to have Bruce not wearing the cowl.

[heffison]

I hope not. We don't need a Jason Todd retread.

They don't have to be that similar, although Jason in Battle for the Cowl seemed to go running right over the edge into villian territory. I would have positioned them to have Jason always wanting to replace Batman and do it better, and Damien just wanting to kill Bruce's other sons so that no one will stand in his way to the Wayne fortune and name.

I never saw Damien as wanting to do much good, just to take everything that he felt belonged to him. Well, that his mother told him belonged to him, which would be the only crack through which a little sympathy for the messed-up guy could slip in.

Who knows, BftC did plant some clues that Jason was formed by some undisclosed trauma in his past, so maybe a new direction for him is already clearly planned out. After his suddenly not being dead anymore, I guess other sudden changes for the character shouldn't come as a surprise.

[Captain Jim]

Wasn't 666 actually several years in the future, not just the space of time likely to pass in the DCU in twelve issues? I was thinking that would be a longer period of DC time than they are likely to have Bruce not wearing the cowl.

Yes, several years into the future.

[Earl of the RCs]

Who knows, BftC did plant some clues that Jason was formed by some undisclosed trauma in his past, so maybe a new direction for him is already clearly planned out. After his suddenly not being dead anymore, I guess other sudden changes for the character shouldn't come as a surprise.

Which was weird and completely superfluous as we already knew he's dad was a violent thug (including to Jason) killed in the service of two-face, that he was then raised by a drug addicted step mum (whom he loved and believed was his real biological mum enough to steal hubcaps and cars to pay for her addiction... until she died) and that when he discovered his biological mum was alive he tracked her down, only to have her sell him out and abandon him to a violent beating from the Joker. (Not to mention coming back to life brain damaged and having to dig his own way out of his coffin) I mean, what more freaking trauma did they need to add to the guy before people start showing him a little sympathy?

If Damian has any thing in common with Jason its that they are both disliked by heartless bat-fans who don't seem to acknowledge their far more traumatic/dysfunctional upbringings as being more than enough reason for not being as well mannered as Dick and Tim.

[Bat_Fan2232]

Which was weird and completely superfluous as we already knew he's dad was a violent thug (including to Jason) killed in the service of two-face, that he was then raised by a drug addicted step mum (whom he loved and believed was his real biological mum enough to steal hubcaps and cars to pay for her addiction... until she died) and that when he discovered his biological mum was alive he tracked her down, only to have her sell him out and abandon him to a violent beating from the Joker. (Not to mention coming back to life brain damaged and having to dig his own way out of his coffin) I mean, what more freaking trauma did they need to add to the guy before people start showing him a little sympathy?

If Damian has any thing in common with Jason its that they are both disliked by heartless bat-fans who don't seem to acknowledge their far more traumatic/dysfunctional upbringings as being more than enough reason for not being as well mannered as Dick and Tim.


Hoorah for the heartless bat fans

[heffison]

Yes, several years into the future.

Well, good. I don't know if Batman #666 gave any kind of time frame for Dick Grayson being dead, but if it takes place closer to that future, we might not have to see it played out here.

But there is that "5th act" Morrison has in mind for Batman....

[bw38]

if Bruce returns to being Batman and,
1) Tim is not Robin
2) Dick is not Robin
3) Jason Todd is not Robin (anything can happen)

or simply put if Damian is Robin....

then I see one of those first three dying. Why?

DC has had enough problems finding out what to do with Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. Does anyone really think they're going to have 3 former Robins around in DCU? Unfortunately, I don't think it'll be Jason Todd because he's died once before. Everyone has hinted at Dick dying which would be a shame. Tim seems to a decent supporting cast on his own (so I've heard, I don't follow the Robin series) so it might be easier to get him started on a brand new title (so long as DC has learned from their mistakes with Nightwing).

Of course Morrison could just as well kill off Damian which wouldn't be too far out of the realm of possibility. Introduce a character that has a connection to Bruce, who has spent some time with him, only to kill him off causing Bruce to lose yet 'another' person in his life. Then Tim and Dick can continue to do their own thing on the side and Batman can return and stay Robin-less for a while.

Those are the only two scenarios I see coming out of this.

[nepenthes]

Which was weird and completely superfluous as we already knew he's dad was a violent thug (including to Jason) killed in the service of two-face, that he was then raised by a drug addicted step mum (whom he loved and believed was his real biological mum enough to steal hubcaps and cars to pay for her addiction... until she died) and that when he discovered his biological mum was alive he tracked her down, only to have her sell him out and abandon him to a violent beating from the Joker. (Not to mention coming back to life brain damaged and having to dig his own way out of his coffin) I mean, what more freaking trauma did they need to add to the guy before people start showing him a little sympathy?

If Damian has any thing in common with Jason its that they are both disliked by heartless bat-fans who don't seem to acknowledge their far more traumatic/dysfunctional upbringings as being more than enough reason for not being as well mannered as Dick and Tim.

very good point in the first paragraph

[AJM]

Not if he gets Dick Grayson killed.

Also, I think Morrison has a certain endpoint for this in mind, and as soon as he's finished and someone else takes over, we won't see Damien very much.

Wasn't 666 actually several years in the future, not just the space of time likely to pass in the DCU in twelve issues? I was thinking that would be a longer period of DC time than they are likely to have Bruce not wearing the cowl.

666 is many years in the future, yes, but it refers to the death of Batman occurring when Damian is much younger. He trades his soul with the Devil on the night that Batman dies, which seems to be when he's fourteen. I don't think that it's currently been established exactly what age Damian is, but i don't think it matters - time won't be a problem if that's how it's supposed to end, they'll get round that.

When asked recently how 666 ties into the whole story, Morrison only said: "Considerably." I also felt there was something a little suspicious about the recent DC Nation page with DiDio saying "Who said i wanted Dick Grayson dead?", but maybe that's my imagination.

And if Dick does die, it won't be Damian's fault - he looks pretty cut up about it as he leans over the body in 666, so i think Dick and Damian are going to become very close over the next year.

[RonnieThunderbolts]

Grant Morrison said Damian was 10 years old in an interview at Newsarama last week.

[Armless Penguin]

Now, I didn't read this entire thread because, well, it's four pages, but my question is this: what has changed since Infinite Crisis that Paul Levitz would let Morrison kill Dick now when he wouldn't let them do it during the "universe-shaking" crossover event?

Which isn't to say it's not a possibility or that DC has never done a 180 on previously made decisions, but what does seem a little presumptuous is assuming that Morrison, who tends to play his cards closer to his chest than maybe it seems at first glance, would spoil something as large as Dick Grayson dying in #666. That issue can still tie-in to his long-term plans "considerably" without it being anything more than a possible future, with similarities such as Bruce "dying" and Dick becoming Batman and the introduction of some of the villains. I think that's more likely the route Morrison will take than the strict "this is the specific future I'm working towards" one, which seems a bit self-limiting.

Of course, in a year I may very well have to eat my words, =(.

[Earl of the RCs]

I'd also just quickly like to apologize for coming across like such an utter bleeding heart liberal nutter in my last comment ;)

[PympMyQuinjet]

What if Dick became some sort of adult Robin and went back to fighting with Bruce?


Very unlikely, but badass nonetheless.

[Anthony Z]

I don't know. Morrison likes playing around with time and telling stories about people creating their own future. Just because we maybe saw Dick dead in #666 in no way means it is going to actually play out that way.

[Morality Games]

No, no. I like Damian. I just think most writers won't be able to handle him and, even if they can, I don't know that they'll want to.

Not be able to handle him? I don't think so. Damien's a pretty one-dimensional character: scowl, yell, talk about how you are entitled to special rights as Batman's biological son, flirt around killing or actually kill people, and there you go: Damien. More like, new writers won't have the patience to string him along.

I really don't like the character. He just doesn't fit the psychological profile of a Batman sidekick (same reason they offed Jason Todd). Even so, normally I would be moderate and say they need to keep him alive to preserve the integrity of the mythos, but, for one thing, there is no integrity left to protect, and another, even if there was, Damien contributes so little to the Batman series' awesomeness that in a weird way killing him off in a contrived way can only increase the integrity. That almost never happens.

However, he will probably stick around.

[Will44]

I'm thinking someone is going to have to die. there are just too many candidates. Maybe Tim will retire, or Damian will be put out of commission somehow. Or Dick could get hurt or killed. Either way, there are just too many characters and not enough masks if Bruce returns.

:frown:

[RonnieThunderbolts]

I'm thinking someone is going to have to die. there are just too many candidates. Maybe Tim will retire, or Damian will be put out of commission somehow. Or Dick could get hurt or killed. Either way, there are just too many characters and not enough masks if Bruce returns.

:frown:

I disagree. I don't see why there couldn't be Bruce as Batman, Dick as Nightwing, Tim as Red Robin and Damian as Robin all at the same time. Or if Bruce doesn't take up the cowl for a while, the same scenario with Dick as Batman and Bruce as a mentor/leader. I think there are many possibilities without having to start killing off characters.

[heffison]

I disagree. I don't see why there couldn't be Bruce as Batman, Dick as Nightwing, Tim as Red Robin and Damian as Robin all at the same time. Or if Bruce doesn't take up the cowl for a while, the same scenario with Dick as Batman and Bruce as a mentor/leader. I think there are many possibilities without having to start killing off characters.


I agree that they can all stay active. There are the Titans and Teen Titans books for them to help out with, in addition to the Batbooks. Dick Grayson could move into the JLA as Batman and stay there as Nightwing, or under some other name.

Still, I wouldn't mind seeing Tim retire, at least for a while, even if that meant we wouldn't see him much. He used to try harder to maintain his normality, and I miss that about him.