Is it just me or does every Batman Reborn writer portray Grayson & Damian differently

[TradePaperbackTraitor]

Batman by Judd Winnick

Dick Grayson seems more like Nightwing, or his later Robin version. A brash and cocky young guy who is only temporarily in a Batman outfit. His quotes about being an entertainer as Batman make it seem like he fully accepts his role as Batman, only he is determined to make it HIS Batman. Although Winnick does write some of the self-doubt every now and then. He also seems like a happier version of Batman, which just feels odd. Even if it is Dick Grayson, I think I enjoy the confidence problems in Morrison's portrayal because Batman has never struck me as someone who is well adjusted. Damian is just a cocky little cuss who hasn't had much page time yet but while Dini makes Damian the least confrontational of the three ongoing titles, Winnick has a Grayson who will bitch slap Damian into place which is the opposite of Morrison's version.

Streets of Gotham by Paul Dini

Both Grayson and Damian remind me of a traditional Batman and Robin role. Dini has Grayson's Batman pull some of the old school Batman tricks like sweeping someone from the streets only to threaten them on the rooftops. Damian, while he has a few "Damian-esque" comments so far seems to almost be a good guy in Dini's version. A much more willing student to Batman which brings me back to the traditional mold that Dini seems to paint.

Batman & Robin by Grant Morrison

Perhaps my favorite version of the ongoing titles, maybe because Morrison was the one who planned it all along? Grayson has big self-confidence issues taking over the Batman mantle and you can feel the pressure. He knows that Batman isn't him and it seems like it will get more difficult each issue. I just wish he came across a little bit tougher and self-assured. Morrison is in danger of turning Dick Grayson into a wimp. Morrison makes his Damian the most psychotic of the three and the least likely to follow Grayson's orders. A true wildcard who is ashamed that he can't follow a Bruce Wayne Batman.

Blackest Night: Batman by Peter Tomasi

And for a controversial nomination, I might say that I enjoy Tomasi's version of Batman & Robin the most even though its only a 3-issue miniseries. His version is a little bit of a combination of all three. Damian is just as arrogant and brash as he is in Morrison's run, but Tomasi gives him the most human touch I've seen yet when he faces the open graves of the Wayne family. Grayson's Batman still has some of the traditional confidence of Dini's version although you realize it's Dick Grayson's version of Batman just like the Winnick run. In only one issue, Tomasi has thrown enough confrontation with Damian into the mix to make you realize that there is an aggressive dynamic between the two, but Grayson doesn't act as much the puss he does in Morrison's version. Plus there are some great jokes from Deadman commenting on Grayson's attempt to be Batman or Damian's screwed up psyche.

What say you? Which version do you like the best? Which one represents your ideal vision of Dick Grayson as Batman & Damian as Robin?

I think I enjoy Tomasi's Grayson and Morrison's Damian the best, although I enjoy Tomasi's Batman & Robin dynamic the most.

[Choppa]

Of course different writers are going to characterize them differently. You don't think Batman has been exactly the same for all these decades when different people wrote him did you?

Anyway my vote goes for Tomasi then Morrison.

[Mia]

I do notice that under Winnick, Dick does tend to put Damien in his place. While under Morrison, Dick allows Damian to step all over him. Can't comment on the other books.

[TradePaperbackTraitor]

Of course different writers are going to characterize them differently. You don't think Batman has been exactly the same for all these decades when different people wrote him did you?

Anyway my vote goes for Tomasi then Morrison.

Yeah, I know each writer is going to give Batman & Robin his own spin, but they feel different enough that it's almost as if a reader can pick the version he enjoys most and stick with that ongoing title.

[Mia]

I also find that under Winnick, Damian just seems like a hurt/damaged little boy who covers up his pain by being jerky. Whereas with Morrisson, Damian is just a monster without any redemption.

[carabas]

It seems to me that Dini is trying to ignore the whole Dick-is-Batman thing as much as possible, and is just continuin his Detective run eslewhere.

But it is not as if there weren't huge discrepancies in characterisation when Bruce and Tim were Batman and Robin as well.

[David Walton]

I do notice that under Winnick, Dick does tend to put Damien in his place. While under Morrison, Dick allows Damian to step all over him. Can't comment on the other books.

I prefer Winick on that count, honestly--but we're only two issues into Batman and Robin so the jury's out.

But I liked the training session Dick had with Damien in #688.

[shaxper]

Good observations, and I agree that the differences are jarring. Tighter editorial control would make these characters more consistent. To have such a variety from the get-go is obnoxious, let alone the continuity problem of having Gotham up in flames in two titles while it looks just fine in the others.

More than anything else, though, I notice that Dini and Morrison are the most diametrically opposed. Dini is trying to right a brighter, more optimistic story featuring generally lighter-hearted characters while Grant loves gloom.

[NickGuy]

Batman & Robin by Grant Morrison

Perhaps my favorite version of the ongoing titles, maybe because Morrison was the one who planned it all along? Grayson has big self-confidence issues taking over the Batman mantle and you can feel the pressure. He knows that Batman isn't him and it seems like it will get more difficult each issue. I just wish he came across a little bit tougher and self-assured. Morrison is in danger of turning Dick Grayson into a wimp. Morrison makes his Damian the most psychotic of the three and the least likely to follow Grayson's orders. A true wildcard who is ashamed that he can't follow a Bruce Wayne Batman.


oh, please. its been two ****ing issues.

[Psavell2]

To me each title feels like a different phase. Winick's writing Dick starting out as Batman and training Damian to become Robin, Morrison's writing the first adventure of the new Batman and Robin together, and Dini's writing them a little further along when they're more comfortable with their roles and each other. The differences are still a little extreme, but that helps me accept it a little more.

[Phantom Druid]

I've only read Morrison and Tomasi's. I do not care much for Tomasi's B&R, not yet at least. Both the art and writing of the Morrison/Quitely combo portray Damien the best imo.

[Chiroptera]

I definitely noticed. Winick's Grayson being willing to slap Damien into place is the reason I started reading the book again. I never thought I'd actually be enjoying Winick's writing again anytime soon after the horrors of Green Arrow & Black Canary.