Avarax
05-13-2011, 09:44 AM
Before I say anything, let me be clear that I have loved the stories with Dick as Batman, but something has always bothered me a little bit about it...
When Battle for the Cowl was going on, we all pretty much knew that Dick would be Batman in the end-Who else would do it, right? Besides Alfred, Dick is Bruce's oldest ally and was trained by the man himself, so it only makes sense that he would step up.
What bothers me though, is that Dick spent so many years as Nightwing, stepping out of the shadow of Batman, being his own self and I feel like becoming Batman is almost a step backwards for him. I feel like making him become Batman almost makes the identity of Nightwing a stepping stone, as opposed to his identity for all that time.
I'm reminded of an older comic I have from the 80s when Batman is captured by some criminals and Alfred calls Dick to come save him because Jason is out of town. At the end, when Dick saves him, he confronts Bruce on a rooftop talking about being his own man, and how he stepped out of his shadow and even though he took his own name and costume, they still reflected Batman. I think part of what makes Dick interesting is that he did that, became his own man while still respecting his past with Batman. I'm not sure if that story is pre-crisis or post-crisis or if it is in continuity or not, but I still like that attitude for Dick, and BECOMING Batman seems to throw those feelings aside.
I've kind of ignored these thoughts because Dick as Batman has grown on me a lot, but still kind of feel this way.
Any thoughts?
PS: sorry for the long post, but going back to that old issue, my favorite part of the whole thing is all Bruce has been saying was stuff like good job, I knew you would do it, I trained you well etc..... and after Dick flips is crap, he smiles when Dick turns away. It's a cool little insight into Bruce's mind. A little flash of being proud of Dick for becoming his own man- at least, that's how I took it.
Feel free to discuss this too!
When Battle for the Cowl was going on, we all pretty much knew that Dick would be Batman in the end-Who else would do it, right? Besides Alfred, Dick is Bruce's oldest ally and was trained by the man himself, so it only makes sense that he would step up.
What bothers me though, is that Dick spent so many years as Nightwing, stepping out of the shadow of Batman, being his own self and I feel like becoming Batman is almost a step backwards for him. I feel like making him become Batman almost makes the identity of Nightwing a stepping stone, as opposed to his identity for all that time.
I'm reminded of an older comic I have from the 80s when Batman is captured by some criminals and Alfred calls Dick to come save him because Jason is out of town. At the end, when Dick saves him, he confronts Bruce on a rooftop talking about being his own man, and how he stepped out of his shadow and even though he took his own name and costume, they still reflected Batman. I think part of what makes Dick interesting is that he did that, became his own man while still respecting his past with Batman. I'm not sure if that story is pre-crisis or post-crisis or if it is in continuity or not, but I still like that attitude for Dick, and BECOMING Batman seems to throw those feelings aside.
I've kind of ignored these thoughts because Dick as Batman has grown on me a lot, but still kind of feel this way.
Any thoughts?
PS: sorry for the long post, but going back to that old issue, my favorite part of the whole thing is all Bruce has been saying was stuff like good job, I knew you would do it, I trained you well etc..... and after Dick flips is crap, he smiles when Dick turns away. It's a cool little insight into Bruce's mind. A little flash of being proud of Dick for becoming his own man- at least, that's how I took it.
Feel free to discuss this too!