All-Star Batman and Robin

[UltimateMarvel Dude]

Here is the storyboard for this scene










You can just bet that Frank and Jim just love doing this book. It is directed straight at fan boys.

Where did you get the script from?

[maxpower00044]

I am a fan of the line "The Goddamn Batman".

[Congo Jack]

This is great, love seeing Miller writing both for and to Lee.

[Rafa-Rivas-2099]

Hey, first post guys, though I've been reading the boards a while, and thought I'd post a topic.

So I just got done reading the TPB of ASBAR, and while I understand completely why this interpretation is so polarizing, I found it to really be an awesome piece of work and I really hope that Frank Miller and Jim Lee can finish it up.

One thing which I find confusing is how anybody would interpret it to be satirical when I think clearly it's not .

I just found the characterization of everyone involved to be really sort of fascinating. Yes, Batman is acting like a complete, world-class A-hole throughout, but really reading his internal dialog, you realize it's entirely an act , and he's treating Dick so badly only because he feels he has to. It's Bruce at a young, brash, and despite his obvious intelligence, somewhat foolish stage, and in spite of his confidence in his own ability, in reality, he isn't nearly as sure as he makes himself out to be. I think, actually, the story and characterization really humanizes Batman in a way which hasn't really been done before. He's making mistakes, he's feeling doubt, and hiding it beneath this bravado of self-assuredness and, basically, meanness. He's playing like he's crazy, and in some respects, he is, but not nearly so much as he'd like everyone to believe. He does it as a mechanism to frighten criminals.

Then, as a striking contrast to that, you have Miller's interpretation of the joker, which I found to be completely frightening. The joker really is insane, and really is that mean and that much of a b*stard. It isn't a front, he isn't pretending or trying to compensate for something by acting that way like Batman is. He just is that way. I think Miller's really captured the core of the joker here, and why he's so scary. He's just chilling in his coldness and his apathy.

What I'm trying to say, I guess, is that Batman is pretending to be this cold, heartless son of a bi*ch, but beneath all of that, he really does care. He cares a lot . And then you've got the joker who actually is that cold, heartless son of a bi*ch, and the contrast within the story is apparent I think. And the difference between the two characters is apparent, but also at the same time, it's interesting how their difference is so perfectly opposite of one another, so much so, that it highlights the much talked about dynamic of how both Batman and the joker are two sides of the same coin, how they each represent the extreme sides of the same spectrum.

I think also the dynamic between Bruce and Dick is wonderful. I know this is a point of contention within the fan community, how Bruce treats Dick. But like I said earlier, I think it's to highlight Bruce's own uncertainty at that early stage in his career. This sort of need to be right, to be without doubt, and how he forces that on Dick, and then ends up paying for it. It's about Batman learning, I think, and not being perfect. Bruce doesn't really want to treat Dick like he does. But it isn't about what he wants. It's about what he thinks he needs . And in the process, forgetting what Dick needs.

I think a lot of people mischaracterized what Frank Miller was trying to do here, and took it at face value, when it really runs much deeper then that, I feel.

Just my opinion, of course. But thought I might share it. I really do hope they finish it up, because I'm really interested in seeing where this goes.

And, by the way, Jim Lee's art is simply fantastic too! He really is an awesome artist!

Truth is, I didn't mind it at all. Batman is being an extremist, but it's clear that he knows what he's doing as well as the result that he's going to get. I wanted to see more.

Honestly, Miller would do a much better job on a regular title, than the likes of Finch or Daniel.

[Captain Jim]

True. That doesn't change what was said.

It doesn't change the fact that it was said, but it makes it pretty clear that it doesn't apply anymore.

[The Bat-Man]

Since I've been out of the comics loop for a bit, has any news come out on status of this book?

Jim Lee's left the rebooted Justice League comic, his last issue is #12, releasing on August 29th, so he should be geting back to finally finishing his art duties on the All-Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder series, with the remaining issues titled Dark Knight: Boy Wonder, then it can be released on a monthly schedule.
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/06/...ion-available/

On August 31st last year Jim Lee was asked about Dark Knight: Boy Wonder.

Johnny Destructo: "I know you had spoken recently about ALL-STAR BATMAN & ROBIN...I know it's going to be DARK KNIGHT: BOY WONDER and that they are waiting because they're focusing so much on the (DC Universe) relaunch...but do we have a release date for that yet?"

Jim Lee: "No release date yet because once you say something, then you gotta deliver, and JUSTICE LEAGUE is my first priority, deadline-wise. But I actually have pages of ALL-STAR BATMAN & ROBIN done, but it just doesn't make sense to put those out unless I can deliver the rest of the story on a timely basis."

Johnny Destructo: "Oh, I thought that DARK KNIGHT: BOY WONDER was already done, it's not done yet?"

Jim Lee: "No, no."
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/51725

Jim Lee again confirmed on twitter on October 10th last year about the delays, "truth be told--not Frank Miller's fault. Falls 100% on me."

The splash page shown of Dark Knight: Boy Wonder shows Batman carrying Catwoman to the Batcopter at Robinson Park to fly off (and likely get medical help from Alfred in the Batcave). So it definitely picks up where All-Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder #10 left off.




And when Jim Lee was interviewed at the '09 San Diego Comic-Con he said about the series lateness: "It is completely my fault. Frank Miller has written the issues and it's just me finding the time to sit down and draw the pages and I feel horrible that it's fallen so far behind. But at the same time enough time has passed where people are thinking 'is it continuing?' So when we come back, and we have some issues in the drawer, that we're really releasing the second half of the story. Luckily it kind of ended on a emotional sort of, not high point, but in the first half of the story it gave you a sense of completion at the end because Batman has accepted Robin as his sidekick essentially and the second half of the story will obviously deal with the mystery of why Robin's parents were killed and how the Joker fit into all of this. I am working on drawing it. There's some killer Gotham City spreads. You know we did that whole Batcave pull out where you could see the whole Batcave and all the cool stuff in it? I'm doing a five page Gotham City pull out where your gonna see the whole city from the Batcopters point of view. It's dynamite. There's some killer stuff in it."

Jim Lee said, "The second half will reveal the mystery of who killed Dick Grayson's parents and bring a lot of things he's set up to a final climax."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJDPs3hPaTQ

Jim Lee also said the future of the book will focus on "Gotham City. Frank really uses the city as another character in the storyline, so the same way we really gave the Batcave its due, we're gonna do the same thing to Gotham. That, and showing the growing relationship between Batman and Robin. And more of the over the top Batman action that fans have loved about this book from the start."
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?p...ticle&id=25536

When Frank Miller was asked about when the series will return, “It depends on Jim. He’s got a helluva schedule." The ultimate goal of Miller’s newest Batman series isn’t to rehash the predictable and expected Dark Knight of the past seventy years, but to give a solid character arc that answers the question “Why the hell does he need a kid around, anyways?” “It’s [about] how he is redeemed through Dick Grayson,” Frank points out. "You’ll get to the end and go ‘That’s Batman.’”
http://www.nycgraphicnovelists.com/2...-pastiche.html

Frank Miller said to fans on moebiusgraphics.com, "The story involves a seminal journey for Dick Grayson, and for Batman himself."

Frank Miller also said, "My plan is in the end we find out where that robot tyrannosaurs in the Batcave comes from."
http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2008/...tman-and-robi/

[The Government Inspector]

That sounds then as though they aren't planning to just abandon the project completely, which is vaguely comforting news at the very least.

[vampiric_cannibal]

Speculation is that Lee will do WildCATs. Or maybe he's taking time off. Or both. He'd earn his keep at DC doing art oversight and a few variant covers.

[UltimateMarvel Dude]

Where did you get the script from?

I've just done a little bit of research and it seems like it was included in the "Special Edition" Frank Miller Variant of #1. Is the script also in the trade/HC?

[AiyokuSama]

I absolutely love this series. It's so oddball and fun, while being it's own thing. Anyone who reads it expecting the Batman they know and love will be sorely disappointed. But if the reader is looking for a very different "What If"take on him and his world, this is totally it.

I just hate it's eventual end point
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Robin goes crazy and is the Joker in TDKSA. Bruce beheads him.

[UltimateMarvel Dude]

I absolutely love this series. It's so oddball and fun, while being it's own thing. Anyone who reads it expecting the Batman they know and love will be sorely disappointed. But if the reader is looking for a very different "What If"take on him and his world, this is totally it.

I just hate it's eventual end point
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Robin goes crazy and is the Joker in TDKSA. Bruce beheads him.

Thanks for spoiling it you... well I'm not allowed to write that, but picture the worst thing imaginable²...

[Congo Jack]

It doesn't change the fact that it was said, but it makes it pretty clear that it doesn't apply anymore.

That it didn't actually happen made it clearer. :)

[UltimateMarvel Dude]

[spoil]Spoilertext[/spoil] 

spoilers:

Spoilertext

end of spoilers
Hope that helps.

Just one question: Is DKSA now ruined for me or is there still stuff(tweeests) to look forward to?

[tylenoljones]

Just one question: Is DKSA now ruined for me or is there still stuff(tweeests) to look forward to?

Honestly, you should be thanking Aiyoku. If he spoiled DKSA, then he actually just saved you quite a bit of money and time. That story doesn't need anyone to ruin it for you, it does a fine job of ruining itself.

[Fanofthegoblins]

I haven't read them, but from what I heard from AT4W(Linkara), the Batman in that universe is moronic, creepy, and murderous. Is the series in the list of bad elseworld stories?

Also, is the series in the same universe as Dark knight Returns?