What do you all think of this?
I liked it.>Batman, basically certain he's about to die, asking Alfred if his parents would be proud of him
>>83815713
It was an ok issue 1. King pretty much made a compressed explanation of Batman most iconic themes so he can now explore differnt ones.
I liked it, a lot more than I thought I would. Also, Gordon is priceless in this issue.
>Oh, right, you're already on your way.
>Where are you? Oh, on the plane. Of course you are. Right.
It managed to strike that perfect balance of Bats being ridiculously on top of things, with being heroic and junk. Also, he just has pocket sized rocket boosters on him. Because of course he does, he's fucking Batman.
Never saw it, I guess I missed the dump.
Enjoyed it, he just needs time to find Bruce's voice
>>83815713
I thought it was weird at first but I'm okay with it now. It was nice to see Batman do something unusual.
>>83815776
You forgot him saying Batman should just give him his phone number, and Alfred saying he was waiting for Bruce's stability, "as always."
>>83815713
I liked it
The inker and colorist made Finch's work better
Batman 001 (2016) (digital) (Oroboros-DCP)
http://www57.zippyshare.com/v/XF0COXgk/file.html
>>83815713
The part you liked the most is the part I liked the least.
It was forced as fuck. I Liked the issue overall but it felt like King was trying to force as much Batman mythos into that issue as he could
I didn't like it. There was a bad tonal clash between Batman steering a plane while riding it and the awful dialogue between him and Alfred about his parents being proud of him.
The plane sequence basically screams " fuck yeah superheroes" and King's attempt to play it straight and somber fails for me
>>83816158
So you're saying if Batman literally thought he was going to die, he wouldn't ask Alfred for any kind of comfort? It's probably the one situation where he might.
>>83815713
That's subjectively the worst part of the book.
It was a good but not great comic.
>>83816188
I just think it was something Batman would think to himself. Not ask out loud
>>83815713
Anyone wanna storytime it please?
>>83816227
Alfred is someone he trusts more than anybody, though. I mean, I didn't tear up or anything, but I thought it made sense.
>>83816188
batman shouldn't show emotions like that
>>83816250
>batman shouldn't show emotions like that
Oh, fuck off. It may not have fit perfectly in this story, but Batman getting emotional has been done VERY well before. Like when he was believed to be dead and Aflred read the letter where Bruce basically said Alfred was his father.
>>83815713
>greentext within a spoiler
But why?
Reminded me of modern Bond films where you have 10 minutes of action before the opening credits. The introduction of the Gothams wasn't that dramatic but it will get me following this
>>83816188
At the least, it's an out of place moment for a first issue. Maybe if it came during an actual climax of a story, it'd be a bit more poignant. Just felt kind of flat in my opinion.
You want real emotion, read Vision.
>>83816280
he should laugh in the face of death or have some inner monologue not show doubt and weakness like a normal human
To pull that beat in #1 instead of some conclusion of an arc is so lame though.
And Alfred came off as such a non-character talking butler mannequin
>>83816382
He is a normal human. Well, I guess abnormal. But he's not completely impenetrable.
>>83816329
It's likely going to be mirrored later on. One of the Gotham heroes, maybe both, will find themselves in situation with no escape, they'll ask Bruce the same question and then die heroicly
>>83816382
>He wants All Star Batman to be the E1 Batman
>>83815713
Honestly, with another artist who was better at selling emotional stuff, I think a lot more people would have liked the parents thing. Finch was at the top of his game here, but he's never been one who does good character stuff, he's a big, dark and moody action guy.
To me the issue was fine, with a good set up for future issues.
is batman kill again? what happened to him now?
I thought it was a pretty solid issue but I would have written it slightly differently.
>Robin brings up the possibility of blowing up the plane with a missile from the batmobile to spare people on the ground.
>He starts feeding batman directions and coordinates.
>We see something fire from the batmobile and assume its a missile.
Its motherfucking batman in his ejection seat.call me DC
Gotham-Girl is totally an evil mastermind and manipulating Gotham-Guy
>>83816625
How could you possibly know that at this point? He had one line, she had none, and they just showed up at the end.
Batman is a character casuals like.
>>83817176
So? He's not a character that ONLY casuals like.
You know I hope this ends up being Batman vs. Superman, but instead of it being predictable (because who the fuck doesn't know Bat'sll just break out some Kryptonite) we actually get a decent story about how Batman takes down a proper super-powered person. I want Iredeemable levels of "We need to investigate EVERYTHING about them, and find out ALL of their secrets, and then maybe, MAYBE stand a chance of winning if we find a weakness." And then have Bats come up with a convoluted strategy that plays out over multiple issues, with a grand plan for victory coming to fruition at the end.
Assuming that Batman will fight them, which he probably will. I mean, come on.
>>83816625
I'm I the only one who thought that Gotham girl's skirt was a bit to short
>>83816186
you got shit taste
Might as well. Also adding my autismal commentary, 'cause why not.
>>83817276
I thought the deal with them was that they were idealistic, but naive. Just more of King's CIA life, Gotham is their Iraq
The villain of the arc will either be more Kobra or the mysterious man
On a second reading, I kind of love this page. It's so mundane, yet in the grand scheme of things, it's almost intentional.
Plane rescues are almost a staple in modern comics, and as you'll see later, the only reason why these passengers might be angered is because Gotham usually has no metahuman heroes to help them. But in general, a plane crash (from a rocket launcher, no less) is just another Tuesday in the DCU, to paraphrase JL51.
I loved it, great issue. Batman literally stopped a big guy from crashing a plane with no survivors. And it was written by CIA. You cant make shit shit up.
Also the 52 stuff everywhere has me thinking King is in on the hypercrisis...
Plus he took the "Gotham is alive" idea to its logical extreme
One underrated feature of this issue is how good it reads in physical form. This page is open at the same time as the next one, and it's clear that King isn't trying to make the plane crash a surprise.
Just as notable is the white gutters.
Here, you get the second part of the two pages. Note the black gutters.
>>83817789
>the fasten seat belt sign is the bat symbol
The previous two pages lead to the page turn, giving us this beauty.
This page comes from another page turn, and it pairs with the next page -- a sort of detailed look at what this batmobile is capable of.
These two pages also showcase the "pseudo-spread" aspect in fuller effect: panels with similar visuals occur on the same row/tier of both pages. So, Batmobile things occur on the top, while Bruce/computer shots occur on the bottom.
The second part of the two pages.
(note the small continuity error: here, Batman is back to wearing his seatbelt, whereas he wasn't in the previous page)
Dialogue was absolutely dreadful and very, very on the nose for King. I actually enjoyed Finch's art. I'm interested run seeing where the story goes.
Another great pageturner.
Another "pseudo-spread" with the next page. This is where it's most visible: Gordon in the second row, plane in the third, car driving in the fourth.
Second of the two.
Note:
>Tom's Surveillance (as in Tom King, right?)
>GregScott Liquor (Greg Capullo, Scott Snyder)
Here, it's really the *lack* of panic that makes this page so interesting. And it comes from so many things. The potential mundanity of a plane crash, to the subtle feeling that someone might actually save them, to the replacing of fear and distress with plain old anger and annoyance.
I'm remembering all the fervor that "Landscape with the fall of Icarus" brought before Batman v Superman was released, and I think this page captured that feeling much better than the movie did.
Penultimate pseudo-spread. One of the more interesting ones: top halves are Batman maneuvering and bottom halves are close-ups of the rocket launchers.
The dialogue here (and on the previous page) is weirdly heartfelt in the context of what comes next. It's basically just questions from Bruce about facts, some answers from Alfred, and "yes sir"/"no sir"; not many more emotions than that; just facts. Who knows who is benefiting more from this: perhaps the interactions keep Bruce calm, or perhaps they keep Alfred from feeling he's failed Bruce by letting him get into something that's just too much for him to handle, physically, mentally, or emotionally.
(this page, by itself, hints at the previous emotional depth to their little exchanges)
Another great page turn. It's great that both Finger and Kane are respected here: both towering figures in the eyes of Gotham and to all Bat-family writers.
Start of the last pseudo-spread. This page is the start of the "death" sequence, with the small mention of "kill the port".
Its follow-up is this weird page with visible death, which will undoubtedly have consequences later in the run.
Note that this 9 panel page comes right after the weirdness of the previous one. And the "observe the clock" a la the final pages of each Watchmen issue. Note that this also mimics the style of Watchmen's 9 panel pages, switching between perspectives to create a nice cross matrix.
One small thing: the emphasis on "myself", when Gotham says, "Please, allow me introduce myself.
>>83817938
Can they please make Gotham girl's skirt longer
>>83817938
I swear, these fuckers are gonna turn out to be evil, just watch. Also is. >>83817911
suppose to be one of the Watchmen? Maybe Rorschach? I know he's dead, but Doctor Manhattan rebooted the universe, why wouldn't he bring him back too?
>>83817952
No, it's cute.
>>83817985
It's probably Calendar Man.
>>83817176
>Characterfagging is a thing only casuals do
>>83815713
It made me cry (in like a good way) if a comic is able to do that in one issue you're damn right I'm going to be reading the rest of King's run.
>>83816250
he didn't even show any emotions though, he just showed that he has emotions.
>>83817746
>skirt too short
what the fuck is wrong with this place?
>>83816280
I keep forgetting most of Batman's fanbase is stuck in their highschool try hard phase.
Decompressed garbage.
King was a mistake.
I was honestly really disappointed by it and found it quite cringey and meh. I liked Superman and Green Arrow and Flash and Aquaman and Wonder Woman much more. I think the only JL Solo Batman is better than is Green Lantern which is really disappointing as Tom King killed it with Omega Men, Baghdad, Vision, Grayson and that Green Lantern issue.
>>83817811
Well, it's Gotham airlines, they've got to milk it.
>>83815713
Really fucking good.
>>83816280
That was fucking horrible, cringy and melodramatic as fuck. And oh and very cliche.
>>83817985
>>83818036
Might be Clock King
>>83817920
Don't forget "Is this a good death?" referencing DKR.
But great analysis.
>>83817868
>you get the hero you deserve
As the boy looks out the window to see one lonely man wrestling with forces beyond his tiny existence and yet never faltering, never doubting himself, he stands there ready to protect the people of Gotham.
>>83817938
Now that I've seen it, I have to agree, that skirt is way too short.
>>83815713
Loved it.
I like how this is the opposite of what Snyder did in his first issue. His #1 was overrun by villains, this one shows Batman just saving people as opposed to fighting someone who wants revenge on him.
I also like how both Gordon and Alfred are depicted.
>>83817811
it's also the big guy meme
>>83817893
I really like how Alfred is drawn here
>>83815713
It was a really nice one-and-done story, but I would've liked to see more of the two Gotham kids other than an ominous cliffhanger.
>>83817850
what if he just put on his seatbelt again off panel bc he was ejecting?
>>83817893
man if i hadnta read what you said i wouldnt be tearing up
>>83815713
>Batman willing to give life for Gotham, transparently desires approval of parents
God, so original. Way to go, King.
>>83817952
>Can they please make Gotham girl's skirt longer
>>83817938
Whenever I see Gotham and Gotham Girl I'm thinking they must be from the past somehow. The font on their uniforms, and the way their uniforms are styled. I think they might be a resurrected concept from Gotham's history or something, that has been forgotten for some reason.
I really liked this issue. Very hype for this run.
>>83821525
Looks to me like a Confederate war uniform and I'm not even murican
>>83821388
Are you saying Batman should never open up to Alfred and secretly want to see Gotham go up in flames?
http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/tom-king-batman-is-psychotic-inspiring-doesnt-need-a-rebirth
>>CBR News: There's an excellent exchange between Bruce Wayne and Duke Thomas in "Batman: Rebirth" #1 when the new dynamic duo is talking about combatting Calendar Man. Bruce says, "[It's] easy, we come back better each time too." This line reads very meta to me. Obviously, you don't want to jump into Gotham by comparing yourself with the great writers that came before you but is it important to reinvent or rebirth Batman as you see him for this new series?
>Tom King: I don't know. Batman is the one character that didn't need to be "reborn." He didn't need fixing. Batman wasn't broken in the New 52. He wasn't broken pre-the New 52. Scott [Snyder] wrote him as good as you can write him. I think my job is just to not screw up what Scott did. [Laughs] I just need to build on that. And in doing that, I have to bring myself to it because the only weapon that I bring to the table -- my experiences, my thoughts on the character, what he meant to me growing up and what he means to me now. It's not a matter of a rebirth but rather it's continuing the excellence of the series.
>>What did Batman mean to you growing up?
>I was a fat kid. I was a nerd. I read comics when comics were definitely not cool so I got bullied like nothing else. I remember when I was a kid in movies, bullies were the bad guys but at my school, the bullies were the cool kids and everybody was rooting for them. And they were rooting against me. And that's why I gravitated toward Batman. He was the guy that if the bullies hit you, he'd hit them back. He was the guy on the other side of that fist.
>>And what does Batman mean to you now in terms of the importance of a superhero without superpowers?
>>83822354
>I think that's the core of what makes Batman fascinating. It's all about his mortality. He's any of us. He's all of us. He has that will. Any of us could be Batman if we just had his will; if we just had his determination. And the fact that he's Batman, the fact that he turned what we have into that is psychotic and inspiring. That's Batman in a nutshell. He's psychotic and inspiring at the same time. And that contradiction is why everyone keeps writing him and writing him well. He's clearly the good guy but there is also something about him that's just not right. And that's cool.
>>And does Bruce Wayne mean the same thing? Meaning, do you see and write Batman and Bruce as one in the same or are they basically two different characters?
>It's funny because I think of it in two ways: When I'm inside the character's head as opposed to when I'm inside my head. [Laughs] I feel that Batman himself and Bruce Wayne himself see no difference between the two of them. I think that he sees himself as transforming when he puts on the costume or that he transforms back. His entire life is devoted to that oath that he took by candlelight after his parents died to defeating crime. He sees his work as both Bruce and Batman as going towards that oath. He has that one goal. But that's his own psychology. Looking from the outside, people might see it entirely different. And as a writer, I am allowed to be on the outside. I see the thing that everyone says, which is Bruce Wayne is the mask and Batman is the real person. I tend to agree with that but I think it's a little more complicated than that because I don't think Batman agrees with that.
>>I loved your first issue with David Finch. It felt very much like we were on the call with Bruce and Jim and Alfred and Duke in real-time. Is this the approach you are going to take with your storytelling in "Batman," or was this special to drive readers head-first into this new series?
>>83822371
>"Batman" has to be the best action movie that you ever saw. It has to be "Die Hard." It has to be "Aliens." It has to be those moments in the "Fast and Furious" movies when you say, "I have never seen anything like that before." And there is something inside of you that makes you want to do it too. I have subtleties to my writing but I'm not a subtle writer. I started my run on "Batman" with a seatbelt sign going on. It's like that old Betty Davis line: "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!" But no, it's supposed to invoke that feeling. And I like that pacing. I don't like comics that are just like essays about character. I think character comes out through action. Who Batman is comes out through what he does.
>>Is it difficult to write Batman's dialogue or did you find his voice easily?
>Batman is an easy voice to write at least for me, especially compared to Dick Grayson. Batman always says what's necessary. He's so goal-oriented. He is there to get something done. He's not a quipper. He doesn't make silly jokes. And if he does, it's because he wants to distract you. Every word and action Batman does have a goal to it. In that sense, Batman is an easy character to dialogue. But I think that can be a trap too. You can get it stuck too dark and dank. You have to be aware of your subject and be aware that Batman is smart enough to realize that although he is driven all of the time, being driven all of the time is not productive.
>>What role is Duke Thomas playing in "Batman," because he's not the new Robin, right?
>>83822385
>Very purposefully, Duke Thomas starts out the way Tim Drake started out. Tim did a year in the cave before he came out on missions. And that's going to be the same for the first year of "Batman." Duke Thomas is not front and center by his side at the beginning of this run. Basically, Batman hasn't trained him yet so he doesn't trust him in that role. That training and trust is partially what Scott is doing in "All Star Batman." Scott's telling that amazing story and once "All Star Batman" gets rolling, Duke's role will become more prevalent.
>As far as his current role, I think Duke brings a ton to "Batman." I think he's a character that we haven't see in that universe, a character with more independence and more confidence but he still has this tragedy at the heart of him with his parents being Joker-ized. I love writing him because he knows what he is doing. And he gets off the ground that way.
>>Obviously, the big reveal in the final pages of "Batman" #1 is the arrival of Gotham and Gotham Girl. You teased that Gotham was lacking a super-powered hero with the panels and pages set on the plane featuring a passenger espousing this very message. I don't think you'll give too much away just yet -- nor do I want you to -- but what does a non-powered superhero in Gotham mean to how the city runs and operates (both good and bad) and what might super-heroics offer in terms of changing things around?
>I've been very careful about talking about Gotham and Gotham Girl and what role they're going to play because every issue has a twist on where they are going to go. We have a big plan for these characters, both how it plays out here and in the DCU in general. I was so mad -- just joking, I wasn't mad but Geoff [Johns] put their first appearance in "DC Universe: Rebirth" #1. They have such a big impact, I wanted them to have their first appearance in "Batman" #1. [Laughs]
>>83817938
>please allow me to introduce myself
>>83821525
their costumes are very golden age styled
>>83822401
>The essential question, and this is will be the question that I do throughout the whole series that I do, is "Why is Batman essential?" In a world of superheroes, how can Batman be as key to the DCU as he is? Batman can't save a city from an asteroid crashing down on you. Can he or can't he save himself from a plane crash? If you read it, you know he can save the plane but he can't save himself. He has to die at the end of "Batman" #1 if he wants to save the plane. As far as he pushes the button on his ejector seat, he knows that he is going to die. I think that question occurs to Batman and I think that is a doubt that he himself has. He's just not powerful enough to handle some of threats that face the DCU. Batman coming to terms with what gives him the power to do that and what makes him special is one of the themes at play.
>>I have to say that I question it too. I think Batman's great and I know he's wildly popular but come on, in a world where Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter exist, Batman should stick to the streets of Gotham.
>You're right. It's insane that Batman stands next to Superman and Wonder Woman in the Trinity. It's crazy. It's also amazing that he's willing to do it. He sacrifices himself for us in a way that Superman and Wonder Woman do not. And I want to go right at that theme.
>>David Finch is the artist on "Batman" and when he moved over to DC Comics a few years ago, it's because he wanted to work on Batman because he loved the character so much. What does David bring to the table as an artist and a collaborator?
>>83822416
>David brings everything to the series. His storytelling is next to none. And when you think about his compositions, he can draw anything. And he draws better than almost anyone. I ask him to draw everything. I asked him to draw a bridge full of cars and he drew 30 cars with little people running next to the cars. The detail is crazy. He's so good. So far in my career, I've been lucky to get these up-and-coming artists who are going on to become great starts like Mikel [Janin] and Gabriel [Hernandez Walta] but David is a star and he could have gone all prima donna on me but he didn't. He said, "Let's work together. Let's find the best way to tell this story." He's great.
>And he looks so great with Jordie [Bellaire] coloring him. With Jordie rendering the figures, you can see more of David's line work. He puts so many lines in his work. I think it looks great.
>>You're still a relatively new name in comics to be taking on one of DC's flagship books. Is there anything you would say to readers who don't know you and your work heading into "Batman"?
>Yes, I wrote a short story for Vertigo that was nominated for an Eisner. John Paul Leon was the artist. And DC was nice enough to put it out for free. If people are thinking, I don't know about this guy on "Batman," you can find a free sample of my writing. It's called "Black Death in America." Type "Black Death in America and Tom King" into Google and you'll find a free version of it.
>>83815776
The rocket boosters were taken off of the rocket chair.
>>83822385
>"Fast and Furious" movies
There it is. The emperor has no clothes. Move along.
>>83816327
I think it would've been better if they weren't on the cover. You could've genuinely thought it was Clark and Kara and have that subverted.
>>83817906
It bothered me that they screwed up the starboard and port sides.
>>83817938
I bet they're not even human, or at least not full-fledged. Like they were created for this purpose. Dr. Manhattan is probably doing some course correcting, since his Nu52 scheme went south.
These guys will probably be ''evil'' in a sense that they are against Batman and their sole purpose is to save Gotham from him, but I don't think they really are a menace or anything. I hope it's just going to be a battle of ideologies. As much as I liked this action-packed issue, I admit that King is more a dialogue and a character guy.
>>83817938
Legionnaires. i'm telling ya.
>>83817930
>>83817938
the sequencing here is kinda wack. they flew around and up the plane to descend like that?
>We have a big plan for these characters, both how it plays out here and in the DCU in general.
Huh, so they might not get killed off by the end of the arc.
>>83816250
Fucking kill yourself. People who want Batman to be the constantly brooding, teenager's idea of a badass are the worst part of the readership.
>It's insane that Batman stands next to Superman and Wonder Woman in the Trinity. It's crazy. It's also amazing that he's willing to do it. He sacrifices himself for us in a way that Superman and Wonder Woman do not. And I want to go right at that theme.
I really like this.
Finch delivering his best art in a long time, the mechanics of the rescue were rather unbelievable. I know comics do this all the time but dont try to explain to me how it all works when you damn well it will never work like that. Otherwise it was predictable, some mastermind guy in the shadows, new heroes show up when needed and Gotham is a lame supername, Duke made his triumphant debut...to monitor duty. That's the same thing Julia Pennyworth did when Snyder brought her and now apparently she's been forgotten, atleast between her and Harper I can take consolation in the fact that Snyder pets dont go anywhere in the long run.
>>83816329
Nothing wrong with starting a story arc with a bang. Batman shows that he's willing to give his life in order to save thousands, that he's conscious of his legacy (his boys), and that his parents are still driving him. It's an establishing character moment.
>>83822401
>I was so mad -- just joking, I wasn't mad but Geoff [Johns] put their first appearance in "DC Universe: Rebirth" #1. They have such a big impact, I wanted them to have their first appearance in "Batman" #1
Does this mean Gotham and Gotham Girl are gonna play a role outside of the Batman books?
>>83816250
If Batman didn't show emotions in the face of imminent death, he'd be a terrible character. He'd be a cardboard cut-out.
http://www.comicosity.com/interview-david-finch-and-tom-king-rebirth-batman/
>>A new era of Batman comics arrived two weeks ago with Batman: Rebirth #1, but the time has come for the first story arc to begin. Joining new series writer Tom King for the first story, entitled “I Am Gotham,” is someone who’s no stranger to the Dark Knight. David Finch leads off a brand new challenge for Bruce Wayne and his new ward Duke Thomas, and has sat down (alongside King) to share a little of what makes their Batman tick.
>Matt Santori-Griffith: Issue #1 is a big, bombastic way to start off the series for sure — visually and storywise. How do you feel going to series with Batman as a far more spectacular figure?
>David Finch: You know, I’m 100% taking my cues from the script. It was an incredibly challenging issue to draw and pushed me in directions I certainly didn’t expect. I feel really proud of it.
>I feel really proud I came out of it alive, actually. [laughs] It was really tough. But now that it’s done, I feel like it was worth it.
>This book is Tom’s vision, with me trying to interpret that as well as I can.
>Tom King: Very Canadian, David. [laughs] It’s a vision of co-creators!
>You know, I wrote this issue even before the Rebirth issue, timewise. When I first got offered Batman, and before I even accepted, I was thinking about the character. What he means to me and what he means to everyone.
>Then I was thinking of how 9/11 really affected me, and terrorism in the news, and thought, “What if that happened in Gotham City with Batman? What if there was a plane crashing?” How could he save us? Could he save us? And what does it mean if he can or can’t?
>I just had all these images floating through my head and wrote the first three pages, having no idea how in the world he could stop this plane from falling. But I just kept writing until we got to the end.
>>83823275
>I liked this idea with starting off with a straight ahead action scene. I don’t need to talk about Batman. I don’t need to tell you who he is. I could show you what he could do and the series could launch from there.
>MSG: You really start off immediately by referencing Batman’s mortality.
>TK: To me that the central thing of the entire run. That’s what makes Batman interesting to me. He’s mortal. He can die. He risks his life and he’s willing to die for us.
>When I first got Batman, I went to all my nerdiest friends and asked, “What makes Batman cool?” It was universally this: I could be Batman. You could be Batman. All he has is his own wits. That puts him in such danger, to stand next to Superman and Wonder Woman. Just being us
>And it opens up a ton of questions. How did he get that way? What does that obsession do to you, to become this sort of thing? And what is it like knowing that you can die doing this job? Does it make you a better hero or a worse one? There’s a ton of questions that come from this. We’re going right for that theme.
>DF: The immediate appeal for me when I was a kid with Batman was the awesome costume. The cape and cowl and how he looks. Then, when you read Batman, it becomes an obsession with how visceral he really is. He’s just a regular guy who gets by on his brain, and his regular human muscles. He’s at risk of dying at any time, unlike Superman, who is pretty much invulnerable.
>Batman is a much more fun character.
>MSG: That contrast comes up by the end of the issue very prominently with the arrival of Gotham and Gotham Girl. David, can you talk a bit about your design for them and how it fits in contrast to Batman?
>DF: First off, I wanted them to look like they belonged to Gotham City and wouldn’t fit into any other city. It’s so important that Gotham and Gotham Girl look like a product of the city and that they couldn’t be from anywhere else.
>>83823294
>I hope that at some point we can do a Director’s Cut with this issue, with the art alone and then the script laid out at the end, because the way Tom is writing all the characters, they’re incredibly real and they just pop off the page for me. I just see them. I don’t really think there’s much process.
>I drew them once and we went with it, because I knew who they were immediately.
>MSG: In terms of fitting into Gotham City, what is your vision of Gotham? Every creator has a slightly different one.
>TK: I feel like my vision for Gotham City changed when I saw the finished art for issue #1. What Jordie [Bellaire] and David did to create this visceral noise in the background, screaming behind you, is just amazing.
>I was talking Scott [Snyder] about this because we’re both city kids. He was raised in Manhattan and I was raised in LA. I feel like Manhattan is a dirty, ugly city that, at its core, has a kind heart. I feel like LA is the exact opposite. It’s this really nice looking city that has at its core a dark evil to it. I think that might be the difference in our takes on Gotham City.
>DF: I have huge list of artists that I really admire. My Gotham reflects them. Jim Lee is in there. Mike Mignola, with Gotham by Gaslight, created a really great city. Tim Sale. It’s a pretty long list.
>I really like this dense, claustrophobic feeling you get. I get that in New York whenever I visit. I can’t stay there for too long. I’m really more of a small town guy, and I can really feel it when I’m there.
>I love too that Gotham has bridges that connect buildings, that close you in overhead. So you can’t even just look up for sky. It’s cluttered everywhere.
>Like Tom said, Jordie Bellaire has brought something to the art that I didn’t expect coming in. It has a vibrancy that’s very very interesting. I could not be happier with how it came out.
>>83823321
>MSG: You know, I want to end with a check-in on your thoughts about Duke Thomas, the newest Robin. How is your take evolving on him and what are your plans moving forward?
>TK: I love that character, and I got to write him in Robin War. It was literally the most fun I had with that series, writing the Duke scenes and seeing what he could do.
>His role in the book at the beginning is sort of copying the model we had with Tim Drake. Tim was in the cave for a little while, training with Batman, and then comes out of it as Batman’s partner. The story of that training will take place in All-Star Batman, Scott Snyder’s book.
>As some of the later issues comes out, you’ll see him in the mix fighting, but in the beginning, he’s in the classic role of someone learning from Batman, but someone who doesn’t think he has much to learn. By doing this, he’s also learning about himself. Honestly, he’s the third lead in the book.
>DF: I mean, Tom. Stop doing boring cave scenes with Duke! [laughs]
>No, I actually love those scenes. I know I complain about scenes with people talking, but when it’s done so well… there are scenes with Duke coming up that are just incredibly touching. They just really grabbed me. He’s really grown on me really, really fast.
>MSG: Awesome! So, any other thoughts about Batman #1, guys?
>TK: You know, if someone is unsure about whether they want to try out the book, I have an Eisner-nominated short story available online for free that you can check out. You can just read it for free to see if you like my writing:
>“Black Death in America” by Tom King and John Paul Leon
>DF: I thought you were going to say, “Fuck yeah, Batman!” [laughs]
I still don't see the point of Duke. He played a bit of an Oracle role here that could have and would have been better if just handled by Alfred, having Duke is worse than pointless and ignore-able, it dilutes Alfred's role. I, like you, also feel like this is already trodden ground, expecially with the last "era" of batman under Snyder ending with the topic of "Batman is Gotham", I kinda wanna move on from that idea.
>>83815713
Hated Duke's pointless presence (even his tiny role in this issue annoyed me), but love the fact that Bruce has tapes ready for all the boys and gordon ' lines this issue were perfect.
>>83817920
It's called a 3x3 grid. And the previous page also follows it, you don't need exactly nine panels or even panels in the same size just to follow the basic structure of the grid, you can have three at the top and the final two parts of the grid dedicated to a splash or even reverse while still keeping a well composed page layout. There's a reason people like it so much
>>83817952
>>83820891
faggots
>>83823789
So Matt Santori-Griffith is maybe somewhat retarded.
>>83823187
>>83821525
I'm assuming they are some previously retconned out of existence characters that have resurfaced as part of the whole Rebirth dealie, like Wally coming back into continuity.
What superman/supergirl pastiche did we lose with Nu52 that could be back now?
did Mr Majestic have a female equiv?
>>83824081
I wouldn't object to Mr Majestic, or The High, but I would prefer it if they were original characters. Maybe Gray Ghost era fictional pulp heroes that came to life or something. In any case I'm really excited for it.
>>83824052
Emo. Bruce/Batman is not emo! He just has feeeeeelings.
>>83823270
There actually is a story about a stoic who was to be executed for opposing a tyrant. He was playing a board game with his guard when another came up and said it was time to go to his execution. Smiling politely, he said, "Okay, but look at the board. I was winning. Don't let him say otherwise when I'm gone."
>>83824258
Then that was his choice of how to go out. Batman in this story decides to have a moment of emotional connection with the man who raised him. And I actually thought he was pretty stoic, to be honest. He went into what he thought was certain death without flinching, all he did was ask for some reassurance. That's pretty natural.
>>83824338
I wasn't trying to say anything about Batman. Just that it isn't necessarily and always unrealistic for someone not to get emotional in the face of certain death. I thought Batman doing that was fine and worked well.
>>83824484
It's cool. And those are pretty good last words, considering the circumstances.
>>83823366
>He played a bit of an Oracle role here that could have and would have been better if just handled by Alfred
He's being trained. So he's supposed to be giving a chance to handle tasks other characters can do better - that's part of the training process. If he failed to find the stuff Bruce needed, Alfred would've taken over.
>>83824566
Yeah, Batman's always had a youth-in-training, Duke is no different. I liked his short scene, I liked how he was nervous under pressure but still delivered.
It's awkward how he has no code name, though. (I know he's probably Lark, but nobody ever call him that.)
I guess I was kind of hoping for Vision or Omega Men with Batman and that's not at all what I got. A pretty standard Bat comic but of course it's only the first issue.
If it wasn't for King's name on the cover I wouldn't care about this series at all
King is a great writer but this first issue just didn't do it for me. It's not that it was awful, per se, it just didn't sell me. King's take on Batman himself just seemed...off (I rolled my eyes at the "Would my parents be proud of me?" line). And whoever the Gotham Guardians are, I just can't bring myself to care about finding out. For those who liked this issue, I hope King's run won't disappoint but I think I'll just get off here.
>>83817276
This is what got me most interested.
>>83817789
The symbol in the cloud is an older one and the symbol on the light is modern.
>>83817789
Anyone mention the "Election Time" headline on the newspaper? Could be nothing but it's King so I'm gonna get my tinfoil hat out.
>>83823321
>Black Death in America
Gee what could this possibly allude to?
Batman asking every person he meets who can fly if they're "Clark" is fucking dumb as hell. King is top CIA agent of all time.
>>83828588
He tried to contact Clark earlier. Of course that was who he was expecting.
>>83829164
It's bad form to shout out the real names of your superhero comrades. Batman should know better.
>>83829184
But Nu52 Supes didn't have a secret identity thanks to Lois. So it's not like he was outing him or anything.
>>83829213
Sure, Gotham and Gotham Girl wouldn't immediately suspect the Clark whom Batman mentions is Clark Kent, Superman. It's just nice to see these characters respect the hero codewords and identities they assume when they're on the job.
Kind of strange that the opening drama has a plane crashing into the city that only Batman can divert the course of, instead of opening with a murder or robbery or some kind of mystery which Batman can apply his detective skills to. I understand we're talking about duty and heroism in a post-9/11 world but there are a couple things that are just a little off in the story. I hope it's because Gotham and Gotham Girl will inspire Batman to reconsider some of his own methodology and these are intentional beats setting up elements down the line but I feel like we were trying to build a story that hit the ground running and was just action action action to get people excited.
Kind can be a good writer so I'm hoping the narrative compresses a little and this was just a big Bond-style car chase at the head of the story. There are a lot of ideas at work here that could potentially be very interesting if it doesn't continue to devote whole issues to bloated and overly long action pieces. Getting to the plane and landing it could have been established in two pages, if less.
It might have actually been more interesting to see Batman working on small street level crimes when the plane comes down and it's Gotham and Gotham Girl (they can fly after all, and Batman ejecting his seat so high into the air he lands on a plane is kind of... funner than fun) who save the city. This may have shown that Batman focusing on the small stuff has caused him to lose sight of the bigger picture.
>>83817952
KYS, if anything they should do it even shorter
>>83820808
that's really meta if you look it from a certain perspective...
>>83830200
But it's short enough that they should just get rid of it altogether.already. My problem with how short that skirt isn't a tumblr thing, there's just something about how it looks that bugs me for some reason. Maybe it's actually because it and the upper portion of the suit look like one part for some reason? I don't know.
>>83829387
I think the whole point was "Batman can do what Superman and Wonder Woman do, but only because he spends every moment working on it, and is willing to die to do it." So it had to be a big, grand thing like that.
That's the point here. Batman as a human being who, despite his tactics and his brooding demeanor, gets the "super" in his superhero from his unending love and compassion for human beings. The same unwillingness to give up on ANYONE that makes him have that often ridiculed "no kill" rule is what makes him able to be of use to a team like the Justice League at all.
>>83822371
>Bruce Wayne is the mask and Batman is the real person
Funny... I've always looked at Batman that way
Kinda dissapointed with it. I expected a better and more emotional issue from King. Trying to save a crashing plane is a bit strange for a Batman or a street level book. Batman's ending conversation seemed out of character for batman as well. It would've worked better with it being more visual or as a monologue than as a conversation with Alfred.
>>83830332
Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing, beautiful issue and I think in the long run we're going to see that this is one of Batman's best stories. Just, by looking at King's other work it's clear he can be more thoughtful and clever with his craft and I hope we move more in that direction. I've read shorter stories by him that leave you with something to think about but this one was so busy establishing the story that it forgot to tell one, in a way.
No question that King gets Batman, I just hope he pushes himself more in future issues. He definitely got that Batman is the lone badass facing down the endless madness of crime and corruption. I'm hoping the League of Assassins isn't behind this airplane business, though.
There's a lot of symbolism involved in these pages, let's hope the optimism and idealism is carried through to the end and Batman doesn't feel discouraged or his compassion for Gotham/people diminished.
I agree with you, it's Batman's dedication and drive to protect people that makes him such a fascinating hero.
Would be hella sweet if he gave some of that compassion to Gotham Girl and this turns into a love triangle. Maybe Batman convinces Robin to do a partner swap for an evening.
And then Gordon shouts from a passing squad car that Batman should rape the Joker.
>>83830799
>Would be hella sweet if he gave some of that compassion to Gotham Girl and this turns into a love triangle. Maybe Batman convinces Robin to do a partner swap for an evening.
>And then Gordon shouts from a passing squad car that Batman should rape the Joker.
>Gotham Man is willing to rape Joker
>>83830834
>willing to
>wants to
"Where the clowns at, Batdick?"
>>83830310
>Maybe it's actually because it and the upper portion of the suit look like one part for some reason?
Looks like a leotard with a short skirt over it to me.
>>83828037
Read the fucking story before being retarded. It's free on CMX. There's no excuse not to have read it yet.
>>83831030
I think it's because the front and the skirt are the same color. This wouldn't be a problem if it were longer, but as it is, it looks like it has a frilly ruff for a bottom. It's just a personal problem, I don't think it is reflective of anyone else.
>>83817792
>And it was written by CIA.
Aiden Gillen and Tom King are the same person?
>>83816471
Actual superheroes finally showed up in his city so he's become utterly irrelevant.
>>83817985
Pretty sure Rorschach is just New 52 Question, since he's been changed into a ghost who got his memory and identity wiped since New 52 started, and the character who originally was the Question is around and very much alive doing other stuff.
>>83833492
Yes
>>83815713
Meh
>>83817792
The shape of the seat belt sign is reminiscent of Bill 'CIA' Wilson's stance too.
Shit book.
things to learn from this-
1. Don't do events for the sake of it.
2. Don't do an event just few months after a major event when the status quo is still being set up.
3.Keep king away from big events.
4. Keep king away from big events.
>>83838483
It's not an event.
It's not even a crossover.
>>83824807
'Gotham Guardian' is a better name than just 'Gotham.'
>>83838483
1. It isn't an event.
2. It isn't an event.
3. It isn't an event.
4. It isn't an event.
The closest you can say is that Rebirth is happening at the same time as this comic, but King explicitly said he doesn't think Batman needs a rebirth. Also, more people seem to like this than dislike it.
Cant believe people still expect Tom King to write good series.
>>83830200
What does KYS even mean?
>>83838519
Get out, DC.
>>83838570
it means kill yourself
>>83838550
You think they would have learned from Batman & Robin Eternal. That was the worst thing I've ever read
>>83838574
It's okay to be embarrassed.
>>83838591
DAAAAAMN! That bad huh?
>>83838591
It's not even the worst weekly.
Countdown and Worlds End were worse than BRE.
tried to defend the first issue of this. Conceptually this could be a good story. It probably would be a good story, with a different writer.
>>83838640
And Wolverines.
>be Marts
>be one editor that launched Batman Eternal
>go to marvel
>launch Wolverines
>somehow the latter is 10x worse than the former
The ship has sunk.
>>83838813
Not really, there were some nice Batman/Jim moments to appreciate
>>83838483
Yes the problem with this standard regular issue of Batman is big events. Truly your amazing ability to not actually read comics has given you insights other men can only dream of having.
>>83817868
Something feels familiar...
Bought it. Regret it This is why I never take reviews on this site seriously.
>>83838986
I mean, I knew it was gonna be horrible, so I'm kinda annoyed at myself for still being surprised over just how BJORKING awful it turned out to be. (and we're only on the second issue!!!)
>>83815713
I think I'll be skipping Batman now...
>>83815758
I hadn't thought about that. What would you say are Batman's most iconic themes?
>>83839461
muh parents
i laughed at the bit about the parents, but not in a negative way - it was actually kind of charming. Here is batman, harnassed to a plane and impossibly steering it between buildings towards his death, and genuinely concerned about whether this death would be good enough for his rents. and actually, somehow, takes the time to ask! how do you not love that? quintessential corny batman shit.
>>83839527
Well, you're not wrong.
>>83815713
Gordon feels different from the previous runs Gordon, might be interesting. Everybody else seems pretty standard so far. Duke continues to be generic interchangeable bat-family member. You could literally swap him for Batwing or Tim Drake or Alfred's daughter and I would neither notice nor care. I expect Batman's inevitable descent into insane paranoia over the Gotham Buddies saving the day instead of him will take less than half an issue. Possibly happening in the very first page of the next issue.
>>83815713
>What do you all think of this?
I think the whole issue is a great example of someone fundamentally failing to GET Batman.
Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Shazam, [ wheverthefuck ], are the ones who swoop in and save a falling airplane. That's literally how they opened up the Supergirl tv show ffs!
In Gotham that plane should never have fallen because it should never have been hit by that s-t-a rocket because The World's Greatest Detective would have gotten there before the terrorist had a chance to get his shot off BECAUSE HE'S THE GODDAMNED BATMAN AND THAT'S WHAT HE FUCKING DOES!
So instead we get an *amazingly* retarded issue long suicide run where he rides the plane down like it's a Sand Worm in the movie Dune because King still has a hard on about 9/11.
Because Motherfucking Batman doesn't have the equivalent of a cellphone's GPS that he can attach to the plane to read the Bearing/Range/Altitude and guide the thing in remotely? Seriously??
>>83840368
>>83830247
I'm not sure if I follow.
>>83840368
>point of the book is Batman doing Superman work
>but muh batman shouldn't do this, this is superman work
>>83815713
>>83840446
Pre-52 he never cried, now he cries in almost any issue he's in.
>>83840480
Name them all?
>>83840446
That's like his thing...he ******* & moans & cries.
There's also an incident where he crapped or pissed his pants I think...I think
>>83840480
>now he cries in almost any issue he's in.
To be fair: he gets his ass handed to him like a little bitch more often than not; with a side of amnesia and Muh Fee Fees!
>>83840442
>point of the book is Batman being generic as FUCk
Bravo, /co. This is the cuckman you deserve.
>>83840480
this desu
Batman should only be angry
That's why pre 90s Batman and Morrison and Snyder Batman are so bad
>>83817811
How?
>>83840618
And he should have wrist blades and look like Spawn and his name should be Jean-Paul not Bruce.
>>83840446
. I hated when he cried in Court of Owls, that's one of the reasons I don't like Snyder's take.
>>83840832
You're getting the true spirit of Batman anon
Don't forget the hitting
His fist should be nondiscriminatory
Bank robbers, murderers, Dick, rapists, corrupt policemen, Joker's ass
>>83840847
I hate it when he cries to. I'm saying it should only be very rarely used.
>>83840505
He did.
Thanks Kevin Smith.
>>83840847
I still believe he was scared because of how he reacts when he sees the Talon in the cave)but getting tired, giving up that's not who Batman is, one of the reasons I didn't enjoy Snyder's. .
>>83840946
>8+ days
>No water
>No food
>No sleep
>Drugged
>Wounded
"None of that should matter he should be super amazing and tear on through everything!"
Christ you Batgod fags are the fucking worse.
>>83841061
>but but but
Go home, Snyder. You're drunk.
>>83841107
>buts
You're not on Grayson anymore, King
>>83841242
>You're not on Grayson anymore, King
Coulda fooled me, anon.
>>83841107
Snyder made mistakes but Batman showing vulnerability after being shoved in the maze was not one of them.
>>83838712
After that Mike Marts left the Big Two for the upstart indie Aftershock.
>>83841451
And that can't manage to have an ongoing over 5k past issue 5
>>83839090
I knew it was Kyle, but for a second I thought it was Dr. Hurt
