If you’ve read DC’s New 52 titles since their September debuts, you’ve probably picked out who’s changed and who’s stayed the same when it comes to your favorite characters. I know have, and in Batman’s case, the relaunch has changed him up a bit. But I’m not talking about how he comes off in his own books, or even in many of the others. I’m talking about how he seems in one: the new "Justice League International" series by Dan Jurgens. I’ve been reading that group of characters for years, and in my humble opinion…
They’ve made Batman a big fat softy.
In the old days, Batman, the super cool, super suave butt kicker of the League, was too good for most of his teammates, especially the ones he fought alongside in the international branch.
Take a look at the page below from "Justice League International" #12 (1988):
The Black Canary’s supposed to be in charge? Who cares? BATMAN was going to save the day and take command, or so he thought. When the Canary used her canary cry to save Batman, the wind flew out of his sails, presumably because he thought she was just the puny Black Canary. What could SHE do?
But, fast forward to the international team of today, and Batman’s changed his tune. In the panels below from "Justice League International" #1 (2011), Batman seems almost… supportive of Booster Gold being the team leader.
I don’t have a problem with Booster whatsoever, but he’s not the household name with the rep that Batman has, to us readers or to other heroes or citizens in the DC Universe, and Batman knows it. Yet, his superior attitude seems to have taken a backseat in recent issues of "Justice League International."
It almost seems like Dick Grayson is Batman again because, as tough as Dick is, he was a “kindler, gentler” Batman toward other superheroes most of the time, which is how Bruce Wayne seems today when he wears the cowl in the Justice League International.
Batman's more of a team player these days, at least in the "Justice League International" series. The ego seems to be gone, or at least wielded differently in a way where he's a guiding hand toward other heroes, instead of an iron fist or a dismissive wave of irritation. He's subverted the exterior of superiority to allow others to shine or come into their own.
It's a surprising change to the team dynamic. Does this mean the modern day international heroes will be written as more than just jokers? We'll see. So far, Dan Jurgens has been writing "Justice League International" as a straight up, traditional superhero team book. It doesn't have the tone of comedy that shifts to tragic drama and back like the original "Justice League International" series had during the 1980s and 1990s. The BWA-HA-HA-HA era of this team seems behind it for now, and with it, Batman's condescending attitude.