An Interview With Dan Didio On The Post Battle Of The Cowl Batman World

An Interview With Dan Didio On The Post Battle Of The Cowl Batman World

What happens now that Dick Grayson is Batman and Damian Wayne is Robin?

By Greenhatter02 - Jun 08, 2009 10:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Other
Source: AOL/ASYLUM's COMICS ALLIANCE blog

I am a big Batman fan and have started reading the Battle for the Cowl series and Final Crisis, I am a little behind. Here are some excerpts from Dan Didio about the post-battle for the cowl Batman. Here is what he had to say.

When asked about the reaction to Dick Grayson becoming Batman, Didio says "We had a lot of speculation about who was going to be the new Batman, and one of the things that I found most surprising was that most people were trying to guess in a different direction. But from our standpoint, we were always pretty locked in on the fact that Dick Grayson was going to be the new Batman... the legacy aspect plays into everything that makes DC great, where we have so many characters that have moved from one generation to another. People have become very invested in [Dick Grayson] character over the years, and interested to see how he accepts the mantle."

Didio is asked about Damain being a volatile Robin, and he responds " That's something that Dick is trying to prevent. That ultimately becomes one of the centerpieces of the storyline between him and Damian as they develop their own relationship. You have to realize, Damian for the most part has only interacted with Bruce Wayne's Batman, so putting on the Robin costume and operating side-by-side with Dick Grayson -- there's no precedent for them working together, so there'll be a real learning process taking place."

Didio is asked about Damian believing he should be Batman, he says "Damian believes he should be Batman at some point. Damian believes that he is going to be able to step into every role that Bruce Wayne had at some point. Whether or not it's going to be this very moment or years from now is the point of discussion between Damian and Dick Grayson at this moment."

Here is what Didio has to say about Jason Todd, being a villain from this point on. "One thing that Jason Todd does not think of himself at any point is a villain, that being said, he will be very much involved in the events that are taking place with Dick Grayson's Batman. He's going to be defining himself as his own person away form Batman, but still feeling that he is the better of the two."

This is what Didio has to say about Damian always being thought of as Robin. " Grant always saw Damian as a little angry Robin from day one. That was part of his pitch with Damian. He wanted Damian coming up to Bruce Wayne and saying, "I make a better Batman than you!" "Prodigal" was a wonderful story, but it didn't really get to the meat and bones of what the world would be like with Dick Grayson as Batman, and I'm happy to see they we're finally getting there now.

The most important thing is that the other members of the DC Universe believe that Batman is dead, so because of that there'll be a level of acceptance, and a level of reluctance at a new Batman. Batman, more than any hero except Superman, mark on the superhero community that his presence and absence leaves such a huge footprint. Dick Grayson being bold enough to fill his shoes is what's going to be the core of both the contention and the acceptance."

Here is the a little insight for those who believe Bruce will be in the Black Lantern Corps. Didio says this "Well, Black Hand has been seen holding the skull of what is believed to be Bruce Wayne. Plus, he could be disappointed, or this could be a new wrinkle to everything that's been created in the Black Lantern's world. But that will be addressed early in the story of "Blackest Night."

This is what Didio has to say about the Joker finding out Batman is dead. " There are a lot of events going on that take Joker out of the mix for these early stories, and allow some of the other villains of Batman's world to take up the time of the new Batman and Robin. That said, there is a place for the Joker in this story, and it will be a major moment the Joker confronts the new Batman."

Didio has this to say about the Tim Drake going forward. " Tim is basically -- not that he's turned his back on Dick Grayson, but Tim has refused to accept the fact that Bruce Wayne is dead. And of all the characters out there, Tim is the only one who still thinks that he's alive, and Tim is now out basically going around the world trying to look for signs and clues to whether Bruce Wayne may still be alive and where he might be. During this road to finding Bruce Wayne, he also comes across a lot of things that complicate his life."

This is some pretty good insight, with, of course not saying very much. I like Grant Morrison and he certainly knows what he is doing in terms of Batman. I think this rebirth of Batman is in the right hands. I am looking forward to picking this series up next time I hit the store. What do you think?


- Aaron


P.S.


For those of you looking to read the rest of the interview. Without having to find the little link after this post. Here is the site. http://www.comicsalliance.com/2009/06/04/dan-didio-talks-batman-and-robin-and-the-all-new-dynamic-duo/

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DonkeyPuncher
DonkeyPuncher - 6/8/2009, 1:12 PM
i read batman and robin issue 1 and its pretty good. and i think Dick being batman is a perfect fit until Bruce comes back because im pretty sure he will
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 6/8/2009, 1:59 PM
The first issue was..ok! Toad is a frakking lame villain. I know the REd Hood is coming up, i was just expecting a bit more from it.
alten2345
alten2345 - 6/8/2009, 2:01 PM
If the stories are well written I don't care if they have a sh*t throwing monkey taking over the mantle of the bat:)
Supermike
Supermike - 6/8/2009, 3:41 PM
Everyone love Robin about time they did Something about Batman

Nobody Like Batman Nobody ever did maybe now that he not a God he can be a cool hero instead of a lame ass Anita-Hero
loganoneil
loganoneil - 6/8/2009, 3:46 PM
People - it's SOOOOO obvious... Dick Grayson is going to be the new Batman. The little sh!t Damian is going to be the new Robin, and Todd will take over the mantle of Nightwing - PROBLEM SOLVED!

Supermike - I don't normally do this, but since it's you... SHUT THE [FRICK] UP!

'nuff said.
alten2345
alten2345 - 6/8/2009, 4:02 PM
@loganoneil

Umm Dick is already Batman, Damian is already Robin, Tim is Red Robin, and Jason Todd is nursing an ass whooping!
ironknight27
ironknight27 - 6/8/2009, 4:05 PM
I enjoyed the first issue and I like Dick better as Nightwing then Batman but since Bruce is gone there is no one else I would rather have. I was more excited for Judd Winick's Batman book than Grant's though.
Betty
Betty - 6/8/2009, 4:31 PM
Supermike--Who's Anita-Hero? She sounds cool. And wha does she have to do with Batman?

I enjoyed the first ish but it wasn't enough. Sometimes the snails pace of comic books makes me want to stop collecting comics and stick to trades.

I love the Grant/Quietly team. They both have a way of turning a well established reality and showing you the juicy pink underneath.

With Superman-Allstars they really made me understand that Superman is an alien. He could be grotesque and fearsome if he didn't look like the epitome of handsome.
darkclaw
darkclaw - 6/8/2009, 6:21 PM
I think its cool for Dick to take over the mantle of batman for the time being. I do think that Bruce Wayne has to come back and then I think that Dick not being Batman anymore and transitioning to Nightwing it could be interesting depending on how well they handle the story line. It wouldn't be like when he wanted to be Nightwing at first, that was a big part because he wanted to be out of Bruce/Batman's shadow. But now he is Batman...I dunno maybe im just hoping for to much of a story with it. I read the 1st issue...I haven't read comics in years but when I found out they were killing off Bruce Wayne I started gettign back into some of it.
topcat10
topcat10 - 6/8/2009, 7:44 PM
See any similarities - Captain America 'Dies' and his former young partner Bucky takes on the mantle of Captain America. Batman 'Dies' and his former young partner Robin takes on the mantle of Batman. Come on DC you could have at least waited a couple more years before rehashing this storyline.
loganoneil
loganoneil - 6/8/2009, 8:24 PM
Alten - thanks for the update. I've been kinda' turned off by the idea of the 'killing off' of Bruce and haven't been following the saga much since Darkseid 86'ed him (but yet he's not REALLY dead and the whole omega 'beam' / 'saction' crap).
ironknight27
ironknight27 - 6/8/2009, 8:26 PM
I would have been really pissed had they really killed of Bruce but knowing that he isn't dead really puts me at ease because you know that he will come back at some point and Dick can go back to being Nightwing. I think that his role as Batman will be interesting and I can't wait to see him go up against the Joker.
alten2345
alten2345 - 6/8/2009, 8:38 PM
@loganoneil

Not a problem. I'm pretty excited to see what happens with the whole storyline. But it's not like this hasn't happened before. Dick took over after Batman came back and kicked the sh*t out of Batzrael back in the day. Of course this time I don't think it's as big a gimmick as the last time.
loganoneil
loganoneil - 6/8/2009, 9:14 PM
Hey, Bruce is 'dead' - a gimmick is a gimmick, right?
alten2345
alten2345 - 6/8/2009, 9:43 PM
@loganoneil

LOL. I said I don't think it's as BIG a gimmick. I honestly don't feel this was a hyped up "event" like the Death of Superman or the Bane breaking Batman's back story lines.

Obviously they're going to try and boost sales with this and everything but I think it's more a "Grant Morrison wants to write this story" type of deal rather than "let's rape this character for a few bucks" type of thing. Time will tell how much of each this is.
Tobuttica
Tobuttica - 6/8/2009, 9:48 PM
It's not going to stay this way. He's only going to be "dead" for a little while. DC is too original to be copying the Captain America storyline with Bucky becoming Cap. It's just like with Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, and now the Flash. All of these characters were killed, one that was forseen to be killed and replaced, but the fan reaction was too overwhelming to leave them dead and replaced. The same thing is going to happen with Batman. Dick Grayson will only go so far as Batman, then people will tire of it and demand the one and only, true Batman, Bruce Wayne, be back in the mantle again.
alten2345
alten2345 - 6/8/2009, 11:29 PM
@Tobuttica

You can't really include The Flash (Barry Allen) in that list. He was gone for 23 years. I don't think fan reaction had much to do with bringing him back. The powers that be just decided that it was time to bring him back and had the right people (Morrison and Johns) to write the story.

I agree with what you're saying though. These characters rarely, if ever, stay dead and it's only a matter of time before Bruce Wayne returns.
theFACE
theFACE - 6/9/2009, 3:47 AM
Bruce Wayne will return, but he wont re-capture the mantle of the bat, so to speak. And i dont think he'll be back as a black lantern either.
ironknight27
ironknight27 - 6/9/2009, 9:55 AM
I enjoyed Wally as Flash more only because I didn't grow up reading Barry Allen as Flash. I am more familiar with Wally and I wonder what is going to become of him now that Barry is back. I wish they would have left him dead but Johns for some reason really wants to undo all of that shit they did in the 80's with Infinite Crisis. Don't get me wrong I like Johns and I love the stories he writes but I don't think Barry really needed to be brought back.
loganoneil
loganoneil - 6/9/2009, 10:42 AM
I'm sorry, but everytime I think of this storyline, I'm reminded of that bit from 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'...

The Dead Collector: "Bring out yer dead."
[a man puts a body on the cart]
Large Man: "Here's one."
The Dead Collector: "That'll be ninepence."
Old Man: "I'm not dead."
The Dead Collector: "What?"
Large Man: "Nothing. There's your ninepence."
Old Man: "I'm not dead."
The Dead Collector: "'Ere, he says he's not dead."
Large Man: "Yes he is."
Old Man: "I'm not."
The Dead Collector: "He isn't."
Large Man: "Well, he will be soon, he's very ill."
Old Man: "I'm getting better."
Large Man: "No you're not, you'll be stone dead in a moment."
The Dead Collector: "Well, I can't take him like that. It's against regulations."
Old Man: "I don't want to go on the cart."
Large Man: "Oh, don't be such a baby."
The Dead Collector: "I can't take him."
Old Man: "I feel fine."
Large Man: "Oh, do me a favor."
The Dead Collector: "I can't."
Large Man: "Well, can you hang around for a couple of minutes? He won't be long."
The Dead Collector: "I promised I'd be at the Robinsons'. They've lost nine today."
Large Man: "Well, when's your next round?"
The Dead Collector: "Thursday."
Old Man: "I think I'll go for a walk."
Large Man: "You're not fooling anyone, you know. Isn't there anything you could do?"
Old Man: "I feel happy. I feel happy."
[the Dead Collector glances up and down the street furtively, then silences the old man with his a whack of his club]
Large Man: "Ah, thank you very much."
The Dead Collector: "Not at all. See you on Thursday."
Large Man: "Right."
dogchasingcars
dogchasingcars - 6/11/2009, 5:57 AM
@loganoneil omg that was funny as hell i love monty python

holy shit batman you dead lol sorry couldn't help myself

i think it is great that dick took over the cowl now danien as the new robin i am not so sure about however i can't wait to see joker's reaction to this and what will happen what bruce comes back.



"I AM JUST A DOG CHASING CARS I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO IF I EVER CAUGHT ONE."
ironknight27
ironknight27 - 6/11/2009, 2:39 PM
dellamorte1872- I like Batman & Robin but I think I will enjoy Batman and Batman:Streets of Gotham more. I totally dig Winick and Dini as writers.
ironknight27
ironknight27 - 6/11/2009, 3:54 PM
I really like how Winick writes Grayson. He seemed like even more of a badass in the Outsiders and I always wanted him to write for the main Nightwing book. I really didn't like Damian really but I kind of like Jason Todd as a villain. I just hope they dont screw up and kill Dick Grayson off just to bring back Bruce but since no one is taking on the Nightwing costume (other than the Nightwing in Action comics) that always leaves the option of having him go back to being Nightwing when Bruce does come back.
ironknight27
ironknight27 - 6/11/2009, 5:39 PM
The only thing that I can say that differs Damian from Daken is that we know that Bruce slept with Talia and thats how Damian came to be. It was a story that happened long ago but it was something create just for the sake of it like Daken. We never knew about Logan was married and him having a son kind of came out of left field.
ironknight27
ironknight27 - 6/11/2009, 11:58 PM
I like morrison as well but I just didn't care for Final Crisis or the Batman tie ins. I think he started off pretty well with Batman & Robin. Yeah Daken is just an evil Wolverine. I think that they should have stopped at X-23 but yet now we have a copycat Logan with a different placed third claw.
ironknight27
ironknight27 - 6/12/2009, 11:32 AM
The concept for both was interesting but like you said how many versions of wolverine do we need. I wish the would have brought in the exiles version of Mimic to the main books. He had wolverines abilities but he was much more interesting.
ironknight27
ironknight27 - 6/15/2009, 9:42 AM
Exiles was a solid book. I liked how Winick made a character like Mimic more badass. I never really knew who mimic was until that book and I have been a fan ever since.
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