Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Let's talk about: Batman!

Instead of doing reviews(as usual), I'm going to try something a little bit different tonight. If this works out then I'll make this whole, "Let's talk about" feature regular here on my little piece of the Internet. As is the case with everything I do on this blog, I'm doing this to open up a dialogue with my fellow comic book fanatics, so feel free to chime in with your opinions when you're done reading.

Alright, with that said, let's get to the meat of this post, the Batman. And no, I don't mean Dick Grayson, I mean the real Batman, Bruce Wayne. I don't think I'd be surprising anybody when I state that Bruce is set to return to the DCU later on this year. I doubt this news is going to take anybody by surprise, right? I mean, we all knew Bruce was coming back once we finished reading Final Crisis, correct? Anyway, when Bruce does return, what is his role in the DCU going to be? That is the question I'm going to pose here. What happens to Bruce and the rest of the Bat-family upon Bruce's inevitable return? Let's take a look at each member of the Bat-family, and I'll give my ideas as to what will/should happen to them when Bruce pops back up.

Bruce Wayne: Well, this one's easy! Bruce comes back and reclaims the Mantle of the Bat. I can't see how that doesn't occur. I guess there's a 0.0008% chance that Bruce comes back and doesn't immediately become Batman again, but come on, that's NOT going to happen. No, once Bruce comes back, he's Batman again, period.

Dick Grayson: With Bruce(presumably)becoming Batman again, where does that leave the current Batman, Dick Grayson? I can only see one of two things occuring, #1, Bruce returns from the past(or where ever the hell he is)and decides to allow Dick to continue playing Batman. From there Dick(and/or Damian)gets egregiously injured(or even killed), which leads to Bruce becoming Batman again. Now being a huge Dick Grayson fan, I obviously hope that doesn't occur. If not that, then upon Bruce's return Dick voluntarily hands over the Bat-mantle since he's never really felt 100% at ease trying to fill Bruce's shoes. Then Dick becomes... Well, I'm not really sure who he becomes! Chris Kent is currently using the Nightwing name, and Damian is Robin, so either Dick takes on a new role(again)or he goes back to being Nightwing and there will just be two Nightwings running around the DCU. It's not like that hasn't happened before, hell, there are no less then 3 current Flashes and hundreds of Green Lanterns, so what's the big deal about there being two Nightwings? Personally, I think Dick takes on a new identity upon giving up the Cowl.

Damian Wayne: This one is pretty easy as well. As long as Grant Morrison is the driving force behind the Batman family of books, Damian will be heavily featured. When Bruce reclaims the Mantle of the Bat, my guess is that Damian stays on as Robin. Hopefully working with Bruce will give Damian the humility he so desperately needs to make him a more likeable character. I can't imagine Grant killing Damian off or writing him out of the Bat books, so there's really nothing else for him to do but continue being Robin.

Tim Drake-Wayne: See, now this one's really interesting. It's my understanding that Tim took on the Red Robin moniker because it was already sullied, and as long as Bruce was gone, he was going to continue wearing it. But when Bruce comes back, then what? He obviously can't go back to being Robin, he has definitely outgrown that position. It would have made sense for Tim to have become Nightwing, following in the footsteps of Dick(Robin->Nightwing), but if Dick doesn't decide to take back the Nightwing name, I doubt Tim would... Unless Dick was to die in battle. If Dick were to perish, I could see Tim taking up the Nightwing name as a show of respect for his fallen "brother". Since I don't think(or want!)Dick will to die, that puts us back to square one with Tim. My best guess is that Tim will continue serving as Red Robin and will return to Gotham, where he can occasionally work with Bruce again. In a perfect world, Tim would keep the costume, but lose the name, because I just HATE that he's running around with the name of a fast food joint!

Alfred Pennyworth: Alfred goes back to Wayne Manor and serves as Bruce's confidant again.

Stephanie Brown: This is another character that could go any number of ways. Currently Steph is serving as Batgirl, since Cassandra Cain quit upon learning of Bruce's "death". Since Bruce did allow Steph to temporarily serve as Robin, and since she is getting mentored by Barbara Gordon, I don't think Bruce would have any problems with Steph remaining Batgirl. However, I don't know if Cassandra would have the same feelings... With Bruce back, maybe she would want to reclaim the Batgirl moniker, which could lead to a Battle for the Batgirl Cowl. Personally I think Steph is 10 times the character Cassandra is, so I'm hoping DC decides to keep Steph as Batgirl. If worse came to worse, she could always go back to her former identity of Spoiler, but I think she'll remain Batgirl into the foreseeable future.

Barbara Gordon: I doubt Barbara's life is going to change up much, if at all when Bruce reemerges. She'll still be the brains of the Bat-family, and hopefully she'll still be mentoring Steph. The only thing I hope is that Babs gets an expanded role, because she deserves more then a supporting part in the Batgirl comic.

Selina Kyle: Hmm hmm hmm... At the end of the Batman: RIP storyline in Detective Comics, Bruce proclaimed his love for Selina and then he was promptly "killed" by Darksied. When Bruce returns, where exactly will the relationship between Bruce and Selina stand? Selina doesn't currently have a love interest, which is interesting to me. I'm hoping that Bruce and Selina rekindle their romance. She's the perfect woman for him, in my opinion at least. She already knows he's Batman, she's also a costumed adventurer, and she's a strong character with a loyal fan following. Hell, if it was up to me, I'd move Selina into Wayne Manor and marry them already! I doubt that's going to occur, but I do think they will resume their on again/off again relationship.

Azrael & Batwoman: I really don't know enough about either of these characters to make any predictions or guesses, so I'm going to skip them for now.

Batman's villains: Bruce's return to the cape and cowl probably won't matter much to most of his villains, since few of them know Bruce Wayne and Batman are one and the same. With that said though, there are a few who are aware of Bruce's dual persona, so I'll take a quick look at them.

Hush: Since Tommy Elliot currently looks like Bruce Wayne due to some cosmetic surgery, it's pretty obvious SOMETHING has to be done with him when Bruce returns, because there isn't any reason for there to be two Bruce Wayne's running around. I kind of suspect that Hush may actually be the current Black Mask(although I think Hush was incarcerated when Black Mask began reappearing). If Hush IS the Black Mask, then he could just keep Bruce's face since it will be hidden under a mask most of the time, plus when he fights Bruce that can add more fuel to the fire, because I know I'd be pissed is I was fighting a guy who had my face! If he isn't Black Mask though, then I'm going to say he gets cut up/disfigured in some way by an old enemy like Two-Face or the Riddler, thereby solving the problem of there being two Bruce Wayne's

Jason Todd: What happens with Jason Todd can go one of two ways, either he continues being a background/garbage character, or DC finally smartens up and actually does the right thing with Jason, and that would be reforming him. If I had my way, Jason would learn that Bruce had returned to life, and would decide to try to bury the hatchet with his former mentor, since I think all Jason wants deep down is Bruce's approval. From there, he could operate out of Gotham and act in a similar manner that the former Azrael(Jean-Paul Valley)did, fighting crime with more of an edge. That way Jason actually becomes an interesting character again, and there would be plenty of intrigue as to whether or not he could continue walking the path of a hero. Unfortunately, I don't think any of that is going to happen, and when Bruce returns Jason will continue to be nothing more then a c-list villain to be disposed of periodically by a member of the Bat-family.

Ra's Al Ghul: Ra's will be thrilled that Bruce is back! I figure Ra's is probably in a depressed funk somewhere since he can no longer match wits with The Detective. Once he finds out Bruce is alive, he'll probably do a celebratory dance before continuing to be a thorn in Bruce's side.

Talia Al Ghul: Talia will probably continue to try to persuade Bruce that he should be with her, but I just don't see that happening. If Bruce does hook-up with Catwoman though, that could lead to some interesting stories between the two women. If nothing else, Talia will be in Bruce's life for as long as Damian is around.

Well, I think I've covered a variable who's who in the Batman Universe! Let me know what you think of my ideas for the future of the Batman, and feel free to tell me what you think will happen to the Batman status quo when Bruce returns. As always, Long Live The Legion!

42 comments:

  1. Lmao @ a celebratory dance. That made this article even greater. I agree with everything you said, especially the whole Red Robin fast food joint name. I will say that if Jason does get reformed if he just gonna be Jason Todd or would he be Red Hood still? Also would that lead to a Red Hood/Red Robin Team up? :P

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  2. First, just wanted to say that although I never comment, I have been following your blog for close to a year and find what you do awesome!

    Second, I think that IF (and this is a big IF) DC reformed Jason Todd, he would either have to take the name of RedRobin or create a new bird character name, hopefully one of a color different than red (Robin) or blue (Nightwing).

    Third, I am almost certain that Tim Drake Wayne will stay with the Red Robin name unless someone like Dick or Damien died. Only then could I see him taking the mantle of Nightwing or Robin. There is a chance that he would create a new name, but I just think he will stick with RedRobin, partially just to be a pain to Damien.

    Fourth, I see Dick Grayson as returning to the Nightwing name within a few months after Bruce Wayne reclaims the mantle of Batman. There is no need for Dick to create a new name as there have been previous times when two people took up the Nightwing mantle (Jason Todd).

    Fifth, Cassandra Cain. I don't know what to even say about her. I think that whereever she is, she will be directly involved with bringing Bruce back from "the dead". Question is what will be done with her and/or Stephanie after Bruce's return. After the way that both Cassandra and Stephanie were "womanized" (Steph w/ woman in freezer plot and Cass w/ alliance change after 1 Year Jump) in the past, I feel that they both need to stay in the Bat Family. I think that Stephanie fits the role of Batgirl, and so a new role will have to be created for Cass. My initial thought was her possible becoming Batwoman, but then remembered that it was taken. If Cassandra had to create a new role, I imagine the colors of black and yellow sticking with her. Possible Catgirl, IDK.

    Anyways, that is my two cents.

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  3. Interesting ideas! Personally, I think Batman and Superman should trade cities for a year.

    I also wanted to tell you about a new hiking blog I started. You can find it at http://www.ultimatehikingguide.blogspot.com. Comments are appreciated!

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  4. Thanks for the responses gents.

    Jason: I kind of figure if JT were ever to reform, he'd probably stick with the Red Hood name, although I do like Cole's idea of him taking on some other kind of bird name... I figure something darker since he's the black sheep of the Bat-clan. Raven? Blackbird? I'd go with something along those lines.

    Cole: Well first off, thanks for reading! It looks like for the most part we're on the same wavelength with our thoughts on the various members of the bat-family. There probably won't be much change, with the exception of Dick getting demoted back to Nightwing. I really like the idea of revamping Cassandra as Catgirl. She could either get stuck in the Gotham City Sirens comic with Catwoman or maybe a new Birds of Prey with Babs. Either way, that idea works for me.

    Scott: A hiking blog? I'll definitely give it a look.

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  5. I love the Blackbird name...and maybe it's just me but I'd rather see Cassandra Cain join the Birds of Prey/

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  6. Yeah, I actually kind of like Blackbird as well... It makes perfect sense in the context of Jason's character. As for Cassandra, so long as Steph remains Batgirl, I really don't care what she ends up doing! I'd be fine with a new identity in a Birds of Prey-like comic.

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  7. I also like Blackbird. Although, I wonder if Marvel would be upset cause of the same name as the X-Men's former jet. As for a new Birds of Prey and Cassandra joining, I would be all for that! However, I was also trying to think of a new Bird name, and came up with BlueJay. I originally saw this as a female character, but it could be Jason or Tim, and hopefully it would be an already existing character.

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  8. X-Man, if you have hiking questions, leave a comment, and I will try to write an article to answer them. Haven't had any comments, come on!

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  9. Hmm, good point about the Blackbird name Cole... I wouldn't think there'd be a problem since Blackbird is a real word and it's not like DC would be using the name on a piece of equipment, they'd be using it for a person. Then again, copyright laws are most definitely NOT my expertise!

    I think Bluejay could work as well. It could be used for a male or female I'd think. Wow, when you really think about it, there are A LOT of bird related names DC could go with if they so chose to.

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  10. I never noticed how many characters are named after/based on birds. Robin, Nightwing, Hawk, Dove, Raven, Black Canary, and Lady Blackhawk spring to mind.

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  11. Yeah, once I really started thinking of various bird names to use for characters, they just kept on coming! Jeez, there are a LOT of different birds out there that I never knew about! Growing up in NYC, all I had to contend with were the occasional crow and millions of pigeons.

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  12. Lol same here, pigeons, Pelicans at the little island that's latched onto Detroit known as Belle Isle. I have seen a few Robins and Blue Jays around my house though. Speaking of which, what if they had a young DC hero named Pigeon.

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  13. If you want a laugh JT, check out the picture I posted on my most recent review(the Adventure Comics #452 one). Believe it or not, I actually posted that before I even read what you had to say about naming somebody Pigeon!

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  14. Lmao, I saw that and waited til this post to comment. REALLY?! Pigeon Woman? I've seen comic covers with Batman dressed as a Zebra, Batman having a gun duel with Superman who IS invulnerable to bullets, and Superman boxing Muhammad Ali. Yet that may be the most astonishing thing ever. Who the hell would even create a character named pigeon woman?!

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  15. You've got to wonder what the writers/artists were smoking back in the 1960's/1970's!

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  16. Clearly some stuff that should no longer be available. Imagine if Pidgeon Person took the role of Catwoman in the Batman mythos.

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  17. Ha, yeah, I somehow get the feeling that wouldn't have went over with the fans very well!

    Then again, forget Catwoman, how about Pigeon Person=Black Mask!?! How's that for a swerve!

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  18. Lmao Pidgeon Person is the evil mastermind that is Black Mask. I'd probably clap at the sheer stupidity if that was in fact Pidgeon Person.

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  19. You know, after the momentary shock passed, I'd probably also applaud the Black Mask/Pigeon Person reveal. Hell, that would STILL be better then Toyman!

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  20. Pigeon Woman!? WTF!? lol. That had me laughing out loud for a minute. I can think of tons of bird/flying related names that are already used in the DC Universe, but I can't think of many (non-stupid) names that aren't being used. We've already created Catgirl, Blackbird, and Blue Jay. What about Birdman? Sounds like a lame rival to Batman. Hmmmm, I guess the question would be what names of birds could be used without it sounding completely out there, as most new names always sound like they are out there.
    Sparrow, Swan, Kiwi, Falcon, Eagle, or Crane. I could totally imagine a girl as the Pink Flamingo.

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  21. Pigeon Woman!? WTF!? lol. That had me laughing out loud for a minute. I can think of tons of bird/flying related names that are already used in the DC Universe, but I can't think of many (non-stupid) names that aren't being used. We've already created Catgirl, Blackbird, and Blue Jay. What about Birdman? Sounds like a lame rival to Batman. Hmmmm, I guess the question would be what names of birds could be used without it sounding completely out there, as most new names always sound like they are out there.
    Sparrow, Swan, Kiwi, Falcon, Eagle, or Crane. I could totally imagine a girl as the Pink Flamingo.

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  22. Cole, I don't know if you checked out my review for Adventure Comics #452, but if you haven't, check out the pic on that page, that should explain the dread menace that was the Pigeon Person. That is definitely one of those, "What were they thinking!?!" moments.

    I like a few of those names, I could see Sparrow as a younger hero, with Falcon and Eagle also working for a male character. Pink Flamingo, Swan and Kiwi I see more as female characters. As for Crane, I kind of have that name hooked up with Scarecrow, so I'm not sure if that would work. I do like Sparrow the most for a younger, up and coming Batman fan/follower though. You know, like a young hero who wanted to follow in Robin's footsteps.

    Birdman? He could be the arch-nemesis of Catman I guess!
    :-)

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  23. I gotta say I Love the name's Sparrow and Pink Flamingo. Eagle works too but Sparrow just seems like such an awesome name for a younger hero.

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  24. Yeah, I could easily see a young, new Bat-family member take on the moniker Sparrow. It's a perfect fit.

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  25. Hm...Steph should have used that name instead of Spoiler. I wouldn't be upset if Damian took that name when he upgraded from the Robin role.

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  26. Man, I wonder what Damian will be like in 7-8 years time... You think he'd have mellowed, or do you think he'd have become a villain by then. Or, since I doubt Grant would still be on the Bat-titles, maybe some other writer would have killed him off. What do you think?

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  27. I wouldn't mind him getting killed off. Well if they keep him funny I'd like for him to stay around but if he's still a little jerk by then I'd just want them to scrap him. But you can't kill Damian without Ra's or Talia dropping him in a Lazarus pit so I'm gonna vote he goes Rogue.

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  28. I wouldn't mind him getting killed off. Well if they keep him funny I'd like for him to stay around but if he's still a little jerk by then I'd just want them to scrap him. But you can't kill Damian without Ra's or Talia dropping him in a Lazarus pit so I'm gonna vote he goes Rogue.

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  29. Mmm, yeah, you're right. If Damian ever did get killed, you know Talia would toss him into a Lazarus Pit and he'd pop back out as annoying as ever! Personally I hope he mellows out when Bruce comes back and turns into a more likable character.

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  30. I'm assuming he will, In Batman and Son Bruce yelled at him once and he was perfectly obedient after that, so hopefully Bruce can teach him how to stop being such a little assclown.

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  31. First, Damon is annoying atm, but I believe Bruce will put Damon in his place once he is back. We resort back to the question at hand, if Bruce becomes Batman again, who else gets a change of title. I'm assuming that once Bruce is found, Tim and Cassandra will rejoin the Bat Family. Something that just popped into my mind right now is, "What would happen if BOTH Dick and Bruce kept the mantle of the Bat?" Each has their own Robin and Batgirl? I think I could imagine this working for about 6 months before any of the 6 changed their title.

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  32. Yeah, I can see Bruce getting Damian to listen to him, JT... To an extent. Even after he was scolded by Bruce, he would still act in ways I wouldn't expect a Robin to act in.

    You know Cole, that's actually a really interesting proposal. Why can't there be two Batman's in the DCU? I mean look at all of the Flashes, Green Lanterns, Wildcats, there are even two Green Arrows! I can't see why having "Batman" showcasing Bruce, Tim and Cass, while "Batman and Robin" follows Dick, Damian and Steph wouldn't work. Personally, I really like that idea. I guess the question is, would the public accept two Batmans? The only problem I see with that approach is that Dick would always look like the inferior Batman when compared to Bruce.

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  33. I love that Idea, I really do, but like you said X, everyone would look at Dick as not being the REAL Batman. Just like how people from earlier generations look at Barry as the Real Flash and I myself look at Wally as The Real Flash even though they have the same name. And Even Grayson fans would hate to see Dick in Bruce's shadow like that.

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  34. Yeah, that would be the main problem, Dick being perceived as a lesser Batman, and as a big fan of the character, that would kind of suck. It's like you said(or typed I guess...)JT, when you talk about certain characters to people you call them by certain names. When I talk about Dick, I still refer to him as "Nightwing", while Bruce is still "Batman"(btw, Wally is Flash to me, while Barry is Barry and Jay is Old Flash!). The same thing is going on in Marvel with Steve Rogers coming back. Bucky may be dressed like Captain America, but to me, he's still Bucky, while Steve is Cap.

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  35. I love the fact that you call Jay old Flash. I'm sure he'd appreciate that. :P As weird as it sounds I like everyone where they are. I'd be fine if Dick went back to being Nightwing as long as he stays in the JLA because he deserves it. Damian is okay as Robin under Bruce, and I love Steph as Batgirl. What that means for Cass, Tim and Jason if he ever turns back to a good guy, I have no idea but they'd be a hell of a team. Another Trio like Birds of Prey or The Sirens.

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  36. Well, Jay IS Old Flash! I call Alan Scott Old Green Lantern, and Ted Grant Old Wildcat as well, so it's not like I'm just picking on Jay! They really are OLD!
    :-)

    I'm actually fine with everything you listed as well. The only thing I'd switch up is Tim's name, 'cause like I've said before, I really don't like the Red Robin name! That'd be like putting on a crown and calling yourself Burger King!

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  37. Lol the old JSA. I saw a Wildcat/Catwoman cross over and its one of those things You KNOW they just did because of the cat in their names, like Green Lantern/Arrow.

    Hm...what if you had Jason Todd as Black Hawk (No relation to lady Blackhawk), Cass as Sparrow, and Tim as Dark Robin (I'm not THAT creative) and they teamed as The Black birds?

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  38. Okay, an interesting note I read somewhere online is that they are bringing Birds of Prey back (in May) under the Brightest Day banner. I think that this will allow the necessary changes that need to take place. I still like the idea of two Bat trios, but I suppose that won't happen. I feel like Huntress, Lady Blackhawk, and Misfit will join the BoP, but I think either Cassandra or Stephanie will also join. And Yes, X-Man, I am aware of your hatred for Misfit, but I think she just needs some time for you to get used to her. I feel like she could be to Huntress what Tim Drake is to Batman.

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  39. Dark Robin, JT? That sounds like something you'd see over in Marvel!

    I'd heard about the Birds of Prey returning as well(I think it was JT who informed me actually), and that's one series I can't wait to see come back. I never really got why they cancelled it in the first place... I definitely agree with Huntress and Lady Blackbird returning, if I had a wish list though, Steph and Black Canary would be on the team as well(with Oracle of course!).

    Comparing Misfit to Tim Drake?!? Harsh! Misfit is one character I just can't get into. She's one of those rare characters that annoys me everytime I see her. Kind of like Damian... If she does come back, hopefully she won't be as annoying as she was before. Gah, Misfit...

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  40. I believe Canary is set to join the Birds again, and I also think Cass or Steph will join. I'd love to see Cassie rolling with Huntress and Canary with Oracle at the Helm. Can't wait to read that.

    And yeah X, Dark Robin...I must've been posessed by bendis.

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  41. Yeah, so I know this is an old post, but it only fits here. I was reading through the list of members of the JLA on wikipedia, and apparently characters called Blue Jay, the Black Condor, and the Golden Eagle already exist and are associated with, or served on, the JLA. I totally want those three remade for the Batman series. Just saying...

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  42. Wow, they seem to let ANYBODY join the JLA I guess... Since there are probably only like a dozen people who even know who those characters are, I'd be all for remaking them into the Bat-universe.

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