Request: Batman, Child Whisperer pt. 2 of 2

[perletwo.insanejournal.com]

Runespoor7 requested interaction between Batman and children. This post I've scanned 4 pages from JLA #106, "The Pain of the Gods," Nov. 2004, 22 pages.

I don't have #105 so I can't summarize this very well, but I'll try; feel free to fill in the gaps in the comments, gang. The issue opens with Superman and Wonder Woman stopping a super-powered boy from beating the krep out of a gang of schoolyard bullies. The kid is furious with Superman for "letting his father die," and punches Supes clear through three rooms of the school building. So, next step: Talk with his mom.

No "Honey" for this kid, lemme tellya. He's the Gosh-Darn Batman, dagnabbit!





Say it with me now: HIS PARENTS ARE DEAD!

More stuff happens, and things get resolved, but Bats is never really alone with either of the Abernathy kids again in the story. So there you go. A whole new Bat-attitude for a whole new era.

Comments

[xammax.insanejournal.com]

Wow Batman using his mind and wits to solve a crisis... you know exactly what the character is. Oh... and like most mythic figures (which comics are called a modern form of) he is the more then everyman who stands with gods you say... for heavens no. Next he will go on an epic quest that no mere mortal should be able to conquest, or he will best gods and demons on their own level. But dear god why would anyone want to read that, except all those who buy those comics?

[mcity.insanejournal.com]

I'm sure there's a point behind all that sarcasm, I just have no idea what it is.

[crinosg.insanejournal.com]

Icon love.

[saralakali.insanejournal.com]

Sometimes sarcasm is its own point. :)

[proteus_lives.insanejournal.com]

Batman: "I'm a total dick. I'm a total dick for the sake of the world."

[perletwo.insanejournal.com]

"Somebody's got to do it. Clark is too nice, and Diana's too pretty. So I gotta be the total dick. For the sake of the world!"

[tanetris.insanejournal.com]

"Clark is too nice, Diana's too pretty, and Dick is much too pretty."

Fixed that for you.

[darkknightjrk.insanejournal.com]

I love Batman's explanation at the end: "You stand there and look stupid, while I figure out what's actually going on."

[perletwo.insanejournal.com]

Teamwork! *nods*

[runespoor7.insanejournal.com]

Given how often Batman runs around the bad guy wasting time until someone with powers comes in to punch the big bad out, I figure he's earned the reverse.

[dcanacek.insanejournal.com]

Read the issue where he helps Plastic-Man get his kid out of a gang. Batman does NOT want to have to do his thing. "Do you realize the effect I can have on the mind of a child?' (or words to that effect)

Then theres the issue of Gotham Knights where Bats completely misses the boat on who killed a child's parents because he felt empathy for the kid.

Is Bats a dick? Most of the time yes. Is he that way to children, generally no.

[yaseen101.insanejournal.com]

Last scene, usually I go on a rage whenever I see Bat-dickery but somehow I'm ok with this, don't know why.

[requiem2adream.insanejournal.com]

When it comes to Batman and kids, nothing will ever beat his interactions with Helena Kyle for me. He put a baby-seat in the friggin' Batmobile for her!

[perletwo.insanejournal.com]

Alas I have none, only these 2 examples of Bats/kids. Please to post some?

[requiem2adream.insanejournal.com]

Luckily, someone has already posted it (http://asylums.insanejournal.com/scans_daily/239201.html#cutid1) - it was the first time I saw it myself and part of the reason I started reading Catwoman :D

[sistermagpie.insanejournal.com]

I love Batman with kids. Even when he's being a dick, for some reason.

[perletwo.insanejournal.com]

*nods* You don't expect him to deign to notice him, based on his overall persona, and then he's right down there on the floor mixing in with them. (Even if it is to be a Batdick, as here.)

I'd give my eyeteeth to see Bats interact with Milagro Reyes. Worlds would tremble from the combined awesome!

[darklorelei.insanejournal.com]

I'd give my eyeteeth to see Bats interact with Milagro Reyes. Worlds would tremble from the combined awesome!

DO WANT.

[iesika.insanejournal.com]

YESYESYES

[mysteryfan.insanejournal.com]

I really like this. And I don't even see it as him being a dick. Just him being him, really. And a detective. Which is always nice to see.

I love that he's all about teamwork, even though... well. I do think he clearly thinks he does think he's the most important 'I' in the team. Also, fighting with a child over a toy. That's epic.

[runespoor7.insanejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this! I like how everyone is completely unfazed that Bats is playing with the little girl rather than asking the questions.

IIRC, there's another panel that can be interpreted as part of the theme Batman-and-kids later on - I think they're in graveyard, and everyone in the League is standing close to the grave, except for Batman, who's watching the scene from up a nearby tree.

I get the feeling that having parents present cramps his style with children.

[iesika.insanejournal.com]

Is the mom a meta? Because that is one hell of a scary face in the middle of the second to last page.

[perletwo.insanejournal.com]

As it turns out, yes - and using her powers to no good end, in her grief.