When Batman's Been Dead - Batman & Robin 13: The Essence of Dick Grayson

[jlroberson]

Possible spoiler.

People may knock Morrison, or for that matter Frazer Irving(whom I like, and hope I don't see a cascade of flames here), on BATMAN & ROBIN. But for my own part, Morrison has taught me to respect Dick Grayson, and to understand what he is. And to me, this sequence, in the final panel, is the essence of what Dick Grayson is. He never gives up and there's always a way. If Batman is "justice", Grayson is "hope."


Also, you can knock Grant all you like, but Dr. Hurt's far more interesting than, say, Hush.(and I just noticed a tiny hint of Adams in Dick in that last panel. Probably unintended but neat)
(PS if interested: This week's LULU.)

Writer: grant morrison
Artist: frazer irving
title: batman & robin
character: batman/dick grayson
character: dr. hurt
character: robin/damian wayne
theme: when batman's been dead
publisher: dc comics
Have icons.

Comments

[icon_uk]

Though it probably won't happen, there's a part of me that's really hoping that Dick has done something like call in the JLA here, just because it's the last thing Hurt would expect, and being prepared to ask for help is a very Dick Grayson thing to do, and one that distinguishes him from Bruce.

If Dick tries to outdo Hurt like Bruce would, he will lose because he's not Bruce, if he approaches it like Dick Grayson, completely ignores Hurt's Freudian motivation bullshit and treats him like just another deranged villain, he stands a much better chance.

[wizardru]

Dick doesn't need the JLA. It's the night of the eclipse and the return of the GOD DAMNED BATMAN. He knows Batman is coming from the future to kick Hurt's ass.

[icon_uk]

Ah, I didn't know Dick was aware of that.

[xammax]

There is a 3 day gap. For all we know Dick is now aware of cosmic secrets... its Morrison wanna doubt it?

[icon_uk]

Given much of Morrison's treatment of Dick Grayson, I might, Damian on the other hand, would be revealed to have found out ALL the cosmic secrets, and had always known them but just didn't feel like sharing.

[jlroberson]

Of course Dick knows those. Dick KNOWS EVERYONE who could tell him, but, really, everyone. He's DC's Kevin Bacon.

[icon_uk]

"Hey Spectre, DG here, how are things? Great thanks. Anyway, Alfred and I are having a bit of a discussion and couldn't agree on a point.., so Zatanna and Mr Terrific didn't know, and Zee suggested we try the Phantom Stranger, and he was in one of his "oh-so-mysterious moods" ... heh-heh-heh, you really sound like him when you do that. Yeah, one of those. So HE suggested we try you. so tell us; what IS the secret of life the universe and everything? Uh-huh.... uh-huh... hang on let me be sure I spelled that bit right.. T-I-A-M-A-T... uh-huh.. Really? Wow! Never would have thought of that one... Thanks Spec, gotta go, drop by and play cards sometime..." Hey Alfred, wait'll you hear the answer to THIS one...

[jlroberson]

Remember, this is the same writer who got Batman out of an inescapable deathtrap in GOTHIC by having him step out of the panel.

[icon_uk]

Of course the real answer to the above is that the DCU exists to give Dick Grayson somewhere to be tied up in, but the Spectre didn't want him to undergo existential bondage concerns.

[jlroberson]

That Grayson boy is certainly good at getting captured and tied up, this is true.

[icon_uk]

Can't say as I'd noticed myself... ;)

[jlroberson]

Remember some hint is made of some power that Hurt expects connected to a black sun, the repeating event in RETURN, and connected with whatever booby trap Darkseid has laid for the world via Wayne.

Two things. Fucking Christ, FC isn't even OVER yet? Sorry, had to vent.

Second, this sounds like it could be Bruce's biggest mindfuck of all.

Or, and third: Grayson has been connected a lot to Lazarus Pits and the question of their use in this storyline. Just saying.

[icon_uk]

I want an utter and absolute moratorium on the use of Lazarus Pits for ANYONE except Ra's himself, effective... well, about three years ago for preference. They're a nice gimmick for a sinister immortal figure like Ra's, but have become such a cheap plot point that if Dick IS killed in this, I'd rather they had him stay dead than all trudge out to the local Pits'R'Us to dunk him in.

[jlroberson]

Hope he can pull that bullet back out of Dick's head then.

Although interestingly, though we're explicitly shown the shooting, we are just as explicitly shown no exit wound or blood. Dick's face is intact in the shot. It wouldn't be. I think that's meant as more than tasteful.

[wizardru]

I think it's a pretty clear indication (given this is Morrison) that:

1) Dick knows Bruce is coming.
2) Both Batmen have a Plan.
3) Hurt pulls the trigger, but that bullet will NEVER arrive.

We've got mind-altering drugs, an impostor who may be the devil for all we know and a time-traveler who is simultaneously dealing with a booby-trap left by a dead god.

I think it's safe to say that Dick knows he's not dying today.

[benicio127]

I think that would seem like a bit of a repeat of the recent events in Red Robin where Tim called in his friends to help out against Ra's assassins.