RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Just read RR #15 over the weekend. Some interesting things of note about how the characters are portrayed.
Dick Grayson: Getting used to wearing THE cape and cowl, and again showing why he's a leader. He's shown as being a lot more cavalier than Bruce, and a bit more chatty. In some ways, I'm reminded of Terry in him "Wait, I like to talk too."
Jason Todd: Hasn't made an appearance yet, just wanted to be inclusive. Under the Hood marks him as the Punisher type, and just as sympathetic. I do wish he'd kill the Joker, just to see what would happen next to the character. (and if Jim Gordon would buy him a beer)
Tim Drake/Wayne: Wow. He's becoming as manipulative as Bruce on his best day. To whit:
Damien Wayne: Psychotic little snot. I could picture him under Jason's wing all to easily.
I just think it is interesting from the writing POV, how these characters have changed and evolved.
I hated Damian to begin with, but between his appearances in Red Robin and Batgirl, I've really warmed up to him. I also have to admit that I like the ancillary Bat books a bit more than the regular books. I wasn't thrilled with Batman, and Batman and Robin is okay, but we're going on, what, three years since the whole Black Hand/Dr. Hurt thing first started up.
Anyway, yeah, I'm digging that Tim is the most Bruce like in the Bat family right now, and I like that Tim's main distinction from Bruce is that he's a bit more likely to call in some markers (such as when he did the end run around Ra's al Ghul and in this issue with Miss Martian).
I have really mixed feelings about Dick right now. I like the job he's doing, and since he's been in the cowl he's gone a long way towards erasing the pre-Infinite Crisis scorched earth storyline that Nightwing got saddled with. However, I really would like him to be Nightwing again.
Oddly enough, I was thinking that when Bruce gets back, Dick might still be the better person to train Damian.
I'm not sold on the "multiple Batmen" concept that Morrison is apparently planning for when Bruce returns. I want to let characters be what they are. If Tim is Red Robin, then at least I know who he is, instead of making him "the other Robin," for example.
If there is one thing I'm not thrilled with in Red Robin its that Lonnie isn't Anarky anymore. I'm really hoping that Lonnie ends up in the old gold mask again someday, because I really liked the sympathetic adversary that Anarky represented, instead of having an Anarky that is just straight up a villain.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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I read a post on another board arguing that part of the problem is 'glut at the top' of the DC comics hiearchy.
His point was that the original sidekicks/heirs have shown growth and moved on into their own identies, but the 'third generation' hasn't, and can't.
Dick has become Nightwing, and might be a Batmen when Bruce gets better (not happy with this but at least he's not in limbo)
Donna's become Troia, similar but different than Diana
Roy's been screwed, but he actually became Arsenal first, then backslid to 'red arrow' before the current arm wrenching stupidity.
Garth became Tempest, then got his heart ripped out.
Wally's the exception in that he did take up his mentor's colours. However with Barry's return he's also the example of the problem, he's been shoved into Limbo.
(Karen's the inverse of this, she's survived the Crisis where her Earth-1 counterpart was killed. Now she has her own identity so Kara's appearance doesn't relegate her to limbo)
We have the JSA, so we do have multiple Flashes, Green Lanterns, etc. It's hard though, to see Tim, Cassie, Connor and Bart becoming Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash and Superman because Bruce, Diana, Barry, and Clark aren't going anywhere. Heck, look again at Wally for what happens when you take your mentor's colours. (Or Ryan Choi for that matter)
As stupid as Morrison's 'Batman union' idea sounds, it might make room 'at the top' for Dick and Tim. (Though I'd rather see Dick go back to Nightwing and Tim remain his own man, just not sounding like a fast food chain).
(Though I'd rather see Dick go back to Nightwing and Tim remain his own man, just not sounding like a fast food chain).
Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiim Drake- YUM!
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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(Though I'd rather see Dick go back to Nightwing and Tim remain his own man, just not sounding like a fast food chain).Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiim Drake- YUM!
Ug, I just realised... Tim's 'Fiance' Is Tam Fox. Tim-Tams.
Or should we ask if Stephanie still wants, um, Tim bits?
This is NOT going to end well.
As to 'legacy' characters, I'd also like to see more of Bette. She should be brought 'back' into the Bat family.
Or we should get a team up of Stephanie, Wendy, and Rose. They all have family issues.
I'm actually really enjoying Batgirl as well. The problem is, I'm not sure that Red Robin and Batgirl "feel" like the tripped out Batman world that Morrison is pushing right now. They feel like . . . well, the Batman family stuff I've always liked.
I'm so worn out of the whole three year long Black Glove/Doctor Hurt skirting around the edges of the Bat books and all of the conjecture about who he is and bizarre things like finding the primordial essence of bullets. And its Morrison, after three years, anyone want to bet we won't really get a straight answer about who the hell Doctor Hurt is anyway?
I so want to get back to Bruce catching serial killers and busting mob bosses, and not running an international Batman corporation composed of bad cultural stereotypes from across the globe (although I have kind of warmed up to Knight and Squire).
Morrison writes Bruce light he's writing a thesis on the theoretical perfect human, throwing in all kinds of philosophy and self actualization stuff . . . Batman is a guy that wants to beat on criminals because he saw his parents killed. Yeah, he's really good at it, but he's not some representation of the Perfect Man seeking to reorder the universe.
Morrison can write some really good stories, but I really think the longer he is on a book, the more he pushes the book out of what the book is about and more towards what Grant wants to write regardless of what the book is. Grant wants to write about the Devil as an adversary, super sanity, and international crime fighting societies . . . he just happens to be writing Batman right now, so that all happens to Bruce.
What? What did I say? Sorry, I'm just so used to people reading about how people love Morrison's work on Batman and how it pushes the boundaries and is so revolutionary, I had to vent.
Anyway, that tangentially has to do with the fact that I really like this book because Tim gets to act like a detective fighting crime and hiding his secret identity, and we're even getting some almost Dixon era stories about Tim's love life, whether Tim is trying to have a love life or not. It feels much more right for his character than some of the other Bat books do for their main characters right now, at least to me.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Well I know that his Xorneto bit is loved by some, reviled by others (me included) because he took the complex Magneto (protecting his people, yet skirting the lines of what was done to him), and turned him into a crazy old coot. (Magneto, sending people to gas chambers? Really?)
Maybe I've the same attraction to RR, Batgirl, BoP. They're family to each other. Chuck Dixon's Dick has been seen in RR as a big brother dealing with the squabbling siblings, for example.
Well I know that his Xorneto bit is loved by some, reviled by others (me included) because he took the complex Magneto (protecting his people, yet skirting the lines of what was done to him), and turned him into a crazy old coot. (Magneto, sending people to gas chambers? Really?)
Maybe I've the same attraction to RR, Batgirl, BoP. They're family to each other. Chuck Dixon's Dick has been seen in RR as a big brother dealing with the squabbling siblings, for example.
Morrison is weird to me. I loved his Justice League, I liked the beginning of his X-Men and hated where he went with it, I really disliked most of his Batman work, especially his pointlessly boring Club of Heroes stuff and his tripped out RIP storyline, but yet Batman and Robin haven't been too bad.
Then again, I think he reserves the greatest weirdness for Bruce himself, so he doesn't try to make Dick into The World's Most Interesting Man.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Morrison is weird to me. I loved his Justice League, I liked the beginning of his X-Men and hated where he went with it, I really disliked most of his Batman work, especially his pointlessly boring Club of Heroes stuff and his tripped out RIP storyline, but yet Batman and Robin haven't been too bad.
Then again, I think he reserves the greatest weirdness for Bruce himself, so he doesn't try to make Dick into The World's Most Interesting Man.
If he thwacked you in the head with a Batarang, you'd thank him.
Yellow Lanterns are afraid of him.He once flattened a Green Lantern in one punch.
He is... The World's Most Interesting Man.
I have no love for Morrison whatsoever. I dont' hate him as much as, say, Joss Whedon, but I do think he's off his rocker and should lay off the shrooms.
I have no love for Morrison whatsoever. I dont' hate him as much as, say, Joss Whedon, but I do think he's off his rocker and should lay off the shrooms.
Morrison's JLA was fine, and showed that he could stitch together a fairly straightforward plot. He just usually can't be bothered. I don't actually mind his assumption that comic readers are geniuses and continuity sages, but it usually takes a lot out of his mainstream work when one tries to read it monthly. Issues on end of little to nothing making sense just do not work outside the trade.
Morrison's most annoying tick for me is his constant neat idea ADHD. He pops from one concept to the next without ever giving any of them their due and his stories usually suffer for it. He's a lot better at throwing the ideas out than storytelling.
But still it's nothing on Whedon making Xavier into a slaver.
Morrison's JLA run did have a couple of problems. One, it seemed like they were all "Batman saves the Justice League" as the main plot. Two, his hatred for Kyle Rayner was easy to spot. Every time he wanted to make a villain look powerful by taking out one of the main characters in 2 pages or less it was always the same one.
I wasn't following DC very closely at the time (I read JLA in trades.) but I'm fairly sure I just passed that off as Kyle's then-typical characterization. Guess I was wrong. I'm more of a Marvel fan, generally.
Morrison's JLA was fine, and showed that he could stitch together a fairly straightforward plot. He just usually can't be bothered. I don't actually mind his assumption that comic readers are geniuses and continuity sages, but it usually takes a lot out of his mainstream work when one tries to read it monthly. Issues on end of little to nothing making sense just do not work outside the trade.Morrison's JLA run did have a couple of problems. One, it seemed like they were all "Batman saves the Justice League" as the main plot. Two, his hatred for Kyle Rayner was easy to spot. Every time he wanted to make a villain look powerful by taking out one of the main characters in 2 pages or less it was always the same one.
He hates Rayner?
.........
......
I may have underestimated this man.
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Morrison's JLA was fine, and showed that he could stitch together a fairly straightforward plot. He just usually can't be bothered. I don't actually mind his assumption that comic readers are geniuses and continuity sages, but it usually takes a lot out of his mainstream work when one tries to read it monthly. Issues on end of little to nothing making sense just do not work outside the trade.Morrison's JLA run did have a couple of problems. One, it seemed like they were all "Batman saves the Justice League" as the main plot. Two, his hatred for Kyle Rayner was easy to spot. Every time he wanted to make a villain look powerful by taking out one of the main characters in 2 pages or less it was always the same one.He hates Rayner?
....
.....
......
I may have underestimated this man.
Actually, pick up the JLA's where they work with the Sandman (Neil Gaiman Flavor). Kyle features very prominently in the story with his "wishing ring".
[threadjack] Freehold, have you been up to date with GL or GLCorps?? FREEKIN SWEET!!!!!!!!!!![/threadjack]
[threadjack] Freehold, have you been up to date with GL or GLCorps?? FREEKIN SWEET!!!!!!!!!!![/threadjack]
[threadjack]Once a month. EVERY MONTH.[/threadjack]
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[threadjack] Freehold, have you been up to date with GL or GLCorps?? FREEKIN SWEET!!!!!!!!!!![/threadjack][threadjack]Once a month. EVERY MONTH.[/threadjack]
[threadjack]Lobo with a RED ring, Hector Hammond turned into the Orange Avatar, John almost becoming an Alpha Lantern....man, I can't WAIT every month. What do you think of Brightest Day?[/threadjack]
[threadjack]Lobo with a RED ring, Hector Hammond turned into the Orange Avatar, John almost becoming an Alpha Lantern....man, I can't WAIT every month. What do you think of Brightest Day?[/threadjack][threadjack] Freehold, have you been up to date with GL or GLCorps?? FREEKIN SWEET!!!!!!!!!!![/threadjack][threadjack]Once a month. EVERY MONTH.[/threadjack]
Brightest Day started off okay, but it's starting to show signs of either jumping the rails or supergluing themselves to them. How long have we been staring at a hole in the ground, a tree with a symbol carved into it, or wondering whether or not it would be incest should Hawk and Dove hook up? About three issues too long, that's how long it's been. Stuff needs to happen. Still, I truly enjoyed Black Manta's return, and Hawkman and Hawkwoman are actually DOING things in the comic. What's the deal with Captain Boomerang and Professor Zoom? I wanted the supervillains to be an important part of the comic this time around..
Well if we're going OT, why not... Dex Starr is my favourite lantern ever.
+1.
He's one mean, hard luck kitty. I loves him.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Part of the problem -- perhaps the largest part -- is the way that comics are long in tooth, but continuity is off the rails.
One of the stranger thngs that Crisis on Infinite Earths did was reset continuity. So the stories felt fresh in some way. This was the FIRST Jimmy Olson story! This was the FIRST appearance of the new Metallo. The real ORIGIN of Wonder Woman! But this meant that the creative team could recycle old continuity. The new Grodd isn't all that different from the old Grodd. In the midst of genuinely new takes on characters (Wally West's emergence as the Flash) we got to reread old stories with a new storytelling technique, less story-per-page, and better coloring (the post-Crisis Captain Marvel series).
And that freedom, to rehash continuity rather than build on it, has led to repetitive story-telling in general. "A New Robin!" was a startling plotline when it was Jason Todd. But we've had, um, four new Robins and two new Bat-girls, a new Batwoman, and a couple new Batmen. Even a new "Nite-wing". And even all that would be fine, if those characters were all different, all fresh, all their own people, interacting with the rest of the burgeoning Batman Family. But is Tim all that different from Dick?
And, as Matt points out, one of the serious problems is the reluctance to let the characters drift. Barbara Gordon becoming Oracle was a good move, opening up "Batgirl"-space. Donna Troy gaining the power of the Greek Titans, or the authority of the Darkstars, was a path to her taking her own place in the DC universe. Roy Harper becoming Arsenal was a small step, but a good one. Returning those characters to "Wonder Girl, Diana's magical twin" and to "Red Arrow" just makes it harder for Cassie Sandmark and the assortment of junior GA's to find their own space.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Jason Todd is actually a weird part in the Bat Family.
He died and got better, that's not what makes him weird. What makes him weird is he's trying to find himself. He's been Robin, Nightwing, Batman, Red Robin and the Red Hood. But he doesn't fit any of those parts.
I'd like to see a 'good criminal' persona for Jason. Find a place for him in the rogue's gallery like the Taskmaster for Marvel. Imagine Jason training mooks for villians, so they can fight and not rely on guns, but he leaves 'holes' in their training the batfamily can exploit. Meanwhile his own hand picked lieutenants don't have the holes. Sure Dick or Bruce can take on 1 or two mooks trained in their style, but 10?
He also would be the 'good criminal' in that he does the gun running, racketeer thing but has his own ethics (think like Captain Cold does, or Deathstroke used to). Essentially, he'd become 'Robin's Ras al'Ghul' for Dick, Tim, Stephanie, and Damien.
(not counting DKR, there have been 5 Robins. Dick, Jason, Tim, Stephanie (briefly) and now Damien).
I'd like, in 5 or so years real time, for Stephanie to go back to 'Spoiler' or something else besides 'Batgirl' Basically 'outgrow' the role. Same thing for Cassie/Wonder girl. Attention spans are too short anymore, but I remember when Dick took off the Robin costume, it was to find his own way. He'd outgrown Robin, and had to build his own identity. Here's the monologue.
Jason Todd is actually a weird part in the Bat Family.
He died and got better, that's not what makes him weird. What makes him weird is he's trying to find himself. He's been Robin, Nightwing, Batman, Red Robin and the Red Hood. But he doesn't fit any of those parts.
I'd like to see a 'good criminal' persona for Jason. Find a place for him in the rogue's gallery like the Taskmaster for Marvel. Imagine Jason training mooks for villians, so they can fight and not rely on guns, but he leaves 'holes' in their training the batfamily can exploit. Meanwhile his own hand picked lieutenants don't have the holes. Sure Dick or Bruce can take on 1 or two mooks trained in their style, but 10?
He also would be the 'good criminal' in that he does the gun running, racketeer thing but has his own ethics (think like Captain Cold does, or Deathstroke used to). Essentially, he'd become 'Robin's Ras al'Ghul' for Dick, Tim, Stephanie, and Damien.
(not counting DKR, there have been 5 Robins. Dick, Jason, Tim, Stephanie (briefly) and now Damien).
I'd like, in 5 or so years real time, for Stephanie to go back to 'Spoiler' or something else besides 'Batgirl' Basically 'outgrow' the role. Same thing for Cassie/Wonder girl. Attention spans are too short anymore, but I remember when Dick took off the Robin costume, it was to find his own way. He'd outgrown Robin, and had to build his own identity. Here's the monologue.
I have to disagree with you there, friend. I want Stephanie to go back to being ROBIN. She was amazing for those two issues, and I could really see things working out well if she was Robin and Dick was Batman. Tim being Batman on this would be weird. I would love it, but everyone else would think it was too saccharin/bad 80's fantasy to work. Damian needs to get chummy with our beloved psychopaths, Nite-Wing and Jason Todd.
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RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Jason Todd is actually a weird part in the Bat Family.I'd like to see a 'good criminal' persona for Jason. Imagine Jason training mooks for villians, so they can fight and not rely on guns, but he leaves 'holes' in their training the batfamily can exploit.
Now, if he always left new and different holes in their training, that starts to sound like a Batman villain. Like the Riddler, leaving "fair play" clues to his crimes. And it speaks to Jason's arrogance, so that every time Batman punchs out his muscle, Jason can still feel smug, since it was his faulty training which "allowed" Batman to succeed.
(What I want to know is: why isn't Jason, like, 15? He was still a kid when the Joker killed him, and he certainly hasn't aged any faster than normal people.)
Jason Todd is actually a weird part in the Bat Family.I'd like to see a 'good criminal' persona for Jason. Imagine Jason training mooks for villians, so they can fight and not rely on guns, but he leaves 'holes' in their training the batfamily can exploit.Now, if he always left new and different holes in their training, that starts to sound like a Batman villain. Like the Riddler, leaving "fair play" clues to his crimes. And it speaks to Jason's arrogance, so that every time Batman punchs out his muscle, Jason can still feel smug, since it was his faulty training which "allowed" Batman to succeed.
(What I want to know is: why isn't Jason, like, 15? He was still a kid when the Joker killed him, and he certainly hasn't aged any faster than normal people.)
Dan Didio's probable reponse to this inquiry: An excellent question. Now shut up.
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Jason Todd as a crime lord who takes over the organised crime in Gotham in an attempt to lower incidences of violent crime and attacks against the police would be an interesting development for the character.
Especially if it makes the GCPD reluctant to go after him, because "the alternative was worse".
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Jason Todd as a crime lord who takes over the organised crime in Gotham in an attempt to lower incidences of violent crime and attacks against the police would be an interesting development for the character.
Especially if it makes the GCPD reluctant to go after him, because "the alternative was worse".
Kind of a Johnny Marcone?
While I can't picture Bruce Batman doing it, Dick (or better still, Tim) being his Harry Dresden foil would be interesting.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Jason Todd is actually a weird part in the Bat Family.I'd like to see a 'good criminal' persona for Jason. Imagine Jason training mooks for villians, so they can fight and not rely on guns, but he leaves 'holes' in their training the batfamily can exploit.Now, if he always left new and different holes in their training, that starts to sound like a Batman villain. Like the Riddler, leaving "fair play" clues to his crimes. And it speaks to Jason's arrogance, so that every time Batman punchs out his muscle, Jason can still feel smug, since it was his faulty training which "allowed" Batman to succeed.
(What I want to know is: why isn't Jason, like, 15? He was still a kid when the Joker killed him, and he certainly hasn't aged any faster than normal people.)
Superboy Punch!
Seriously, these are the kinds of stories I'd love to see, not 'Batman inc.'
I mean, a 'Jason Taskmaster' could have all sorts of fun. Leave the penguin's bodyguards vulnerable to crane style kung fu, leave Two Face's men vulnerable to a double punch style, etc. That could even make for an interesting overplot. Batman sees the pattern in the weaknesses, but doesn't know why.
After watching Under the Red Hood, I'd love to see Jason embezzle money from Ras, and take the philanthropy route. He takes a new identity and is right there with Bruce at fancy events, subtly mocking him.
Plus, I'd love to see him frak with Damien. A lot.
I do think that both Yost and Niecieza have done a good job continuing the trend of actually showing some difference between Bruce, Dick, and Tim. Tim is a lot like a less paranoid version of Bruce, and Dick is much more spontaneous and adventuresome.
You know what I miss the most in my Bat books though (well, maybe not the most)? A non-psychotic Talia. I'm just really annoyed that she went from being the sympathetic character that still can't break free of her father, to the vicious female version of her father.
I'm interested to see how Ra's plans for Tim play out, but I hope his new, mysterious daughter that he's been holding in reserve doesn't turn out to just be old Talia but younger.
I do think that both Yost and Niecieza have done a good job continuing the trend of actually showing some difference between Bruce, Dick, and Tim. Tim is a lot like a less paranoid version of Bruce, and Dick is much more spontaneous and adventuresome.
You know what I miss the most in my Bat books though (well, maybe not the most)? A non-psychotic Talia. I'm just really annoyed that she went from being the sympathetic character that still can't break free of her father, to the vicious female version of her father.
I'm interested to see how Ra's plans for Tim play out, but I hope his new, mysterious daughter that he's been holding in reserve doesn't turn out to just be old Talia but younger.
Re: Talia- I skipped annoyed and went straight to disappointed. SO much potential there...
Also, I miss Anarky. I really wanted him to be Tim's primary foil. I also want an adventure where Anarky really WAS right, and Tim has to accept that, possibly even teaming up with him.
Jason Todd is actually a weird part in the Bat Family.I'd like to see a 'good criminal' persona for Jason. Imagine Jason training mooks for villians, so they can fight and not rely on guns, but he leaves 'holes' in their training the batfamily can exploit.Now, if he always left new and different holes in their training, that starts to sound like a Batman villain. Like the Riddler, leaving "fair play" clues to his crimes. And it speaks to Jason's arrogance, so that every time Batman punchs out his muscle, Jason can still feel smug, since it was his faulty training which "allowed" Batman to succeed.
(What I want to know is: why isn't Jason, like, 15? He was still a kid when the Joker killed him, and he certainly hasn't aged any faster than normal people.)
Superboy Punch!
Seriously, these are the kinds of stories I'd love to see, not 'Batman inc.'
I mean, a 'Jason Taskmaster' could have all sorts of fun. Leave the penguin's bodyguards vulnerable to crane style kung fu, leave Two Face's men vulnerable to a double punch style, etc. That could even make for an interesting overplot. Batman sees the pattern in the weaknesses, but doesn't know why.
After watching Under the Red Hood, I'd love to see Jason embezzle money from Ras, and take the philanthropy route. He takes a new identity and is right there with Bruce at fancy events, subtly mocking him.
Plus, I'd love to see him frak with Damien. A lot.
Love that last part. Why am I not surprised you came up with it?
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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I do think that both Yost and Niecieza have done a good job continuing the trend of actually showing some difference between Bruce, Dick, and Tim. Tim is a lot like a less paranoid version of Bruce, and Dick is much more spontaneous and adventuresome.
You know what I miss the most in my Bat books though (well, maybe not the most)? A non-psychotic Talia. I'm just really annoyed that she went from being the sympathetic character that still can't break free of her father, to the vicious female version of her father.
I'm interested to see how Ra's plans for Tim play out, but I hope his new, mysterious daughter that he's been holding in reserve doesn't turn out to just be old Talia but younger.
Re: Talia- I skipped annoyed and went straight to disappointed. SO much potential there...
Also, I miss Anarky. I really wanted him to be Tim's primary foil. I also want an adventure where Anarky really WAS right, and Tim has to accept that, possibly even teaming up with him.
I miss Lonny Anarky.
Ooh, that would be a good story. Tim exposes the corrupt cop/politician/bagel delivery guy. He then goes to arrest the briber, only to find Lonny/Anarky goes and takes care of the guy corrupting him. "He'd always find another hole in the system, Red. Another cop willing to be on the take. This way not only stops him, but makes it clear that trying to bribe a cop can be hazzardous to your health."
Talia could be "redeemed" in a twisted Mrs. Robinson kind of way. She seduces Jason and plans to use him as a foil against her father and Bruce.
The most grusome Talia death has to be Batman Beyond though.
Actually, I'd like to see Ras have an 'anti-bat family'. A coalition of villians and pawns that he uses to advance his agenda, with a longer term goal of grooming an heir. Either from his 'family' or the Bat family.
(and by long term, I'd mean a writer/creative team committed to 3-5 years before pay off)
I miss Anarky (the real one) too. Then again, I also miss Alan Grant writing Batman.