Thanks to that New York Comic Con "Battle for the Cowl" panel, we know (sorta) where all this Batman stuff is going post-R.I.P. For the uninitiated, Batman is supposed to be "dead," though no one who has read a D.C. comic in the last 10 years really believes that.
Anyway, D.C. is shaking up its collection of Bat-themed titles this year in ways that are thrilling (Batwoman!) and not so much (Red Robin). I have enjoyed Peter Tomasi's run on "Nightwing," so I'm bummed that this title is going away. However, I have faith that the totally awesome Dick Grayson will remain a big part of the collective Batman story. He's a popular character, and with Batman gone, there's some speculation that he'll take up his former mentor's mantle. It would be crazy for D.C. to throw him under the bus ... right?
I have particularly high hopes for Batwoman's star turn in "Detective Comics." After all the press about Kate Kane/Batwoman being a lesbian a few years back, I assumed that D.C. would seriously heighten her profile. While she played a memorable role in the "52" series as Renee Montoya's (the new Question) ex and returned in "Final Crisis," the big splash didn't quite happen. So I was really pleased to hear that the talented Greg Rucka will be writing Batwoman's story. I'm also pleased that Rucka has said, essentially, that anyone who has problems with the character's sexuality can bite him.*
My knee-jerk reaction to the news of the "Red Robin" title was that a) it was retarded and b) it was silly to bring Robin No. 2, Jason Todd, back from the dead in the first place. Todd's death was one of the most poignant moments in D.C. history, and it feels cheap when characters like Todd and Barry Allen are resurrected years later. However, good writing can overcome (almost) anything, and if it's well done, I'll read it.
More details on all the shuffling are here.
*Not a direct quote, obviously.
