Editorial: 5 things I want to see in Batman and Robin Eternal

Batman Eternal; I did a 4 issue test on the series in January (despite the fact the 4th issue came out in April the year before, before I even started this blog) it was a good story but it's focus on the plot and big reveals whilst character work was limited to only Batman, Julia Pennyworth, Spoiler and Jim Gordon (with a few sprinkles for Batgirl and the Red Hood) preventing me from calling it a great story. Next month, a new series of Batman Eternal is coming out, titled Batman and Robin: Eternal focusing more on the family of Batman than Batman (who is now Jim Gordon in a stupid robot bat-suit)

So, what needs to happen in this 6-month weekly series to improve upon it's predecessor, here are my 5 suggestions

5. Batwoman

Before the original Batman: Eternal series came out there were a lot rumours that Batwoman, Kathy Kane would have a considerable role, including a promotional image showing her wearing a wedding ring suggesting that she would finally be getting married to her girlfriend, Maggie Sawyer. An idea that had previously been rejected by DC, partly because they're behind the times when it comes to appreciation of lesbian couples but most because of the stupid mandate that superheroes should not have loving relationships with ordinary people!!! Sorry, I'm off point, what did Batwoman's actual role in Batman: Eternal amount to?

NOT A GODDAMN THING!!

This was either blatant false advertising to people mad at DC over the wedding that eventually lead to the departure of well-acclaimed writer of her title (and the eventual cancellation of said title) or it was another idea shunned by editorial mandates

In which case, EDITORS, STOP DOING THE WRITER'S JOB, DO YOUR OWN.

Either way, I would like to see more of Batwoman in this title. Because I didn't pick up Batwoman's title at the time, I don't know much about her (aside from what I read in articles) and I would like to, this is a great opportunity to introduce people to the character.

4. Nightwing

Another thing that wasn't followed up on from the initial teaser was the blonde Nightwing. Was he a disguised Dick Grayson? Was he a new character taking on that identity? Would Dick Grayson approve if he was. Since Dick Grayson was off doing spywork in his own title, he did not appear in Batman: Eternal. In a recent issue of that title (spoiler alert) he revealed him being alive to his friends and allies, each quite touching in their own way (I particularly liked his reunion with Damian) 

Dick is supposed to appear in Batman and Robin: Eternal (I mean, he's front and centre of the cover art for the first issue) but I seriously doubt his quest will finish outside of his own book (that would be lazy writing) but I would like to see where he fits into this image, if he does at all.

3. Bluebird

Harper Row is Snyder's attempt at a breakout new character for the Batman Franchise. She's young, smart and has a brother she cares deeply about, giving her a fairly unique position in the bat-family. Adding to that is Bruce Wayne not having a clue about being Batman anymore. It's time then for Harper Row to strike out on her own.

2. A more recognisable main villain

Batman: Eternal was a grand scale whodunnit mystery. A mystery that never bared any fruit because BATMAN DIDN'T FIGURE IT OUT! Yes, the world's greatest detective didn't solve the mystery. He floundered for most of the 50 reacting to everything going on and the villain just eventually revealed himself.

The problem is, the audience began to get clued in. The moment we heard that Stephanie Brown thought the guy behind it all was Bruce Wayne, the options were limited. Given Clayface and Hush (who in this version had not had surgery to look like Bruce anyway) had already been included as bad guys, it left only "Thomas Wayne Jr" as the culprit.

The problem is, if you hadn't been reading Snyder's 'Court of Owls' stories from his ongoing Batman run, you'd have no idea who he is. A mystery is fine enough in itself, but sometimes you need a recognisable villain to be the culprit.

1. More widespread character development

OK, this kind of come from several of the others, but I'm giving it a position of it's own as well. Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, likely Damian Wayne, Harper Row, Cassandra Cain and that's before we go into any supporting characters. That's a lot of characters to work with and they need to all get their moments to shine both acrobatically and emotionally. 

One of my biggest gripes with Batman: Eternal is the character development did not come across evenly. Tim Drake barely had any development, Jason Todd's was minimal, Batwing had very little. They should give more moments to these characters. Have them partner up in different ways, play off their relationships.

These are just my opinions and you're welcome to have different ones, if you have ideas I may have missed, leave a comment below

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Images used in this review are from Batman: Eternal and Batman and Robin: Eternal and belong to their respective owners. All images in this review are subject to fair use