The New DCU And You
DC's reboot, which promises to be the singular news item from now til Comic-Con, gets about the fairest fan-response you'll find, courtesy of Klarion, yet the news release now subjects the comics internet to a slew of questions, some of which may actually be relevant to minority communities.
Based on BleedingCool's reportage, there will be a new Batgirl ongoing with Barbara reclaiming her old cowl and with returned usage of her legs. What this means for the Birds of Prey, sans Oracle, is yet to be properly spelled out, but it does mean DC is out on its only relevant disabled character. So much for its claims of diversity, eh?
None of the reboot details offer a suggestion of changes in ethnicity or other central character traits, so far making the changes applicable only to its character's ages. This explains Batgirl, and the additional Nightwing announcement, as being a reset to the status quo circa the early 90's (assuming Nightwing doesn't refer to the Krytponian variety of hero). I've come to love Dick in the Batman suit, and an interference with Morrison's Batman Incorporated story would just break me, so for now I'll restrain my keyboard rage in hopes that this reset aims to modify DC characters more wisely than I'd assume.
Elsewhere in the Batman family, this reboot could very well be the reason for Batwoman's delays, though it places the story in an odd position, setting up Kate to be hardly younger than Batman himself. Not to mention that there will now be a Batwoman operating at the same time as a (decidedly more headstrong than Stephanie Brown) Barbara Gordon Batgirl. Either way, a bat-catfight is more likely to be in order than the redheaded lesbian slash fiction undoubtedly floating in some fans' minds. I hold no expectations for this marketing opportunity to further ambiguate any characters' sexualities. I don't intend to make any militant, selfish claims that Character X should be gay, but this is as ripe an opportunity as ever to modify our heroes while maintaining their core traits. It's not too far a stretch to envision Guy Gardner as a burly bear, or to stop coding the pederasty found throughout the Batman lineage. And yet it appears DC will only utilize this as a chance for jumping on points (or, for the hilarious ragequitters on the web, a jumping off point). So, surprise me, DC. Don't tell me your characters are prepared for a new age when they still cling to yesterday's social mores. Cheers to change.
Rubber Justice
Posted to Tomorrow's Musings on 1 June 2011
· Comments (9)
Other stuff like this: Batwoman, DC Universe, Reboots
Hm, I already remarked on my love of current Green Lantern books in Klarion's thread, but you just reminded me that I'm really liking the Batman line as well.
I really like Damian (can't see him sticking around if Bruce gets younger) and I too like Dick as Batman.
I will say that while losing Barbara as Oracle will be sad, getting rid of Stephanie Brown will be a big plus. I can't stand her.
I really, really am pissed if they're completely retconning Oracle out of existence. I will also sorely miss Damian if he's written out and Dick as Batman is the best thing that's happened to that character - either of them - in years. It's so hard for me to resist public condemnation, but I'm going to stick with what I said earlier for now.
That could change at any moment depending on what else they cough up, though.
That said, I am interested to read this morning that: (a) DC may be rebooting the WildStorm universe along with this, which could be fun (as long as they keep Mark Millar the fuck away from Authority, to be completely frank, and (b) Grant Morrison will be writing Superman. That last one has me on-board.
This will totally mess up what I like about the Bat titles.
I think Bab's is more interesting as Oracle then as Batgirl, period. Same with Dick as Batman.
The whole point of Robin the past 30 years or so is that he was the one character they functionally let age in DC. Having him just remain as Nightwing feels like a larger back pedal then they need.
Damian is also a character I would have liked to see become more developed and explored, but they can always reintroduce him too.
I am very disappointed that they are de-aging the DCU to attract younger readers. I hate that the older I get the fewer and fewer heroes I have to relate too. Teen titans is great but I don’t want Superman/Batman to be younger than me. I am not ready for that yet. I am just barely over Dr. Who.
I won’t be sorry to see the Batmen go away, but Oracle is a powerful figure, both tragic and inspiring. I would be ok with Barbara getting healed and putting on the suit again. (not thrilled but ok) But I don’t want Oracle to disappear.
There has been a lot of character development over the years and I want to see what happens to, the likes of Black Alice, Cat Man, Misfit, Batwoman and Booster Gold.
I would rather they create “Ultimate DC” rather than mass change.
I am however willing to hold of on the Torches and Pitchforks until I see how things play out. I am filled with trepidation however.
I would rather they create “Ultimate DC” rather than mass change.
I would love this and would buy like seven hundred comics a month of this, for real. Yes. This x 100.
So it would seem as if the various lantern corps are safe. With one new book focussing on Kyle and members from each corps and another book focussing on the Red Lanterns.
So that's one worry out of the way for me.
Now if only they could confirm Damian Wayne and Kate Kane's safety post-reboot.
Weren't the All-Star comics supposed to be DC's answer to the Ultimate line? If so, I wish they would have been a bit more serious about it...this could all have been avoided.
Apollo and Midnighter, while looking a little weird now (Apollo losing his lovely platinum locks and Midnighter trading in his leather jacket for shiny football-like gear), are still around after this reboot and still gay.