Here’s the Associated Press story on a new wrinkle in the ongoing mythology of Gotham City…
Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne, is going public about his role behind the Dark Knight.
After a lifetime spent wearing the cowl — and a scowl that’s made him the scourge of Gotham’s madmen — the fictional billionaire is taking full responsibility for keeping the caped crusader financed to fight crime. The admission is unveiled Wednesday in the final pages of “Batman and Robin” No. 16 that marks the last issue in a run by Scottish writer Grant Morrison. The acknowledgment in the final pages comes as Wayne holds a news conference where he asks those gathered: “Some of you may have wondered … how does a man like Batman afford to constantly update his crime-fighting technology? Where does his money come from? Well, the answer is me.”
The confession, Morrison said, is part of a detailed effort that puts into motion a plan for Batman Incorporated, a global network of Batmen from China to Argentina to fight crime worldwide. Morrison told The Associated Press that the decision was made to protect Wayne’s secret identity by deflecting attention away from speculation it was he who wore the cape. “We’ve sidetracked the media that he has actually been financing Batman all these years,” Morrison explained of the long arc he’s written that has seen the Dark Knight plunge through time and space and have his mantle taken up by former Robin Dick Grayson. “He is the man behind the Batman, but he is not Batman.”
In doing so, Wayne is free to take his crime fighting international by building what Morrison calls a “global, international army of Batmen. Batman in China, Batman in Japan, Batman in Russia. Expanding the Batman brand to areas where he really hasn’t been before.” Those tales will unfold in full in the first issue of “Batman Incorporated,” due out Nov. 17.
- AP
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Great, haven't had a chance to even read the comic, which came out today. Thanks for spoiling it for me, AP.
Since the mid-1960s, Tony Stark stated that Iron Man worked for him as his bodyguard.
Stark even let his fellow heroes believe it, though Tony knew most of their secret identities.
He also financed other heroes and provided both a home base (Avengers Mansion) and transportation (QuinJets and other vehicles) to them as needed.
This led to supervillains regularly attacking Stark Industries facilities, or trying to kidnap Stark, in hope of finding the Armored Avenger.
Plus, whenever Iron Man was suspected of crimes (usually done by impersonators), law enforcement staked out Stark's home and factories to catch his wayward bodyguard, thereby imparing Stark's ability to either function as a superhero or act to clear his name.
I forsee similar problems for Bruce Wayne.
In addition, by acknowledging there are multiple Batmen, the mystique of the character is severely diluted, since, historically, many Gothamites, both law-abiding and criminal, were in awe of the idea that one man (with a sidekick) could do everything The Batman could do!
By showing an "army" of Batmen, the image of a more-than-human foe of evil is now gone.
PLUS: as the "licensor" of The Batman "brand", would Wayne (and Wayne Enterprises) be legally-liable if their international "franchisees" break local laws, or worse, kill someone?
You know, the reason why your thoughtful analysis of this new connection between Bruce Wayne and Batman Inc. won't matter is BECAUSE IT'S FICTION!!! Its the same way Sherlock Holmes can fall off a cliff to his death in one novel, only to return very healthy and alive in the next story. These characters don't really exist.
Your just a skeptic DC fanboy. Just because it's fiction doesn't mean we can't break it down and analyze it. It's like saying the Last Supper is just a painting and looking into it is stupid.
I was having similar thoughts. I just don't think it bodes well for Mr Wayne.
lame
To me, this cheapens Batman. Licensing!? This is prove that one writer CAN have a project too long, and sometimes it needs to be taken out of his hands for the good of the story.
Bruce Wayne is too much of a control freak to allow anyone other than himself to be Batman. This is obvious to anyone who has read the comics over the years.
Didn't Frank Millers Dark Knight foreshadow this?
Personally, as a newly franchised Batman I am excited for the possibilities. I have broken out my decoder ring and will decode my very first Batcode online, for everyone to take part in.
Hmm, set my decoder ring to B2. Now to work on the message itself…
Be sure to drink your Ovaltine. Ovaltine? A crummy commercial? Son of a bitch!
I am looking forward to reading Batman Incorporated. I believe it will be a great story arc and it will open many possibilities in the batman universe for new characters to shine. They can even pit one Batman against another Batman, just as fan service to the fans. Think of the possibilities!