King Batman Run: Analysis and Enjoyment Thread

[Armor of God]

Solid analysis. I agree - I think Bane is the big bad, though I'm very curious to see how Flashpoint Batman fits into the structure. I just hope that his relationship to his family, especially Selina, comes back soon.

Thanks man.

[TheJudge95]

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From today's Bleeding Cool solicitations leaks, it appears that maybe Talia has more to do with the conspiracy than we thought. The desert setting and Tiger's presence evoke the Rules of Engagement arc, so maybe I was right about there being another big bad we didn't know about. This would also fit in with how Kobra Cult and the "Dogs of War" fit in with the plane bombing and the orphanage bombing, respectively - they could be controlled by Leviathan somehow.

[Vordan]

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From today's Bleeding Cool solicitations leaks, it appears that maybe Talia has more to do with the conspiracy than we thought. The desert setting and Tiger's presence evoke the Rules of Engagement arc, so maybe I was right about there being another big bad we didn't know about.

She might’ve teamed up with Bane.

[Pohzee]

I would've hoped that King's run stands largely on its own. I'm not reading Bendis's Superman and I'm not keen on the buildup to the climax of King's 100 issue run to be subject to another book that has been running a tenth of the time.

[blunt_eastwood]

51769743_2024728574315271_2079335565123125248_n.jpg

52170463_2024728607648601_6681984985244631040_n.jpg

From today's Bleeding Cool solicitations leaks, it appears that maybe Talia has more to do with the conspiracy than we thought. The desert setting and Tiger's presence evoke the Rules of Engagement arc, so maybe I was right about there being another big bad we didn't know about. This would also fit in with how Kobra Cult and the "Dogs of War" fit in with the plane bombing and the orphanage bombing, respectively - they could be controlled by Leviathan somehow.

Selina looks really hot on the alternate cover for issue #71.

I would've hoped that King's run stands largely on its own. I'm not reading Bendis's Superman and I'm not keen on the buildup to the climax of King's 100 issue run to be subject to another book that has been running a tenth of the time.

What from Bendis's Superman run are you talking about?

[Pohzee]

Selina looks really hot on the alternate cover for issue #71.



What from Bendis's Superman run are you talking about?

People speculating that Talia's involvement in these chapters is related to Bendis's Leviathian story in Action Comics. Bruce's encounter with Talia in Rules of Engagement occurred even before Bendis came over to DC, so this would indicate a deviation from the original plan.

[Pohzee]

While today's Batman issue was not written by King, it still seems to be important to King's run. To be honest, this is the first issue of the crossover that has left me underwhelmed. The first two issues were surprisingly solid. But this definitely seems like something that could've taken place later in the run after Bane's machinations were revealed to Batman. That seems to be where it would've made more sense and as it seemingly was originally intended to be before King's Hollywood deal.

[TheJudge95]

While today's Batman issue was not written by King, it still seems to be important to King's run. To be honest, this is the first issue of the crossover that has left me underwhelmed. The first two issues were surprisingly solid. But this definitely seems like something that could've taken place later in the run after Bane's machinations were revealed to Batman. That seems to be where it would've made more sense and as it seemingly was originally intended to be before King's Hollywood deal.

Yeah Gotham Girl's motivation is unclear/weak and this is feeling more like a loose end that is being sloppily wrapped up (especially with Gotham Girl going super saiyan which probably means her death) than an important step in the overall narrative.

[Inversed]

While today's Batman issue was not written by King, it still seems to be important to King's run. To be honest, this is the first issue of the crossover that has left me underwhelmed. The first two issues were surprisingly solid. But this definitely seems like something that could've taken place later in the run after Bane's machinations were revealed to Batman. That seems to be where it would've made more sense and as it seemingly was originally intended to be before King's Hollywood deal.

One thing I was curious about reading the issue was that there was a part where Batman comments how this whole situation with him and the Flash being manipulated and distracted from the real plan is just like what happened when he found the Button in the cave. So is this supposed to imply Manhattan is involved somehow? Or just another clue towards Bane somehow being involved in the Button?

[blunt_eastwood]

People speculating that Talia's involvement in these chapters is related to Bendis's Leviathian story in Action Comics. Bruce's encounter with Talia in Rules of Engagement occurred even before Bendis came over to DC, so this would indicate a deviation from the original plan.

I assume this is meant to be the same Leviathan from Morrison's run?

[Pohzee]

I assume this is meant to be the same Leviathan from Morrison's run?

I believe that it is. And King played with Leviathan in Grayson, so I’m not opposed to him playing in the sandbox. But I’d hate to think that Bendis’s Superman run has had any influence on King’s run with the upcoming Leviathan event.

[millernumber1]

I believe that it is. And King played with Leviathan in Grayson, so I’m not opposed to him playing in the sandbox. But I’d hate to think that Bendis’s Superman run has had any influence on King’s run with the upcoming Leviathan event.

I mean, King's Batman barely has any influence from other current Batman runs, so I think it's super unlikely that he's going to be influenced by a Superman run. He's said, over and over again, that he doesn't like to do events or crossovers because he doesn't like telling people what to do (and implication: doesn't like being told what to do), so I think anything that happens with Talia was probably part of his plan from the start.

We'll have to see how The Price turns out. I personally hope that Williamson doesn't kill Claire off, because this is a pretty mediocre story to do something that important, but if they just have her neutralized again (and not even reveal that Bane is behind her), then what's the point of the whole event other than "give King a break for a month"?

[Pohzee]

That's why I said I feel like this story definitely should've happened after the Knightmares arc like it was originally intended to. Without revealing Bane's involvement (which we know can't happen because of when it takes place) I really can't think of a satisfactory way to end this, though it writes itself more easily if Bane's involvement is known.

By the way Miller, I read your review of the issue on ComicBookRoundup, and I thought it was interesting that you found this issue to be an improvement over the last one while I felt very much the opposite. The Flash issue seemed to have more solid character work and progression of Gotham Girl's story, while I though that this was a fairly action heavy issue that did more to rehash the events of I am Gotham. Less effectively in my opinion, because it was Williamson's take on his memory an interpretstion of King's story rather than King's own.

[millernumber1]

That's why I said I feel like this story definitely should've happened after the Knightmares arc like it was originally intended to. Without revealing Bane's involvement (which we know can't happen because of when it takes place) I really can't think of a satisfactory way to end this, though it writes itself more easily if Bane's involvement is known.

By the way Miller, I read your review of the issue on ComicBookRoundup, and I thought it was interesting that you found this issue to be an improvement over the last one while I felt very much the opposite. The Flash issue seemed to have more solid character work and progression of Gotham Girl's story, while I though that this was a fairly action heavy issue that did more to rehash the events of I am Gotham. Less effectively in my opinion, because it was Williamson's take on his memory an interpretstion of King's story rather than King's own.

Yeah, I have a bad feeling this is either going to be a bad exit story for Claire, or another Button, where very little actually is resolved in the story.

How interesting that you read my review on CBR. Glad to see that's driving some writers there, though I have the link to my reviews in my sig here.

I was really, really frustrated and disappointed with The Flash #64. The contradictions between what King did in Batman #5 and #24 were too glaring to me to appreciate what Williamson was doing. Batman 65 didn't have nearly as many issues like that, so it didn't ring false to me. Which I know isn't completely fair, but since they are selling this as part of the Batman ongoing title, and directly referencing those books, I feel like contradictions are a valid problem to bring up.

I think it's definitely true that Williamson is rehashing a lot of the same issues from the I Am Trilogy - probably unavoidable, with a smaller character like Claire who has been gone for a year, more or less - but it does lead to a sense of running (haha, Flash joke) in place.

[Kurisu]

I mean, King's Batman barely has any influence from other current Batman runs, so I think it's super unlikely that he's going to be influenced by a Superman run. He's said, over and over again, that he doesn't like to do events or crossovers because he doesn't like telling people what to do (and implication: doesn't like being told what to do), so I think anything that happens with Talia was probably part of his plan from the start.

We'll have to see how The Price turns out. I personally hope that Williamson doesn't kill Claire off, because this is a pretty mediocre story to do something that important, but if they just have her neutralized again (and not even reveal that Bane is behind her), then what's the point of the whole event other than "give King a break for a month"?

Really hoping it’s the latter so I can ignore this without consequence. ��

I love the banter between Bruce and Barry- such an underrated friendship- but that’s about it. Well, that and Guillem March, who should definitely be drawing in Gotham full time.