DC Comics made me REALLY MAD. (again)
I have thoroughly enjoyed “The New 52.” Many people are down on it. But I like it because it is accessible to me. Moreso than the old continuity of nearly 1000 issues of Detective and Action comics. And “Crisis” after “infinite crisis” after “crisis on Earth 27” or whatever ridiculous intimidating thing they could throw out there. No wonder I liked Marvel better.
When I jumped into the New 52, when it really WAS NEW, I was surprised how easily I took to Damien being Robin. I didn’t even know there was a Batgirl other than Barbara Gordon, and was fine just seeing the familiar redhead. Superman was reset, as was Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg, the Justice League. And so on. Wonder Woman was even cool to me. And all of these guys continue to keep me entertained.
But DC has burned me, too. A subscriber.
For instance, I reported how mad I was that they killed off Damien Wayne suddenly. Pretty much at the end of “Death of the Family.” I had every issue I could get my hands on. Even the side titles I wouldn’t normally have read. But they killed him off in “Batman Incorporated.” A book I wasn’t reading, because the art wasn’t that good and it was kind of an “old 52” story.so I could focus on the Joker. One reason why I subscribed was so I wouldn’t MISS ANYTHING.
Another reason for subscribing though, was to have something fresh and new to read, to look forward to. To think about. To predict.
DC blew it. Longtime Hub City Geeks know that I have written extensively about who was going to take over as Robin. What was going to happen. Etc. I REVEL in not knowing. I like to be surprised. I don’t read spoiler sites. I avoid blogs and commentary. (Odd. Isn’t that what The SpartanNerd Blog is all about?) But I do that because I want to be surprised. I don’t want stuff spoiled.
But it is hard. So hard. Especially when DC Comics puts THIS IMAGE AND ARTICLE in the back of every comic.
No more conjecture required. Damien DOES LIVE AGAIN. And he has super powers too. No more wondering if Stephanie Brown from Batman Eternal will replace him. Or if Carrie Kelly will. Or if maybe Red Robin comes back. Or Jason. Sure, we knew the Robin from a few years in the future is a new different guy. No more wondering about Collin Rowe, or Harper Rowe. No more mystery. I know, the series was called “Robin Rises.” But that still could have had a mystery ending. Instead, we see Damien busting Kalibak upside the head. No Hellbat suit required. No Justice League required. He might be Superman level, from the looks of it.
I am just disappointed that DC decided to go ahead and spoil this. Why not do like Marvel did with AGE OF ULTRON, and black bag the cover? Why not do what they did leading up to the death of Damien, and spoil out fake covers?
They make an excuse for themselves. They say something like “You’ve read “the internets.” Or something. NOPE. I DIDN’T. How many others out there are like me?
So thanks a lot for taking some of the fun out of it, DC.
Batman and Robin has been the best written Bat book consistently. I have to say, I am looking forward to seeing Damien back. I like the little guy. I was sad to see him go. I think it would have been cool to have Carrie Kelly or Stephanie Brown. But we didn’t get that. I’m cool with that. I just am not cool with the spoilers.
spartannerd 