Peace The Spork Out, Batman
Pink reader Neptune gave me the head’s up that a beloved character in pop culture lore has passed away this week. In a new comic book series titled Batman R.I.P. the famed caped crusader is shot and killed — bringing to an end the long life of billionaire playboy/superhero Bruce Wayne/Batman! I, for one, am not only shocked at this sad news but am also aghast that this is the way that my fave fictional hero of all time has, apparently, met his end:
Batman’s alter ego Bruce Wayne has apparently been killed off in the latest issue of the superhero comic. Scottish writer Grant Morrison revealed earlier this year that Wayne would either retire or be killed in a clash with crime syndicate Black Glove. The story – Batman RIP – sees Batman shot by villain Simon Hurt, who claims to be Wayne’s father Dr Thomas Wayne. Morrison told BBC News there would be “a lot more twists and turns to come” before the story was finally resolved. “It’s great that it stirs up such passion,” he said. “Nobody loves Bruce Wayne more than me, and I hope everybody understands that this is part of the great ongoing adventure of Batman.” The caped crusader first appeared in comics in 1939, and has spawned a 1960s TV series and a host of films. The “death” of Wayne’s father – shot alongside his mother by a robber when he was a boy – was the catalyst for the young industrialist to become the vigilante crime fighter Batman. In the final scene, Hurt tries to escape in a helicopter after shooting Batman. But the wounded superhero throws himself at the helicopter, causing it to crash. The comic story ends without a frame showing Wayne’s body, however. Morrison, from Glasgow, told BBC News on Friday that the next two issues of the Batman comic would see a “summing up” of the superhero’s career before “the absolute, final fate” of Bruce Wayne was revealed in a sister publication, Final Crisis, in January. “It’s the end of a story that goes back to 2005, a story to tell the definitive story of Batman,” he explained. “We wanted to see what would happen if the most evil, richest people in the world decided they didn’t like Batman, and decided to take him apart piece by piece and destroy him. “And then have Batman come back, and we could see why he’s so great,” added Morrison. The storyline included clues which dated back to Batman comics from 40 years ago, he added. Wayne may be dead, but publisher DC Comics shows no sign of bringing to an end the Batman franchise. Frontrunners to take over as Batman include Tim Drake, who has been Robin since 1991, and Dick Grayson – the original Boy Wonder – who now protects Gotham City as Nightwing.
Insane! I cannot believe that anyone would want to kill Bruce Wayne :( You may recall that in the late 80’s, Batman’s sidekick Robin — Jason Todd (who took over for Dick Grayson when he retired as Robin) — was killed in the comic book series, only to be replaced by Tim Drake (the current Robin). Back then I thought that was taking things too far. In the mid-90’s, right around the time that Superman was “killed” in the comic books (only to return to life, since Superman can’t really ever die), Batman was almost killed when he had his back broken by Bane (Batman was temporarily replaced by Azrael while he recuperated from his injuries). It seems that time has finally run out for Bruce Wayne this time, tho. Even tho Batman will live on (with the mantle falling to either Dick Grayson [the original Robin] or Tim Drake [the current Robin]) no one will ever be able to replace Bruce Wayne as the Batman. It’s a sad day in comic book lore, y’all … let’s pour one out for the dearly departed Bruce Wayne.
[Source, thanks Neptune]
Tags: 'Batman R.I.P.', Batman
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November 29th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Nooo! :( But I guess they’re trying to be more realistic in comics nowadays. The old guys can’t fight their whole lives. Still a bummer.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Worst comic book story ever.
November 29th, 2008 at 9:30 am
wtf….. how can you kill batman? haha after all these years…someone shots him and thats how he dies? come onnnnn lol
November 29th, 2008 at 10:27 am
nicole – ahahahah! I totally agree with you.
November 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Whaaaat? Noooo. You don’t just shoot Batman and that’s the end.
November 29th, 2008 at 11:19 am
lmfao seriously? if they’re going to kill him they could atleast give him a badass ending. now copping out and shooting the poor guy! LAMEST STORYLING EVER.
November 29th, 2008 at 11:19 am
*storyline
November 29th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
what is the history behind the “peace the spork out”?? I think it’s soo cute!!
November 29th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Whatever, he’s so coming back.
November 29th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I’ll admit to not being a fan of comic books, manga, etc. but I do keep up with entertainment news. To that end, wasn’t he killed off in another “series” wriiten by someone else? Or was it Superman? – Regardless, whichever superhero “died” before, he was resurrected. So will Bruce Wayne…
November 29th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I’ll admit to not being a fan of comic books, manga, etc. but I do keep up with entertainment news. To that end, wasn’t he killed off in another “series” written by someone else? Or was it Superman? – Regardless, whichever superhero “died” before, he was resurrected. So will Bruce Wayne…
November 29th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
My only hope is, He’ll be back T_T And they just cannot have the Joker continue either. That would undermine his whole character.
But Im glad to see this ^^ It just wouldnt be right without a PITNB Spork Out post.
-Sarah
November 29th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I just love Grant Morrison. His previous work for Batman was Arkham Asylum, and it was really good and edgy (and his work on X-Men when he totally discredits Magneto for not having evolved with his time was brilliant).
Maybe there’s more to this story than just the death of Batman. I’m sure it’s more subtile…made me curious.
November 29th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Ahhh…. maybe you should read the issue because he didn’t die, nor was he shot. He disappeared after a battle with a villain. He was not killed. Just missing at this time.
November 29th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Maybe they’ll pull a Sherlock Holmes (or Spock!) and Batman won’t be dead afterall. Trent, did you know Batman was based on Zorro? I’ve ALWAYS loved Batman and watched a history of it (on the History channel) and they talked about the original creator saying that’s what he based it on. Cool.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:28 am
I find it amusing. He’s not the first superhero to die, but he probably won’t be coming back. That’s the issue with being an actual human just wearing a costume. Now Superman (the greatest superhero ever), it was pretty easy to bring him back, and have him be the same person.
Bruce Wayne is dead, but Batman isn’t. There’s a difference. Either Robin or Nightwing will take over, I’m sure.