Grant Morrison To Leave Superman and Batman Behind

[ZariusTwo]

After spending years shaking up and reconnecting the dots in the Batman mythos, and carving out a new continuity for the Man of Steel, Grant Morrison is to step down as writer of "Batman Inc" and "Action Comics" to concentrate on "Multiversity" and Wonder Woman projects.

http://www.superherohype.com/news/ar...ics-batman-inc

I have to say, this news dissapoints me. I don't want Morrison to burn out or anything, but the New 52 Superman needs something like a five year plan in order to be established, and having one similar to the five year Batman stratagem could have done it.

I always questioned why Batman Inc should have been continued in the New 52 Timeline, seeing as DC are starting to REALLY tinker with the Batman continuity despite initally claiming nothing much had changed (Selina not knowing who Bruce is, Freeze's origin being tweeked, Tim Drake was always Red Robin etc), wouldnt it make more sense for Inc to have taken place in the pre-New 52 universe?

[Galactus]

I suppose the good thing is now Action Comics and Superman can now synch up in both the fictional timeframe they cover and their take on Superman. The bad news is that Action Comics and Superman can now synch up in both the fictional timeframe they cover and their take on Superman. At very least a writer on the Superman title is more free to write stories of substance without worrying it's going to contradict Morrison's plans and we don't get more brain controlling nanites and Russian submarines and rejects from the Wildstorm universe.

Whoever takes over Action Comics I hope they play with Morrison's take on Superman in their own way instead of just ignoring it.

The weird thing is I feel that a lot of Grant's ideas he's used in Action Comics could easily be appealing to new readers that have never given the character a chance if only the were written by a writer that's a little more...casual friendly as opposed to the complex (or convoluted depending on your view) writing Grant is known for.

I'd really love an Untold Tales of Superman book set in the jeans and T-Shirt/early kryptonian suit era and style it like a quasi 40s and 50s Metropolis. I know such a book will never happen and if it did it wouldn't last but I'd really like it.

[Leo656]

Didn't they announce "Multiversity, like, 6 or so years ago? I swore they just gave up on that.

I'unno, I like a lot of the *feel* of what Grant did with Superman, and especially Batman, but I don't think a lot of it works as "The" continuity for either character, a lot of it is just so contrary just because. I like Grant's stuff in big cross-overs or team-up books, like, I really liked his JLA and I was the one guy who swears Final Crisis both made sense and was entertaining. And I liked a lot of the first year and a half of his Batman run, the "Batman RIP" stuff and all the build to it. But on the whole I don't think I much care for his work on individual characters. I think he puts a little too much of himself in some of his stuff, and not everything works just because he says it does.

I wish Dan Jurgens would take over Superman, but apparently his new run didn't get much of a push either. Wonder why, he's always been my favorite guy on the Superman books.

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by Leo656

Didn't they announce "Multiversity, like, 6 or so years ago? I swore they just gave up on that.[/quotes]

It's still coming

I'unno, I like a lot of the *feel* of what Grant did with Superman, and especially Batman, but I don't think a lot of it works as "The" continuity for either character, a lot of it is just so contrary just because. I like Grant's stuff in big cross-overs or team-up books, like, I really liked his JLA and I was the one guy who swears Final Crisis both made sense and was entertaining. And I liked a lot of the first year and a half of his Batman run, the "Batman RIP" stuff and all the build to it. But on the whole I don't think I much care for his work on individual characters. I think he puts a little too much of himself in some of his stuff, and not everything works just because he says it does.

I don't view Morrison's work as deliberately contrary but he has a strong vision of these characters and their world is and he's a big enough name to have the clout to see it through with minimul editorial inteference. I'm sure a lot of writers, especialy those working on the New 52 right now would do that if they could.

The idea that he wants to present Superman's fictional evolution in a way that somewhat mirrors the real world evolution of the character/brand while still coming up with elements that feel "new" is more appealing than anything DC have put out about the character in years. Like I said I hope it's not brushed aside by whoever takes over. Just like his work it can be made to work with more traditional storytelling.

I wish Dan Jurgens would take over Superman, but apparently his new run didn't get much of a push either. Wonder why, he's always been my favorite guy on the Superman books.

Yes because it was mediocre. Even as a fill in writer he didn't show me that he had anything new to say with the character, it was more or less like his 90's run which isn't really a bad thing but the new version of the character needs to sold to us, just going over old ground isn't going to do that.

Also what's with the preoccupation with the new costume? He randomly gives it morphing powers which as far as I know no other writer has done and now it has some kind of connection to the other dimensional monster he's fighting. It's that kind of of gimmick which made me dislike his 90's run, remember electric Superman? After Perez's story that's two storyarcs in a row that have revolved around this suit. If they want fans to get use to to this new suit they should stop calling attention to it.

[Andrew NDB]

None of this is really news... Morrison was pretty clear he wouldn't be on Action Comics for too long from the beginning and Batman, Inc. was always a limited engagement (though DC will almost undoubtedly continue Batman, Inc. beyond his departure, stupidly, same as they did his Batman & Robin).

And I'm not entirely sure Morrison is writing Action Comics as a reboot. lol, I know he's selling it to DC as part of their reboot, and it looks like part of their reboot, but I'm almost positive that in his head, what he's writing still works as part of a retelling of a part of the Old Continuity.

Multiversity has never been cancelled. As far as I've ever read or heard -- and I ask about it at every convention, including San Diego this year -- Morrison has been done with it for a while but is waiting on Quitely and the other guys drawing each issue to finish up. Though it's very possible that (particularly since Multiversity was begun prior to the new-52) there has been a number of editorially mandated changes to what he's written that have taken certain issues back to the drawing board creatively.

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

None of this is really news... Morrison was pretty clear he wouldn't be on Action Comics for too long from the beginning and Batman, Inc. was always a limited engagement (though DC will almost undoubtedly continue Batman, Inc. beyond his departure, stupidly, same as they did his Batman & Robin).

I don't necessarily think that was a bad move. Despite some backlash to his existence Damian turned out to be a fan favourite character so why not keep him around and the book going. Same as Batman Inc. the concept seemed to be generaly liked so why not?

Morrison has always accepted that when he leaves a book a writer can undo everything he did and that's happened to him before but as a reader who enjoyed his work it's cool with me to see his concepts played around with for a while. I don't expect the concept of Batman Inc. to last that long without Grant anyway so it may be a fun ride while it lasts.

And I'm not entirely sure Morrison is writing Action Comics as a reboot. lol, I know he's selling it to DC as part of their reboot, and it looks like part of their reboot, but I'm almost positive that in his head, what he's writing still works as part of a retelling of a part of the Old Continuity.

DC wanted him for the reboot and he's obviously using their concepts like the new suit and the new version of the Justice League but hasn't he said in his head he is writing it as a prequel to All Star Superman.

As far as DC is concerned it will the canon early years of Superman until the next reboot (naturaly) but regardless of that it'll always be part of his personal continuity. In the same way as DC's stance on whether Batman: Year One is in continuity with their main universe has flip flopped but to Miller it will always be in continity with the rest of Batman stories All Star Batman & Robin, DKR, DKSA etc

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Galactus

I don't necessarily think that was a bad move. Despite some backlash to his existence Damian turned out to be a fan favourite character so why not keep him around and the book going. Same as Batman Inc. the concept seemed to be generaly liked so why not?

Nobody is suggesting that Damian should have gone away with Morrison's tenure on Batman & Robin ending... just that the book itself needn't stick around. Particularly when there's already like a gajillion other active Bat titles.

Morrison has always accepted that when he leaves a book a writer can undo everything he did and that's happened to him before but as a reader who enjoyed his work it's cool with me to see his concepts played around with for a while. I don't expect the concept of Batman Inc. to last that long without Grant anyway so it may be a fun ride while it lasts.

The whole concept of Batman, Inc. is a little bit limited, though. I mean, the whole reason he created Batman, Inc. is to fight Leviathan. The conclusion of Morrison's run on Batman, Inc. will doubtlessly be with Batman taking out Leviathan and resolving his unfinished business with Talia. Mission accomplished.

I'm sure, like the JLA is always running into super galactic-level threats, that Batman, Inc. could continue on as they encounter more and more new global threats... but that just seems an awful lot like milking the cow.

DC wanted him for the reboot and he's obviously using their concepts like the new suit and the new version of the Justice League but hasn't he said in his head he is writing it as a prequel to All Star Superman.

He hasn't said he's not, either. And everything he's ever done, even stuff that didn't seem like it was in continuity at the time has always been -- in his head -- within the same universe.

As far as DC is concerned it will the canon early years of Superman until the next reboot (naturaly) but regardless of that it'll always be part of his personal continuity. In the same way as DC's stance on whether Batman: Year One is in continuity with their main universe has flip flopped but to Miller it will always be in continity with the rest of Batman stories All Star Batman & Robin, DKR, DKSA etc

Like most "key" events that happened in the last universe (Knightfall, Jason's death, etc.), I'm certain Year One still happened... but with subtle differences.

What I hate about the New 52 is how it implies that throughout his whole 5+ year career, he's only ever worn one Batsuit and never upgraded or changed it. Of any character, his costume should always be in a state of flux. Also a bit on the last point, in the last issue we saw a retelling of his first meeting with Talia and Big Dessert Fight with Ra's... it's pretty much untouched, except for Batman is wearing his New 52 costume instead.

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Nobody is suggesting that Damian should have gone away with Morrison's tenure on Batman & Robin ending... just that the book itself needn't stick around. Particularly when there's already like a gajillion other active Bat titles.

I see your point but commercialy speaking DC was always going to continue a book that was selling well. Even though the main orchestrator of why that book inintialy sold went away plenty there's still enough interest in the concept of the book that enough people will stick around to see what a different writer would do with it.

Yes it's part of the oversaturation of Batman books but...well whaddaya gonna do.

The whole concept of Batman, Inc. is a little bit limited, though. I mean, the whole reason he created Batman, Inc. is to fight Leviathan. The conclusion of Morrison's run on Batman, Inc. will doubtlessly be with Batman taking out Leviathan and resolving his unfinished business with Talia. Mission accomplished.

I'm sure, like the JLA is always running into super galactic-level threats, that Batman, Inc. could continue on as they encounter more and more new global threats... but that just seems an awful lot like milking the cow.

Well I actualy expected Batman Inc. to continue and be part of the New 52 in the same way that Neal Adam's Batman Odyssey did after the reboot. That was still being published and gets it's numbering reset but is strictly not in continuity with the rest of the reboot books (not that Odyssey ever was). I was pleasantly suprised when the existence of Batman Inc was was still being referenced as still existing in the main Batman books.

To me it looks like DC values the concept and I'm pretty sure another writer could so something good with it although I can't see the book lasting that long even if it survives post Morrison.

He hasn't said he's not, either. And everything he's ever done, even stuff that didn't seem like it was in continuity at the time has always been -- in his head -- within the same universe.

It seems to serve the dual purpose of being part of the reboot and part of his own personal canon.

The reboot is obviously a consideration of his since he's using parts of it like the suit and the current JL in his book.

What I hate about the New 52 is how it implies that throughout his whole 5+ year career, he's only ever worn one Batsuit and never upgraded or changed it. Of any character, his costume should always be in a state of flux. Also a bit on the last point, in the last issue we saw a retelling of his first meeting with Talia and Big Dessert Fight with Ra's... it's pretty much untouched, except for Batman is wearing his New 52 costume instead.

I'm with you on that one.

I remember when over at Marvel John Byrne did that ridiculous (and quickly disavowed) Spider-Man Chapter One which was supposed to reboot the characters first year. In response to a letter about the new costumes of the likes of Doc Ock and Electro which were also featured in their appearances in the ongoing Spider titles at the time their response was when re-reading anything between 1963 and now which featured those characters we had to use our imaginations and dress them in their new suits.

At least DC is doing the work for us.

[Leo656]

I kind of agree about Jurgens' latest run, but just like the Superman Red/Blue fiasco, editorial ain't givin' him much to work with, in either case. My man can't work miracles.

I liked a lot of the *tone* of Morrison's Action run, but I maintain that the Johns origin reboot just a couple years ago was better, and shouldn't have been sh*tcanned just because DC had a universe to reboot and Morrison thinks he's a rock star. That's my biggest problem, like Galactus said I don't feel "sold" on the New 52. I don't buy that this new continuity is "really" Superman, it doesn't outweigh or improve on the old continuity in any way, it feels like what it is, forced, contrived, and unnecessary. At its best it feels like a pretty good Elseworlds. "Trying to reimagine Superman for the 21st Century" already exposes someone thinking way too hard.

[Yep It's A Trap]

Can't stand Morrison with a passion. This is great news to me.

[Ninjinister]

And this is how Morrison ends his run with Bats:

(Giant spoilers, obviously, although it's literally on the front page of nearly every major news site):

http://tinyurl.com/ajjjfsd

[oldmanwinters]

Originally Posted by Ninjinister

And this is how Morrison ends his run with Bats:

(Giant spoilers, obviously, although it's literally on the front page of nearly every major news site):

http://tinyurl.com/ajjjfsd

Is the expression "killing two birds with one stone" out of line here?

[snake]

Ughhh, dc is really falling apart, and the new 52 was just the start, now this.

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by Ninjinister

And this is how Morrison ends his run with Bats:

(Giant spoilers, obviously, although it's literally on the front page of nearly every major news site):

http://tinyurl.com/ajjjfsd

So, as someone who has just jumped aboard the New 52 with several Bat titles, having only read a few issues of Morrison's run (and no real plans to rectify that in the future, outside of maybe getting the Inc. Vol. 2 trades), I'm rather disheartened to hear Damian's exiting the book. Like, a lot, actually. He seemed majorly fun, even with my limited exposure to him.

The way Morrison talks about him in his latest interview ("What son could possibly hope to replace Batman, who never dies?") is poignant in a certain way, but, like what I've experience of his run so far, not all that evident how the actual story has gone so far. I suppose my biggest problem with sending the character off is that it necessitates some real re-evaluation of anything Batman does in the continuing books. This is the kind of thing that would, should, make him quit. This is the kind of thing that means no more Robins/child-endangerment again, ever. Yet we know things are as likely to return to status quo, minus his son, as ever. Maybe that's Morrison's point. But it's a real shame, because there's no way the ongoing series is ever going to live up to the fallout from this moment, and I can't help but think any semblence of narrative is going to really feel the impact of this in a negative way.

EDIT --

Which would be fine, I guess, if I were really into Morrison's run. But I'm not. From the issues I've read, (all of Batman & Son, spots of Inc., lots of summaries), it really, really gets played up as being a lot smarter than it is.

EDIT EDIT --

Also, it sounds like the previous Robins will be consoling Bruce at least through the next few issues of Batman and Robin. So, uh ... why did they publish "Death of the Family" just a month before this, which now sounds as if it couldn't be less relevant?

[CyberCubed]

So what are they going to do next? Bring in a 5th robin? And then a 6th robin? And then a 7th Robin? This is getting absolutely ridiculous.

Batman could barely get over Jason Todd's death. And now he's losing his REAL SON and they're going to continue the story like this? Bruce Wayne should be all but destroyed.

This my friends, is why I stopped reading comics a long time ago. For a while things are good and you get into it again, but then the writers do something moronic or start with their, "retconning" and you realize you wasted your time.

Give me the cartoons over the comics any day.

[sdp]

I don't even know what's going on with DC comics anymore, before the story was a convoluted mess but it could kind of be followed since the Nu52, everything is new except little things we want has made things extremely confusing for me.

Yeah, Robin dying is kind of dumb, it's only relatively important because he's Bruce's son but come on this is the third Robin that dies. Sure I guess technically Stephanie wasn't Robin when she 'died' but still. Damian is a popular character and will return in less than 5 years, and they'll use his connection to Ras to find an easy way to do it.

I think the only death I'd relatively care about in the DC Universe is Dick, I thought about this since before we knew Blue Beetle died in Countdown and we just knew it was someone important. I mean think about it, this would be almost as huge as Superman dying, unlike Batman who is a loner, Dick has made friends and gotten along with most of the DC characters so they'd all feel it not to mention being the person Batman cares for the most. It would also make better headlines instead of "robin dies, who is not the robin we know of but actually the illegitimate son of Batman" they could have "Dick Grayson the original Robin dies".

[CyberCubed]

Yes but Dick dying is too big a deal. He's almost as big as Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman and people will always want to see him.

The mere fact that the mainstream media still only knows of Dick Grayson as being the only Robin should assure he sticks around in comics forever.

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by sdp

Yeah, Robin dying is kind of dumb, it's only relatively important because he's Bruce's son but come on this is the third Robin that dies. Sure I guess technically Stephanie wasn't Robin when she 'died' but still.

All of which is why it's insane that Bruce will, after a few issues mourning, return to business as usual, get a new Robin, etc.

This is end-game stuff. If they were going to kill his son, the end of the previous continuity, prior to an actual reboot would've been the time. As it stands, having this moment as just another bullet point in his continuing career (child-endangerment and all) is going to feel ridiculous. Like, not a forgivable comic-book kind of ridiculous. Just weird and bad.

That said, judgement witheld until I read the actual story and fallout, but this really seems to be a situation where the nature of a continuous comic book is going to struggle against itself. As for the sentiment of "Well, he'll just comeback/be revealed years later to have never really died, etc.," yeah, that's plausible. But that's stupid as well.

[Ninjinister]

The part that gets me, is that this seems like such a waste after Death in the Family didn't kill any of Batman's Family at all, and now this.

Of course, I found Damian endearing and I really like him, especially when Dick was Batman. The line he says on the panel in that article really says it all for me:

"So far I'd say you've been my favorite partner. We were the best, Richard. No matter what anyone thinks."

[ZariusTwo]

I like to think those alternate future stories with Damien as Batman take place in the pre-52 universe or something, though they could still come true here since we ALL know some future creative team will want him back.

I really hope Talia is restored to sanity some time, I miss her being Bruce's star-crossed ally, and you could tell a lot of good stories about her coming to terms with what her insanity cost her, such as her son and her lover's disdain. I'm hoping before Batman Inc wraps up, there's real closure to her and Bruce's story, as it feels the right time for it.