Comics are awesome.

[138 Scourge]

Yeah. I still say this is about the stupidest idea ever. I don't see how it can possibly work. Anything that raises Batman's public profile is a detriment to the character.

Dumber than when Superman decided that he wasn't doing enough and spent a damn year walking across the country?

When you look at any story broken down into just it's basic synopsis, then most of what happens in comics probably seems dumb as hell. The execution, though...

Plus, if Batman's got a "War on Crime" thing happening, well...beating up escaped mental patients on the streets of the one city isn't much of a "war". This seems like a logical step to me, and hell, it's not like Bruce doesn't have experience training people to follow in his footsteps.

And as far as villains coming after his loved ones or whatever because they associate them with Batman...all of Bruce's loved ones could likely break a man's spine with their bare hands if they felt like it. And that includes his ten year old son. I don't think that's as much of a worry in this case.

[andersonh1]

Yeah. I still say this is about the stupidest idea ever. I don't see how it can possibly work. Anything that raises Batman's public profile is a detriment to the character.

Dumber than when Superman decided that he wasn't doing enough and spent a damn year walking across the country?

See, I actually like that idea. I can see Superman doing that.

When you look at any story broken down into just it's basic synopsis, then most of what happens in comics probably seems dumb as hell. The execution, though...

It might work. But my basic complaint remains: how does a reclusive vigilante, who hides in the shadows and is only allowed to operate because the police commissioner looks the other way, continue to function effectively when he draws attention to himself by being part of a worldwide franchise? It all sounds so counterintuitive to me.

Plus, if Batman's got a "War on Crime" thing happening, well...beating up escaped mental patients on the streets of the one city isn't much of a "war". This seems like a logical step to me, and hell, it's not like Bruce doesn't have experience training people to follow in his footsteps.

Bruce's focus was always on cleaning up Gotham City. Now admittedly, maybe his views have changed, and that would be fine. That's character development and progression. Maybe his trip through time, or his time with the Justice League have opened him up to the problems beyond Gotham.

And as far as villains coming after his loved ones or whatever because they associate them with Batman...all of Bruce's loved ones could likely break a man's spine with their bare hands if they felt like it. And that includes his ten year old son. I don't think that's as much of a worry in this case.

Just because they can handle trouble doesn't mean they should go out of their way to invite it.

[Sparky Prime]

It might work. But my basic complaint remains: how does a reclusive vigilante, who hides in the shadows and is only allowed to operate because the police commissioner looks the other way, continue to function effectively when he draws attention to himself by being part of a worldwide franchise? It all sounds so counterintuitive to me.

The point of Batman Inc isn't to change how Batman operates though... The point is simply that there will be more of Batman, protecting many cities. I really don't see that any attention is being called to Batman himself here, he'll still be the reclusive vigilante hiding in the shadows. It's just his operation that is simply expanding that attention is being called to. I think the point of the press conference was more just Bruce's way of saying to criminals: "It's no longer just in Gotham city you have to fear the Batman".

[andersonh1]

The point of Batman Inc isn't to change how Batman operates though... The point is simply that there will be more of Batman, protecting many cities. I really don't see that any attention is being called to Batman himself here, he'll still be the reclusive vigilante hiding in the shadows.

His name will now be visible everywhere as a corporate logo, and the (supposed) source of his funding has been revealed via a very public press conference by Bruce Wayne. How can attention not be called to his activities? Batman's public profile has been raised dramatically.

On the other hand, in reading up on the series, one of the things Morrison is apparently trying to do is disprove the notion that Batman is the real person and that Bruce Wayne is just a mask. He's actively trying to develop the Bruce Wayne side of the equation and give him more of a role in the overall Batman concept. And I think that's laudable. That's not a bad goal.

[Dominic]

The big problem is that this does fundamentally undermine the premise in the long term. Bruce Wayne pretty much said "give me your full scrutiny!" to the world. DC is not going to let the premise change that much in any permanent sense.

Dom
-still buying the Morrison run though.

[Sparky Prime]

His name will now be visible everywhere as a corporate logo, and the (supposed) source of his funding has been revealed via a very public press conference by Bruce Wayne. How can attention not be called to his activities? Batman's public profile has been raised dramatically.

There is a spotlight on top of Gotham police headquarters that they've used to call him for many years... His name is already visible to everyone in the city. What difference does it make if the name is now more visible beyond Gotham as part of a corporate logo? The public seeing the name doesn't change how Batman works. Similarly, I don't see what difference knowing where Batman gets the money makes. It might make Waynecorp more of a target, but given the secrecy of Batman's activities, I don't see that it would change anything for him. Again, it isn't Batman's profile that's been raised here... It's his operation that's being given a larger scope.

[Shockwave]

Similarly, I don't see what difference knowing where Batman gets the money makes. It might make Waynecorp more of a target, but given the secrecy of Batman's activities, I don't see that it would change anything for him. Again, it isn't Batman's profile that's been raised here... It's his operation that's being given a larger scope.

It definately makes Wayne a huge target. Wayne funds Batman. Kill Wayne and you effectively kill Batman. At least that's how the villains would look at it. Which is why Wayne has been keeping Batman a secret all these years.

[Sparky Prime]

It definately makes Wayne a huge target. Wayne funds Batman. Kill Wayne and you effectively kill Batman. At least that's how the villains would look at it. Which is why Wayne has been keeping Batman a secret all these years.

It isn't just Wayne funding Batman anymore. Going public as Batman's benefactor allows him to use Wayne Enterprise's to fund Batman Inc. Villains would have to go after his entire company now, not just Wayne himself.

[Dominic]

Okay, so Batman's enemies have a nice high profile target to attack. They could attack physical plant or personell. I bet the share holders would love that. That sort of attention and publicity would make Wayne Enterprises really attractive to investors. The best and brightest employees would definitely love that. And, again, hey, nothing like attracting scrutiny to both Batman and Wayne Enterprises.

And, making "Batman" a franchise in context would fundamentally change how the character operates.


Dom
-still probably gonna read it though.

[andersonh1]

Yeah, after all my complaining I'll still probably pick up at least the first issue to see how things play out.