Monday, September 16, 2013

Baltimore Comic-Con #4: Green Lantern Meets The "Batman Family"

LtoR: Nightwing, GL, Red Robin, Robin, Batman, Catwoman
There were plenty of Batman-related characters at the Baltimore Comic-Con.
 WHAT IS THE BATMAN FAMILY? -  For those who don't know, Batman has had four Robins. Of the four Robins, one grew up to become "Nightwing" (Dick Grayson, the original Robin); one became the "Red Hood" (Jason Todd, second Robin murdered by the Joker and resurrected by some merging of multiple universes); "Red Robin" (Tim Drake, a computer savvy teen who deduced Batman's identity); and the last Robin (Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne's illegitimate son born of a drug-induced night with a female leader of global assassins).  Currently, Batman has no Robin, but that may change. There's also a Batgirl and a Batwoman in current comic lore.
  Being a  HUGE Batman fan, and a HUGE fan of Robin and most of his grown up incantations (except the Red Hood- never liked his personality), I was thrilled to see all of those characters represented by teens who would be the right age!
Red Robin, Robin, Nightwing, Batwoman
 BATGIRL (not pictured) came about as a result of the 1966 Batman TV series when the producers needed a female lead. So, Barbara Gordon debuted in Detective Comics #359 titled, "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!" in 1967. Depicted as the daughter of Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon, her civilian identity is given a doctorate in library science. In the past, the Joker shot her in the spine, paralyzing her for 3 years. Barbara regained her mobility after undergoing experimental surgery at a South African clinic.  Although she resumes her work as Batgirl one year after her recovery, she continues to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, causing her to hesitate in battle when exposed to gunfire that could result in receiving new spinal damage. The character also exhibits survivor guilt due to the fact she has made a full recovery from her paralysis while others have not. *SO, if you think comics are for children, think again!*
Red Robin and Robin battle Harley Quinn (Center)
BATWOMAN - The "controversial" character - Batwoman is Kate Kane, a former member of the U.S. Army. The modern Batwoman is written as being of Jewish descent and as a lesbian in an effort by DC editorial staff to diversify its publications and better connect to modern-day readership. HARLEY QUINN, VILLAINESS - Harley Quinn is a fictional character, a super villain in the DC Universe. The character was introduced on September 11, 1992, in Batman: The Animated Series.  She is clad in the manner of a traditional harlequin jester. The character is a frequent accomplice/girlfriend of Batman's nemesis the Joker.
Catwoman!
WHERE WAS THE JOKER? - Well he was around, I saw someone who looked like him, but he must've been hidden away plotting something!   
CATWOMAN - Catwoman is Selina Kyle. She first appeared in Batman #1 (Spring 1940) in which she is known as The Cat. She started off as a jewel thief and adversary of Batman. Now, she's a superhero most of the time, and sometimes a thief with a conscience, a member of one of the Justice Leagues, and has romantic interests in Batman. I love the character!

NEXT: TWO MYSTERIOUS HEROES: THE SPECTRE AND HELLBOY



Who I am

I'm a simple guy who enjoys the simple things in life, especially our dogs. I volunteer for dog rescues, enjoy exercising, blogging, politics, helping friends and neighbors, participating in ghost investigations, coffee, weather, superheroes, comic books, mystery novels, traveling, 70s and 80s music, classic country music,writing books on ghosts and spirits, cooking simply and keeping in shape. You'll find tidbits of all of these things on this blog and more. EMAIL me at Rgutro@gmail.com - Rob

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