Batman Dead?

Yeah, right.

Besides the obviousness of this as a PR stunt, there's no doubt in our mind that the cash cow that is the Bruce Wayne Batman will not be eliminated by cash-strapped DC Comics. A few weeks ago DC "cancelled" Robin, Nightwing, and Birds of Prey (particularly offensive to Mister Fanboy, in addition to jettisoning Manhunter) while at the same time teasing about a new non-Bruce Wayne Batman coming from within the ranks of the Bat-family. Whatever. Lazarus Pit anyone?

But wait, if we may be all MPD about it, isn't that exactly what happened when the Steve Rogers Captain America died and Bucky Barnes took his place as Cap? It worked there, why not here?

We suggest the reason that the Captain America identity switched worked was because Steve Rogers, although an important part of the Captain America mythos, never transcended the actual hero as an individual. The intertwining of Batman and Bruce Wayne on the other hand is so integral to the whole motivation of the character. To take away one, how can the other survive a healthy, long time (in the publishing world, that is)?

But then again, there are many who know, swear and scream that Steve Rogers is not dead. Perhaps he's hanging out with Jean Grey.

Civil War To End Tomorrow

General Rogers will meet General Stark at the Appomattox Courthouse to sign the armistice. If not them, then their stand-ins (Lieutenant Barnes knows he's up for a promotion). President Bush to celebrate by going to a play. Vice President Cheney continues to fiddle as Stamford, CT burns, all the while leading Hell's minions to Earth. Inmates from notorious Negative Zone Prison expected to be released today. Mass migrations expected North. Ken Burns already planning the documentary. Developing ...