Fun fact: the majority of Disney comics in the world are produced in Italy!

If I could only have one Batman universe, it would be the one where Robin could be hit in the head by a steam shovel and then pretend to be unconscious.

What I’m saying is that Detective Comics #224 would have to be canon.

The Joker is currently pregnant with it.  

I would not be shocked to learn that the lack of continuity concerns is a primary reason why comics are more popular in overseas markets than in the U.S.

I see what you did, there.

A laughing one...

Just thinking: did the Joker cut off his face to spite his nose?

Batman #416 (February 1988)

"White Gold and Truth"
Script: Jim Starlin
Pencils: Jim Aparo
Inks: Mike DeCarlo
Colors: Adrienne Roy
Letters: Agustin Más

Grade: B

If you ever needed a clearer indication of just how disorganized the Post-Crisis DC universe was, consider the fact that we first got Nightwing's Post-Crisis origin in History of the DC Universe #2 (February 1987) and, exactly one year later, we've now received four more tellings of Nightwing's origin that all contradict each other in one way or another. This telling will end up being what's followed (for a while, at least), and I suspect that's because a story published in the Batman title was going to reach far more readers than in History of the DC Universe, Secret Origins, or Teen Titans Spotlight.

First off, whereas Batman has been a pretty balanced character in his Post-Crisis appearances in his own titles up to this point, we're suddenly going full-on Batjerk for no appararent reason:



That's definitely not how it went in Batman #408:



And this little exchange:



throws both Secret Origins #13 (they didn't part on good terms, Dick didn't know Jason became Robin) and Teen Titans Spotlight #14 (they haven't talked in 18 months) right out the window.

Not enough contradictions for you? Dick now joins the original Teen Titans after being expelled from college:



So much for History of the DC Universe #2


Oh, and Dick joined the New Teen Titans as Nightwing now:



which contradicts pretty much everything.


(And, of course, absolutely no mention of Batgirl nor their team-ups, not that she would be relevant to Dick's discussion with Bruce about their shared history anyway)


But, beyond all this, the true purpose of this story is to set up a contrast: Batman is now a moody loner, but he is supported by a small family that accepts his flaws and is there for him all the same. It also allows Dick to be a second influence on Jason, tempering Bruce's severity and darkness so that Jason does not become like him (not that this ended up working).




Once you get past the excessive moodiness, it's really a pretty heart-warming story in which Dick finally gets to pass the mantle on in his own way:



I guess that's his teen costume, whereas Bruce gave Jason the adolescent one?

and are reminded (in case absolutely everyone missed it in the easily overlooked Teen Titans Spotlight #14) that, beneath the rough exterior, Batman has a heart after all, and it's his family that fuels it:



For a short moment, this is our Post-Crisis Batman Family, and it's kind of beautiful.

Of course, we're roughly a year away from one of these three smiling figures being blown to smithereens and a fourth ancillary member taking a bullet to the spine. I intend to explore those moments and how the Post-Crisis Batman family bounces back from them before finally bringing this review thread to a close.


Important Details:

1. Dick was Robin from age 11-17
2. Dick went to college at 17, was expelled, and then joined the original Teen Titans.
3. Sometime after, Dick became Nightwing and joined the New Teen Titans.