DCnU Batman started off at 17

[matt.ishii]

So the DC superheroes are all 25-ish now, and that’s great, but I don’t think anybody has realized how much this changes Batman, even if his story is continuing where it leaves off in August.

We know that 5 years ago, when all the heroes were 20-ish, Superman first appeared, and soon after that, all the other heroes sprang up. We know that Batman was operating underground for several years beforehand. And something obvious appears, that I don’t think I’ve seen anyone talk about.

Batman was a TEENAGER when he began his career.

If you look at the sheer number of Batman’s sidekicks, I think you probably need 8 years to fit all of them into continuity (1 year solo, 3 years with Dick, 1 with Jason, 2 with Tim, and 1 year Damian). This means that Batman was 17-ish (I’m gonna stop saying ‘ish’ now) when he began his career. Read Year One, and imagine Batman was 17 at the time.

This completely changes the Batman dynamic. For one thing, his relationship with the Robins is more realistic. A young 18 year old Batman helps a 14 year old Dick get over tragedy, and recruits him to fight crime. The same story, but a brand new dynamic between the 2 of them. There’s no mildly creepy overtones (less, at least), because Batman is only 4 years older. He’s a big brother to Dick, not some awkward new father figure. (Robin could work in a movie where Batman is only 18).

And once that initial Robin relationship is established, inertia lets that role become more natural for others to take, like Tim & Jason.

Bruce’s playboy persona is FAR more forgivable in my eyes when he’s in his early 20s, not 10 years past his parents’ death.

This means that Bruce’s training for Batman took place over maybe 4 years, assuming his parents die when he’s 12, and he spent a year or so not doing anything, or searching for training. Most of those years would be spent having Waynecorp build his Bat-toys, and training under Ra’as al Ghul. (I actually don’t know how Bruce trained to be Batman in-continuity, but why not just streamline things and go with Batman Begins?).

Bruce would conceive Damian with Talia in their awkward teenage years, and his relationship with Damian in the present day makes more sense if he was 16 when Damian was born.

The relationships Bruce has with Kathy Kane and Catwoman take on entirely new dynamics when you consider that Bruce was somewhere between 19 and 23 when they happened. Just the IDEA of Batman being a grim teenager when he began changes so much about the character.

Batman’s story is the same in the DCnU as it was before Flashpoint. But at the same time, it’s a totally new dynamic, one that actually makes some things in Batman’s world make MORE sense, and one I am SUPER excited to read about in the post-Flashpoint world, and I hope DC exploits it. (With a GOOD writer, please?)

[Agent Orange]

Hm. I never really thought of it like that, but it does sort of work out now. I like it a lot better than a 40 year old man hanging out with 17 year old boys.

Also, Dick is 21 in the new continuity, so it works even better if they were roughly the same age when they began working out.

[Rurik]

I honestly hope this is the case. I was kind of bummed that DC didn't try anything too new with the core of Batman continuity, and this would be an awesome way to change the dynamic while keeping the history intact.

[Matt Wilson]

This is all interesting, but I really don't think anyone at DC editorial thought this through nearly this much. Batman Inc. is going to continue, and there's no way the Bruce in that book is 25. No way.

[Alan Moores Beard]

No matter what DC says about ages, as far as I'm concerned Supes and Batman work better if they've got a bit of age on the other heroes (the should be atleast mid 30's imo) since they're supposed to be the experienced cornerstones of the DCU. I think the whole age thing will eventually be pushed under the rug and we'll get back to artists drawing the characters more similarly to how they were pre-Flashpoint, atleast non-costume wise.

(08-20-2011 05:19 AM)matt.ishii Wrote:  Just the IDEA of Batman being a grim teenager when he began changes so much about the character.

Maybe this would let him relate more to Damian? It'd be something bring something interesting to their relationship.

[Rurik]

(08-20-2011 06:01 AM)Alan Moores Beard Wrote:  I think the whole age thing will eventually be pushed under the rug and we'll get back to artists drawing the characters more similarly to how they were pre-Flashpoint, atleast non-costume wise.

Sadly, I agree. Dc seems a little too weary to change Batman and Green Lantern for the reboot to really stick.

[feliciano2040]

Wow wow wow, to the person who made this topic, where's your source ?

[matt.ishii]

(08-20-2011 07:16 AM)feliciano2040 Wrote:  Wow wow wow, to the person who made this topic, where's your source ?

Oh, haha, sorry to get your hopes up, this was all just conjecture based on the fact that the DC heroes are now in their mid-20s, and Batman was operating before Superman appeared 5 years ago. I was just thinking about the consequences of those 2 facts as they relate to Batman.

[Josh]

(08-20-2011 06:01 AM)Alan Moores Beard Wrote:  No matter what DC says about ages, as far as I'm concerned Supes and Batman work better if they've got a bit of age on the other heroes (the should be atleast mid 30's imo) since they're supposed to be the experienced cornerstones of the DCU. I think the whole age thing will eventually be pushed under the rug and we'll get back to artists drawing the characters more similarly to how they were pre-Flashpoint, atleast non-costume wise.

(08-20-2011 05:19 AM)matt.ishii Wrote:  Just the IDEA of Batman being a grim teenager when he began changes so much about the character.

Maybe this would let him relate more to Damian? It'd be something bring something interesting to their relationship.

Superman was 28 for forever and ever and ever, so I gotta disagree on that front. I mean, the idea of Superman being in his 30s is fairly recent.

[thechrishaley]

(08-20-2011 07:22 AM)matt.ishii Wrote:  Oh, haha, sorry to get your hopes up, this was all just conjecture based on the fact that the DC heroes are now in their mid-20s, and Batman was operating before Superman appeared 5 years ago. I was just thinking about the consequences of those 2 facts as they relate to Batman.

I don't know how I feel about this theory in action, but the theory itself is really interesting and I love your logic.

Like Matt Wilson said though, I'm sure no one at DC gave this as much thought and care as you have.