
There are few absolute truths in the DC comic book universe. Superman can’t be around kryptonite, OA is the source of the Green Lanterns’ power, Wonder Woman hates most men, and Batman is Bruce Wayne. Everything else can be cured by a simple “crisis,” of varying levels of finality.
In the newest twist of comic book fate, a line has been crossed. When Doomsday killed Superman and Marvel killed off Captain America (Steve Rogers), I had trust and faith that everything would recover and those responsible would see the err of their ways. But in this newest turn, the unthinkable has been thought. Not only is Dr. Thomas Wayne alive, but he is really Simon Hurt – the leader of the Black Glove organization. As if that wasn’t enough of a WTF, he kills his son Bruce Wayne/Batman. And he is dead, like dead-dead, like no kryponian trance or Bat-droid or Skrull pretending to be Batman in some inter-universal conspiracy.
Writer Grant Morrison has been quoted as saying, “This is the end of Bruce Wayne as Batman. Batman will live on though, with another character filling his Batsuit.” Reading the subtext correctly, Bruce Wayne will be back – but not as Batman. The question is, what silly-ass vehicle will they use to bring him back.
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