The Bat Cave: Ultimate Batman & Robin Discussion

[C_Miller]

Well, I decided to get on the train and make one of these. I'm hard at work writing my first issue, but it probably won't be up for at least a week or more.

OCTOBER 2012

[Deleted]

Copycat. First you take Batman after me, they you steal my teaser image idea...

-M

[C_Miller]

Story of my life... haha.

[Deleted]

Nah, just the young pushing aside the old when we're all used up. Don't deny it you whippersnapper!

-M

[C_Miller]

Finally got my issue up.

I was almost done with the true number 1 when I had some computer troubles. So rather than try to re-write that one, I opted for a zero issue. I also think this issue has some value because most of my focus for the first several issues will be on Dick Grayson, so this gives some bench marks for Bruce.

Hope you like it. The real issue one should be up sometime in the next couple weeks.

[Stardrifter]

Not bad. I feel like you're taking from mrp's series a bit with the military background, which i'm not a fan of to be honest. Some of the dialogue felt a but awkward.

Otherwise it was good. I like that Bruce is working to cover his identity more. And the school thing should be interesting. Keep em coming.

[liquidsword34]

I like the idea of Bruce trying to change how people see him, it sort of adds plausibility to him being intelligent enough to do what he does and nobody finding out it's him. I feel like you could've explained more about the school, but other than that it was great.

[Deleted]

Ok read it and it's a solid start. I know you went back and reread a lot of classic Batman runs to sort though the core of the mythos for your own take, but there is still a lot to be defined as to what shape that tone will take.

That said there were a few surprises for me:

Bruce has an older sister?

Alfred dropping an F-bomb?

and one huge logical leap-how did Alfred go form Bruce telling him he was going to take a hands on approach to fixing the city to talking about putting on a costume and beating people up? Seems like an awful leap in logic for Alfred; moreso it feels like there is part of the conversation missing here.

There was a missed/dropped word or two as well, but overall solid except for the one conversation that I pointed out.

-M

[randomfan]

I agree with MRP points.

[C_Miller]

Dec 1, 2012 14:01:36 GMT -5 Stardrifter said:

Not bad. I feel like you're taking from mrp's series a bit with the military background, which i'm not a fan of to be honest. Some of the dialogue felt a but awkward.

Actually, that was part of my original take when I first started the site (I originally started with Batman & Robin before I gave the character to TKJ). So, it was odd when I read MRP's take and he was also military. As for not liking it, I'm sorry, but it won't factor in too much. The (non-military) black ops will be what factors in more.

As for the dialogue, yeah, it comes down to not writing for a while. I need a few issues to get back into my rhythm.

Dec 2, 2012 0:05:55 GMT -5 @mrp said:

Bruce has an older sister?

Yep. And this is as lame fanfiction as this title will get (hopefully). And it will get worse next issue, I assure you.

Dec 2, 2012 0:05:55 GMT -5 @mrp said:

Alfred dropping an F-bomb?

Yeah, I'd probably do that differently, but my goal for Alfred is to mix the classic Alfred with the Michael Caine Alfred with the Batman Earth-One Alfred. That came from Earth-One Alfred.

Dec 2, 2012 0:05:55 GMT -5 @mrp said:

and one huge logical leap-how did Alfred go form Bruce telling him he was going to take a hands on approach to fixing the city to talking about putting on a costume and beating people up? Seems like an awful leap in logic for Alfred; moreso it feels like there is part of the conversation missing here.

Yeah, I attribute this to the speed I wrote this. If I had my old computer, is this the issue I would have turned in? No. It would have been staring Dick Grayson, but that's besides the point. I wrote this issue in like 4 hours which is very impressive for me, but I'm sure I missed stuff in order to make the deadline.

Glad the reviews are relatively positive. Can't wait to see them when I get going.

[unchartedfan1]

I read the issue and it is a solid start. I'm glad you claimed the title as Batman & Robin and not just Batman (with Robin as a support character or something like that). Coming into your #0 I was comparing your series to TKJ's original Batman run here, MRP's 'Tec and the New 52 B&R.

Compared to TKJ's, very good (I loved his stories, just couldn't get pas tthe no quotations thing).

Next to MRP's: My first impression was also you were taking your military thing from 'Tec, but I suppose not because of what you said above. Still, I share the same feelings on it as Star does. I prefer the "Bruce has spent his life training to be the absolute perfection of mankind: it's his dream, his goal, his driving passion to be better than those that destroyed his life and shattered his world" kind of thing like in Morrison's runs. I think it gives a better explanation to how Bruce is a genius and a warrior with skills farrrr beyond that of a man from the Military. I'm not saying it is invalid, and it certainly is interesting, I just prefer him training around the world...and stuff.

New 52 B&R: You blew it out of the water. Bravo, bravo.

I look forward to seeing the focus split between both Batman AND Robin as you did in this issue and it was a very solid start. 8.5/10

(And I will always judge Batman harder than anyone else because he is one of my favorites, so expect longer reviews in the future.)

[C_Miller]

Yeah, I can certainly see where you're coming from. However, I will say that being a military man will just be a small part of his overall character arc. And I guarantee that it will factor into things a lot less than it did in MRP's series. But yeah, he left home at fifteen and came back at 25. There's a lot of room for stories in there.

But thanks for the review. If you judge Batman harder, I consider 8.5 to be a very good rating. Thanks!

[buck]

So had to digest that a bit.

So your comment about Alfred kind of sums up my feelings on your first issue.

It doesn't feel like a consistent take on the characters it feels like rather than it being your interpretation it's you taking aspects of different versions and bringing them together rather than blending them. Every few paragraphs I changed my mind on how I felt about your issue. So I guess I'd just have to say overall I felt there wasn't enough of you in the issue.

Hoping to see it come together a bit more I know you got derailed a bit by computer issues so I'm hoping to see more in future issues.

Hopefully that makes sense and keep them coming.

[Ultimate Silentking]

I enjoyed it very much. As people mentioned, I couldn't help but feel a similar vibe with MRP's take on the Bat when it comes to the military background. Plus the whole Bruce Wayne falling in love with the enemy's daughter. Very familiar. Anyway, it threw me off that Alfred would assume so quickly that Bruce was gonna fight crime in a costume. Also, I don't mind Alfred leaving an F-Bomb and it actually made me chuckle. Sophisticated As Hell? That would be Alfred. Also, I hope Bruce's new sister will be important to the plot. Otherwise, why add that part? Not exactly approving of it, but it better be important later on. Anyway, I liked everything else and thought it was a good zero issue. 8.0/10

[jackalope]

Cool dude. A very tidy #0 issue.
- I like that you've gone with a younger Batman (unless you're going to leap forward a few years after this).
- I'm interested to see what you do with the older sister.
- The military origin is cool. No prize for guessing who's daughter he fell for.
Anyway- look forward to what you do next, especially in introducing Robin. Keep it up.

[DiscipleofBob]

Now that I'm actually done writing and waiting for my next issue to be proofread, I actually have time to read the other series and write reviews. I was astonished to find I hadn't reviewed this yet.

Judging something by just the zero issue is difficult, but I can say that at least this issue was well-written. The narrative flowed. The aspects are very intriguing and I definitely can't wait to read more.

That being said, with this being such an iconic beloved character, I admit to having some reprehensions to the changes to the character. Giving Bruce Wayne a military background, and a public dishonorable discharge no less, seems like it only pokes more holes in the Batman identity. Did he use guns? Will Batman use guns? With Alfred being a headmaster can he really be the butler as well, the guy who makes Bruce Wayne's life as Batman possible by keeping up the Wayne Manor 24/7, how will that work out? And Bruce Wayne has a sister? And it seems an awful lot of bystanders could easily be pressed for information and make the connections between Bruce and Batman.

I still get the feeling you know what you're doing and I'm eager to read more, but I think I need to read a few more issues before I can decide whether I like the changes or not.

I do really like this, and of course it's Batman, so I can't wait to read more, which by my count should be soon.

[Drake]

Not going to repeat what anyone said. Even about Alfred's F-bomb. I have to agree with what a lot of people said. That's all I'll say on the matter. Over all, this is good. It seems very Ultimate-ish. I like it a lot and look forward to more. 8/10.

[unchartedfan1]

Everyone keeps referencing Alfred dropping the F-bomb, but I didn't even notice until I read the reactions to it and went back to find it. Personally, he's a grown men, and most people (men in particular), once they hit the age of...15/16-ish are bound to say it at some point regardless. It isn't out of character of even the normal comics Alfred, it's just a different side of his character. That's how I see it anyways.

[Drake]

You misunderstand. My reaction was definitely surprised, but not negatively so. I was more in line with Silentking, in that I was fine with it, and it actually made me laugh. Not in a bad way.

[C_Miller]

Next issue is up. Hope you all enjoy.