Batman has been round for a really very long time, and he has extra comics below his belt than some other hero. In that point, he’s starred in a few of the biggest tales DC has produced, however on the identical time, he’s headed a few of the most horrendous ones, too. Probably the most notorious comics in his whole catalogue is “Battle Video games,” which commits nearly each sin a comic book ebook can, from a needlessly edgy, shoestring plot to fridging what may have been the following large character, ie Stephanie Brown as Robin. It’s one of many darkest and most mean-spirited Batman comics of all, and it’s justly reviled.
Nonetheless, after over twenty years of this story stewing at the back of the general public’s minds, DC is lastly addressing it within the coolest means doable. Whereas the execution left lots to be desired, the thought itself wasn’t unhealthy, and DC is operating with the thought in an all-new means within the new Gangs of Gotham #1. Stephanie Brown has gone undercover within the gangs of Gotham Metropolis’s East Finish, and he or she’s getting her shot at redemption to repair what she as soon as broke aside. This time, as a substitute of working alone, she’s joined by the down-on-his-luck villain, Anarky.
Stephanie’s Fall From Grace and Rise to the High
Earlier than we get into why Gangs of Gotham is Stephanie’s final redemption story, let’s set up who she fell within the first place. “Battle Video games” noticed the top of Stephanie’s temporary tenure as Robin. Unbeknownst to her, she was solely given the function in a convoluted try by Batman to make Tim jealous for quitting. Bruce by no means wished Stephanie as Robin; he barely obtained alongside along with her as Spoiler, so he ultimately reached his restrict and fired her. In an try and get again into his good graces, Stephanie stole certainly one of Batman’s contingency plans to finish all crime in Gotham by uniting the gangs below the rule of Matches Malone. Nonetheless, Steph didn’t know that Matches was certainly one of Batman’s personas, so as a substitute of ending crime, she began a gang warfare.
This story painted Steph as the last word failure. She wasn’t ok to be Robin, and when she tried to show herself, her personal lack of understanding led to Gotham being ten occasions worse off than earlier than. What’s worse is that this story knew what it was doing, because it was constructed particularly to idiot readers into considering Stephanie would return as Robin and pull the rug out from below them. Editorial demanded that Steph turn out to be Robin, all of the whereas planning to kill her off to spice up gross sales in a dramatic second. Even different DC writers protested this editorial-mandated occasion, equivalent to then-Batgirl (2000) author Dylan Horrocks, who saved Cass away from this occasion as a lot as doable. Merely put, this story threw away Steph for shock worth, however now, that’s all modified.
The Revision to Finish All Infamy
Gangs of Gotham picks up from the place “Unhealthy Seeds” left off. Anarky is in deep with Minotaur, the brand new ruler of Gotham’s underworld, and he’s given the anarchist two weeks to unite all the East Finish’s gangs below his rule, or he’ll be sleeping with the fishes. Anarky efficiently will get a spot within the Avenue Demons, however whereas he’s making an attempt to determine a means out of this, Stephanie stories again to Batman. She had infiltrated the identical gang a lot earlier, changing into a lieutenant, and was keeping track of him whereas she looked for the connection to the Minotaur.
It’s as if this story was created with the only objective of correcting the key errors made with Steph’s character. This can be a full inversion of “Battle Video games.” Steph nonetheless infiltrates the gangs with the plot revolving round uniting them, however she’s right here explicitly on Batman’s behest, displaying his belief in her. She’s educated and ready to a stage she by no means was earlier than, and her abilities are being revered. It even straight calls out “Battle Video games” on the ultimate web page, with Batman telling Steph that she is going to survive. Heck, this comedian even makes use of Stephanie’s historical past with Anarky. Within the Rebirth period, when everybody thought Tim Drake was useless, she went villain and labored with him for a quick time.
The entire blemishes on Stephanie’s character are being addressed without delay, giving her an opportunity to point out that she’s a lot greater than her previous errors and unhealthy writing. Stephanie Brown is an excellent character, and already, Gangs of Gotham is gearing as much as be way more fascinating than “Battle Video games.” That is the prospect for a brand new tackle a few of Batman’s worst concepts, and I’m greater than right here for it.
Which story do you want would get re-examined in a brand new gentle? Personally, I’d like to see one other tackle Three Jokers and its story about Batman, Joker, and Joe Chill. Tell us your best choice within the feedback beneath!
Gangs of Gotham #1 is on sale now!