I want a Batman story where he starts off as a cheerful and a bit socially daft guy. Where Bruce Wayne is a complete goof and hopelessly romantic fool. He tries to court Talia or Selina with the extravagance and thoughtfulness of a man with the means and mind to try to give his love the most fantastically romantic time ever. He’d be so proud and happy for Dick and his team of superheroes, and all he can imagine is the good they’ll do when they become the next Justice league. Even the criminals in Gotham aren’t too violent, just people looking out for their own.
Then Jason comes into his life, He loves this child so much. The kid adores Alfred and follows him around like a duckling and is quietly delighted with all the toys, books, schooling, ect. that Bruce can provide. He’s smart, studious, sassy, curious, and adorably enthralled with magic (magic!Jason) practically a prodigy but still playing little pranks here and there. He can imagine Jason fitting in very well with Justice league dark if he wants to follow his big brother’s footsteps. Though that plan doesn’t quite play out as he’d hoped.
(I’m just so done with Jason only ever being destined for death and nothing more, and the death of a child being treated like no biggie or a goddamn joke. That shit should be goddamn traumatic and serious.)
However Jason is mercilessly murdered by the Joker, then Barbara is paralyzed, Talia doesn’t want anything to do with him, and Harvey well…Harvey went insane chasing shadows before killing himself. Bruce then starts to spiral into his dark and broody, emotionless, cold and calculating Batman. Turning paranoid and controlling, because if he could have planned for everything then he would have prevented the worst from happening to the people he cared about.
I want Batman’s closed off and harsh personality be a result of his life getting to a point of falling apart instead of the insanity of “dead parents” because frankly I’m sick of those damn pearls. I get it as a motivation to start being a hero but the rest of why he’s a dick to his allies and so damn standoffish about being in control all the time shouldn’t be tied to that. I think it should be a process of him losing his hopefulness to the thoughtless acts of cruelty later down the line.
Give me a batman that starts with everything to lose, a hopeful man who believes that people can change for the better if they were given a proper chance. That goodness is inherent because superman who has all the power to do anything still decides to do good. A batman who thought people were only evil because of desperation, or needed/wanted something but is proven so wrong that it slowly breaks him, into the batman we’re familiar with.
(the kind of batman that lashes out at Dick, ignores or doesn’t care for Tim and Steph, beats & banishes Jason from Gotham, and makes contingencies & plans to be able to take out his JLA friends)
Maybe even have the parents be secretly not the best people. I’ve been thinking about Martha Wayne being a high ranking member of the court of owls, and his father sharing a hand with Hugo strange to make Arkham asylum a hell on earth.
Lemme know what you guys think because frankly I kinda hate how toxic Batfam is and I really don’t care for trying to pretend it’s a good time to be with the kind of batman we have. Straightup fanon gooddad!Bruce is so far away from what Batman is, I can’t imagine them being the same person at all. At least with this kind of timeline I feel like it could possibly work.
I’m under the impression that you guys really like the Magic!Jason idea. Here are some of the villains I’d imagine him facing up against as a robin, they’re a bit revised from their obscure original outing. The 10 eyed man is a straight up monster that eats eyes. Nocturna is a Vampire heiress that just wants all the money and riches and respect of being an amazing vampiress, Unbelievably vain and greedy and no fucks given about what you think. Lastly Magpie she’s a Harpie, bound to a cruel master and made to steal magical artifacts for them. Just going full supernatural on a couple of canonically lame villains.
If I were to make a batman show with Jason Todd as robin these guys would be the 1st season villians that Batman works with Zatanna and Talia to sort out., While Jason is still a very young robin. As he gets older the crimes get nastier where the demons get terrifying and criminals get really cruel.
“Tim,” Jason mutters, shock and sadness covering the name.
I wish your mother had been a little stronger.
I wish she stayed around a little longer.
“Run home to Mommy dearest.” Jason snaps, turning away. His head still ringing from the blow it took.
“Can’t do that.” Tim snarls from the ground where he is wrapping his calf to stop, or at least pause, the bleeding. “She gave up back in that jungle. Dad claims she said she had nothing to go on for. That it was too hard.”
Jason closes his eyes, breathing deeply to push the guilt down. He had meant Alfred, had forgotten that his actual mother was dead.
A humorless chuckle reaches his ears, “Guess love won’t help you overcome everything. Guess it wasn’t enough. Or maybe I wasn’t.”
“Don’t. You need to go.” Tim says. When his face tilts enough to become visible, Jason’s hurts at the dead expression on his face, at the heaviness that seems to have settled into his skin. Tim doesn’t move when Jason takes a single step closer. Tim’s pale skin is ashy grey, his body standing as if his bones are too heavy for him to hold up. Jason curses at everyone, at himself, at the world for ruining this young man.
I wish your dad was good!
Jason perches on the window ledge as he takes a long drag of his cigarette. He wants to leave, but between his broken wrist and Alfred he knows he won’t get far. Well, won’t get far in one piece. He smiles at the thought. He takes in the silence of the Manor’s grounds; the still air so different from the noise of the city. Which is why he glares at the open window that let’s the shrill of a phone break it.
“Hello?” Tim’s voice falls out of the window. Jason watches his shadow as Tim stretches. “Oh. Umm, I…just…just a second.”
Jason debates going back inside, but then Alfred will definitely smell the smoke and he just opened this pack. So he refocus on the conversation, leaning against the wood frame, and exhales smoke.
“Timothy, where are you?” A voice hisses. Tim must have put it on speaker Jason figures as the voice continues, “I look like an idiot when you don’t make it to the meetings. I can’t run this business alone.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Tim’s shadow moves around, a rustling noise accompanying his words. “I got in late from San Francisco and then Bruce—”
“Bruce is not your father.” The statement has Jason frowning. He is more of a father than you Jack, which is sad; Jason shakes his head at the thought. “He does not get final say.”
“Of course, I understand that. It’s just the case needed another set–” Tim rushes to say.
Again Jack cuts his son off. “Our agreement was that you could continue with…your extra activities as long as?”
“As long as I put the company’s needs first, listened to you, and didn’t talk about it.” Tim’s tone is flat, computer like. His shadow shrinks in on itself.
“Get home Timothy. I’m leaving in the morning and you need to be briefed.” The dial tone is the only goodbye Tim receives.
Jason ignores the sound of a fist smacking the wall as he sucks down the last puff. Instead he crawls back inside, shutting the glass tight. Thank God Willis was gone before he became that. Jay’s mind whispers. Jason pauses, thinking back to Tim. He huffs at himself before shooting Dick a text to check on baby bird.
Jason reaches out, cupping Tim’s cheek. “No, we need to leave Timmy.” An emotion starts to break through Tim’s stoney face. His breathing stutters as he relaxes against Jay’s palm. “That’s not the plan.” He croaks, swallowing a sob. Jason moves slowly, projecting his every move. Bring his arm up to rest his hand on Tim’s waist, pulling the teen into his chest.
I wish grow-ups understood!
Bruce stands in the doorway, hulking figure taking up the whole thing. Jason pauses in his observation of the body. He meets the white eyes of the cowl, “Finders keepers B.”
“This is not your case, Hood. Get out.” The Bat growls at his second son. “Robin!”
Jason stands as Tim swipes into the room, their eyes meeting briefly. “B, my territory my case so either share or get the fuck out.” Jay steps closer to Bruce.
Bruce’s lips peel back, harsh words probably bubbling in his throat.
“I’ll forward the file to you after I updated it tonight Hood.” Tim speaks before a fight can break out.
Jason nods at him, stepping out of Bruce’s way. He squeezes Tim’s shoulder, “Thanks, Baby Bird. I’ll send back whatever I know or find out.”
Jason exits but pauses at Bruce’s tone.
“Robin, we do not work with criminals.”
“Red Hood is no longer consider that.” Robin replies. Tim’s words ease the sting of Bruce’s.
“Robin, you know very well that people do not just bounce back. Hood will not get the file.” The Batman growls.
The silence has Jason tensing and stepping back to the room.
“It’s like you don’t want him back. Everyone is trying, yet you won’t even stay in–”
“We have a case, Robin. Do not get off topic again. Hood will not get any information on this or any other cases from our computer. End of discussion.” Bruce must have turned or crouched because Jason can make out the cape dragging against the floor.
Jason leaves, rage on a tight lease. He breaks up a fight, tracks down some informs before heading home. He drops his guns on the table, turning on his computer to compile what he knows. Smirks at the file: malina, a paper copy. The note inside gets a chuckle.
He said no info from our computer. So this is from Babs’ and it’s a paper copy.
Send her any info you get.
R
“I have to do this. If I don’t–” Tim whimpers. “No you don’t.” Jason says firmly. “Timmy, stop this.” Jason tightens his hold on the younger boy; finding the middle ground between a hug and a restainted. His cheek rests on top of ink black hair, a little greasy from days without a shower. Tim pushes Jason’s chest, yet grips the back of his shirt with another hand. “If I stop, then we still have to fight. If I continue,” Tim rushes to explain, “I can stop other deaths. I can end so much pain.” His eyes have a feverish tint to them; lack of sleep leaving them pink and swollen.
I wish we had met before they convinced you life is war.
Jason had been told to look out for Robin, that he was not to be left alone if found, that after the two deaths… That Dick wanted him found. Climbing up to the top of the old church, Jason spots a flash of yellow against the stone gargoyle. “Robin.” Jason calls out in greeting. Only to see a mask-less face staring back. “Oh, baby bird.”
Tim hiccups, curling tighter into his cape. “Go.”
Jason debates: he could call Dick, tell him where Tim is, and be done or he could step forward.
He steps forward. “I’m just here for the view.” Jason shrugs as he settles against the cold stone. The bare face makes sense when he notices the tear streaks on Tim’s cheek; the mask’s paste must have been washed away by the constant tears. Jason had sat down close enough to barely brush his arm against Tim’s shoulder. The distance was there if Tim needed it, but small enough to close without issue.
“They are dead.” Tim whispers. “I keep waiting for Bart to rush by or–” he chokes “or Kon to swoop down. But they are dead. And they’re not coming back.”
Jason nods. Doing nothing when Tim’s weight settles onto his arm.
“I’m the only human and they’re the ones killed. The ones getting statues. I’m the human and they…” Tim swallows.
Jason shifts so that Tim can curl into his side. “I know baby bird. I’m sorry you lost your friends.”
“I lose everyone Jason.” Tim whispers into the dark.
“It’s part of the gig.” Jason has no words of comfort. At one point, he was the causality of this job.
“It’s part of war.” Tim breathes out.
Jason waits till Tim has drifted off into what can only be a restless sleep before calling Dick. He scoops Tim up and tightens his hold when it hits him this is what Bruce looked like carrying him.
“You will add to mine if you continue.” Jason confesses. “If you go through with this, Dick, Alfred, Babs, Cass, Cassie, me, hell even Bruce–” “Everyone has someone Jason! I lost mine. I lost Kon and Bart and Stephanie. I lost Dad and Mom and—” Tim has become haggard; his chest rising slowly and falling quickly like it was too much to hold in oxygen. “I don’t have anyone. Don’t go.” Jason bellows, shaking Tim ever so much. “Leave with me. Please, Tim.”
Saving Gotham is a really important job, really, but sometimes you just need to enjoy life. And you’re a young vigilant with two teenagers, they’re going to be a little goofy and that’s okay
It’s been so long since I’ve been active on this account and I haven’t written anything in over two years. I had many problems that I’m still facing currently but it’s getting better!!!
I’m writing a fanfic now (angsty), and I was wondering if you have any preference in whom the main character should be: Dick, Jason, Tim, Damian..?
At long last, I have finally gotten around to actually reviewing this issue! (It actually arrived in the mail a couple weeks ago, I just never got around to doing this post until now.) Today we’re looking at Batman #388: “The Round-Trip Looking Glass”. It was published in 1985, written by Doug Moench, and drawn by Tom Mandrake.
The art in this issue is much, much better than the art in Detective Comics #555, which is the second half of the two-part story.
After the splash page, which features Batman, Captain Boomerang, and the original Mirror Master (Sam Scudder) fighting one another, the issue begins with Mirror Master breaking into a Gotham City museum to steal the Tien Hsu Jade Necklace through its side door. He does this by using his solar pistol, amplified by a“mirror-amplification device”, to melt the door’s lock and fuse the alarm wires.
Meanwhile, Captain Boomerang knocks out the night guard with a boomerang.
Mirror Master is about to remove the necklace from its display case when Captain Boomerang uses another one of his boomerangs to break the glass and swipe the necklace.
Sam has an amazing facial expression as Digger calls him a fool for not noticing the night guard. It is the first of many, many hilarious facial expressions to be found in this issue.
Mirror Master and Captain Boomerang discuss the fact that they both decided to come to Gotham City at the same time, with Mirror Master saying that he did so explicitly because Gotham is “the one place without a superhero like Flash, Superman, Green Lantern..”, to which Captain Boomerang replies by saying that “superpowers or not, the Batman is just as fierce as any of the others.”
Digger knows this because he’s come to Gotham and fought Batman before. (This occurred in Batman #321, another issue that I own and have previously reviewed.) Sam, who has a fantastic confused face, asks Digger why he came to Gotham if Batman is so threatening, to which Digger explains that he wants to get revenge on Batman.
Sam suggests that he and Digger should team up against Batman (with yet another terrific facial expression). He also refers to Digger “the same old hard case from Down Under” while making this suggestion.
Digger, who already has the necklace, isn’t particularly interested in teaming up with Sam, since he thinks that Sam only suggested the alliance because Digger’s currently the one holding the necklace. And while he tells Sam this, he spins the incredibly valuable jade necklace around his finger like an idiot.
Mirror Master is not happy to hear this. “Just because you scooped me here–by a sneak attack–you think you’re better than me? Well, forget it! Back in Central City, I was always the Flash’s number one foe!” I would have to agree with Sam on this point. In the Pre-Crisis era, Sam really was the undisputed king of the Rogues. Also, his angry facial expression is great.
Captain Boomerang and Mirror Master proceed to get into a hilariously petty argument.
Digger: “Maybe things are different here in Gotham. Maybe your gimmicky mirrors can’t cut it here.” (He has an amazingly smug face as he says this, and Sam is pointing a finger angrily at him. It’s great.)
Sam: “My gimmicky mirrors? What about your boomerangs?”
Digger: “Listen, ace! This boomerang was good enough to-” (And during this bit, Digger is waving his fist right at Sam’s nose. Seriously, they’re both living cartoons in this comic, and it’s amazing.)
This incredible ego competition is interrupted by Batman using his Batarang to swipe the jade necklace out of Digger’s hand. He then tells both of them that Gotham is off-limits.
Sam and Digger react to this in this most courageous manner possible: by freaking out and running away (complete with amazing facial expressions.)
Digger: “So long, mate! I’m not ready for for revenge yet!”
Sam: “Wait for me! I’m not even mad at him!”
As they bravely run away, the two supervillans duck behind a pillar in Dinosaur Hall, and when Batman follows them in, Mirror Master uses one of his mirrors to blind him. Digger then uses one of his explosive boomerangs, which collapses a T. rex statue onto Batman and allows them to escape.
The two then promptly return to their petty argument from before.
Sam: “You missed, idiot!’
Digger: “At least I stopped him! What did your mirror do? Make him see stars for a bit?”
Sam: “That does it! The team-up’s off!”
Digger: “It was never on!”
Sam: “Then mark my words, Boomerang,’cause I’m gonna make you eat yours! I’m the best criminal in Gotham, and I can prove it!”
Digger: “Yeah? Have fun looking in your mirrors, chump–after I’ve humiliated you!”
Meanwhile, Batman gets out from under the T. rex statue and goes to the Batcave, where he and Robin (Jason Todd) use the Batcomputer to view the files on Mirror Master and Captain Boomerang (after Jason notes that they still haven’t rounded up all the members of Black Mask’s False Face Society).
The files are basically just recaps of the pair’s Silver/Bronze Age origins, with two slight differences. The first is that, rather than calling himself Aussie Green as he did in the original story, Digger apparently went in for the interview as Digger Harkness. The second, and more hilarious, is that Batman’s files say that the Mirror Master’s name is Joe Scudder. Moench must have used a Cary Bates issue as reference for Mirror Master’s name.
After reviewing the files, Batman and Robin get some sleep, since Batman doesn’t think the two Rogues will be trying anything else that night.
Meanwhile, at the docks of Gotham Bay, “Joe” Scudder is trying to think up a crime when he’s approached by three men. One is wearing a skull mask, one is wearing a devil mask, and one is…wearing a Heathcliff cat mask. (Did that last guy miss the “scary masks” memo?) They demand to know if he’s “Joe Scudder”, the “Master of Mirrors guy”, to which “Joe” responds in the affirmative. He’s also clearly really, REALLY freaked out by them, which is hilarious. Apparently, he thought that he was getting jumped and/or mugged by some Gotham goons and actually thought they were a threat to him. His facial expression in the first panel where they show up is amazing.
The three masked dudes explain that they want Mirror Master to be their new boss, since Black Mask got arrested. “Joe” responds to this by putting on his mirrored sunglasses and using them to hypnotize the thugs. He tells them to go find Digger and put him in the hospital.
Once the now-hypnotized thugs leave, “Joe” comes up with the most zero-effort crime imaginable.
“There’s always that bank across the street…Yeah, what the hell? When in doubt, or just plain bored, fall back on old faithful.” A+ creativity, “Joe”.
Bruce Wayne has a brief romantic interlude with Julia Pennyworth (she’s Alfred’s niece) before he notices the Batsignal and has to leave her in the lurch. Also, even before this happens, he’s not really paying attention to her or her desire to write a book about Black Mask, since he’s too preoccupied thinking about his OTHER love interest, Vicki Vale. As a result, Julie is very upset by his sudden departure. Smooth, Bruce. Smooth.
Batman and Jason get into the Batmobile to respond to the Batsignal, but on their way to police headquarters, they almost crash into Harvey Bullock. Bullock tells the pair that the Batsignal was sent out in response to a report of a “suspicious figure at Zindorf Jewelers” and that he himself was going out to respond to another alarm across the bay.
Batman, realizing that both Rogues have struck at once, sends Jason with Bullock while he goes to the Jewelers.
Meanwhile, Captain Boomerang uses his “mini-rocket boomerang” to fly up to the building’s roof, then uses this same boomerang to break the padlock on the roof door.
Digger on finances: “The people who don’t steal are always finding ways to save it–which makes it so much easier for those of us who do steal.”
Before he actually start stealing things, however, the alarm goes off as the three hypnotized goons bust into the store to attack him.
Digger’s reaction: “Yoicks.” (combined with another hilarious facial expression.)
Meanwhile, “Joe” has just “opened the vault with my mirror-amplified laser” when he gets taken out by Harvey Bullock and Jason Todd in the span of 4 panels. Yes, Mirror Master was defeated by an overweight cop and Jason Todd in 4 panels. Not his finest hour.
Back at the jewelry store, Digger is trying to buy off “Joe’s” hypnotized goons when Batman arrives. Digger uses the distraction to tie the goons together with a boomerang somehow.
Batman tries to go after Digger but is attacked by the goons, allowing Digger to escape. I guess “Joe’s” hypnotic command to kill Digger was overridden by the goons’ desire to kill Batman.
Digger then uses his flying boomerang to break into “Joe’s” Gotham apartment.
Digger on Sam “Joe”: “Scudder’s an arrogant fool, not caring if everyone in Gotham’s underworld knew he was in town…and not even bothering to keep his hideout a secret!” How did “Joe” set up this hideout so quickly, anyhow?
Digger steals the mirror that “Joe” used for his hypnotic sunglasses.
Meanwhile, “Joe” escapes from Bullock’s police car by using a false front tooth (which he had previously captured Digger’s image on) to project an image of Captain Boomerang in the middle of the road. Bullock swerves and Mirror Master escapes.
After a brief conversation between Batman, Jason, Harvey, and Commissioner Gordon, we cut back to Mirror Master’s hideout, where “Joe” is using his solar pistol to free himself from his handcuffs.
This accomplished, he starts admiring himself in the truly astonishing number of mirrors he’s set up in his hideout.
“Joe” on himself: “Feels good enough to be back among my mirrors-where I’m still number one and look it.”
Suddenly, he realizes that his strobe mirror is missing and reacts in shock (and with another terrific facial expression).
“Someone robbed me while I was out–robbed me!!”Sam “Joe’s” repeated freakouts are easily the funniest part of this story.
Then a boomerang made of mirror flies into the room, and starts smashing all of “Joe’s” mirrors. In hopes of stopping it, he grabs the boomerang, only for the mirror to start pulsing hypnotically.
Digger’s voice eminates from the mirror boomerang, telling Sam “Joe” that he must do anything Digger says, including murder. Seemingly hypnotized, Sam “Joe” responds by saying “Y-yes…including…murder”. (As the next issue will reveal, however, he’s actually only pretending to be hypnotized.)
The issue ends withe Digger happily thinking about how well things are going for him (complete with one last wonderful expression.)
This comics is amazing, and Sam “Joe” and Digger are comedy gold throughout. It’s too bad the second half of the story had such terrible art.
Detective Comics #555 was published in 1985, shortly before Crisis on Infinite Earths, and features two stories. The first story, “Returning Reflections”, was written by “Jason Todd” (actually Doug Moench), drawn by Gene Colan, and inked by Bob Smith. It’s the second part of a two-part story where the original Mirror Master (Sam Scudder) and Captain Boomerang arrive in Gotham and get into a fight over who’s the better criminal (I’ll review the first half when it arrives in the mail).
Here’s what goes down.
The cover, which unfortunately has much better art than the story inside, was drawn by Paris Cullins, Dick Giordano, and Anthony Tollin. It features Captain Boomerang and Mirror Master fighting one another while a giant Batman looms over both them and the city. “Captain Boomerang battles the Mirror Master to the death!” Unsurprisingly, neither Captain Boomerang nor Mirror Master actually dies in this issue. In fact, nobody dies in this issue at all.
The whole story is narrated in the form of Jason Todd, the second Robin, writing down the events of the case in his journal. (That’s why he’s credited as the issue’s writer.) As such, the story begins with Jason explaining the events of last issue. Captain Boomerang and Mirror Master both arrived in Gotham City to rob a museum. After being scared off by Batman before they could get any loot, they decided to have a contest to prove who was the better criminal. In order to win the contest, Captain Boomerang stole a mirror from Mirror Master’s hideout, shaped it into a boomerang (because of course he did), and then used it to hypnotize the Mirror Master into becoming his slave.
Batman, Jason, Commissioner Gordon, and Harvey Bullock meet on the roof of police headquarters to discuss their plan to capture the two criminals. After commenting on the fact that the sky is red even at night (as a result of the upcoming crisis), Batman explains that he’s going to have Harvey Bullock carry a valuable jade necklace out of its exhibit in the hopes that Boomerang and Mirror Master will both try to steal it. Once they are out in the open, Batman will be able to defeat and capture them.
Bullock is so excited about getting to play a part in the case that he swings his arm widely and accidentally breaks the Batsignal, much to Jason’s annoyance.
Batman then dresses up as Matches Malone (much to Alfred’s distaste) and goes to “spread the word” about the necklace “in one Gotham sleaze-pit after another”. As Matches, he gives the phony story about the police being so scared about the potential of Captain Boomerang and Mirror Master potentially stealing the necklace that they’re going to move the necklace out of the museum before the exhibit closes. He claims that, to avoid attention, Bullock will be handling the transition alone in plainclothes, but that there will be plenty of back-up out of sight. “I’ll tell ya…if I had me any fancy mirrors or trick boomerangs, I wouldn’t hesitate a second”. Captain Boomerang, who is at one of the bars, overhears this and decides to send the hypnotized Mirror Master to steal the necklace from Bullock for him.
“I’ll use my puppet Mirror Master, and if it works, I’ll have pulled off the perfect crime…for which I’ll later make Mirror Master confess–while I abscond Down Under with the loot. And if it fails, Mirror Master will be immediately carted off to prison. There’ll be no loot, but at least I’ll still be free–having obviously proven I’m the better criminal.” Oh, Digger….
Also, Digger’s hair is super-extra-poofy in this issue, and his face is craggy even for him.
Digger uses a radio to tell Sam (and Sam’s horribly-drawn, semi-featureless face) to meet him at the museum so that they can steal the necklace. Once Mirror Master actually arrives the next night, however, Digger tells Sam that he’ll need to commit his caper on his own, then tells him to attack Bullock once he arrives to retrieve the necklace. Unbeknownst to Digger, Batman and Robin are watching the whole scene. However, because Digger didn’t show up, they have to alter their plans and allow Mirror Master to take the necklace in the hopes that this will, in turn, lure out or lead them to Digger.
Also, while he’s retrieving the necklace, Harvey Bullock references the movie Maltese Falcon, a movie which I know solely because there was a Transfomers comic from the original 80s Marvel run that took its plot almost wholesale from that movie.
“Me, I sure am glad Mirror Master an’ Captain Boomerang ain’t murderers!” An interesting comment from Harvey Bullock that serves to reflect the differences between Gotham Rogues and Flash Rogues even at this relatively early stage.
Mirror Master attacks and ends up stealing both the necklace and Bullock’s car. He also kidnaps Bullock himself. It’s also worth noting that the art in this sequence is really bad, almost to the point where you can’t really tell what’s going on.
Jason Todd is upset over the fact that Bullock was kidnapped, but tries to hide this fact by pretending to be annoyed with Bullock’s incompetence. Batman isn’t fooled and Jason has to admit his affection for the old cop.
Mirror Master takes Bullock and the necklace with him to his meeting with Captain Boomerang, who flies in on one of his flying boomerangs. Yes, he has flying boomerangs that can support his weight. Digger Harkness can do anything with boomerangs.
Mirror Master reveals to Captain Boomerang that he was never hypnotized. “Fool! You can’t hypnotize me with my own strobe mirror! When the mirror boomerang first pulsed in my hand, I simply closed my eyes!” Mirror Master played along and pretended to be hypnotized in the hopes that he would be able to double-cross Boomerang and use him as a scapegoat for the theft. When he didn’t show up, Mirror Master had to think on his feet and ended up kidnapping Bullock to ensure his getaway.
We also get more of Mirror Master’s horribly-drawn, semi-featureless face here. It’s really unnerving, but not in a way that I think was intentional.
Mirror Master then hypnotizes Bullock with the strobe mirror and orders him to “commit my first murder for me–shoot the Australian Rogue!” This is another interesting comment that seems to confirm that he, at least, had no body count at this point. This, combined with Bullock’s early comment, also highlights the fact that the Flash Rogues took much longer to become murderous than did most other supervillains.
Bullock tries to resist, but the hypnotism is too strong for him to shake on his own. Luckily for both him and Digger, Batman and Robin bust through the window (in a horribly-drawn panel), and Robin kicks Bullock’s arm so his shot goes wild and doesn’t hurt anybody.
Batman, Bullock, Robin, Mirror Master, and Captain Boomerang get into a fight that ends with both villains being knocked out and captured. We also learn that the “necklace” Bullock was carrying was actually just some of the broken shards from the Batsignal, so that there was no danger of the priceless neckace being damaged in all of the chaos. The issue ends with Jason noting that his journal entry describing all this “couldn’t even pass for a comic book”, which is really meta.
Also, the art for the final fight scene is pretty terrible. The action is really hard to follow and most of the individual figures are badly drawn.
Overall, this is an entertaining story with really, really terrible art. It’s too bad the art is so bad, because with a better artist (or maybe inker) this could’ve been a great Flash Rogues vs Batman story, in the way that the first part was.
The second story in the issue is a Green Arrow tale called “The Case of the Runaway Shoebox!” It was written by Elliot S! Maggin and drawn by Dick Dillin and Dick Giordano. It’s a fun little story with much, much better art than “Returning Reflections”.
Tune in next time for the review of the first half of this story, Batman #388!
I drew Damian and his pets! I know I forgot Goliath but I couldn’t figure out how to fit him in :(.
Anyways, he has brown eyes bc he’s half Arabian, but the green highlights come from the Lazarus pit bc I think it’s a cool design. All in all, look at my boy.
