Grant Morrison has said that Bruce Wayne will no longer be Batman after an issue that goes on sale today in the ‘Batman RIP’ story arc.
Speaking to Comic Book Resources, Morrison revealed that: “What I am doing is a fate worse than death, things that no one would expect to happen to these guys at all.” Whether Wayne will be killed off or simply retired is uncertain, however, a follow-up arc named ‘Battle For The Cowl’ is being planned, the name of which spells out in no uncertain terms that the title of the Dark Knight is up for grabs.
It’s been a rough time for the superhero community in the last few years. Few comic book fans can forget Superman’s death (and subsequent resurrection) at the hands of Doomsday in the ‘Death Of Superman’ arc, while the latest event to rock the world of graphic novels has been Captain America’s assassination at the end of Marvel’s Civil War storyline.
Is it time for these heroes to hang up their capes and make way for a new generation? After all, Bruce Wayne has donned his cape and suit since 1939. Or is it more deeply symbolic of our social consciousness, in that we’re systematically killing off our past heroes one by one? You decide, readers.
