If you've been reading Scott Snyder's BATMAN run you know you can't and shouldn't take anything for granted. If you've read and re-read past issues, you know we're constantly seeing big clues right out in the open. After reading the later issues, you practically kick yourself for not having noticed it earlier.

Batman has recently undergone a helluva ordeal against Talon and the Court of Owls. With today's issue #7 (you can read the review here), a new character appears.

Who the heck is Harper? From these panels, you get the impression that they have some sort of history already. Rather than sit around and speculate who she might be, we went straight to Scott to get some answers:

Harper Row is her name and she's a character I've been thinking about for some time. I don't want to give too much away, but you'll be seeing more of her in Gotham soon - she has an important role to play in upcoming stories.

The way things leave off and based on what Scott says, this won't be the last we see of her. We'll have to keep our eyes peeled to see where she turns up next.

If you didn't already have a reason to pick up BATMAN #7 today, this should give you one.

Snyder's run is great so far but I wish he used more of the classic Batman characters. I miss Cass and Steph...

@DarthShap: DUDE HE IS BRINGING BATMAN BACK TO HIS LEGACY! Dont spoil it! Let him have his reign, hes honestly got what it takes to write Batman stories

So the eventual new Robin?

Harper Row...Roy Harper, connection?

@AlKusanagi: Extremely doubtful, I think Damien is gonna be Robin for the foreseeable future but a member of the Bat family maybe...

Looks interesting. I miss Stephanie and Cass.

@fodigg said:

Looks interesting. I miss Stephanie and Cass.

Don't we all?

Snyder must have been reading and/or watching a lot of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo lately.

@feargalr: I could have sworn that I read somewhere on here that one of the New 52 plans was for a new Robin, and that Damien was living on borrowed time.

@AlKusanagi said:

@feargalr: I could have sworn that I read somewhere on here that one of the New 52 plans was for a new Robin, and that Damien was living on borrowed time.

We already have so many Robins.

@AlKusanagi: Now that you mention it that does ring a bell... but him being Robin adds such a different dynamic to the whole thing... I hope he stays as Robin, at least for a few years.

The art on this book massages my eyes.

@feargalr: I think there was an Off My Mind article about the possibility of a new Robin, but it was based on pretty much nothing. Apparently, some people thought since Damian's life was in danger in the comics, perhaps he would soon depart. (eyeroll) As if comic book heroes aren't in danger of dying at the end of almost every issue.

Tim Drake is my main man, but long live Damian as well. Group stories need someone to stir the pot every once and awhile, and the most antagonistic member of the Bat Family pre-Damian was Bruce himself. Bruce deserves to have to raise that little snot. (grins)

@PsychoKnights: Tim is awesome, but because Damian is just so.. kinda.. broken I guess.. I think's going to make for a much more interesting story, not that I don't enjoy reading Tim whenever I get the chance.

@fodigg: Lets have a Robin Battle Royale!!! Hell Yeah.

@pahphoenix said:

@fodigg: Lets have a Robin Battle Royale!!! Hell Yeah.

I'd rather they just form a super-team full-time:

Although "Nightwing & the Robins" sounds a bit too much like a band.

@AlKusanagi said:

So the eventual new Robin?

LOL.

@feargalr: Yeah, I enjoy Damian too. I read all the pre-DCNU Batman and Robin titles. Haven't had a chance to see him operate with Bruce though.

I've always been able to relate to Tim; he is the kind of hero I would want to be. I guess that's why he's my favorite.

@PsychoKnights: Very true.... Plus he's got those rocking abs. You should check out the new Batman and Robin though, Im really liking it.

Who says we only need on sidekick for Batman, one whose not necessarily a Robin? Might be interesting to see her in later stories, maybe move her as a supporter in Batman and Robin.

Then again, I get memories of Stephanie Brown when I wrote this, so I don't know what to think now. Hopefully Snyder won't treat this one like shit for no good reason.

@fodigg: League of Robins lol seriously they dont need another Robin he should just call Tim back or someone geez!

New Spoiler? Present version of Carrie Kelly? Female equivalent to Tim?

I pray that they bring back Steph and Cass, for those two are still special, but to also bring in this new character, would be interesting to see what her connection with Batman turns out to be.

isnt harper row a publishing company?

interesting... I don't think she'll be a new Robin, though, but perhaps a new bat family identity?

@Outside_85 said:

Harper Row...Roy Harper, connection?

"Epic Bat-Fail"

Not going to read. Ever.

Harper Row...perhaps a distraction that Talon and the Court puts forth to draw out Bruce Wayne's vulnerability. That's my vote.

it won't be long until snyder turn into asshole like geoff johns

what's Lisabeth salander doing in a comic book (points for anyone who knows where i got this from)

@mbembet: no way he seems like a humble guy who is loyal to his fanbase, but then again you never really know for sure

Possibly new Oracle? I know it's too soon to speculate but who knows.
 
Btw she's cute, totally my type of girl ;D

@feargalr: (chuckles) I can't say I've ever paid too much attention to his abs.

I'm sure I'll get around to Batman and Robin one of these days. I'm trying to get all the tie-ins to Tim's stories at the moment, so I'll probably be spending the next couple of years just working on that.

Murderers Row...Murder of Crows...Raven haired...Owls...birds? Meh, I've got jumbles right now. Guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Maybe she will be the next Oracle since those shoe a empty

@fodigg said:

Looks interesting. I miss Stephanie and Cass.

Don't we all?

@LiquidSwords said:

"Epic Bat-Fail"

Not going to read. Ever.

who knows maybe a new oracle...or information network of somesort......she kinda reminds me of an Abbey from NCIS character

@The Dark Huntress said:

@NightFang

@fodigg said:

Looks interesting. I miss Stephanie and Cass.

Don't we all?

Yes.

Ditto!

so how long till she's batgirl, cause unless I'm missing someone, every teenage girl batman finds around becomes batgirl, or maybe she'll be catgirl. Just not Robin

This is just dumb,at the end of RIP Bruce meets a prostitute whom he gives a job,now he meets a similar looking chick,ugh come on some subtlety please.

@fodigg said:

I'd rather they just form a super-team full-time:

Although "Nightwing & the Robins" sounds a bit too much like a band.

It looks like Dick Grayson appears here twice, once as a Robin and once as Nightwing. Just wondering if anyone else caught that? lol.

@PsychoKnights: That ab line would have been a lot funnier in real life, with my witty sarcastic tone...

Must say, I find this whole court of Owls thing pretty daft.

…I Miss Cassandra, I don't miss Stephanie

court of owls is one of the best batman stories we have seen in a while

I love her. I must have her. *caresses*

@LaserLambert said:

@LiquidSwords said:

"Epic Bat-Fail"

Not going to read. Ever.

"Holy crap, someone used internet slang in real life? THAT NEVER HAPPENS. EVER. BURN THE BOOKS, KILL THE AUTHOR."

Oh good, this is the first time we've seen her? I thought that she'd come up before and I had completely forgotten.

@J_Saintssaid:

@fodigg said:

I'd rather they just form a super-team full-time:

Although "Nightwing & the Robins" sounds a bit too much like a band.

It looks like Dick Grayson appears here twice, once as a Robin and once as Nightwing. Just wondering if anyone else caught that? lol.

Forgetting about Jason?: