This week you get TWO podcasts for the price of one. James Robinson returns to talk EARTH 2 along with what's coming up in future issues. The second half features some BATMAN #17 arguing and a run down of this week's comics.
Anyone who thought someone was going to die In Batman #17 was just being silly. Also anyone who thinks Batman should have killed Joker should probably stop reading Batman altogether because you've missed the point of the story arc, the issue and the character. Batman does not kill. Period.
It's funny, the "imagine about killing montage" actually happened over in 'Grim Hunt' by Joe Kelly. Spider-Man contemplated killing Kraven and then we had a great splash page of Peter going down a darker path.
@ComicAddict2814: i just got to the middle of the fight today and I, too, cringed. But, I have to say that I would be fascinated with what kind of fallout there would be for Batman if he did just let go and deals with the internal conflict of that and fighting not to do it again...his relationships with the JL would be affected as well as Damian and the rest of the Bat family. Not sure of @Babs f eels the same way or not, but I've only been reading comics for about 7 years so maybe that's the perspective of newer-ish fans vs. those who are tried and true that Batman can't kill. Sorry that it got so heavy, but it was an important discussion to have.
As for explicit podcasts, go for it if you are only going to have it happen when you are passionate about something. Not just cursing for the hell of it... :)
Just got around to listening to this episode (didn't have time for all 4 hours until today) and "Wow".... That 17 minute stretch about Batman #17 was the most cringe inducing thing I've heard on your podcast. EV-VERRRRR. Personally, I quit reading after Snyder's Court Of Owls story arc, but I did enjoy listening to your debate about the climax of issue #17, even with the extremely 'uncomfortable to listen to' squabbling. Tony was clearly right, though, as was Snyder's decision to end it with the 'same old tired resolution of 'hero realizes he must not kill or he would be no better than the villain' sort of ending. If Batman kllls anyone, he's no longer a hero. He's a vigilante. I really don't know who the voice of reason on this show, but I was surprised by Sara's comments about being disappointed about Batman not killing the Joker and Batman not 'having balls' because he didn't kill his enemy... Really Sara? If someone killed one of your relatives, you're telling me you would kill the person who did that? You'd become a vigilante, throw away your own future and serve your time when you yourself are convicted for the crime ( And it would be)? I think not... Potty-mouth.
You can't apply 'reality' to franchise characters of serialized fiction, Sara. If you applied it to the world of Batman, the Joker probably would have died by lethal injection a long time... Well, he is the state of New York, essentially, but even Gothamites would have to rethink the death penalty after the Joker escaped for the 15th or 16th time and killing 10 or 12 or 50m more people. Batman wouldn't have to do it. Having Batman 'pushed to the brink' and then remembering that murdering people is bad is a very tired story but Snyder (and DC) at least understand that there are certain things that cannot happen (like killing Alfred or Gordon or any one of his rogue's gallery).
And to have another non-lasting death would be worse anyway. And Sara/Corey's idea of having 6 issue of Batman wrestling with the consequences would be just as bad. I wouldn't want to read that. I could see that if Batman were placed in a situation where he thinks he killed one of his enemies, but the writer would have to at least reveal that the character isn't dead immediately to the readers so as to not make it feel like yet another time where they're being jerked around by the standard "we're killin' a major character(!)" non-events. The idea of showing him kill the Joker, think of the consequences and then coming back to the moment of his big decision (kill or not to kill) is the absolute most foul idea that you guys put forth, though. That's a horse that's been flogged to a horribly mutilated death.
Corey asked why Batman couldn't just break the Joker's spine. That would make him Shadowhawk ridiculous. That said, didn't this happen in an 'Elseworld' type of setting? Didn't Batman break the Joker's neck and then the Joker after saying his final words finish the job (and kills himself) in something maybe 10 or 15 years ago? The Dark Knight Returns sequel or something like that? I know it happened somewhere, but I could be wrong. Did you ever see 'Bad Boys', the movie with Sean Penn and Clancy Brown (among others)? This whole argument reminded me of that. Anyway...
I hope you all hugged after this podcast, though.
And I was one of those screaming "Amy Grant"! I believe that issue was recalled and it temporarily made the value shoot up in comic stores.
Really enjoyed the rest of the show, especially James Dale Robinson's section, as always. Even provoked me to comment, but, it's funny that all of my comments are on the part with the arguing. Hmm... So anyway, now I'm going to listen to this week's podcast.
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