This was not written by me. I found this on tumblr. As soon as I read it, I knew I immediately had to post it on here. It so beautifully and gracefully sums up how much Grant has messed up and continues to do so in his series, which is unjustly high-praised, Batman Inc.
 

My name is Juli. I’m 21 and studying art, and my father got me into comic books as a young girl. I’ve begun my own collection, and the first thing that I tell people when discussing comics is that my favorite character is Talia al Ghul.

I fell in love with her as a character, for what she stood for. Her heart and her love and her struggles touched me in a deep and meaningful way.

I have been actively roleplaying as Talia online for the past six months. And along the way, I have gathered as many of her appearances in the comics as I have been able. I’ve gotten into her head, and talked to other Talia fans, and explored the facets of emotion. I feel like I know this character intimately. I don’t claim perfection in the understanding of her, but I know that I know her better than most. I will defend her time and time again, because let’s face it: Talia has not been a very well received character (and I’m not blaming Catwoman fans). 

I’ve been waiting for Batman Inc. 2 for months. I knew you were writing her story and I wanted so badly for it to live up to this image in my head. I had seven dollars in my bank account and I was ready to use half of it to buy this issue (by the time it was out, it had a good bit more in it, but I digress).

I read it last night, while I was on break during my summer job as a camp counselor.

And I started to cry. And it was not because I was happy. 

I was angry, Mr. Morrison. I was angry. 

Granted, I enjoyed a vast majority of the issue. Melisande and Ra’s at Woodstock? Wonderful. Seeing pictures into Talia’s rarely-seen childhood? Great. 

But I cried and nearly threw my Android to the ground when I read the line “Talia, did you put something in my drink?”

No. 

For months, I as a Talia lover and roleplayer have had to defend the character I adore. Saying, “No, no, she didn’t rape Bruce.” Because I believe with all of my heart that Talia loves him. She has shown time and time again that she does because time and time again she has risked everything for him. Everything she knows, everything safe. I used your quote:

“For a long time, [DC] said [Son of the Demon] was out of continuity. Now it’s just kind of out of continuity. I didn’t actually read it before I started writing this. I messed up a lot of details, like Batman wasn’t drugged when he was having sex with Talia and it didn’t take place in the desert. I was relying on shaky memories. But now we have this new “Superboy punch” continuity [after Superboy Prime attacked the fabric of the universe during Infinite Crisis]. People still don’t realize how important that single punch was to cover everyone’s ass.”

Time and TIME again to try to prove that it was not so. But now you’ve retconned your retcon, and it makes me unbelievably angry. All it does it make people who don’t know Talia as I do see her as a crazy and selfish rapist bitch. And that is so far from the truth.

You also claimed that this issue would be “for the girls,” but I found no emotion here. We didn’t get into Talia’s head or see her heart, or gain any real understanding into why she does what she does. Her wants, her fears, her motivations. I could talk all day about it because I have psychoanalyzed her based on as many of her appearances that I can. I wanted something like that. Something like “The Prison” of  Batman Chronicles #8. Where we see Talia’s heart. And here, we saw very little.

This was your shot at redeeming yourself for me. You failed. And so, I won’t be picking up Batman Inc. again because I can’t bear to see this twisting of Talia’s characterization anymore. I will not watch the character I love the most be turned into what you’re making her out to be. I won’t. 

So I respectfully add myself to the tally of discouraged and disappointed female comic book readers.

@Mercy_ @CitizenBane @War Killer

You guys should at least appreciate how well structured this was, even you, Baney.

This is amazing.

Not to be rude, but I think people should draw a line with their obsession with characters and comics as a whole. I don't mean to sound condescending, but people shouldn't become so dependent on a fictional character like this. I feel like she wanted to be Talia. There's nothing wrong with roleplaying, but people should create their own characters and forge their own identities.

I do respect some of her complaints though.

@TheAnnihilator said:

Not to be rude, but I think people should draw a line with their obsession with characters and comics as a whole. I don't mean to sound condescending, but people shouldn't become so dependent on a fictional character like this. I feel like she wanted to be Talia. There's nothing wrong with roleplaying, but people should create their own characters and forge their own identities.

I do respect some of her complaints though.

Thanks for your intellectual input, as opposed to the person above you. I admit, whilst I was reading it, I did feel like she was dancing around the line of obsessing over the character, but then I looked at myself and realized that I do the exact same thing with Batman. I can't bare to see anyone desecrate his character, as if it is an attack on me personally.

@SmoothJammin said:

Get back in the kitchen

Get back in the basement.

@Mercy_ said:

This is amazing.

I know right? I had to take a breath.

@SmoothJammin said:

Get back in the kitchen

Classy.

@RainEffect: Recommend me good Talia stuff, m'dear.

@RainEffect: I can take some offense when people insult characters I like or if they're done injustice in a comic, but I don't know. I feel like she made Talia a far too big part of her life and wanted to be her. A comic book shouldn't bring you to tears of anger. It's all temporary and every character will end up being driven in a direction that fans don't like at one point or another, it's the business. It should be handled rationally and not....like that. I've just been aware that I shouldn't let comics become that big in my life so that they don't become all I have and drive to a low like her's.

@Mercy_:OOO OOO *becomes excited 10 year old*

My most highly recommended and, incidentally, all time favorite Batman story arc is The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul. I don't understand why, it is written by Grant Morrison, and he somehow manages to perfect Talia's character. That she sides with Bruce over her family, and that she cares so much about Bruce's legacy. She also has some great scenes with Tim Drake.
 
Second would be Gotham City Sirens. I can't remember exactly what issues she shows up in, but she plays a big role in the plot from like #15 onwards. I lost my old files, so I need to get them again.
 
Beyond that? Stay the hell away from Death and the Maidens, Red Hood: The Lost Days and Bane of the Demon. Bonus points are given for reading Birth of the Demon which is where Bruce actually decides to marry Talia and give up being Batman (I'm pretty sure it is in there). Birth of the Demon is the storyline that Morrison scrapped in favor of Batman & Son.
 

@RainEffect said:

@Mercy_:OOO OOO *becomes excited 10 year old*

My most highly recommended and, incidentally, all time favorite Batman story arc is The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul. I don't understand why, it is written by Grant Morrison, and he somehow manages to perfect Talia's character. That she sides with Bruce over her family, and that she cares so much about Bruce's legacy. She also has some great scenes with Tim Drake.

Second would be Gotham City Sirens. I can't remember exactly what issues she shows up in, but she plays a big role in the plot from like #15 onwards. I lost my old files, so I need to get them again.

Beyond that? Stay the hell away from Death and the Maidens, Red Hood: The Lost Days and Bane of the Demon. Bonus points are given for reading Birth of the Demon which is where Bruce actually decides to marry Talia and give up being Batman (I'm pretty sure it is in there). Birth of the Demon is the storyline that Morrison scrapped in favor of Batman & Son.

I love you <3

Talia sucks. That is all.

Morrison gets a thumbs up from me.

She cried? That's really too much of a, dare I say sad response to this thing. Admittedly Talia raping Bruce might not be the best thing for the character but personally I do like the fact Talia has a vision for her world and wants everything to be perfect, ie ruling the world with Bruce by her side raising their genetically superior bratty son. There's another word beginning with b that describes Damian even better but I won't say it. The point is sometimes these things happen. Morrison is a great writer, one of my favourites but not even the best can appeal to the die-hard fangirls it would seem.

@CitizenBane: God damn it dude. Some of us haven't seen the movie yet. >:(

@AtPhantom: LOL. Sorry :P

I'll spoiler-block it.

@CitizenBane: YOU'VE RUINED IT FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!11

I'm off my pills o.O

I can imagine how frustrating it must be to have something your smitten by, quite possibly the most powerful figure in your world reduced to nothing in front of you by the hands Grant Morrison. When he made Grayson a smiling tool in Batman Inc it also bothered me quite a bit.

Sorry for the outburst btw, there was no need for that in here. I apologize.

Him being raped was cannon a long time ago. How is it shes finding about it right now?

@sesquipedalophobe said:

@noj: Oh, okay. So take away the drugging, the subterfuge and the plot within plots: they made love? Teach me so that I may never do jail time.

LOL!

I love how some people idealize writers like Morrison, thinking they can do no wrong and that everyone complaining is a die-hard fangirl/fanboy obsessing over an unimportant character.

While the person who wrote that letter seems to be a little extreme in her love for the character, there's no denying that she made some very good points concerning Morrison and his portrayal of Talia. Different people will perceive the character differently and there's bound to be some inconsistencies when various writers are involved over the years. However, Morrison himself admitted that he screwed up and he even used Superboy Prime's punch to retcon his mistake. But now, making it seem like Talia put something in Bruce's drink to ensure he got her pregnant (this among other things) seems like an unnecessary change to the character who will only alienate her fans and ruin the character for the vast majority of them. Maybe there's a good reason behind it and everything will be explained later but we can't blame anyone for disliking it and not wanting to spend money on this book without knowing if it will be worth it.

Everyone is entitled to his own opinion and not everyone can be happy when a writer seemingly butcher his/her favorite character. Believe me, I know it can be very frustrating and I can sympathize with the OP and anyone in a similar situation.

...o...k...

A little too extreme if you ask me.

@RainEffect said:

@Mercy_:OOO OOO *becomes excited 10 year old*

My most highly recommended and, incidentally, all time favorite Batman story arc is The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul. I don't understand why, it is written by Grant Morrison, and he somehow manages to perfect Talia's character. That she sides with Bruce over her family, and that she cares so much about Bruce's legacy. She also has some great scenes with Tim Drake.

Second would be Gotham City Sirens. I can't remember exactly what issues she shows up in, but she plays a big role in the plot from like #15 onwards. I lost my old files, so I need to get them again.

Beyond that? Stay the hell away from Death and the Maidens, Red Hood: The Lost Days and Bane of the Demon. Bonus points are given for reading Birth of the Demon which is where Bruce actually decides to marry Talia and give up being Batman (I'm pretty sure it is in there). Birth of the Demon is the storyline that Morrison scrapped in favor of Batman & Son.

Resurrection was mediocre overall,it was an editorially mandated crossover.Sirens??? really Rainy? you loved that hideous characterization of not just Talia but also Ivy,Selina and Harley?

Bane of the Demon,Lost Days and Death and the Maidens would actually be definite Talia stories if the writers did'nt get carried away with over hyping their pet characters(Bane,Jason and Nyssa) but they still have great Talia moments.

Your post seems more obsessed with Batman/Talia shipping than Talia herself.

@RainEffect: why do you like talia so much? You should love Morrison considering that he as actually made her something other then worn out polt device. if Talia was writen the way you wanted her to be she would have been a one off. Talia only works because she will never go with Batman over family.Grant Morrison has done more for Batman then anyone at least scince Frank Miller. and to not say otherwise for a throw away unknow charecter like Talia is

you say The Dark Knight returns and even people who are not into comics like you and me know what you talking about.

Those other titles are only know now because of the parts Nolan took for his films.

and you miss the bigger point, yes she works because she is torn but unlike every other story with that idea, Talia picks her family not the man.

If Talia picks Batman there would be no story. the whole idea of the lover being torn between her family and a man is been used in everything from Dirty Dancing to One eyed jacks and a endless list of movies and books.

Alos again why do you like talia so much?

I felt the same way towards Morrison after he made Jason out into an annoying, balding red-head with acne problems and a pill-shaped helmet + tacky costume. But then the reboot came and now I can happily care less about how Grant is mishandling other characters...so long as he continues to keep his distance from my favourites.

Also attacking my gramar or whatever which by the way you are the only person on CV to do so, not the best way to go at it if your not being a douch.

those other titles are only know now because of the parts Nolan took for his films, that is how the non comic commuinty knows them.

your whole last paragraph was the only thing you said so far that was something other the being mad because a writer did not do what you wanted them to do.

Dedication and Talia have nothing to do with each other, She picked so many sides that the only dedication she as is schizophrenia.

1. Son of the Demon - Married Bruce and had a child. Then, because Bruce nearly died protecting her, decided to separate in order to protect him.
2. No Man's Land - Was the driving force behind Bruce putting the cowl back on and taking back his city. I have the scans.
3. Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul - Sided with Bruce multiple times, and eventually led to the death of Ra's.
4. Hush - Gave Bruce medicine so that he could save Selina's life.
   
5. Red Hood: The Lost Days - Stalled Jason from killing Bruce so that he would learn to kill criminals instead.
6. Gotham City Sirens - Attempted to trick Zatanna into wiping Selina's memory in order to protect Bruce's identity. Also created a strategy that proved how easy it is to capture Selina.
7. Tower of Babel - Tried to stop Ra's from using Bruce's anti-Justice League strategies. Ra's had his assassins shoot her to put her out of commission.
8. Superman/Batman - Sells out Lex Luthor and destroys his empire from within, giving the assets to Wayne.