“I don’t know that anyone else has told such good father-daughter stories via Batman. They also tug at my heart because I’ve known so many neglected and/or abused children who just didn’t respond to prescribed, orthodox discipline. They needed someone to understand them and accommodate their needs.”
Yes! I thought this was a really important point, for stories, for people.
As an adult, besides human interactions, I also came to the ‘understanding them’ part through animals (too bitey, too kicky, too big and powerful, too afraid).
Showing them that I saw and understood them, and providing for their needs—even just of relaxation and peace and quiet—made more sense to them. But it all came from their first trusting that essential "I get you," part.
One of the great legacy characters. They had a real good split with Batman's kids outdoing him completely in one area and working together with their siblings to make up for their deficiencies. Tim as a gadgetier detective, Cass as a superior fighter, Dick as the front line handsome acrobat thief break-in escape artist and Jason as the violent rule breaker. It was pretty neat to see them expand the Batman legacy like that and it let stories go really deep in their particular direction instead of smattering them all about like with Batman himself.
Batman comics have never recovered from the universe reset in the New 52. 90s-early 2000s had the best batfamily. Dennis O’Neil’s departure along with the retiring of all the 80s and 90s talent hurt batman a lot. Also Gail Simon regressed Barbara’s character so much.
Another one that is mostly out of print. But I have the first 25 issues in singles. They are awesome! And I will be collecting that whole run. It's a clinic in street level superhero, episodic story telling!
Cool! I never knew about the history of this character
“I don’t know that anyone else has told such good father-daughter stories via Batman. They also tug at my heart because I’ve known so many neglected and/or abused children who just didn’t respond to prescribed, orthodox discipline. They needed someone to understand them and accommodate their needs.”
Yes! I thought this was a really important point, for stories, for people.
As an adult, besides human interactions, I also came to the ‘understanding them’ part through animals (too bitey, too kicky, too big and powerful, too afraid).
Showing them that I saw and understood them, and providing for their needs—even just of relaxation and peace and quiet—made more sense to them. But it all came from their first trusting that essential "I get you," part.
One of the great legacy characters. They had a real good split with Batman's kids outdoing him completely in one area and working together with their siblings to make up for their deficiencies. Tim as a gadgetier detective, Cass as a superior fighter, Dick as the front line handsome acrobat thief break-in escape artist and Jason as the violent rule breaker. It was pretty neat to see them expand the Batman legacy like that and it let stories go really deep in their particular direction instead of smattering them all about like with Batman himself.
I like this analysis!
Batman comics have never recovered from the universe reset in the New 52. 90s-early 2000s had the best batfamily. Dennis O’Neil’s departure along with the retiring of all the 80s and 90s talent hurt batman a lot. Also Gail Simon regressed Barbara’s character so much.
Well put. I've been pretty much out ever since New 52, though my interest in comics hasn't changed.
We've had three live action, motion picture Batman continuities in the last twenty years, and not a single Batgirl or Robin (Blake doesn't count).
Producers think we're simpletons who automatically love or hate certain criteria. "They hated Batman & Robin! No sidekicks I guess!"
Yup...
The best Batgirl IMO.
Hands down
Another one that is mostly out of print. But I have the first 25 issues in singles. They are awesome! And I will be collecting that whole run. It's a clinic in street level superhero, episodic story telling!
It really was so consistently good! The perfect balance of one-shots and continuity. I treasure my paperbacks and hope another kid will too someday.