Bruce Wayne...Fugitive? [Archive]

Gotham Knights '68

03-23-2002, 01:40 AM

Hello....This is my first post ever. I love DC comics especially Batman and all of his Gotham Knights and Rogues. I've been collecting since 1987.

Really loving the whole Murderer/Fugitive storyline.

Has anyone given thought to Hugo Strange as the murderer?

I thought about this about a month or so ago, then thought...well maybe Sasha (with input from my wife), but I really felt like it was Mr. Strange. Now with reading Robin #100 and Birds #41, I'm pretty sure my initial reaction is looking more and more true to form.

Of all of the Batman's rogues gallery, a select few know of his alter ego, Mr. Bruce Wayne, and Hugo is one who really has it out for him. He wants nothing more to prove to the world Bruce Wayne is the Batman (as he has tried to do this numerous times, only to fail...see most recent Gotham Knights #'s 8-11 if I remember correctly) and in his same twisted psychosis, thinks he is the batman himself...thus by eliminating Wayne, the path is clear for him to be the one true batman.

Clayface

03-23-2002, 05:57 PM

This is, in my opinion, the most likely suspect. This was brought up back when the Murderer storyline started, but most seemed to dismiss him as a suspect - I believe he was supposedly killed in his last appearance, but who ever stays dead in comics!? I agree that so far, this seems to be the most likely suspect, for all the reasons you've mentioned. And, isn't it convenient that Strange had just happened to have a big return appearance in the Batman comics right before this whole storyline started? ;)

kid_flash

03-23-2002, 08:48 PM

That's a good theory. Oracle didn't cross him off the suspect list, either....

Russkafin

03-24-2002, 12:50 AM

I hope it's not. It seems like we just had a Hugo Strange story not that long ago, and I really think he's kind of lame. I don't know, the setup for this story so far is so awesome, I'm scared that I'm going to be disappointed with whatever the outcome is!

kid_flash

03-24-2002, 12:28 PM

I've always liked Hugo Strange. I love the pyscological villains (Mad Hatter and Scarecrow fall into that category, too). And, yeah, about a year ago there was a Hugo Strange story. Really strong stuff.

Gotham Knights '68

03-24-2002, 11:29 PM

Three GREAT Hugo stories for current continuity...

"Prey" Legends of the Dark Knight #11-15, It is in TPB also...First meeting between Strange and Batman in year one. Written by Doug Moench and Amazing art work by Paul Gulacy, who also did "Outlaws" (another of my favorites).

These two teamed up again in Legends of the DK #137-141 "Terror" story that had Strange, Jonathan Crane (SCARECROW) and Selina (CATWOMAN). That was amazing.

Gotham Knights #'s8-11 was last year and in my opinion set the wheels in motion when this whole current storyline was first conceived. It involved Bruce and his Gotham Knights in a battle with Strange...very well written, man is Devin Grayson awesome or what! and Roger Robinsons art is fantastic.

These stories show how twisted Strange really is and shows how he is and should be regarded as one of the most serious threats to Bruce / Batman!

Kathy Kane

03-25-2002, 10:47 AM

Ok, since we're talking Strange here I'd like to know how and when he found out who Batman really was.
When I read the Deven Grayson storyline, a few months back, Strange seemed like a real crazy, manipulative and scary guy, like the Joker without the jokes or makeup.

BLACKHEART

03-25-2002, 11:49 AM

Is Terror part of continuity?

Gotham Knights '68

03-26-2002, 01:23 AM

Originally posted by Kathy Kane
Ok, since we're talking Strange here I'd like to know how and when he found out who Batman really was.
When I read the Deven Grayson storyline, a few months back, Strange seemed like a real crazy, manipulative and scary guy, like the Joker without the jokes or makeup.

Hello! Read "PREY", originally in Legends of the Dark Knight #'s 11 through 15...but it is also in Trade Paper Back. It kinda re-tells to first meeting between Batman and Strange. Excellent story and art :D

Gotham Knights '68

03-26-2002, 01:27 AM

Originally posted by SLIPKNOT
Is Terror part of continuity?

Not sure...I think most Legends of the DK stories are kinda like a look back in history, almost a re-telling if you will, of an earlier adventure in Batman's History...At least that is the way I look at them!

Sugar Daddy

03-26-2002, 01:44 AM

Legends of the Dark Knight stories arent necesarily in continuity, it was in the letters section of a Bat-comic recently.

kid_flash

03-26-2002, 02:01 AM

Oh, they go over what each Bat-title is at least every other month.

Really, LOTDK's continuity problems depend on the story. Some could obviously never take place in continuity (none spring to mind because I don't read the comic, but I've heard stories), while most are very much in continuity.

Gotham Knights '68

03-26-2002, 08:23 PM

Originally posted by kid_flash
Oh, they go over what each Bat-title is at least every other month.

Really, LOTDK's continuity problems depend on the story. Some could obviously never take place in continuity (none spring to mind because I don't read the comic, but I've heard stories), while most are very much in continuity.

I Love Legends, they have well-written stories that just focus on Batman and his world at some point in the past. The latest story, GRIMM was excellent. JM Dimettaus wrote the story (I really butchered the spelling of his name) - he currently writes the Spectre. Great stuff.

Sugar Daddy

03-26-2002, 08:28 PM

Originally posted by kid_flash
Oh, they go over what each Bat-title is at least every other month.

Someone had written in asking for a description of what the Bat-titles were about.

Samhaine

03-27-2002, 04:25 PM

I'm on my last leg with LotDK, personally. Terror was the last story that actually interested me. The Joker/Ra's story was ok, reminiscent of Dixon's recent work on Robin, Nightwing, and Birds of Prey. Merely passable. Bad was a horrible story, and Grimm was alright, but some of the plot twists and dialogue were just painful to read. I'd drop this book if it weren't for the fact that I've got just about every issue so far, and would like to see the collection going.

At least the other three core-batbooks are really good right now.

Kali

03-27-2002, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by Gotham Knights '68

Has anyone given thought to Hugo Strange as the murderer?

Yeah, I thought about it too. I'd really like it to be him, for storyline purposes. He's such an interesting, twisted psychological character.

Sugar Daddy

03-27-2002, 05:07 PM

Now I know this seems highly unlikely, and I don't believe its the case, and it probably has been brought up before, but could it be possible Vesper faked her on death?

kid_flash

03-27-2002, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by Sugar Daddy

Someone had written in asking for a description of what the Bat-titles were about.

LOL I know. There's like one or two people who will write in every month asking that, and DC feels the need to print that letter. Good for the new readers, annoying to those of us who've been reading the comics for awhile, or at least know the difference between the titles.

FLIPMODE

03-28-2002, 02:29 AM

Anyone remember the gu Bird, from Knightfall, Bane's Righthand man, HE KNOWS that Bruce Wayne is Batman.

TheHuntressDiana

03-28-2002, 08:56 AM

How long is this story line supposed to run?

If you say a year, I'm going to go crazy...

kid_flash

03-28-2002, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by TheHuntressDiana
How long is this story line supposed to run?

If you say a year, I'm going to go crazy...

Through July. So half a year. Plus a month.

TheHuntressDiana

03-28-2002, 05:35 PM

So, it's all over in July?

Thank God.

Samhaine

03-28-2002, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by TheHuntressDiana
So, it's all over in July?

Thank God.
I don't know if I'd say that. This storyline has been very well done, and now we're getting stories that are independent of BW:F yet still contributing at the same time. Take the latest issue of 'Tec, for example. It didn't have a Fugitive banner, but yet it still dealt with the things going on in that storyline. Plus, it's giving Bruce more of an edge than he had before.

Gotham Knights '68

03-28-2002, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by bloodone

I don't know if I'd say that. This storyline has been very well done, and now we're getting stories that are independent of BW:F yet still contributing at the same time. Take the latest issue of 'Tec, for example. It didn't have a Fugitive banner, but yet it still dealt with the things going on in that storyline. Plus, it's giving Bruce more of an edge than he had before.

Absolutely. I think this storyline has been fantastic. It really has had a good build up for awhile now...reminds me of the whole Cataclysm into Aftershock into Road to NML into NML feel to it.

My theory is that this whole Murderer/Fugitive saga gets resolved with Hugo Strange being the mastermind behind this whole thing, and in the end (probably to start off '03) Batmans one true friend comes back to save Bruce Wayne by convincing Batman that Gotham needs the Wayne Name - the only real bright spot in all of Gotham...that friend? Jim Gordon. It's been too long without him...just my theory ;)

Sugar Daddy

03-28-2002, 10:40 PM

I know Jim Gordon has been away for awhile in the comics, but I don't know why, because I have not been reading comics for that long. Could someone please fill me in? thanks

Samhaine

03-28-2002, 10:46 PM

Originally posted by Sugar Daddy
I know Jim Gordon has been away for awhile in the comics, but I don't know why, because I have not been reading comics for that long. Could someone please fill me in? thanks
Well, he retired after the events of Officer Down. He showed up once or twice after that, and then just kinda dissappeared. In the December issue of 'Tec someone broke into his house and robbed it, but there was no look at Jim.

I definately think that if they're going to commit to him knowing Bruce is Batman, then he would need to come back to help sort this mess out before it's all over.

TheHuntressDiana

03-28-2002, 11:17 PM

Originally posted by bloodone
I don't know if I'd say that. This storyline has been very well done, and now we're getting stories that are independent of BW:F yet still contributing at the same time. Take the latest issue of 'Tec, for example. It didn't have a Fugitive banner, but yet it still dealt with the things going on in that storyline. Plus, it's giving Bruce more of an edge than he had before.

Why not? I'm not a professed fan of the Bat books...don't confuse that to mean that I'm a Batman hater (I'm not). I was just starting to get into Birds of Prey and then this happens and it's like I've been cut off from the other story that's in the book.

I dunno...I guess I'm just getting anxious for this story line to be over so the book will get back to normal so I can decide if I want to keep it.

Don't mind me...I maily just ramble when it comes to things like this. I'm too spoiled by Wonder Woman (where this story line hasn't even touched the pages) and her relative exclusion of these things for the most part.

Sugar Daddy

03-28-2002, 11:24 PM

What exactly happened in Officer Down?

Gotham Knights '68

03-28-2002, 11:26 PM

Gotham Knights '68

03-28-2002, 11:28 PM

Originally posted by Sugar Daddy
What exactly happened in Officer Down?

Jim Gordon was shot, nearly died....Great story that has just recently been released in TPB...Highly recommend! I won't spoil anything else :cool:

Samhaine

03-29-2002, 12:24 AM

Originally posted by TheHuntressDiana

Why not? I'm not a professed fan of the Bat books...don't confuse that to mean that I'm a Batman hater (I'm not). I was just starting to get into Birds of Prey and then this happens and it's like I've been cut off from the other story that's in the book.

I dunno...I guess I'm just getting anxious for this story line to be over so the book will get back to normal so I can decide if I want to keep it.
BoP was an excellent book a while back. I've been reading it since close to the beginning, and it used to be GREAT. Since the time-travel story, and then the Ra's story, it's been lacking.

But the current storyline hasn't much been interrupting by BW:M & BW:F. Of each issue, only a few pages have really been used for it. Dixon has made a habit throughout the story of only throwing in a few pages pertaining to the big crossover, and the majority of the book furthering his own stories. He's mainly been doing this because he's leaving all three of his books (Robin (last issue was #100, and it's out) Nightwing, and BoP) to go over to Crossgen. And I believe that once he's left each of the books, they won't be participating in the crossover. Although, I could be wrong about that one.