Bruce Wayne's Bodygaurd

[James Harvey]

To all the comic readers, we found out a couple months back that she, Sasha Bordeaux, knows Bruce Wayne is Batman. Now -- what do you think she'll do with the info?

[kid_flash]

I think it'll come up in discussion sometime. Sooner or later, one of them will mention it (as Sasha said she's positive that Bruce knows she knows), and when that happens...I so wanna be there.

[Domino]

How did he get saddled with this bodyguard again? I think this is one of the most idiotic subplots I have ever had to ignore. Ah well, can't win them all!

[James Harvey]

I actually really like the subplot. I'm enjoying the complication. Lucius Fox thought Wayne should have a bodyguard after the attempt on his life and NML. I wonder how this'll work into the upcoming BRUCE WAYNE: FUGITIVE storyline.

[Clayface]

Yeah, I'm kind of torn on the bodyguard thing. It seems a bit silly, and so far hasn't proven all that interesting - I'm just hoping that Rucka is going somewhere with this. How did Bruce get saddled with a bodygaurd? Simple - they brought in Rucka as a writer. Don't get me wrong - I love Ruck's work. But he has this odd fascination with bodyguard work (all of his novels dealstar bodyguards). I guess since he's so comfortable writing about bodyguards, he felt the desire to bring one into Bruce's world.

[Domino]

I realize it's only a comic book, but this is the same guy (Batman) who outthinks the entire Justice League, every alien race who ever tries to invade the Earth, and he can't avoid being assigned a bodyguard by Lucius Fox? Or he couldn't find a way to simply elude her enough times and point to her gross incompetence? Yikes. I take this stuff too seriously.

[James Harvey]

Wayne was forced to take on a bodygaurd. If not, he'd lose Lucious Fox. If Lucius left, his WayneCorp/Tech/Enterprises,etc, corporations would fall apart. Now why can't he avoid her? Well, for one thing, she is fascinated with taking Wayne as a client. She started off not liking, but when he first excaped her, she's got more interested. Plus, he's smart. She notices the glances and his build. A great example of this is the recent Two-Face issue of DETECTIVE when she noticed his tight, rough build. She's a smart person who is good at paying attention and this is something Bruce has never faced before. I think Rucka is doing great on this. DETECTIVE COMICS is getting better and better, but BATMAN has been steadily improving with Brubaker, so I'm not complaining. I'm lovin' the subplot. Rucka is fleshing her out and making this enjoyable and suspensful. I just know this will play into the Bruce Wayne: Fugitive storyline.

[Domino]

Despite the fact that the world's greatest detective has been outmaneuvered by the president of his own corporation, I'll bite. What is she going to do with the information? Her options are:

1) Do nothing. Act as if she doesn't know because Batman's a big, bad, scary unknown. Who knows how he might react? Personally, I don't think that makes for a very interesting story and so they won't do that.

2) Sell the information to one of his enemies, in which case she would prove herself to have no professional ethics whatsoever, and I don't think that's the case.

3) Fall for him. Try to help him in his crusade, falling short of becoming his new partner (unless SHE is the new/old Batgirl--nah, that'd be weak) and eventually leave on similar terms to Silver St. Cloud. I think this one has a shot.

4) Form an uneasy alliance. Work with Wayne to become an ally by earning his trust by not revealing his identity, becoming his new Alfred. Given the latest trends, I'd give this one the highest chance. The writers got rid of Gordon and Alfred, at least for the time being, so Batman is going to need new "civilian" allies, and she's a reasonable replacement. She can cover for him when he needs to go into action, and there's reason to have her around virtually all the time.

Agree? Disagree? Only time will tell!

[James Harvey]

Hmmm....

1) She wouldn't do this, becuase she seems to be the confrentational type and may this bring this up with Bruce when they're alone. He'll try to get around it by saying she's seeing things or whatever, but it will com eout in the open.

2) There's no way she'd do that. No possible way.

3) Unlikely. She doesn't seem to be that fond of Batman to begin with, so I don't think this will make them a couple. It's be completely unrealistic.

4) The most likely. While she may not become the new Alfred, they will work out a system where she can conveniently cover for him whenever she has to.

I'm just not 100% how this'll play out....

[kid_flash]

You know, the arguement about Batman being the World's Greatest Detective and he should've found a way out of it works great, but Sasha wasn't assigned to Batman. She was assigned to cover Bruce Wayne. A quick update: Bruce Wayne is a billionare playboy. On a good day, he can do one form of his taxes without getting distracted. The man can't run his company because he'd rather be playing golf or talking with beautiful women. The idea of him finding a way out of a bodyguard is baffling. True, he's ditched her, but he doesn't have the intelligence to get rid of his bodyguard forever.

[James Harvey]

The Bruce Wayne playboy image is a facade, remember, and Sasha saw through that very early in the series. Bruce has to keep up this playboy image in order to keep everyone off track.

[kid_flash]

Sorry, but that's my point in a way. Thing is, Bruce Wayne and Batman are two COMPLETELY different people. That's how I view them.

[Domino]

Originally posted by kid_flash
Sorry, but that's my point in a way. Thing is, Bruce Wayne and Batman are two COMPLETELY different people. That's how I view them.

That's interesting. Can you cite any specific examples of where this is evidenced in the comic books?

Also, do you see Bruce Wayne as suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder?

[DR. BELCH]

--Wayne doesn't suffer from the disorder, but he's seen it in two of his nemeses, The Ventriloquist and Harvey Dent. Harvey was a good man with some dark stuff in his past. As I've said, depending on whether you go by the comics or the TV series, it's either anger and guilt over hating his abusive father or feelings of blame over sucker-punching a bully and then hearing he went to the hospital that caused him to repress his rage for years...hence the birth of Big Bad Harve. A mishap (either with acid or a foundry explosion) gave Dent the facial scars that manifested his inner ugliness.
Freud once said he never treated a patient that didn't have a symptom he didn't see in itself. Practically every one of Batman's foes is obsessive, disturbed, or homicidal. So he's thinking, When the devil do I go over the edge and start acting like Joker or Two-Face or Poison Ivy? What's my breaking point? The Mad Hatter was once one of my top scientists; he goes gaga over some broad and turns rogue. Harvey, my best friend, got half his face blown clean off, and look at him now. Matt Hagan, respected actor, gets disfigured, winds up hooked on Renuyue and working for that worm Daggett, and he ends up a seven-foot-tall living booger. There but for the grace of God go I.

[James Harvey]

In the August issue of DETECTIVE COMICS, she might get fired....

[jackal]

I guess the subplot is working. "Batman" is one of my two favorite titles. I love Mcdaniels' art work ! It brings each issue to life. Gotham knights is my other favorite. This book rocks! If you don't read it , you must check out a few issues.
In my opinion Rucka is so overrated. Its like he watched one to many episodes of "Hill Street Blues" and is rewriting the show with a Batman in it. The stories have become way to politically correct. Batman is a crimefighting dinosour in a modern world. Frank Miller basically showed this fifteen years ago. I think the character of Batman suffers each time this guy (rucka) picks up his pen.
Thanks all.

[James Harvey]

How can you say that? April's issue of DETECTIVE proved how great of a writer Rucka is. He's a great crime writer. But alas, you have your opinions and I have mine. I share your appreciation for Brubaker and McDaniel! Here are the August solicitatation of the Batman books you listed, pulled from the official DC Comic boards:

DETECTIVE COMICS #761
Written by Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker; art by Shawn Martinbrough, Darwyn Cooke, and Jesse Delperdang; cover by Dave Johnson
In stores August 8. Bruce's bodyguard Sasha Bordeaux has thirty days to prove her worth, or she's fired! Meanwhile, Internal Affairs heats up the M.C.U., and you won't believe whom they're after! Plus, "Trail of the Catwoman" continues in the backup written by Ed Brubaker (BATMAN) and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke (BATMAN: EGO).
FC, 40 pg. $2.50

BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #20
Written by Devin Grayson, Julius Schwartz and Dan Raspler; art by Roger Robinson, Christian Alamy and John Floyd; cover by Brian Bolland
In stores August 15. Bruce Wayne makes a trip to Metropolis for a meeting with Talia, the new CEO of LexCorp - but it doesn't turn out as planned, and Batman has a run-in with Superman! Meanwhile, Dick Grayson and Batman both have to deal with the possibility that all of Grayson's family isn't dead after all, when a man claiming to be Dick's grandfather comes to town. Plus, a Batman Black and White backup "Soldier King," cowritten by DC legend Julius Schwartz & JLA editor Dan Raspler and illustrated by Christian Alamy (ENEMY ACE: WAR IN HEAVEN).
FC, 40 pg. $2.50

BATMAN #594
Written by Ed Brubaker; art by Scott McDaniel and Karl Story; cover by McDaniel
In stores August 22. An "Our Worlds at War" tie-in! In the conclusion to the 2-part "Sanctuary," Batman searches for the mysterious alien who has sought refuge in a Gotham Cathedral, while a showdown looms with Lew Moxon's deadly bodyguard, Zeiss!
FC, 32 pg. $2.25

[Clayface]

Originally posted by DickGrayson
How can you say that? April's issue of DETECTIVE proved how great of a writer Rucka is. He's a great crime writer.



Yeah, I agree. I love Rucka's crime writing. I wouldn't relate it to "Hill Street Blues" at all - I hated that show, and I love Rucka's stuff! He has a great, gritty, film noir take on the Bat.

[kid_flash]

Originally posted by jackal
I guess the subplot is working. "Batman" is one of my two favorite titles. I love Mcdaniels' art work ! It brings each issue to life. Gotham knights is my other favorite. This book rocks! If you don't read it , you must check out a few issues.
In my opinion Rucka is so overrated. Its like he watched one to many episodes of "Hill Street Blues" and is rewriting the show with a Batman in it. The stories have become way to politically correct. Batman is a crimefighting dinosour in a modern world. Frank Miller basically showed this fifteen years ago. I think the character of Batman suffers each time this guy (rucka) picks up his pen.
Thanks all.

ARE YOU KIDDING? Greg reminded me why I love Batman comics! Greg does the best job in the biz writing Batman, Bruce Wayne, and the entire regular cast. Especially Jim Gordon. You should grab some of his back issues (if you haven't already). By far, his best are 742 (his first as a regular), 748, 749, 755, and 756. I'd say the current one, but I hate recommending the latest edition of any comic because it always seems great when it's new.

[jackal]

Hey sorry guys, but I disagree with you. I think at best he is average. I am a little older than most of you , maybe that is why I think Detective Comics is not worth $2.50. it is too boring and so predictable. Frank Miller (in my opinion) reinvented Batman. And this aint it. It's just not dark enough.Thanks guys.

[kid_flash]

Not everyone's in the business of reinventing Batman. Most of the guys out there are just telling good, solid stories. Same with Greg (trust me, I would know). Batman hasn't been reinvented since Frank, and shouldn't be reinvented again.


Not dark enough? Wow, can't say I've heard that.

Check out issue 757: Batman gets shot. Repeatedly.

Part one of "Officer Down" (not 'Tec, but Rucka): And I quote:
Thug: "Oh, God, please don't rip out my lungs..."
Batman (with a really ticked-off look on his face): "If I find you working these streets again...your lungs will be the only thing they find of you."

I could dig up more, but my mind takes a break on Fridays.

[James Harvey]

I don't think you need to be old to appreciate the book. I guess I could say I'm one of the older posters here too, but I don't think it should have any bearing. But once again it boils down to personnel taste. I've read probably thousands of Batman books in my time, and I just have to say that Rycka and Brubaker are some of the best htings to happen to the character! They tell great Batman stories. Besides, isn't that their job?
:)

[kid_flash]

I'm only 15 years old (older than some readers, younger than a ton more), and 'Tec is one of my fave monthlies. You DEFINITELY don't have to be older to understand it or appreciate it. In some ways it's better to be younger or a new reader, so you have a fresh perspective and aren't comparing it to other stories, even subconciously. I try not to, but when you read so many, you compare it by nature.

I really wish I could say I've read thousands of Batman stories, but I don't even have a thousand comics.

[James Harvey]

I've been reading since I was about 5 or so fifteen years ago and I have a big collection. Most of them are ruined or misplaced, but I don't mind. I'm not one of those collectors who read them once and put them away. I read them over and over, I'll fold them and put them in my pocket, and eventually they get destroyed, but I don't mind. I'd rathar read them a hundred times than read them once and put them away.

[jackal]

Obviously I am one of the few people who feel this way about "Detective". I am going to spend some time reading some back issues, NML specifically. Maybe this will change my mind. I really wish I enjoyed "Detective" more.

[James Harvey]

The Detective issues were writen by different writers almost monthly, so I don't think that'll help ya change yer opinion. It's no big deal if you dislike a bookwe like. Everyone has their preference, whether they be the same or different.

[kid_flash]

Check out Greg's NML stuff. That's some of his best, before he really got going on 'Tec. Definitely check out LEGENDS #120. That was the first comic by Greg I ever read, and it's one of my faves. Excellent art, too.

And DG? I'm the same way, almost. I'm one of those fanatics who MUST have a polybag and backing board for every comic. I also gotta read 'em again and again and again and again and again..........

[Clayface]

I'm like kid_flash - I bag and board each of my comics, but I also reread them all the time. Unfortunately, my collection is getting so big that its hard to reread even a fraction of it anymore - I'm currently up to 22 long boxes!

[James Harvey]

I don't bag and board mine, I just stack them. I have 3 or 4 different piles, one for BATMAN mainstream, BATMAN Animated, Batman SPIN OFFS, and BATMAN TPG/GN/ONESHOTS.

[Domino]

Originally posted by Domino
Despite the fact that the world's greatest detective has been outmaneuvered by the president of his own corporation, I'll bite. What is she going to do with the information? Her options are:


4) Form an uneasy alliance. Work with Wayne to become an ally by earning his trust by not revealing his identity, becoming his new Alfred. Given the latest trends, I'd give this one the highest chance. The writers got rid of Gordon and Alfred, at least for the time being, so Batman is going to need new "civilian" allies, and she's a reasonable replacement. She can cover for him when he needs to go into action, and there's reason to have her around virtually all the time.

Agree? Disagree? Only time will tell!

And, as of the latest copy of Detective, it appears this was the winner!

[Domino]

Originally posted by Domino
Despite the fact that the world's greatest detective has been outmaneuvered by the president of his own corporation, I'll bite. What is she going to do with the information? Her options are:

1) Do nothing. Act as if she doesn't know because Batman's a big, bad, scary unknown. Who knows how he might react? Personally, I don't think that makes for a very interesting story and so they won't do that.

2) Sell the information to one of his enemies, in which case she would prove herself to have no professional ethics whatsoever, and I don't think that's the case.

3) Fall for him. Try to help him in his crusade, falling short of becoming his new partner (unless SHE is the new/old Batgirl--nah, that'd be weak) and eventually leave on similar terms to Silver St. Cloud. I think this one has a shot.

4) Form an uneasy alliance. Work with Wayne to become an ally by earning his trust by not revealing his identity, becoming his new Alfred. Given the latest trends, I'd give this one the highest chance. The writers got rid of Gordon and Alfred, at least for the time being, so Batman is going to need new "civilian" allies, and she's a reasonable replacement. She can cover for him when he needs to go into action, and there's reason to have her around virtually all the time.

Agree? Disagree? Only time will tell!

Well, time has passed and it looks like #3 is leading...Anyone want to predict how it will end?

[Beyond Batman]

Sasha was meant to protect Bruce, not Batman. And if she was smart enough to figure out Bruce was Batman, she deserves more credit than you guys think. Tim Drake became Robin almost the same way, piecing together clues and doing his own detective work to find out Batman was Bruce Wayne.

I'm 22. And I agree with everything kid_flash has said on this subject, and he's 15. I must say, you're replies are very mature for your age, and I find most of your comments highly agreeable. This just goes to show, no matter what age you are, you can still have a fine tuned appreciation for comics.

Clayface, 22 long boxes! Goodness gracious! I thought my four were hard to store. Where do you find room for your boxes? You must have an awesome collection.

Jim Harvey, (what happened to your old name DG?) now that's a true hardcore comic fan. I too read my comics over and over again, but not to the point of wear-n-tear. You treat your comics like comics, to be read, not encased to be read only once. Reading them till they wear-out, folding them to fit in your back pocket... I wish I had the guts to do that, but the collector in me still bags and boards each comic. Habit, I guess.

As far as personality disorders and multiple personalities are concerned, have you guys read the recent issues involving Matches Malone. Also, in Batman: LOTDK, the story called "Bad." These books dealt with multiple personality disorder. Bruce, Matches, and Batman really are three different people. With Bruce, it's a very thin line between being psychotic, insane, and a genius.

Joker, Two-Face, Ventriloquist, etc. give in to their madness, letting it control them, where Batman does the complete opposite. He controls his madness. IMO, Batman's nuts. I really can't put it any other way. His psyhological well being hangs by a very thin thread. However, he embraces his madness, controls it, and uses it for the greater good of justice.

[Clayface]

Originally posted by Beyond Batman
Clayface, 22 long boxes! Goodness gracious! I thought my four were hard to store. Where do you find room for your boxes? You must have an awesome collection.


Trust me, it's not easy finding storage space for them all! My g/f and I were living in a two bedroom apartment - we had one bedroom set up as the master bedroom and the other as a sort of guest room. The guest room was where I kept my library of books as well as my comic collection - I just had the boxes stacked in a corner of the room. But, they didn't all fit in there, so I had a bunch in the walk-in closet in the master bedroom as well. But then she started collecting comics, and she needed some of that closet room back, so things got stacked even higher in the guest room.

I've now just recently gotten a new job, and moved half way across the country. We got a huge 3-bedroom apartment - 1 master bedroom, one guest bedroom, and one room, literally, just for our collections of comics, toys, and statues! :eek: