Welcome to Batman: Gotham Knights Online, your number #1 resource for all things Batman. Every week, keep up to date with all the current news surrounding the comic books, media, merchandise and listen to our weekly podcast, where we have exclusive interviews with people from the industry and a look at all things Batman past, present and future...

GKO: MADHOUSE

Here you will find our rambalings on all area's of Batman, interviews and speical features!

JL: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS REVIEW

We review Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths.

BATMAN OF ZUR-EN-ARRH

We take a look at the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh from Batman #113.

GREG RUCKA INTERVIEW

Gotham Knights Online - Interview with Greg Rucka.

BTS: MUSIC MEISTER

A behind the scenens look at The Music Meister.

REVIEW: SB: PE

We review Superman / Batman: Public Enemies.

J.H. WILLIAMS III INTERVIEW

Gotham Knights Online - Interview with J.H. Wiilams III

REVIEW - BATMAN: AA

We review the most eagarly anticipated game this year!

BATMAN CRIME JAZZ

Composers talk crime jazz for Batman

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE CAPED CRUSADER, PART 2 - REVIEW

Posted by Unknown Wednesday 22 April 2009

Title: Detective Comics #853 “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader, Part 2"
Written by: Neil Gaiman
Art by: Andy Kubert and Scott Williams;
Cover by: Andy Kubert

Release Date: April 22, 2009 Price: $3.99

Official DC Comics Synopsis:
"Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?" part 2 of 2! This second part of Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert's special collaboration is sure to be a BATMAN story for the ages. This extraordinary tale, told as only Gaiman and Kubert can, explores the intricate relationships between Bruce Wayne and his friends and adversaries and builds toward an exciting and unexpected climax. It's a classic in the making

REVIEW BY: Jamie Desrochers

When I had heard Neil Gaiman was writing a story titled Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader and would have a similar feel to its counterpart written by Alan Moore in the 1980’s, I was over-joyed. With ‘Tec #852 and the first part of the story, three things jumped out at me:

1- This was a mystery we had to figure out (“You’re the world’ greatest detective…you figure it out”)
2- The story was riddled with homage’s to the various incarnations/versions of Batman as well as his allies and Rogues
3- This was a kick-ass story so far

The fist part of this two part story was filled with easter eggs and eye-candy. If the mystery surrounding this story was not obvious (who wants to spoil the story so early!), one thing was clear…this story seemed to encompass nearly every type of Batman related character in every medium he’s ever appeared in. B:TAS Joker. The Batman TV series Riddler. The Cat (First appearance Catwoman for the whos at home).

While this part took a long time to come out, I’m pleased to say that it was worth the wait. SO. WORTH. THE. WAIT.

SPOILER TIME!

This is a Batman story arc for the ages, as solicited. The story continues the revolving-door of Batman allies and rogues, each describing how they witnessed the “death” of Batman. Each time, the story varies…the costumes vary… and the era varies. Bruce is witness to his own funeral, but being the great detective he is, he knows that something is out of place. He doesn’t deny the stories told by Clayface, Bullock, Dick Grayson, Ra’s and Superman, but much like the ever-changing costume in his coffin, Bruce gets a different death from each of the eulogies. The entire time he continues to have a conversation with a presence…a woman… though he’s not sure who she may be.

Bruce sees a door and feels compelled to walk through it. In spectral form, Bruce has deduced that he is having a near-death experience which accounts for his fractured, but familiar memories (even as a ghost, he’s the world’s greatest detective!). This would also imply that he is not dead, but very close to death. He has also deduced that his mother has been his ghostly guide.

The story then moves into some of the best Batman story-telling I’ve ever read. Martha Wayne asked Bruce what he has learned from this near-death experience. Bruce then makes the point of explaining what Batman is, regardless of the era or story. Bruce has learned that he will ALWAYS be Batman, he will always protect Gotham and he will never give up. EVER. He may be down and out at times, but he always manages comes back to fight another day….until the day he dies. He doesn’t retire. He fights to the bitter end.

While Martha explains to Bruce that there are some constants in the Universe, we see a flashback of a time when Bruce was truly happy….reading a book on his mother’s lap. This touching scene can only ever end in pain though, as one constant is that The Waynes always die. That is what causes Bruce to become The Batman. In every version of the story, this MUST happen. And every time, he’ll try to avenge them until the day he dies.

At this point, it is time for Bruce to go. As Bruce doesn’t believe in an after-life, he’s unsure of what happens next. Martha explains to him that he doesn’t go to heaven or hell. For him, all there is, forever, is Batman. And now it is time for him to move on. In a touching scene where Bruce says “goodnight” to all the things he loves, the Bat-cave, his allies, his enemies and Gotham, we get the full scope of how much Bruce has affected not only the lives of the people in his fictional universe, but ourselves. Batman is engrained in our culture. ….and this is his ultimate tribute.

As Bruce says goodnight to the Bat-symbol, it transforms into a pair of hands reaching into the womb and delivering a baby in some of the most interesting imagery I’ve ever seen in comics. As he has so many times before, Bruce Wayne is born again. And the story ends…or begins anew.

SPOILERS OFF!

Put aside where this fits in continuity. Forget if this ties into Final Crisis and RIP. Undo your panties out of their knot. It doesn’t fit in continuity. And yet, it does!

Andy Kubert’s art is spectacular. Hands-down some of the best stuff I’ve seen from him. He captures the different versions of Batman perfectly and he imitates the different art of Bolland, Miller, Aparo and Sprang (to name a few) enough for you to know which era he is representing.
This is just a story about the enduring spirit of Batman. Gaiman presents to us every version of Batman we are familiar with and shows us that they are ALL Bruce Wayne and that they are ALL correct.

Everybody has a version of Batman they love, but in the end, what we love best is his spirit and willingness to never give in. Whether it is Adam West or Superfriends, Son of The Demon or Detective Comics # 27, Batman may look different, sound different…but he is always Batman.

The Good: “Goodnight, Bat-symbol”
The Bad: NONE
The Ugly: NONE

SCORE: 5/5

LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS PODCAST ONLINE COVERING NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS WITH GUESTS FROM ALL BATMAN INDUSTRIES!



GKO: PODCAST #43

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. 4th to 17th Oct, including Batman: Knightfall Pt11.
23-10-10

GKO: PODCAST #42

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. 20th Sept to 3rd Oct, including Batman: Knightfall Pt10.
09-10-10

GKO: PODCAST #41

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. 13th to Sept 20th, including Batman: Knightfall Pt9.
14-09-10

GKO: PODCAST #40

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. Aug 30th to Sept 12th, including Batman: Knightfall Pt8.
14-09-10

GKO: PODCAST #39

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. Aug 23rd to Aug 29th, including Batman: Knightfall Pt7.
31-08-10

GKO: PODCAST #38

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. Aug 9th to Aug 22nd, including Batman: Knightfall Pt6.
24-08-10

GKO: PODCAST #37

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. Aug 2nd to Aug 8th, including Batman: Knightfall Pt5.
03-08-10

GKO: PODCAST #36

This week we have a new host and review Batman: Under the Red Hood along with all the news from the week.
03-08-10

GKO: PODCAST #35

This is our SDCC '10 coverage special covering all the news from July 19th to July 25th.
26-07-10

GKO: PODCAST #34

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. July 12th to July 18th, including Batman: Knightfall Pt2.
19-07-10

GKO: PODCAST #33

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. July 5th to July 11th, including Batman: Knightfall Pt1.
12-07-10

GKO: PODCAST #32

This week we interview writer Judd Winick about the Red Hood.
05-07-10

GKO: PODCAST #31

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. June 14th to June 20th.
21-06-10

GKO: PODCAST #30

This week we cover the amazing release of Batman #700. June 7th to June 13th.
14-06-10

GKO: PODCAST #29

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. May 31st to June 6th.
7-06-10

GKO: PODCAST #28

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. May 24th to May 30th.
31-05-10

GKO: PODCAST #27

This week we cover the usual news in the Batman Universe. May 10th to May 23rd.
24-05-10

GKO: PODCAST #26

We return for a quick April round table episode.
10-05-10

GKO: PODCAST #25

This week is our 25th Anniversary episode including a new co-host.
21-03-10

GKO: PODCAST #24

This week we interview with artist Lee Garbett to talk about his current run on Batgirl
01-03-10

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