Geek of Oz

If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s people telling me Batman has no personality. It’s a commonly-fielded argument – “He’s really only into growling and hitting things” – that fails to acknowledge the deeper elements of the character’s psyche. Is there a reason he growls and hits things while seemingly devoid of emotion? Does a problem rooted firmly in his mind relate to this seeming two-dimensional representation of masculine heteronormativity and illegal violence? The answer to the latter is yes, there is a problem: if he were to add more outward depth and emotion to kicking ass, you might get kinda what you see in “Requiem for Damian”. And lemme tell ya, it ain’t a rosy thing to see. Following hot on the heels of Grant Morrison’s “Batman Incorporated” finale, the fourth volume of “Batman and Robin” follows Bruce Wayne coming to grips with the death of his son in the former. This leads to a five stages of grieving scenario that mostly involves beating the basmeezus...