Why It Has To Be Bruce Wayne in The Brave & The Bold

Co-CEO of DC Studios James Gunn finally revealed his plan for the new DC Universe of films and television. One of the many announced projects is The Brave and The Bold, which features Batman and Damian Wayne as Robin! Gunn says, "This is based on Grant Morrison's great comic book run!" With the cover of Batman and Robin #1 from 2010, die-hard DC Comic and Batman fans could not help but make the assumption. Comic nerds know this as the run were Bruce Wayne is dead, Dick Grayson takes up the mantle of Batman, and Bruce's son, Damian, is now Robin. Mind you that Grant Morrison has other Batman runs, including - Batman & Son, Batman: R.I.P. and Batman Inc. However, mention Grant Morrison with Batman and Robin in the same breath will make fans think of this run instantly.

Amidst the confusion and excitement, we cannot help but assume this film is taking after the Batman and Robin series. It is perfectly normal to mishear details or get lost in the moment, forgetting what was said before. James Gunn did say, "The Brave and The Bold is the story of Batman and his actual son - Damian Wayne." Hours later, DC posted on their official Facebook page, "THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD — The DCU will introduce its Batman and Robin in this unusual father-son story, inspired by Grant Morrison's comics." Father-son story? Sorry folks, we all know Dick ain't Damian's father. If anything, Dick is probably grateful he isn't.

James Gunn drops The Authority and Creature Commandos on us. Not many know of these properties, especially when many were probably expecting reboots of the usual like Superman, Batman, & Wonder Woman. Hence, why not continue this bold and daring trend Gunn is on, by replacing Bruce Wayne with Dick Grayson as Batman? Others have taken up the mantle of Batman, including Jean-Paul Valley and James Gordon. Yet, for all the substitutes for Batman, Dick Grayson is the #1 fan-favorite. Hence, why leave Dick out?

First and foremost is the set-up for Batman and Robin. Readers already know that Batman died in the events of DC's Final Crisis with Darkseid. This new film has no ties to Zack Snyder's Justice League. Replicating this from Grant Morrison's comics would take some actual set-up, similar to Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition, general audiences are not as familiar with the character of Darkseid. Thus, a cold opening of the film with Darkseid killing Batman may fall flat.

Perhaps they can go the route of the animated direct-to-video Batman: Bad Blood. Here, we are to believe that Batman dies in the beginning. However, we learn he is a prisoner of the antagonist. Not to critique this video, but not many people can buy the notion of a villain getting the drop on Batman. Furthermore, this video relies on its preceding two installments that establish Damian Wayne as Robin and Bruce's son.

Let's imagine selling the notion of Dick Grayson as Batman to non-comic book readers. You say Robin to the general populace, and they think of Burt Ward, the kid sidekick swinging next to Batman. Even many long-time comic-book readers hold Dick Grayson as their favorite Robin. When Robin (Jason Todd) met his demise in 1988, people automatically assumed Dick Grayson was dead. News outlets had a field day with it! Writer/Editor Denny O'Neil notes being called the 'guy who killed Robin' by a deli worker.

How does one market the film without the traditional Batman? DC Studios would have to launch an education campaign on the how's, who's, and why of the new Batman and Robin. It would be like that scene from The Lion King - explaining who Scar is to Timon and Pumba.

Batman is dead, so now Robin is Batman and his son is Robin.

Robin had a son?

No no no, Batman did.

But Robin is now Batman so who is Robin? Batman?

No Batman died

But you said Robin is Batman now, so Robin is dead?

NO! Bruce Wayne, the original Batman died. Dick Grayson, who was Robin is now Batman and Bruce's Wayne son, Damian, will be Robin!

OOOOOOOOOHHH

Meanwhile, you cannot leave it out of the promotional material and surprise audiences on opening day. 'Batman is dead, and now Robin takes his place; what the hell!' The Shyamalan twist is not always a welcomed approach. In the end, it makes no sense, story-telling wise, to blow past Bruce's introduction to his son. Introducing a new Batman film without a Bruce Wayne is too risky!

Lastly, there is no reason Dick cannot be in the film. The direct-to-video Son of Batman found a way to include him. Do not forget what producer Peter Safran said, "This is obviously a feature film, and it's going to feature other members of the extended Bat-family, just because we feel like they've been left out of the Batman stories in the theater for far too long." Hence, Dick cannot be Batman...yet! If anything, this movie can be a predecessor to a later Batman and Robin film with Dick Grayson as our Caped Crusader!