So basically the picture below was released around Thanksgiving 2013 and has been heavily analyzed ever since for spoilers/teasers for the upcoming Batman Eternal comic series. We see Batman surrounded by friends and foes, but a keen eye can catch on to the more subtle hints that this picture has to offer.
Let's start with the group in the back left corner:
-Carmine "The Roman" Falcone looks a bit shady, but it looks like he'll be making his New 52 debut.
-The fellow in the back with the glasses looks like an older Alberto Falcone, the accused Holiday killer from The Long Halloween. But more people have compared him to Roadrunner, a newer face to Gotham's world of organized crime and introduced in the "Black Mirror" story arc from Scott Snyder. Either one make sense.
-The third person in this small group with the red mask is likely Tiger Shark, who Deanpool recalls vaguely in Batman #12 when Batman chased Tiger Shark down and brutally interrogated him to learn how he let the Talon into Wayne Towers. It's also worth mentioning that this was one of the few Batman issues where Harper Row played a large role. Tiger Shark was also featured in the "Black Mirror" story arc.
-Speaking of Talons, notice the owl on the tree branch? Return of the Court of Owls to a Batman series?!
-Move down to Batwoman who seems to stick out like a sore thumb in that corner, while the other Bat-related characters closer to the table. Shows how separated her comic series is from the other Bat titles. And check the bling on her ring finger. Note that it's on her right hand, which is traditionally wear the ring is worn on the bride.
-Then there's Maggie Sawyer right next to Batwoman... the two did have a relationship in the Batwoman series and Kathy Kane (Batwoman) has proposed twice as far as Deanpool knows, but maybe it's a sign that DC will finally allow the two to have some type of committed relationship. If you examine very, very closely she looks like she has a ring as well, but on her left hand. Not as blinged out, but still there. You could be even more symbolic and notice her pose appears to invite Batwoman to be apart of the rest of the Bat-family, which she typically is not considered. This could be hinting at a change in that as well.
Shift toward the "center"
-Jim Gordon. It has been debated whether he's handcuffed or not. But for the most part, if you compare the two pictures, most of the characters match their respective counterpart's poses down to the last detail practically. But Jim's counterpart's arms are not crossed as if to be cuffed. Looks like bad news for Jim Gordon in upcoming stories.
- Detective Harvey Bullock with the gun. Not much to speculate about here, he may be corrupt and tie-in to why Gordon may be handcuffed.
-That thing way out in the water is the floating Iceberg casino, while others think that it also has a reference to Mr. Freeze.
-Luke Fox aka Batwing is seen behind Alfred. Deanpool is eager to see more of this character.
-Batgirl aka Barbara Gordon is next to Batwing
-Red Hood aka Jason Todd is being is usual distant self and rounds off this small group of three Bat characters that are known to work more independently as opposed to a sidekick role.
Now the bottom left
This area probably attracts the most attention, obviously since the Caped Crusader himself is in this section of the image.
-Batman, but it's who sits behind him that makes things interesting. The following 4 are perhaps the lead contenders for becoming the next Robin.
-The one that's most recognizable is Red Robin aka Tim Drake. His previous experience as Robin is the main hint that this group behind Batman may be looked at as possible sidekicks under Batman's wing. And with the role of Robin still vacant since Damian's death, the analysis of this group has been looked at with much scrutiny.
-The one in the purple hoodie has reminded many Stephanie Brown fans of her original guise as Spoiler. As of today, we know that Spoiler will actually be making her New 52 debut in Batman: Eternal #3. Will she stay in the New 52 as Spoiler? She's also an ex-Robin and an ex-Batgirl, but only one of those roles currently unoccupied.
-From purple hoodie we go to the girl with the purple hair next to her. Batman readers will recognize her as Harper Row right away. The female character has been making infrequent, but meaningful appeaerances throughout the Batman series that has many believing that she is due to make a big impact in the New 52 in the near future. Her appearance and position in this image enforce this idea. But it also seems like everyone in this group have their attention drawn to what's in her hands. If it is bird seeds, it could be symbolic of them competing for the spot... though Harper has a more reluctant look upon her face. Wouldn't it be cool to see a "Battle For the Cowl" type story but for the Robin mantle?
-The fourth person here perhaps spark the most interest. It's no secret that Nightwing will have to go through a drastic change due to the "Forever Evil" story arc revealing his identity as Dick Grayson to the world thanks to the Crime Syndicate. Couple this idea with the fact that the Nightwing series is planned to end in April on their 30th issue, the same time "Forever Evil" will conclude. Now we see this mysterious fourth person wearing the domino mask very similar looking to Nightwing (who is also the only Bat character left to identify), but with blonde hair. Lots of theories to go off of here. A) Dick Grayson dies due to the events of Forever Evil, which would suck and Deanpool will throw a fit. But then who's behind the mask? Many have speculated it to be Calvin Rose, the main character of the Talon series as a person who was meant to be apart of the Court of Owls but has chosen to fight against them instead. Deanpool speculated a Talon to fit for a new Robin, but a new Nightwing is even more interesting considering that Dick Grayson was originally destined to be drafted by the Court of Owls as well. There's also the behind-the-scenes info that James Tynion, who has written for both Talon and also Nightwing, will be one of the writers for Batman: Eternal. Wouldn't be surprised is Tynion wanted to continue a Calvin Rose story. If this is the case, there are no other signs of Dick Grayson in this image that would show hope for his future appearances. B) Dick survives Forever Evil, but realizes his Nightwing days are done since his identity was revealed and could easily remain a target for villains. Thus he recreates a new identity for himself, maybe a new name but more importantly, dyes his hair blonde. Though if you're going to do that, shouldn't you change your hero disguise and name too? Not the best idea to just be a blonde Nightwing, don't think it would fool anybody. But this idea is better than him dying. Oh, there's also C) a completely new character. Deanpool can't really think of any other blonde characters in the Batman world.
Who's at the table?
Okay, here we go with the villains.
-Professor Pyg, who played a large role in the '09 Batman and Robin series that featured Dick and Damian. Though he's made his New 52 appearance in the "Forever Evil" tie-ins, could the return of a villain that mainly Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne fought against mean that the two will be around in the future?
-Penguin. Can't miss that hat. The Iceberg Lounge in the back also alluded to his appearance
.
-Catwoman. We can go back and forth on whether to consider a villain or not, but let's just go with the connection of who her counterpart is in the actual painting. Batman: Eternal is meant to follow the Batman supporting characters, perhaps Catwoman is more fitting for this villain table in this series. If you want to go even more symbolic, she's on the border of the table between the Bat characters and the villain's side... pretty much sums up her "ally or villain" standing. Can she be trusted?
-Can't really miss Joker's Daughter creepily under the table. Her pose/position may be representative of how she's lurking around in Gotham's sewers (under table = under Gotham). Guess she replaces the little girl from the original painting. With all the hype she had in her first appearance in the Catwoman series (which was back around Thanksgiving keep in mind), this may have been an attempt to bring more attention and hype to her character which has otherwise been a disappointment. But hey, if they can make her villainous character more terrifying in Batman: Eternal, then Deanpool can stop complaining. After all, there's no Joker in this picture either.
-The girl in the green jacket. This person and the redhead to her right have provided a lot of questions as well. Some have speculated a young Amanda Waller, who has been shown in the New 52 as Director of A.R.G.U.S. (DC's S.H.I.E.L.D.) or also Renee Montoya, who was known as The Question pre-New 52 but hasn't made an appearance yet in New 52 comics. The current New 52 Question is the male Question, but Montoya has been alluded to in the Batwoman series. However despite all that speculation, it has been confirmed that this character is in fact a completely new character.
-The redhead. Some say Carrie Kelley, who has made her New 52 appearance as a Robin teaser after the death of Damian. Or Vicki Vale, Gotham's news reporter and likely the only other redhead anyone can think of after Carrie Kelley. Deanpool is certain fans are wanting to see a lot more Carrie Kelley, but this character doesn't look like she's drawn the way Kelley has been in the New 52. It's nit-picky but it sounds more likely for this person to be a new character.
-One more thing to consider, look at the house and the stones behind everyone on the far right. A lot more plants and vines than what would be considered normal. Poison Ivy most likely. And one of these vines on the higher stones look like a question mark... expect the Riddler, who's making a splash in Batman's "Zero Year: Dark City" story.
What does the bottom of the image have to offer?
Everybody wants to see the return of Damian Wayne to comics.
-Titus, Damian's dog is the most noticeable thing at the bottom of the image. One hint to Damian's return.
-The robin on Titus' butt. Second hint to Damian's return, maybe even as Robin again.
-The cat, though next to Catwoman, looks more like Alfred, another of Damian's pets. Third hint.
Others Deanpool is unsure of
-The rose bush behind Carmine and that group seems out of place. At least there's not one in the original painting. Rose bush could mean Calvin Rose and his incorporation into Batman: Eternal, reinforcing the idea of him becoming a new Robin or Nightwing. Could also be another Poison Ivy reference. Someone even went so far as to guess Swamp Thing. Carmine is wearing a rose on his suit, it could also just hint more to the return of the mob scene to Gotham.
-The bones at the bottom. Killer Croc reference? Some guessed another Swamp Thing allusion. He has been making some trips to Gotham City, so it's not as odd as it seems.
-Deanpool wonders if the contents of the bowl next to Batman is important, since it looks it's rice in the original painting. Doesn't make sense to purposefully change it to something else unless it means something.
Well that's everything that Deanpool caught... with the help of others like this and that. Looking forward to see how many of these actually play out. Deanpool is planning on doing another one of these with the "Abandon All Hope" teaser that's been seen in a lot of this week's comics.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, read the "Who will be the next Robin?" post!
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| Will we ever get to see Dick and Damian together again? |
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