Even though DC telegraphed it way too far in advance, I was thrilled when I came to this panel in Countdown to Final Crisis 14:
Not the panel where Jason Todd is revealed dressed in the Red Robin costume, mind you, but the one where Red Robin flies into battle alongside Batman. This is Jason Todd's Nightwing moment, one that he never had a chance for in the main DC Universe. Todd really, really wants to be a hero, but his inborn violence, especially in his reincarnation, makes this impossible where Batman (of Earth-1, or whatever the main Earth is called) is concerned. But in this world, where Batman has gone underground, where Jason's death essentially pushed him over The Line, Jason can finally grow into his own.
Can I just say that if Final Crisis pans out with this pair getting their own book, I'd buy it every month? I really dig Jason Todd since his return, and I love this Batman. Also, I should note, I can't get enough of the Red Robin costume. It's the best of the Kingdom Come costume designs, and I'm excited they've carried it into current continuity, especially as a Batman-designed costume. That's a bridge that Nightwing and Batman don't share - Nightwing designed his costume and identity to separate himself and Batman. But this Batman and Jason Todd, as Red Robin, are an extension of each other.
Roy | January 24, 2008 1:13 PM
I have heard rumors that the Final Crisis storyline is building to the death of none other than Bruce Wayne himself. From there speculation tends to go a little crazy about who will replace him as Batman. Of course that storyline will only last a couple of months and they will reboot the entire universe.
Dan | January 24, 2008 2:26 PM
I've heard that too, though I don't put much stock in it. They may kill off Bruce Wayne of another Earth, or the Bruce of the main earth and stick another in his place (if it was this one, that would be great), but nothing that'll stick.