Peter Safran and James Gunn have finally unveiled the first chapter in their multiyear plan for DC Studios and the DC Universe, and it is mostly filled with great news for fans. They announced new movies and shows based on some rather niche and weird characters, showing their commitment to the huge gallery of characters that makes DC so special. There's also the fact that the slate doesn't seem to be following the exact same structure as Marvel or the Snyderverse, while also making sure to allow different looks and tones rather than following a uniform vision.
Then there are the actual projects, which range from interesting to actual jumping-with-glee exciting, including a Superman movie that actually understands how well-meaning the character is and finally giving fans the Swamp Thing movie we deserve.
Arguably the most exciting part of the slate announcement, however, was the new Batman movie: "The Brave and the Bold." Not only is this going to introduce yet another Bruce Wayne, it is also giving Batman a co-star: Robin.
The Boy Wonder is an indelible part of the Batman canon, as inseparable from the Bat as Joker or Alfred. Yet, we haven't really had a live-action Robin in 26 years, since the aptly titled "Batman & Robin." Now, DC has a unique opportunity to bring back one of the most important dynamics of the comics, and do so while being inspired by one of the greatest comic book runs of the modern era.
According to Gunn, "The Brave and The Bold" will not introduce just any Robin, but more specifically Batman's canonical son, Damian Wayne. Born Damian al Ghul, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, Damian is the biggest jerk in the DC universe, a little assassin punk who seemingly wants to murder everyone he meets but is still a young kid who loves his Bat-Dog and Bat-Cow (yes, really).
There's No Batman And Robin Without Robin
It seems DC is finally leaving the Frank Miller influence behind and instead taking inspiration from Grant Morrison comics, between James Gunn's take on Superman being inspired by Morrison's "All-Star Superman" and now this news about "The Brave and the Bold." Morrison's run on Batman is one of the best comic runs of the past couple of decades: It's an epic love letter to the entire history of the character, with Morrison making every era, every story, and every iteration part of the canon. The introduction of Damian forever changed the entire dynamic of the Bat-family, forcing Batman to reckon with his role in the upbringing of his child soldiers. And yet, Damian is also hilarious, and after years of brooding and lonely big-screen versions of Batman, it is welcome news to see him paired up with an annoyed brat.
During DC's big presentation this week, Gunn also spoke about introducing the Bat-family, a dynamic sorely missed from the movies but essential to Batman, the thing that makes him stand apart as a hero. Any hero can have a sidekick, but it is Batman's history of taking in surrogate children and helping them overcome trauma, while undergoing some trauma of his own, that makes him unique.
There are lots of ways to make Batman feel different than the approximately 9,348 times we've seen him before, but this is arguably the best one. Batman is cool and all, but it is finally time for Robin to rise.
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