By Mark Rodriguez
So DC comics released a new line of series or whatever called Black Label, and it starts with Batman Damned # 1. From what I can gather it's an elseworlds tale that deals with what Batman would do if the Joker was killed and it involves Constantine and Zatana. I regrettably didn't buy the issue due to having to work during New Comic Wednesday, but this will not be a review of a comic but discussing the... content, and the reaction regarding it.
The Black Label stories will be for stories that can use elements that go beyond the usual limitations of comic books, which I assume is actual non-censored swearing, more brutal violence and Bruce Wayne showing more than ever before. One of the comic's panels shows Bruce, for whatever reason stripping down, and while his body is covered in shadow, a slight sliver of light showcases the not so Caped Crusader.
This, of course, threw a media into a frenzy. Most of my friends have brought up that this isn't the first time comics showcased nudity, such is the case with Watchmen with Dr. Manhattan, who was naked all of the time (without any shadows to cover up the details, mind you). While there's no denying Watchmen was a hit and their movie made them even more known in the public eye back in that time, I feel the reason this particular case is such a big deal is because Batman is one of the most iconic, if not THE most iconic hero of all time. And of course we live in the PC era.
Now I honestly wouldn't have cared to have made a blog article if it wasn't for the aftermath. DC must have had cold feet and quickly censored future printings of the comic, and apparently the um.. uncut version isn't available in digital format anymore. This makes a comic that came out this very Wednesday (September 19, 2018) become a limited edition print in less than 24 hours. Yep, a comic containing a subtle hint of The Dark Knight's Batarang is being sold on eBay for as high as 245 bucks!!! With signed copies going as far as 350!! And the price, as well as Batman, is rising.
Now this raises the question of what exactly is to come in Batman Damned # 2, as well as any future stories under the Black Label. I mean, are they gonna show topless Catwoman? Joker and Harley going at it? Or eventually show Batman... without the shadows? And while it is true that censoring or removing that one panel does nothing to affect the story... what is the point of this bold new line of more adult stories if they're gonna backpedal on it? Honestly, what the hell was DC thinking? And I mean before AND after they did this??
There's not much to say now, but I will follow the story to see if DC faces any backlash, or if eBay has people selling it for a thousand bucks as well as the anticipation of Batman Damned # 2. DC kinda wrote themselves into a corner. If the second issue doesn't feature something just as scandalous and controversial, it will further ruin the point of Black Label and just kill the whole line. Perhaps DC should have waited a few issues down the line for their um, big reveal?
I guess we'll have to find out. I have to say, I do regret not buying this comic, and I don't mean for the fine art. I've never had a limited edition of anything before, so had I known this whole fiasco was going to happen, I would have bought 2 copies and sell them for jacked up prices on eBay to make some extra cash. One issue would have been completely untouched and unopened.... and the second one would have been touched at least once for the blog review and sell them both on eBay for a decent amount.
The story itself doesn't interest me. I might eventually pick it up or I might not since I don't have a rush to do so. But I am going to stay tuned in case the Dramarang continues in issue 2.
And in case you're wondering, I chose to exclude the panel here to avoid any problems with Blogger, Google and whatever else. It's literally all over the internet, so it shouldn't be too hard to find.
Edit- We're up to 500 bucks now. When will Batman hit his peak??
So DC comics released a new line of series or whatever called Black Label, and it starts with Batman Damned # 1. From what I can gather it's an elseworlds tale that deals with what Batman would do if the Joker was killed and it involves Constantine and Zatana. I regrettably didn't buy the issue due to having to work during New Comic Wednesday, but this will not be a review of a comic but discussing the... content, and the reaction regarding it.
The Black Label stories will be for stories that can use elements that go beyond the usual limitations of comic books, which I assume is actual non-censored swearing, more brutal violence and Bruce Wayne showing more than ever before. One of the comic's panels shows Bruce, for whatever reason stripping down, and while his body is covered in shadow, a slight sliver of light showcases the not so Caped Crusader.
This, of course, threw a media into a frenzy. Most of my friends have brought up that this isn't the first time comics showcased nudity, such is the case with Watchmen with Dr. Manhattan, who was naked all of the time (without any shadows to cover up the details, mind you). While there's no denying Watchmen was a hit and their movie made them even more known in the public eye back in that time, I feel the reason this particular case is such a big deal is because Batman is one of the most iconic, if not THE most iconic hero of all time. And of course we live in the PC era.
Now I honestly wouldn't have cared to have made a blog article if it wasn't for the aftermath. DC must have had cold feet and quickly censored future printings of the comic, and apparently the um.. uncut version isn't available in digital format anymore. This makes a comic that came out this very Wednesday (September 19, 2018) become a limited edition print in less than 24 hours. Yep, a comic containing a subtle hint of The Dark Knight's Batarang is being sold on eBay for as high as 245 bucks!!! With signed copies going as far as 350!! And the price, as well as Batman, is rising.
Now this raises the question of what exactly is to come in Batman Damned # 2, as well as any future stories under the Black Label. I mean, are they gonna show topless Catwoman? Joker and Harley going at it? Or eventually show Batman... without the shadows? And while it is true that censoring or removing that one panel does nothing to affect the story... what is the point of this bold new line of more adult stories if they're gonna backpedal on it? Honestly, what the hell was DC thinking? And I mean before AND after they did this??
There's not much to say now, but I will follow the story to see if DC faces any backlash, or if eBay has people selling it for a thousand bucks as well as the anticipation of Batman Damned # 2. DC kinda wrote themselves into a corner. If the second issue doesn't feature something just as scandalous and controversial, it will further ruin the point of Black Label and just kill the whole line. Perhaps DC should have waited a few issues down the line for their um, big reveal?
I guess we'll have to find out. I have to say, I do regret not buying this comic, and I don't mean for the fine art. I've never had a limited edition of anything before, so had I known this whole fiasco was going to happen, I would have bought 2 copies and sell them for jacked up prices on eBay to make some extra cash. One issue would have been completely untouched and unopened.... and the second one would have been touched at least once for the blog review and sell them both on eBay for a decent amount.
The story itself doesn't interest me. I might eventually pick it up or I might not since I don't have a rush to do so. But I am going to stay tuned in case the Dramarang continues in issue 2.
And in case you're wondering, I chose to exclude the panel here to avoid any problems with Blogger, Google and whatever else. It's literally all over the internet, so it shouldn't be too hard to find.
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| Oh Amazon, this had to have been done on purpose. |
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