Is The Dark Knight Rises’ John Blake coming to DC Comics?
Last week we were all about suggesting that there could be a Nightwing feature off the back of The Dark Knight Rises starring Joseph Gordon Levitt as the masked vigilante, but what if it went the other way around. What if there was a spin-off comic book starring John Blake as a GCPD cop who either joins Batman in his war on crime or even became the new Nightwing? This may not be such a far out idea as ComicBook.com spooted that Dan DiDio on his facebook page seemed to suggest this could be the case.
Of course DiDio could just be yanking our chains, he has been known to do this on occasion and he isn’t exactly explicit in his comments, when asked the question: Will we see John Blake in his own series of books? DiDio responded: “A series of books?” Let’s see how he does on his first mission.” DiDio didn’t respond to the question of whether he would Blake would be donning the cape and cowl so here are some other unfounded spurious options I’ve decided to throw out there:
1. DC relaunch Gotham Central, the much loved Gotham police procedural book written by Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker, only this time have John Blake as the focus or at least part of the team. Brubaker seems to be off Marvel’s books, so now would be a good time to get back into bed with DC and I’m sure the book would be a success, especially with the addition of Blake’s character to the series.
2. After some kind of plot to return Batman’s son and current Robin, Damian Wayne, to the League of Shadows and the cold embrace of his mother, Talia Al Ghul, Batman is left without a sidekick. Tired of turning children into soldiers Bats turns to the new cop on the block, John Blake, to help him in his battle against the never-ending torrent of crime that befalls and take on the mantle of a new kind of Robin.
3. This one doesn’t work in a post-DCNU world where Dick Grayson is apparently only 21years old (WTF?!) and has never been a beat cop but I like the idea so I’m sticking with it: Transferred from GCPD to neighbouring Blüdhaven PD, Officer Blake is partnered up with a young officer Richard Grayson. It’s not long before Blake realises there is something odd going on with Officer Grayson and after further investigation discovers that Dick is in fact the masked vigilante, Nightwing. Now here is where we have two options, Blake could either become a pseudo-sidekick to Nightwing in the vein of Barbara Gordon’s Oracle or replace Dick as Nightwing for some length of time, something that has never been done to the best of my memory.
4. John Blake, a relatively fresh recruit to the GCPD makes a big bust and comes to the attention of Commissioner Jim Gordon’s, through discussion with Blake, Gordon discovers that he is actually the illegitimate son of Officer Stan Merkel. Still reeling with guilt over the loss of his right hand man, Merkel, at the hands of The Hangman (Batman: Dark Victory), Gordon promotes Blake to be his personal bodyguard. A great bond grows between the pair and Gordon share with Blake his suspicions on the identity of The Batman. Blake further investigates Jim’s theories and discovers the truth that Bruce Wayne is Batman only to be gunned down trying to gain access to the Batcave by the Joker, leaving him paralyzed and Gotham’s new Oracle.
Just a few Secrets and Lies there for you to chew over, I’m sure none of them will come to fruition but if they do, remember you heard it here first.
About the Author
Gavin Jones Chief Sidekick at Sidekick Central, blogger, podcaster, reader of comics and sometimes other books. Lives in his ipad.
Related Posts
Full Arkham Origins Trailer: More Batman vs Deathstroke →
Batman vs Deathstroke: Arkham Origins Teaser Trailer →
Si Spurrier’s Six Gun Gorilla →
