Before you complain about Batman: Arkham City

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

Inspired by Movie Bob's railing against the new design for Robin, a question occured to me.

All those people who complain about Batman movies and games before they come out because of stylistic choices in the look and feel of the games, how many of you actually read the comics?

I'm not just talking about, 'I've picked up an issue or two' or, 'I bought the tie in comic for a movie' I mean how many people who might be complaining about Catwoman or Robin or Bane actually know what they're talking about? How many have read the entire Knightfall arc? Or Hush? The Killing Joke, A Death in the Family? And even more importantly than the one off well known comics, how many people have read the everyday (or week) adventures of Batman?

It just strikes me as odd, beause Robin's costume has looked pretty close to the one from Arkham City for quite some time now. They ditched the tights back in the eighties, and Tim Drake as Red Robin has some pretty obvious armour, and Damien Wayne has been rocking a hood with his armoured suit for well over a year. Complaining about these things strikes me as being the sort of person who likes to think they know Batman, but what they know really comes from popcultural osmosis, the movies, or what they remember reading as a child.

Also, for added discussion, if you are an avid reader of the comics, what classic or recent storylines would you like to see given an adaptation, whether as a game or otherwise? I think I'd like to play the No Man's Land videogame, it would be awesome.

 

[StBishop]

I like the new look of Robin. I've never read a Batman comic in my life. I've never read a DC comic in my life for that matter.

I watched the original show as a child and loved the old school animated series. I also loved the first movies.

I am one of those, I love batman as an idea but not enough to read the comics, people.

 

[the spud]

I never read the comics, but I must say that I enjoyed the 1989 Batman more than the dark night, mainly because it wasn't afraid to have fun with itself. That, and they didn't feel the need to explain EVERYTHING with a loong, drawn out speech (I still love the dark night, though).

 

[TheNaut131]

I occasionally do my research on certain things. This mainly applies to movies I think are creative and original ideas...but this is Hollywood we're talking about so no. It's probably not.

For the most part though:

Spoiler

Edit: Oh, I'd like to see Infamous get a movie...think about it.

Spoiler

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

I have read comics since I was very little due to my Uncle being a graphical artist and having an extensive collection.

Characters change in appearance constantly to adapt to the age and style of the time the comic is being sold. They can even change for different mediums.

I don't think Robin's costume change is that big of a deal.

My fave batman comic? Mad Love ofc.

Arkam Asylum made me squee with it's Harleen references.

*cartwheels out of the thread*

 

[Anaklusmos]

I'm not an avid reader of Batman comics but, I have read No Mans Land, Knightfall, Battle for the Cowl (I think it's called) the Arkham Asylum one where the Black Mask is revealed, and a few others... I don't know why I said that because I quite like the Robin design, if there's one thing I always hated it was the first movie adaptation of Bane, I watched the movie first and read Knightfall second, and I was sick to my stomach thinking that they took such a powerful and intellectual being and turned him into muscles for hire. I don't know why I said that either, if Bane is in this game (haven't done that much research on Arkham City to be honest) I hope they do him justice.

 

[Kanaan Brood]

Having read Batman since the seventies I would say I qualify as something of a nerd on the subject. I have a single issue collection of thousands of comics and the trade paperbacks and hardcovers I have hundreds of them. About 45% of the collection is Batman or Bat family related.

I have no problem with any of the redesigns for Arkham city. They are moving more in line with the books anyway.

The Long Halloween arc is my favourite Batman story. Jeff Loeb, Tim Sale. Available in trade paperback for around 20 bucks. Great read and would make a fantastic film or game.

 

[TokenRupee]

I haven't read as many as the comics as some others or as I would like. Though I have seen more of the other media like the show and movies. As far as I can tell, the redesign looks fine to me. I don't have any problem with it.

 

[Ascarus]

Or Hush?

next movie should have been about him, but no we get bane instead. i like tom hardy and all (his performance stole inception, period.) and nolan can (seemingly) do no wrong, but a Hush story would have been much more compelling.

that said, arkham asylum was so good it should have been GOTY in 2009. i suspect regardless of how robing looks, arkham city will still be an amazing experience.

 

[TheDooD]

It's gonna be a good game either way I just hope Deathstroke is playable some time in the future

 

[Smokescreen]

I actually have a little more issue with what seems to be a revision of the origin story. I realize there have been 4 different Robins (minimum) but it seemed like they were making up an entirely NEW one for the game. Note: I may be recalling this incorrectly.

I just don't see the point, since any of the first three Robins would work fine-Damien much harder to explain in an AA context.

 

[CynicalB]

He's DLC for challenge maps
Unless he's in the story part of the game his look is irreverent.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

My main complaint about Robin in AC is that he looks just like Cole MacGrath, Starkiller and, a plethora of other recent characters. He could very well be Desmond cosplaying!

As for the comics Long Halloween was my favorite. Arkham Asylum was a really good one too. I've also read Killing Joke and I have Hush somewhere...I'm not counting that one as "lost in the move" yet

 

[SoopaSte123]

My Batman experience is from toys, movies, the Arkham Asylum game, and every episode of the original animated series. No comics. Never was much of a comics guy. That said, I love Batman. I had so many different toys with so many different suits and gadgets, and I've always been perplexed about people making a big deal of design changes.

New Robin design? Impressive. That was the first time I've ever looked at Robin and thought "he looks badass" instead of "he looks like a dorky teenager who has no business in a gritty Batman world". I approve.

Batman Begins + Dark Knight? Amazing. Never has Batman felt so badass to me, and moving it in the realistic direction made it even more badass. And yet, fans complained about it moving away from the source material or that it felt like it "was embarrassed of its comic book origins". I think if anything it's BETTER if movies stray away from the really hokey stuff. It works in cartoons and comics, but live-action movies always come off better to me if they are more believable.

 

[Julianking93]

I kinda like his new design. Not sure what the bitching is about, really.
His costume looks good and I'm glad they didn't go with either the really young robin or the one in skimpy tights.
My only problem is his hair just makes him look a bit like Cole MacGrath in a robin suit but whatever.
Still looks good and I've been reading Batman comics since... I guess I was 8 or so. Something like that >.>
As for favourite comics and one I'd like to see get a game or whichever... I'm not sure. I really enjoyed the recent (well, kinda) War Games story arc but since that didn't really have many major characters, I guess I'd have to go with Hush or something like that. :3

 

[GiantRaven]

Also, for added discussion, if you are an avid reader of the comics, what classic or recent storylines would you like to see given an adaptation, whether as a game or otherwise? I think I'd like to play the No Man's Land videogame, it would be awesome.

Batman Inc would be awesome. I have no idea how it would work as a game but I know I'd play the shit out of it.

Also the world needs a Nightwing or Cassandra Cain videogame. Assassin's Creed's control system would be perfect for such a title.

edit: In answer to the general thread question; I love Batman comics (and DC comics in general) and I think Arkham City's Robin looks great. Really fits in with the style and tone of the game.