[Loki]

Quick refresher - Prodigal is the storyline where Dick takes over for Bruce for some reason (it was never made clear what). On the last page of the story story, when Dick is back as Nightwing and Robin is still Robin, Bruce is dressed as Batman but all in shadow. Nightwing is all agog, Robin makes a comment on Batman's new look, and Bruce says something about "this is the beginning of a bunch of changes". or some such.

What was the new costume? I've never been able to figure that out.

[The Canadian Content]

Loki, I don't know if no one knows the answer to this or if no one likes you enough to answer, but if you go here there's a link at the bottom of the page where you can e-mail the author, Scott Tipton. The man's a veritable comic-book encyclopedia, and I'm sure he'll be able to answer the question for you.

[Loki]

Thanks! I've just emailed him.

[The Canadian Content]

Cool. He's a really good guy and an amazing resource.

If you get a chance, you should read through his archives. They're really entertaining.

[Lucky]

The reason Dick was serving as Batman was because Bruce's back had been broken by Bane (KnightFall). Originally Bruce had chosen some new protege Azrael/Jean Paul Valley to be Batman. Azrael was a crazy cultist. He talked to God (or St. Dumas, I think), was brutal, fired Robin, redesigned the costume into battle armor, walled up the entrance from the cave to the mansion, and was all together out of his mind (KnightsEnd). Dick was offended that Bruce would turn to Azrael instead of him (but Tim would explain that Bruce just thought Dick had moved on and become his own hero). And Bruce was too involved with recovering to notice any of this (I believe he had gone off and started training with Lady Shiva). Dick, Tim, and Alfred finally helped Bruce displace the loony when Bruce was good enough to fight him. But afterwards he still wasn't at full strength so Dick filled in as Batman while Bruce got ready to take the mantle back.




As far as Bruce's costume change I believe that's when his costume went black. I'm trying to find the images. I have Prodigal somewhere here. I'll be back if I do.

I'm back. Here's another angle on your scene.



Here's art that doesn't totally suck.



So it was the black costume. Plus I think that's when the cape got super big so he could do those two cool poses where the cape sweeps behind him like a cloud and where it folds down across his chest when his arms are down so that it completely covers him and makes him look like a shadow.

[Loki]

I got two responses from Mr. Tipton (the guy who wrote the storyline).

Me: I've tried asking this message on a few message boards but no one seems to have the answer. Somebody suggested I contact you with the question. The exact quote was "The man's a veritable comic-book encyclopedia, and I'm sure he'll be able to answer the question for you".

Now that I've properly given you flattery, on with the question:

At the end of Batman: Prodigal Dick is back as Nightwing, Robin is still Robin and Bruce is dressed as Batman but all in shadow. Nightwing is all agog, Robin makes a comment on Batman's new look and Bruce says something along the lines of "This is just the beginning of a bunch of changes".

My question: What was the new costume? I've never been able to figure that out.

Him: It was the radical change of black tights instead of gray and no trunks over the pants. Pretty underwhelming, really.

Me: Whatever happened to that black costume, anyway? Did Bruce wise up and say "Wow, this is crappy compared to my tried and true regular duds"?

Him: Yeah, the old costume sort of subconsciously crept back into favor.

[The Canadian Content]

Not always speedy, but always right.

[Loki]

He got back to me right after I sent him the question. Stupid me forgot to post it to this thread.

[The Canadian Content]

Then I meant this:

psychofish said:

Not always speedy, but rarely right.

[Lucky]

You know... it seems that I answered the question before him.

[OpTard]

aren't you special.

[Loki]

luckylopez said:

You know... it seems that I answered the question before him.

It was close. I sent the question on the morning of Feb 6th. You answered at 3:00ish, he answered at 4:00ish. I forgot to thank you, too, so thanks for the reply.

Edit: Huh. I just realize dthat in the Prodigal TPB I have it doesn't show that panel you posted. Is your shot from the comic book story, or is it the issue after Prodigal ended?

[OpTard]

he had the all black costume for a while

it was a really shitty costume. there was never an official time that he went back to the old one. people just started to sorta draw it after a while and no one noticed or cared

[Lucky]

Loki, that panel is from the next comic. Its the continuation of the story picking right up where that one left off, revealing the new costume. Albeit from a really shitty artist.

[Loki]

Yeah, that's shitty, allright. You have to love the "Nightwing as Herman Muntser" drawing. And was the new costume supposed to have 10 foot tall ears?

[Lucky]

Batman's ears always varied from artist to artist. I always thought there was a really fine line between the right amount of length before it gets goofy. That 2nd picture probably crosses it too althought its not nearly as bad as the 1st.

[The Canadian Content]

And Loki made the Comics101 mailbag:

Loki writes: I've tried asking this message on a few message boards but no one seems to have the answer. Somebody suggested I contact you with the question. The exact quote was "The man's a veritable comic-book encyclopedia, and I'm sure he'll be able to answer the question for you."

Now that I've properly given you flattery you, on with the question!

At the end of Batman: Prodigal Dick is back as Nightwing, Robin is still Robin and Bruce is dressed as Batman but all in shadow. Nightwing is all agog, Robin makes a comment on Batman's new look and Bruce says something along the lines of "This is just the beginning of a bunch of changes."

My question: What was the new costume? I've never been able to figure that out.

Tipton: It wasn't exactly what you'd call "new." Just your basic Batman suit with black tights instead of gray and no trunks over the tights.

Anyone who enjoys comics and isn't reading this site regularly is doing themselves a great disservice.

[Loki]

I'm famous! w00t!